Transcript Highlights:

• too much to implement or that it won't lower error rates, but the reality is that these federal penalties
• With that, I think this is a meaningful step in avoiding those federal penalties and promoting program
• That's why in subsection C, you'll see that it says that ASIP has to refer to both at minimum, which
• That's what we were trying to capture, and my understanding is in subsection C, where it says at minimum
• going to be doing a budget, or people are going to be doing budgets for years to come with these penalties

Bills: HB2180, HB2184, HB2188, HB2194, HB2206, HB2321, HB2322, HB2438, HB2442, HB2448, HB2727, HB2797

Keywords: appropriation, funding, University of Arizona, education, state budget, fetal death, funeral homes, informed consent, abortion, women's rights, medical assistance, emotional support, language acquisition, early intervention, hearing impairment, grant program, deaf education, health care, insurance claims, prior authorization

Transcript Highlights:

• think that any time we can Take the approach with more of a partnership instead of fees, fines, and penalties
• In oil and gas, there's a penalty for that; you end up losing value of your resource.
• In the case of this bill, we remove the penalty part. Each landowner, whether they're in their...
• Chairman McQueen, like I said earlier, we can't do this in New Mexico without adopting, at minimum, the
• And the physics means you have to be at a depth that's greater than feet for sure, and a minimum probably

Transcript Highlights:

• LDI also came in and looked at this and has indicated that, at a minimum, this legislation would remain
• Representative Barrett outlined well the purpose of the bill, which is to prevent this coercive hospital penalty
• proposed... ...outlined well the purpose of the bill, which is to prevent this coercive hospital penalty
• Because I have to avoid this penalty policy as well.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on May 18, 2026, with eight members present and began by noting the state’s projected REC budget deficit and the need to consider fiscal impacts carefully. The committee first advanced HB 12, which extends the $250,000 surviving spouse benefit to reserve officers killed in the line of duty. Members noted the bill is prospective and that it draws from the same capped fund as other related bills, but it was reported favorable without opposition. The committee also adopted an amendment and reported HB 874 favorable as amended; the bill allows colleges, technical schools, the Louisiana Bar Association, and additional credentials to be added to LA Wallet, with the amendment changing mandatory language to permissive language. HB 951 was then reported favorable, creating an employer-facing workforce unit within Louisiana Works, to be funded through repurposed state and federal funds and existing staff, with a floor amendment expected to rename the unit. The committee also reported HB 979 favorable with amendments after reducing the proposed increase in survivor benefits because members learned several bills were drawing from the same $5 million fund, and HB 1193 favorable as amended, after striking a section that would have extended IDIQ authority to supply contracts for CPR. The committee then heard HB 909, which would require commercial payers to cover behavioral health crisis services. Representative Spell and LDH officials said the measure is intended to support crisis response centers and steer patients away from emergency rooms when appropriate, and they testified that it should be cost-neutral or absorbed within existing funding. Despite concerns raised by Senator Andrews about premiums, the bill was reported favorable after discussion of its potential savings and a possible pilot in Acadiana. HB 222, requiring Medicaid to cover dental procedures when needed to complete another medically covered procedure, was also reported favorable; LDH said it would absorb the cost within its existing budget and draw down federal matching funds. HB 291, which prevents health plans from penalizing hospitals when an out-of-network physician is involved in an otherwise covered hospital service, generated extensive debate over a disputed fiscal note and the No Surprises Act. OGB officials said any network “leakage” could cost the plan money, while supporters argued the policy is preventative and that the fiscal estimates were speculative. The committee adopted amendment 3941 to exempt OGB from the bill, then reported HB 291 favorable as amended. Later, the committee took up HB 145, which expands the authority of the law enforcement and firefighter survivor benefit board to cover extraordinary medical and dental expenses. Because members learned it also draws from the same fund as HB 12 and HB 979, an amendment reduced the amount from $50,000 to $25,000, and the bill was reported favorable as amended. HB 430, a local bill for Lafayette to continue paying health insurance costs for surviving families of fallen officers until Medicare eligibility, was reported favorable. Finally, HB 821, which establishes the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools within the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement Administration and transfers related duties from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, was introduced and discussed as a move with a one-time general fund expenditure already included in HB 1. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The maximum penalty for this crime is up to five years of imprisonment, and Mr.
• Nothing more than what you just stated: it was stated at least ten—ten being the minimum—and then Carver
• certification statement detailing all of these eligibility requirements and a statement that defines the penalties
• They would be faced with those penalties if it's determined that they were not eligible at the time,

Transcript Highlights:

• That we're doing to try and avoid penalties for our client.
• Let's say second-degree murder carries a penalty of 15 years in the penitentiary.
• Do you understand the penalty? You know, we all know what those criteria are.
• And at a minimum, you cannot drop out of high school until you're 16, if it's approved by your parents

Transcript Highlights:

• the 29 counties that currently do not participate—to offer at least one, as a reminder, this is a minimum
• The Secretary is proud to sponsor this bill, which will establish a minimum standard for early voting
• of 10, that you at least should have a minimum of one: the Saturday before, at least eight hours.
• Well, at a minimum, the template is to provide information. I'll tell... ...issues.
• So at a minimum, that's what would be required. So I'm going to abstain from this vote.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of elections-related bills. It first approved three consent items: AB 808, AB 1029, and AB 1072. The committee then took up AB 1249, which would require non-Voter’s Choice Act counties to offer at least one Saturday early-voting location before statewide elections and allow in-person return of vote-by-mail ballots at designated county offices or satellite locations. Supporters said it would expand access for working voters and those with transportation barriers; some members raised concerns about ballot verification and added workload for rural counties. The bill passed the committee on a divided vote and was placed on call for absent members. The committee next considered AB 25, a voter ID and election integrity measure that would require citizenship verification, government ID for voting, tighter voter-roll audits, and a 72-hour ballot-counting deadline. The author and supporters argued it would restore public trust and improve election integrity, while opponents from the League of Women Voters, ACLU California Action, labor groups, disability advocates, and others said it would restrict access, burden vulnerable voters, and amount to voter suppression. After extensive debate, the committee voted the bill out on a narrow split and kept it on call. Members also approved AB 1164, which clarifies when voters are entitled to a replacement ballot and updates the Voter Bill of Rights language; AB 1441, which would create an independent citizens redistricting commission in Merced County despite opposition from the county board over cost and local control; and AB 16, which would clarify county election officials’ authority to begin processing vote-by-mail ballots earlier and clean up outdated code. The committee also heard AB 1411, which would require non-VCA counties to prepare voter education and outreach plans and use a Secretary of State template, with the sponsor saying it would improve voter information statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• Financial penalties ...where they're permitted by law, which I know in Texas they are not.
• Financial penalties are tied to compliance.
• To promote national vital statistics and ensure there is a minimum set of data fields that all states
• And there's penalties attached to couples that do that, so they're closing the tourism loophole.
• If HHSC determines noncompliance, we are able to assess penalties.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires emergency departments to conduct training on policies and procedures, including, at a minimum
• It requires emergency departments to conduct training on policies and procedures, including at a minimum
• , training on the use of pediatric instruments, clinical stem Including, at a minimum, training on the
• Finally, the bill requires AHCA to adopt rules for minimum standards for pediatric care for our emergency
• This amendment provides a reasonable safeguard by allowing an attestation under the penalty of perjury

Summary: The Florida Senate convened with a quorum, opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and heard several member introductions recognizing guests, interns, public servants, and a resolution honoring Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza for winning the Heisman Trophy. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and took up a series of bills, with some measures temporarily postponed and others advanced after brief debate and, in several cases, substitution of House companions for Senate bills. The first major bill passed was CS/CS/HB 355 on health care patient protection, which requires hospitals with emergency departments to have pediatric emergency care policies, training, equipment, and a designated pediatric coordinator; it passed 36-0. The Senate also passed CS/HB 1113 on public records, expanding confidentiality protections for victims and temporarily protecting the name of a law enforcement officer who becomes a victim in the line of duty; it passed 33-4. CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity was amended to place the program under the Florida Digital Service and to adjust grant timing, then passed 37-0. CS/CS/HB 925 on clerks of court passed 38-0 after amendments affecting revenue retention, legal notices, traffic citation distributions, and municipal fee sharing. CS/CS/HB 679 on trademark registration modernization and CS/CS/HB 589 on septic permit timing also passed unanimously. The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/HB 991 / SB 1334, an elections bill that would use Real ID data to verify citizenship, change voter ID rules, alter candidate qualifying requirements, and revise election administration procedures. Senators offered and debated numerous amendments on documentation fees, senior exemptions, human review versus automated systems, student and retirement-center IDs, and effective dates; most were defeated, though one amendment adding stock-trading disclosure language for candidates was adopted. The bill’s sponsor cited election-crimes reports and specific prosecutions involving non-citizens as justification for the measure, while opponents argued it could disenfranchise eligible voters, especially students and seniors. The transcript ends during continued questioning and debate on that elections bill, before final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 224 was authored by Senator Alvarado and what that bill created was penalties for catalytic converter
• So normally it's a minimum of about four years to actually see the effects. that you want to you want
• in the penalty chart of a rule to take action against those licensees and revoke their license.
• Because there is a minimum age. Right? And in our banking system, what we do today is we...
• Last session on the Deputy Darren Amedatis Act to stay. different penalties on that.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but those are required in, uh, a minimum of 3 years in grades K through 8, and then 1 year in the
• <00:15:48.040> of required in uh a minimum of required in uh a minimum of 3<00:15:49.560><
• Can we What What penalties penalties penalties can<00:24:00.840> the can the can the uh<00:24:
• So, it's basically a minimum of every nine years. It's a nine-year cycle.
• basically a minimum of every 9 years. basically a minimum of every 9 years.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And maybe we do want to put a penalty in if they failed to do it.
• And maybe we do want to put a penalty in if they failed to do it.
• average drug acquisition cost, which just reimburses that pharmacy and charges that plan the bare minimum
• average drug acquisition cost, which just reimburses that pharmacy and charges that plan the bare minimum

Bills: HB591, HB765, HB826, HB870, HB938, HB1151, HB1162, HB1176, HB1196, HB1236, HB1241

Keywords: family leave, insurance, paid leave, employment benefits, caregiver support, liability insurance, coverage defenses, direct action, judgment enforcement, legal procedures, insurance referrals, compensation, non-licensed agents, consumer protection, insurance products, HB 870, Act 907, Louisiana insurance, health insurance, prescription drugs

Transcript Highlights:

• consumer disclosures, and explainability; to authorize rulemaking and enforcement; to provide civil penalties
• consumer disclosures, and explainability to authorize rulemaking and enforcement to provide civil penalties
• In order to meet a shall pay 25%, typically we reapply that as a minimum.
• So if we move this forward, we should at least put that in there, that it's a minimum.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on April 23 with a quorum present and began by announcing that HB 1142 was deferred. The committee then took up HB 1187, which would direct any excess Louisiana Citizens emergency assessment funds, after related debt is satisfied, toward the Louisiana Fortified Homes Program or future Citizens obligations. Commissioner Tim Temple and Rep. Sawyer said the bill would likely redirect about $50 million to the popular fortified roof grant program, which has already awarded thousands of roofs and is oversubscribed. With support from Citizens and others, the committee adopted technical amendments and reported HB 1187 favorably. The committee next considered HB 1210, a proposal by Rep. Dana Henry to create a pre-suit claim review process for Louisiana Citizens disputes modeled on Florida’s system. After explaining that the bill was prompted by constituent concerns about rising homeowners insurance costs, Henry voluntarily deferred the bill and instead moved toward a study resolution. The substitute version, which would have allowed Citizens disputes to be resolved through the Division of Administrative Law, was adopted for discussion, but the bill was ultimately voluntarily deferred after testimony from Citizens and the department supporting further study. HB 1199, by Rep. Jordan, would require coverage for genetic testing and medically necessary treatment for SCN2A-associated disorders. After adopting an amendment clarifying that coverage depends on provider order and medical necessity, the committee heard emotional testimony from a parent describing her daughter’s severe SCN2A condition and the difficulty obtaining genetic testing. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then took up HB 880, the Louisiana Artificial Intelligence Insurance Fairness Act, which would regulate AI use in underwriting, rating, and claims. Jordan said the bill raised state-federal insurance regulatory issues and could jeopardize federal broadband funding, so he voluntarily deferred it; HB 920 was also voluntarily deferred. Finally, the committee considered HB 1221, by Rep. Amadee, which would narrow data collection under the surplus lines premium tax system to protect policyholder privacy. Former Rep. Bowler argued the department should not collect names, addresses, or coverage limits and that the bill would preserve privacy without affecting tax collection. The Department of Insurance said the broader data is needed for premium tax reconciliation, fraud detection, and post-disaster assistance. After debate, a motion to report HB 1221 favorably failed on a 6-6 roll call. The committee then moved on to HB 869 by Rep. Lyons, a health insurance bill covering injectable drugs for glucose or weight-loss treatment, but the transcript ends before further action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the question is: are we tracking the ultimate penalties?
• ultimate... ...there are serious injuries and fatalities, and are we tracking what the ultimate penalties
• So the owner often chooses the minimum, maybe $750,000, along with only a small amount of optional cargo
• An adjuster then informs us that the owner purchased minimum primary liability insurance, coverage that

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill defines a UTV and sets minimum requirements for restrictions on their operation.
• The court cannot deviate from the minimum mandatory that's applied in this bill.
• Creating a new mandatory minimum, mandating a life sentence means a judge cannot take any circumstance
• But we can't impose a mandatory minimum life sentence for any manslaughter conviction against a member
• And Senator Pezzo—if you're, forgive me, I'm not going to address the minimum mandatories right now.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, pledge, and several member introductions and recognitions, including resolutions and visiting groups. The chamber then moved to a special order calendar and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 88 on utility terrain vehicles, which would allow local governments to opt in to street use of UTVs under specified safety conditions; it passed 32-5 after debate over safety concerns. SB 102 on exceptional student education created a workforce credential/badge program for students with autism or on modified curricula; despite concerns about unfunded mandates, it passed 36-0. SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults authorized alternative service methods for scammers through the apps they used to contact victims and passed 37-0. SB 130 expanded and eased procedures for compensation of victims of wrongful incarceration, including extending filing deadlines and removing restrictive bars; it passed 38-0. SB 158 eliminated cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams under the state employee health plan and passed 38-0. The Senate then considered SB 234 on crimes against law enforcement officers, prompted by the killing of Officer Jason Raynor. The bill clarified that a person may not resist an officer with violence and added a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer. A late amendment to restore “good faith” language failed, and after extensive debate over due process, racial profiling, and sentencing concerns, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than brought to a final vote. SB 262 on trust code technical changes passed 36-0. SB 274 designated portions of roads in Orlando as Harris Rosen Way and Geraldine Thompson Way; it passed 38-0 and then received 37 co-sponsors. SB 280 created an enforcement mechanism for candidate party-affiliation qualification requirements and passed 38-0. SB 296 repealed the statewide middle and high school start-time mandate and returned the issue to local districts with reporting requirements; it passed 38-0. Later, SB 356 designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida, with the sponsor emphasizing anti-Semitism and the need for education and remembrance. The transcript also included additional ceremonial remarks and recognition of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members in the gallery. Throughout the meeting, most measures advanced with unanimous or near-unanimous support, while SB 234 generated the most substantive disagreement and was set aside for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• which exceeds state or federal minimum which exceeds state or federal minimum standards. standards
• So that means, at a minimum, any continuing appropriation must be as close to existing funding as our
• So that means at a minimum our means.
• for certain fentanyl relative to penalty for certain fentanyl related<05:23:40.638> offenses.
• We increased penalties for crimes and human trafficking, which I think is really important.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, with that amendment, it was moved to a class six, or yeah, class six felony as the penalty.
• So remember to keep your conversations at a minimum. We are working through bills right now.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• around 5% complete with the ones that submit nothing, which—but it’s a pretty harsh, dare I say, penalty
• which but it's a pretty harsh dare<01:58:19.679> I<01:58:19.840> say<01:58:20.000> penalty
• dare I say penalty dare I say penalty >> the<01:58:20.880> state<01:58:21.040> aid
• help to do required reports, you know, if you're asking for help, then get the help versus getting a penalty
• You know, it just seems like an unnecessary, a really unnecessary penalty.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It says minimum of $75,000 per year. Why is it a minimum? $75,000 per year? Why is it a minimum?
• A minimum, over time, $75,000 may not be as generous, and that would give... $75,000 may not be as generous
• If they don't stay, is there a penalty for them to pay us back?

Bills: SB241, SB145, HB2

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• And these are at the minimum entry-level jobs. Is that correct? Correct.
• ... ...appropriate relief in the following ways: cease and desist order, corrective action, civil penalty
• Sees and desist order, corrective action, civil penalty, not exceeding, all based on what?
• Minimum numbers of staffing in the evening?
• And I'd like to state that it was mentioned about a fellow rep's bill that they support the penalties

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first disposed of several measures without debate, including deferrals of House Bill 460, House Bill 561, Senate Bill 322, and another deferred Senate measure, before taking up House Bill 819 by Chairman Cruz. HB 819 would replace Louisiana’s current workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule with ODG by MCG, a private evidence-based guideline system used in other states. Cruz and Troy Prevo argued ODG is more comprehensive, updated more frequently, and could reduce claim duration, medical costs, and premium rates; Dr. Jason Picard said Louisiana already uses ODG as a secondary reference for gaps in the state schedule and that the bill would not change appeals or variance procedures. Opponents, including injured-worker advocates Joseph Jola St. and Robin Crumholt, argued Louisiana’s current guidelines are working, that ODG is more cost-cutting and insurer-driven, and that the bill could increase denials and delay care. Members discussed amendments to add a two-year sunset, allow tacit approval when treatment follows the schedule, require payment within 30 days, and raise the carrier’s burden to challenge care; the committee adopted the amendments and then reported HB 819 favorably by a 7-6 vote. The committee then began Senate Bill 409 by Senator Myers, the Louisiana Living Donor Leave Protection Act. The bill would provide paid leave protections for living organ donors, set eligibility and verification procedures, and prohibit forfeiture of leave in certain circumstances for private employers. Myers said the measure is intended to remove job and paycheck barriers for people willing to donate organs and to support better transplant outcomes. Technical amendments were adopted at the start of the presentation, and the bill was introduced for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because the three-tier system works, and there are severe penalties for violating those regulations when
• Happening, we would go after them administratively at a minimum to make it stop. Thank you.
• We oppose the bill because it does add penalties for legal hemp-compliant products that are regulated
• As you may know, this is reducing penalties for...
• And you would have, at minimum, two different issues, correct? Absolutely correct.

Bills: HB28, SB3, SB 3

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program