Video & Transcript Research : 'minimum age'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 4/27/26 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- They can have more than that, but that is the minimum of what they have.
- a year of training as an intern, a one-year residency at minimum.
- a year of training as an intern, a one-year residency at minimum.
- And this is something that's important for all ages.
- There's times when you for all ages.
Summary:
The House first took up House File 1794, which would remove the post-graduate collaborative practice requirement for advanced practice registered nurses. The author and several supporters argued the bill would reduce barriers to practice, improve access to primary care and mental health services, especially in rural areas, and align Minnesota with other states. Supporters cited backing from APRN organizations and said the Board of Nursing had no concerns, while opponents, led by Representative Liebling, argued the current one-year collaborative period is a patient-safety safeguard that gives new APRNs needed experience working with physicians before practicing independently. After debate and questions about how the current requirement works in practice, the House passed the bill 119-12.
The House then considered House File 4595, which changes licensure reciprocity rules for marriage and family therapists. Representative Schumacher said the bill would expand access to mental health care at no cost by making it easier for qualified out-of-state therapists to obtain Minnesota licenses, eliminating a five-year waiting period and other barriers while maintaining standards through background checks and a jurisprudence exam. Supporters, including Representatives Bierman and Gilman, emphasized workforce shortages and the value of more therapy access for families and relationships. The Board of Marriage and Family Therapy was noted as neutral, and the bill passed unanimously, 133-0.
Finally, the House began debate on House File 4493, which would authorize pharmacists to initiate, prescribe, administer, and dispense certain drugs for opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine/Suboxone. Representative Baker said the bill would save lives by allowing people to access treatment immediately through local pharmacies, especially in greater Minnesota, and help them through withdrawal when they are most likely to seek help. The transcript cuts off during the opening of discussion on this bill, before any vote or final action is shown.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appr/Sub-Education REVISED Jan 7th, 2026 at 10:00 am
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- At a five-year minimum, but this will give us a state option with our district attorneys to work also
- But I... we can do, just like during this day and age, and just like during the Mexican Revolution.
Keywords:
homeland security, border security, critical infrastructure, Department of Public Safety, intelligence operations, public-private partnerships, SB 2202, firearm trafficking, gun trafficking, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, Texas-Mexico border, United Mexican States, Mexico, DPS, second-degree felony, weapons transfer, illegal firearms transfer, arms smuggling, cross-border crime
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- And they did this across a number of identifications such as sex, political activism, and age.
- such as sex, political activism, age. such as sex, political activism, age.
- So I'm going to say that if that is the case for political ideology, sex, and age, then it would have
- For example, an individual over the age of 18, a U.S. citizen who can claim domicile in New Hampshire
- For example, an individual<00:27:32.080>
over <00:27:32.240>the <00:27:32.480>age
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EEP-HSH Joint Public Hearing - Tue Feb 10, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST
Energy & Environmental Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- We are told that LNG is needed because Oahu diesel and oil generators are aging.
- plant deficit issue and we had a aging plant deficit issue and we had a aging power<01:19:44.880
- That's what you're telling us is the minimum 10 years?
- That's what you're telling us is the minimum 10 years?
- <01:33:58.080>
10 telling us is on the the minimum 10 telling us is on the the minimum 10
Bills:
HB2284
Keywords:
energy assistance, low-income households, electricity costs, Hawaii home energy assistance program, energy efficiency, 910, house, all
Summary:
The hearing covered House Bill 2284, which would create the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program in the Department of Human Services to help qualifying households pay energy bills and direct the Public Utilities Commission’s public benefits fee administrator to provide information and assistance to recipients. Testimony from the Division of Consumer Advocacy, DHS, and the Public Utilities Commission was in support. A committee member asked about how the program would interact with existing TANF-related energy assistance and whether rules could be adjusted to avoid duplicative benefits; DHS said logistics would need to be worked out and that the agencies would make the rules. The committees noted the bill’s $1.5 million appropriation and moved it forward with amendments, including blanking out amounts and noting them in the committee report. Both committees voted to pass HB 2284 with amendments, with the recommendation adopted.
The committee then heard House Bill 2486, relating to plug-in or balcony solar. DCCA, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, and the Public Utilities Commission stood on prior testimony in support of the bill’s intent. Multiple advocates and organizations, including Carbon Cashback Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Bright Saver, Sierra Club of Hawaii, and others, testified in support, arguing that plug-in solar would lower electricity bills, expand access for renters and condo residents, and reduce emissions. Several speakers urged the committee to remove or avoid registration, reporting, feed-in tariff, interconnection fee, and other requirements they said would create barriers. Bright Saver testified that the systems are safe and would not back-feed during outages. No vote was taken on HB 2486 during the excerpt.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1568, which would prohibit the importation or storage of LNG in the state and the construction of related infrastructure. State agencies including the Consumer Advocate, Hawaii State Energy Office, Public Utilities Commission, and Hawaiian Electric opposed the bill, with the Energy Office arguing LNG would perpetuate oil use on Oahu and expose the state to price volatility. Supporters included Life of the Land, Sierra Club of Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Earthjustice, Our Hawaii, and others, who argued LNG would lock Hawaii into another fossil fuel dependency, create major infrastructure costs and safety risks, and undermine the state’s renewable energy goals. Several testifiers cited climate and affordability concerns and urged the committee to reject LNG. The excerpt ends during testimony on HB 1568, before any committee action or vote is shown.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman, on mandatory sentence, and we've taken out the 48 hours in hold, and we've taken out the minimum
- And then the only enhancement would be if a child under the age of 14 or when one of the offenders are
- Chairman, on mandatory sentence, and we've taken out the 48 hours in hold and we've taken out the minimum
- Chairman, on mandatory sentence, and we've taken out the 48 hours in hold, and we've taken out the minimum
- And then the only enhancement would be if a child under the age of 14 or when one of the offenders are
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Congressional Redistricting, Select Aug 1st, 2025
Congressional Redistricting, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- Everybody, let's keep any side remarks to a minimum.
- voting age population to 32% in that district.
- Then you look at voting age population, or sorry, then you look at the... Voting Age Population.
- Then you go to Citizen Voting Age Population.
- the Voting Age Population by Race and Ethnicity.
Bills:
HB4
Keywords:
district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, 997, house, all
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- hemp products that contain more than 0.4 mg of THC must be restricted for sale to persons 21 years of age
- or older. ...of age or older, define craft processors as a class of small businesses with different
- Uh, we heard from the bill sponsor from down in Senate Ag, CBD business owner from St.
- age of 12.
- age is more appropriate in that bill.
Summary:
The House took up Senate Bill 323, suspending the rules to consider it immediately. The bill was described as a broad agricultural measure with committee amendments and fiscal implications, and it was reported favorably by the Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry Committee, Ways and Means, and Appropriations. Members outlined sections dealing with milk market corrections, farm-to-school language, repeal of the obsolete pest control compact, pesticide applicator licensing changes, seed law updates, the Vermont Agricultural Credit Program, hemp regulation, and CAFO-related provisions. The Agriculture committee reported the bill out 7-0-1, and the effective date was described as July 1, 2026, except for the hemp provisions, which would take effect upon passage.
Much of the discussion focused on the hemp sections. Supporters said the bill updates Vermont law to reflect federal changes and shifts hemp oversight from the Agency of Agriculture to the Cannabis Control Board. The hemp provisions would create registration and licensing requirements for hemp producers, processors, and certain hemp products; set fees; authorize testing, inspections, stop-sale orders, and administrative penalties; and allow rulemaking on product standards, labeling, insurance, additives, and age restrictions. Speakers said the changes were intended to help Vermont’s hemp industry maintain access to banking, insurance, and interstate commerce while improving consumer safety and regulatory clarity.
Other agricultural provisions were also explained in detail. The bill would clarify milk producer hearing rights, update farm-to-school grant/contract language, remove outdated pest-control compact language, and adjust pesticide applicator exam and fee rules, including removing the limit on retakes and eliminating certain government applicator fees. It would also modernize seed labeling and definitions, transfer the Vermont Agricultural Credit Program into a new statutory structure under VEDA, and make conforming cross-reference changes in tax and cannabis fund statutes. The final sections would add a CAFO permit working group and require consultant training for state agencies on CAFO inspections, with those provisions contingent on future funding. Ways and Means noted the bill’s fee changes could affect state revenues, including an estimated hemp-related impact of roughly $10,000 to $90,000, though the exact effect was uncertain.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Gun Violence Prevention Working Group - 09/15/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Last Sunday I attended the funeral of Fletcher Merkel, age eight.
- Harper Myskie and Fletcher Merkel were killed, just ages 10 and 8.
- Those children were eight years old, the same age as my son at the time.
- Now, in 2025, I live just a mile and a half from Annunciation Church, where two children the same age
- a firearm at age 18.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- So I just urge you and the AG to think about those people because they have been forgotten.
- This winter, when energy costs escalated, we heard from several municipalities and councils on aging
- The basic service product is just whatever the RPS minimum is for six months.
- And I’d like it to be, to be honest, that their mission is to provide the electric at the minimum cost
- I did not know, however, that my water utility offered a discount to me, beginning at the age of 65.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several energy-related bills, with the main focus on H. 3534/S. 2255, which would ban or sharply restrict residential third-party electric suppliers, and on related reform proposals. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, municipal and regional planning officials, environmental justice groups, consumer advocates, and city officials from Boston and Chelsea. They argued that the residential competitive supply market has produced higher bills, deceptive sales tactics, auto-renewals into higher rates, and disproportionate harm to low-income residents, seniors, communities of color, and people with limited English. Witnesses cited AG reports estimating hundreds of millions of dollars in overcharges over time, described door-to-door and storefront marketing abuses, and said municipal aggregation programs have saved residents money while offering more stable rates. Several supporters said the Legislature should either ban residential competitive supply or adopt strong guardrails such as ending automatic renewals, banning incentive-based commissions, and capping rates relative to basic service.
Opponents or industry representatives from the Retail Energy Advancement League, Vistra, and Constellation argued that the market can provide savings, longer-term price stability, and value-added products such as renewable options and time-of-use offerings. They said Massachusetts has already improved consumer protections through DPU proceedings, that complaints are relatively few compared with the size of the market, and that a ban would eliminate consumer choice. They also defended direct sales and commissions as normal features of a retail market, while saying they would support additional protections, licensing, bonding, and stronger oversight of bad actors. Committee members pressed both sides on whether the market truly saves money, whether automatic renewals should be banned, and whether the AG’s proposed reforms would be enough.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 3972, a bill to extend utility shutoff protections during extreme heat, with Rep. Mindy Domb arguing that Massachusetts should treat extreme heat like extreme cold and protect customers facing financial hardship. Rep. Barrett also testified for H. 3450, a municipal broadband/right-of-way bill, arguing that communities need easier and cheaper access to utility poles and public rights of way to build municipal broadband. In addition, Senate Majority Leader Creem testified for S. 2239, which would bar utilities from recovering ratepayer funds for lobbying, promotions, trade association dues, and similar expenses. No votes were taken during the hearing.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Administrative Rules Committee Mar 12th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Under pesticides and fertilizers, it clarifies acceptable minimum micronutrient concentrations.
- language to Section 3, subsection 1, subdivision A, to clarify that the application window must be a minimum
- My name is Nancy Nicholas Meyer, and I'm the Director of Adult and Aging Services for the Department
- Section 75-03-09-02 is amended to extend the age limit of eligibility under the waiver through age 20
- And the reason for that is sometimes you have somebody under the age of 18 who has unclaimed property
Summary:
The committee first approved the December 3 minutes, then heard a request from the Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice to amend its proposed rule on exempt test methods to add certain closed-system DNA/RNA tests, including rhinovirus. After testimony explaining that the board had considered late comments from BioMérieux and wanted the rule record to reflect that review, the committee agreed to a limited amendment and passed the motion unanimously.
The Department of Agriculture then outlined broad rule updates affecting dairy, eggs, poultry, pesticides, animal health, environmental mitigation, and the Egg Product Utilization Commission. The commissioner said the changes mostly clarified existing requirements, updated references, and reduced some burdens, such as easing dairy hauler training/licensing timing and clarifying out-of-state grade A milk language. Members asked about dairy industry decline, the APUC scoring system, and the rationale for the milk-hauler and out-of-state milk provisions.
The State Board of Dental Examiners presented extensive rule changes tied to recent legislation and workforce issues, including a new professional health program for dentists, expanded duties for assistants and hygienists, broader local anesthetic authority for hygienists, and fee increases to fund the program and cover administrative costs. Testimony from Dr. Edward May strongly supported the professional health program based on his own recovery experience. The committee also heard from Game and Fish on rules easing some guide/outfitter experience requirements, allowing electronic exams, and modifying boating safety equipment rules, with no public comment and no fiscal impact.
Later, Health and Human Services received approval for an extension to update tattoo/body art rules and a separate motion to repeal an obsolete nurse aide training chapter. HHS also described nursing facility rule updates, lodging sanitation revisions, and related clarifications on licensing, safety, pest control, and fire requirements. The Department of Environmental Quality received an extension for septic-system installer rules, and also presented rules for above-ground storage tanks and water/wastewater operator certification, including new fees and third-party testing options. The Industrial Commission’s oil and gas division described multiple rule changes, some withdrawn after comments, including drilling unit flexibility, site stability, wildfire authority, and streamlined transport/reporting procedures. Finally, DPI began presenting several rule packages, including school construction loan limits, school bus standards, cooperative agreements, special education rules for public charter schools, and new math curriculum and intervention requirements.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And I believe that your leadership, as it was shown, came up at a young age, being elected president
- were talking about coming to Texas, you'd always say they asked you two questions: What's the average age
- INS tax rate would be, state the proposed rate, state the difference between the minimum and proposed
- The decision has been made by those officials who have been elected countywide and been there for ages
- , relating to deferment of property taxes for certain individuals and the reduction of the eligible age
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with remarks highlighting UTRGV’s growth, degree production, research expansion, medical school, and role in serving the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas. The chamber also recognized the doctor of the day and adopted additional resolutions, including one for Denton County Days at the Capitol and another recognizing Texas HBCU Day.
The Senate gave extensive recognition to outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp through Senate Resolution 368. Senators from both parties praised his long public career, leadership of the A&M System, support for regional universities, and bipartisan approach. The resolution was adopted after multiple members added their names. The chamber also heard from advocates with the Texas Streets Coalition, and received gubernatorial nominations for the State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.
On legislation, the Senate passed several major bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to address teacher vacancies, bilingual certification testing, paid leave options, classroom removals, and appeal rights, then passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment on parents’ right to direct a child’s education, advanced on a 22-9 vote. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, aimed at preventing foreign influence and intellectual property theft at public institutions of higher education, passed unanimously. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the business entities bill, also passed after debate over corporate governance and shareholder protections. Senate Bill 857, authorizing law enforcement to tow certain vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed despite some concern about towing abuses during disasters. The Senate also took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536 on dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, but the transcript ends as that bill is being laid out.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- One is safety for the minimum continuing education.
- Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has responded to that by setting a goal of 60% of Texans aged
- According to the Texas Education Agency, on any given day, we have roughly 17,000 school-age kids in
- Between the ages of 18 and 25, many are just trying to get on their feet and begin to plan for their
- Foster youth often enroll in college at a later age, and they often take longer to graduate.
Bills:
HB173, HB184, HB484, HB678, HB 1211, HB1507, HB1705, HB1868, HB2290, HB2851, HB2856, HB3041, HB3204, HB173, HB184
Keywords:
foreign donations, higher education, public institutions, national security, funding, prohibition, Texas law, healthcare, insurance, affordability, access, public health, foreign influence, education policy, student loan repayment, prosecuting attorneys, border prosecution unit, financial assistance, tobacco, cigarettes
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human Committee Meeting - 2025-04-03
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- That article relates to aging and disability services.
- Relating to aging and disability services policy provisions.
- Grants currently administered by the Minnesota Board on Aging.
- Avenues runs two shelters: one for youth ages 16 to 20, and one for youth ages 21 to 24.
- of 18, and now it’s up to the age of 24.
Keywords:
human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 04/08/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- >
through <00:15:41.600>64, Specifically, for ages 59 through 64, Specifically, for ages - >
reducing <00:17:34.720>the ages 59 through 64, reducing the ages 59 through 64, reducing - <01:19:30.640>
57, tier one educator, retired at age 57, tier one educator, retired at age - age.
- An unreduced annuity at age 62.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Most heritage tourists are my age. We spend a lot.
- Our performance measure is a minimum of two departments every three years. Thank you.
- To retire from our benefit, the member must attain the age of 55 with a minimum of 10 years of qualified
- They have children of college age. And so I think it has leveled off.
- Just 10 months after his diagnosis, at the age of 53, he passed away.
Bills:
SB 1
Keywords:
campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards
Summary:
The committee heard budget presentations from the Legislative Budget Board and agency officials on several agencies, starting with the Texas Historical Commission. LBB described a large biennial reduction driven mainly by the removal of one-time funding and discussed capital projects, rider changes, and exceptional items including Presidio La Bahia and the National Museum of the Pacific War. Senators asked about heritage trails, courthouse grants, unexpended balance authority, and the status of historical-site funding. Historical Commission leadership emphasized preservation, courthouse restoration, heritage tourism, coordination with the Alamo and other Texas Revolution sites, and requested additional IT, staffing, and vehicle funding. No votes were taken.
The committee then reviewed the Pension Review Board and the Employees Retirement System. The Pension Review Board’s budget was largely unchanged aside from IT maintenance and salary adjustments, with an exceptional item for additional IT enhancements. Members discussed the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System’s funding dispute and the need for a workable restoration plan. ERS presented a much larger budget, including funding for the retirement system, the group benefits plan, and the legacy payment intended to reduce unfunded liability. Senators focused heavily on pension investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health-care costs, especially pharmacy spending driven by GLP-1 drugs; ERS said the plan covers about 540,000 lives and that premiums would rise 8% while benefits remain unchanged. ERS also said it had no exceptional items, and committee members requested more detailed benchmark information.
The committee also heard from the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. TESSORS reported an unfunded liability, an infinite amortization period, and requested additional state support, staffing, and IT funding, including a statutory change to allow a higher contribution level; the agency warned that without more funding it may have to cut benefits. CEPRIT’s presentation covered its bond-funded cancer research and prevention portfolio, revenue-sharing from funded projects, and a request to increase salary limits for its CEO and chief scientific officer. Senators questioned CEPRIT’s accomplishments and return on investment, while CEPRIT cited screening, prevention, and research outcomes, including tens of thousands of detected cancers and precursors and hundreds of thousands of first-time screenings. The meeting ended after these presentations and questions, with no recorded committee action or vote.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Mon Jan 5, 2025 @ 1:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, they don't qualify for a minimum security facility with no fence at all.
- They need to be in a minimum medium security facility.
- overcrowded except in our minimum overcrowded except in our minimum security<00:12:15.680>
prison - facility with no for a minimum security facility with no fence<00:12:41.519>
at <00:12:41.760> - minimum medium security facility. minimum medium security facility.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Many Texans simply do not have a passport or birth certificate on hand. 1.3 million voting-age Texans
- Texas Ethics Commission to the AG. I'd like the change to the 48-hour deadline for reporting.
- The last, correct me if I'm wrong, Commissioner, because there's usually a minimum of six weeks.
- We may need to bring Christina up, but there's usually a minimum of six weeks.
- And the median age of our election workers is about about 76 years old.
Bills:
SB16, SB76, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB827, SB964, SB1209, SB1210, SB1386, SB1470, SB2035, SJR37, SB 16
Keywords:
voter registration, proof of citizenship, Election Code, criminal offenses, limited federal ballot, transportation, infrastructure, funding, public safety, state regulation, election, polling places, voter access, state oversight, electronic voting, voting, polling place, elections, countywide program, election integrity
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice Apr 23rd, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- We realize that the age of these cases and the records that currently exist, We realized that the age
- And I want to make it clear that the actual age is 22. The age has been elicited as 18.
- The age of the diagnosis is up to age 22. And we need to be careful to have the correct definition.
- It also clarifies that it does not apply to an individual who's 17 years of age or younger.
- He would be of adult age now. And I hope he was given the best chance possible.
Summary:
The committee first handled several housekeeping items, voluntarily deferring HB 123, HB 255, and HB 994 without objection. It then took up SCR 3 by Senator Brock Myers, which would delay and revise implementation of a state police rule affecting criminal history background checks for licensed ambulance personnel and certain health care workers. After adopting Amendment Set 434 to remove a provision involving parish and local law enforcement checks, the committee reported SCR 3 as amended favorably. The committee also heard HB 978 by Rep. Lecombe, which as amended raises the population threshold for municipalities required to remit certain special costs to the District Indigent Defender Fund from under 5,000 to under 9,000; with support from the town of Addis and related stakeholders, the bill was reported favorably as amended.
The committee then considered HB 967 by Rep. Moore, which sought to remove language limiting parole eligibility for certain pre-July 2, 1973 life-sentenced offenders to those who had pleaded guilty, thereby allowing a small group of elderly inmates convicted at trial to seek parole consideration. Supporters argued the bill would only create an opportunity for review, not release, and cited rehabilitation and fairness concerns; opponents, including district attorneys and corrections officials, argued the 2022 law already addressed the intended group and that the current bill would reopen cases involving serious violent crimes. After extended debate, the motion to report HB 967 favorably failed on an 8-3 vote.
Finally, the committee took up HB 1107 by Rep. Melerine, a bill on determining intellectual disability in capital cases. The bill, as amended, raised the burden of proof to clear and convincing evidence, set an IQ threshold framework, required expert reports and Daubert-type reliability review, and limited the article to post-conviction capital cases. The Attorney General’s office and district attorneys supported the bill as a way to create clearer procedures and speed resolution of Atkins claims, while criminal defense lawyers, disability advocates, clergy, and medical experts opposed it as inconsistent with current clinical standards and potentially unconstitutional, warning that rigid IQ cutoffs and presumptions could wrongly expose people with intellectual disabilities to execution. The transcript ends during closing remarks on HB 1107, with no final committee vote shown.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice Apr 23rd, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- We realize that the age of these cases and the records that currently exist, We realized that the age
- And I want to make it clear that the actual age is 22. The age has been elicited as 18.
- The age of the diagnosis is up to age 22. And we need to be careful to have the correct definition.
- It also clarifies that it does not apply to an individual who's 17 years of age or younger.
- He would be of adult age now. And I hope he was given the best chance possible.
Bills:
HB91, HB123, HB167, HB255, HB264, HB321, HB884, HB955, HB967, HB968, HB969, HB978, HB985, HB994, HB1005, HB1104, HB1107, HB1109, SCR3
Keywords:
criminal procedure, disclosure, criminal records, witness protection, trial rights, electronic monitoring, GPS ankle monitor, ankle bracelet, pretrial release, post-conviction supervision, bail monitoring, house arrest, corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement, prosecuting authority, court reporting, provider registration, LCLE, Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice
Summary:
The committee first handled housekeeping by voluntarily deferring HB 123, HB 255, and HB 994 without objection. It then took up SCR 3 by Sen. Myers, which sought to delay implementation of a State Police rule change affecting criminal history background checks for certain health care workers and authorized agents until October 1, 2026, to avoid hiring delays. An amendment was adopted to remove language authorizing parish and local law enforcement to perform checks during the interim. After testimony from health care stakeholders who supported the delay, SCR 3 as amended was reported favorably.
The committee next considered HB 978 by Rep. Lecombe, which as amended changed the bill from a town-of-Addis-specific exception to a broader adjustment in the population threshold for municipalities required to remit special costs to the district indigent defender fund, raising the threshold from under 5,000 to under 9,000 population. Supporters said the change would relieve small mayor’s courts and similar local courts of a $45-per-violation burden that was not well suited to those systems. The bill drew support from local officials and was reported favorably as amended.
HB 967 by Rep. Moore, which would have expanded parole eligibility for certain long-serving offenders convicted before July 2, 1973 by removing language limiting eligibility to those who had pleaded guilty, generated extensive debate. Supporters argued the bill would only allow elderly prisoners to be considered by the parole board and would not guarantee release, while opponents, including district attorneys and the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, argued the 2022 law already covered those who pled guilty and that the bill would extend relief to people convicted at trial of serious violent crimes. After discussion, the motion to report HB 967 favorably failed on an 8-3 vote.
The committee then heard HB 1107 by Rep. Melancon, a post-conviction procedure bill for capital cases involving claims of intellectual disability. The bill, as amended, raised the burden of proof to clear and convincing evidence, required expert reports and IQ information, applied Daubert-style reliability screening, and clarified that it only applies in death penalty cases. Supporters from the Attorney General’s office and district attorneys said the bill would create a clearer procedure and speed resolution of Atkins claims; opponents from disability-rights, criminal defense, and medical groups argued it would replace clinical standards with a rigid statutory definition, rely too heavily on a 75 IQ cutoff, and risk excluding people with genuine intellectual disabilities. Testimony continued through the end of the transcript, with no final committee vote shown on HB 1107.