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Proposal to bar public‑employee political surveys draws broad opposition from local officials and police

Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee · March 31, 2026
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Summary

House Bill 686 would prohibit public employees and public bodies, acting in official capacity, from conducting political surveys or questionnaires on ballot measures or candidates; municipal associations, police chiefs and civic groups warned it would hamper routine public safety and planning work and chill public‑information efforts.

Representative Ross Barry introduced a narrowed bill, HB 686, that would prohibit public employees and public bodies from conducting surveys, polls or questionnaires about ballot measures or policies reasonably anticipated to be submitted to voters while acting in an official capacity.

Multiple municipal and public‑safety witnesses opposed the…

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