Transcript Highlights:

• They've worked late last night, and they're here again helping us out.
• And I want to make sure we're careful not to jump right in and say this is the fault of... ...we're careful
• Were they back-to-back nights? Were they on nights, off nights?
• There was a day and a night reporting of multiple drone sightings coming from different directions.
• Okay. deficiencies you've taken care of, and that's always a good thing for us.

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Northwest Louisiana earthquake cluster. Laura Sori of the Department of Conservation and Energy said the agency has inspected Class II injection wells within 12 miles of the earthquakes, found no permit violations, and is requiring monthly reporting of daily injection data. LSU and Tulane researchers explained that the swarm includes about 50 earthquakes detected by USGS since December 2025, including a 4.9 magnitude event on March 5, and that better monitoring is needed because Louisiana has very limited seismic station coverage. Dr. Cynthia Ebinger said her temporary array has detected more small quakes than USGS, that the pattern looks more like a swarm than normal aftershocks, and that the data suggest pressure changes in the subsurface, though no definitive cause was identified. Keith Hall of LSU described how other states responded to suspected induced seismicity with more monitoring, more frequent reporting, injection limits or moratoria, and “traffic light” systems that escalate regulatory responses as seismicity increases. Members asked about depths, fault locations, possible links to injection or fracking, and whether more monitoring and data-sharing should be pursued; several speakers said Louisiana likely needs a denser monitoring network and more structured data collection. A Texas geoscientist, William Berger, also testified that Texas uses large-scale data analysis and AI to study injection-related seismicity and argued for secure sharing of operator data to improve forecasting and risk management. The committee then took testimony on UAV and drone incursions over Barksdale Air Force Base. GOSEP said the incident was logged in WebEOC and the common operating picture, but that Barksdale did not request direct GOSEP resources and that the matter was handled through law enforcement channels. Louisiana State Police and the FBI said they were limited in what they could disclose, but confirmed multiple drone sightings on the morning and evening of March 9 and continued monitoring for several days. State Police said they have created a task force with the Police Chiefs Association, Sheriffs Association, GOSEP, and LSP, and that officers are receiving FBI-related training to help detect and, where authorized, mitigate drones. Members discussed whether the activity was nefarious, what counts as an incursion, and the need for better public education about drone restrictions near military and critical infrastructure sites. No formal action was taken, but members said the issue will continue to be tracked alongside pending legislation. Finally, the committee received a one-year update on the merger of GOSEP with the Louisiana National Guard and Military Department. Major General Thomas Freelieu and Brigadier General Jason Maffus said the merger has reduced GOSEP from seven divisions to three, shifted administrative functions to the Military Department, and produced about $10.5 million in first-year cost avoidance. They said the agency has modernized its common operating picture, returned staff to in-person work, and continued statewide preparedness exercises. Freelieu highlighted Guard missions including cyber expansion, the new Air National Guard cyber squadron at Jackson Barracks, modernization of the 159th Fighter Wing, and ongoing support for homeland security missions in New Orleans and Washington, D.C. Maffus said GOSEP’s core mission remains emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, and that the merger is intended to make state support to parishes faster and more efficient.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't stay awake at night worried about anything. I used to keep people up at night.
• care services.
• Home care services.
• care have increased awareness.
• care.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee met to organize the new term, take roll, and hear introductory presentations from the six agencies under its jurisdiction: the Agency for Health Care Administration, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Children and Families, Department of Elder Affairs, Department of Health, and Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The chair outlined the committee process, including assigning members to review agencies and make budget recommendations. Each agency head gave a high-level overview of their budget, staffing, major programs, and priorities, with recurring themes including Medicaid, long-term care, disability services, child welfare, mental health, aging services, public health, and veterans’ health care. Several agency leaders highlighted recent initiatives and funding priorities. AHCA emphasized Medicaid managed care, provider regulation, Hope Florida, hospital-at-home, and cancer-related efforts; APD discussed iBudget services, Hope Florida, a managed-care pilot, online applications, and forensic care costs; DCF focused on child protection, foster care, adult protective services, food/cash/medical assistance, mental health, and opioid treatment; Elder Affairs highlighted Alzheimer’s services, community-based senior care, guardianship, ombudsman services, and disaster outreach; DOH covered cancer innovation, maternal telehealth, cybersecurity, HIV/hepatitis/syphilis screening, and school nursing; and Veterans Affairs described benefits and health care access for veterans, long-term care, and federal reimbursement. Several speakers also raised concerns about rising costs, provider rates, disaster response, and access to services. The committee heard two public comments from disability advocates about Medicaid redeterminations affecting iBudget waiver recipients and provider payment delays. In response, AHCA and APD said they were coordinating on data sharing, early outreach, escalation processes, and efforts to reduce disenrollments and make recertification smoother. Members then asked questions about provider rates, opioid settlement spending, managed care quality measures, pediatric rare disease grants, group home transparency, senior outreach, ABA services moving into managed care, annual Medicaid recertification, veterans’ service utilization, waiting lists for elder services, and prevention spending. No formal votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
• I did not sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
• New Mexico's patients are in a crisis in access to health care as access to health care dwindles because
• New Mexico's patients are in a crisis in access to health care as access to health care dwindles because
• grounded and community-driven health care systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Somebody gets a DUI on Thursday night.
• What I'm talking about are those offenders that do not care.
• They do not care about the threat that they are on the road.
• They do not care about the status of their driver's license.
• They do not care about going to prison.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was just wondering, because when I was reading this last night, trying to prepare, I was trying to
• I was just wondering, because when I was reading this last night, trying to prepare, I was trying to
• I personally could care less about fireworks. They're fine. They're fun.
• I personally could care less about fireworks. They're fine. They're fun.

Bills: SB1873 , SB1948 , SB540 , SB1653 , SB1061 , SB1534

Committee: House Business

Summary: The committee heard several Senate bills, most of them described as cleanup or compact-related measures. Senate Bill 1061 was presented as a cleanup bill adding defining language, supported by the Department of Consumer Credit and correcting a typo, and it passed 11-0. Senate Bill 1534, a charity enforcement act worked on with the Attorney General’s office, was described as strengthening protections for donor intent, preventing misuse of charitable funds, and closing enforcement loopholes; after a brief question about examples of bad actors, it also passed 11-0. Senate Bill 1873 was another cleanup bill requested by roofers and passed 11-0. The committee also considered interstate licensure compacts. Senate Bill 540 would create Oklahoma’s participation in a dentist and dental hygienist compact; one question focused on why the Oklahoma Dental Association opposed it while the American Dental Association supported it, and the bill passed 9-2. Senate Bill 1653 would join a compact for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, with the sponsor noting 31 states already participate; it passed 11-0. Finally, Senate Bill 1948 would allow year-round fireworks sales in Oklahoma. Members questioned how the bill would interact with city and county authority, whether it would affect dense neighborhoods, and concerns about veterans with PTSD. The sponsor said the bill would not override city ordinances and argued counties should not restrict private property owners, while also saying current law already allows fireworks use year-round but limits in-state purchasing windows, sending consumers to other states. The bill passed 10-1. The chair then announced this was the last bill for the day and that about 12 bills remained for the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the dead of night, as the Guadalupe River flowed.
• She always took care of her family, she always took care of Texas, and she always served and was faithful
• We started on a cold night at the Senate. ...ladies gala in January, eight months ago, and here we are

Bills: SB 2 , SB 10 , HB27 , HB18 , HB17 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , HB18 , SR 1 , SR 2 , SR 5 , HB18 , HB17 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SR1 , SR2 , SR5 , SB2 , SB10 , HB27

Transcript Highlights:

• Once again, we do care about the care and well-being of our veterans.
• But we also care that they get the proper care in a timely manner that they deserve.
• We certainly do care about ensuring our veterans get the care that they need, when they need it, and
• and the care and well-being.
• in essence is VA care.

Committee: Senate Senate Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: veteran services, homelessness, unemployment, VA funding, mental health, congressional oversight, testimonies, American Legion, Dole Act, suicide prevention

Summary: This meeting focused on veteran services, emphasizing the urgent need to address the alarming rate of unemployment and homelessness among veterans. Numerous testimonies were presented detailing the impact of mass furloughs and cutbacks at the VA on personnel, notably veterans who were serving as employees. Various representatives expressed deep concern over how these firings could drastically affect the quality of care available to those who have served the nation. There was a strong call for Congress to bolster funding for existing programs aimed at alleviating veteran homelessness and improving overall care quality, especially in mental health services.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the average tax that they would night, the average tax that they would pay<00:15:18.240><c> based</
• of as well as the 4,500 taxpayers will be taken care of. >> Okay.
• House. >> No. >> So, the motion fails. taxpayers will be taken care of. taxpayers will be taken care
• </c><00:31:24.960><c> And</c><00:31:25.200><c> we're</c> entire health care system.
• And we're entire health care system.

Summary: The committee of conference on HB 155 continued discussion of a compromise over business tax relief, small-business filing thresholds, and nursing home funding. Representative Sweeney proposed raising the filing threshold to $400,000 and creating a trigger for future Business Enterprise Tax reductions if business tax revenues produce a $200 million biennial surplus, with the Department of Revenue Administration commissioner able to exclude one-time or non-sustainable funds. Supporters said the proposal would provide a clear policy direction, immediate relief to about 4,500 small and micro businesses, and a future path back to the BET’s original 0.25% rate. Opponents, led by the Senate side, argued the trigger language was premature, better handled in a budget year with more revenue data, and inappropriate to decide in a short conference committee meeting. The Senate also emphasized that the tax policy should not be locked in without a fuller public process, while House members argued the trigger would not take effect until a future biennium and was therefore a prudent way to signal New Hampshire’s direction on taxes. A separate point of discussion involved nursing homes: the House said its report would include $2.5 million for nursing homes with non-lapsing language, and senators stressed the importance of that funding for the health care system and county property taxpayers. One senator warned that triggers could encourage revenue underestimation and noted bond rating concerns about a structural deficit. Several motions were made to accept the Senate position with the $400,000 threshold and related amendments, but the first motion failed on a party-line style split, with the Senate voting yes and the House voting no. A second House motion to accede to the Senate position while also including the nursing home funding, the threshold increase, and the future trigger language was also rejected by the Senate. The meeting ended with the report filed without agreement on the trigger language, and the transcript then notes a separate reconvened committee of conference on HB 751 being postponed until 12:30 the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• care if possible.
• health care.
• health care.
• Out like the health care collectives and cooperatives and for-profit health care.
• care system.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and adopted a House committee substitute combining House Bills 1850 and 1975, which was then voted do pass by a 16-0 roll call. The substitute was described as incorporating federal PBM-related transparency and audit provisions, including requirements intended to ensure fair audits, greater transparency for employers and patients, and protections for pharmacies so they are not reimbursed below drug cost and receive a fair fee. Members said the package was a compromise and a needed step because pharmacies are closing. The committee then heard House Bills 2318 and 2368, related to artificial intelligence and mental health. The sponsors said the bills are aimed at truth in advertising, barring AI platforms from marketing themselves as mental health professionals or therapy providers, while not banning AI use in health care generally. Testimony from supporters emphasized concerns about minors and adults relying on chatbots for mental health guidance and the need to protect consumers from misleading claims. The committee adopted an amendment adding social workers to the bill string, rolled it into a substitute, and voted the combined House committee substitute do pass 14-0. Next, House Bill 3313, described as an AOT bill from the prior week, was voted do pass 14-0 without discussion. House Bill 2745 was then amended and passed 14-0; the sponsor explained the changes would require a prompt physical exam for children entering foster care, allow a physician or nurse practitioner to perform it, try to continue existing developmental, behavioral, or emotional care when possible, and require biological parental consent before updating vaccines at the initial visit. House Bill 2463 also received a substitute to close a loophole involving referral payments when a prospective resident or legal representative cancels a contract, and the committee voted the substitute do pass 14-0. The committee also heard House Concurrent Resolution 28, which would designate the last full week of April as Infertility Awareness Week in Missouri. The sponsor linked the resolution to broader efforts to expand fertility access, and supporters, including a patient sharing her infertility experience, spoke about the emotional and physical toll of infertility and the value of awareness. Finally, House Bill 2979, the Rural Missouri Rural Doctors Act, drew extensive testimony. The sponsor and supporters argued it would limit physician non-compete agreements to one year and five miles for nonprofit employers to improve rural access and physician mobility, while opponents from hospitals and health systems said the bill would weaken recruitment, hurt financially stressed rural hospitals, and create uneven treatment between nonprofit and for-profit employers. No vote was taken on HB 2979 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to be careful.
• We have to be careful. careful. careful.
• Do you care about Minnesotans, or you just care about Waymo?
• Do you care about Minnesotans, or you just care about Waymo?
• </c> just care about Waymo? just care about Waymo?

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• corre that is correct online corre care corre that is correct online corre care corre that is correct
• and just to make the party hype night and just to make the party hype night and just to make the party
• of these universities we got take care of these universities we got take care of these universities
• we got to take care of the municipalities CU in to take care of the municipalities CU in to take care
• for the lights not to get also at night for the lights not to get also at night for the lights not to

Transcript Highlights:

• night that our flag was still there.
• You heard from my good colleague from the 43rd about the health care benefits.
• And we also prioritize the most vulnerable. ...health care benefits.
• We increased taxes on our child care industry, Mr.
• People don't really care anymore. We've got to change that.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, and observed a moment of silence for the unexpected death of Autumn Gildon, wife of Senator Gildon. The chamber then approved the previous day’s minutes and signed several bills before moving into caucuses and Senate messages. The main action of the day was consideration of the state operating budget, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5167, which the House adopted from conference committee and then passed on final passage after extended debate. Supporters of the budget said it was a balanced plan that protects core services, including food, shelter, health care, public schools, special education, behavioral health, and support for vulnerable residents, while making difficult choices in a tight fiscal year. Opponents argued it relied on the largest tax increases in state history, would burden working families and businesses, and could reduce access to health care and other services. The conference report was adopted 57-39, the bill then passed 52-45, and it was immediately transmitted to the Senate by a 58-39 vote. The House also took up Engrossed House Bill 1217, a rent stabilization measure affecting lease renewals and manufactured housing lot rents. Proponents described it as needed relief for renters facing steep increases and a way to provide predictability and stability, while opponents warned it would function as rent control, discourage new housing investment, and reduce supply. The conference report was adopted 55-42, and the bill passed final passage 54-44 before being immediately transmitted to the Senate 59-39. In addition, the House passed several housing and environmental bills: Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1096, focused on housing supply and buildable land, passed 94-4; Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1108, creating a cost-driver analysis process for housing affordability, also passed 94-4; and Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1293, dealing with litter reduction and plastic bag provisions, passed unanimously 98-0. The chamber also received Senate messages on other bills and recognized the work of staff and members at the close of session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have stood on this floor night after night, carried bills, protected children, everything you've asked
• I have stood on this floor night after night, carried bills, protected children, everything you've asked
• I have stood on this floor night after night, carried bills, protected children, everything you've asked
• </c><01:54:11.600><c> after</c><01:54:11.800><c> night,</c> stood on this floor night after night, stood
• on this floor night after night, carried<01:54:12.440><c> bills,</c><01:54:13.080><c> protected</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• When we talked last night, we want to make sure we get into the issues of amenability and explain what
• Quintero last night, they were preparing witnesses in connection with the same case. Is that right?
• Are there programs out there that will take care of this child's needs?
• And my understanding is protective services is foster care.
• I remember the count last night.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Unless I thought you could have been celebrating last night. Do I need to...
• All right, unless I thought it could have been celebrating last night.
• I recently cared for a patient whose baby wasn’t growing well.
• I cared for another patient who had been brought up in the foster care system in multiple different homes
• We saw it last night with the election.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on a proposed Massachusetts baby bonds program, including H. 3429, S. 2146, and the Treasurer’s related bill H. 48. Treasurer Goldberg and a broad coalition of advocates, researchers, health professionals, and people with lived experience said the program would create trust accounts for children born into low-income families or in DCF custody, with funds available at age 18 for education, homeownership, business startup, or other long-term asset-building uses. Supporters argued the program would help close the racial wealth gap, improve economic mobility, and not affect eligibility for financial aid or public benefits. Committee members asked about administration, investment returns, eligibility, and withdrawal rules; the Treasurer said the accounts would be held in trust and managed by her office with an advisory board, with funds accessible at 18 and usable through age 35 if the beneficiary remains a Massachusetts resident. No vote was taken during the testimony shown. The committee also heard testimony on legislation establishing Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day, including S. 2666 and H. 4625. Senator Ross, Representative Badger, physicians, survivors, and advocates described invasive lobular carcinoma as difficult to detect because it often grows in lines rather than forming a lump, can be missed on mammography, and is underfunded and underrepresented in research and clinical trials. Witnesses said the bill would codify an annual October 15 proclamation to raise awareness, improve diagnosis, and encourage more targeted research and treatment. Committee members asked why the disease is so hard to detect, and medical witnesses explained the imaging challenges and the lack of lobular-specific protocols. The witnesses urged favorable reports. The committee then took testimony on H. 4648, a bill concerning the purchase or lease of Fenn Farm in Stockbridge by the Stockbridge-Munsee community. Representative Davis, the Stockbridge Land Trust president, and the tribal president testified that the bill would remove a conservation restriction tied to a state MVP grant so the tribe could manage the land without a restriction that they said would conflict with tribal sovereignty and Indigenous stewardship practices. They said the parcel is a sacred site connected to Monument Mountain and that the restriction is unnecessary because the land is already surrounded by conserved property. The witnesses asked for favorable action on the bill. Finally, the committee heard testimony on H. 3416, a resolution urging Congress to create a national infrastructure bank. Representative Senna and several advocates argued that an off-budget infrastructure bank could finance major repairs and upgrades to roads, bridges, rail, water systems, broadband, and housing without adding to the state budget, while creating jobs and supporting economic growth. Witnesses cited historical precedents for national infrastructure banks and said Massachusetts could benefit substantially from such a program. The transcript shown does not include a committee vote or final action on the resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, child care, health care, um, education can be, but child care and health care are private goods delivered
• Um child care, health care, um framing.
• are</c> but but child care and health care are but but child care and health care are private<00:40:48.680
• </c><01:20:34.960><c> So,</c> night? They didn't win, did they? So, night?
• </c><01:30:07.240><c> You</c><01:30:07.320><c> should</c> uh busy night. You should uh busy night.

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• But she also bartends a couple nights a week.
• 00:22:46.640><c> bartends</c><00:22:47.480><c> a</c><00:22:47.520><c> couple</c><00:22:47.760><c> nights
• </c> also bartends a couple nights a week. also bartends a couple nights a week.
• </c> would not be included, which takes care would not be included, which takes care of<00:49:16.440>
• Some people will say, "Okay, I'll make sure that the people that get night shifts and day shifts, so

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> skipping school because they don't care skipping school because they don't care about<00:12:57.000
• </c><00:32:27.240><c> that</c> actually have access to the care that actually have access to the care
• </c><01:14:54.239><c> and</c> with lower case loads is is night and with lower case loads is is night
• </c><01:21:38.280><c> about</c> it hasn't let's be very careful about it hasn't let's be very careful
• We need to be careful.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Contrived till last night.
• have expediting the delivery of care.
• That's what we need to be very careful about, in my opinion.
• You wouldn't have one person working at night at your businesses. You wouldn't.
• I don't care who sends it in as long as somebody sends it in and it's not... Thank you.

Committee: House Labor & Industrial Relations

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 408 by Senator Myers, a workers’ compensation overhaul creating an all-claims medical database, requiring electronic reporting and billing, and setting up confidentiality, rulemaking, and penalties. Senator Myers said the bill was meant to modernize a paper-based system, speed injured workers back to care and work, reduce disputes through a more predictable fee schedule, address outliers and abuse, and generate reliable data for future fee-schedule decisions. Representative Melarine then offered a large amendment package combining portions of House Bills 780 and 1101 into SB 408, adding preliminary-determination procedures, changes to benefit durations, fraud language, and a deadline for the department to establish a fee schedule if no agreement is reached. Supporters said the package would create a more complete reform; opponents argued the additions were rushed, not germane, and would harm injured workers, especially those without lawyers, by adding technical filing burdens and stricter fraud consequences. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment package, then adopted a follow-up amendment removing the word “potential” from a fines provision and deleting the fraud section, and finally reported SB 408 with amendments on a divided vote. Testimony on SB 408 was sharply split. Proponents, including Alton Ashy and Trey Mustian, argued the bill’s transparency and data-collection provisions were the most important part, that the system needs a modern fee schedule, and that the added reforms would help control costs and speed payment. Opponents, including Shannon Lindsay and another injured-worker advocate, said the original bill was a good compromise but the added provisions changed its character and would disadvantage pro se claimants, remove materiality from fraud law, and reduce benefits for seriously injured workers. Committee members also questioned the timeline for the database and fee schedule, the effect of historical data gaps, and whether the reforms would help employers and injured workers alike. The committee ultimately agreed the bill still contained its core goals of faster care, predictable fees, anti-abuse measures, and modernization. The committee then moved to House Bill 585 by Representative Chasson, a workplace-violence/safety measure for small-box discount retailers. Chasson explained that the bill had been narrowed to require retailers to submit an existing written workforce safety plan, or develop one if they do not already have one, with no penalties attached. The committee adopted a substitute bill incorporating prior amendments. Representative Glorioso noted continuing concerns about civil-liability implications and the duty to protect against third-party criminal acts, but the bill was advanced from committee after the substitute was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's gone through the deliberative process over in the Senate much longer than the bill did last night
• I guess you didn't have too late of a night last night. It didn't seem like.
• Did you have any duels on the Senate floor last night? We did not, actually. No duels.
• religion on the other side of the political aisle, we try to strike that balance to say, look, I don't care
• I don't care what foreign code it is.

Committee: House Government Efficiency