Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 91 by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry, and others, relative to Portuguese
• This resolution also comes at a great time, as some of you may have seen yesterday.
• Move to a voice vote on the resolution. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed, no.
• The ayes have it, the resolution is adopted.
• That this house stands adjourned until Thursday, June 12th at 9 AM.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now moving on to motions and resolutions.
• House Resolution 80 by Assembly Member Fong and others relative to the Lunar New Year.
• Resolution 80, celebrating the beginning of the Lunar New Year.
• And it is why I ask that you join the Latino Caucus in supporting House Resolution 80 as we welcome the
• Lackey seconds that this House stands adjourned until Thursday, February 19th at 9 a.m.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and brief procedural business, including approval of a motion to withdraw SB 107 and SB 117 from the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee and place them on third reading. Members also approved procedural requests for adjournment-in-memory remarks and guest seating, and later took up the daily file. The main floor item was H.R. 80, a resolution recognizing Lunar New Year. Assembly Member Fong presented the resolution, and several members from different caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing the holiday’s cultural significance, themes of renewal and family, and California’s large AAPI community. The resolution was opened for coauthors, received 62 coauthors, and was then adopted by voice vote. Fong also distributed prosperity cookie boxes to members after passage. The chamber also observed moments of silence for Reverend Jesse Jackson and later for Babatunde Akinlola and Harold Tripp during adjournments in memory. Members gave tributes highlighting Akinlola’s film and education career and Tripp’s leadership in the Karuk Tribe and work on tribal restoration and natural resources. The session ended with announcements of upcoming committee meetings and adjournment until Thursday, February 19 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's good to be back in the House. This is an easy bill. 255.
• Members, this is Senate Concurrent Resolution 2 by Senator Myers.
• Members, this is Senate Concurrent Resolution 2 by Senator Myers.
• The resolution before the committee is Senate Concurrent Resolution 22 by Senator Myers to request the
• Housing and... That's what determines the bottom line. Yep. Housing and medical care.

Summary: The committee first heard and favorably reported SB 255, which expands eligibility for psychosocial rehabilitation services by adding health sciences and therapeutic recreation degrees to the list of acceptable educational backgrounds. Supporters said the change would help address workforce shortages and improve access in rural areas. SB 314 was then reported favorably; it cleans up prior law so a limited scope certified social worker license can still be used for community psychiatric support and treatment services even if the application is filed after the CSW license has expired, rather than being barred by a timing restriction. The committee next took up several bills by Chairman McMath. SB 26, which repeals facility need review requirements for opioid treatment programs, was reported favorably after members and witnesses said Louisiana has too few OTPs and that removing the review would improve access, especially in rural areas. SB 29, requiring review and reporting of a child’s immunization records in certain unexpected death autopsies, was reported favorably despite questions about whether the bill should refer more broadly to medical records; supporters said the data could help evaluate vaccine-related concerns, while opponents raised concerns about singling out immunizations. SB 30, dealing with telehealth for obesity/weight management, was amended and reported favorably; the committee adopted technical amendments and a conceptual amendment replacing “metabolic condition” with “weight management services,” while witnesses debated patient safety, board authority, and whether the bill should limit agencies’ ability to restrict telehealth in the future. The committee also reported favorably SB 219, which creates an Office of Health and Nutrition within LDH. Supporters from the department, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Pennington Biomedical said the office would strengthen coordination on nutrition, physical activity, and brain health, and cited high Alzheimer’s costs and prevalence in Louisiana. SB 222, which streamlines Medicaid behavioral health administrative requirements and expands telehealth for psychosocial rehabilitation, was reported favorably with amendments after supporters described workforce and rural access barriers. SB 195, the “Danny’s Dose EMS Treatment Act,” was reported favorably; it would allow EMS personnel to administer a patient’s own prescribed time-critical medication in emergencies, and testimony from a parent and physician described life-threatening delays under current practice. The committee also adopted SCR 2, updating hospital architectural standards to the most recent Facility Guidelines Institute edition, and SCR 22, requesting a more detailed legislative auditor report on opioid settlement expenditures; members said they wanted clearer outcome data and planned to refine the language before floor debate. Finally, HB 1093 on naturopathic medicine was introduced and heavily amended, with the bill shifted under LSBME oversight and a large set of changes discussed, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Concurrent Resolution 98 urges and requests the Louisiana Department of Health to study and report
• House Concurrent Resolution 98 requests the Louisiana Department of Health to study the feasibility and
• The House Resolution by Representative Owens urges and requests the Surgeon General in the Louisiana
• Members, this is House Resolution 194 by Representative Freeman to urge and request...
• Members, this is House Resolution 194 by Representative Freeman to urge and request the Louisiana Department

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 12 and considered a wide range of health, social services, and licensing measures. Early in the meeting, the committee reported favorably HCR 98, which asks the Louisiana Department of Health to study whether SNAP recipients should be allowed to use benefits for grocery delivery fees. The author said the proposal would not change SNAP rules directly, but would examine access issues for elderly, disabled, rural, and transportation-limited residents. The committee also advanced SB 273, a hospice patient-protection bill requiring documentation of hydration, nutrition, and care decisions in inpatient licensed facilities where hospice is provided, with LDH oversight and enforcement authority; members discussed how responsibility is shared between facilities and outside hospice providers, and adopted technical amendments. The committee then approved SB 415, creating the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program, a privately funded charitable food-card program intended to let nonprofits distribute food-only cards to people in need. Members and the author discussed whether the cards would be reloadable, which retailers could accept them, and whether prepared foods could be included; LDH said the program could use all SNAP-authorized retailers, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. SB 437, a cleanup bill for judicially referred residential substance abuse treatment facilities, was also reported favorably with amendments after LDH clarified that facilities providing treatment must be licensed, while residences only housing individuals would not be. SB 451, updating newborn hearing screening terminology and reporting requirements, was reported favorably after testimony that the bill would strengthen early detection and follow-up for deaf or hard-of-hearing children. Later, the committee advanced SB 426, which modernizes the addictive disorder regulatory authority and creates a formal peer support specialist licensing pathway. Supporters said the bill would strengthen the behavioral health workforce, improve accountability, and create a progression from peer support to higher credentials; the committee adopted technical and transition amendments and reported the bill favorably with amendments. SB 236, requiring LDH annual reviews and reports on kidney disease treatment services in Medicaid, was also reported favorably with amendments. Additional measures approved included SB 39, allowing provisional licenses for massage therapy graduates; SB 190, which tightens oversight of poor-performing nursing facilities in the CMS Special Focus Facility Program and sets an 18-month improvement timeline; SB 124, allowing hospitals within the same health system to share peer review records without waiving privilege; HR 174, urging study of fenbendazole as a possible cancer treatment; SB 270, allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in health care facilities; SB 359, changing terms for certain Morehouse Parish hospital district commissioners; and HR 194, requesting de-identified school visual acuity screening data for research. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably, several with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I move that Senate Concurrent Resolution 1025 be returned with a due pass recommendation.
• Members, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1025 is a constitutional amendment that modifies the start date
• Chair, I move that Senate Concurrent Resolution 1022 be returned with a do pass recommendation.
• Chair, members, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1022 is a constitutional amendment that increases the number
• So not an A or B or House 1, House 2, just two at-large, whoever finishes top two is in.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1167, which would let municipalities and counties satisfy certain public notice requirements by posting notices on their official websites instead of only in newspapers. The sponsor argued the bill is permissive, meant to modernize notice practices, reduce costs, and help governments meet deadlines, while a Blackman amendment added a six-month transition period requiring continued newspaper publication and a notice to the public about the change. Media representatives, tribal advocates, and others opposed the bill, warning that moving away from print could reduce access for rural, tribal, and older residents and weaken transparency; county and local government representatives supported it as a flexible, efficient option. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed SB 1167 as amended on a 4-3 vote. The committee then heard SB 1021, which after a strike-everything amendment would require the Auditor General to refer possible criminal conduct involving health profession regulatory boards to the Attorney General and outline how such investigations should proceed. The sponsor and supporters said the measure would create a mechanism for accountability when audits uncover criminal activity and address conflicts of interest in enforcement. With no opposition testimony, the committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and passed SB 1021 as amended on a 4-3 vote. Next was SB 1011, a bill directing county medical examiners or forensic pathologists to review an infant’s immunization and vaccination history and any countermeasures given in the 90 days before a sudden unexplained infant death. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve data collection, align Arizona with best practices, and help identify correlations without implying causation. Opponents, including vaccine advocacy groups and a disability advocate, argued the state already collects much of this information, that the bill could fuel misinformation about vaccines, and that it failed to address the main known risk factors for SIDS such as unsafe sleep. The committee passed SB 1011 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also considered SB 1013, an original merit-based public hiring bill that was not amended after a proposed strike-everything was defeated. The sponsor framed it as ensuring public employees are hired based on qualifications rather than identity-based preferences, while opponents from the ACLU and others argued existing law already prohibits discrimination and that the bill could create new liability and hinder outreach to diverse communities. Supporters said it would clarify merit hiring and prevent quota-based practices. The committee passed SB 1013 on a 4-3 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1015, which the sponsor said would create accountability and data collection around detransition care for minors, while the proposed strike-everything would instead establish a family and medical leave insurance program through Medicaid beginning in 2029; testimony on that bill and the striker was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2369 ... ... House Bill 2369. Thank you.
• House Bill 2621. Mr.
• House Bill 2745.
• H.C.M. 2006, House Concurrent Memorial 2006, urging the President and the Congress of the United States
• H.C.M. 2011, a House Concurrent Memorial urging the United States Congress to address the Mexican wolf

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recorded attendance, approved the journal, and then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several bills. Early floor action included House Bill 2369 on photo-enforced traffic citations, amended so the citation would be signed by the mayor rather than the municipality’s presiding judge; House Bill 2423 on advanced math course enrollment, amended to narrow eligibility to students showing high proficiency on statewide assessments and to remove duplicative reporting; House Bill 2481 on school district financial records, amended to change how the state responds to USFR deficiencies by directing districts to approved training programs; House Bill 2621 on special education/public school enrollment, amended to allow students placed in residential facilities to enroll directly in the district where they live; and House Bill 2756 on public utilities and high-load-factor customers, amended to extend reporting deadlines, exempt smaller utilities, and remove some integrated planning requirements. Each of these bills received do-pass recommendations from Committee of the Whole, with some senators raising concerns about math staffing, school funding, and data-center impacts on rates and infrastructure. The chamber then adopted the Committee of the Whole report and heard a proclamation supporting stronger Arizona and U.S. relations with Taiwan, including trade, technology, education, and Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. The Senate also calendared House Bill 2192 for additional Committee of the Whole consideration, adopted a Bolick amendment excluding telecom and broadband providers from the definition of online hosting platform, and advanced the bill with a do-pass recommendation. In third reading, the Senate passed House Bill 2249 on the parents’ bill of rights, House Bill 2482 on out-of-school facilities, House Bill 2641 on firefighting foam, House Bill 2661 on dependent children, House Bill 2662 on parenting time, House Bill 2673 creating a study committee on inmate mental health services, House Bill 2745 on legislative subpoena enforcement, House Bill 2752 on the Arizona Commerce Authority, House Bill 2895 on public education, House Bill 2923 on mental health services, and several concurrent memorials urging Congress to address foreign authoritarian property ownership and endangered species issues. Several members explained votes, often citing budget concerns, staffing shortages, or policy objections. Senators Epstein and others repeatedly argued that many problems in education and mental health require more funding and personnel rather than statutory changes alone. Senator Kuby and Senator Epstein also criticized House Bill 2756 as insufficient to address data-center costs, water use, and ratepayer impacts, though the amended bill passed. The session concluded with passage of House Bill 2192 on employment, committee announcements for the following Monday, and adjournment until April 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first bill we're going to do will be House Bill 930.
• And we are deferring House Bill 591.
• That would be House Bill 909. We have your bill next.
• That would be House Bill 9-09. We have your bill next.
• I’ll make a motion to report House Bill 909 with amendments.

Summary: The Senate Insurance Committee met on May 13, 2026, adopted the May 6 minutes, and then took up several bills dealing with pharmacy benefit managers, prescription access, behavioral health coverage, and Citizens Property Insurance. HB 938, as amended, was the main PBM reform measure. After the committee adopted a large amendment set that narrowed the bill, members heard extensive testimony in support from Mark Bloom, Justin Joseph of Capital Rx, and Kathy Ue of Pontchartrain Cancer Center, all emphasizing transparency, pass-through pricing, reverse auctions, and patient access. Supporters described savings from reverse auctions and administrative models, while the cancer center testified that PBM-owned specialty pharmacy requirements can delay cancer medications and create financial hardship. The committee reported HB 938 favorably with amendments. The committee also heard HB 1154, which prohibits prior authorization for certain generic medications prescribed by qualified physicians, with a $250 cap discussed as a safeguard against higher-cost generics. The bill was supported by representatives from Ochsner Health and the Louisiana State Medical Society and was reported favorably. HB 909, which requires commercial coverage for behavioral health crisis services, was amended to clarify the insurers covered and then reported favorably with support from the Office of Behavioral Health and several outside groups. Testimony on HB 909 focused on reducing emergency room and law enforcement burdens and expanding crisis response capacity across the state. HB 1187, dealing with excess emergency assessment funds from Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, was explained by the Insurance Commissioner as a way to transfer remaining Katrina-era assessment funds to the Fortified Roof Program. The committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, SB 511 and SB 512 were deferred and converted into a study resolution approach because there was not yet consensus on the underlying issue. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paper from the House: the House order that a special joint committee on initiative petitions be established
• Secretary of the Commonwealth, House No. 5011, comes from the House adopted by that branch.
• The ayes have it, and the resolutions are adopted.
• Paper from the House. The Senate will be in a brief recess. Paper from the House.
• Paper from the House: House Bill 4908, establishing a sick leave bank for William Blaylock, an employee

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate session began with the Pledge of Allegiance and several ceremonial welcomes, including recognition of the 2025 Duxbury Girls Soccer Team, the MIAA Division II state champions, and the Medfield Girls Soccer Team, the Division III state champions. Senators offered congratulatory remarks highlighting each team’s season records, championship wins, coaches, and standout performances. The chamber then took up several procedural matters and local bills. The Senate adopted a House order establishing a special joint committee on initiative petitions, passed to be enacted a bill providing for the recall of elected officers in the Town of Sharon, and adopted resolutions congratulating Oxford Fire Chief Lawrence R. McDonald on 45 years of public service. It also advanced multiple local measures for Bridgewater, Cambridge, and Natick, including bills on town council structure, temporary absence of the town manager, appointment powers, a Cambridge employment and job training trust, and a Natick home rule charter amendment. The Senate also acted on several House amendments and Ways and Means reports. It concurred in a House-amended bill on protections for individuals with disabilities after adopting a further Senate amendment with an emergency preamble, ordered a sick leave bank bill for a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office employee to third reading, and adopted orders placing bills on the Orders of the Day for future second reading, including measures on consumer protections, CPA licensure pathways, and fair housing. The session concluded with adjournment orders and moments of silence in memory of Jim Parker and Kimberly Parker, with the Senate set to reconvene the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any<00:31:01.160> Any<00:31:01.360> other<00:31:01.600> members<00:31:01.960
• <00:31:25.200> Can<00:31:25.320> you<00:31:25.400> Can<00:31:25.560> you<
• <00:31:26.520> What<00:31:26.720> potential<00:31:27.200> effects<00:31:27.680><
• I<00:31:37.840> don't<00:31:38.280> Is<00:31:38.480> there<00:31:38.600> a
• Okay.<00:31:46.040> Yes,<00:31:46.240> thank<00:31:46.480> you. Okay.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:04 Roll Call 00:00:14 HB 682 Discussion 00:01:41 HB 682 Vote 00:03:10 HB 731 Discussion 00:04:33 HB 731 Vote 00:06:26 HB 607 Discussion 00:09:24 HB 607 Vote 00:32:15 Adjournment 00:34:12, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, subject to voter approval, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1040 constitutionally
• If your address is redacted, they can't get to your house.
• Madam Chair and members, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1048 is a ballot referral measure that contains
• Madam Chair and members, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1048 is a ballot referral measure that contains
• Madam Chair and members, subject to voter approval, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1027 constitutionally

Bills: SB1012, SB1099, SB1234, SB1392, SB1489, SB1535, SB1570, SB1609, SB1627, SB1634, SB1661, SB1709, SB1723, SB1725, SB1743, SB1829, SCR1027, SCR1040, SCR1048

Keywords: concealed carry, firearms, restaurants, liquor licensing, public safety, defamation, private figure, public concern, statute of limitations, internet defamation, juvenile court, legal representation, appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, child welfare, election canvass, canvassing board, governing body, election inspection, election access

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee heard and advanced several election, judiciary, child welfare, and criminal justice measures. SB 1489 would require paid petition circulators for initiatives and referenda to disclose their name, state of residence, and paid status verbally and on a badge, add registration requirements for certain local circulators, prohibit pay by signature for local measures, and apply strict compliance and funding-disclosure rules to local initiatives. The ACLU opposed it as compelled speech and a burden on political expression, while the Arizona Chamber supported it as transparency and parity with state-level rules. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 4-3 vote. SB 1609, an emergency measure concerning political party names, would require proposed party names to be distinguishable from existing parties and bar use of terms like “independent” or similar variations. The Arizona Independent Party opposed it as a retroactive change and “cartel protection,” while county election officials and the Arizona Association of Counties supported it as reducing voter confusion. The committee adopted an amendment and recommended the bill do pass on a 7-0 vote. SCR 1040, a voter-approved constitutional referral, would raise the mandatory retirement age for judges and justices of courts of record from 70 to 75; supporters argued it reflects longer life expectancy and preserves experienced judges, while opponents said voters previously rejected a similar proposal and that an age limit is preferable. It passed 5-2. The committee also considered SB 1234, which changes juvenile court representation rules by requiring a guardian ad litem in dependency and termination cases and allowing appointment of an attorney for the child depending on age and ability to express an opinion. Sponsor Senator Werner said the bill was part of a broader child-safety reform effort informed by cases such as Rebecca Baptiste, arguing that a guardian ad litem with attorney authority would better protect children’s best interests. Child welfare attorneys and advocates opposed the bill, saying children need a dedicated attorney-client relationship, confidentiality, and a voice separate from the court or DCS; DCS remained neutral. The committee adopted an amendment and recommended the bill do pass on a 5-2 vote. SB 1661 would allow a presumed father to be relieved of child support obligations if genetic testing shows he is not the biological father; supporters described cases where men remained liable despite exclusionary DNA results, and the bill passed 6-0. Later, the committee heard election administration and transparency bills. SB 1392 would give governing bodies canvassing elections access to locations where election materials are created, handled, processed, tabulated, or stored, so they can observe procedures and review records while protecting secrecy and security; county officials raised concerns about the term “agent,” and the bill passed 4-3. SB 1634 would require ADOT to provide county recorders with a copy of an applicant’s handwritten signature when facilitating voter registration; county officials said it would improve signature comparison, and the bill passed 5-2 after a vote correction. SB 1743 would redact an individual donor’s employer street number, employer name, or residence address from public campaign finance reports, with penalties for improper disclosure; supporters cited privacy and safety, while opponents argued employer information is important for transparency and identifying influence. It passed 5-2. SB 1099, a strike-everything amendment, set statutory criteria for defamation claims involving public or private figures and public or private concerns, including falsity, reckless disregard, and context; it passed 4-3. After a recess, the committee heard SB 1535, which increases penalties for buyers of sexual conduct, including making the conduct a class 6 felony and adding a $200 assessment to support anti-human trafficking services. The sponsor and supporters, including survivors, law enforcement, neighborhood advocates, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, said the bill targets demand that fuels trafficking and neighborhood disorder. Opponents from criminal justice and anti-violence groups said the bill should include a rebuttable presumption to better protect trafficking victims. The committee adopted an amendment and recommended the bill do pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• We now have Senate resolution.
• <00:09:10.560> of Resolved by the Senate and House of Resolved by the Senate and House of
• The ayes have it, and we have adopted the resolution. We now have a Senate resolution.
• The joint resolution authorizing the Green Mountain Boy State Education Program to use the State House
• The question is, shall the Senate adopt the joint House resolution in concurrence?

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, House Bill 1000... ...have moved to report House Bill 1000 with amendments.
• House Bill 896. Mr.
• Representative Beham, on your bill, House Concurrent Resolution 32, Mr. Odom. Mr.
• Chairman, members, House Concurrent Resolution 32 by Representative Beham urges and requests the Port
• Seeing none, House Bill 679, we're going to do. C and none. House Bill 679.

Bills: HCR32, HB493, HB679, HB745, HB896, HB1000, HB1024, HB1050, HB1159, HB1172, HB1173, HB1207, HB1208, HB1218

Keywords: Saint Claude Avenue Bridge, Port of New Orleans, backup motors, infrastructure, traffic management, expropriation, property rights, Amite River Basin, drainage, East Feliciana Parish, St. Helena Parish, government authority, traumatic brain injury, identification card, law enforcement training, medical verification, disability rights, special permits, transportation, tandem loads

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on April 21 and considered a series of transportation, licensing, tolling, and public safety measures. It reported favorably House Bill 745, extending special permits for tandem loads hauling containers to and from port facilities; House Bill 1000, a DOTD cleanup bill that clarifies Highway Priority Program reporting and raises the letter-bid contract threshold from $1 million to $3 million; and House Bill 1050, which clarifies commercial driver’s license rules, including age and intrastate/interstate driving limits. The committee also approved House Bill 1172 naming a portion of U.S. Highway 165 in Oberlin the Coulin Brooks Manuel Memorial Highway, House Bill 1218 naming a portion of Louisiana Highway 1090 the Lewis Pat Miramon Memorial Highway, House Concurrent Resolution 32 urging backup motors for the St. Claude Avenue Bridge, and House Bill 1207 on public contracting standards and competition in public bidding. A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 896, which responds to tolling issues at the Belle Chasse bridge project. The bill would require toll signage, local toll customer service centers, dispute procedures, and limits on administrative fees, with amendments addressing effective dates, in-person assistance, appeal deadlines, law-enforcement exemptions, and limits on certain charges. The author and witnesses described high administrative fees, long travel distances to customer service locations, and problems with toll bills, while committee members noted the issue was complex and ongoing. The committee reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee also heard House Bill 1159, allowing Jefferson Parish municipalities to use automated speed enforcement devices again under local control. Supporters from Gretna, Westwego, Harahan, and Kenner said photo enforcement reduced crashes, improved safety, and helped limited police resources, while opponents were not emphasized in the transcript. After discussion about whether the measure should be voluntarily or involuntarily deferred, the committee ultimately deferred the bill. House Bill 493, which would prohibit expropriation by the Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District in East Feliciana and St. Helena Parishes, drew extensive testimony about reservoir fears and local opposition; the committee voluntarily deferred it. House Bill 679, as substituted, created a driver’s license designation for people with brain injuries and required related law-enforcement training; witnesses described personal experiences with brain injury and the need for officers to recognize communication and behavioral effects, and the committee reported the substitute favorably. House Bill 1173, which waives late fees for certain reinstatement-relief payment plans for driver’s licenses, was also reported favorably, and House Bill 1024 creating a Louisiana Democratic Party prestige plate was approved as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1250. It is a substitute bill for House Bill 1099.
• The chair introduced Representative Owen's House Concurrent Resolution 61.
• The resolution was reported favorably. The committee moved on to House Bill 180.
• House Bill... House Bill 1082. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning.
• In House Bill 1082,...

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 28 by Assemblymember Ortega, relative to Women in Construction Week.
• House Resolution 2 by Assemblymember. Muratsuchi. The clerk will read.
• House Resolution 13 by Assemblymember Muratsuchi relative to Read Across America Day.
• The ayes have it, the resolution is adopted.
• The house stands adjourned until Thursday, March 6.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving to motions and resolutions, the absences for the day will be deemed red.
• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 7 by Assemblymember Bryan and others relative to Reverend Dr.
• ACR 7 is our annual resolution commemorating the life and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• I am proud to stand in support of this resolution on behalf of the Latino Caucus and will do my part
• I encourage you not just to vote for this resolution, I encourage you to live this resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair lays out as pending business House Bill 1119.
• House Bill 321.
• concurrent Resolution 29 be scheduled for consideration by the full committee.
• Concurrent Resolution 56 be scheduled for consideration by the full committee.
• House Bill 3269 is left pending.

Bills: HB46

Keywords: local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits

Transcript Highlights:

• :07.080> state<00:31:07.600> over<00:31:07.799> in<00:31:07.919> the<00:31
• leader<00:31:13.639> in<00:31:14.639> Diamond<00:31:15.120> turning<00:31:15.799
• 21.960> lead<00:31:22.279> the<00:31:22.440> globe<00:31:23.080> on<00:31
• > in<00:31:43.039> the<00:31:43.480> country<00:31:44.480> um<00:31:45.120><
• :31:49.880> round<00:31:50.200> table<00:31:50.559> last<00:31:50.799> week

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee received an orientation from University System of New Hampshire Chancellor Katherine Preventure and Senior Director of Government Relations Lauren Banker on the system’s enrollment, finances, workforce role, and academic programs. They described the system as consisting of UNH, Keene State, and Plymouth State, with about 23,000 students, $928 million in FY24 operating expenses, a $3.7 billion economic impact, and UNH’s R1 research status. They emphasized the system’s role in graduating students into the New Hampshire workforce, its statewide Cooperative Extension and regional campus presence, and its alignment of degree offerings with top occupations identified by New Hampshire Employment Security. The presentation also highlighted partnerships with businesses, internships, and collaboration with the community college system, including 100 transfer pathways and a direct-admit program. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on tuition, state support, and student costs. The chancellor said the state invested $95 million in FY25, with about $81 million used to reduce resident tuition and about $14 million for statutory programs such as Cooperative Extension and the Agricultural Experiment Station. She said the state subsidy is about $7,300 per New Hampshire student, and that resident net tuition averages about $7,000, while nonresident net tuition averages about $16,600. She provided published tuition figures for UNH, Plymouth State, and Keene State, and explained that resident tuition has been held flat for five years while financial aid has increased, reducing average net tuition and fees for New Hampshire students from about $10,500 in 2020 to $9,800. Members asked for clarification on how residency and workforce-retention percentages were calculated, and the chancellor said she would follow up. Members also asked about comparisons with peer institutions, housing and meal costs, research funding, and the reasons for declining enrollment and staffing reductions. The chancellor said peer comparisons were based on flagship universities for UNH and smaller regional publics for Plymouth and Keene, and noted that out-of-state tuition has risen about 2.5% annually. She said housing for a UNH double room is $8,536 and a meal plan is $5,100, and offered to provide a consolidated cost document. On research, she said the system’s direct research spending includes federal funding and that indirect costs were about $34 million last year, with a follow-up promised on the federal/state and direct/indirect split. She attributed enrollment declines largely to demographics and said the system is responding by reducing costs, selling buildings, exiting leases, moving the system office to NHTI, and implementing Workday. She also noted that Plymouth received approval for five three-year bachelor’s degree programs and that members praised the shorter, workforce-focused pathways, especially for manufacturing and other in-demand fields.

Transcript Highlights:

• up and adopted the Conference Committee report on House Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution
• Senate Joint Resolution 87 as amended, and has taken up and passed Conference Committee Substitute, House
• I move that the House adopt the Senate Substitute for House Bill 2636.
• I move the House adopt Senate Substitute for House Bill 2576.
• Substitute for House Bill 1768 and 2060, with Senate Amendment 1, for which the concurrence of the House

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:31:05.840> And<00:31:06.000> I<00:31:06.159> I<00:31:06.399> see
• > I'm<00:31:15.919> clear<00:31:16.159> on<00:31:16.320> the<00:31:16.559
• >> So<00:31:24.159> it's<00:31:24.320> hard<00:31:24.480> to<00:31:24.640>
• It could be<00:31:26.399> it<00:31:26.640> could<00:31:26.720> be<00:31:26.880><
• And the reason<00:31:28.000> why<00:31:28.159> I<00:31:28.399> say<00:31:28.480>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then approved an agency amendment to a health and family services regulation. The amendment reversed a prior change so that neonatal ICU beds would remain subject to regular review rather than nonsubstantive review. The remaining administrative regulations were then reviewed without objection. The main presentation was from State Auditor Allison Ball on a report finding $836 million in concurrent Medicaid capitation payments from 2019 through 2022, involving individuals enrolled in Kentucky and at least one other state. Ball said Kentucky relied on the PARIS system, which has limitations because it is updated quarterly and depends on voluntary state participation, while a better federal data source, T-MSIS, was not fully available to the state. She said the audit found weak internal controls, siloed processes, outdated guidance, and a low-priority attitude toward residency checks, all of which contributed to missed alerts and improper payments. She also said the report identified additional problems, including payments made after beneficiaries died and cases involving multiple states paying for the same person. Ball recommended better access to federal data, stronger MCO contract provisions, and more active oversight by the Department for Medicaid Services and managed care organizations. She said the contracts reviewed did not provide a clear way to recoup the improper payments, though she and her counsel suggested possible equitable legal theories might be explored. Members expressed concern about the scale of the waste and the lack of contract enforcement, and asked whether any money could be recovered. Ball said the audit did not identify a clear contractual path to recoup the funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving to motions and resolutions, the absences for the day will be deemed read and printed in the journal
• And AB 253, Ward, from the Local Government Committee to the Housing and Community Development Committee
• But especially on the local government and housing committees where he has always been a strong advocate
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 16 by Senator Alvarado-Gil. relative to thyroid health awareness moth.
• Lackey seconds that this house stands adjourned until Monday, March 3rd at 1 PM.

Keywords: 988, house, all