Transcript Highlights:

• There's 20 bills. They're all important. And we have to be on the House floor at 1 o'clock today.
• House Bill 519 by Representative Mike Johnson provides relative to the appointment of a special master
• House Bill 324 by Representative Villio provides relative to judicial salaries. Ms. Villiers.
• That is exactly what House Bill 39 does.
• Okay, House Bill 533 by Representative Barrault requires the governing authority of St.

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee took up several bills, beginning with HB 519, which would require special masters appointed in complex consolidated litigation to comply with judicial conduct and federal appointment/disqualification standards, subject to Louisiana law. After a technical amendment clarifying that the provision applies to cases designated under Supreme Court rules, the bill was moved favorably without objection. HB 29, creating the Ascension Parish Retired Employee Insurance Fund, was then heard and also advanced favorably without objection. The committee next considered HB 324 on judicial salaries. The bill would make the 2024 and 2025 judicial supplement stipend permanent and add future cost-of-living adjustments, subject to available funding and approval by the Louisiana Supreme Court and Judicial Budgetary Control Board. Members asked about funding sources and whether the stipend could be made permanent without a constitutional amendment; after discussion, the bill was moved favorably without objection. The longest discussion centered on HB 211, the Homelessness Court Program, later named the Streets to Success Act. Amendments were adopted to limit the bill to licensed group homes and to remove enforcement language that would have created civil actions against local governments for failing to remove encampments, while setting staggered effective dates. Supporters, including the bill author and governor’s office representatives, said the measure would create a coordinated court-and-services response for people experiencing homelessness, especially those with substance use or mental health issues, and would allow designated camping areas and diversion into treatment. Opponents, including housing advocates, legal aid groups, and people with lived experience, argued the bill would criminalize homelessness, increase jail and court involvement, and fail to address root causes such as unaffordable housing, lack of shelter capacity, and inadequate wraparound services. The bill drew extensive testimony but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, the income tax bill passed out of the House or Senate yesterday and now heads to the House
• And we have a JR bill, a juvenile release bill, House Bill 2389, And we have a JR bill, a juvenile release
• bill, House Bill 2389, that we have 60 amendments on the bar today that would just basically take and
• We also have the bottle bill still in the House, House Bill 1607, which would increase the affordability
• And I would just add that, of course, our goal over here in the House is that bill dies in the House

Summary: At this Republican media availability, Senate and House GOP leaders focused on affordability, taxes, and government accountability as the session approached cutoff. Senate Republican Leader John Braun criticized the Senate’s income tax bill and a range of other tax proposals, arguing they would raise costs for food, health care, prescription drugs, data centers, startups, grocery bags, and employers of Apple Health/Medicaid users. House Republican leaders Peter Abbarno and April Connors echoed those concerns, saying the latest revenue forecast did not justify new taxes and that Democrats were relying on tax increases rather than relief for families and small businesses. A major topic was the income tax bill that had passed the Senate and was headed to the House. Republicans said they opposed it on constitutional and policy grounds, argued it would eventually expand beyond high earners, and said the bill should be amended to remove the necessity clause so it could be referred to voters. They also said any meaningful tax reform should include broader relief such as property or sales tax reductions, not just narrow carveouts. Braun also said he hoped Governor Inslee would reconsider support for the measure, while House Republicans said they would try to stop it from advancing. The lawmakers also discussed child welfare and public safety bills, especially efforts to force votes on legislation related to DCYF and child deaths. They criticized House Democrats for not hearing or advancing several Republican-backed bills and said process objections were being used to avoid accountability. Braun noted that a bipartisan bill to add fentanyl to the endangerment statute, HB 5071, remained alive in the House. Other bills mentioned as priorities to oppose included an environmental crimes bill, a juvenile release bill, a real estate excise tax measure, and a bottle bill, all of which Republicans said would increase costs or expand state authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've worked this bill. We've drafted this bill to be very specific, very tailored.
• , very, very narrow bill.
• This bill builds on the proven success of SB 330 in 2019 by ensuring that once a housing project begins
• I know it was part of the fast-track housing package bills that we did last year, and it ended up dying
• This bill builds on that momentum to help address our state's housing crisis, of which many of you know

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 1028, House Bill 1143, House Bill 1283, House Bill 1226, House Bill 1343, House Bill 1342, House
• House Bill 1028, House Bill 1143, House Bill<00:28:51.880><c> 1283,</c> Bill 1283, Bill 1283, House<
• 1344,</c><00:29:01.840><c> and</c> House Bill 1342, House Bill 1344, and House Bill 1342, House Bill
• </c> House Bill 1052. House Bill 1052.
• </c> House Bills. House Bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Working with housing bills.
• So this bill is overdue.
• If they pay their own electric bill, it would lower their bill.
• Yeah, so I like the bill.
• The vote is 5-2; the bill is out. The vote is 5-2, and the bill is out.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Summary: The committee heard a series of housing, local government, and governance bills, with most of the discussion focused on housing production, permitting, and local accountability. SB 1003, by Senator Grayson, would create an Infrastructure Partnership Financing Program to help local jurisdictions and developers jointly fund infill housing infrastructure; it drew support from housing advocates and senior housing groups, while Senator Seyarto questioned whether the state would actually fund another program. The bill was moved on a 3-1 vote and remained on call. SB 1014 would require local jurisdictions to provide good-faith estimates of on-site and off-site improvements within 30 business days of a preliminary application and limit later surprise requirements; Habitat for Humanity, SPUR, and other housing groups supported it, while the City of San Mateo and local government associations raised concerns about accuracy and timing. It passed 4-2 and remained on call. SB 1036, which would require credit under the Mitigation Fee Act for prior site uses when redeveloping a site, passed unanimously to the Senate floor. SB 1145 would streamline CEQA and federal reuse review for qualifying projects at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station; it drew broad labor and local support, but housing and legal advocates sought stronger affordability and enforceability provisions. The bill passed 6-0 to the Committee on Environmental Quality. The committee also considered SB 908, which would streamline permits for energy-code-compliant residential window replacements and limit local design restrictions and HOA barriers. Supporters said the bill would let homeowners and affordable housing providers reduce energy costs, while opponents argued it could override local design standards; it passed 3-1 and remained on call. SB 1172, the Local Tax Savings Act, would add guardrails and transparency to local tax-sharing and consultant agreements; it was supported by the City of Shafter and the League of California Cities and passed 4-0 to Revenue and Taxation, remaining on call. SB 1283 would expand ministerial approval for EV charging stations to include canopies and on-site energy storage systems and require local ordinance updates by 2027; EV industry groups supported it, while cities and counties warned about safety, liability, and local review. Members discussed battery storage safety and litigation concerns, and the bill passed 4-0 to Judiciary, remaining on call. The committee also heard SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner offices and create an independent medical examiner in response to in-custody death concerns. Supporters cited high death rates, settlements, and the need for independent investigations, while the sheriff’s association and county representatives argued the change would be costly, duplicate services, and override local control. The bill passed 4-1 to Public Safety and remained on call. Finally, SB 1414 would create an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County; supporters said it would improve transparency and remove conflicts of interest, while the county opposed the estimated $2 million cost and noted its existing advisory commission. Members generally supported independent redistricting, and the bill was discussed but no final vote was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, House Bill 5301 is the health care conforming bill.
• House bill.
• Members, House Bill 5301 is the health care conforming bill.
• Members, House Bill 5601 conformed statute. explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Members, House Bill 5701 is a good government bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate passed a bill that does just that. It is ready for House floor action.
• Put the Senate bill on the this house.
• Mike Johnson has said no to a bipartisan bill so House Republicans could say yes to chaos at airports
• Now, after the House has passed a bipartisan DHS funding bill, along with concession from the White House
• There is a bill that can pass the House. There is a bill that can become law.

Bills: HB7147 , HR1142

Keywords: appropriations, fiscal year, budget, consolidated spending, government funding, consolidated funding, government spending

Transcript Highlights:

• hearing on the next one, on House Bill 5156.
• This bill was before you last year as well. It's part of our affordability of housing efforts.
• And last week, the House passed another bill that meshes perfectly with elevator reform.
• All right, seeing none, that brings us to the conclusion of House Bill 5150.
• Seeing none, that brings us to the conclusion of House Bill 5150. Did you have a question?

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair has been informed that House Bill 2644 has been released by the Committee on Bills in Third
• The Chair has been informed that House Bill 4138 has been released by the Committee on Bills in Third
• The Chair has been informed that House Bill 5346 has been released by the Committee on Bills in Third
• The Chair has been informed that House Bill 5418 has been released by the Committee on Bills in Third
• The Chair has been informed that House Bill 5448 has been released by the Committee on Bills in Third

Summary: The House began with routine business, including suspension of Joint Rule 12 to send a petition concerning Crystal Swinner’s retirement classification to the Committee on Public Service. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling then placed two bills on the calendar: a bill dissolving the Holmes Park Water District and a bill naming a bridge in Gardner for Representative Robert L. Rice, Jr.; both were advanced to third reading and then ordered to a third reading. The House then passed several bills to be engrossed, including measures on fire protection, print-free digital legal notices for Wellesley, converting a seasonal off-premises alcohol license to an annual one in Westfield, a means-tested senior property tax exemption in Wakefield, modernization of financial departments in Holyoke, and an additional on-premises alcohol license in Weston. The chamber also took up House Bill 4767 on workplace violence prevention for health care employers, but after the Senate returned it with a substitute amendment, the House rejected concurrence and appointed a conference committee. The House similarly dealt with Senate Bill 2916 on campaign finance reporting for statewide ballot questions and House Bill 4706 on home care, rejecting the Senate amendments in both cases and agreeing to conference committees. Conferees were named for each bill. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn until Monday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned to meet in informal session at that time.

Transcript Highlights:

• on House Bill 2386.
• House Bill 2386 removes this.
• We're going to go ahead and suspend House Bill 2386 and call up House Bill 2585 because we have another
• Thank you, and that will close House Bill 2590, and we will open House Bill 2453.
• I am in support of House Bill 2453.

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. House Bill 2445, requested by the Attorney General, would curb “probate for profit” schemes by extending the waiting period before a “suitable person” can be appointed, limiting non-intervention powers and repeat appointments, tightening venue rules, and restricting self-dealing by estate administrators. The sponsor and Attorney General’s Office described cases in which strangers used probate loopholes to control estates, sell property, and profit from heirs; the Northwest Justice Project and other witnesses strongly supported the bill. Members raised questions about whether the bill would complicate probate for laypeople and about the timeline changes, and the sponsor said she was open to amendments. No vote was taken. The committee also heard House Bill 2386, which would replace a statutory garnishment answer form with a form developed by the Washington Pattern Forms Committee or a substantially similar form. The sponsor and a district court judge said the current form causes calculation errors, especially for fluctuating wages, and that the change would make garnishments more accurate and transparent. A collectors’ association supported updating the form but asked for a longer implementation period and flexibility for employers to use their own forms; the judge said a rollout period would not be a problem. The bill was heard but not voted on. House Bill 2585 would create a Washington State False Claims Act modeled on the federal act, allowing the Attorney General and private relators to pursue fraud against state programs, with treble damages, civil penalties, and whistleblower protections. Supporters said it would recover stolen public dollars and deter fraud in areas such as wages, housing, education, and environmental programs. Contractors warned that the bill could sweep in good-faith construction change orders, and a wireless industry group asked for a tax exemption; the Attorney General’s Office said it supported the concept but would provide technical and substantive feedback. The bill was heard without action. Finally, House Bill 2590 would exempt limited equity cooperatives from the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act unless they elect coverage, while keeping the tax exemption framework for those cooperatives. The sponsor and housing advocates said WUCIOA imposes requirements that do not fit cooperative ownership and can hinder permanently affordable housing, while lenders already impose appropriate reserve and governance standards. Witnesses from cooperative development organizations and community land trusts supported the bill, and committee members asked about resale limits, reserve obligations, and who benefits from appreciation. The hearing concluded without a vote. The committee also heard House Bill 2453, which would allow board-certified psychiatric pharmacists to participate in certain involuntary treatment proceedings and provide concurring medical opinions for involuntary medication under less restrictive alternative orders. Supporters said it would improve workforce capacity and continuity of care; opponents argued it could weaken civil-liberty protections and that pharmacists lack authority for diagnosis and treatment. The hearing ended with no final action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Turning to the bill, House Bill 2640 creates procedures for addressing unauthorized filings of financing
• bills, beginning with House Bill 2161.
• House Bill 2304.
• House Bill 2590.
• The adopted amendment is incorporated in a substitute House Bill 2590, and substitute House Bill 2590

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2640, which would create procedures for dealing with unauthorized UCC financing statement filings. The bill would allow the Department of Licensing to refuse certain filings believed to be intended to harass or defraud, create an affidavit-based process for debtors to seek termination of wrongfully filed records, permit administrative review and court challenges by secured parties, and establish criminal penalties for intentional unauthorized filings. Department of Licensing testimony supported the bill as a narrow remedy for harmful filings that can affect credit, housing, banking, and reputation, while members questioned whether the department should be making legitimacy determinations and whether existing court remedies were sufficient. No vote was taken on HB 2640 during the hearing. The committee then moved to executive action on several bills. Substitute House Bill 2161, authorizing the Attorney General to issue civil investigative demands in certain civil rights and labor-related investigations, was reported out on a 7-5 vote after debate over due process concerns and the need for stronger enforcement tools. House Bill 2304, extending condominium warranty coverage to four-story buildings, passed unanimously. House Bill 2445, revising probate law and related protections, passed 10-2, with some members supporting the anti-fraud reforms and others worried about added complexity. House Bill 2590, exempting limited equity cooperatives from the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act, was amended with a technical change to the definition of limited equity cooperative and then reported out 8-4. Members described the bill as expanding affordable homeownership opportunities, though some raised broader policy concerns about the model. Finally, House Bill 2412, increasing the number of Superior Court judges in Yakima County from 8 to 9, passed unanimously after members cited access-to-justice needs and support from local funding and space resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill before you is Substitute House Bill 2594...
• House Bill 1796 is exactly that.
• “And that will end the testimony on House Bill 2317, and we will open up the testimony on House Bill
• And that will end the testimony on House Bill 2317, and we will open up the testimony on House Bill 2594
• We now have Substitute House Bill 2360. We now have Substitute House Bill 2360 before us.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several House education bills. HB 1796 would allow school districts, under existing debt limits and with voter-approved capital levies, to issue non-voted bonds for certain new construction projects. The sponsor and school district witnesses said it would let districts front-fund projects, speed construction, and reduce inflation-related costs; a member of the public opposed it as bypassing voters. HB 2317 would exempt school-day ECEAP and Head Start programs located in public school or community/technical college buildings from child care licensing. The sponsor and providers said the current licensing process is duplicative, delays services, and creates barriers to expanding early learning; no opposition was heard. The committee also heard HB 2594, which would codify McKinney-Vento homeless student protections in state law, require OSPI planning and reporting, and reinforce district responsibilities for students experiencing homelessness. The sponsor gave personal testimony about experiencing homelessness as a student, and advocates said the bill would improve coordination and accountability at no added cost. For HB 2557, which requires school districts to give parents a copy of special education evaluation reports by the 35th school day and hold the eligibility meeting at least five school days later, the sponsor said it would give families time to review reports; school psychologists and OSPI supported the substitute version, while some advocates asked for shorter timelines and clearer waiver language. After the hearings, the committee moved to executive session and advanced two bills: Substitute HB 2360, allowing schools to maintain and use stock albuterol under specified conditions, and Engrossed Substitute HB 2534, updating requirements for military families’ enrollment, records transfer, and related services. Both bills received due pass recommendations and were sent to Rules, with no recorded opposition in the executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm open to continuing to work on this bill in the next house.
• Senate Bill 492 by Senator Menjivar, an act relating to the Youth Housing Bond Act of 2026, by providing
• Senate Bill 417 by Senator Cabaldon relates to housing by providing the funds necessary, therefore, through
• Senate Bill 417 by Senator Cabaldon relates to housing by providing the funds necessary, therefore, through
• Senate Bill 417 by Senator Cobaldon and act relating to housing by providing the funds necessary, therefore

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will allow the housing market to better respond to rising demand.
• This bill will allow the housing market to better respond to rising demand.
• This bill will allow the housing market to better respond to rising demand.
• So this bill does not require housing to be built.
• </c><00:25:20.039><c> to</c><00:25:20.200><c> be</c> this bill does not require housing to be this bill

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 111. I'll recognize Representative Eel for a motion on House Bill 111.
• into House Bill 2.
• </c><00:29:43.679><c> Bill</c> and a second to retain House Bill and a second to retain House Bill 216
• Bill 2 for further discussion on House Bill 282.
• </c><00:58:12.160><c> Bill</c> Dy further discussion on House Bill Dy further discussion on House Bill

Summary: The House Finance Committee first took up a nongermane amendment to House Bill 71 that would require state vendors, through contract language, to comply with the New Hampshire Patient Bill of Rights. Representative Edwards said the amendment was revised after feedback from the hospital association and DHHS, applies only to new contracts or amendments, and includes a repeal date of November 30, 2026 so it would function only for the current budget cycle. John Williams of Legislative Affairs said the changes reflected work with DHHS procurement staff and with hospital stakeholders, including the removal of the term "addenda" in favor of "amendment" and clarification on prospective application. The committee did not vote on the amendment at that time, noting it would be attached later to HB 71. The committee then moved into executive session and acted on several bills. HB 67, which converts a pilot program for accessible voting machines in local elections into a permanent program, was amended to remove a $100,000 appropriation and adjust dates; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed unanimously, 25-0, and the bill was suggested for the consent calendar. HB 111, extending the Right-to-Know Ombudsman position, was retained and slated to be incorporated into HB 2 after a unanimous 25-0 vote, with the ombudsman noting the office could expire July 1 if the budget were delayed. HB 164, creating a process for a publicly accessible website for local records retention and access, was also retained for HB 2 by a 25-0 vote because it carries an appropriation. HB 216 was retained for further work because the committee could not get reliable cost information from the retirement system or the Labor Department; members said the fiscal note looked alarming, though the committee believed the actual cost might be near zero. HB 282, which raises the biennium cap on critical injury benefits for first responders from $500,000 to $1 million without increasing any individual benefit, was voted ought to pass 25-0 and will require a report. HB 619, dealing with solid waste issues and a possible self-funding accounting unit, was retained for HB 2 by a 25-0 vote. HB 650, an annual dedicated-funds cleanup bill that also caps a robotics fund at $1 million, passed ought to pass 25-0 and was placed on consent. Finally, HB 129, defining "evidence-based" in public education, was retained 25-0 while members continued working on language, and HB 133, concerning new resident driver’s license transfer requirements and DMV notices, drew a split policy discussion: the minority raised constitutional, administrative, and fiscal concerns, while the majority moved to retain it for HB 2 consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to present to you House Bill 267. I'm here to present to you House Bill 267.
• I would make the motion to move House Bill 1195 favorably. Without objection, House Bill 1195.
• House Bill 917. Yeah. On House Bill 917, whenever you're ready. Yes, ma'am.
• Without objection, House Bill 917 will be reported favorably. You've got House Bill 1230, sir.
• So it's House Bill 848, whenever you're ready. It's House Bill 848, whenever you're ready.

Bills: SCR53 , HB259 , HB267 , HB478 , HB548 , HB555 , HB617 , HB670 , HB672 , HB797 , HB848 , HB917 , HB921 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1166 , HB1195 , HB1230

Committee: Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Keywords: payable-on-death accounts, transfer-on-death accounts, estate planning, beneficiary designations, Louisiana law, task force, inheritance, nonprobate transfers, excavation, demolition, infrastructure repair, BEAD Program, utility damage, construction coordination, contact point, home inspectors, board membership, licensing, term limits, Louisiana State Board

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 608 has been signed by the President, and it will be returned to the House.
• In the House of Representatives, House Bill 543 by the Commerce and Human Resources Committee.
• In the House of Representatives, House Bill 563 by the Business Committee.
• In the House of Representatives, House Bill 652 by the Resources and Conservation Committee.
• House Bills 543, 563, and 652; Senate Bill 1362; House Bills 520 and 541; and Senate Bill 1260 will be

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in opposition to House Bill 1196.
• </c><00:38:53.040><c> will</c> series of housing bills that I hope will series of housing bills that
• </c><03:12:41.120><c> to</c> bunch of housing bills in and much to bunch of housing bills in and much
• House Bill 1612 legislation, support for House Bill 1612 legislation, which<03:48:47.520><c> I</c><03
• , House Bill 1625.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2056...
• Chairman, I move that House Bill 2798 receive a due pass recommendation.
• as amended mr. chairman I move that house bill 22 move the bill as amended.
• House Bill 2532 diverts $1.2 million from the Housing Trust Fund, monies that could otherwise be available
• So I urge you please to vote yes on House Bill 2202 today.

Bills: HB2056 , HB2202 , HB2207 , HB2224 , HB2303 , HB2344 , HB2532 , HB2759 , HB2798

Committees: House Appropriations , House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Keywords: brackish water, groundwater, desalination, water resources, feasibility study, environmental impact, dementia care, telementoring, healthcare education, rural communities, grant funding, braille, disability access, education funding, state corrections, inclusion, produce incentive, agriculture, economic support, funding

Transcript Highlights:

• The is the first reading of House bills.
• House File 3022 is better known as the reviser's bill.
• House File 3022 is better known as the reviser's bill. It is a generally technical bill.
• House will give the bills third reading.
• </c> House file number 286, a bill for an act House file number 286, a bill for an act relating<00:22