Transcript Highlights:

• have the same bullet here on the 110 Freeway that you had on the 10, and, you know, connecting the dots
• the same bullet you know here on the 110 freeway that you had on the 10 and you know connecting the dots
• so I actually have seen this in operation on the 10 and you know connecting the dots.
• all directed specifically to providing Californians' Social Security information to a nationwide database
• Many documents about specs, database, and the S2S system are not available for the public in the first

Summary: The subcommittee heard several California transportation and public safety budget proposals. Caltrans requested a one-time $225 million augmentation to continue replacing its aging fleet and build out zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. Caltrans said the funding would replace about 1,100 vehicles, including many heavy-duty units, and acknowledged its overdue report on zero-emission fleet efforts would be delivered by mid-to-late April. The LAO said the request raised no concerns, but one senator strongly criticized the cost and policy emphasis on making the fleet the “greenest” rather than prioritizing road maintenance. The chair pressed Caltrans to submit the overdue report within 30 days, saying it was necessary for oversight before the request could be considered. The committee also discussed a Caltrans proposal tied to SB 150 and the High Road Construction Careers Program. Because federal highway funds could not be used as originally intended for workforce training, Caltrans and the Department of Finance proposed replacing the federal dollars with $30 million in state Highway Account funds. The Workforce Development Board said the program had a track record of connecting participants to apprenticeships and jobs, while one senator questioned why the original $50 million federal set-aside had not been implemented and asked for more detail on where the remaining funds would go. Finance said the state funds were already set aside and expected to begin flowing in May over a two- to three-year period. The California Highway Patrol presented two requests. First, CHP sought $60 million from the Motor Vehicle Account for equipment and operating costs, citing inflation, higher vehicle prices, and the end of its ability to cover costs through vacancy savings as hiring improved. The LAO recommended rejection, arguing the costs were not new, CHP still had a substantial equipment budget, and the Motor Vehicle Account faces insolvency by 2028-29. Second, CHP requested $885,000 ongoing to fund seven crime analyst positions for the Highway Violence Task Force. CHP said the task force had reduced freeway shootings from 477 in 2021 to 179 last year, though some data categories had changed over time. The LAO did not object, but noted the request would create a permanent funding commitment. The DMV presented two modernization items: the State-to-State verification system required for Real ID compliance and the DXP system to replace aging legacy technology. The LAO raised no concerns with either, but noted DXP has had cost overruns and delays and will require continued legislative oversight. Senators focused heavily on privacy and data-sharing concerns in the State-to-State system, especially the use of Social Security number digits and the role of the AAMVA network. DMV said the system is required for Real ID compliance, uses encrypted data, and is intended to prevent duplicate credentials across states. The committee also discussed customer service improvements from DXP, with DMV saying the project should better integrate systems and improve service delivery by the end of the calendar year.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill does not DOT does not increase the scope.
• So the door for public adulation. >> The next up will have HB 327 uterine fibroid research database.
• Thank you for the opportunity to present 3 to 5 relating to uterine fibroids research database members
• The purpose of the databases to encourage research related to the diagnosis and the treatment of uterine
• That will be the one that will be the identified by the public database.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your name on a dotted line, I swear I'm a citizen, without any requirement of proof of documentation.
• You know, I can understand why, with the database systems, why this was originally done.
• Uh, there is also in the DMV database actually a checkbox for citizenship for somebody who has a real
• And we already use a lot of that DMV data to check our databases right now.
• Uh and this databases right now.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The system will match this data against any secure database owner information, triggering an alert if
• For reference, the yellow and black dotted line is the city limits.
• For reference, the yellow and black dotted line is the city limits.
• Title plants are the databases, basically.
• Title plants are the databases, basically, that title companies use to create title insurance policies

Summary: The House Committee on Government heard and advanced several bills, beginning with HB 2842 on deed fraud prevention. The bill would create an early alert system so escrow agents notify the Arizona Department of Real Estate when a property transaction is opened, allowing property owners to be alerted before a fraudulent sale is completed. Representative Contreras, a victim, and other witnesses described serious deed fraud cases and said the bill would provide proactive protection; the Department of Real Estate commissioner said most tracked fraud cases would have gone through escrow and outlined a simple registration and alert process. The committee adopted a Blackman amendment changing the receiving agency from DIFI to the State Real Estate Department and then passed HB 2842 with a do pass recommendation. The committee also passed HB 2667, which tightens eligibility for state first-time homebuyer and down payment assistance programs by requiring two years of Arizona residency and two years of owner occupancy, and barring out-of-state investors from using the homes as vacation or short-term rentals. The sponsor said the bill was intended to ensure the programs benefit Arizonans who are invested in the state, but committee members and representatives from local housing entities warned it could conflict with federal FHA rules, reduce lender participation, and create unintended consequences for local IDA programs. Despite those concerns, the bill received a do pass recommendation. HB 2020, which reduces certain school disruption offenses involving minors to a class one misdemeanor and narrows the definition of interference with an educational institution, also passed after testimony from a parent describing a student being charged with a felony for a school altercation and a nonprofit witness urging more trauma-informed treatment of children. Other measures advanced included HB 2793, which streamlines annexation procedures for single-owner annexations and modernizes notice requirements, with amendments clarifying treatment of municipally owned adjacent territory and allowing electronic newspaper publication; HB 2327, which allows eligible individuals to request suppression of identifying information held by county recorders, assessors, and treasurers to protect privacy while preserving title plant access; and HB 2858, which gives Arizona bidders a preference in state procurement tie situations, supported by local business groups as a way to keep public money in-state. The committee also passed HB 2660, which sets procedures and due process protections for health profession board licensing actions and adds JLAC to the list of entities receiving investigative reports, with the sponsor and a naturopathic physician arguing that board actions can chill speech and lack adequate oversight. Finally, the committee approved HB 2063 to appropriate $1.5 million for the Independent Correctional Oversight Office, HB 2681 to change civil service appeal deadlines from calendar days to business days, and HB 2812 to raise the sick-leave payout cap for retiring state employees from $30,000 to $57,000; members discussed possible future amendments to let retirees direct those funds into health savings arrangements. Most bills were reported out with do pass recommendations, and the committee adjourned after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a standalone database for is a standalone database for is a standalone database for intelligence
• . us in terms of the database. us in terms of the database.
• So any any databases that can help share this databases that can help share this databases that can help
• Once the database is created by AIA, then all law database is created by AIA, then all law database is
• . this database. this database.

Bills: HB 1535 , HB 123 , HB 111 , HB 180 , HB 342 , HB 1027 , HB 1178 , HB 610 , HB 1277 , HB 1615 , HB 1620 , HB 5342 , HB 4885 , HB 4751 , HB 4689 , HB 4530 , HB 4488 , HB 2149 , HB 2041 , HB 2071 , HB 1813 , HB 2282 , HB 2248 , HB 2243 , HB 2522 , HB 2310 , HB 2513 , HB 2300 , HB 1902 , HB 3719 , HB 4284 , HB 4327 , HB 3743 , HB 3778 , HB 3801 , HB 5153 , HB 5147 , HB 4877 , HB 4850 , HB 3158 , HB 3261 , HB 3005 , HB 3033 , HB 3138 , HB 3099 , HB 2849 , HB 2967 , HB 3488 , HB 3477 , HB 3466 , HB 3396 , HB 3469 , HB 2594 , HB 2776 , HB 2564 , HB 2298 , HB 5331 , HB 5646 , HB 5247 , HB 5323 , HB 2015 , HB 4384 , HB 3896 , HB 4014 , HB 3627 , HB 3594 , HB 2524 , HB 510 , HB 561 , HB 5111 , HB 5446 , HB 1181 , HB 3963 , HB 2785 , HB 1661 , HB 2460 , HB 24 , HJR 138 , HB 3800 , HB 42 , HB 129 , HB 677 , HB 668 , HB 2128 , HB 2038 , HB 2316 , HB 3686 , HB 2563 , HB 1160 , HB 3883 , HB 2788 , HB 2663 , HB 3305 , HB 3474 , HB 1105 , HB 3490 , HB 3597 , HB 1295 , HB 3512 , HB 3783 , HB 2017 , HB 3010 , HB 3112 , HB 4215 , HB 3223 , HB 3464 , HB 3120 , HB 4214 , HB 4081 , HB 4783 , HB 4063 , HB 2783 , HB 5085 , HB 2510 , HB 3426 , HB 4361 , HB 1169 , HB 2516 , HB 4700 , HB 3560 , HB 3860 , HB 3146 , HB 184 , HB 198 , HB 247 , HB 367 , HB 449 , HB 1778 , HB 514 , HB 632 , HB 2582 , HB 766 , HB 2715 , HB 2712 , HB 3069 , HB 3505 , HB 1269 , HB 4224 , HB 5032 , HB 2240 , HB 5180 , HB 3348 , HB 4668 , HB 4665 , HB 3395 , HB 3157 , HB 4395 , HB 4325 , HB 4386 , HB 4273 , HB 2760 , HB 2820 , HB 1828 , HB 1579 , SB 2349 , SB 1268 , SB 610 , SB 1577 , SB 1369 , SB 2032 , SB 2034 , SB 1057 , SB 1044 , SB 922 , SB 1759 , SB 1143 , SB 1506 , SB 1403 , SB 2361 , SB 870 , SB 372 , SB 72 , SB 1583 , SB 2314 , SB 1267 , SB 1273 , SB 765 , SB 552 , HB 2145 , HJR 112 , HB 1804 , HJR 110 , HB 1194 , HB 1531 , HB 5008 , HB 3421 , SCR 27 , HB 5398 , HB 1407 , HB 426 , HB 1535 , HB 123 , HB 1773 , HB 1871 , HB 2035 , HB 2448 , HB 2492 , HB 1411 , HB 4753 , HB 4666 , HB 4529 , HB 1499 , HB 1610 , HB 2028 , HB 1506 , HB 886 , HB 3546 , HB 796 , HB 223 , HB 1475 , HB 3556 , HB 4638 , HB 111 , HB 180 , HB 342 , HB 1027 , HB 1178 , HB 610 , HB 1277 , HB 1615 , HB 1620 , HB 5342 , HB 4885 , HB 4751 , HB 4689 , HB 4530 , HB 4488 , HB 2149 , HB 2041 , HB 2071 , HB 1813 , HB 2282 , HB 2248 , HB 2243 , HB 2522 , HB 2310 , HB 2513 , HB 2300 , HB 1902 , HB 3719 , HB 4284 , HB 4327 , HB 3743 , HB 3778 , HB 3801 , HB 5153 , HB 5147 , HB 4877 , HB 4850 , HB 3158 , HB 3261 , HB 3005 , HB 3033 , HB 3138 , HB 3099 , HB 2849 , HB 2967 , HB 3488 , HB 3477 , HB 3466 , HB 3396 , HB 3469 , HB 2594 , HB 2776 , HB 2564 , HB 2298 , HB 5331 , HB 5646 , HB 5247 , HB 5323 , HB 2015 , HB 4384 , HB 3896 , HB 4014 , HB 3627 , HB 3594 , HB 2524 , HB 510 , HB 561 , HB 5111 , HB 5446 , HB 1181 , HB 3963 , HB 2785 , HB 1661 , HB 2460 , HCR 98 , HCR 92 , HCR 126

Transcript Highlights:

• To workers on DOT, and that all generates money.
• As we get more traction with DOH and getting access to the All-Payer Claims Database, we'll be We'll
• That's the dotted green trend line.
• But then the other thing is, where are we at with DOT?
• defunding and DOT match in the federal bill, and what's that committee going to do?

Transcript Highlights:

• How do I know that if you are building that database, because you’re going to have to retain this data
• But just to reassure you, I agree with you, the only non-hackable database is no database at all, which
• I operate stopk-o-s-S-A-A dot com, and I'm testifying con.
• I operate stopk-o-s-S-A-A dot com, and I'm testifying con.
• I operate stopk-o-s-S-A-A dot com, and I'm testifying con.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2112, which would require commercial entities, including some social media companies, to use age verification before allowing access to websites where more than one-third of the material is sexual content harmful to minors. Staff explained that the bill would require reasonable age verification methods, prohibit retention of identifying information, exempt bona fide news and public-interest sites, and authorize the Attorney General to enforce the law through civil penalties. The bill would also require warning notices on landing pages and advertisements, with content to be developed by the Department of Health. Prime sponsor Representative Mari Leavitt said the bill is intended to protect children from harmful online sexual content and argued that parental controls are not sufficient. She cited pediatric and public-health concerns, said the bill is modeled on laws upheld elsewhere, and emphasized that the measure is aimed at commercial entities rather than school-based sharing or general adult access. Supportive testimony from parents, clinicians, and advocates described early exposure to pornography, mental health harms, and the need to place responsibility on platforms rather than families alone. Opposition testimony focused on privacy, free speech, enforcement, and scope. Several witnesses argued that age verification systems create data-security risks even if data is not retained, that the bill’s definitions and one-third threshold are vague and could sweep in LGBTQ, health, educational, or artistic content, and that enforcement would be difficult against out-of-state websites. Some opponents said the law would push users to less-compliant sites and would not effectively protect children. A technology industry witness said the bill is narrow and comparable to carding for alcohol or tobacco, while a Free Speech Coalition representative said the law is ineffective in practice and offered to discuss amendments. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the dotted line is the rate. The purple bars across the bottom.
• And the dotted line is the rate.
• So the bars throughout the presentation are the numbers and the actual counts, and the dotted lines are
• We've created a product called the Real Time Crime Index, a database of data from right now we have,
• We've created a product called the Real Time Crime Index, a database of data from right now we have,

Summary: The House Committee on Community Safety held a December 4, 2025 work session focused first on crime trends and then on policing effectiveness. Adam Gelb of the Council on Criminal Justice reviewed long-term national data showing major declines in reported crime and victimization since the early 1990s, a pandemic-era spike in homicide and some violent crime, and a recent drop back toward pre-pandemic levels. He also highlighted a sharp decline in juvenile arrests and incarceration, a substantial reduction in racial disparities in imprisonment, and noted that much of the disparity reduction appears tied to changes in arrest patterns. James McMahon of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs then presented Washington’s 2024 crime report, saying total crime fell 8.4% from 2023, with decreases in violent crime, property crime, murders, robberies, aggravated assaults, hate crimes, and vehicle theft, while crimes against society rose. He emphasized that domestic violence makes up about half of crimes against persons, that Washington remains above its 2019 levels in several categories, and that underreporting affects the data. Marshall Clement of the Council of State Governments Justice Center added that Washington remains one of the states still above 2019 violent-crime levels, with homicide and juvenile victimization especially concerning, and noted wide variation in juvenile arrests and violent-crime trends across cities and counties. Jeff Asher of the Real Time Crime Index said his near-real-time data through September 2025 suggests continued national and Washington declines in murder, violent crime, and property crime, with Washington’s murder trend likely continuing downward into 2025. The second half of the work session shifted to policing methods and clearance rates. Richard Hahn of the Niskanen Center argued that disorder and neighborhood conditions affect public safety perceptions, that environmental design and street lighting can reduce crime, and that police agencies need better deployment, investigative capacity, and clearance rates, especially amid staffing shortages. Mark Kropanski of Arnold Ventures summarized research finding that police staffing matters, hotspots and problem-oriented policing reduce crime, and better investigations increase deterrence and trust; he stressed that homicide clearance rates remain only around 60% in Washington and that property-crime clearance is much lower. Marshall Clement returned to focus on Washington’s solve rates, saying only 44% of violent crimes reported to police are solved, with 62% of homicides, 51% of aggravated assaults, 25% of rapes, and 31% of robberies cleared in 2024, and that large numbers of serious crimes remain unsolved over a three-year period. He urged state leaders to set goals, improve data collection, strengthen investigative resources, and support victims and witnesses. No votes or formal actions were taken; the session was informational and included extensive member questions about juvenile crime, domestic violence, underreporting, detective staffing, and how to improve clearance rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the blue dots represent the information that we physically collect, and the Water Development Board
• You also see the green dots that infill a lot of the area, especially up in the Panhandle.
• It's also accessible in that database that I mentioned.
• That database that they have set up and managed is by far the best that I've ever worked with.
• It's just a bunch of dots on that plot.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Independent libraries are the black dots in the beige counties on the map, and they usually function
• So again, this federally funded project includes the foundational statewide database subscriptions used
• This includes Esco hosts currently, which is a suite of databases on many different topics, and then
• Specifically, the EBSCO statewide online database subscription, we added Brainfuse to that.
• Yes, when a teacher or a librarian directs their students to conduct research in a database such as EBSCO

Committee: House A&B Education Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• I've told people over the years that one of my primary jobs in emergency management at DOT is to get
• WASHDOT's maintenance teams, they are the first line of defense. closed, our maintenance teams, wash dots
• requests are considered and we know about them as you submit them, because it's kind of a very open database
• requests are considered, and we know about them as you submit them, because it's kind of a very open database

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an organizational session and received a presentation from Washington State Department of Transportation and Washington State Ferries staff on recovery from the December atmospheric river storms. Committee members were introduced, and staff outlined a new process for submitting proviso and project requests through an online app, with members directed to work through their caucus policy staff. The chair also announced caucus meetings and noted staff changes for the session. WSDOT and WSF described emergency response operations, including statewide activations, damage assessment, and the use of emergency declarations to speed repairs. Staff explained how they pursue federal reimbursement through FHWA Emergency Relief and, separately, FEMA for debris removal, while noting that permanent repairs still require environmental clearances. They reported more than 50 emergency work orders, 16 emergency contracts, about 107 road sites closed at one point, and an initial damage estimate of roughly $30 million. Examples of storm damage and recovery included US 2 near Skykomish and Tumwater Canyon, US 12 near Naches, Highway 410, Highway 42 near Mount Baker, I-90 shoulder damage, and a major US 101 slope failure near Forks that will require longer-term geotechnical work. Members asked about environmental permitting, bridge impacts, flood coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers, and whether emergency declarations allow broader actions; staff said the declaration mainly speeds stabilization and contracting, does not change tolling authority, and does not waive environmental requirements. No votes were taken.

Bills: SB1265 , SB2154 , SB1286 , SB1365 , SB1491 , SB1525 , SB1581 , SB1775 , SB1810 , SB1884 , SB2118 , SB2174 , SB1771 , SB1805 , SB1916

Committee: House Government Oversight

Keywords: municipal ordinances, local government, ordinance publication, posting requirement, public notice, municipal law, city ordinances, town ordinances, county government, newspaper publication, effective date, Oklahoma statutes, 11 O.S. 14-106, ordinance notice, government oversight, municipalities, city government, town government, property maintenance, nuisance abatement

Bills: HB4248 , HB3194 , HB3849 , HB4095 , HB4302 , HB3342 , HB3344 , HB3287 , HB3645 , HB3647 , HB3930 , HB3931 , HB1818 , HB4454 , HB4336

Committee: House Health and Human Services Oversight

Keywords: HB4248, hemp beverage, hemp drinks, THC beverage, cannabis beverage, intoxicating hemp, age restriction, under 21, minor possession, youth access, public health and safety, Title 63, Oklahoma Statutes, retail sales, alcohol-style regulation, controlled substances, beverage regulation, pregnancy centers, abortion, abortion-inducing drugs

Transcript Highlights:

• I think many of the prisons do know, and they are, but they don't have it in any kind of database, which

Bills: HB 120 , HB20 , HB150 , HB6 , HB 100 , HB 124 , HB210 , HB215 , HB1393 , HB1587 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB142 , HB451 , HB39 , HB 102 , HB 126 , HB290 , HB300 , HB2143 , HJR2 , HB147 , HJR6 , HB 120 , HB20 , HB150 , HB6 , HB 100 , HB 124 , HB210 , HB215 , HB1393 , HB1587 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB142 , HB451 , SB1

Keywords: career readiness, education reform, workforce training, public schools, financial aid, applied sciences, career education, high school diploma, certificate program, work-based learning, job placement, high-growth jobs, technical training, cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, mental health, telehealth

Summary: The House convened with prayer, pledges, and several ceremonial recognitions, including Wilson County Day, San Antonio Mission Indian Descendants Day, and Blue Ribbon Lobby Day, along with acknowledgments of visiting groups and a birthday greeting. The chamber also announced committee meetings and then moved into floor business, including conference committee action on Senate Bill 1, the state budget. A series of motions to instruct House conferees on SB 1 were debated and voted on. One motion sought to restore salary for Attorney General Ken Paxton after his impeachment-related suspension; it passed 88-56. Another, from Rep. Olcott, directed conferees to support amendments requiring data collection on the costs of undocumented immigrants in hospitals and prisons; after extended debate and a failed amendment from Rep. Martinez Fischer to also study immigrants’ economic contributions, the motion passed 86-61. The House also adopted instructions to eliminate Texas Lottery Commission funding, to support amendments restricting public education institutions from affirming gender identities inconsistent with biological sex, and to seek an additional $4 billion in property tax relief, with each motion passing on recorded votes. The House then took up a supplemental calendar and passed several bills, including HB 39 on veteran death data, HB 102 on priority registration for certain students entering military service, HB 126 on student-athlete compensation and representation, HB 290 on tuition and fee assistance for members of the Texas military forces, HB 300 on Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program updates, and HB 2143 naming a highway in honor of Army Specialist Joey Lins. The chamber also postponed consideration of HJR 2 and HJR 6. Later, the House considered HB 120 on career and technology education pathways and HB 20 on applied science pathway programs for high school students. HB 120 received a perfecting amendment and was advanced after discussion about workforce preparation. HB 20 prompted extensive questioning about transportation, costs, and how students would access partner campuses such as community colleges and TSTC sites; debate continued as the transcript ended, with members examining how the program would operate and whether approval authority would rest with TEA.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> business database in Hans. business database in Hans.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Currently the database has a big gap. &gt;&gt; Currently the database has a big gap.
• ><c> been</c><00:13:49.520><c> active</c> currently the database has been active currently the database
• And we did give you $366,000, so, you know, a database of 115,000, and I'd like to see what that database
• They're DOT contracts, and they're big.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Government Operations held an informational briefing with the State Procurement Office on its small business procurement program. SPO staff described the program’s purpose as expanding access to state contracting for small businesses, including veteran-, Native Hawaiian-, and women-owned firms, and said they are seeking to make the current five-year initiative permanent before it ends in June 2027. They reported outreach efforts, a new website and newsletter, statewide surveys, draft administrative rules, and a 38% increase in small business registrations in the HANS database. They also explained that the program is intended to support outreach, education, certification, compliance, and a statewide database to connect agencies with qualified small businesses. Committee members focused heavily on whether the program is producing measurable contract awards, not just registrations. The chair and senators questioned the definition of “small business,” noting that SPO currently relies on SBA standards in HANS and is considering a Hawaii-specific definition based on employees, revenue, and Hawaii residency. Members raised concerns that the data showed only a small number of registered businesses receiving awards and that the database does not yet track awards well enough to evaluate performance. SPO responded that the database has had funding gaps, that the position was only filled in February 2025, and that the agency is still building the system and rules needed to track outcomes accurately. A major theme was how to make the program more effective for very small or “micro” businesses and how to reduce the complexity of state procurement. Members discussed the difference between set-asides and bid preferences, with SPO explaining that set-asides are generally tied to RFPs and preferences to IFBs. The committee suggested that future rules should make participation easier, provide more training and hand-holding, and possibly create pathways for micro businesses or groups of small businesses to bid together. No votes or formal actions were taken; the briefing ended with the committee asking SPO to provide more performance data and clearer information on outreach results and database contents.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also went to the Job Service database and did the same thing.
• DOT has information on its website about labor rates.
• So examples of the DOT Davis-Bacon information are attached to the testimony.
• So the DOT one is all related to highway construction.
• And that would be for anything, DOT or building projects or anything like that. Mr.

Committee: Joint Employee Benefits Programs Committee

Summary: The Employee Benefits Committee met to hear presentations on state employee health insurance, compensation, leave policies, labor market conditions, and prevailing wage issues, then later took up committee rules and bill-draft jurisdiction. PERS reviewed the history and structure of the state health plan, noting the state has paid the full family premium since 1979, described cost-control and benefit-enhancement changes over time, and explained current plan options, wellness incentives, employer wellness discounts, and the upcoming bid process for the 2027-29 contract. HRMS then presented compensation comparisons showing state classified pay generally trails private and regional markets, with larger gaps at higher-level jobs, and reviewed benefits and leave policies, including the new enhanced annual leave and new-hire leave, the state’s unpaid family leave structure, and varying tuition reimbursement practices. Job Service reported on labor force trends, low unemployment, high labor force participation, job openings, and wage growth, and OMB said there are no state prevailing-wage requirements beyond federal Davis-Bacon rules for federally funded projects. The committee then considered a proposed amendment to Joint Rule 211 to better align the health insurance mandate review process with recent statutory changes. Members discussed how the rule should reference both the committee’s required actuarial reports and the Legislative Council cost-benefit analysis, and the amendment was adopted on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed how its jurisdiction decisions affect whether a bill draft receives actuarial analysis, with staff explaining that a decision not to take jurisdiction means the bill is not treated as impacting the relevant retirement or health plans for purposes of that analysis. After that, the committee began reviewing bill drafts for jurisdiction. The first draft, bill draft 33, would automatically renew pre-tax elections for dental and vision coverage during open enrollment instead of requiring annual re-election. Members debated whether it had any actuarial impact, noting the state does not pay those premiums directly, and the discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I was wondering then, the federal database, then it's my understanding that the military provides
• You connected that dot for me. I appreciate that for those dots.
• Our legacy database has been in existence since 1997. It's no longer sufficient.
• Otherwise, our databases get shut down and we're out of business.
• And so, it's a crucial piece of our database for us from an operational standpoint.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• resources and available state services. that the legislature explore the creation of an inter-agency database
• The service database would act as a casework.
• Class A truck drivers will never have enough, but I know in the military DOT will let you qualify a military
• came back with a $5 million fiscal note, which on only government could spend $5 million creating a database

Bills: SB651 , SB897 , SB1814 , SB1818

Committee: Senate Veteran Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also put in a $10,000 for database<00:49:51.880><c> uh</c><00:49:52.040><c> to</c><00:49:52.200
• 52.680><c> with</c><00:49:52.960><c> the</c><00:49:53.160><c> filing</c><00:49:53.680><c> of</c> database
• due to additional travel that they requested, $6,993 in fuel cost, the over $225,000 to redo the database
• </c> dollars to redo the database dollars to redo the database and<01:20:29.320><c> they</c><01:20:29.440
• loan program, $799,804 to DFA for the independent schools infrastructure program, and $13,511,982 to DOT

Transcript Highlights:

• First, we start with taking a look at pipeline databases.
• So there is a lot of information on both of these databases.
• This could be because the location is slightly off on a database.
• So there is a lot of information on both of these databases.
• We were in a boat at the location of that yellow dot.

Summary: The board met on January 21, 2026, approved the agenda and minutes, and received a CPRA implementation update from Executive Director Michael Hare. Hare reported about 103 active projects, with work focused on completing existing projects and moving more into construction. He highlighted several projects, including Port Fourchon shoreline protection, Northwest Little Lake marsh creation, Sugar Ridge Pump Station, a large RESTORE-funded marsh creation project, Schooner Bayou saltwater barrier rehabilitation, Cain Bayou marsh creation redesign, West Shore river reintroduction work, Morganza to the Gulf reaches, NERDA Raccoon Island restoration, and Chenier-O-Tig ridge restoration. He also reviewed recreation and partnership projects such as Bayou Pigeon and Destrehan boat launches, Grand Bayou Marsh Creation, Highway 1 terracing, and four Louisiana projects funded through the National Coastal Resilience Fund. Hare noted the annual plan public meetings were complete and the comment period remained open through February 17, 2026. Board members asked about the Rockefeller shoreline project, and Hare said the Corps and state agencies were working through geotechnical and environmental issues and that leadership remained committed to moving it forward. The board then heard a joint presentation from CPRA and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on the White Lake Conservation Area and Management Plan. Officials described White Lake as a 72,000-acre property in Vermilion Parish with major habitat, recreation, and revenue functions, but said aging infrastructure, levee erosion, limited water control structures, and maintenance costs made a master plan necessary. The plan, finalized in October 2025, recommends coastal restoration projects, lodge and facility revitalization using private dollars, revenue-generation improvements, and long-term partnerships. Proposed work includes GIWW shoreline protection, Unit 2/Caddo levee stabilization, and north shoreline protection, with about $30 million already secured for engineering and construction and total needs estimated at roughly $120 million to $130 million. Officials also discussed broader habitat management, conservation incentives for private landowners, possible land acquisition in southwest Louisiana, and coordination with federal partners and other state agencies. Members praised the White Lake effort as a model of interagency collaboration and emphasized its importance for waterfowl habitat, public access, and tourism. Questions focused on funding sources, oil and gas revenue, and whether other agencies such as economic development and tourism should be involved. Several members also urged the state to apply similar management approaches to other refuges, including Sabine, Cameron Prairie, and Lacassine, where they said federal management has lagged. The discussion underscored a broader shift toward landscape-scale habitat management and public recreation investment. The final major presentation covered CPRA’s marsh creation design guidelines and related construction logistics. Staff explained that marsh creation makes up a large share of the coastal master plan and that the agency is updating its 2017 design guidelines after nearly a decade of use. The updates will address survey standards, geotechnical methods, dredge production estimates, construction monitoring, and oil and gas infrastructure conflicts. A second presentation reviewed safety, access, and logistics for marine construction, including equipment access routes, pipeline identification and coordination, cultural resources, private landowners, oyster resources, and permitting. Board members asked about reducing geotechnical costs, improving land-rights coordination, considering uncontained marsh creation where appropriate, and managing pipeline impacts; staff said they would consider those suggestions as part of the guideline updates.