Transcript Highlights:

• Ensuring the well-being and longevity of our electoral process is largely dependent on engagement.
• Ensuring the well-being and longevity of our electoral process is largely dependent on engaging young
• people early on the importance of participating in government so that they become familiar, comfortable
• , and engaged with the political and electoral process.
• education to help engage and inspire this essential electoral body to become politically active and

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of gubernatorial appointments and floor items. The chamber confirmed Dina Eltawasi as Director of Caltrans, Allison Salt Install to the Court Reporters Board, and Olivia May Assumption to the California Commission on Disability Access, and later confirmed William Adams to the California Exposition and State Fair Board. Each appointment was presented by Senator Grove and approved on roll call, with final confirmation votes recorded after calls were lifted. Several measures were taken up on third reading. SCR 143, by Senator Umberg, honored Hmong and Laotian special guerrilla unit veterans who served with U.S. forces during the secret war in Laos; Senator Archuleta also spoke in support, and the resolution passed unanimously. SR 96, by Senator Cortese, proclaimed April as National County Government Month and highlighted the role of counties and CSAC; it also passed unanimously. SB 1347 clarified that stock albuterol authorization applies to all public schools, including preschools; SB 977 required chain restaurants offering children’s meals to provide at least one healthier option meeting nutrition standards; SB 1234 required fentanyl testing when juvenile dependency drug testing is already ordered; SCR 161 designated May 2026 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month; SR 101 updated the Senate Rules Committee membership by replacing Senator Jones with Senator Ochoa Bogh; and SB 1111 addressed liability for unauthorized AI-generated digital replicas. All of these measures were approved, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The Senate also adopted SCR 128, by Senator Perez, declaring April 13–24, 2026, as High School Voter Education Weeks to encourage civic education and youth participation in elections. The consent calendar was then approved after Senator Cervantes removed SB 1381; the remaining consent items passed 35-0. Throughout the session, members introduced visiting groups, including Hmong and Laotian veterans, CSAC representatives, and students in the gallery. The day concluded with Senator Wiener’s adjournment in memory of disability rights activist Alice Wong, after which the Senate announced its next floor session and recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ensuring the well-being and longevity of our electoral process is largely dependent on engagement.
• Ensuring the well-being and longevity of our electoral process is largely dependent on engaging with
• , and engaged with the political and electoral process.
• Among the challenges inhibiting participation for them is the continued impacts of events like the COVID
• education to help engage and inspire this essential electoral body to become politically active and

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And in 2020, as a Vermont Electoral College elector, Terry Anderson appeared live on national television
• :05:17.880><c> College</c> as a Vermont Electoral College as a Vermont Electoral College elector,<00:
• One way that you can carry on this tradition yourself is to participate in it.
• At the Ed Weed Fish participate in it.
• </c> provision allowing youth to participate provision allowing youth to participate in<00:16:30.160>

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ensuring the well-being and longevity of our electoral process is largely dependent on engagement.
• Ensuring the well-being and longevity of our electoral process is largely dependent on engaging with
• , and engaged with the political and electoral process.
• Among the challenges inhibiting participation for them is the continued impacts of events like the COVID
• education to help engage and inspire this essential electoral body to become politically active and

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then proceeded through appointments, resolutions, and bills. Governor’s appointments for Dina Eltawasi as Caltrans Director, Allison Salt Install to the Court Reporters Board, Olivia May Assumption to the California Commission on Disability Access, and William Adams to the California Exposition and State Fair Board were presented and later confirmed after roll calls and lifting of calls. The chamber also took up several third-reading measures and resolutions, including SCR 143 honoring Hmong and Laotian special guerrilla unit veterans, SR 96 recognizing National County Government Month, SB 1347 clarifying stocking of albuterol in public schools, SB 977 requiring chain restaurants to offer at least one healthier children’s meal, SB 1234 requiring fentanyl testing when juvenile dependency drug testing is ordered, SCR 161 designating Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, SR 101 replacing Senator Jones on the Rules Committee with Senator Ochoa Bogh, SB 1111 addressing liability for unauthorized AI-generated digital replicas, and SCR 128 establishing High School Voter Education Weeks. Each of these measures was presented by the author, generally received supportive remarks, and passed by roll call, with calls later lifted and the votes confirmed. During debate, Senator Umberg emphasized the long-overdue recognition of Hmong and Laotian veterans who served in covert missions during the Vietnam era, and Senator Archuleta echoed that tribute on behalf of the Military and Veterans Committee. Senator Cortese and Senator McGuire spoke in support of SR 96, highlighting the role of counties in delivering public services and warning about the impact of federal cuts on health and human services. Senator Niello described SB 1347 as a cleanup measure extending existing albuterol stocking authority to all public schools, including preschool. Senator Weber Pearson argued SB 977 would improve children’s nutrition options at chain restaurants, while Senator Alvarado-Gil said SB 1234 would help keep fentanyl out of homes by ensuring court-ordered drug testing includes fentanyl. Senator Weber Pearson also presented SCR 161 on maternal mental health, citing high rates of pregnancy-related depression and anxiety and barriers to care. Senator Ashby presented SR 101 and SB 1111, the latter aimed at unauthorized AI-generated voice and likeness replicas, and Senator Pérez presented SCR 128 to encourage voter education for high school students. After the floor actions, the Senate adopted the consent calendar, with Senator Cervantes removing SB 1381 from consent. Committee announcements followed, including upcoming Budget Subcommittee meetings. The session concluded with Senator Wiener’s adjournment in memory of disability rights activist Alice Wong, whose advocacy and writing were remembered by the chamber. The Senate announced its next floor session for Monday, May 4, 2026, at 2 p.m., and then recessed until later that afternoon for adjournment proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• public bodies live broadcasting meetings, which in turn would lead to a more engaged and informed electorate
• :08.240><c> engaged</c><00:01:08.560><c> and</c><00:01:08.799><c> informed</c><00:01:09.360><c> electorate
• </c> more engaged and informed electorate. more engaged and informed electorate.
• </c> public participation. I don't know. public participation. I don't know.
• Portion of this, uh, you know, on one hand you want the comments for more engagement and participation

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So what this body did by a supermajority was pass a bill that conformed Arizona law to the Electoral
• So what this body did by a supermajority was pass a bill that conformed Arizona law to the Electoral
• So what this body did by a supermajority was pass a bill that conformed Arizona law to the Electoral
• So what this body did by a supermajority was pass a bill that conformed Arizona law to the Electoral
• So what this body did by a supermajority was pass a bill that conformed Arizona law to the Electoral

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting covered a long list of House bills, mostly on third-read consent calendars, spanning appropriations, elections, education, public safety, water, taxation, and criminal law. Early discussion focused on HB 2148, which would give the legislature authority to appropriate non-custodial federal funds, described by the sponsor as a transparency measure. Other measures discussed included HB 2091 on insurance-related assessment limits, HB 2122 on reciprocity for BTR-related professions, HB 2138 clarifying firefighter workers’ compensation coverage, and HB 2008 barring public school libraries from using public money to pay library professional associations. HB 2110, removed from consent, would allow school governing body members to pray at meetings, with members noting Supreme Court precedent supporting such prayer. Several bills addressed school safety and parental rights. HB 2142 would create a School Safety Center at the Arizona Department of Education and allow up to 10% of school safety program funds for administration, with supporters citing an audit and lack of oversight. HB 2249 would expand the Parents’ Bill of Rights to require notice if a school employee facilitates social transitioning of a minor and to provide broader access to educational records, with penalties discussed for violations. HB 2074 would add mandatory reporting for anyone in a medical facility who knows a partial-birth abortion is occurring, and HB 2144 would allow child support calculations to begin during pregnancy based on a confirmed pregnancy test and related DNA testing provisions. The committee also took up election-related measures. HB 2022 would make permanent changes tied to the federal Electoral Count Act, including moving Arizona’s primary earlier to preserve military and overseas voting access, while keeping petition dates valid and preserving existing deadlines for candidates. HCM 2001 urged federal designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization, and HCM 2002 supported a separate congressional effort involving CARE and related federal review and designation processes; members debated the distinction between direct designation and a request for federal investigation. HCR 2001 proposed a constitutional amendment to limit voting to U.S. citizens, require government ID to register, prohibit foreign contributions, and end early voting by the Friday before an election. Water, land use, and tax bills were also reviewed. Measures included HB 2024 on snowpack augmentation as a water supply development project, HB 2029 and HB 2030 tightening how Water Conservation Grant Fund money is used, HB 2053 appropriating $100,000 for updated stormwater recharge mapping, HB 2096 expanding revolving fund uses to address cesspools, HB 2097 capping groundwater withdrawal in irrigation non-expansion areas, and HB 2116 funding potential Colorado River litigation. On the tax side, HB 2016 would remove late-filing penalties when no tax is due, HB 2104 and HB 2105 would protect agricultural property owners from repeated reclassification and require notice of inspections, and HB 2289 would update truth-in-taxation examples to reflect higher home values. The committee also heard bills on criminal penalties and other matters, including HB 2043 on felony murder involving an unborn child, HB 2045 on discharging a weapon near a vehicle, HB 2131 and HB 2132 on weapons trafficking and fentanyl penalties, and HB 2062 authorizing a Buffalo Soldiers memorial in Wesley Bolin Plaza.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jess will be participating via Zoom.
• </c> voting rights policy, also participating voting rights policy, also participating via<00:04:25.440
• </c> currently facing his steepest electoral currently facing his steepest electoral threat<00:07:01.919
• </c> political participation. political participation.
• </c> to equally participate in our democracy. to equally participate in our democracy.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not a partisan issue; it's a participation issue.
• They can participate in government remotely. Why can't they participate in town meeting remotely?
• So what do you do in a situation where somebody wishes to participate remotely, cannot participate in
• So what do you do in a situation where somebody wishes to participate remotely, cannot participate in
• “To be clear, the issue is not simply more participation, but representativeness of that participation

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a public hearing focused primarily on ranked choice voting (RCV) legislation and several local home rule petitions, along with one petition to authorize remote participation in Concord town meetings. Chairs Keenan and Hunt outlined hearing procedures and noted the committee would hear both in-person and virtual testimony. The committee also took testimony on Concord’s request for remote participation in open and special town meetings, with supporters arguing it would make town meeting more accessible to residents with childcare, mobility, work, or disability barriers while preserving direct democracy. A large portion of the hearing centered on RCV local-option bills and municipal petitions from communities including Concord, East Hampton, Salem, Chelsea, Arlington, Revere, Amherst, and others. Supporters—among them local officials, legislators, election advocates, educators, veterans, and nonprofit leaders—said RCV would reduce vote-splitting, encourage more candidates, promote more positive campaigning, improve representation, and increase turnout. East Hampton officials described their existing use of RCV, saying it produced record turnout, was easy for voters to understand with education, and could be expanded to multi-winner races without major added cost. Concord and Amherst witnesses said their voters had already approved local steps toward RCV and urged the committee to let municipalities implement the system without further delay. Testimony in favor of the local-option RCV bill emphasized home rule and local control, with several witnesses arguing the state should not block communities that have already voted to adopt RCV. Speakers from MassVOTE, the AFT Massachusetts, Voter Choice Massachusetts, Progressive Massachusetts, the Boston Teachers Union, and Veterans for All Voters said the reform would strengthen democracy, broaden participation, and save money by avoiding low-turnout preliminary elections. Some witnesses also referenced examples from Cambridge, Maine, and Utah to argue that RCV is workable, nonpartisan, and familiar to voters. The hearing ended with no votes or final committee action taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Electors Clause of the U.S.
• Constitution, it is up to the states how to select the electors for the presidency.
• Democracy should be about participation, not exclusion.
• It's about security, trust, and confidence. in our electoral system.
• This also undermines electoral reform efforts.

Bills: SB16, SB76, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB827, SB964, SB1209, SB1210, SB1386, SB1470, SB2035, SJR37, SB 16

Keywords: voter registration, proof of citizenship, Election Code, criminal offenses, limited federal ballot, transportation, infrastructure, funding, public safety, state regulation, election, polling places, voter access, state oversight, electronic voting, voting, polling place, elections, countywide program, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we've got a couple of people that are going to participate online, and I don't think we, we're
• going to, at one point here, we'll adopt a policy for remote participation for the next year, but our
• So we have a little overlap, so they're fine to participate electronically.
• So we have a letter from the Virginia Electoral Board. I'm going to...
• So the Virginia Electoral Board Association, I think we have some people here from the VBA.

Keywords: Code Commission, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:13:08.160><c> in</c><00:13:08.320><c> the</c><00:13:08.480><c> gallery</c><00:13:09.279><c> participants
• </c> have seated in the gallery participants have seated in the gallery participants for<00:13:10.120
• so that we can address head-on the negative influences of dark money coming in and corrupting our electoral
• and influences of dark money coming in and corrupting<00:40:59.760><c> our</c><00:40:59.960><c> electoral
• our electoral process thank you<00:41:01.560><c> madam</c> you madam you madam speaker<00:41:03.760>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So when we think about voting rights of not. white supremacy in the electoral process.
• And it's not about whether a Black electorate elects a Black individual.
• It's not about whether a Black electorate elects a Black individual or a white electorate.
• It's not about whether a black electorate elects a black individual or a white electorate, I represent
• And this water district participates in the MET program, I believe.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> party um and not less than two electors party um and not less than two electors in<00:05:02.560>
• and party participation within the post-election audit process.
• Chairman, Senator Landon, it's not... to participate in its development. we to participate in its development
• They're just elector of the county.
• That was the impetus electors there.

Bills: HB0085, HB0086

Keywords: elections, audit procedures, ballot integrity, political party observation, transparency, county officials, election code, misconduct, removal, government accountability, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 01:01:54.480><c> that</c> encourages electoral methods that encourages electoral methods that provide
• :11.839><c> allowing</c> 2480 expands participation by allowing 2480 expands participation by allowing
• ><c> and</c> participation strengthens legitimacy and participation strengthens legitimacy and legitimacy
• And when participation grows.
• </c><01:48:56.560><c> grows</c> participation grows, public trust grows participation grows, public trust

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2246, which would expand public financial disclosure requirements. The State Ethics Commission strongly supported the bill, saying broader disclosure could help restore public trust and potentially deter corruption, and it offered a clarifying amendment to make clear the requirement applies to board and commission members rather than all employees of listed agencies. Several organizations and individuals also testified in support. A committee member asked about the amendment, and the commission explained it was intended as a clarification rather than a substantive change. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2250, which would add homeless facilities to the locations covered by the drug-free-zone offense for promoting controlled substances. The Public Defender opposed the measure, arguing that many homeless facilities are unmarked and not easily identifiable, creating notice, fairness, and due process concerns and risking arbitrary enforcement. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying it targets distributors rather than users, that notice can be proven through evidence, and that the law is aimed at protecting vulnerable people in shelters and similar facilities. In questioning, senators asked how homeless facilities would be identified and whether the bill would cover all shelter models; the prosecutor said the definition is cross-referenced in statute and must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and other groups testified in opposition, while several service and advocacy groups testified in support. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2325, which would allow courts to review and potentially reduce sentences for certain juvenile offenders after 15 years if the person is not a danger to the community. Judiciary staff said the court supports the bill’s intent but noted Hawaii’s indeterminate sentencing structure leaves no alternative sentence for a court to reduce to, suggesting the measure may need structural sentencing changes or could instead be directed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Public defender representatives and youth-justice advocates supported the bill, emphasizing rehabilitation, adolescent brain development, trauma, and the need for a meaningful opportunity for release. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's not about whether a Black electorate elects a Black individual.
• It's not about whether a Black electorate elects a Black individual or a white electorate.
• It's not about whether a black electorate elects a black individual or a white electorate, I represent
• At the same time, the number of young people participating in school sports is on the rise.
• And this water district participates in the MET program, I believe.

Summary: The Assembly convened after initially lacking a quorum, then completed the prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, journal motions, and a long series of procedural actions, including suspending rules to move bills and approve a large Appropriations Committee hearing list. Members also made several guest introductions, including Shannon Lee, district staff from Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez’s office, and later guests tied to agritourism and education recognitions. The floor debate centered heavily on AJR 31, a resolution urging Congress to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Supporters argued that recent Supreme Court decisions and redistricting efforts in other states were weakening Black and other minority representation and that California should take a clear stand for voting rights. Opponents argued the measure promoted racial division, conflicted with equal protection principles, and that districts should be drawn based on place or communities of interest rather than race. After a contentious debate with repeated parliamentary warnings over decorum, the Assembly suspended the rules to take up the resolution, added coauthors, and passed AJR 31 by a vote of 58-8. The Assembly then moved through a series of bills and resolutions, generally approving them with little or no opposition. These included AB 2341 clarifying emergency language translation rules for local agencies; AB 1816 extending court supervision for certain sex-offender rehabilitation programs; AB 2561 protecting consumer privacy settings on phones and digital devices; ACR 167 recognizing World Agritourism Day; ACR 190 recognizing California Day of the Teacher; AB 1581 improving identification of Native American students in public schools; AB 1586 requiring opioid overdose prevention training for school resource officers and safety planning; AB 1665 requiring mental health training for school coaches; AB 1693 streamlining retail tenant-improvement permitting; AB 1768 authorizing a local tax measure related to health funding; AB 1712 facilitating a water-system sale for Santa Fe Springs; AB 1792 addressing sexually exploitive AI imagery in health education; and AB 1822 prioritizing school projects that address extreme heat. Most measures passed overwhelmingly, several unanimously, and the resolution on agritourism and the teacher day were adopted by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Excuse me, protected race, color, or language minority groups to participate in elections.
• in the electoral process.
• It was modeled after the attorney general... ...the erosion of our electoral process.
• Faith without. for our communities to participate and serve.
• Thank you for participating today. Next on our list virtually is Andrew Bernstein.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Excuse me, protected race, color, or language minority groups to participate in elections.
• in the electoral process.
• It was modeled after the attorney general... ...the erosion of our electoral process.
• The participation of all citizens in voting, and we've redefined and evolved and broadened what we mean
• Thank you for participating today. Next on our list virtually is Andrew Bernstein.

Bills: HB344

Keywords: campaign finance, elections, transparency, political committees, reporting requirements, enforcement

Summary: The Senate Elections and Government Affairs Committee heard several election- and campaign-related bills. House Substitute 2 for House Bill 155 would make Public Integrity Commission reports publicly available on the commission’s website, add a specific travel-expense reporting category, and remove the FOIA requirement for accessing reports; Senator Richardson said he supported the transparency measure and asked to be added as a co-sponsor. The committee also took up House Bill 444, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which would create state protections against voter suppression and vote dilution, expand language access, prohibit intimidation and deception, and allow court remedies for violations. The bill drew strong support from advocacy groups including YWCA Delaware, the League of Women Voters, the ACLU, and the Legal Defense Fund, and several senators voiced support and interest in moving it quickly. House Bill 430, a constitutional amendment proposal, would make explicit that only natural persons may vote in Delaware elections, including municipal elections, in response to concerns about corporate or other artificial-entity voting in some towns. The discussion focused heavily on Fenwick Island, where the mayor testified that the town’s charter has long allowed certain artificial entities to vote in local elections and said the system is limited and has worked for years; other speakers argued the bill was needed to prevent corporate dilution of residents’ votes. Senator Richardson expressed concern about restricting entities with a local stake, while Senator Hoffner and others emphasized the principle of one person, one vote. Senator Townsend presented House Bill 344, which would tighten campaign finance rules by requiring Delaware bank accounts for candidates and committees, recurring training, better documentation of candidate loans, longer record retention, automatic filing extensions, and inactive status for noncompliant committees; one public commenter opposed the bill on cost grounds. He also presented House Bill 448, which would allow campaign funds to be used for reasonable security expenses for candidates and elected officials, with guardrails, and a commenter suggested allowing electronic security systems without a cap. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 472, a local de-annexation measure for Noble’s Pond in Cheswold to remove scattered residential lots from town boundaries and resolve uneven tax treatment; Senator Hoffner noted local law enforcement supported the change. The committee adjourned after hearing no further public comment on HB 472, and the vote to adjourn was unanimous.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> requisite number of qualified electors requisite number of qualified electors have<00:13:30.880>
• Uh, we were hoping registered electors.
• </c><00:21:05.520><c> And</c><00:21:05.679><c> then</c> uh, of all registered electors.
• And then uh, of all registered electors.
• </c><00:22:00.480><c> who</c> 40% of all the registered electors who 40% of all the registered electors

Bills: SJ0001, SF0017

Keywords: mineral leasing, federal lands, Wyoming, energy policy, local control, federalism, forestry management, good neighbor authority, state lands, employee funding, donations, revolving account, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We thought at the time that the people didn't want to participate because the voter turnout was so low
• And so the smaller that window is, the fewer people who can participate.
• Now, I think both parties... ...that window is, the fewer people who can participate.
• I can't really spend... ...I can't really speculate what voters think when they appear to participate
• educated they become, and the more we have fuller participation in our democracy.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to facilitate the committee's business and public participation in today's hearing, we will
• That means a small, unrepresentative slice of the electorate can end up making major decisions about
• According to recent voter participation statistics from the Secretary of State's office, turnout in the
• And studies show that the primary electorate tends to disproportionately exclude younger voters, Latinos
• For far too long, confidence in our electoral process has been declining.

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on July 2, 2025, with a quorum present and took up eight agenda items, including four consent bills. The committee first approved the consent calendar, which included SB 280, SB 621, SB 851, and SB 852, all moving forward without objection. The committee then heard several bills from Senator Umberg focused on election administration and campaign finance, along with SB 408 on voter-roll maintenance. SB 249 would require county board of education elections to be consolidated with the statewide general election. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, argued this would increase turnout and make those elections more representative; opponents, including Orange County education officials, argued it would override local control, increase costs, and add ballot fatigue. The bill passed 5-2 and was re-referred to the Committee on Education. SB 398 would make it a crime to pay or offer contingent payments or other valuable consideration to induce voting or voter registration, closing what supporters described as a loophole involving lotteries and incentives. It passed 5-0 as amended and was re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety. SB 42 would remove the state ban on public financing for campaigns in general law cities and counties, allowing local voters to decide whether to adopt such systems. Supporters from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and many local advocates said it would broaden participation and reduce the influence of big money; opponents raised concerns about taxpayer funding, guardrails, and local oversight. The bill passed 5-2 and was re-referred to Appropriations. Finally, SB 408 would require election officials to use U.S. Postal Service change-of-address data to help maintain voter rolls; supporters said it would improve accuracy and trust in elections, while one commenter questioned reliance on postal data. The bill passed unanimously 6-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. The committee then completed the remaining roll calls and adjourned.