Transcript Highlights:

• communities that look a lot like Franklinton and Sulphur and Oberlin, to name others, that really drive
• We can't afford it because the need is too great, and it's going to drive the decision-making and the
• And I realize that we've got some of the same cost drivers driving workers' comp as we had in auto, which
• applicable to 2026, to allow this dispute resolution process to get worked out and reduce litigation, drive
• It takes from businesses, and it drives up the cost of business for each and every one of us that operate

Summary: The Labor and Industrial Relations Committee first took up House Bill 680 by Rep. Weibel, which proposes a major overhaul of Louisiana’s workforce development system. The bill and a large amendment package were described as modernizing workforce planning, consolidating some state-level strategy and administration, and strengthening coordination with local workforce partners, employers, and regional stakeholders. A transition advisory team with an 18-month sunset was added to help implement the changes, and members repeatedly raised concerns about preserving local input for different regions, parishes, and cities. Rep. Weibel, the secretary of Louisiana Works, parish officials, and other supporters said the goal is to shift more resources from overhead to training and direct services while keeping local boards and parish involvement in place. Testimony from a Utah official and from local government and business representatives emphasized that similar consolidations can create efficiencies without eliminating local responsiveness. The committee adopted the amendments and then reported HB 680 with amendments. The committee then heard House Bill 780 by Rep. Furman on workers’ compensation. The bill seeks to streamline disputes over compensation and medical benefits, reduce litigation, and lower costs by restoring an expedited preliminary determination process and changing the standard for penalties and attorney fees to an arbitrary-and-capricious standard. Supporters, including lobbyists and defense attorneys, argued that the current process is outdated, overly technical, and too litigious, especially because adjusters now often work remotely and the statute still relies on fax and certified-mail procedures. They said the bill would speed up decisions, reduce unnecessary attorney-fee claims, and help employers and injured workers alike. Opponents, including attorneys for injured workers, argued the bill would make it harder for workers to recover penalties when benefits are delayed, shift the burden in favor of insurers, and fail to address understaffing and defense costs. Members debated whether the bill’s new standard should replace the current “reasonably controverted” language; an amendment to restore that language was offered but opposed by the author and other members and was not adopted. The committee adopted technical amendments and other committee amendments, heard additional testimony, and continued debating the bill’s substantive changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• In most sectors of our economy, we rely on competition to drive better outcomes, lower costs, and drive
• Lower costs and drive innovation.
• Guys, we were still using CDs and early hard drives back then.
• If we got, I'm going to say, 40,000 people on and 20,000 get off, will it subsequently drive the rate
• the rate up. ...and drive the rate up.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee met on March 25 and first took up HB 199, which would extend Louisiana’s nursing home moratorium. Chairman Miller amended the bill to shorten the extension from five years to four, moving the termination date to July 1, 2031. Rep. Barault argued the state faces a growing bed-capacity problem and proposed an amendment to exempt St. Tammany Parish; Rep. Cruz offered a substitute to reduce the extension to three years. The Nursing Home Association said it had negotiated in good faith and supported the four-year compromise, while the Pelican Institute opposed the moratorium as anti-competitive. A St. Tammany resident testified that her mother faced a long wait for placement and that more local beds are needed. The three-year substitute and the St. Tammany exemption both failed, and HB 199 was reported favorably with the four-year amendment. The committee then favorably reported HB 223 to recreate the Department of Children and Family Services for four more years, with Secretary Rebecca Harris saying the department’s recent reorganization has allowed it to focus more directly on child safety and child welfare. Members discussed planned reforms such as differentiated response, stronger community-based care, and the transfer of TANF to Louisiana Works in 2027. HB 907, which grants civil and criminal immunity for the use or distribution of expired naloxone or other opioid antagonists, also passed with technical amendments; public health officials and members emphasized that expired naloxone remains effective enough to save lives and should still be used in emergencies. HB 535, which streamlines hospital-based acknowledgements of paternity by allowing notarization without two witnesses, was reported favorably after Woman’s Hospital testified that the change would speed up paternity establishment, child support enforcement, and the addition of fathers to birth certificates. HB 554, which would increase penalties for violations at health care facilities and require LDH reporting, drew testimony from a family member describing serious care failures and from LDH, which said it already has caps on fines and that the bill would not change those caps. Rep. Jackson amended the bill to require LDH to publish fines assessed and collected and to list facilities with repeated immediate jeopardy or actual harm deficiencies, but the bill was then voluntarily deferred for a week to allow further discussion with the department. The committee also reported HB 224, a largely technical update to the Children’s Code recommended by the Louisiana State Law Institute, HB 246, which updates membership of the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board and related bodies, and HB 405, which updates the name of the national acupuncture certifying organization. HB 222, requiring Medicaid coverage for certain dental procedures when needed to clear patients for other medically necessary treatment, was reported favorably despite a fiscal note. Finally, HB 235 on sewer systems generated extensive discussion: Rep. Fontenot described rising sewer rates, poor maintenance, and sewage overflows in his district, and argued for allowing property owners to install private sewer treatment systems in certain circumstances. Members raised concerns about local control, PSC rate-setting, and whether local governments should have more authority over sewer service decisions; the bill was still under discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:09:09.240><c> because</c><00:09:09.520><c> of</c><00:09:09.600><c> her</c><00:09:09.680><c> drive
• ,</c><00:09:10.240><c> because</c> you know, because of her drive, because you know, because of her drive
• We're the ones that drive the information and have a lot of comparables.
• We're the ones that drive in that field.
• We're the ones that drive the<00:21:38.960><c> information</c><00:21:39.480><c> and</c><00:21:39.560>

Committee: Senate Banking & Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the years, I have had a couple of encounters with law enforcement due to a tendency to drive slightly
• Over the years, I have had a couple of encounters with law enforcement due to a tendency to drive slightly
• symbol on a driver's license, like an organ donor, because I think it, or an ID card if they're not driving
• She can't drive. And, you know, this bill will definitely help people, help law enforcement.
• Judges were still holding court, not knowing what was going on, and I recall driving home midday after

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills and reported several of them favorably, often after brief sponsor presentations, supportive public testimony, and unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Early measures included PCS for CSHB 1069 on background screenings for athletic coaches and qualified entities, CS/HB 365 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder, and CS/HB 269 plus its linked public-records bill CS/SB 298 on domestic violence and dating violence. The domestic violence package focused on using NG-911 technology for discreet help-seeking, expanding protections to dating violence victims, and preserving confidentiality for participants in related programs. The committee also approved HB 6507, a claims bill for injuries involving DCF negligence, after limited discussion. Members then considered PCS for CSHB 1159, which increases penalties and updates terminology for sexual offenses involving minors, child sexual abuse material, and related crimes. The bill was amended to replace “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material” and to address childlike sex dolls, and it passed unanimously. The committee also heard CS/HB 529 on community-based care lead agency and subcontractor liability insurance. That bill would remove a statutory liability-insurance requirement for certain child welfare providers amid an insurance market crisis; it drew extensive debate, with supporters saying it would prevent agencies from shutting down and opponents warning it would reduce accountability and leave children vulnerable. It passed 15-4 as amended. The committee next approved PCS for CSHB 277 on domestic violence and protective injunctions. The bill creates a Pinellas County pilot for electronic monitoring with victim notification, raises the victim relocation allowance, strengthens penalties for repeat injunction violations, and adds protections involving military orders and pets. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from survivors, and the bill passed 18-0 as amended. CS/HB 1009 on government publication of advertisements and public notices also passed, after an amendment requiring notices to remain publicly accessible; newspapers and press groups opposed it, arguing it would fragment access to notices, while the sponsor said it modernizes outdated posting rules. Finally, the committee heard PCS for CSHB 1471 on systems of law and terrorist organizations, which would create a state process for designating domestic terrorist organizations and bar public support for them; the bill drew sharp constitutional objections from civil liberties, press, labor, and advocacy groups over due process, free speech, and viewpoint discrimination concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're in North Kala, we don't want you to have to drive to South Ka cuz that's where the nearest
• </c> Kala, we don't want you to have to drive Kala, we don't want you to have to drive to<00:10:25.200
• Um, transportation is one of the largest household expenses, and electric driving offers substantial
• </c><00:16:10.320><c> electric</c><00:16:10.720><c> offer</c> and electric driving electric offer and
• electric driving electric offer substantial<00:16:11.680><c> savings.

Bills: SB2699

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The committee reconvened and first addressed SB 2699 on public transit/free transportation for young people. Members noted that the Committee on Transportation had already deferred the measure, and this committee said it would defer it as well before adjourning that brief reconvened session. The hearing then moved to SB 2373, which would establish a state goal to strengthen nature-based carbon emissions reduction solutions and authorize the Hawaii State Energy Office to develop methods to quantify carbon reductions from marine ecosystem restoration. The Energy Office said marine carbon sequestration was outside its expertise and asked to be removed from that portion of the bill, while DLNR and OPSD offered comments and said the work fit better with their areas, with DLNR saying it could take it on if properly resourced. Testimony included support from environmental groups, and committee discussion focused on which agency should lead and whether existing methodologies could be used. Next was SB 21001 on organic waste reduction and diversion. The Department of Health supported the intent but raised implementation concerns. Hawaii Farmers Union strongly supported the bill, arguing it would help build compost supply, improve soil health, and give counties time to develop infrastructure; they cited Vermont as a model and said the bill could extend landfill life and reduce methane. Members asked about the Vermont approach and the need for infrastructure before household-level diversion. The committee also heard SB 2905, which would increase the environmental response, energy, and food security tax and direct more revenue to the electric vehicle charging system subaccount. The Energy Office, PUC, and Tax Department offered comments; youth and clean transportation advocates strongly supported the bill as a way to expand charging access and meet EV adoption goals. A member questioned whether the proposed increase would outpace the state’s ability to deploy chargers, and PUC staff said the current annual appropriation is about $750,000 and that they could provide more data on an appropriate funding level. Additional measures were briefly taken up: SB 3231 on condominium maps and county zoning certification in A districts drew support from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau; SB 2486 on climate change drew comments from the Energy Office, Climate Commission, and OPSD, who said it duplicated existing climate planning and should include adaptation language; and SB 2376 on the renewable fuels production tax credit drew support from industry and agricultural groups, while the Energy Office and Tax Department raised concerns about the rollover provision and the scale of the credit. No final votes were recorded in the excerpt beyond the earlier deferral of SB 2699.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't necessarily drive behavior.
• So it does not just have to do with the fact that these litigations are driving up premium costs for
• So that is what’s driving up the costs. We have more litigation.
• And that is what may be driving up premiums for medical malpractice insurance. I think that’s fair.
• I ask you to reject this measure that will further drive a mass incarceration rate that is among the

Bills: HB99 , HB49 , HB164 , SB30 , SB43 , SB50 , SB136

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the issues with the death penalty is that it doesn't necessarily drive behavior.
• And my understanding is that this is being used in an effort to drive up settlement, because you cannot
• So that is what's driving up the costs. We have more litigation.
• And that is what may be driving up premiums for medical malpractice insurance. I think that's fair.
• I ask you to reject this measure that will further drive a mass incarceration rate that is among the

Bills: HB99 , HB49 , HB164 , SB30 , SB43 , SB50 , SB136

Committee: House House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 99, which would make changes to the Medical Malpractice Act, especially around punitive damages. The chair and sponsor said the bill would not be voted on that day and that public comment would wait until Monday, when a fuller presentation and any recommended substitute would be considered. Dr. Brooke Baker, a physician-lawyer, gave a long presentation on physician wellness, malpractice stress, and the effect of litigation on staffing and burnout, while also discussing hospital ownership structures, private equity, and rural hospital vulnerability. She argued that punitive damages are often pled too broadly in New Mexico, that the amendment language was unclear about which entities would be capped, and that better oversight and internal quality systems—not punitive damages—are the better tools for addressing bad actors and unsafe care. Committee members from both sides asked extensive questions about the patient compensation fund, indemnification, corporate structures, the effect of caps on insurance and recruitment, and whether the bill would protect physicians’ personal assets. No vote was taken on HB 99, and the committee recessed before moving to the next bill. The committee then returned to House Bill 49, a public safety measure increasing penalties for felons who possess firearms. The sponsors and law enforcement witnesses said the bill is aimed narrowly at serious violent felons who are already prohibited from having guns, and that it would align state sentencing with federal law and give police and prosecutors a stronger tool against repeat violent offenders. An amendment was offered to narrow the bill further, add destructive devices, and make the offense a second-degree felony rather than escalating to first degree on repeat offenses. The amendment was adopted without opposition. Public testimony on HB 49 was largely opposed. The Law Office of the Public Defender argued the bill criminalizes possession without a new act of violence, that current law already punishes felon-in-possession conduct, and that New Mexico has repeatedly increased penalties without evidence of reduced gun crime. The ACLU of New Mexico also opposed the bill, saying increased penalties are not a proven deterrent. The transcript cuts off as additional online opposition testimony was beginning.

Transcript Highlights:

• let's say, and the fertilized... ...accident, let's say, and the fertilized egg is in a surrogate driving
• So if, in your scenario, the sister is driving her pregnant sister to the hospital and is negligent in
• her driving and gets in an accident... ...and is negligent in her driving and gets in an accident that
• This bill could help a mother, 16 weeks pregnant, driving home, This bill helps.
• This bill could help a mother, 16 weeks pregnant, driving home from work who gets slammed by a drunk

Summary: The committee first heard HB 133, which would lower the minimum age to purchase a long gun from 21 to 18. The sponsor said the bill restores the rights of law-abiding 18-year-olds. Public testimony was sharply divided, with supporters from Gun Owners of America and Florida Carry arguing that adults 18 and older should have equal Second Amendment rights and that current law is inconsistent with other adult responsibilities, while opponents, including gun violence prevention advocates, students, parents, and Parkland-related speakers, said the bill would reverse a post-Parkland safety measure and increase risks of suicide, accidental shootings, and school violence. Several members debated the bill, with opponents emphasizing Parkland, the Florida State shooting, and public polling showing broad opposition; supporters stressed parental responsibility, mental health, and constitutional rights. HB 133 was then reported favorably on a roll call vote of 13 yeas, with several members voting no. The committee then took up CS/HB 289, which would revise Florida’s wrongful death law to allow parents to recover damages for the death of an unborn child. The sponsor said the bill is intended to let grieving parents seek civil remedies, and members questioned how it would apply in situations involving surrogacy, rape, ectopic pregnancy, medical care, and damages calculations. The sponsor said the bill would not allow suits against the mother, would not apply to lawful non-negligent medical care, and would be handled through ordinary wrongful death damage proof before a jury. Public testimony was again split: supporters from pro-life and faith groups said the bill recognizes unborn children and aligns Florida with many other states, while opponents from civil liberties, reproductive rights, and advocacy groups warned it could be used to target abortion providers, helpers, and even families or businesses in miscarriage-related cases, and could be weaponized by abusive partners. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 289, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about a five-hour drive getting up here, so I stayed in Grants last night, but glad to be up here
• It's an hour or more bus drive from their home just to get to that school.
• So, we are very focused on collecting the data that helps us drive instruction and drive those things
• We're going to take part in that, drive the industry, and apply these skills in real-world settings.
• So, we're taking it upon ourselves to drive more interest.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, we know that instead of driving down the national debt, Trump and Republicans have just increased
• In fact, we know that instead of driving down, These tax cuts are not made for.
• Well, I just wanted to really highlight a point you're driving to, which is that what past experience
• New work requirements and frequent eligibility renewals will also drive up administrative costs while
• New work requirements and frequent eligibility renewals will also drive up administrative costs while

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held its fifth hearing of the year to examine the newly enacted federal H.R. 1 and its effects on California. Members and the chair described the law as a major threat to state health, food, education, and climate programs, and emphasized that California would not be able to fully backfill the federal cuts. Several members also highlighted the bill’s tax provisions, including temporary deductions for tips, overtime, seniors, and auto loan interest, while warning that the largest benefits flow to higher-income taxpayers and that major cuts to Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and clean-energy incentives are delayed or phased in over time. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Finance presented detailed overviews of the bill’s likely impacts and implementation timelines. They identified the main affected areas as health care coverage and financing, food assistance, higher education, personal income taxes, and clean-energy/electric-vehicle credits. They explained that H.R. 1 limits provider taxes used to finance Medi-Cal, adds work and redetermination requirements, restricts CalFresh eligibility and increases state costs, changes student loan and Pell Grant rules, extends and modifies federal tax provisions, and phases out many clean-energy credits. Finance also noted major rescissions of Inflation Reduction Act funds, new border and immigration enforcement spending, and the possibility of PAYGO sequestration if Congress does not act to offset the deficit increase. During member questions, the committee focused on likely enrollment losses, administrative burdens, and fiscal exposure for the state and counties. Witnesses said many details still depend on federal guidance, but they estimated significant impacts on Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and graduate/professional student borrowing, and noted that California’s high CalFresh error rate could increase state costs. UC testified that the elimination of Graduate PLUS loans would affect thousands of professional students, especially in health, law, and other high-cost programs. Members asked for follow-up data on county, health, and tax impacts, and staff agreed to provide additional tables and estimates as implementation guidance becomes clearer. Public commenters from counties, early childhood advocates, health coalitions, disability rights groups, immigrant-rights organizations, and other stakeholders urged the Legislature to mitigate the law’s effects. They warned of higher county costs, reduced access to health care and food assistance, increased administrative burdens, and harm to children, immigrants, people with disabilities, and low-income families. Several urged new state revenue solutions and stronger protections for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, child care, and home- and community-based services. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with a commitment to continue monitoring federal guidance and to work on state responses in the budget process.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you've ever left out in this part of the area, like we were driving over here, we were saying My God
• in Taos, Cuesta, and Penasco to be able to access Health care or mental health care, they have to drive
• A lot of times they drive up to Taos to come to the trainings. I get people from the tribal areas.
• It's a beautiful drive.
• It's a beautiful drive.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• products to make workflows more efficient, reduce administrative burden, accelerate innovation, and drive
• And you can have a, quote, biased algorithm that actually drives equity.
• And you can actually take a biased algorithm and drive equity as well. Absolutely.
• But I think you can only do that when you're watching the outcomes to make sure you're driving equity
• And so, again, we have to think about how to drive them in that direction.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Assembly Health and Privacy Committees focused on generative AI in health care, with opening remarks emphasizing both its potential to improve care and its risks around privacy, bias, liability, workforce impacts, and unequal access. Chair Bauer-Kahan and Chair Bonta framed the discussion around how California can encourage beneficial innovation while protecting patients, especially given the sensitivity of health data and the possibility that AI could worsen existing disparities if not carefully governed. The first panel featured representatives from Cedars-Sinai, Kaiser Permanente, Penguin AI, and Google, who described current uses of AI such as ambient clinical scribes, nursing documentation tools, imaging triage, maternal-fetal risk prediction, and administrative automation. Speakers said these tools can reduce clinician burden, improve patient experience, speed treatment, and in some cases improve outcomes, including a reported mortality benefit from a Kaiser predictive model and faster thrombectomy times at Cedars-Sinai. Members raised concerns about accuracy with accents and multilingual visits, whether predictive tools could reinforce bias or lead to more interventions such as C-sections, and how to ensure a human remains in the loop for important decisions. The second panel, including representatives from the California Health Care Foundation, UC Berkeley, and Stanford, focused on policy and governance challenges. Testimony highlighted examples of AI supporting homelessness outreach and community health work, but also warned that biased algorithms can encode inequities, especially when trained on data that reflect under-treatment of Black, rural, or low-income patients. Witnesses urged clearer standards for trustworthy AI, stronger monitoring and governance structures, better data access for accountability, and attention to the safety net’s limited resources. Several speakers argued that states should require health systems to have AI governance processes, clarify liability between developers and deployers, and regulate downstream uses of AI while preserving access to data for lifesaving research and oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• We understand that there are lots of things that could be driving the upward revision in spending, for
• We need to look at additional factors that drive up the cost of health care so that we are not basing
• Just in terms of the value we'll be able to get from state supplemental rebates as we drive a lot of
• That was sort of driving up costs, and the cost of the asset test elimination—the original estimate was
• So that also helps drive up spending in Medi-Cal. Sort of spending in Medi-Cal.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:05:00.520><c> men</c> um and we're confident that the men um and we're confident that the men drive
• system is capable of accommodating drive system is capable of accommodating this<00:05:02.720><c> into
• I am the project manager for FAST Enterprises, maintaining the M Drive system for DPS.
• He said he was confused about what other things the digital ID would be used for, other than driving.
• Representative Green continued, saying that in order to drive, you have to have your physical license

Transcript Highlights:

• Unless you drive a school bus, you likely have no reason to know just how big this problem really is.
• It is vendor neutral and, most importantly, this bill will change driving behavior.
• 12:59.279><c> you</c><00:12:59.519><c> likely</c><00:12:59.920><c> have</c><00:13:00.079><c> no</c> drive
• a school bus you likely have no drive a school bus you likely have no reason<00:13:00.600><c> to</c>
• <00:16:28.519><c> behavior</c> driving behavior driving behavior we<00:16:30.639><c> have</c><00:16:30.759

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met with a quorum, approved the February 19 minutes, and opened with guest recognitions and a brief prayer for a colleague who had a medical episode. The committee then took up Senate Joint Resolution 66, which would create a task force to study Advanced Air Mobility and related policy issues in Kentucky. The sponsor and witnesses described AAM as emerging eVTOL “flying car” technology, argued Kentucky has strong aviation and logistics assets to compete for the industry, and said the task force would include legislative, KYTC, and industry representatives. Senators asked about the technology and potential uses, including rapid transport of medical specialists. The resolution was reported favorably after roll call, with several members expressing support and at least one member noting a desire for more information while still voting yes. The committee next considered Senate Bill 38, as amended by committee substitute, dealing with school bus stop-arm safety cameras. The sponsor cited survey data showing hundreds of illegal school-bus passings in Kentucky and argued the bill would help change driver behavior by allowing, but not requiring, school districts to use camera systems funded through violators rather than district budgets. Testimony emphasized that the measure is voluntary, vendor-neutral, provides an appeals process in district court, limits camera activation to when the stop arm is deployed, and keeps revenues within the school district and court system. Representative David Hale supported the bill, sharing a personal story about a near-miss involving a child crossing after a bus stop. The committee approved the committee substitute and then reported SB 38 favorably with the expression of opinion that it should pass with the committee substitute attached. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 63 on street-legal special purpose vehicles. The sponsor and Backroads of Appalachia representatives said the bill would define and regulate these vehicles, while expressly excluding farm and agricultural vehicles from its requirements. They explained the bill would require inspection, registration, and a motorcycle plate for qualifying vehicles, set limits on where and how far they can be driven, and allow local or state restrictions where applicable. Supporters framed the bill as an economic development measure for Eastern Kentucky and the broader state, citing tourism, trail-system spending, and examples from other states. A committee member asked for clarification about farm-to-farm use, and the witness confirmed the bill would not affect agricultural use. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 63, before any final committee action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do a lot of driving. And then finally, $476,000 to grow and strengthen the volunteer program.
• So, it's my understanding that the Guardians ad Litem drive their own personal vehicles to wherever they
• <00:10:06.120><c> um</c><00:10:06.480><c> a</c> driving um a driving um a lot<00:10:08.240><c> um</c>
• </c><00:10:57.000><c> their</c><00:10:57.120><c> own</c> net lightam they drive their own net lightam
• they drive their own personal<00:10:57.839><c> vehicles</c><00:10:58.279><c> to</c><00:10:59.079><c>

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• to industry that is on the cutting edge of innovation with artificial intelligence in our state, driving
• to industry that is on the cutting edge of innovation with artificial intelligence in our state, driving
• I've said it, It does. innovation with artificial intelligence in our state, driving investment in our

Committee: House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first and held public hearings on two Senate bills. Senate Bill 944, sponsored by Sen. Carla May, would update the statutory salary range for the City of St. Louis sheriff’s attorney, which she said has been unchanged since 1990 and no longer reflects inflation, modern legal complexity, or comparable compensation in other jurisdictions. There was brief supportive comment from Rep. Fuchs, and no witnesses appeared in opposition or for information. The hearing on SB 944 then concluded without further action. The committee next heard Senate Bill 1012, sponsored by Sen. Nicola, which would clarify that existing law applies to artificial intelligence and that humans remain responsible for AI use. The bill also addressed AI in licensed professions, companion chatbots, and political ads using generative AI. Rep. Fuchs raised a question about liability for sharing an AI-generated image, and the sponsor said the bill excludes end users from liability and is intended to create basic guardrails while preserving innovation. Testimony in opposition came from Americans for Prosperity and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Both argued the bill was overly broad and contained drafting problems, including unused definitions, cross-reference errors, and unclear metadata and liability provisions. The Chamber also said the bill would create regulatory uncertainty for industry and should be perfected before advancing. After public testimony, the committee moved into executive session on SB 1012 and voted the bill do pass, but the vote was 0 ayes and 11 noes after a member changed to the prevailing side, so the bill failed. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Their dedication drives them to heights of 40, 60, and sometimes as much as 120 feet.
• Their dedication drives them to heights of 40, 60, and sometimes as much as 120 feet in the face of challenging
• Monday, tomorrow, most likely somewhere around 2:00 or 3:00, something like that, to give folks time to drive

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum of 98 members present, and granted leave for Representative Jack Ladyman. The chamber approved dispensing with the previous day’s journal and received committee reports from Joint Budget on several appropriations bills, along with an executive communication from Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders noting approval of House Bill 1001 as Act 2. The Speaker also recognized several guests, including law enforcement personnel, physicians, a nurse, STEM students, line workers, and Council of State Governments visitors. The main business was the budget calendar. The House adopted amendments to House Bills 1018, 1023, 1036, 1041, 1055, 1068, and 1077, covering items such as title changes for East Arkansas College, DHS resource reallocations, Nursing Board positions, Capitol Police positions for the Winthrop Rockefeller building, transfer of the early childhood nutrition program to the Department of Agriculture, DFA position changes and the Rural Health Transformation Program, and DHS county office staffing reductions. The chamber then sent the amendments to engrossing. Members passed House Bill 1060, the State Library appropriation, by 77 yeas, 15 nays, and 3 present; Senate Bill 5, the Tobacco Settlement Commission appropriation, by 90 yeas, 5 nays, and 3 present; Senate Bill 13, the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission appropriation, by 98 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 present; Senate Bill 39, the Arkansas State University appropriation, by 97 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 present; and Senate Bill 56, the Auditor of State continuing education appropriation for local offices, by 81 yeas, 14 nays, and 3 present. The Speaker announced the House was ahead of schedule and moved next week’s floor schedule from Tuesday-Thursday to Monday-Wednesday, with a likely Monday start time around 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. The House then adjourned until 1:00 p.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• costs to adequately educate a child, hasn't been refined since the 2016-17 school year, which is data driving
• will say that we do appreciate the examination of English language learners and seeing how we can drive
• 16-17 SCHOOL YEAR WHICH IS We feel that community schools are really appropriate and a great way to drive

Summary: The Education Budget Conference Joint Committee met on March 18 to begin negotiations on the state education budget. Co-chairs Senator Shelley Mayer and Assembly Member Benedetto outlined their chambers’ priorities, with the Senate emphasizing Foundation Aid changes to better support students experiencing homelessness or foster care, English language learners, a minimum 2% increase for all districts, expanded universal pre-K, and continued support for special education programs and nonpublic schools. The Assembly highlighted its one-house proposal, including a $1.4 billion increase in Foundation Aid, a higher ELL and pupil needs weighting, a new weight for students in foster care or housing instability, removal of the pupil needs cap, $600 million for New York City class size reduction, additional community schools funding, and restorations or increases for libraries, teacher resource centers, 4201 schools, My Brother’s Keeper, and educational television and radio. Members from both chambers offered opening remarks stressing education as a top budget priority and expressing confidence that a compromise could be reached. Senator Tedisco focused on school safety and bullying, arguing that parents should be notified when their children are bullied and citing the need to protect students’ ability to learn. Assembly Member Vanel emphasized education as a tool for economic mobility and called for stronger financial literacy instruction. Assembly Member Carroll supported funding for libraries and evidence-based reading programs, while Assembly Member Smith said the Foundation Aid formula remains outdated and urged more support for English language learners, special education, and community schools. Assembly Member Chludzinski stressed local control, criticized the electric school bus mandate, and called for greater support for libraries and fiscal restraint. No votes were taken. The meeting was an opening conference session, with both sides stating their intent to continue negotiations and work toward an on-time budget that reflects shared priorities for students, schools, and libraries across New York State.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nobody's going to want to drive from Idaho Falls to do that.
• And no one's going to drive from Twin Falls... ...and they can't find anyone.
• And no one's going to drive from Twin Falls to Richfield or Carey or Dietrich for a city job.

Committee: House State Affairs