House passes amended voting-related bill after heated floor debate

The House declared passage of Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 17 10 as amended by the Senate following floor debate over whether the Senate’s changes improved or weakened the bill.

Representative Stonier moved that the House concur in the Senate amendments and urged members to approve the changes, saying the Senate’s edits “improved the bridal” and asking colleagues to vote yes. Representative Mena supported final passage, calling the changes technical and asking members to pass the bill “one more time.”

Opponents urged rejection. Representative Walsh said the measure was a “flawed bill” and asked members to “vote no,” arguing the amendments could complicate preclearance and reduce voter participation. Representative Defoe warned the bill “is deeply problematic in a lot of areas,” predicting statewide impacts and urging a no vote.

After debate the House opened the roll-call machine. The clerk recorded 57 yeas, 39 nays and 2 excused. Having received a constitutional majority, the House declared Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 17 10, as amended by the Senate, passed and moved on as required by floor procedure.

The action concludes the House’s consideration of H.B. 17 10 for this stage; the body recorded the roll-call result and the bill will proceed per legislative process.