HB 13-ELECTION PAMPHLETS AND ABSENTEE BALLOTS  8:08:40 AM CHAIR LYNN announced that the first order of business was HOUSE BILL NO. 13, "An Act requiring notice of the postage required to mail an absentee ballot on the envelope provided by the division of elections for returning an absentee ballot; and repealing the authority to include certain material from a political party in the election pamphlet." [Before the committee was the proposed committee substitute (CS), Version 29-LS0091\E, Bullard, 2/3/15, which was adopted by the committee as a work draft on 2/5/15.] CHAIR LYNN, as joint prime sponsor, presented HB 13. He said the official election pamphlet: helps inform voters; allows candidates to public office to display their photo, a short biography, and their position statement; and provides information on ballot initiatives, "pro" and "con" statements, and judicial retention. He said people do not vote for political parties, yet the current election pamphlet allows advertisement from political parties, which is an open invitation for attack advertisements ("ads") on any candidate or issue on the ballot. He warned that without change, the attacks would escalate "as one party tries to outdo the other." He opined that the election pamphlet is no place for political parties to advertise, and there is no shortage of venues in which those parties can place ads. He asked the committee for its support for HB 13. 8:11:03 AM REPRESENTATIVE STUTES moved to report CSHB 13, Version 29- LS0091\E, Bullard, 2/3/15, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. 8:11:26 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER objected to state that he does not find the political ads in the election pamphlet inappropriate. He then removed his objection. 8:12:08 AM CHAIR LYNN announced there being no further objection, CSHB 13(STA) was reported out of the House State Affairs Standing Committee.