Transcript Highlights:

• Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorney's Association; Kathleen Barrios Heap, 16th Judicial
• And Kathleen Barry O'Shea, 16th Judicial District Attorney.
• Kathleen Barry O'Shea, 16th Judicial District Attorney, present in opposition and would like to speak
• indicated to me that you have committed to working with the DAs between now and the floor, and I always trust

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The Committee on Criminal Justice met on April 14, 2026, and first handled several voluntary deferrals, including HB 343, HB 491, HB 523, HB 426, HB 439, HB 378, and later HB 1025. HB 676 by Rep. Spell, which creates the crime of fraudulent patient referrals or “body brokering,” was amended and reported favorably. Testimony from Louisiana Blue, Odyssey House, and others described the practice as exploiting vulnerable addiction and mental health patients for profit, while supporters said the bill targets organized fraud and protects patients, families, and insurers. The committee also reported HB 394 by Rep. Chenevert, which extends the conditional parole period from nine months to 24 months for offenders who must complete programming before release. Supporters, including the Louisiana Parole Project, said the change gives the parole board more flexibility and does not create new parole eligibility, while the bill was amended to remove some language tied to rehabilitation programming review. HB 622 by Rep. Coates, dealing with confidentiality and handling of criminal history records, was reported favorably after testimony that it is needed to align state law with federal FBI/CJIS requirements and tighten safeguards on background-check information. HB 396 by Rep. McMakin, concerning admissibility of autopsy photographs, was amended to apply to criminal proceedings generally and then reported favorably. HB 772 by Rep. Martinez, which modernizes notice requirements for arrest warrants by allowing electronic notice and clarifying mailing procedures, was also reported favorably despite concerns from Orleans Parish prosecutors about costs and surety liability. HB 1038 by Rep. Boyer, addressing marshal authority to issue deputy commissions and related liability/insurance issues, drew substantial testimony from marshals, city officials, and local government groups; after amendments requiring insurance coverage and clarifying funding and applicability, it was reported favorably on an 8-2 vote. HB 1025, which would have created an exception allowing reconciliation after a protective-order violation, drew strong opposition from domestic violence advocates and prosecutors and was voluntarily deferred by the author.

Transcript Highlights:

• For that reason, it's illogical to close the door on judicial review for this one group of youth.
• AB 1743 expands the number of trusted partners that are able to use this tool as our communities continue
• When the legislature decides to mandate a sentence, it is therefore exercising its power over the judicial
• words of the Constitution were intended as a general safeguard against legislative exercise of the judicial

Summary: The Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety met with several bills on the agenda, beginning with AB 1741 by Assembly Member Pacheco, which would allow felony prosecution of sexual battery committed during a residential break-in. Supporters, including Riverside County prosecutors and victim services staff, said current law leaves some home-invasion sexual assaults as misdemeanors when intent to commit another felony cannot be proven; opponents from public defender and civil liberties groups argued the bill was unnecessary, vague, and overbroad. After discussion, the committee passed AB 1741 to Appropriations as amended. The committee then heard AB 1701 by Assembly Member DeMaio, which would bar recall and resentencing for juveniles convicted of school shootings. Supporters framed it as a narrow public-safety measure in response to the Santana High School shooting and the potential resentencing of the shooter; opponents argued it was overly broad, ineffective as deterrence, and inconsistent with juvenile rehabilitation principles. The committee ultimately voted the bill out to Appropriations, but it later failed on the final roll call when members added on their positions. AB 1743 by Assembly Member Wix proposed allowing local governments, state agencies, and higher education institutions to request firearm trace data from DOJ for research and policy purposes. Supporters said the data could help identify trafficking patterns and inform evidence-based gun violence prevention, while opponents said trace data only shows the first lawful retail sale and could mislead policymakers or burden DOJ. The bill was passed to Appropriations. AB 1716 by Assembly Member Stefani, supported by UC and victim advocates, would let CalVCB reimburse tuition costs for college students whose education is disrupted by sexual violence; it passed to Appropriations after a strong debate over victim compensation. AB 1667 by Assembly Member Burner, adding fentanyl to the serious felony list for furnishing to a minor, also passed after emotional testimony from a bereaved parent and law enforcement support, despite opposition from drug policy and civil liberties groups. The committee adopted a consent calendar including AB 1549, AB 1681, AB 1723, and AB 1737, while AB 1538 and AB 1727 were pulled by their authors. In the final tally, AB 1701 and AB 1723 failed on the floor add-on roll call, while AB 1716, AB 1741, AB 1743, and AB 1667 advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• Trust me.
• I am the first assistant district attorney for the 35th Judicial District Attorney.
• This aims to enhance the efficiency of the judicial process by providing additional judicial resources

Bills: SB251 , SB608 , SB487 , SB535 , SB761 , SB955 , SB957 , SB958 , SB988 , SB990 , SB1019 , SB1021 , SB1120

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• legislature makes its appropriation, they use this data to equitably allocate the resources among the 20 judicial
• We also use this data integrally for assessment of judicial need.
• The first is through our Judicial Management Council, and they've been meeting with justice partners
• forfeiture, just over a half a million, which has been deposited into the Forfeiture Investigative Support Trust

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to continue its review of performance measurement in the criminal justice system. The first presentation, from State Courts Administrator Eric McClure, described how the court system uses multiple data sources to track filings, dispositions, clearance rates, workload, and support services, and how those data inform judge need, budget requests, resource allocation, and court administration. He also discussed ongoing efforts to improve case-level reporting, the use of case management systems in trial and appellate courts, and performance efforts in problem-solving courts and civil case management. McClure noted that the legislature provides dedicated funding for problem-solving courts and for medication-assisted treatment, and that the courts are required to report outcomes and monitor compliance with contract requirements. Melanie Brown-Whor of the Florida Behavioral Health Association then reviewed the medication-assisted treatment program funded through the courts budget. She said the program combines medication with counseling and behavioral supports, serves people involved in or at risk of criminal justice involvement, and has expanded over time to include additional medications and more counties. She reported improved engagement and retention, with more than 10,000 people screened over five years, about 9,200 receiving medication, and over 6,600 successfully discharged. Senators asked about racial and ethnic demographics, hospital referrals, and how services are delivered; Brown-Whor explained that local community providers deliver treatment under contract and that the program is working to improve data reporting and consistency. The Department of Law Enforcement then presented on investigations, forensics, and criminal justice information services. Deputy Commissioner Vaden Pollard outlined FDLE’s strategic plan and major investigative priorities, including cybercrime, targeted violence, crimes against children, mutual aid, and the SAFE fentanyl eradication program. He said SAFE has led to major seizures, arrests, and a reported decline in fentanyl deaths. Director Jason Bundy described FDLE’s forensic laboratory operations, DNA and rapid DNA capabilities, cold case and missing persons work, and the staffing and turnaround-time challenges tied to complex evidence testing. Director Lucy Saunders reviewed FDLE’s criminal history, biometric, incident-based crime reporting, and criminal justice transparency systems, noting that Florida is still transitioning agencies from summary reporting to incident-based reporting. The committee raised questions about Rapid DNA deployment, cold case coordination, and the slow pace of NIBRS/FIBRS adoption. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• disclosure when signature gatherers are being paid and shortens the signature-gathering period for judicial
• This undermines the survivor's privacy and public confidence in the judicial system.
• That erodes public trust, that erodes public safety.
• a record that shows a troubling pattern of oversight failures, delayed reforms, and broken public trust
• SB 1193 is a simple standard: public money, public process, public trust.

Summary: The Senate began with a roll call, a moment of silence for the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The body then moved through gubernatorial appointments, confirming Julia Montgomery as General Counsel for the Agricultural Labor Relations Board and reappointing Dr. Cynthia Glover Woods, Dr. Brenda Lewis, and Gabriela Orozco Gonzalez to the State Board of Education, and George Cardona as Chief Trial Counsel for the State Bar. The Senate also heard a guest introduction welcoming Cal Lutheran University students, faculty, and staff to the gallery. The chamber then took up several resolutions, including SR 111 recognizing the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Phobia, and Transphobia; SCR 129 designating part of Highway 152 as the Rusty Arraes Highway; SCR 169 proclaiming October 2026 as Women's Small Business Month; and SCR 173 designating May 2026 as California Fairgrounds Appreciation Month. All of these resolutions passed, with members speaking in support of Arraes, women-owned businesses, and the public safety and community roles of fairgrounds. The Senate also passed a series of policy bills. These included SB 1154 on best-value procurement for community college public works, SB 1369 on judicial recall safeguards, SB 1106 shortening the data broker deletion timeline under the Delete Act, SB 1417 increasing transparency for mutual water companies, SB 1408 authorizing a future Contra Costa transportation sales tax measure, SB 1172 adding guardrails to local tax sharing agreements, SB 1383 protecting locally adopted labor standards in density bonus projects, SB 1371 barring waste haulers from suspending service during lawful labor disputes, SB 908 streamlining residential window replacement permits, SB 1361 limiting actions taken solely to avoid transit-oriented housing standards, SB 1014 requiring early fee and improvement estimates for housing projects, SB 1272 giving homeowners more time to fix preexisting code violations, SB 1406 targeting the Montana tax loophole, SB 1238 increasing HOA transparency and oversight, and SB 868 creating a plug-in solar framework. Most passed on largely party-line votes, with some Republican members objecting to labor-related or regulatory measures. Later in the day, the Senate approved additional health, education, privacy, and AI measures, including SB 950 on early-onset Alzheimer’s treatment coverage, SB 874 on Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment oversight, SB 1049 on correcting health plan claims, SB 1067 on early math screening, SB 1202 on Medi-Cal outreach amid federal changes, SB 944 on acupuncture coverage, SB 957 on notice for federal subpoenas to social media companies, SB 998 on discrimination prevention coordinators, and SB 1000 on AI content transparency. The final item shown, SB 1056 on protective orders for sexually explicit material involving adult victims, was introduced with the author noting ongoing work on amendments, but the transcript cuts off before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It won't come from the early childhood trust fund or state fund.
• The trust fund's putting that $600 million a year.
• The money they're talking about is above trust fund money. So there's a lot of money out there.
• And the early childhood trust fund is predicted to throw off roughly $50 to $60 million a year? Mr.
• President, the early childhood trust fund right now at 10,000,000,000... Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is slot machines, a lottery revenues which are funding the educational enhancement Trust fund
• second is the unclaimed property transfers into the state and those are affecting the state school trust
• state agency, once we adopt official information is required to news that information as is the judicial

Transcript Highlights:

• It promises transparency, accountability, and confidence that libraries will remain trusted places for
• It did just recently pass at a judicial committee. This basically is a gap in the current law.
• impersonation may petition the circuit court for the county in which he or she resides for a preliminary judicial
• declaration, ...circuit court for the county in which he or she resides for a preliminary judicial declaration
• I think this needs to be judicious and prudent use.

Committees: House Emerging Issues , House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Transcript Highlights:

• we can pay contractors the amounts that we need to bring them in to do effective work so that the judicial
• I believe the District Attorney in the 11th Judicial District, First Division, has several attorneys
• We have six various activities that are funded with the housing trust fund.
• Chairman and Senator Steinborn, for us it has been the Housing Trust Fund, the New Mexico Housing Trust
• Chairman, the Housing Trust Fund... Mr. Chairman and Senator...

Bills: SB48 , SB64 , SB100

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• I can say with clarity, we do not trust President Donald Trump.
• And so I trust him to continue to do that and to protect the Californians that we were brought here to
• Council, and our judicial branch of government which helped to oversee them.
• But the policies just get so extreme here that it's hard to trust that some organizations aren't going
• And we will do this in regular session and I trust our leaders that we will do it fast, that we will

Transcript Highlights:

• In an effort to create a level of trust, it is imperative that the state Legislature clarify existing
• The relationship between educators and students is really one of trust, and we want to make sure that
• The relationship between educators and students is really one of trust and we want to make sure that
• At the center, we are a trusted resource for LGBTQ+ youth seeking mental health support, and we often
• Suicide hotlines are a trusted and effective strategy to help prevent youth suicide and increase mental

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a full agenda of bills, first adopting a consent calendar of 11 measures without individual presentations. The committee then took up AB 1412, which would require California schools to implement or adopt a transferred special education student’s IEP within 30 days for out-of-state transfers and to coordinate more quickly on records. The author and military-family witnesses said the bill would reduce delays for highly mobile students, especially military children; a school administrators group opposed it. The bill received initial support from committee members and was moved on call. The committee also reconsidered AB 281, which would require notice to parents when outside consultants provide sex education instruction; the author accepted amendments removing a copy-right provision, but the bill remained on call after a split vote. The committee heard AB 1005, which would create a statewide drowning-prevention education and swim-lesson voucher framework for underserved communities. The author and supporters described drowning as a preventable public health and equity issue, while the bill was clarified as developing a plan rather than immediately launching a voucher program. It was voted out on a 3-0 roll with the measure placed on call. AB 908, as amended, would add compliance monitoring for existing requirements that schools use LGBTQ-inclusive instructional materials and curriculum under the FAIR Act. Supporters said the bill would improve implementation and student safety; opponents raised concerns about privacy, girls’ sports, and school burdens. The committee approved the bill 5-2 and sent it to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 1401, which would affirm parents’ access to school records, including unofficial records unless exempt by law. The author argued that parents need clearer access to information held by schools and vendors, while school officials and teachers’ union representatives warned the bill was too vague and could sweep in personal notes, journals, and other sensitive material. The bill failed on a 2-3 vote and was placed on call. Finally, AB 727 would require student ID cards to include the Trevor Project hotline for LGBTQ youth; supporters framed it as a suicide-prevention measure, while opponents argued it conflicted with parental rights and religious beliefs. Committee discussion focused on whether 988 already provides similar access and whether the Trevor Project is an appropriate resource to print on IDs; the hearing continued with the bill still under consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Safety for operating expenses and a $3 million general fund deposit in the State Home for Veterans Trust
• The budget contains an $8 million fund sweep from the JCEF fund, the Judicial Collection Enhancement
• Commit ensures that the system remains worthy of that trust. Thank you. So thank you for your...
• Specifically, the bills create the Health Insurance Trust Fund Oversight Board to approve changes to
• First, the bills continue to spend the two-to-one match for the Arizona Financial Aid Trust Fund and

Bills: HB4154 , HB4155 , HB4156 , HB4157 , HB4158 , HB4159 , HB4160 , HB4161 , HB4162 , HB4163 , HB4164 , HB4165 , HB4166 , HB4167 , HB4168 , HB4169 , SB1847 , SB1848 , SB1849 , SB1850 , SB1851 , SB1852 , SB1853 , SB1854 , SB1855 , SB1856 , SB1857 , SB1858 , SB1859 , SB1860 , SB1861 , SB1862

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: HB4155, amusements, amusement industry, entertainment, recreation, state appropriations, biennium, 2026-2027, fees, licensing, regulation, tourism, parks, fairgrounds, carnivals, arcades, HB4156, capital outlay, appropriations, capital projects

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:10.960><c> responsibilities</c> trust responsibilities trust responsibilities to<00:21:12.960>
• So, trust responsibility to begin with.
• We are anticipantly waiting funding requests from the judicial branch.
• We are anticipantly waiting funding requests from the judicial branch.
• We are anticipantly waiting funding requests from the judicial branch.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Tribal Relations

Transcript Highlights:

• General tax is funded not only from general revenue, but also from our operating trust fund.
• One of the sources of that operating trust fund is an administrative fee we charge on all the taxes we
• If you look at our operating trust fund, it's about $12 million below what it would take to fund that
• on the general tax. program where it's been that long since they have not had those administrative trust
• In that trust fund, there were not dollars to fund them.

Transcript Highlights:

• So AB 293 is a simple step to build public trust, strengthen accountability, and protect one of California's
• I'm the Deputy Director of Washington. 293 is a simple step to build public trust, strengthen accountability
• Semper Virens Fund is California's first land trust and the proud sponsor of this bill.
• Kim Delafino, representing Defenders of Wildlife, Mojave Desert Land Trust, and the Sonoma Land Trust
• I've got to go to judicial. Yeah, you can. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. Oh, my God.

Summary: The committee heard several water, parks, and wildlife bills. AB 764 would expand the list of exotic non-game birds that can be managed in California to better control mute swan populations; the author and California Waterfowl said swans are invasive, aggressive, and rapidly increasing, while no opposition testified. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 616 would make the State Library Parks Pass program permanent by allowing state parks to transfer annual day-use passes to the State Library free of charge; supporters said it improves equitable access to parks, especially for low-income families, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. AB 293 would require groundwater sustainability agencies to post board membership and a link to Form 700 filings online. Supporters, including the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, argued it would improve transparency and public trust, while opponents said the requirement was redundant and could discourage service on GSA boards. The bill passed, but with some no votes. AB 639 would narrow the definition of dams so certain weirs used for irrigation would not be subject to dam regulations; the author and technical witnesses said the structures pose no safety risk and are already closely managed, while members urged the bill be narrowed further to the Kings River area. It passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 679 would streamline land transfers for Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks by exempting those acquisitions from the Public Works Board process. Supporters said it would speed conservation and park rebuilding after the CZU fire, while one member opposed it over cost and broader state land-management concerns; it passed as amended. AB 454 would remove the sunset on the California Migratory Bird Protection Act, making state protections for migratory birds permanent after federal rollback concerns; it passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also adopted its 2025-26 rules and approved the consent calendar, and the meeting adjourned after add-on votes were taken for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• It makes clear that state and local officers may still enforce criminal law, comply with valid judicial
• This bill is pro-trust, it's pro-victim, it's pro-community safety.
• These are the people families trust with their loved ones.
• These are the people families trust with their loved ones.
• An act promoting rule of law, oversight, trust, and equal constitutional treatment.

Summary: The Senate took up the Protect Act, a broad immigration-related bill, and first adopted Amendment 6 offered by Senator Kennedy. Kennedy framed the amendment as strengthening protections for DDS facilities and other disability-related settings, arguing that immigrant caregivers are essential to the direct care workforce and that these spaces should be treated as sensitive care environments. The chamber also agreed to print several senators’ remarks in the journal. Members then considered a series of amendments, with many withdrawn or rejected. An effective-date amendment was adopted, while multiple amendments from Senator Tarr and Senator Keenan dealing with 287G agreements, detainers, civil arrests, notification procedures, sanctuary-related language, and other enforcement provisions were defeated. Amendment 34, expanding safe-space language to include residential schools and residential programs licensed or funded by the state, was adopted. Amendment 11 on protecting immigrant victims of crime and trafficking was not adopted. Later, the Senate adopted Amendment 10 from Senator Edwards on courthouse curtilage and Amendment 20 establishing a commission on immigration, with Edwards noting minority-party representation would be included. Amendment 13 from Senator Miranda, protecting health care workers from retaliation when acting in good faith for patients, was also adopted. A corrective amendment from Senator Friedman was adopted, and Senator Montigny used the occasion to speak about human trafficking and the need to protect victims and prosecute traffickers. After the Ways and Means recommendation was adopted, the bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 37-3. The Senate then took up a House amendment to a student learning and mental health bill, rejected the House changes, and appointed a conference committee. The chamber also adopted an order to adjourn and recessed until the following Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• law enforcement officers know when CRJA allegations have been raised in a case and prevents the judicial
• The reforms in SB 3 will ensure that the signature gathering process becomes a trusted, understood, and
• At the end of the day, this bill is about protecting children, strengthening trust, and making sure that
• At the end of the day, this bill is about protecting children, strengthening trust, and making sure that
• In close coordination with both the Judicial Council of California and the Governor's Office, we have

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and prayer, then handled a long consent and third-reading file with many Senate bills, most of them passing with little or no opposition. Early procedural actions included rescinding the prior passage of SB 351, suspending the floor-amendment deadline for SBs 80, 351, and 415, and referring several measures to committees. Members also welcomed new Assembly Member Natasha Johnson and recognized guests and an intern. The floor then took up a wide range of policy bills. Major topics included housing and land use (including SB 5 on Williamson Act land and EIFDs, SB 516 on EIFDs, SB 233 on housing element timing, SB 262 on pro-housing policies, SB 21 on SRO conversions, SB 340 on emergency shelters, and SB 625 on disaster rebuilding), public health and health care (SB 386 on dental virtual credit card fees, SB 504 on HIV confidentiality, SB 520 on nurse midwifery education, SB 568 on epinephrine in schools, SB 582 on inactive licenses for damaged health facilities, SB 306 on prior authorization, SB 454 on PFOS cleanup, and SB 317 on wastewater surveillance), labor and consumer protections (SB 261 on wage theft enforcement, SB 291 on workers’ compensation compliance, SB 355 on wage theft judgments, SB 517 on home improvement disclosures, and SB 82 on limiting arbitration clauses), and elections/government transparency (SB 3 on signature curing, SB 398 on paying people to vote or register, SB 470 on teleconferencing for state boards, and SB 595 on local financial reports). Other measures addressed transportation and infrastructure, including SB 371 on TNC insurance coverage, SB 78 on dangerous highways, SB 419 on hydrogen vehicle tax treatment, and SB 86 on the clean energy financing tax exclusion. The Assembly also approved bills on criminal justice and public safety such as SB 734 on due process for law enforcement officers, SB 701 banning signal jamming devices, SB 380 on transitional housing for sexually violent predators, and SB 20 on silicosis prevention. Several bills focused on education and equity, including SB 241 on AI guardrails in community colleges, SB 670 on immigrant integration in adult education, SB 411 on Sun Bucks and student food insecurity, SB 437 on descendant-status verification for reparations-related work, SB 388 creating a California Latino Commission, and SB 373 strengthening oversight of out-of-state nonpublic schools for students with disabilities. Most measures passed overwhelmingly, often unanimously; a few drew notable debate, especially SB 388, which saw opposition over creating another commission, and SB 398, which prompted discussion about election-related incentives. The session ended with continued passage of additional bills, including SB 514 on wildfire defensible space reporting, with the chamber moving through the file and recording numerous aye votes and immediate transmittals where required.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:57:23.480><c> Uh</c> place to strengthen public trust. Uh place to strengthen public trust.
• So we trust them to train the POLGAR roster, we don't trust them to hear the cases.
• So we trust<01:10:47.400><c> them</c><01:10:47.880><c> to</c><01:10:48.000><c> train</c> trust them to
• roster, we don't trust them the POLGAR roster, we don't trust them to<01:10:52.240><c> hear</c><01:10
• ,</c> we build relationships, we build trust, we build relationships, we build trust, and<01:39:34.240

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• challenged by, I think, the regulated entity, and they were not allowed to intervene when that went to a judicial
• Louisiana law recognizes, you know, our natural resources are held in trust for the public, and state
• in support of his bill for the property transfer, and that is Rebecca Heider with Lafayette Public Trust
• and Alexander Lazard with Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority.
• With that, there's a motion by Representative Jake— Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority.

Summary: The committee first considered several local property-transfer and wildlife/fisheries bills, including SB 229 (Bojeur Parish property transfer), SB 71 (Lafayette Parish property transfer), and a series of Department of Wildlife and Fisheries measures. SB 203 simplified possession rules for fish on multi-day trips and remote camps; SB 429 created an administrative path to register “orphan” boats with lapsed registrations; SB 204 removed a residency-based restriction on certain commercial fishing gear licenses; SB 205 reduced duplicate registration requirements for federally documented boats; SB 213 clarified titling rules for vessels and outboard motors; and SB 257 removed Social Security number requirements from certain commercial fishing tags. Each of these bills was reported favorable, generally without objection, after brief explanations from sponsors and department counsel about reducing red tape, improving enforcement, or modernizing records. The committee also heard SB 214, which would allow the Teche-Vermilion Fresh Water District to stop pumping during an imminent flood threat identified by the National Weather Service or GOSEP, addressing liability concerns and giving local officials more flexibility in emergencies. SB 274, as amended, required lead hazard risk assessments for certain child care, early learning, and pre-kindergarten facilities and required hazards found in assessments to be addressed before licensing. Both bills were reported favorable. SB 379, a technical reorganization bill for the Department of Conservation and Energy, received two amendment sets: one changing investment language and another standardizing judicial-review procedures and online notice requirements; it was reported favorable after those amendments. The committee then adopted HCR 62, urging FEMA to review flood maps every five years instead of every ten and to better account for local flood-protection projects, with members discussing the burden of flood insurance and the need for FEMA to recognize levees, pump stations, and elevated homes. HCR 78 was also reported favorable, memorializing Congress to pass the American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026 in support of Louisiana’s seafood industry. HB 662, as substituted, was reported favorable after being rewritten to codify the department’s internal protocol for seized sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife, prioritizing release, rehabilitation, placement, and euthanasia as a last resort. Finally, the committee considered two more contentious items. HR 216, which urged repudiation of the Louisiana Climate Action Plan of 2022, drew extended debate over whether the plan had been adopted without legislative input and whether it could affect permits or future policy; after discussion, the sponsor voluntarily deferred the resolution to return with a revised approach focused on a legislative hearing or review. SCR 24, dealing with chronic wasting disease rules, was introduced with amendments that would raise the prevalence threshold, cap samples, allow zone removal after three years without new detections, and lift baiting/feed prohibitions above a higher prevalence level; the transcript cuts off before final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, why should we trust that the Lottery Commission after the dust settles, a few months pass, we've
• Why should we trust that that would not happen again?
• as I'm executive director, we are going to continue to work and be better and work on improving the trust
• or fraud, or malevolence, some affirmative badass. by a corporate director, is still subject to judicial
• You ensure that future. laws, future decisions don't whittle away uncertainty and you preserve a judicial

Bills: SB29 , SB406 , SB447 , SB875 , SB893 , SB1033 , SB1346 , SB1362 , SB1539 , SCR22 , SB 29

Committee: Senate State Affairs