Transcript Highlights:

• Um, eight of those members are citizen members, four appointed by the governor, two appointed by the
• Um, eight of those members are citizen members, four appointed by the governor, two appointed by the
• Um, eight of those members are citizen members, four appointed by the governor, two appointed by the
• Um, eight of those members are citizen members, four appointed by the governor, two appointed by the
• Four appointed by the governor,<00:08:07.199> two<00:08:07.440> appointed<00:08:07.759>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Enrollment for the program may not exceed 500 members, including any slots reserved for temporary emergency
• Arizona providers have relied heavily on temporary contract labor, which has increased by 230% in 2022
• We don't need temporary fixes.
• Arizona providers have relied heavily on temporary contract labor, which increased by 231% in 2022 compared
• composition because it's all just the current majority that would support, that would make the appointments

Bills: SB1041, SB1050, SB1131, SB1138, SB1249, SB1267, SB1272, SB1317, SB1461, SB1488, SB1504, SB1517, SB1523, SB1580, SB1582, SB1584, SB1585, SB1602, SB1630, SB1654, SB1672, SB1673, SB1718, SB1761, SB1819, SB1826, SB1827

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, veterans, lifetime pass, state parks, Arizona, access, disabled veterans, cardiac arrest, defibrillators, school safety, emergency response, CPR training, Arizona education funding, automated license plate readers

Transcript Highlights:

• So the governor appoints their board members and that's by design.
• I wanted to hear more about the oversight committees, their appointed positions. you're transparent about
• Our oversight committee is our governing board, and they're appointed by the governor, the lieutenant
• Who appoints people to the oversight committee? So the governor appoints three.
• Lieutenant Governor appoints three, and the Speaker appoints three members.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 254, an act relating to temporary structures. Thank you.
• It allows for temporary structures, such as showers and toilets, to not be under the USC code.
• But anything temporary under six months would not have to be.
• So this almost would seem to me like, say for example, you wanted to bring temporary structures into
• you wanted to bring um temporary you wanted to bring um temporary structures<00:26:24.960> into

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving down now to the dark blue, this is the alternative temporary authorization certificate.
• The school district places the individual on a temporary authorization certificate.
• And is that true on the career temporary as well, the one year with renewal three times?
• So this would be a temporary authorization certificate.
• So you're proposing that the temporary would expand to a program like you're saying.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've come to a temporary language that's not ready for prime time today.
• Two is to set a temporary rate of 325% of Medicare for a two-year period, where it will sunset.
• On the temporary in-network rate schedule, the insurance department will develop a form that must be
• Two is to set a temporary rate of 325% of Medicare for a two-year period, where it will sunset.
• Um where it says um temporary in this.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is a guardian showing up without an appointment disrupting or interfering?
• It effectively functions as a permanent appointment, similar to HTSB's 5-year standard license.
• Approving a 5-year emergency hire permit sets a troubling standard by normalizing temporary measures
• bridges to full lensure not as temporary bridges to full lensure not as a<01:40:08.800> parallel<
• It just kind of embeds this temporary workforce within the structure, and again I recognize this is fully

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Education heard testimony on HB 1895, which would add education-worker protections by expanding harassment-related offenses. The Department of Education, HSTA, HGA, and several school employees and principals testified in support, describing increased harassment and threats toward teachers and staff, especially since COVID, and saying the bill would help deter bad actors. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, saying the language was vague and overbroad, could criminalize ordinary parental advocacy or speech, and might not survive constitutional scrutiny. In response to questions, the public defender said existing statutes already cover threatening or assaultive conduct against educational workers, while DOE representatives said the bill was aimed at excessive and repetitive disruptive behavior. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then took up HB 1592, concerning protections for educational workers and sports officials. DOE, the Charter School Commission, HGA, HSTA, school principals, athletic programs, and many individual testifiers supported the bill, with several describing threats, harassment, and aggressive behavior at schools and athletic events. One principal said he had repeatedly involved law enforcement after threats and incidents on campus, and a teacher testified about the need to keep school environments safe and orderly. The Office of the Public Defender again opposed the bill, arguing that current law already enhances penalties for assaults and terroristic threatening against educational workers and sports officials, and that new offenses would have little deterrent effect. Committee members questioned whether the bill should be a separate statute and how to distinguish passionate advocacy from harassment; DOE said the line was crossed when conduct became excessive and repetitive, while the public defender urged clearer drafting and more emphasis on prevention, education, security, and de-escalation. No vote or final action was announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have staff that are assigned other duties who are doing some of this testing by appointment,
• We also have staff that are assigned other duties who are doing some of this testing by appointment,
• The other thing we have for New Hampshire only as well is what we call a 14-day temporary certificate
• <00:51:46.000> temporary<00:51:46.599> certificate<00:51:47.599> and twoe temporary
• temporary certificate and twoe temporary temporary certificate and that<00:51:48.079> then<00

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing began with SB 12, which would let certain veterans who already qualify for a disabled veteran license plate use that VA disability determination to obtain a walking disability placard without having to undergo a second physical or submit additional proof. Senator Waters, the prime sponsor, said the bill was prompted by a constituent and would reduce redundant paperwork. Melinda Sims of United Spinal and Leo Pacquin of the State Veterans Advisory Committee both supported the bill, saying veterans already go through an extensive VA certification process and should not have to repeat it for the state. A DMV representative said the department had no known objection and explained that the change would let the placard travel with the veteran in another vehicle. The hearing on SB 12 was then closed. The committee then took up SB 40, which would allow safe boater education certificates to be completed and tested online, rather than requiring an in-person final exam. Representative Coker and Senator Tim Lang described the bill as a cleanup measure to make a COVID-era online process permanent and said it would improve convenience and keep more revenue in New Hampshire. Tom Praol, representing the vendor, said the state lost significant revenue when the online option ended and argued that online proctoring can verify identity and prevent cheating. The New Hampshire Marine Trades Association supported the bill, saying it would help boaters learn New Hampshire-specific laws and keep dollars in-state. The Department of Safety Marine Patrol was neutral: Captain Tim Dunlvy said the current system includes classroom and online coursework followed by an in-person proctored final exam, and he raised concerns about safety, exam integrity, and lower scores in computer-only testing, while noting New Hampshire’s strong boating safety record. Committee members asked about reciprocity, proctoring methods, costs, and crash data, but no vote was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was appointed to this position in July of 2024, coming into this issue and certainly have gotten a
• It was supposed to be a temporary measure to deal with the trash.
• It was supposed to be a temporary measure to deal with the trash.
• But they are a temporary bridge to stop immediate health harm.
• But they are a temporary bridge at all.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill authorizing municipalities to opt in to a temporary pilot to extend the hours of liquor
• Third reading of the bill: An act authorizing municipalities to opt in to a temporary pilot to extend
• The House bill authorizing municipalities to opt in to a temporary pilot to extend the hours of liquor
• House Bill 5478, as amended, an act authorizing municipalities to opt into a temporary pilot to extend
• House Bill 5478, as amended, an act authorizing municipalities to opt into a temporary pilot to extend

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate began with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a resolution congratulating Douglas Fire Chief John J. Perna on his retirement. It then took up several local and personnel matters, including sick leave bank bills for Shannon Manning of the trial court and Stephanie Rivera of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office; both were amended to add emergency preambles and passed to be engrossed. The chamber also advanced local legislation on special meetings of the Holyoke City Council, the Reading home rule charter, a parkland exchange in Lexington, and a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption for North Attleboro, along with a House bill concerning land conveyance in Fall River, which was ordered to a third reading. The Senate also received a committee report on a Newton pension obligation bonds bill, referred it to the municipalities and regional government committees, and adopted an order to meet again in formal session on Thursday at 11 a.m. A major policy item was a House bill creating a temporary summer 2026 pilot program allowing municipalities to opt in to extended liquor license hours and public consumption in designated districts. Senator Todd offered an amendment requiring an interagency report on the pilot’s effects on behavior, public safety, and transportation; the amendment was adopted, as was the bill as amended, and the Senate later concurred in a further House amendment. The bill then received the required emergency preamble by standing vote and was passed to be enacted, to be signed by the President and sent to the Governor. The Senate also paused for a personal privilege recognition honoring three Canton High School state championship teams: the boys golf team, boys hockey team, and girls track and field team. The remarks highlighted their state titles, individual achievements, coaches and school leaders, and included special recognition for boys hockey coach Brian Schumann on his retirement after 23 seasons. The teams were welcomed to the chamber and told citations would be issued and the recognition entered into the journal.

Transcript Highlights:

• And B is—these are people that are appointed by either executive office or a board.
• And the selectman can appoint a designate to fulfill that position.
• That’s one way that the school district budget advisory board is appointed.
• If the chair wants to appoint whoever, it's their discretion.
• If the chair wants to appoint whoever, it's their discretion.

Keywords: 9:00am HB 158 9:10am HB 281 9:20am HB 317 9:30am HB 340 9:40am HB 1062 9:50am HB 1187 10:00am HB 1234 10:10am HB 1300 10:20am HB 1306 10:30am HB 1381 10:40am HB 1541, 928, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference first resolved House Bill 158, which concerns public inspection of absentee ballot lists. The Senate explained a revised approach that removed the broader bill language and instead directed the Secretary of State to review absentee ballot data after each general election for patterns such as common addresses and to report findings to the committees of jurisdiction. The House agreed to the Senate position, and the conference committee voted unanimously to concur. The committee then took up House Bill 281, dealing with a sortable electronic voter checklist. Members debated the Senate’s removal of language that would have included the absentee ballot mailing address when different from the voter’s registration address. Concerns were raised that releasing mailing addresses could expose where voters are not home and could affect overseas and military voters. The committee also discussed a related form for election officials who personally know a voter, including how long the form would be retained and whether it would be subject to public records law. After further discussion, the House agreed to the Senate changes with an additional requirement that the form be signed, and the committee voted to proceed with the amended Senate position. House Bill 317, concerning verification of a person’s identity by a supervisor of the checklist without identification, was also discussed at length. The Senate’s version preserved the ability for election officials to identify people they know, but required a signed form under penalty of perjury and added a nursing home-related provision. Members described the measure as balancing community-based identification with tighter documentation, and a House witness described local problems with inconsistent ID checks and concerns about voting in nursing homes. The House sought one additional change requiring the nursing home verification form to be signed, and the Senate accepted that addition; the committee then voted to move the bill forward on the consent calendar. The conference committee next considered House Bill 340 on electioneering by public employees. The chair presented a replace-all amendment that tied the definition of electioneering to existing law, added a prohibition on expressly or primarily political surveys, and created a civil penalty of up to $1,000 alongside the misdemeanor penalty. Members discussed clarifying when the misdemeanor versus civil penalty would apply and which categories of public employees were covered. After caucus, the Senate agreed to the House’s replace-all approach with the clarifying changes, and the bill was closed. The committee also resolved House Bill 1062 by agreeing to strike a sunset clause from the Senate version authorizing random audits of citizenship qualifications, and it began discussion of House Bill 1187 on the filing window for special-election candidates, where the House proposed requiring local election officials to arrange a filing time on the same day or next business day after being contacted.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3104 by McLaughlin relating to the salary of bailiffs appointed by certain district courts
• House Bill 3104 by McLaughlin relating to the salary of bailiffs appointed by certain district courts
• Is there a system in place whereby if a judge does not like the bailiff that's been appointed to them
• Is there a system in place whereby if a judge does not like the bailiff that's been appointed to them
• Members, this amendment simply specifies that at least one of the members appointed to the TWIA board

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, heard the invocation and pledges, and then took up a series of memorial resolutions and recognitions. Members adopted memorial resolutions honoring former President Jimmy Carter and Dr. Alice Gail Hudgens, with remarks highlighting their public service and community impact, and adopted resolutions recognizing Victoria College’s 100th anniversary and May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month. The chamber also recognized Texas A&M system interns and later granted permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. The House then moved through a long third-reading calendar, passing a number of bills on wide margins. Measures approved included SB 304 on municipal court jurisdiction over nuisance abatement ordinances, SB 608 on reporting evidence collection kits, SB 2312 creating a Texas Advisory Committee on Geopolitical Conflict, SB 494 creating a petroleum theft task force, SB 530 on postsecondary accreditation, HB 45 giving the Attorney General a role in prosecuting human trafficking cases, HB 35 on peer support for first responders, HB 47 and HB 3073 on sexual assault policy and prosecution, HB 318 and HB 3000 creating rural sheriff and ambulance grant programs, HB 554 on Juneteenth fireworks sales with county opt-in authority restored, HB 705 and HB 932 joining licensure compacts for cosmetology and occupational therapy, HB 849 allowing county park boards to meet by video conference, HB 1119 on mental health bed reporting, HB 3041 on students with nontraditional secondary education, HB 713 on maternal mortality review reporting, HB 3104 on Webb County bailiff appointments, HB 3970 on electricity planning for large loads, HB 4042 on Railroad Commission safety provisions for gas distribution pipelines, HB 4490 protecting next-of-kin information, HB 1731 on the physician assistant compact, HB 2607 on Walker County Hospital District governance, HB 3689 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association funding, HB 1788 on continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists about abuse and trafficking, HB 1612 on hospital direct payments for uninsured patients, and HB 138 on health impact cost and coverage analysis. Several bills drew extended debate or amendments. HB 353, creating a trespass offense near schools and daycares, prompted questions about constitutional concerns and property rights before passing. HB 3211 on optometrists in managed care plans received a perfecting amendment and a Medicaid-related amendment setting a minimum payment level. HB 1056 on gold and silver specie and a state-based currency prompted detailed questioning about its mechanics and fees, followed by a point of order challenging the caption. The House also adopted or postponed a number of items, including postponing HB 2520 and HB 1359 until later in the calendar before later passing both, and laying several bills on the table subject to call. Many measures passed overwhelmingly, while a few, including HB 3326 on loan forgiveness for adjunct professors and HB 3237 on energy consumption goals, passed with narrower margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• Statutes vest the power of the agency in five commissioners who are appointed by the governor and approved
• As a reminder, the Senate is tasked with reviewing and confirming PUC commissioner appointments.
• I will also note that while the committee voted in favor of Commissioner Ham last session, the appointment
• We appreciate the time you spend considering these appointments, and we'll continue to work with you
• The commission appreciates the time you spend considering these appointments, and we'll continue to work

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Shireen Gandhi, and I was appointed last week as temporary commissioner of the Minnesota Department
• I look forward to working with all of you in the coming weeks, perhaps months, as temporary commissioner
• You know, they're driving two to three hours one way for an appointment, so some follow-up on that would
• <01:20:20.800> so<01:20:20.960> some one way for an appointment so some one way for
• an appointment so some follow<01:20:21.400> up<01:20:21.520> on<01:20:21.679> that<

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for a Health and Finance Policy hearing, began with member and staff introductions, and noted that Representative Keeler was participating as a non-voting member. The chair outlined committee rules on decorum and then introduced the day’s first agency presentation from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), with Commissioner Cunningham appearing to present the department’s budget priorities. Commissioner Cunningham described MDH’s broad public health role and emphasized that public health is underfunded relative to health care, with significant reliance on federal dollars. The department’s main budget request was for infectious disease prevention and response to offset anticipated federal funding losses. MDH also outlined several fee increases tied to public water systems, wells, licensing and certification, assisted living and health care facilities, HMO regulation, food/pools/lodging inspections, radioactive materials, X-ray equipment, and asbestos abatement. The commissioner said these changes were needed because costs, workload, and regulatory complexity have increased, while many fees have not been updated in years. MDH also presented budget-neutral proposals, including continuing the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Committee, converting the Maternal and Child Health Advisory Task Force into a standing advisory committee, restoring some local and tribal public health cannabis and substance misuse prevention grants, creating direct American Indian Health Special Emphasis Grants, reauthorizing the State Trauma Advisory Council, and extending firefighter PFAS biomonitoring work. The department also requested an operations adjustment for rising employee, insurance, fuel, utility, and legal costs, and referenced additional Clean Water Legacy Fund proposals. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided. Representative Bierman then offered supportive comments, praising MDH’s work and backing the funding and fee proposals, especially the restoration of local public health prevention grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• It modifies our pharmacist and health consultant and some temporary transporter relief as the industry
• 05:26.520> on The original laws on the business side of this were always intended to be a temporary
• Now, you'll hear us say, "Okay, this was a temporary thing. Everybody knew this was temporary."
• Everybody knew this a temporary thing. Everybody knew this was<00:10:36.600> temporary."
• was temporary." was temporary."

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Senate File 4401, a cannabis bill, was presented as a broad maintenance package developed through months of work with more than 80 stakeholders, including small businesses, labor, tribal representatives, medical licensees, and the Office of Cannabis Management. The author said it makes a series of technical and policy adjustments, including support for small businesses, hemp QR codes, privacy protections, event coordinator changes, clearer product definitions, investor and timeline changes, and a bridge for hemp businesses to enter cannabis. It also addresses medical cannabis access by renaming medical combination licenses as macro licenses, eliminating the grow-and-sale ratio, correcting canopy estimates, requiring key products to be stocked, and creating a first step toward a medical psilocybin program with a report and federal funding directive. Representative West supported the bill overall but criticized the canopy reduction for medical combination licenses, arguing it changes the rules midstream and could lead to litigation and taxpayer costs. He said the bill helps social equity applicants by allowing more outside investment and described the hemp provisions as a way to save that industry. The author responded that the bill right-sizes a temporary system and reflects stakeholder agreement on needed changes. After discussion, the author again urged a green vote and thanked staff and prior cannabis workers for their help. There were no amendments at the desk, the bill was given a third reading, and the House passed Senate File 4401 by a vote of 92 ayes to 42 nays, with the title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, in Los Angeles, it can range from $80 to $184 for a temporary food facility permit.
• It was the test of an idea through pop-ups and temporary operations.
• It was the test of an idea through pop-ups and temporary operations.
• It creates, within the health code, language that's already there within temporary events.
• We just slip it in there. ...language that's already there within temporary events.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Human Rights, Workers' Compensation Board, Office of the Welfare Inspector General, OFFIOFFICE OF TEMPORARY
• We, of course, are persistent in our quest for temporary disability insurance reform, as well as including
• Our quest for temporary disability insurance reform, as well as including coverage for pregnancy loss
• most in need by, yes, giving them a hand up while also giving them a dignified off ramp for the temporary
• BY, YES, GIVING THEM A HAND UP WHILE ALSO GIVING THEM A DIGNIFIED OFF RAMP FOR THE TEMPORARY BENEFITS

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Human Services and Labor budget hearing opened with Senate and Assembly co-chairs introducing members and naming secretaries for the record. The agencies covered included Human Services, Labor, Temporary and Disability Assistance, Children and Family Services, Veterans Services, Human Rights, Workers’ Compensation, the Welfare Inspector General, and the Public Employment Relations Board. Members then gave brief statements on their priorities for the upcoming budget negotiations. A major theme was affordability, with repeated discussion of child care, SNAP, housing, and worker supports. Senators and Assembly members highlighted the Senate and Assembly one-house proposals for a $500 million child care worker retention grant program, additional child care slots and subsidies, cost-of-living adjustments for human services workers, and expanded support for supportive housing, youth employment, HEAP, and energy affordability. Several members also emphasized food insecurity and SNAP-related issues, including funding to address payment errors, prevent penalties, expand SNAP education, and respond to expected federal changes. Labor-related issues included workers’ compensation fraud, wage theft enforcement, workplace violence, temporary disability insurance reform, and the creation of dedicated enforcement funding for the Department of Labor. Some members supported using workers’ compensation assessments or insurance-company-related funding to pay for anti-fraud efforts, while others preferred grants to district attorneys or broader DOL enforcement. There was also discussion of occupational health clinics, labor standards in any SEQRA changes, and expanding access to doctors in the workers’ compensation system. Veterans, child care, and public assistance fraud prevention were also discussed, including funding for veterans legal defense and mental health services, microchip/secure EBT cards to reduce skimming, and restoring or protecting various programs. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with the chairs stating that the Senate, Assembly, and Executive would continue negotiations toward a final budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• If there are temporary technical glitches during your turn to testify via Zoom, we may have to move on
• You heard that in committee from the appointment of Mr.
• from the appointment of Mr kalapa<00:22:04.320> commissioner<00:22:04.880> leua<00:22:
• this is a trust during his appointment this is a trust it's<00:22:33.120> not<00:22:33.279>
• <00:22:44.279> to<00:22:44.679> the support his appointment to the support his appointment

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Housing and Public Safety/Water and Land hearing first took up HB 1096, which would repeal statutory tenant-selection preferences for disabled veterans and spouses of deceased veterans in state low-income housing. HPHA testified in support, saying the change was a housekeeping measure because the same preferences already exist in administrative rules and could be adjusted later to align with other local preferences, while also noting the federal VASH program provides stronger veteran housing support. Several members questioned why the preference should be removed at all, emphasizing that veterans have long been underserved and asking for a stronger justification; the committees ultimately deferred HB 1096. The later Housing/Hawaiian Affairs agenda heard HB 606 HD1, a measure to extend Act 279 funding and related exemptions for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Supporters argued the bill would give DHHL more time to use the $600 million appropriation to acquire land, work with developers, and address a wait list of about 29,000 applicants, while also helping restore Hawaiian communities and reduce the Hawaiian diaspora. Opponents focused on accountability and oversight, saying DHHL needs clearer plans, measurable goals, and stronger safeguards before receiving more money, and warning that prior spending and strategic-plan changes had reduced the number of applicants served. The committee also heard testimony that the bill would help DHHL fulfill long-standing obligations to Native Hawaiians and that the housing need affects the broader state, not only Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries.

Transcript Highlights:

• don't think it's going to really have a substantial effect, and this is really just going to be a temporary
• Now, last November I was appointed to the Office of Multimodal Commerce, which is really the development
• Three governors abided by those reforms until the current governor made a series of moves and appointments

Bills: HB9, HB177, HB181, HB202, HB225, HB398, HB459, HB540, HB906, HB1052, HB1057, HB1245

Keywords: HB 9, HB9, Act 527, Shreveport, Stuffed Shrimp Capital, state symbol, Louisiana symbols, municipal designation, honorary title, cultural designation, tourism, local pride, seafood, shrimp, stuffed shrimp, cuisine, city branding, Louisiana Revised Statutes 49:170.26, court reporter, official court reporter

Transcript Highlights:

• don't think it's going to really have a substantial effect, and this is really just going to be a temporary
• Last November, I was appointed to the Office of Multimodal Commerce, which is really the development
• Three governors abided by those reforms until the current governor has made a series of moves and appointments

Summary: The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee met on May 20, 2026, with a quorum present and no minutes available for approval. The committee first heard HB 181, which would let the legislative auditor review income tax data to verify eligibility for Medicaid and, at LDH’s request, SNAP. The auditor said the work would be limited to internal data testing under sharing agreements and not disclosed to third parties. After questions about privacy and duplication, the bill was reported favorably to the floor without objection. The committee then took up HB 906 on presidential preference primaries and party nominating petitions. The Secretary of State and bill author said the measure would let major parties decide whether unaffiliated voters may participate in their primaries, with 180 days’ notice to the state, and would keep party rules consistent within presidential years so elections can be programmed properly. Several senators raised concerns that the bill would disenfranchise no-party voters and give parties too much control, but supporters said both major parties had approved the approach. The committee voted 4-3 to report the bill favorably. Members also advanced HB 398, which would require the judiciary to use the federal GSA meal per diem rate instead of the current higher state judicial rate; HB 1052, which strengthens confidentiality protections for child abuse investigations handled by child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams; HB 1245, which protects witness criminal history records from unintended public release in clerk of court records; HB 202, which requires state civil service or hiring agencies to notify applicants when a vacancy is filled or they are rejected; HB 540, which requires disclosure of paid digital election advertising; HB 9, designating stuffed shrimp as a Louisiana specialty; HB 1057, extending the validity of absentee-by-mail applications for military voters from one year to two; HB 225, proposing a constitutional amendment to limit governors to two lifetime terms; HB 177, allowing retired court reporters to contract with former public employers; and HB 459, requiring disclosure when campaign materials use AI, with amendments adopted after discussion of First Amendment and campaign finance concerns. The committee also rejected an amendment to HB 1057 that would have expanded Sunday early voting in certain parishes. After the bills, the committee held confirmation hearings for James Kelly and Charles Wilkinson to the Board of Supervisors of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, both of whom described education and workforce development backgrounds and were favorably received.