The House Committee on Elections

84th Legislature

September 22, 2016

10:00 a.m.

E1.026

Pursuant to a notice posted on September 12, 2016, the House Committee on Elections met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Laubenberg, at 10:11 a.m.

The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Laubenberg; Goldman; Israel; Reynolds; and Schofield.

A quorum was present.

The committee convened to hear invited testimony on the following charges:

(Representative Fallon now present.)

Charge 1:  Examine the petition process for addressing local ordinances, the time necessary to prepare a petition, the collection of signatures, and the enforcement of local standards required for a petition to be valid.  Make necessary recommendations to clarify the petition process to ensure accountability.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

Charge 3:  Evaluate options to improve the transparency of local bond elections, including but not limited to:  current processes used to educate voters about how tax dollars will be spent, the time of year bond elections are held, and the description of bond proposals on the ballot.  Make appropriate legislative recommendations.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

Charge 6:  Legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction and the implementing of relevant legislation passed by the 84th Legislature.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

At 2:00 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair.

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Rep. Laubenberg, Chair

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Katharine Chambers, Clerk