Video & Transcript Research : 'candidate filing deadline'
Page 9 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- and Senator Parker is recognized to explain the difference between the substitute and the bill as filed
- and Senator Parker is recognized to explain the difference between the substitute and the bill as filed
- The difference between this bill and the one filed is that its purpose is to continue working on making
- We recently filed our permit application with the Nuclear Regulatory manufacturing site in Seadrift,
- We have recently filed our construction permit applications, yes.
Keywords:
nuclear energy, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, energy policy, regulation repeal, state energy strategy, licensing, reciprocity, regulation, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, interstate agreements, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, HB 132, Texas Government Code Chapter 418, Public Information Act, confidential records, homeland security, foreign adversary, terrorism
Summary:
The committee first took up pending business and quickly reported several measures favorably, including HB 12, SB 1361, SB 1705, SB 1749, SB 1897, SB 2344, SB 2566, HB 3809, and HB 4215, with most sent to the Local and Uncontested Calendar. HB 12’s substitute clarified a limited midterm review of regulatory agencies tied to Sunset Commission recommendations. SB 2696’s substitute changed med spa regulation from a license to a certificate, with training instead of an exam, plus background checks, continuing education, and two-year renewals. HB 3809 dealt with battery energy storage decommissioning and recycling, and HB 4215 was reported without a substitute. SB 1978, concerning interconnection of electric facilities in ERCOT and federal jurisdiction concerns, was reported out on a 5-3 vote after debate, but then the chair later announced the bill was withdrawn and left pending subject to the call of the chair. HB 1899 was also reported favorably, with one nay.
A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 14, the advanced nuclear energy bill. Senator Schwertner described it as creating a Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, a nuclear permitting coordinator, a development fund, a completion grant program, and a workforce development program. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives from Fermi America, Dow/X-energy, CPS Energy, Paragon Energy Solutions, Bridge to Nuclear, Aalo Atomics, and the Texas Association of Business, argued that Texas should lead in advanced nuclear, citing future baseload demand, data centers, industrial power needs, supply-chain development, and long-term energy diversification. Opponents, including Public Citizen, Texas Nuclear Watchdogs, Sierra Club, and individual citizens, argued the bill would subsidize unproven, expensive technology, create grants rather than loans, and expose taxpayers to major risk while doing little to meet near-term energy needs. Several members questioned whether the state should fund projects that may not produce grid power for years, and whether the bill’s grant structure and new office were justified.
The committee also heard HB 5061, which Senator Schwertner said would prohibit unethical surveillance and misuse of confidential information by state contractors, create a confidential reporting system through the State Auditor’s Office, authorize Texas Rangers investigations, protect whistleblowers, and impose penalties including contract termination, fines, and contracting bans. No public testimony was offered, and the bill was left pending. HB 132, sponsored by Senator Hughes, would extend confidentiality protections for sensitive information to hostile acts by foreign adversaries; it was also left pending after no testimony. HB 1584 was then laid out, with Senator Schwertner explaining it would require utilities to maintain and update priority restoration lists for critical facilities after Hurricane Beryl exposed communication failures, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (2-27-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 9 changes the deadline to file to run as a write-in candidate to the same deadline as the certification
- deadline to file to run as a wrin candidate<00:08:39.640>
to <00:08:39.839>the <00:08:40.000 - to the same deadline as the candidate to the same deadline as the certification<00:08:42.120>
of< - <00:11:18.760>
the candidates U filing will include the candidates U filing will include the - Specifically, by the first Friday following the candidate filing deadline, the State Board of Elections
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs met with a quorum and considered two election-related bills. The committee first took up House Bill 684, sponsored by Representative Jennifer Decker, and adopted a committee substitute. Decker described the bill as a “continuous improvement” measure developed with election officials, clerks, legislators, and citizens. She walked through provisions addressing precinct officer staffing in vote centers, notice to school districts when schools are used as voting centers, absentee ballot replacement when a ballot is not received, retention and disposal timelines for election-related video surveillance, permanent voting assistance certifications, write-in candidate deadlines and posting restrictions, candidate filing details, witness requirements, public posting of candidate information, felony voting language, and school district closure rules for voting locations. Members discussed the school-related provision, the handling of mail-in ballots, and a committee-substitute change removing credit cards and debit cards as acceptable voter ID. Supportive comments emphasized election integrity and the collaborative drafting process. The committee then voted to report HB 684 favorably.
The committee next considered House Bill 699, sponsored by Representative DJ Johnson, which would add a pre-certification verification process for candidate filings. Johnson said the bill was intended to prevent ineligible candidates from appearing on the ballot by requiring election officials to verify that a candidate’s residence is in the correct jurisdiction and, in partisan races, that the candidate is registered with the party sought, with appeals going to circuit court. He argued the current system relies on costly legal challenges after filing errors occur. During discussion, Representative Hancock voted no, saying the bill would create an unnecessary administrative burden and that filing paperwork should remain a basic responsibility of candidates, while other members voted yes. The committee ultimately reported HB 699 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.
OK
Keywords:
Athletic Trainer, Compact, interstate practice, licensure, public health, workforce development, military spouses, telehealth, self-service storage, storage facility lien, storage unit, abandoned property, electronic signature, e-signature, rental agreement, lienholder, default, late fees, towing, vehicle storage
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee Feb 25th, 2026
Finance and Taxation General Fund
Transcript Highlights:
- This takes the crime victims, moves it from a one-year statute of limitations on filing to a two-year
- statute of limitations on filing."
- <00:27:45.200>
to <00:27:45.320>a <00:27:45.400>2-year limitations on filing - <00:27:46.760>
on <00:27:46.920>filing. - statute of limitations on filing. statute of limitations on filing.
Keywords:
county housing authority, public housing, housing authority, affordable housing, low-income housing, mixed-use development, community facilities, subsidiary, affiliate, public corporation, municipal tax exemption, deed tax, mortgage tax, probate fee, bond financing, housing project, urban redevelopment, rural housing, public-private partnership, eminent domain
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- They will come to us... ...They will come to us and file a ton of these claims.
- We have one company that's filed over 5,000 appeals.
Bills:
HB2211, HB2229, HB2389, HB2403, HB2445, HB2502, HB2620, HB2813, HB2872, HB2889, HB2960, HB4028, HCR2007
Keywords:
contractors, subcontractors, resident preference, public contracts, materials supply, Arizona Revised Statutes, local businesses, pregnancy resource center, pregnancy center, crisis pregnancy center, DHS, Arizona Department of Health Services, state appropriation, general fund, nonprofit grant, women's health, maternal health, reproductive health, abortion funding, pro-life
Summary:
The committee first took up HB 2211 only for discussion, not a vote. The strike-everything amendment would make it unprofessional conduct for certain health care licensees to submit an independent dispute resolution offer above 300% of Medicare or 300% of the qualified payment amount. The chair said he wanted more stakeholder meetings and broader consensus before moving the bill. Testimony was split: an ARMA representative opposed the measure, arguing it reflected insurer concerns, QPA data lacked transparency, and licensing discipline was the wrong tool for billing disputes; a Blue Cross Blue Shield representative supported it, saying a small number of private equity-backed providers were driving up surprise-billing costs and abusing the No Surprises Act. No action was taken on HB 2211.
The committee then considered HB 4028 on accessory dwelling units. The bill would remove the 1,000-square-foot cap as an absolute limit, change setback rules, bar municipalities from requiring an administrative use permit and certain elevation criteria, and extend the deadline for cities to adopt ADU regulations. Rep. Kyle Powell said the bill was meant to give homeowners more flexibility and help address housing shortages. Supporters framed it as a property-rights and housing issue, while opponents from neighborhood and city groups warned it would allow oversized ADUs, increase density, create safety and parking concerns, and weaken local zoning control. After extensive debate, the committee voted 8-9 with one present, and HB 4028 failed.
The committee next passed HB 2620, as amended, by a 17-0 vote with one member not voting. The bill appropriates $300,000 per year for five years to the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services for grants to emergency shelters serving veterans. An amendment removed age and non-congregate-setting limits for eligible shelters. Rep. Blackman said the bill was intended to help homeless veterans, and shelter advocate Nathan Smith supported it, saying targeted resources could help veterans exit homelessness and stay housed. The committee then took up HB 2960, which would create a veterans specialty court grant program. The bill was amended to have the Office of the Courts administer the fund and to allow support for expansion of existing veterans courts. Testimony highlighted the success of the Lake Havasu veterans court and the need for more standardized programs and data collection; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 2960.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee Feb 11th, 2026
Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- have to report the money that they are using to give to candidates.
- in the last I filed this on January<00:13:11.040>
29th. - , candidates, candidates, they<00:13:47.600>
would <00:13:47.839>have <00:13:48.079> - they are using to give to candidates. they are using to give to candidates.
- <00:34:50.399>
and stated that they had seven filings and stated that they had seven filings
Keywords:
loitering, mask policies, school safety, crime prevention, public health, board appointments, governor authority, multi-member boards, state governance, legislative authority, Alabama Business and Nonprofit Entities Code, Title 10A, corporate governance, nonprofit governance, business corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLC, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 30th, 2025
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- The current law says it doesn't matter if you think something's fishy; you have to accept and file.
- A particular instance of fraud for a deed that was filed in my office.
- By clarifying what we can refuse to file under certain circumstances, this also allows us to include
- We thank Chairman Anchia for filing this legislation, and I'd be happy to answer any questions.
- Thank you, Representative, for filing this important piece of legislation.
Bills:
HB1958, HB2031, HB2879, HB3285, HB3995, HB4487, HB4558, HB4560, HB4876, HB4899, HB5212, HB5317, HB5543, HB5567, SB1333
Keywords:
firearm possession, tenant rights, landlord regulations, civil penalties, property code, justified use of force, deadly force, property rights, home defense, smart devices, data privacy, personal data collection, user consent, mobile application, data transparency, HOA, property owners association, property owners' association, Texas Property Code, Chapter 202
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- per filing and about six months of time.
- After they were filed, it lists a section of the code.
- I'm here to testify in opposition to Senate Bill 2586 as filed.
- There are already sufficient penalties for not filing or for filing an inaccurate measurement in the
- They can file a lawsuit in small claims court.
Keywords:
SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1964 is filed as a non-council draft.
- I don't think it's ever been okay, to be candid.
- In our explorations, getting rid of some of these filings costs about $5,000 to $10,000 per filing and
- These are already sufficient penalties for not filing or filing an inaccurate management certificate.
- These are already sufficient penalties for not filing or filing an inaccurate management certificate.
Keywords:
SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service
Summary:
The committee took up a long list of pending bills before moving to several bills on the day’s posting. It reported favorably SB 438, SB 512, SB 647, SB 648, SB 715, SB 758, SB 1964, SB 2121, SB 2145, SB 2167, SB 2330, SB 2349, SB 2443, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 1495, and SB 2268, with several of those adopted from committee substitutes. Some measures were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while others were reported to the full Senate. Votes on the pending-business bills were generally strong, though SB 715 and SB 2330 drew recorded opposition; SB 647 and SB 648 had one member present not voting because of confusion over the deed-related bills.
A major discussion centered on SB 715, which would establish a reliability standard and penalties/incentives for generation resources. Senator Sparks said the committee substitute would avoid unfairly penalizing existing dispatchable generation, allow wind and solar to qualify through storage or backup power, give the PUC flexibility to set standards and phase in the program, and exempt switchable units. Critics raised concerns that it could raise consumer costs and destabilize the market, while supporters argued it would improve reliability. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out 6-4.
The committee also heard testimony on SB 2330, dealing with payroll deduction for association dues, where the author said the bill would end state involvement in dues collection except for first responders covered by meet-and-confer agreements. Members questioned why teachers and other employees were treated differently, and the bill was reported out 6-5. Other notable bills included SB 2864 on building-integrated photovoltaics, SB 1012 on sale of surplus state property, SB 2221 on fraudulent UCC filings, SB 1705 regulating cryptocurrency kiosks with licensing, transaction limits, fee caps, and a 72-hour hold, SB 1181 on combative sports licensing, SB 2586 on HOA transparency, SB 2075 as a TDLR cleanup bill, and SB 383 restricting offshore wind interconnection based on impacts to shipping, wildlife, and coastal interests. Several of these were left pending after testimony, with SB 1705 drawing both law enforcement support and industry concerns over the fee caps and limits.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Feb 19th, 2025
Ways and Means General Fund
Transcript Highlights:
- Stakeholder might be until a bill is filed.
Keywords:
judicial compensation, salary increase, court system, Alabama legislation, judges, HB187, court fees, docket fee, sheriff's fund, sheriff's office, jail operations, law enforcement, county sheriff, court filing fees, Alabama Code 12-19-312, solicitor's fund, clerk's fund, forensic services trust fund, budget flexibility, public safety
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Elect Committee Meeting - 2025-03-19
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- who are filing for office using the absentee candidates for a period of time.
- This changes some deadlines related to filing a petition for dissolution.
- It changes the Statement of Economic Interest deadline to be 14 days after the candidate filing period
- Currently, the deadline is dependent on which date the candidate files, and that creates multiple different
- deadlines and confusion for candidates, voters, and election staff.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/19/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- First, it changes the statement of economic interest deadline to be 14 days after the candidate filing
- Currently, the deadline depends on which date the candidate files, and that creates multiple different
- First, it changes the statement of economic interest deadline to be 14 days after the candidate filing
- Currently, the deadline depends on which date the candidate files, and that creates multiple different
- First, it changes the statement of economic interest deadline to be 14 days after the candidate filing
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House panel considers election security bill, HF2073 3/19/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- who are filing for office using the absent candidates section of statute.
- Section 14 extends the proof of residence requirements to candidates who are filing for certain local
- c><00:04:38.400>
office candidates who are filing for office candidates who are filing for office - <00:05:00.560>
local candidates who filing for certain local candidates who filing for certain - /c><00:10:18.760>
petition deadlines related to filing a petition deadlines related to filing
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on SF3045 5/13/25
Transcript Highlights:
- And this requires officials that receive candidate filings to notify the officials that prepare the ballots
- And this requires officials that receive candidate filings to notify the officials that prepare the ballots
- And this requires officials that receive candidate filings to notify the officials that prepare the ballots
- And this requires officials that receive candidate filings to notify the officials that prepare the ballots
- <00:09:06.720>
filings officials that receive candidate filings officials that receive candidate
Summary:
The State and Local Government and Elections Conference Committee met on May 13, 2025, to adopt agreed-upon provisions from the elections article. The chair noted they initially lacked a quorum on both sides, but later confirmed quorum was present. Members and staff walked through a grid of proposed sections, covering voter registration and student proof-of-residence rules, public voter information list deadlines, electronic rosters for combined polling places, absentee ballot procedures, candidate filing and ballot preparation notices, write-in candidate timelines, municipal boundary adjustments, emergency polling place signage, county election training, special election filing periods for legislative vacancies, school district election timing, voting system testing, town elections, hospital board elections, and repeal of the voting equipment grant account.
Several items were described as technical or clarifying changes, including wording fixes, consistency edits, and updated effective dates, with many provisions set to take effect January 1, 2026. One item, line 15, involving a cannabis-related provision, was set aside because an amendment had not been posted and printed in time; members agreed to take it up later. The committee also discussed a mix of House-only and Senate-only provisions, including third-party presidential electors, phonetic spelling on affidavits of candidacy, notification of ballot preparers when candidate names change, emergency polling place procedures, training requirements, and rules for temporary polling places on tribal land.
After the staff walkthrough and brief questions, Vice Chair Aldenorf moved to adopt the provisions in the document titled “Elections Provisions Proposed Sections for Adoptions, May 13, 2025,” excluding line 15, and include them in the conference committee report. The motion passed on a voice vote with no opposition recorded. The committee then adjourned, with members noting that work on remaining elections provisions could continue afterward.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 2/10/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:24:59.279>
filing <00:24:59.720>database <00:25:00.520>and the candidate - filing database and the candidate filing database and election<00:25:01.120>
reporting <00:25: - candidate filings website on Election candidate filings website on Election night<00:25:16.720><
- This also coincides with the deadline for minor parties and independent candidates to submit nominating
- This also coincides with the deadline for minor parties and independent candidates to submit nominating
Summary:
The Minnesota House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee met to begin its session with member and staff introductions, then heard an overview from Secretary of State Steve Simon and elections director Paul Linnell on the state’s elections administration and budget needs. Simon said the office’s committee-jurisdiction budget request was for the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) election security grant match: Minnesota received about $1 million in federal funds in 2024 and needs a $200,000 state match to unlock the money for election security navigator work. He also previewed the office’s broader presentation on the 2024 election, outreach efforts, and election security.
Simon described the 2024 election cycle as successful, saying his administrative goals were high turnout and low drama. He reported that Minnesota had very high turnout in the November election, with more than 3.27 million ballots cast and about 76.4% turnout, and noted that more than 1.3 million voters cast ballots before Election Day. He also highlighted outreach and accessibility efforts, including the Students Voting Program, Youth Day at the Capitol, National Voter Registration Day activities, expanded online voter tools in additional languages, and work to inform eligible Minnesotans about the Restore the Vote law for people leaving prison. He emphasized that elections are a team effort carried out largely by counties, cities, townships, and election judges.
Linnell then explained the state’s election administration structure and responsibilities, including the Statewide Voter Registration System, candidate filing and election reporting systems, voting equipment certification, and post-election performance reviews. He said counties are central to voter registration updates and ballot preparation, and noted that in 2024 there were a handful of counties with ballot errors that required court action, with a vendor process change identified as a contributing factor. Committee members asked for more detail on the number and identity of the affected counties. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:12:18.920>
candidate election period to a candidate candidate election period to a candidate - gets a fee charge, but the fee isn't specifically set out in statute like the candidate filing fee is
- of candidate of candidate nominations<00:20:08.880>
furthermore <00:20:09.799>the - <00:21:49.279>
filing <00:21:49.600>fee in statute like the candidate filing fee in - statute like the candidate filing fee is<00:21:52.120>
oh <00:21:52.279>so <00:21:52.400
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.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- filing deadline has occurred.
- filing deadline has occurred.
- filing deadline has occurred.
- filing deadline has occurred.
- candidate filing deadline has occurred. candidate filing deadline has occurred. candidates<00:14
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation from Reverend Carissa Serber, and journalized her remarks. Members then welcomed several guests and groups in the gallery, including Maryland Community Action Partnership advocates, Cecil College students and Dr. Mary Bolt, Cecil County Executive Adam Strait, the Maryland Association of Justice, Faith Baptist School students, and several interns and staff members. The chamber also introduced Senate Bill 585 and a bond initiative for the Active Achievers Youth Center, both of which were referred to the appropriate committees or subcommittees.
The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 255, the Voting Rights Act of 2026 for counties and municipal corporations. Senators questioned the bill’s scope, especially whether it would affect county commissioner election methods, who could bring suit, what “vote dilution” means, and whether the measure was tied to district maps or candidate filings. The sponsor explained that the bill creates a state framework for the federal Voting Rights Act, provides standing rather than a remedy, and applies when a protected class believes its vote has been diluted; political party was said not to be a protected class. The committee amendment was adopted without objection, and the amended bill was ordered printed for third reading.
On third reading, Senate Bill 5 and Senate Bill 29 passed with constitutional majorities. Senate Bill 93 also passed. Senate Bill 141, dealing with election misinformation, disinformation, and deep fakes, was moved back to second reader for a technical amendment and then special ordered to Tuesday. The Senate also held a lighthearted recorded vote on Seahawks versus Patriots, with the Seahawks winning 28 to 8, and then received committee scheduling announcements for upcoming hearings and voting sessions.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So what you wanted was what candidates had come in and filled out to, basically, to file as a candidate
- during the primary election candidate filing process.
- There's a very short timeframe between the time that candidate filing deadline occurs, to the time that
- So some possibilities may include changing the date of the candidate filing deadline, moving it up to
- One of those you just heard about was the candidate filing deadlines and the short period of time that
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Jan 28, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- We welcome the opportunity to provide an electronic candidate filing system.
- <01:38:24.560>
filing provide a electronic candidate filing provide a electronic candidate - <01:38:41.119>
filing <01:38:41.400>does not 2026 because candidate filing does not - 2026 because candidate filing does begin<01:38:41.880>
on <01:38:42.040>the <01:38:42.239 - , and candidate committees, and other individuals required to file organizational reports.
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs held its first hearing of the 33rd Legislature and heard several measures, beginning with HB 131, which would allow agencies to disclose government records to researchers for certain purposes and direct the Office of Information Practices to adopt uniform rules. OIP supported the bill, saying it would help researchers access government records, while DLNR questioned whether the bill was necessary, raised concerns about costs and exemptions, and suggested a definition change regarding media. The Public First Law Center and other supporters said the bill would not remove existing exemptions or create new disclosure requirements, but would simply authorize rulemaking to create a clearer process for research access. Common Cause Hawaiʻi raised concern about including news media in the measure. The chair emphasized that the rulemaking process would allow agencies and the public to work through details, and the committee moved on without a recorded vote in the transcript.
The committee then heard HB 411, which would create uniform administrative penalty procedures under the state ethics code and lobbyist law, and HB 412, which would expand lobbying definitions to cover certain communications with high-level executive officials about procurement and make some contracts voidable if awarded through unethical lobbying. The Ethics Commission supported HB 411 as an efficiency measure that would streamline the charge process without changing substantive rights, while HB 412 was described as a narrow transparency measure modeled on other states. The State Procurement Office warned that voiding contracts could cause delays, warranty issues, third-party complications, and higher reprocurement costs. The Ethics Commission responded that any contract revocation would be at the Attorney General’s discretion and likely reserved for egregious cases, and that the threat of voiding a contract would help deter noncompliance. The committee also heard HB 413, which clarifies that lobbyist campaign contribution prohibitions apply during periods when both houses of the Legislature are in session; the Ethics Commission and Campaign Spending Commission both supported the bill and the Ethics Commission requested amendments to clarify jurisdiction between state and county lobbyist enforcement.
Finally, the committee took up HB 149, which would require domestic and foreign corporations to report independent expenditures and political contributions to shareholders. The only testimony noted in the transcript was written comments from Matson, which said the requirement would be expensive and cumbersome and that the information is already publicly available through existing campaign finance reporting websites. No votes or final committee actions on the bills were recorded in the provided transcript.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- to uh candidate to uh candidate filing<00:26:51.840>
and <00:26:52.400>um <00:26:52.559 - <00:27:01.760>
filings um are valid when candidate filings um are valid when candidate filings - , um, filing affidavit, their candidate, um, filing affidavit, uh,<00:27:12.559>
electronically entry of candidate filings as well as entry of candidate filings as well as pro<00:30:46.960><- as
- >
well to candidate filing information as well to candidate filing information as well as<00:30