Transcript Highlights:

• enter the polling place.
• who are physically unable to enter a polling place or who would wish to do so.
• To risk injuring themselves if they attempted to enter the polling place.
• If by entering a polling place they would be at risk.
• The bill would bring the polling places to a screeching halt.

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:

• So how is this not a participatory poll tax imposed on convention parties? candidates.
• The United States cannot abridge my right to vote by failure to pay a poll tax or any other tax.
• We had several candidates get knocked off the ballot for not paying this poll tax or other tax.
• She wanted me to spend that money on a campaign for Congress, not on a poll. I'll stop there.
• places.

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:

• Burn Leo County polling places on Election Day to take over them, as he has suggested.
• , that is, they are intentionally obstructing ingress to a polling place.
• That is not intentionally obstructing a polling place.
• Or you weren’t able to vote because of obstruction or disturbance at the polling place.
• You know, this is a polling place, right?

Bills: SB264, SB261

Keywords: election integrity, voter coercion, public safety, emergency procedures, polling place security, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HF 3587 requires election judges assisting voters who can't enter the polling place to handle only one
• <00:58:53.240> location uh you come into the polling location uh you come into the polling
• place?
• Um, I'm concerned about the implementation of something like this in a busier polling place and how you
• <01:04:34.000> make a busier polling place and how you make a busier polling place and how

Bills: HF2614, HF3587, HF3589, HF3588

Keywords: homeowners associations, local government, building permits, housing policy, residential development, voter access, polling place, elections, ballot, unexpected needs, election judge, public information, political parties, transparency, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• No, no, there was a poll. The one I passed was a poll workers' bill, not a registration bill.
• Does it automatically cancel your voting privilege in the former place inside Oklahoma?
• places at no cost.
• you here anymore on short notice.
• This is to ensure that there is a place for polling in any place, and it happens a lot apparently in

Bills: SB1491, SB1581, SB1286, SB1451

Keywords: presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, elections, initiative petitions, signature gathering, protest period, grand jury, Oklahoma legislature, polling place, polling locations, voter access, county election board, precinct, municipal building, school building, school district, municipality, political subdivision

Transcript Highlights:

• No, that was a poll. The one I passed was a poll worker's bill, not a registration bill.
• places at no cost.
• Across the state, and I'm looking for that number here, 85.23% of polling places are in churches or other
• this is to ensure that there is a place for polling in any place.
• This is to ensure that there is a place for polling in any place.

Bills: SB1491, SB1581, SB1286, SB1451

Keywords: presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, elections, initiative petitions, signature gathering, protest period, grand jury, Oklahoma legislature, polling place, polling locations, voter access, county election board, precinct, municipal building, school building, school district, municipality, political subdivision

Summary: The Elections and Ethics Committee considered several election-related bills. Senate Bill 1451, with an untimely filed committee amendment, would allow the State Board of Elections to use existing printed voter registration cards before switching to new ones and would add a space on the card for voters who moved from another county or state so election officials can better update and cancel duplicate registrations. The Secretary of the State Election Board said the measure would codify existing interstate notification practices and help clean up voter rolls; the bill passed 5-1. The committee also passed Senate Bill 1286, which requires political subdivisions that host county election board elections to provide polling-place rooms at no cost. Supporters said the bill was a request from the Tulsa County Election Board and was intended to address the large share of polling places located in private buildings that can withdraw access on short notice. It passed 5-1. Senate Bill 1581 was approved 5-1 as well. It extends the time to gather signatures to impanel a grand jury from 45 to 90 days and adds a 10-day protest period for signature verification. Testimony indicated the change would align this process with other initiative petition timelines. The committee also passed Senate Bill 1491, which requires newly appointed presidential electors filling a vacancy to take the same oath as other electors; it passed 5-1. The meeting ended with thanks to the committee for its service for the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most reported they saw voters give up and leave the polling place.
• May have gone to another polling place, we don't really know. Those who did get through the county.
• So you get that many polling places scattered over that broad a distance.
• One of my election clerks that I routinely used was in one of the polling places.
• We're not opposed to rules surrounding schools and polling places.

Bills: SB108, SB318, SB507, SB511, SB533, SB1026, SB1386, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596

Keywords: elections, Election Code, poll workers, election clerks, presiding judge, alternate presiding judge, polling place, central counting station, county chair, political party, gubernatorial election, vote counting, election administration, Texas elections, precinct officials, ballot counting, county election officials, election integrity, election fraud, Attorney General

Bills: SB108, SB318, SB507, SB511, SB533, SB1026, SB1386, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596

Keywords: elections, Election Code, poll workers, election clerks, presiding judge, alternate presiding judge, polling place, central counting station, county chair, political party, gubernatorial election, vote counting, election administration, Texas elections, precinct officials, ballot counting, county election officials, election integrity, election fraud, Attorney General

Bills: SB108, SB318, SB507, SB511, SB533, SB1026, SB1386, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596

Keywords: elections, Election Code, poll workers, election clerks, presiding judge, alternate presiding judge, polling place, central counting station, county chair, political party, gubernatorial election, vote counting, election administration, Texas elections, precinct officials, ballot counting, county election officials, election integrity, election fraud, Attorney General

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1596, which would remove short-barreled rifles from the list of prohibited weapons in the Texas Penal Code. The author, Sen. Hagenbuch, said the bill would align state law with federal realities and argued that the current prohibition is arbitrary and unnecessary. Supporters, including representatives from Gun Owners of America and Texas Gun Rights, said the bill would reduce confusion, protect lawful gun owners, and preserve the ability to use shorter firearms for self-defense, hunting, and for smaller shooters. One supporter also described a recent case in which an AR pistol was mistaken for a short-barreled rifle and led to a state charge that was later dismissed. Public testimony was split. Supporters said stabilizing braces and shorter firearms can improve accuracy, safety, and accessibility for women, children, and smaller-statured shooters. Opponents, including Texas Gun Sense and two Santa Fe shooting survivors, argued that short-barreled firearms are more concealable and dangerous, and pointed to the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting as evidence of the risks of easier access. They urged the committee to keep the existing restrictions in place to protect public safety. After public testimony closed, the committee took up pending business. Senate Bill 1505, relating to the Compassionate Use Program, was reported favorably to the full Senate on an 8-0 vote. Senate Bill 17, relating to the acquisition of real property by certain aliens or foreign entities, was first amended by adopting a committee substitute and then reported favorably to the full Senate by a 7-1 vote. The committee then recessed until after the Senate’s adjournment or final recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• mark their ballots or otherwise indicate their votes at a polling place.
• The committee substitute will require that the Secretary of State shall prescribe a notice to be placed
• You're just saying the room within where the poll is actually taking place.
• You're just saying the room within where the poll is actually taking place.
• But it is still the case, for example, that if you're a poll watcher and you leave the polling place

Bills: HB1968, HB2279, HB2739, HB2803, HB3909, HB3918, HB4253, HB4475, HB5115, HB5430

Keywords: election services, contracting, political subdivisions, county elections, election code, voter registration, citizenship status, election law, cancellation, disqualification, Texas Election Code, voter identification, registration, election integrity, identification documents, election, watcher, polling place, removal, Texas Elections Code

Summary: The committee first voted out two previously heard Senate bills without amendment: SB 688, relating to the date of the meeting of presidential electors, and SB 914, relating to authorizing certain cities to change the date of their general election for officers. Both motions passed on 8-0 votes with one member absent. The committee then heard HB 3909, which would change the current prohibition on wireless device use from a 100-foot boundary around a voting station to only inside the room where voting is taking place, with a committee substitute also adding state-prescribed signage. The author and supporters said the change would reduce confusion and make enforcement easier for election workers, while opponents argued the existing 100-foot rule helps prevent electioneering, recording, and possible technical interference with election equipment. The bill was left pending. Members also heard HB 1968, which would repeal a provision that requires counties to provide election services to certain political subdivisions in odd-numbered years but not even-numbered years, making county-provided election services consistent across years. Supporters said it would improve consistency for smaller cities and school districts, while opponents warned it could strain county equipment and staffing during heavy election cycles. The bill was left pending. HB 2279 would require voter registrars to remove a person from the rolls if the person swears under oath during jury service that they are not a U.S. citizen; supporters said this would streamline removal of ineligible voters, while opponents raised concerns about mistaken identity and loss of due process. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 2803, which would require a presiding judge to give a poll watcher a signed statement explaining any removal from service. Supporters said this would improve documentation and accountability, and one witness asked for clarification that improper removal would remain a criminal offense; the author said he would consider a floor amendment and further discussion. The committee also heard HB 4253, which would create a more uniform voter-roll maintenance process based on inactivity, sending confirmation notices to voters who have not voted in the prior 25 months and eventually removing those who do not respond after multiple election cycles. Supporters said it would clean up outdated records and help keep voters registered where they actually live, while opponents argued it could wrongly remove eligible voters who simply do not vote regularly. HB 4253 was left pending as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, and this money will allow schools to have a place to store them, and it can be in a magnetized
• They have to have notice and get prepared and ready to not have their phones at school.
• On page 14, even more problematic because not all of these places are going to get inspected and get
• And these pop-up places would be something that would be permitted.
• Yeah, so three places over. I'll move that. I'll accept that, sir. As a minute. Thank you.

Bills: SB23, SB221, SB261, SB264

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, misappropriation, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, racketeering, criminal penalties, New Mexico, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, election integrity, voter coercion, emergency procedures, polling place security

Transcript Highlights:

• It eliminates most exemptions from firearms in polling places.
• The why would be to prevent an affray at a polling place. Cool.
• A mobile voting site or any location used as a polling place while early voting is taking place or on
• And I think polling places is a place that you just shouldn't have guns.
• I do think that polling places are sacred spaces.

Bills: SB23, SB221, SB261, SB264

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, misappropriation, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, racketeering, criminal penalties, New Mexico, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, election integrity, voter coercion, emergency procedures, polling place security

Transcript Highlights:

• where voters mark their ballots or otherwise indicate their votes at a polling place.
• The committee substitute will require that the Secretary of State shall prescribe a notice to be placed
• There was a prohibition against cameras and other recording devices inside the polling place.
• polling place and go out, that the judge Can at that point say you can't come back in?
• If the voter does not properly respond to the confirmation notice, they are placed on the suspense list

Bills: HB1968, HB2279, HB2739, HB2803, HB3909, HB3918, HB4253, HB4475, HB5115, HB5430

Keywords: election services, contracting, political subdivisions, county elections, election code, voter registration, citizenship status, election law, cancellation, disqualification, Texas Election Code, voter identification, registration, election integrity, identification documents, election, watcher, polling place, removal, Texas Elections Code

Transcript Highlights:

• That's been in place since the 1970s. Okay. So that's the origin. So if you fast forward through...
• This took place across the country.
• But this is a place where I think we should be considering an exception, particularly as attorneys.
• And we need to question why our youth are turning to crime in the first place.
• I do think that's something that we need to have in place.

Bills: SB41, SB153, SB165, SB261, SB264

Keywords: sexual crimes, statute of limitations, criminal justice, victim rights, child abuse, procurement, contracting, small business, local government, disaster recovery, emergency procurement, certification, public spending, juvenile justice, delinquency, rehabilitation, community corrections, risk assessment, public safety, health regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• That means there's going to be at least four people in the polling place.
• Number two, I realize that the bill's trying to achieve parity in the polling place staff, but there
• The presiding judge has to make an effort to have bilingual clerks at the polling place and needs at
• Well, you really don't want that at a polling place.
• would be allowed there to do notice if poll watchers were coming.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• So this legislation does not relate to the restriction of firearms at polling places.
• So whether they're standing around the polling place or whether they're walking the only road in and
• To any location used as a polling place, including parking areas for the polling location within 50 feet
• Being directed to be at a polling place for that purpose.
• So, I get no ordering to bring or keep a troop of armed persons at polling places, but what about ballot

Bills: SB38, SB17, SB41, SB264

Keywords: SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, sexual crimes, statute of limitations

Transcript Highlights:

• And just being able to be an occupational therapist all over the place.
• Everyone deserves access to their identity, and everyone deserves a place to call home.
• We were, our new place was not gonna be ready for about 3.5 weeks.
• We got a place here in Austin, Texas called Texas One Center.
• We got Trinity, we got, it's so many places you go.

Bills: HB163, HB 296

Keywords: judicial liability, personal bond, felony offenses, judges, criminal justice reform, voter registration, election procedures, change of address, residence requirements, Texas Election Code, Texas election law, residence address, precinct voting, county move, same-county move, Election Code, registrar, statement of residence, polling place, local elections

Bills: HB242, HB342, HB392, HB493, HB521, HB614, HB631, HB 1090, HB 1091, HB1477, HB242

Keywords: voter registration, elections, Election Code, registrar, county clerk, application rejection, rejection notice, voter eligibility, ballot access, transparency, administrative procedure, Texas, voting rights, election administration, notice of rejection, election, poll watcher, conviction, ineligibility, Texas election code

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's pretty bipartisan and relates to the use of a wireless communication device at a polling place
• So the screen that you showed us, that was the poll book? Poll book.
• I'm an election judge also up in Temple, Bell County, and my polling place is an extension of the church
• I don't even know why the Bluetooth is there, because when I set up my polling place, it was with cables
• That's a new thing, and it's careless to introduce Bluetooth into the polling places.

Bills: HB186, HB201, HB229, HB796, HB1506, HB2702, HB2885, HB3225, HB3909, HB4285, HB5138

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority

Transcript Highlights:

• The polling and data substantiate these points time and time again.
• There's no card on which to place a sticker.
• This law will place an undue burden on public libraries.
• And notice, by the way, that I have not mentioned.
• To be a trans-Texan is to be human in the place that we call home.

Bills: HB186, HB201, HB229, HB796, HB1506, HB2702, HB2885, HB3225, HB3909, HB4285, HB5138

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority