Transcript Highlights:

• Death certificates. Death certificates. Right now, sorry about that. Thank you, Mr. President.
• heir, there's a lot of regulatory roadblocks in the way of getting bank records for their death certificates
• is an act to amend Title 17 relative to the appeals process for applicants who have been denied certification
• bill provides a location of last resort for a potential teacher who's been enrolled in a teacher certification
• fault of their own, the program commits some kind of error and the potential teacher is denied certification

Bills: SR125, SCR70, SCR12, HB4, HB251, HB623, HB819, HB944, HB986, HB1098, HB1222, HB1257, HB221, HCR58, SCR22, SCR24, SB29, SB30, SB32, SB41, SB42, SB43, SB47, SB84, SB93, SB113, SB192, SB199, SB219, SB220, SB221, SB222, SB241, SB253, SB255, SB289, SB292, SB306, SB314, SB351, SB399, SB404, SB14, SB102, SB133, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB200, SB217, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB330, SB449, SB489, SB521, SB45, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB274, SB304, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB436, SB424, SCR61, SCR9, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, HCR31, HB296, HB299, HB322, HB364, HB519, HB535, HB538, HB568, HB571, HB622, HB635, HB676, HB772, HB784, HB1006, HB1018, HB1043, HB1070, HB1134, HB1239, HB62, HB193, HB203, HB210, HB220, HB228, HB246, HB420, HB475, HB486, HB574, HB584, HB750, HB813, HB815, HB826, HB870, HB949, HB953, HB1045, HB1092, HB1151, HB1162, HB1176, HB1177, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, HB22, HB28, HB33, HB41, HB47, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB195, HB214, HB217, HB233, HB283, HB290, HB319, HB324, HB345, HB362, HB363, HB368, HB377, HB380, HB382, HB386, HB392, HB406, HB431, HB441, HB466, HB503, HB533, HB559, HB575, HB590, HB593, HB618, HB636, HB655, HB664, HB685, HB692, HB707, HB715, HB732, HB738, HB741, HB748, HB776, HB807, HB822, HB856, HB860, HB868, HB887, HB888, HB905, HB908, HB961, HB980, HB990, HB992, HB999, HB1000, HB1010, HB1146, HB1157, HB1233, HB1236, HB1243, HB54, HB137, HB180, HB192, HB310, HB321, HB396, HB512, HB552, HB578, HB638, HB663, HB708, HB717, HB718, HB1009, HB1082, HB1104, HB1107, HB1198, HB1246, HB1250, HB17, HB36, HB73, HB119, HB126, HB129, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB166, HB211, HB226, HB245, HB271, HB280, HB337, HB351, HB354, HB399, HB677, HB712, HB723, HB726, HB728, HB759, HB789, HB844, HB850, HB966, HB1036, SB149, SB382, SB441, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB782

Keywords: SR125, Senate Resolution 125, MUSV, Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel, MASC, Modular Attack Surface Craft, Conrad Shipyard, Morgan City, Louisiana shipbuilding, U.S. Navy, Department of the Navy, unmanned naval vessels, autonomous ships, defense procurement, military contracting, shipyard jobs, maritime workforce, advanced manufacturing, robotics, software engineering

Transcript Highlights:

• Death certificates. Right now, sorry about that. Thank you, Mr. President.
• heir, there's a lot of regulatory roadblocks in the way of getting bank records for their death certificates
• is an act to amend Title 17 relative to the appeals process for applicants who have been denied certification
• fault of their own, the program commits some kind of error and the potential teacher is denied certification
• . ...the program commits some kind of error and the potential teacher is denied certification.

Bills: SR125, SCR70, SCR12, HB4, HB251, HB623, HB819, HB944, HB986, HB1098, HB1222, HB1257, HB221, HCR58, SCR22, SCR24, SB29, SB30, SB32, SB41, SB42, SB43, SB47, SB84, SB93, SB113, SB192, SB199, SB219, SB220, SB221, SB222, SB241, SB253, SB255, SB289, SB292, SB306, SB314, SB351, SB399, SB404, SB14, SB102, SB133, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB200, SB217, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB330, SB449, SB489, SB521, SB45, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB274, SB304, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB436, SB424, SCR61, SCR9, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, HCR31, HB296, HB299, HB322, HB364, HB519, HB535, HB538, HB568, HB571, HB622, HB635, HB676, HB772, HB784, HB1006, HB1018, HB1043, HB1070, HB1134, HB1239, HB62, HB193, HB203, HB210, HB220, HB228, HB246, HB420, HB475, HB486, HB574, HB584, HB750, HB813, HB815, HB826, HB870, HB949, HB953, HB1045, HB1092, HB1151, HB1162, HB1176, HB1177, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, HB22, HB28, HB33, HB41, HB47, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB195, HB214, HB217, HB233, HB283, HB290, HB319, HB324, HB345, HB362, HB363, HB368, HB377, HB380, HB382, HB386, HB392, HB406, HB431, HB441, HB466, HB503, HB533, HB559, HB575, HB590, HB593, HB618, HB636, HB655, HB664, HB685, HB692, HB707, HB715, HB732, HB738, HB741, HB748, HB776, HB807, HB822, HB856, HB860, HB868, HB887, HB888, HB905, HB908, HB961, HB980, HB990, HB992, HB999, HB1000, HB1010, HB1146, HB1157, HB1233, HB1236, HB1243, HB54, HB137, HB180, HB192, HB310, HB321, HB396, HB512, HB552, HB578, HB638, HB663, HB708, HB717, HB718, HB1009, HB1082, HB1104, HB1107, HB1198, HB1246, HB1250, HB17, HB36, HB73, HB119, HB126, HB129, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB166, HB211, HB226, HB245, HB271, HB280, HB337, HB351, HB354, HB399, HB677, HB712, HB723, HB726, HB728, HB759, HB789, HB844, HB850, HB966, HB1036, SB149, SB382, SB441, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB782

Keywords: SR125, Senate Resolution 125, MUSV, Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel, MASC, Modular Attack Surface Craft, Conrad Shipyard, Morgan City, Louisiana shipbuilding, U.S. Navy, Department of the Navy, unmanned naval vessels, autonomous ships, defense procurement, military contracting, shipyard jobs, maritime workforce, advanced manufacturing, robotics, software engineering

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received an opening prayer from Pastor Elizabeth Ali Frank, and adopted the journal. The chamber then handled a large number of messages, committee reports, resolutions, and House bills, including several ceremonial resolutions and many House measures returned with amendments. Notable resolutions included recognition of World Preeclampsia Awareness Day, commendations for Louisiana sports honorees, and a resolution urging higher reimbursement rates for behavioral health crisis centers, which was adopted. The Senate also concurred in SCR 22 on opioid settlement fund reporting, with Senator Myers explaining the House changes were technical and improved the reporting deadline and detail. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to concurrence or rejection of House amendments on Senate bills. The Senate concurred in several bills involving telehealth, prenatal bereavement care, official journals, ambulance Medicaid coverage, insurance and licensing disclosures, peptide regulation, psychosocial rehabilitation services, university records confidentiality, the Inspector General, religious exercise protections, child care assistance, eye care coverage, teacher retirement, and electronic service of pleadings. The chamber rejected House amendments to SB 42 on AI-created child sexual abuse materials and SB 43 on psychedelic-assisted therapy, and also rejected amendments on SB 29 and SB 32 before later concurring in many other technical or clarifying House changes. Several members explained that the House amendments were mostly technical, clarified effective dates, or adjusted definitions and contact information. The Senate then took up numerous House bills on final passage. Bills passed included measures on inmate workforce development cleanup, jury bond filing by mail, free transcripts for victims testifying before pardon/parole hearings, public awareness on illegal firearm discharge, special masters in complex litigation, paternity acknowledgments in hospitals, juvenile court filing fees in East Baton Rouge Parish, drug-free school zone penalties, criminal history record confidentiality, body brokering/fraudulent patient referrals, bail notice and residence requirements, sex offender registration updates, parish court jurisdictional amounts, court technology fees, deferred retirement options, shared custody standards, women’s policy and research commission membership, sickle cell and uterine fibroids commission membership, child exploitation reporting on online platforms, recreation of the state civil service department, children’s cabinet membership, DCFS employee background checks, AI disclosure in health care visits, the psychology inter-jurisdictional compact, mental health advisory board updates, foster children’s rights, automatic renewal contract disclosures, Orleans sheriff term alignment, access to death records for financial institutions, insurance referral disclosures, radiologist assistant regulation, plumbing licensure reforms, legislative auditor thresholds, developmental disabilities office renaming, insurer investment rules, Medicare Advantage coverage for integrative care services, and more. Some bills were returned to the calendar for further work, including HB 571, HB 475, HB 750, and HB 1162, and HB 490 was set aside after extensive debate on private-use electrical networks and data-center power arrangements. The most prominent floor action was final passage of HB 636, the Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act, which Senator Boudreaux described as a comprehensive response to hazing tragedies on Louisiana campuses. He said the bill was developed by a task force that included the Wilson family and would strengthen education, reporting, accountability, and penalties, including permanent banishment for organizations involved in hazing deaths. After the bill passed 37-0, the Senate recognized the Wilson family and presented flags in Caleb Wilson’s honor. Throughout the day, many bills passed overwhelmingly, though a few drew dissent, including HB 296, HB 538, HB 568, HB 635, and HB 784. The meeting ended with continued consideration of additional House bills and unfinished items returned to the calendar for later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• know, professional certification or...
• Yes, going back on the peer certification, how are the individuals chosen for this?
• describe what the peer certification describe what the peer certification program<00:22:13.320><
• going back on the uh peer certification going back on the uh peer certification how<00:23:31.000
• The response was that they choose to enter, just like any other certification program.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee’s Division 3 held a public work session on the Behavioral Health budget on February 27, 2025. The chair opened by explaining the schedule, materials, and deadlines for the budget process, and noted there would be no motions or votes in the division that day. Division of Behavioral Health Director Ktia Fox and DHHS CFO Nathan White then walked the committee through the division’s mission, structure, and budget materials, describing the division’s four bureaus: Mental Health Services, Children’s Behavioral Health, Drug and Alcohol Services, and Homeless Services, along with the policy unit. They emphasized the division’s role in oversight, technical assistance, quality assurance, contracting, and the continuum of care from prevention and early intervention through crisis and residential services. Much of the discussion focused on major programs and funding lines, including the 988 Lifeline contract with Headrest, a technical assistance contract with UNH, Medicaid pass-through payments to New Hampshire Hospital and Glencliff, crisis response services, cold-weather homeless responses, housing supports, and the children’s system of care. Members asked about the UNH contract, the 988 program, crisis stabilization centers, and the peer certification program; Fox explained that the peer certification is a training-and-credentialing pathway for people with lived experience to enter community-based behavioral health work, not a volunteer program. The committee also discussed the “Choose Love” program, which Fox said was created after the Sandy Hook tragedy to build resilience and strength-based emotional regulation in schools and communities. On the children’s side, Fox described the system of care account as the place where many contracted services are budgeted, including community mental health centers, care management entities, rapid response services, and residential programs. Members asked about temporary staffing, and Fox said roughly $500,000 in temporary staff costs shown in the current year would not be spent next year because the money came from a nonlapsing appropriation in HB 1573 for oversight of children’s residential services. She also said provider rate increases were a prioritized need but were not funded in the governor’s current budget, and that the Children’s Behavioral Health Resource Center was not funded, resulting in about a $1 million reduction. The session ended while the division was still moving through the children’s behavioral health slides, including questions about the Fast Forward high-fidelity wraparound program and medication management.

Transcript Highlights:

• There were changes made to the qualifications for certification.
• There were changes made to the qualifications for certification, and those are incorporated into that
• These rules are enacted regarding the certification of community health workers in Arkansas.
• These rules are enacted regarding the certification of community health workers in Arkansas pursuant
• These proposed new rules are the rules pertaining to doula certification. Apologize.

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed a long agenda of agency rules, with most items approved without objection after brief presentations and no public comment. Early items included Department of Energy and Environment rules on landfill post-closure trust fund spending thresholds and liquefied petroleum gas standards, DFA’s electronic odometer disclosure rule, and several Department of Health rules covering ionizing radiation, mobile home and RV parks, lead-based paint, counseling board revisions, hearing instrument dispensers, athletic training, dental examiners, nursing, pharmacy, medical board, speech-language pathology and audiology, radiologic technology, massage therapy, community health workers, doula certification, and cosmetology/body art. Most of these changes were described as updates to match recent acts, federal standards, compact participation, fee adjustments, or cleanup/clarification, and the committee repeatedly approved them without objection. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the Arkansas State Board of Nursing’s broad set of rule changes implementing multiple 2025 acts. Those changes included creating a dialysis patient care technician registry, updating contact information requirements, expanding APRN authority to delegate certain tasks, clarifying death certificate and pronouncement authority, allowing substitution of therapeutically equivalent medications, permitting purchase of compounded products, and updating certified medication assistant rules and training standards. Members asked detailed questions about the meaning of therapeutically equivalent substitutions, delegation limits, compounded products, and how often medication lists would be updated; the board said it would review rules annually and use future rulemaking as needed. The committee also approved new nursing rules for declaratory orders and the new dialysis registry. The Department of Education’s rules drew the most discussion, especially the Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program. The department said the revisions, based on Act 920 of 2025, were intended to add guardrails, clarify eligible expenses, and streamline approvals. Changes included defining core educational expenses, limiting sports-related spending, adding an intentional misuse standard, restricting certain technology purchases and requiring extra justification over $1,000, capping carryover funds at $8,500, and creating a reconsideration process for denied expenses. Members raised concerns about oversight, appeal timelines, sports equipment, provider credentialing, and whether the rules were too restrictive; department officials said the rules were meant to protect taxpayer funds while preserving flexibility, and they noted the program had received extensive public comment. The committee also approved Education rules for scholarships, residency classification, teacher programs, accelerated learning, and graduate medical education, as well as Labor and Licensing rules on wage and hour standards, boiler rules, motor vehicle commission requirements, professional wrestling regulation, appraiser qualifications, and military recruiting incentives.

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead of putting the citizenship requirement under post-certification, we amended the existing definition
• Instead of putting the citizenship requirement under post-certification, we moved it to the definition
• Yeah, it's just, so the original bill, the requirement to be a citizen was under post-certification.
• So the only change is instead of putting the citizenship requirement under post-certification, we're
• Senate Bill 429 by Senator Lambert, relative to boat registration, issuance, and certificates of number

Bills: HR275, HR276, HR277, HR278, HR279, HR280, HR281, HR282, HR283, HR284, HCR112, HCR113, HR265, HR266, HR267, HR268, HR269, HR270, HR271, HR272, HR273, HCR107, HCR108, HCR109, HCR110, HCR111, SCR63, SCR66, SCR67, SB414, SB484, SB513, HR168, HR174, HR194, HR216, HR264, HCR54, HCR74, HCR79, HCR85, HCR87, HCR94, HCR95, HCR97, HCR98, HCR104, SCR23, SCR29, SCR33, SCR38, HB75, HB705, SB54, SB56, SB72, SB79, SB97, SB105, SB123, SB125, SB129, SB163, SB171, SB252, SB287, SB375, SB386, SB461, SB466, HR84, HR188, HR205, HR3, HR197, HR243, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, SCR2, SCR20, SCR24, SCR35, HCR6, HB301, HB359, HB657, HB675, HB680, HB727, HB39, HB58, HB112, HB134, HB155, HB187, HB287, HB462, HB782, HB825, HB846, HB903, HB904, HB929, HB941, HB962, HB1200, HB4, HB623, HB944, HB986, HB1098, HB1222, SB45, SB58, SB71, SB81, SB92, SB100, SB109, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB204, SB205, SB207, SB213, SB214, SB216, SB229, SB257, SB274, SB290, SB304, SB374, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB429, SB479, SB522, SB34, SB164, SB172, SB198, SB208, SB232, SB281, SB286, SB317, SB322, SB334, SB380, SB385, SB409, SB417, SB421, SB430, SB439, SB447, SB458, SB510, HB842, HB633, HB1191, HB625, HB1255, HB251, HB582, HB646, HB819, HB998, HB1257, SB197, SB436, SB78, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HB284, HB302, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, HB258, SB149, SB382, SB441

Keywords: highway maintenance, signage, transportation safety, DOTD, infrastructure, public safety, federal grants, job creation, carbon storage, carbon dioxide storage, carbon capture and storage, CCS, mineral rights, mineral owners, oil and gas, disposal wells, injection wells, advanced drilling, carbon sequestration, Louisiana energy policy

Summary: The House met with a quorum and began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several personal privileges recognizing National Police Week, fallen law enforcement officers, a young Olympic weightlifter, a community sports agent, a deceased coach, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Day, the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association, aviation professionals, and a birthday tribute. The chamber also received Senate messages, committee reports, and a long series of resolutions and bills, many of which were adopted or concurred in without objection. Several measures were returned to the calendar, while others were advanced with technical or clarifying amendments. A major portion of the meeting focused on resolutions honoring or commemorating people and groups, including National Police Week, Barron Baker, Paul T. Derezel II, Coach Emilio Tese, Alpha Phi Alpha, Louisiana Realtors Day, Special Olympics Louisiana, and various memorial highway designations. The House also adopted or concurred in resolutions on topics such as DOTD signage, shrimp procurement, geothermal energy, opioid settlement reporting, hospital design standards, Medicaid redetermination flexibility, chronic wasting disease management, remote online notarization, and a task force on intestate succession. Testimony on these items was generally supportive and brief, with sponsors explaining that most were technical, commemorative, or requests for study. The chamber also took up several substantive bills and Senate amendments. Among the measures concurred in were bills on peace officer citizenship requirements, post-conviction bail limits, portable benefits for independent contractors, workforce development, construction debris burning, license plate coverings, insurance and captive insurers, oil field indemnification, and rural infrastructure financing. One notable bill, HB 39 on peace officer citizenship, drew questions about National Guard members and legal permanent residents before the House concurred in the Senate amendments by a 74-22 vote. HB 134 on harmful material and interactive computer services had its Senate amendments rejected, while HB 359 on nonaffiliated candidates was temporarily returned to the calendar. The most extended debate came on the conference committee report for HB 842, which addressed Louisiana election law in response to the federal Callais decision. Members questioned how the report would affect the current congressional election cycle, absentee ballots, qualifying dates, signature requirements, and whether the closed party primary for U.S. House races had been canceled in favor of an open primary in the fall. The sponsor explained that the report cancels the current closed party primary for congressional races, voids ballots cast in that canceled election, returns qualifying fees, lowers petition-signature requirements, and sets new dates for the open primary and runoff. The House suspended the rules to consider the report the same day it was received, and the discussion highlighted concerns about election administration, district maps, and the scope of the changes before the chamber moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• But once I graduate and have my certificate...
• Certification, to have an actual career, making great money, having a stable foundation, having a 401k
• And so we look at outcomes-based funding; it's getting a certification and going, and we get paid for
• As we lay out in the bill, here are the options: a birth certificate, a certificate of United States
• My birth certificate may not say Texas, but this is my home. Texas invested in me.

Bills: SB1798, SB1835, SB1319, SB2942, SB2928, SB784, SB1049

Keywords: higher education, tuition rates, financial support, immigration status, Texas law, SB 1835, resident tuition, nonresident students, scholarship students, public higher education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Education Code Section 54.213, tuition waiver, in-state tuition, out-of-state students, higher education finance, enrollment cap, capacity limit, workforce development area, nonimmigrant visa

Transcript Highlights:

• saying that a 36-month certification saying that a 36-month certification period<00:31:29.520>
• Given that statement, I'll entertain a motion to approve 26-9. the certification period change.
• Um and the certification period change.
• They get their certificate. They send it in.
• They get their certificate. They send it in.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and consent calendar, then took up several rule items. For Department of Safety rule 2611, DMV leadership explained the rule had been under development since January but needed to be updated to reflect a new statutory change and to align the rule with RSA 266. Members discussed narrowing the rule to road-safety items rather than automobile inspection provisions, and the department said it would issue a new public notice and hold another hearing. The committee voted to grant a waiver and postpone the item until the October 15, 2026 meeting. The Board of Active Puncture Licensing item 26-47 was postponed one month at the agency’s request so it could incorporate OS feedback, with no waiver needed. The Insurance Department’s claim settlement rule 25-234 and related item 26-78 drew more extensive discussion over waiver language. Committee members objected that the proposed language gave the commissioner broad discretion to set waiver periods without clear criteria, while agency counsel argued the rule already contained standards and that the language allowed temporary waivers. After discussion about consistency, permanency, and the need for clearer documentation, the committee voted to postpone 25-234 with a waiver and to postpone 26-78. Finally, the committee considered Health and Human Services rule 2690, which sets SNAP certification periods for a pilot demonstration authorized by SB 499. Staff explained that federal changes now require the age threshold for the 36-month certification period to be 65 instead of 60, and that the agency had been directed to make the change by August 12. Agency staff said the rule needed to be updated to match federal direction, and members generally agreed. The committee discussed whether the federal citation was sufficient and whether the rule should reference the law change directly, but no final objection was raised in the portion shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• My educators put me on a path to get a certificate of completion from a special ed system at age 22.
• The shortening of the SNAP certification periods, because we're required to do them every six months.
• shortening of the SNAP certification shortening of the SNAP certification periods<00:31:28.320><
• We're trying to line those up with the SNAP six-month re-certifications to lessen the impact on those
• Um, DHS has made certification periods.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:56.680> described<00:10:57.480> in to make the certification described in to
• make the certification described in section section section two<00:11:00.480> uh<00:11:00.720
• Histories, Birth Certificate Modernization Act.
• This record of their birth certificate.
• , about getting a copy of the certificate, about getting a copy of the certificate, not<01:54:26.680

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with an invocation, and welcomed guests including the doctor of the day, a Johns Hopkins student, and visiting scouts. The chamber then moved through first-reading introductions of several House bills, including measures on bullying and harassment reporting, the Family and Law Enforcement Protection Act, Baltimore County nuisance actions, parole hearing commission procedures, a blockchain technology task force, and a task force on deed fraud, all of which were referred to standing committees. The main floor action centered on layover bills. Senate Bill 932, concerning social media platforms displaying a user’s usual location, was amended to broaden the protected location reference and to protect participants in the Secretary of State’s address confidentiality program; after discussion about whether minors and child-abuse victims were covered, the amended bill was ordered printed for third reading. Senate Bill 623, creating a premium cigar lounge alcoholic beverage license, drew multiple county-specific amendments. Howard County and Baltimore County amendments sought to give priority to existing local tobacco businesses for the new licenses. Supporters said the changes would protect established local shops from out-of-state entities, while opponents argued the bill should remain statewide and not be amended county by county. A motion to special order the bill failed, and the amendments were adopted before the bill was ordered printed for third reading. Senate Bill 84, on collective bargaining for graduate assistants, also advanced after a committee amendment was adopted. A District 2 amendment was offered to clarify that graduate assistants are employed as teaching, administrative, or research assistants, but the floor leader opposed it, saying the bill’s definition was already clear and the change would create confusion. The minority leader questioned the definition and the relationship between graduate assistants and employees, prompting discussion of collective bargaining as bargaining by employees through representatives. The transcript cuts off before final disposition of that amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• who had been issuing phony certificates. who had been issuing phony certificates.
• don't have to get certification. don't have to get certification.
• could have some kind of certification could have some kind of certification system.<01:01:51.839
• You need to have a certification or a license to be credentialed in a hospital and to have access to
• You need to have a certification or a license to be credentialed in a hospital and to have access to

Bills: HF362, HF2590, HF2760, HF3444

Keywords: massage therapy, Asian bodywork therapy, massage therapist, Asian bodywork therapist, licensure, professional licensing, health occupations, Department of Health, commissioner of health, advisory council, protected title, unlicensed practice, scope of practice, consumer protection, background check, professional liability insurance, continuing education, credentialing examination, state preemption, municipal regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Some counties already receive 100% of the cremation requests and the death certificates to review to
• I've had death certificates signed by doctors who, when the body was going for cremation authorization
• And we only caught those on a cremation death certificate review to come into us.
• , a doctor signing the death certificate, a number of items happen in the process that another witness
• This is... ...paperwork saying, yes, these are the... they signed the death certificate.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2777 by Representative Rose, which would bar the death penalty for defendants who can prove by clear and convincing evidence that they had schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and active psychotic symptoms at the time of the offense. Rose said the bill would still hold defendants accountable through life without parole, would save money by avoiding lengthy capital litigation, and would address cases where severe mental illness was not adequately considered. Supporters from NAMI Texas, the Catholic bishops, and a forensic psychologist said the bill is narrowly tailored, consistent with neuroscience and moral principles, and would prevent executions of people whose psychosis substantially impaired reality testing. Committee members questioned how the bill interacts with existing competency and insanity law, whether the diagnosis is sufficiently defined, and whether the statute requires active psychosis at the time of the offense. An opponent argued the death penalty should remain available for juries to decide in all cases. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 1221 by Representative Lozano, which would raise the cap on pretrial intervention program fees from $500 to $1,200. Lozano and a district attorney witness said the increase is needed because program costs have risen and the fees help make diversion programs self-sustaining, allowing first-time or low-level offenders to complete rehabilitation and potentially obtain expunction. Opponents from the Texas Fair Defense Project argued the higher fee could make diversion unaffordable for indigent defendants and undermine an important alternative to incarceration, especially where related supervision and monitoring costs already add up. Members discussed whether the fee applies only to PTI participants, how payment plans and waivers work, and whether ability to pay should be addressed more explicitly. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1738 by Representative Jones, which would repeal Penal Code Section 21.06 and related Health and Safety Code references concerning homosexual conduct. Jones said the law is unconstitutional under Lawrence v. Texas, remains harmful on the books, and has led to confusion and unnecessary costs even though it is unenforceable. Supporters said the bill simply removes outdated language and protects civil liberties, while opponents from Texas Values argued the statute still serves as a statement that homosexual conduct is unacceptable and should remain as a warning, even if unenforceable. Members debated whether the law’s remaining language is merely symbolic or still harmful, and whether other criminal statutes already cover conduct such as prostitution, incest, and offenses involving minors. The bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• and papers purporting to be certificates of the electoral votes, which certificates and papers shall
• and papers purporting to be certificates of the electoral votes, which certificates and papers shall
• and papers purporting to be certificates and papers purporting to be C<05:38:08.160> certificates
• of the electoral votes C certificates of the electoral votes which<05:38:10.958> certified<05
• which certificates which certified and which certificates and<05:38:13.400> papers<05:38:13.718

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, January 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sciences to be trained to perform testing without passing an additional state exam or national certification
• apply to any applicant who hasn't already obtained federal training, CLIA training, and education certification
• apply to any applicant who hasn't already obtained federal training, CLIA training, and education certification

Summary: The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee met with a quorum and heard six bills. HB 1617 on stem cell therapy was presented as a way to expand access to biotherapy options through informed consent, sourcing standards, and required disclosures; an amendment clarifying definitions was adopted, supportive testimony was heard, and the bill passed 16-0. PCS for HB 1399 would give the legislature authority to terminate or refuse to extend a declared public health emergency; members raised a concern about what happens if the emergency prevents the legislature from meeting, but the sponsor said she was working on a fix, and the bill passed 16-0. PCS for HB 555 would change medical marijuana card renewals from annual to every two years and exempt veterans from the $75 fee; members described it as reducing barriers and helping seniors and veterans, and it passed 16-0. PCS for HB 1487 would strengthen licensure for volunteer-based EMS providers such as Hatzalah South Florida; testimony and debate emphasized the value of these zero-cost, volunteer emergency services, and the bill passed 14-0. HB 115 on clinical laboratory personnel addressed workforce shortages by aligning Florida licensure more closely with federal CLIA standards and allowing qualified applicants with relevant bachelor’s degrees and federal training to work with on-the-job training; a strike-all amendment was adopted, industry witnesses supported the bill, and it passed 15-0 as amended. HB 1513 would require health care practitioners to refund patient overpayments within 30 days of learning of the overpayment, excluding insurer and HMO overpayments; it drew supportive debate and passed 15-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• district would recognize they have a responsibility, even though they might not have an election certificate
• district would recognize they have a responsibility, even though they might not have an election certificate
• district would recognize they have a responsibility, even though they might not have an election certificate
• <01:14:22.280> program<01:14:23.440> that<01:14:24.080> works farm certification
• program that works farm certification program that works with<01:14:24.680> farmers<01:14:25.120

Bills: HF3879

Keywords: outdoor heritage, conservation, habitat restoration, natural resources, wildlife management, 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the April 8, 2026 minutes and then took up House File 3879, the Legacy Finance Outdoor Heritage bill. The committee adopted the DE1 author’s amendment, which incorporated the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council’s revised recommendations and made technical corrections, and staff explained that the bill appropriates about $191.081 million in Outdoor Heritage funding, plus carryforwards and an extension for a carp deterrent project at Lock and Dam. Staff also noted the bill makes no changes to the Clean Water Fund or Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and the bill was moved to the Committee on Ways and Means. A large portion of the meeting focused on the Roseau Lake rehabilitation/Roseau River restoration project and related concerns about landowner impacts, eminent domain, drainage, and whether Outdoor Heritage dollars are being used on private property. Landowners and their attorney testified that the project threatens private farmland, that they do not consent to easements or takings, and that funding should be paused until litigation and legal questions are resolved. They described flooding, drainage problems, financial burdens, and long-term harm to family farms, and asked the committee to suspend funding for the project. Supporters of the project, including Roseau Mayor Dan Fabian and farmer/watershed district manager Jason Bratton, said the project is part of a broader flood-mitigation effort following the 2002 Roseau flood and would help control water, reduce flood damage, and improve conditions for downstream farmers. After testimony, the committee considered the A5 amendment, offered by Representative Heintzeman, which would delete the Roseau Lake Rehabilitation Project Phase 3 from the bill. Members debated the amendment, with some emphasizing landowner concerns and pending litigation and others defending the project and the council’s vetting process. The transcript cuts off during continued discussion, and no final vote on the A5 is shown in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• CS/CS/HB 1503, a bill to be entitled an act relating to computer science education and certification.
• It also creates a certificate program for teachers from K through 12. Other questions?
• The Senate actually stripped out the certificate language, and we're going to be putting it back on and
• Again, I said we moved back the Department of Education's ability to kind of put these certificates and
• All provisions regarding the pre-certification, independent automated review and probably.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then moved into returning messages from the Senate. Early action focused on CS/CS/HB 1503 on computer science education and certification, which would add computer science and artificial intelligence content in high school and create a K-12 teacher certificate program; after adopting a House amendment restoring certificate language and adjusting implementation timing, the House concurred in the Senate amendment and passed the bill 105-0. The chamber then took up CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity, adopting a House amendment to allow local governments to buy into the cyber grant program and add a five-year sunset, then concurring in the Senate amendment shifting grant administration back to the Florida Digital Service; the bill passed 104-1. The House refused to concur in Senate amendments to CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over U.S. military installations and HB 6011 on reporting gifts or honoraria, sending both back to the Senate. It also refused to concur in the Senate amendment to CS/HB 851 on professional learning for instructional and school administrative personnel, saying the Senate version expanded the bill beyond its original autism-focused scope. After a recess, the House unveiled Speaker Daniel Perez’s portrait and heard extended remarks praising his leadership, institutional reforms, and the work of House staff and members. In the second returning-message list, the House debated CS/CS/HB 1471 on systems of law and terrorist organizations. The Senate amendment clarified the definition of “promote,” refined notice and timeline provisions for terrorist organization designations, and kept references to Sharia law as an example in the foreign religious law section. Supporters argued the bill was aimed at conduct beyond speech and was intended to protect the Constitution and public safety; opponents warned it would chill free speech, target Muslim Floridians, and give the governor and cabinet unprecedented power without adequate due process. After lengthy debate, the House concurred and passed the bill 80-25. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1473, a public records bill tied to HB 1471, and moved to concur in a technical Senate amendment aligning the records exemption with the revised structure of HB 1471.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:40.200> and<00:06:40.320> the as is the Board of Certification and the as is
• the Board of Certification and the Commission<00:06:40.760> on<00:06:40.880> Accreditation
• They're already saying, you know, as long as you have a national certification. >> Ms.
• They're already saying, you know, as long as you have a national certification. >> Ms.
• nationally recognized certification nationally recognized certification frameworks.<01:10:02.600

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to do is, beginning January 1, 2026, require pharmacy technicians to be registered and obtain a certificate
• c> death collected for birth, marriage, and death collected for birth, marriage, and death certificates
• :37.920> into<02:25:39.359> um<02:25:39.680> a<02:25:40.080> birth certificates
• be put into um a birth certificates be put into um a birth defect<02:25:40.800> fund<02:25:41.120
• , birth that's used to produce marriage, birth and<02:26:05.600> death<02:26:06.399> certificates

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Secretary, please read the certification of election.
• Madam Secretary, please read the certification of election from the Secretary of State.
• After the reading of the certification, Mr.

Summary: The Florida Senate convened in special session with an opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then administered the oath of office to newly elected Senator Brian Nathan of District 14, who was welcomed by the chamber. The Secretary read the governor’s amended special-session proclamation, which expanded the call beyond congressional redistricting and related litigation funding to include legislation on artificial intelligence protections, an AI Bill of Rights, public records exemptions tied to AI investigations, and medical freedom/vaccine-related issues. The Senate then took up SB 2D, the Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights, and SB 4D, the related public records bill. Supporters said the AI bill was a first step to protect children, parents, privacy, and Floridians from deceptive or harmful AI practices, while opponents argued it was too weak, overly permissive, and could create a false sense of protection without meaningful remedies. Senators also raised concerns about balancing child safety with innovation and school technology use. SB 2D passed 37-1. SB 4D, described as the public records exemption accompanying the AI bill, passed 33-4 after brief discussion about which investigative files would be exempt while Department of Legal Affairs investigations are pending. The Rules Chair announced a committee meeting later that day, said SB 6D on medical freedom would be temporarily postponed in Rules, and the chamber set SB 8D on congressional districts for special order on Wednesday, April 29. The Senate then adjourned until 10 a.m. on April 29.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1181, certified public accountant certification alternative. Income tax forms conformity.
• SB 1181, certified public accountant certification alternative.
• SB 1200, assured water supply certificate model. SB 1201, long-term storage shortage prohibition.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have any sheriffs involved in this sort of training and certification right now?
• It's good to know that you all are taking certification courses."
• So they provide a level of post-certification for those school resource officers, and anything that we
• So they are responsible for the post-certification, which is a different type of post-certification than
• So they've come back through another certification program to serve in that capacity, and LCLE is their

Keywords: 965, house, all

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.