Transcript Highlights:

• voting.
• And now you may see your vote and change your vote if you'd like.
• vote.
• Please vote yes.
• Please vote yes. Please vote yes. Isaac, whenever you're ready.

Bills: SB5000, SB5325, SB6044, SB6313, SB6084, SB6137

Keywords: state nickname, evergreen state, identity, cultural heritage, tourism, state cactus, symbolic designation, ecological significance, state symbols, SB 6044, Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Washington state holidays, RCW 1.16.050, state holiday recognition, religious observance, Hindu holiday, Sikh holiday, cultural recognition, paid holiday

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and considered six bills. On Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035, members debated amendments affecting voting services for military, overseas, Native American, and disabled voters. Amendment 386, which changed tribal meeting requirements, was not adopted, while Amendment 385, which replaced authorization for an electronic ballot portal with a feasibility study, was adopted. The bill then passed out of committee with a due pass as amended recommendation. Substitute Senate Bill 6081, concerning nondisclosure of sex designation records, was amended unsuccessfully by a proposal to limit protections to survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault; the bill passed with a due pass recommendation. Substitute Senate Bill 6034, codifying the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs, was amended to require Senate confirmation of the executive director and passed as amended. Senate Bill 6084 on repeat voting passed without amendment. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5968, implementing Executive Order 25-03 on agency credentials, adopted an amendment making annual ORIA reporting more explicit, rejected another reporting amendment, and passed as amended. Senate Bill 6137 on sports wagering adopted amendments restricting certain prop bets and making threats against sports officials, coaches, or participants a gross misdemeanor, then passed as amended. The committee then opened public hearings on several bills. Gross Substitute Senate Joint Memorial 8014 called for a U.S. investigation into the death of Aishinur Ezgi Eygi, and testimony was overwhelmingly in support from family members, friends, University of Washington students, faculty, and advocacy groups, with one opponent arguing the matter belonged to Congress. Substitute Senate Bill 5840 on campaign finance reporting drew support from the Public Disclosure Commission, which said it would align reporting with mail voting and improve transparency, while campaign treasurers and compliance officers opposed the bill’s added reporting frequency and burden. Substitute Senate Bill 6049, expanding Public Records Act exemptions for certain survivors, anonymized demographic data, and individual Healthy Youth Survey responses, received support from OFM and opposition from a public records advocate who argued it added another exemption to an already lengthy list. Substitute Senate Bill 6160, which eliminates or modifies agency reports, was supported as a way to right-size reporting requirements. Senate Bill 5000, naming the Evergreen State as Washington’s official nickname, drew a brief supportive testimony and one opposing witness who objected to the state’s growing number of public records exemptions. Senate Bill 5325, designating Pediocactus nigrispinus as the state cactus, received supportive testimony. Senate Bill 6044, recognizing Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as a legislatively recognized day, was supported by Sikh community testimony. Substitute Senate Bill 5827, expanding veterans’ preference documentation to include pre-discharge certification, was briefly introduced but had no testimony. The committee adjourned after closing the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Voting, right?
• the vote-by-mail and vote center options, including in the legislation.
• Mena: Votes aye. Representative Mena votes aye. Stearns: Aye. Representative Stearns votes aye.
• Mena: Mena votes aye. Mena votes aye. Representative Mena votes aye. Stearns: Aye.
• vote.

Bills: SB6084, SB6137, SCR8406, SB5892, SB5863

Keywords: elections, double voting, voting twice, multiple voting, same-day election, primary election, general election, special election, cross-state voting, ballot fraud, election fraud, voter misconduct, RCW 29A.84.660, State v. Padilla, civil infraction, class C felony, Secretary of State, Washington elections, election law, voter eligibility

Summary: The committee heard staff briefings and testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 6137 on sports wagering would allow online wagers to be accepted when the bettor is physically present at any tribal gaming facility, rather than only the facility of the same tribe, and would remove the current prohibition on wagering on Washington collegiate team events while continuing to ban prop bets on individual in-state college athletes. Washington State University testified in opposition, citing risks of harassment, point shaving, and game manipulation; the University of Washington supported keeping the individual prop-bet ban. A tribal casino operator supported the bill as a way to move existing illegal wagering into a regulated system. No vote was taken on this bill during the hearing. The committee then heard Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035, which would expand voting access for military and overseas voters, Native American voters, and voters with disabilities, including through a proposed electronic ballot return portal and regular statewide tribal meetings. Election officials and some advocates supported the access and tribal engagement provisions, while several cybersecurity and voting-rights witnesses opposed the electronic ballot return sections, warning that internet return is vulnerable to hacking, lacks adequate standards, and could undermine confidence in elections. The Secretary of State’s office said it was more comfortable with the amended language and estimated portal-related costs at about $214,000. The hearing also included Substitute Senate Bill 6034, which would codify the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs as a cabinet-level agency; both the executive director and a tribal liaison testified in support, describing it as a needed, stabilizing recognition of government-to-government relations with tribes. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6081 on restricting public disclosure of sex designation information in certain licensing and vital records. Supporters, including attorneys and transgender advocates, said the bill would protect privacy and safety by limiting public access to sensitive records while preserving access for courts and agencies; an opponent argued that records should remain fully accurate and public. Staff later clarified that the bill would not directly change parental access rights, except for a provision allowing the Department of Health to deny access for cause in certain circumstances. The committee then moved into executive session and adopted amendments and passed out Senate Concurrent Resolution 8406, Senate Bill 5892, and Senate Bill 5863 with do pass recommendations, including amendments to the civic health committee resolution, election-data protections, and Lakeland Village records preservation. The committee also began hearings on Senate Bill 6084, Second Substitute Senate Bill 5968, and Substitute Senate Bill 5825, with staff presenting those measures before testimony continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• ...vote no to stand against this takeover by Governor Abbott.
• Voting for SB 7 pushes me out of my kids.
• Please vote against this bill. Thank you. Thank you.
• Please vote for this bill. Thank you for your testimony.
• Multiple of the Tennessee school shooter was trans.

Bills: SB7, SB14

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on Senate Bill 7, the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, with the author and committee substitute explaining that the bill would require public facilities to designate multi-use private spaces by biological sex, restrict access to women’s restrooms, locker rooms, showers, sleeping quarters, shelters, and correctional facilities, and create civil penalties and enforcement mechanisms. Members asked about how the bill would apply to family violence shelters, children in mixed-family settings, venue layout, and venue for lawsuits; the author said the bill was similar to prior legislation but with stronger penalties and the 15th Court of Appeals as the exclusive intermediate appellate court for challenges, while clarifying that trial venue should generally be local except for state agencies. The committee also heard that the bill would be amended to better address local venue concerns and shelter-related issues. Invited testimony was largely in support of the bill from witnesses who described personal experiences in women’s sports, prisons, shelters, and public facilities, arguing that single-sex spaces are necessary for privacy and safety. Supporters included parents, former incarcerated women, a Republican county chair, a legal advocate, and a prison educator, who cited incidents involving transgender-identifying individuals in locker rooms, shelters, prisons, and restrooms, and said the bill would restore sex-based boundaries and protect vulnerable women and girls. One witness from Texas Values said the bill was needed despite the recently enacted Women’s Bill of Rights, and another ADF witness said the measure would protect privacy in schools and shelters. Opponents testified that the bill would harm transgender and intersex Texans, create harassment and “gender policing,” and expose cisgender women and children to invasive enforcement. Several witnesses argued there is no evidence that transgender women pose a restroom safety threat, while others said the bill would worsen mental health, employment, and school conditions for trans people and could conflict with prison standards and federal law. Family violence advocates urged changes to protect shelter operations and clarify that children can stay with parents, while other witnesses said the bill would create barriers for victims seeking help. The hearing featured extensive public testimony on both sides, but no final vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the phrase that I've heard from multiple law enforcement officers?
• You can look at any news article out today and find multiple instances of police misconduct across multiple
• So for these reasons, I urge you to please vote no on SB 14. Thank you.
• So for these reasons, I urge you to please vote no on SB 14. Thank you.
• Do not vote for— please vote no for SB 14. And I oppose SB 7 too. And I oppose SB 7 too. Thank you.

Bills: SB7, SB14

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs took up Senate Bill 14, which would create a confidential department file for law enforcement officers and jailers and limit public access to records involving unsubstantiated misconduct, while preserving access for hiring agencies, TCOLE, and certain criminal justice uses. TCOLE’s Gretchen Grigsby explained the current rollout of law enforcement recordkeeping reforms, including the distinction between the public personnel file and the confidential G-file, and answered questions about when TCOLE would request files during investigations. Senator Perry and other members focused on how the bill would interact with existing personnel-file rules, public transparency, and criminal discovery obligations. Public testimony was largely opposed. Critics argued the bill was drafted too broadly, could sweep in records beyond misconduct files, and would reduce transparency for the public, journalists, oversight bodies, and families seeking answers in cases such as Uvalde and jail deaths in Tarrant County. Several witnesses said the bill could allow small or single-officer agencies, including elected constables, to shield their own records, and some warned it could chill reporting and oversight. Supporters, including law enforcement representatives, said the bill would protect officers from false or unsubstantiated allegations, align agencies without civil-service protections with those that already have G-files, and preserve confidentiality for records that should not be public. Dallas County prosecutors and Harris County deputies supported the general policy but asked for clarifying amendments, especially to separate language they said could affect the Michael Morton Act and to preserve existing protections through in-camera review or protective orders. Committee members spent significant time questioning witnesses about how substantiated versus unsubstantiated allegations would be handled, whether body camera footage and case files would remain public, and how the bill would affect discovery in criminal cases. After hearing all registered witnesses, the chair closed public testimony. Senate Bill 14 was left pending, and the committee recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I'm going to vote for the bill and I'll vote for the amendment, but I want us to be aware that we're
• Um, I'm going to vote for the bill and I'll vote for the amendment, but I want us to be aware that we're
• </c> eligible to vote. So uh with that, Mr. eligible to vote. So uh with that, Mr.
• </c> requirements to uh to be able to vote requirements to uh to be able to vote again.<00:19:53.760>
• </c> vote on this? All right. vote on this? All right. &gt;&gt; U<00:48:35.920><c> Mr.

Bills: HB63, HB19, HB80, HB41, HB20, HB60, HB100, HB71, HB91, HB93, HB63, HB19, HB80, HB41, HB20, HB60, HB100, HB71, HB91, HB93

Keywords: paternity, child custody, joint custody, parental rights, family law, domestic violence, shared parenting, Ebony Alert, missing youth, public safety, law enforcement, racial equity, human trafficking, victim restitution, civil action, criminal prosecution, labor servitude, sexual servitude, class A felony, class B felony

Transcript Highlights:

• Vote.
• I will vote for it. I'll vote for it here.
• voting, okay?
• As I have reminded this committee multiple times over multiple sessions, voting is a right, not a privilege
• Vote for it.

Bills: HB2442, HB3697, HB4288, HB5256, HB5337, HB5362, HJR161

Keywords: HB 2442, Texas Election Code, Election Code Section 84.001, early voting, ballot by mail, mail ballot, absentee voting, runoff election, primary runoff, general runoff, voter application, election administration, county election officials, opt-out, voter choice, mail voting, ballot application, voting by mail, Election Code, size requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll explain my vote, please. Yes.
• I'll explain my yes vote. Girdler. I'll explain my yes vote.
• I'll explain my vote, Senator Madden. I'll explain my vote, please. please. please.
• I vote aye. Chair Wheeler. I vote aye.
• I<00:14:44.240><c> vote</c><00:14:44.560><c> I.</c> I vote I. I vote I.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:21 HB 480 Discussion: 01:40 HB 480 Voting: 02:36 HB 577 Discussion: 05:14 HB 577 Voting: 08:38 HB 692 Discussion: 09:23 HB 692 Voting: 14:00 HB 869 Discussion: 15:21 HB 869 Voting: 18:56, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ballot voted by mail.
• This was clearly not curbside voting; it was clearly not intended for mass voting.
• their right to vote.
• The early voting clerk has all authority over early voting by mail and early voting in person.
• Don't make it harder for people to vote. Just let people vote.

Bills: HB2139, HB2253, HB3632, HB4171, HB4309, HB4508, SB760, SB1470

Keywords: voting access, polling place, disability, caretaker provisions, ballot delivery, election code, HB 2253, Texas Election Code, bond election, bond issuance, local government, election cancellation, disaster declaration, natural disaster, emergency election, county election officer, polling place notice, open meeting, election workers, voter safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, I voted for Representative John Bucy III.
• They go vote and register, you know, it's public information that they voted in the Republican or Democratic
• I know that someone can't vote for and nominate multiple candidates in different districts.
• You weren't sure whether they could all vote for the different nominees or whether they could only vote
• You put up multiple third parties; I'm going to run.

Bills: HB2139, HB2253, HB3632, HB4171, HB4309, HB4508, SB760, SB1470

Keywords: voting access, polling place, disability, caretaker provisions, ballot delivery, election code, HB 2253, Texas Election Code, bond election, bond issuance, local government, election cancellation, disaster declaration, natural disaster, emergency election, county election officer, polling place notice, open meeting, election workers, voter safety

Transcript Highlights:

• And before Help America Vote, this is how you vote.
• When multiple precincts vote at a single countywide polling location, ballots are still organized and
• and voting by mail.
• early voting vote centers and mail ballot batches.
• The manual count was conducted for early voting vote centers of the eight precincts selected by the county

Bills: HB3097, HB3691, SB108, SB827, SB1541, SB1862, SB2166, SB2216

Keywords: Texas elections, Election Code, uniform election date, November election, local elections, political subdivisions, general election date, election administration, municipal utility district, county elections, local government, ballot scheduling, candidate filing, voter turnout, election calendar, HB 3097, early voting, electronic application, mail-in ballot, voting accessibility

Bills: SB 1065, SB 2117, SB 2217, SB 2363, SB 2533, SB 2742, SB 2743, SB 2881, SB 2964, SB 3013, SB 3014

Keywords: election procedures, voting systems, ballot counting, voter registration, electronic voting, electioneering, public funds, political advertising, civil penalties, school district, election offenses, prosecution, criminal procedure, district attorney, disqualification, voting by mail, election process, ballot correction, voter notification, electoral integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• preferential voting.
• And when people go into that voting booth and vote for the person with the most votes, they're expecting
• 14% of the vote.
• I was a ranked-choice voting, instant runoff, preferential voting skeptic.
• It's why voting methods are sort of independent of the voting process.

Bills: HB376, HB817, HB 1297, HB1478, HB1661, HB1783

Keywords: HB 817, Texas Election Code, majority vote, majority threshold, ranked-choice voting, preferential voting, instant runoff voting, vote reassignment, ballot ranking, election administration, public office election, Election Code Section 2.0215, runoff elections, plurality vs majority, voting systems, education reform, budget allocation, teacher retention, student performance, accountability measures

Transcript Highlights:

• The first file for our consideration is Senate File 28, Elections, Voting Machine, and Voting System
• certified voting system is valid?
• </c> chair vote I. All those opposed? chair vote I. All those opposed? &gt;&gt; No. &gt;&gt; No.
• </c><01:10:28.159><c> So,</c> absentee voting. So, absentee voting.
• Announce the vote. ahead. Announce the vote.

Bills: SF0028, SF0030, SF0031, SF0032

Keywords: voting, elections, electronic voting systems, transparency, public testing, voter registration, qualified elector, residency requirements, voting rights, mortgage modification, priority, electronic signatures, real property, financial covenants, 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Brown voted aye, Representative Locke voted aye, Representative Hoeft voted aye, Representative
• Johnson voted aye, Representative Lucas voted aye, Representative Webb voted aye, Representative Weber
• voted aye, Representative Yin voted aye, and Chairman Knapp voted aye.
• </c> shall be a recount made of all votes. shall be a recount made of all votes.
• </c><00:22:55.600><c> cast</c><00:22:55.919><c> for</c> votes and the number of votes cast for votes

Bills: SF0028, SF0030, SF0031, SF0032

Keywords: voting, elections, electronic voting systems, transparency, public testing, voter registration, qualified elector, residency requirements, voting rights, mortgage modification, priority, electronic signatures, real property, financial covenants, 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• methods, and multiple voting periods.
• voting, and in-person voting.
• Senate Bill 2753 establishes a single continuous in-person voting period, combining early voting and
• , or early voting.
• And I'm sorry, if you can't manage to vote in 15 days, you probably weren't going to vote anyway.

Bills: HB311, SB447, SB505, SB2217, SB2753

Keywords: voter registration, electronic, Texas election law, Signature verification, DPS, internet application, Texas Election Code, signature verification, online application, data security, electronic application, Department of Public Safety, information security, electronic voter registration, voting technology, voter access, state election laws, digital signature, election irregularities, audit

Summary: The committee heard several election-related bills. SB 447 would let the City of Mission in Hidalgo County permanently move its municipal elections from May to the uniform November election date if it chooses. The bill was described as permissive and intended to increase turnout and reduce costs. Mission’s mayor testified in support, saying voters had already approved the change by a wide margin in a charter amendment election. The bill was left pending after no objection. SB 2217 focused on standardizing election data reporting and reconciliation across counties to improve transparency and comparability. Testimony was generally supportive of the goal, but Dr. Laura Presley and others flagged technical issues, including a discrepancy between a three-ballot mismatch threshold in existing law and a 1% threshold in part of the bill, plus a definition issue involving central accumulators. Supporters said consistent auditing and reconciliation would help election integrity, while the bill was also left pending. The committee then took up SB 2753, a major proposal to create a continuous in-person voting period that would combine early voting and Election Day into one uninterrupted process, with precinct consolidation and other changes. Supporters said it could simplify administration, reduce equipment changes, and improve security by using one set of machines. Opponents and neutral witnesses raised concerns about cost, staffing, ballot security, reporting changes, weekend voting, and whether the bill was ready for implementation; several urged a pilot or study instead. The committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. SB 505 would create a process for election workers, candidates, party officials, and measure proponents or opponents to request explanations of election irregularities, with escalation to the Secretary of State for audit or enforcement if responses were unsatisfactory. Supporters said it would provide a way to resolve irregularities and restore confidence, while opponents argued it was too broad, lacked guardrails against abuse, and could be used by partisan actors to pressure counties. The bill was left pending. Finally, HB 311 would expand Texas’s online voter registration system to first-time registrants and others, with supporters citing efficiency, lower costs, and broader access, and opponents raising concerns about signature verification and implementation details. Testimony was cut short because of the session deadline, and the bill had not been disposed of in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• methods, and multiple voting periods.
• voting, and in-person voting.
• period, combining early voting and election day voting with no gaps in between.
• or early voting.
• And I'm sorry, if you can't manage to vote in 15 days, you probably weren't going to vote anyway.

Bills: HB311, SB447, SB505, SB2217, SB2753

Keywords: voter registration, electronic, Texas election law, Signature verification, DPS, internet application, Texas Election Code, signature verification, online application, data security, electronic application, Department of Public Safety, information security, electronic voter registration, voting technology, voter access, state election laws, digital signature, election irregularities, audit

Summary: The House Committee on Elections met with a quorum present and heard several election-related bills, with public testimony limited to two minutes per witness. The first measure, SB 447, would allow the City of Mission to move its municipal elections from May to November on a one-time, permanent basis. Supporters, including Mission’s mayor, said voters had already approved the change by a wide margin and argued it would improve turnout and reduce costs. The bill was left pending after no objection. The committee then heard SB 2217, which was described as a transparency measure to standardize election data reporting and reconciliation across counties. Testimony focused on a technical issue involving discrepancy thresholds for electronic voting system reconciliation, with one witness urging the bill be aligned with existing law’s “more than 3” standard rather than a 1% threshold, and another suggesting a definition fix. The bill was left pending. Members also heard SB 2753, a major proposal to create a continuous in-person voting period by combining early voting and election day into one uninterrupted period, with a committee substitute making it a pilot and permissive. Supporters said it could simplify administration and improve security, while opponents warned it would increase costs, require more staffing and equipment, delay results, and create logistical problems for counties. The committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 505 would let certain election stakeholders request explanations of irregularities from election officials and, if unresolved, escalate the matter to the Secretary of State for audit or possible conservatorship. Supporters framed it as a tool for accountability and transparency, while opponents called it overly broad and vulnerable to abuse. The bill was left pending. The committee also took up HB 311, which would expand online voter registration to first-time registrants and direct state agencies to develop a pathway for Texans without a driver’s license to register online. Supporters argued it would modernize the process, reduce errors, and save money, while opponents said first-time applicants still need a wet signature and raised concerns about signature verification and implementation. Due to the late hour and floor deadline, testimony was cut off, the names of remaining witnesses were read into the record, and the bill was left pending before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• that bill over until we get to a point to where we feel that it's something that can be brought for a vote
• > for</c><00:05:47.199><c> or</c><00:05:47.440><c> for</c><00:05:47.680><c> a</c><00:05:47.919><c> vote
• </c><00:05:48.720><c> But</c> brought for or for a vote. But brought for or for a vote.

Bills: HB31, HB31

Keywords: absentee voting, disabled, blind, voter assistance, voting rights, SNAP, public assistance, nutritional standards, waiver, food regulation, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , early voting, and provisional voting.
• and Election Day voting.
• Election Day voting.
• and Election Day voting.
• Okay, explain my vote. You certainly may. Mr.

Bills: SB1006, SB1029, SB1037, SB1038, SB1040, SB1057, SB1060, SB1237

Keywords: campaign finance, contribution limits, reporting requirements, political action committees, elections, campaign contributions, candidate committees, posthumous provisions, termination process, Arizona Revised Statutes, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security, internet connectivity, offline voting, chain of custody, polling place equipment, counting center, central counting center, election management system

Transcript Highlights:

• You go to vote, most of them are going to vote close by their neighborhoods. voting locations in there
• County-wide voting, vote centers as they are.
• voting.
• voting.
• are voting. voting or not voting.

Bills: HB569, HB766, HB1638, HB2316, HB2773, HB2785, HB3113, HB3709, HB3775, HB4275

Keywords: early voting, ballot correction, voting rights, election integrity, mail-in voting, voter notification, HB 766, precinct chair, precinct chair candidate, ballot application, Texas Election Code, Section 172.021, election administration, candidate filing, party precinct chair, county party, political party office, email address, telephone number, confidential candidate information

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I guess should we take a vote on this? Okay. Um I guess should we take a vote on this?
• For those reasons, we respectfully urge a no vote. Thank you.
• For those reasons, we respectfully urge a no vote.
• </c> respectfully urge a no vote. Thank you. respectfully urge a no vote. Thank you.
• Uh, so we are voting on &gt;&gt; okay. Um, yep. Uh, so we are voting on the<01:14:26.480><c> A1.

Bills: HF3884, HF3881, HF3882, HF3883, HF3363, HF3362

Keywords: tribal governments, Metropolitan Council, grant programs, funding, local government, small business, contracting, veteran-owned businesses, compliance, government contracts, housing finance, reporting requirements, regional development, city programs, elected officials, campaign access, multiple unit dwellings, residential access, voter registration, 1183