2026 Senate Bill 961

Elections: voters; state voting rights act; create.

A bill to create a state voting rights act; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities; to provide for a court-appointed monitor under certain circumstances; to prohibit certain discriminatory activity and to prescribe civil sanctions; to create a fund; to provide remedies; to prescribe penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.

Introduced in the Senate

May 13, 2026

Introduced by Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-4) and 17 co-sponsors

Co-sponsored by Sens. Erika Geiss (D-1), Stephanie Chang (D-3), Jeremy Moss (D-7), Mary Cavanagh (D-6), Sylvia Santana (D-2), Sam Singh (D-28), Sue Shink (D-14), Veronica Klinefelt (D-11), Dayna Polehanki (D-5), Winnie Brinks (D-29), Jeff Irwin (D-15), Paul Wojno (D-10), Rosemary Bayer (D-13), John Cherry (D-27), Kevin Hertel (D-12), Sean McCann (D-19) and Sarah Anthony (D-21)

Referred to the Committee on Elections and Ethics

May 20, 2026

Reported without amendment

May 27, 2026

Referred to the Committee of the Whole

June 4, 2026

Reported without amendment

June 16, 2026

Amendment offered by Sen. Jonathan Lindsey (R-17)

1. Amend page 36, line 14, by removing enacting section 2 and inserting:

“Enacting section 2. This act does not take effect unless Senate Bill No. 120 of the 103rd Legislature is enacted into law.”.

The amendment failed 18 to 19 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Joseph Bellino (R-16)

1. Amend page 36, line 14, by removing enacting section 2 and inserting:

“Enacting section 2. This act does not take effect unless Senate Bill No. 11 of the 103rd Legislature is enacted into law.”.

The amendment failed 17 to 20 (details)

Passed in the Senate 20 to 17 (details)

Received in the House

June 16, 2026

Referred to the Committee on Election Integrity