Video & Transcript Research : 'chapter 41B'
Page 134 of 318
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Federation, Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project, San Juan Citizens Alliance, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter
- In addition to species combined as protected in Chapter 7 NMSA 1978, the commission is authorized to
- Saying, 'there is created a state wildlife commission', rather than carry out the purpose of Chapter
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (01/23/2025)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Our New Hampshire legal holidays are clearly defined in chapter 288, RSA 288:1.
- Our New Hampshire legal holidays are clearly defined in chapter 288, RSA 288:1.
- Our New Hampshire legal holidays are clearly defined in chapter 288, RSA 288:1.
- resident to keep that for this chapter resident to keep that for this chapter resident<01:53:57.360
- resident for the purpose of this chapter resident for the purpose of this chapter because<01:53:
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Farewells - 05/18/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And as I step into my next chapter, I do so trusting that the Lord, the same Lord who called me to be
- Service doesn't end when one chapter closes. It simply shifts.
- Call it a new chapter.
- It simply when one chapter closes. It simply shifts. shifts. shifts.
- My wife won't let Call it a new chapter.
Summary:
The meeting was a Senate retirement recognition session held after adjournment sine die, with the presiding officer relaxing decorum so members could speak, applaud, and interact more freely. The chair explained the order of speakers and noted that retiring members would be recognized from their desks, with a plaque presented by Senate leaders and photos taken afterward. The session was framed as a celebration of service for retiring senators and a tribute to staff, families, and colleagues.
Senator Mann spoke first, thanking constituents, family, staff, colleagues, and advocates, and highlighting policy accomplishments such as banning non-compete clauses, wage transparency, breast cancer screening coverage, protections for students, expanded health coverage, pharmacy benefit manager reforms, physician workforce changes, the medication repository program, and paid leave. She also used her remarks to criticize racism, sexism, and broader threats to women’s and people of color’s freedoms, urging civic engagement and warning against erosion of democracy. Senator Tou Xiong followed with a personal farewell centered on his mother’s refugee experience, his family’s sacrifices, and gratitude to mentors and colleagues; he emphasized the value of public service, bipartisan cooperation, and the idea that Minnesota should be a model for the country.
Senator Howe gave a faith-centered retirement speech reflecting on his path from humble beginnings, his family, military and public service, and the importance of humility, justice, mercy, and listening to constituents. Senator Klein looked back on a decade in the chamber, including the pandemic and the George Floyd unrest, and said the Senate’s decorum and relationships endured through difficult times; he cited a bill he helped pass for a child needing a prosthetic blade as an example of the legislature’s best work. Senator Draheim began his remarks by thanking his wife and children and joking about his discomfort with speeches, then described being recruited to run for office despite never seeing himself as a politician.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (02/20/2026)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- A parent may elect to educate his or her own child at home in accordance with this chapter.
- <00:19:27.440>
Under <00:19:28.080>193 this chapter. Under 193 this chapter. - A parent may certify the completion of a home education program pursuant to this chapter.
- that you can see the entire chapter. that you can see the entire chapter.
- bib biblical wisdom from Matthew chapter bib biblical wisdom from Matthew chapter 7.<03:41:15.920
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 1 - 03/21/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- without a search warrant issued under without a search warrant issued under this<00:29:01.919>
chapter - 02.880>
the <00:29:03.039>date <00:29:03.200>of <00:29:03.360>the this chapter - identifying the date of the this chapter identifying the date of the deployment<00:29:04.000>
and - categories, aggregating and analyzing that data, making sure that data is properly handled under chapter
- categories, aggregating and analyzing that data, making sure that data is properly handled under chapter
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- of law the Senate of privacy chapter of law the Senate finance<03:21:39.560>
committee <03:21: - Violation of this proposed chapter may result in enforcement action by the Attorney General, who may
- The bill that we've already acted on already cites that chapter, and if a county or whatever wants to
- The bill that we've already acted on already cites that chapter, and if a county or whatever wants to
- chapter and<03:34:16.479>
if <03:34:16.680>a <03:34:16.920>county <03:34:17.800>
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (01/20/2026)
Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
Transcript Highlights:
- So to be application under this chapter.
- I'm sorry, I don't remember the 4141A, but further down in chapter 275, 30 days is the same time you
- We are a state chapter model.
- So, we have a New Hampshire state chapter that's been in existence for many years now.
- So, we have a are a state chapter model.
Summary:
The committee began with procedural announcements about report turnaround, amendment submission methods during split operations, a possible January 29 session, the governor’s State of the State on February 5, parking, cafeteria opening, and the plan to finish work by February 10. It then moved into executive session on HB 1123, which would require certain companies to post salary ranges on public job listings. Representative Granger moved ITL, arguing the bill would interfere with negotiations, especially for higher-level jobs, and raise compelled-speech concerns. Supporters, including Representatives Schultz, Sullivan, Cahill, Staub, and others, said salary ranges help applicants avoid wasted time and travel, improve transparency, and are already a common workplace disclosure. The committee voted 10-9 to ITL HB 1123.
The committee next took up HB 177, concerning a definition of remote work in labor law. Representative Murphy moved ITL, saying the bill could burden employers, create vague obligations, duplicate existing protections, and potentially require intrusive compliance measures. Representative Sullivan described a proposed amendment that would narrow the bill to a definition of remote work and remove broader requirements, but the committee ultimately voted 11-9 to ITL HB 177. Members also noted that the amendment had not been fully circulated in time and that the issue might merit further review.
Finally, the committee opened HB 1352, a workers’ compensation bill focused on repricing and payment practices. The sponsor withdrew an initial ITL motion and moved OTP after amendment review. Members discussed concerns raised at the hearing about delayed payments, third-party administrators, and the need for better accountability. Representative McKenzie’s amendment would define good faith, create a voluntary three-year dispute-resolution pilot, restore fines to prior levels, and add reporting/accountability requirements for carriers that miss the 30-day payment deadline. Several members supported the amendment as a way to help small businesses and providers, while others said repricing needed broader study through the workers’ compensation advisory council. The Department of Labor explained that the amendment would require carriers and related payers to report missed determinations to the department and would increase oversight of payment timeliness.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Protection and Victim Services Committee May 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So if you look to section two, this is in the obscenity control chapter.
- So getting kind of to the meat of the bill, that is in section 8, and we're now moving into chapter 27.1
- update the language that no longer uses those terms, we would remove that term from the title of the chapter
- So getting kind of to the meat of the bill that is in section 8, and we're now moving into chapter 27.1
- that we're using in that chapter, and we're not having to page through 13 different chapters in order
Summary:
The committee met to approve prior minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), focusing on the economic and public-system impacts in North Dakota. She explained that ACEs are a population-level measure, not a diagnostic tool for individuals, and said higher ACE exposure is consistently associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare involvement, justice-system contact, and reduced workforce participation. She emphasized that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across a person’s life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based prevention and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, historical trends in ACEs, and the role of positive childhood experiences and home visiting.
The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota, including Healthy Families, Early Head Start, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers. They described home visiting as voluntary, relationship-based, and tailored to family needs, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, human service zones, pregnancy navigators, self-referrals, and other community sources. A parent, Abby, shared that home visiting helped her family after premature births and NICU stays by providing support with postpartum mental health, breastfeeding, developmental screenings, referrals, and parenting guidance. The presenters said the programs are funded through a mix of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E dollars, Medicaid targeted case management, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and grants, and they noted that current funding is fragmented and insufficient to serve all eligible families statewide. Members discussed whether the state should expand or better fund these services and how to improve outreach and referrals.
Later, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, followed by a presentation from a BCI special agent on how AI is already affecting child exploitation investigations in North Dakota. The memo and testimony described AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and risks posed by chatbots, along with relevant federal and state law and recent executive orders. The agent said North Dakota saw 2,698 cyber tips in 2025, the highest on record, and that investigators are increasingly encountering AI-assisted exploitation that is harder to detect and verify. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI undermining critical thinking and spreading misinformation. No votes were taken on the AI materials during the portion provided, and the committee recessed briefly after the report.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 4141, amending laws 2024, Chapter 211, Section 6. House Bill 4141.
- House Bill 4143, amending Title 41, Chapter 11, Article 1, A.R.S., by adding Section 41-1604.
- House Bill 4143, amending Title 41, Chapter 11, Article 1, A.R.S., by adding Section 41-1604, relating
- House Bill 4147, amending Title 46, Chapter 2, Article 2, A.R.S., by adding Sections 46-232 and 46-297.01
- House Bill 4153, an act amending Title 28, Chapter 2, Article 3, ARS, by heading Section 2837, relating
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 04/15/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 2 increases fines for license holders under Chapter 245A for health, safety, supervision, or
- c><00:31:03.120>
under and controlling individuals under and controlling individuals under Chapter - <00:31:04.000>
245A Chapter 245A Chapter 245A must<00:31:06.240>not <00:31:06.480>engage - c> increases fines for license holders increases fines for license holders under<00:31:19.240>
Chapter - <00:31:19.720>
245A under Chapter 245A under Chapter 245A for<00:31:21.520>health,
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HOU-EDU, HOU Public Hearings 03-17-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- imposed by the commission pursuant to imposed by the commission pursuant to this<00:48:46.559>
chapter - <00:48:47.200>
shall <00:48:47.520>require <00:48:47.920>exactions this chapter - shall require exactions this chapter shall require exactions from<00:48:48.559>
a <00:48:48.720 - 49:10.079>
Authority <00:49:10.480>pursuant <00:49:10.960>to <00:49:11.040>chapter - Facilities Authority pursuant to chapter Facilities Authority pursuant to chapter 302A<00:49:12.559
Summary:
The joint House committees on Housing and Education heard HB 1713, HD1, which would repeal school impact fees and transfer remaining balances in the school impact fee and certain fair share accounts to the school facilities special fund. The Department of Education testified in opposition, while the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, the Attorney General’s office (with comments and suggested constitutional amendments), the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the School Facilities Authority, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, NAP Hawaii, Avalon Development Company, Mark Development, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Landis Research Foundation, BIA Hawaii, and others testified in support. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered comments. The DOE said the bill would weaken a key tool for matching school facilities to residential growth, while supporters said the current program leaves funds unused or restricted in ways that limit their effectiveness.
A lengthy discussion followed about the difference between the older school impact fee program and the separate fair share agreements tied to land use entitlements and change-of-zone approvals. DOE Deputy Superintendent Jesse Suki explained that fair share funds are tied to the district where they were collected, may be too small to build a full school on their own, and are held until needed for projects such as Core Ridge, Central and West Maui, and other planned schools. Committee members pressed DOE on why funds had remained unspent for years, how much money was in the accounts, and whether the department had reviewed audit findings about the program. Members also questioned whether homeowners ultimately bear these costs through developers passing them along.
The committee did not take a vote during the portion of the meeting provided. The discussion ended with members and DOE debating whether the current statute should remain in place, whether past entitlements should be affected, and whether the bill should be amended to better address remaining construction-related obligations and the use of collected funds.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 40 (3-5-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- With more than 1,100 chapters globally and 18 chapters here in Kentucky, Alpha Kappa Alpha continues
- <01:38:34.960>
more <01:38:35.199>than <01:38:35.440>1,100 <01:38:36.880>chapters - <01:38:37.440>
globally With more than 1,100 chapters globally With more than 1,100 chapters - globally and<01:38:39.280>
18 <01:38:39.760>chapters <01:38:40.239>here <01:38:40.400 - >
in <01:38:40.719>Kentucky, <01:38:42.159>Alpha and 18 chapters here in Kentucky
Summary:
The Senate convened, opened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, excused absent members, and approved the journal. The House clerk then announced that the House had passed several bills and requested concurrence. The chamber also received second-reading reports for a number of bills and resolutions, which were referred to the Rules Committee, and committee reports from the Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor Committee and the Judiciary Committee recommending passage of several measures. New resolutions were also introduced, including one honoring Michael Mingi, Amanda Maize, and Senator Maize Bledsoe, and another designating March 31, 2026, as Kentucky Transitional Science Day.
The Senate then took up Senate Bill 145, relating to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The chamber concurred in House Committee Substitute 1 and House Floor Amendment 1, then passed the bill as amended by a roll call vote of 35 yeas and 2 nays. The Senate next considered Senate Bill 59, relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars and resources. After adopting Senate Committee Substitute 1, members debated whether the bill’s enforcement provisions were needed to prevent public funds from being used to influence ballot questions; supporters cited prior school-related advocacy, while one opponent raised concerns about possible uneven treatment of schools receiving federal funds. The bill passed 28-9.
Finally, the Senate took up Senate Bill 137, relating to a provisional license to practice medicine. Supporters described Kentucky’s physician shortage, especially in rural areas, and argued the bill would help recruit foreign medical graduates by allowing a path to licensure based on prior residency and work experience. A floor amendment was offered to preserve standards by emphasizing U.S. residency pathways and cautioning against lowering the standard of care, but the amendment was withdrawn after discussion. The bill remained under consideration at the end of the transcript.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- report or a statement, which would be the economic interest statement, then it does become data under chapter
- become<00:09:56.640>
uh <00:09:56.800>data <00:09:57.200>under <00:09:57.519>chapter - <00:09:58.000>
13 become uh data under chapter 13 become uh data under chapter 13 government - Um, but there is a definition of securities in chapter 10A, section 10A.01, subdivision 35A.
- 10 a section 10 A01 subdivision chapter 10 a section 10 A01 subdivision 35A. 35A. 35A.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
PSM-EIG DEFER, EIG-HOU, HOU-EIG-WLA, WLA-EIG, EIG-TRS-AEN, EIG Public Hearings 02-17-2026
Public Safety and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- So on page 12, line 11, the sentence would read: the corporation shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter
- The sentence would read: the corporation shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 for the purposes of
- 00:15:27.199>
rules <00:15:27.519>pursuant <00:15:27.839>to <00:15:28.000>chapter - <00:15:28.240>
91 shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter - charging system as defined in chapter 269 269 269 and<00:48:27.200>
going <00:48:27.440>on
Summary:
The committees first took up SB 3322 relating to law enforcement. Chairs recommended adopting amendments from the Department of Law Enforcement that would exempt plainclothes officers from identification requirements, limit conspicuous agency markings to vehicles used in immigration enforcement operations, and allow a plainclothes officer to wear a mask when within eyesight of an unmasked officer from the same agency while performing official duties. Although there was an initial quorum issue, both committees ultimately voted to adopt the chair’s recommendation and advance the bill as amended.
The next major item was SB 3333 relating to property tax treatment for certain housing. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from a Maui County real property tax board member and a representative of Nali Maui, who described homeowners in affordable housing being taxed at much higher rates when exemptions were missed or when resale restrictions kept values below market. The committees recommended passing the bill with amendments, including a deferred effective date of April 19, 2042, and the recommendation was adopted.
The committees also heard SB 2422 on a pro housing score program for counties, SB 2981 on eliminating minimum off-street parking requirements in urban districts, SB 2007 on county land use boundary amendments, SB 3028 on restructuring the conveyance tax to a marginal rate system, SB 3033 on public petitions for review of beach structures, and SB 2434 on electric vehicle infrastructure. SB 2422 drew support with a request for flexibility and an appeals process for counties facing extraordinary circumstances; the chair’s recommendation was to pass it with amendments and note a $200,000 implementation study request, which was adopted. SB 2981 received strong support from housing and transportation advocates and was advanced unamended, while SB 2007 drew opposition from the Sierra Club and discussion about the Land Use Commission’s limited enforcement tools and the number of approved but unbuilt units. SB 3028 received mixed testimony, with support for the marginal-rate change but concerns about earmarking and blanks in the bill, and SB 3033 was supported as an early-warning mechanism for erosion-threatened coastal structures, though OPSD said it should not be the regulatory decision-maker. SB 2434 prompted concern about whether utility capacity can support EV infrastructure goals, with the chair citing a recent report suggesting transmission and distribution constraints.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Fri Jan 30, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- particularly have a comment in regards to that because right now the bill is proposed as amending Chapter
- 33:13.039>
proposed <00:33:13.360>as <00:33:13.600>amending <00:33:14.000>chapter - <00:33:14.320>
205 bill is proposed as amending chapter 205 bill is proposed as amending chapter - 56.399>
the <00:34:56.560>LUC, <00:34:57.119>but <00:34:57.359>it now chapter - 205 which is the LUC, but it now chapter 205 which is the LUC, but it may<00:34:58.240>
make <
Keywords:
biosecurity, invasive species, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Department of Land and Natural Resources, appropriation, agriculture, land use, farm dwelling, renewable energy, income qualification, solar energy, geothermal resources, hydropower, agricultural tourism, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, land leases, Hawaii
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on HF2432 5/16/25
Transcript Highlights:
- would be subject, in violation of the restrictions, to the remedies in the Data Practices Act under chapter
- >
also <00:09:17.040>a <00:09:17.200>notice <00:09:17.680>requirement chapter - 13 and also a notice requirement chapter 13 and also a notice requirement so<00:09:18.800>
that invoke the sanctions in chapter 13. invoke the sanctions in chapter 13.- <00:09:45.040>
the <00:09:45.440>sanctions <00:09:45.920>in <00:09:46.160>chapter - <00:09:45.040>
Summary:
The conference committee met late on Friday evening to discuss the Public Safety and Judiciary budget agreement, beginning with a brief exchange among members about concerns that the executive branch had been delaying the committee’s work by waiting to approve legislative decisions. Members emphasized that the legislature should retain its independence while still allowing normal collaboration with the governor’s office. The committee then moved through several outstanding policy items and adopted them without opposition, including the A38 amendment addressing data-sharing concerns involving disability-related information, a study of firefighting services by the state fire marshal, and an A46 amendment governing access to unredacted portable recording system data in collision investigations, with guardrails on disclosure and use.
The committee next reviewed the spreadsheet and budget targets. Fiscal staff explained the judiciary side of the agreement, including funding for court operating costs, a one-time Justice Partner Access Program appropriation, forensic exam rate increases, guardian ad litem funding, public defense, human rights, the competency attainment board, the cannabis expungement board, and fee increases for civil filings and motions. On the public safety side, staff described the target as well as the discretionary items funded, including nonprofit security grants, BCA staffing changes, fire marshal initiatives, a 10-year arson statute of limitations, prosecutor training grants, legal representation for children, E911 funding for critical infrastructure, Philando Castile Training Fund support, corrections-related savings from the Stillwater phased closure and sentence-to-serve elimination, a mandatory minimums task force, a victims of crime account transfer, a decommissioning study, in-service use-of-force training, and extensions of several expiring appropriations. The committee also noted a correction to a spreadsheet label related to the Stillwater closure item.
After the spreadsheet walkthrough, the committee took testimony from Chief Justice Natalie Hudson and State Court Administrator Jeff Shorban on behalf of the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Hudson thanked the committee for its work and said the agreement covers some unavoidable costs, including insurance, lease expenses, forensic examiner pay, and the new access system, but argued it does not adequately address the judiciary’s most urgent problem: staffing and judicial compensation. She said court employees are leaving for better-paying jobs, judicial salaries are frozen for two years, and applicant pools for judgeships have declined, especially in greater Minnesota. She also said the judicial branch was not meaningfully consulted on the budget target and urged lawmakers to recognize the courts as a constitutional obligation rather than a discretionary program.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 2/26/25
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- related to the State Soldiers Assistance Program, which is administered by rule and activated by chapter
- If that chapter is repealed, the department would likely need administrative rulemaking to change the
- ><00:21:01.159>
activated <00:21:01.840>by <00:21:02.720>uh <00:21:02.880>chapter - not and it's activated by uh chapter not and it's activated by uh chapter 12.31<00:21:04.240>
- Fergus Falls and Silver Bay vets homes, the Paralyzed Veterans of America Minnesota chapter, St.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (02/19/2025)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- 14:38.199>
why <00:14:38.320>we <00:14:38.480>did <00:14:38.639>this chapters - and that's why we did this chapters and that's why we did this carvo<00:14:40.079>
um <00:14:40.440 - But if we can meet the existing chapters, which typically we're talking sprinklers here in almost all
- But if we can meet the existing chapters, which typically we're talking sprinklers here in almost all
- on the fire code and the building code sides, and especially on the fire code because it speaks to chapter
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EDN Public Hearing - Tue Jan 28, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- I also serve as the elected Leeward chapter president for all our teachers.
- It's the largest HSTA chapter, 3,000 teachers.
- I also serve as the elected Leeward chapter president for all our teachers.
- It's the largest HSTA chapter, 3,000 teachers.
- It's the largest HSTA chapter, 3,000 teachers.
Summary:
The Committee on Education heard several Department of Education-related bills and received extensive testimony on school meals and veteran diplomas. HB 628 would restore authority for the Department of Education to issue high school diplomas to veterans whose schooling was interrupted by World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The superintendent testified in support, explaining the authority had sunset in 2020 and describing the measure as a way to recognize veterans. No opposition or questions were raised, and the bill was left without further action in the excerpt.
The committee also heard HB 1074 and HB 110, both supported by the Department of Education and the School Facilities Authority. HB 1074 was described as a cleanup measure to clarify land-related language and make the statute more consistent across state agencies and DOE. HB 110 concerned benchmarking and the farm-to-school/local food effort; DOE and several supporters, including county councils, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, said the bill would help align metrics and support the 30% local food goal by 2030. Members questioned DOE about progress, and DOE said it was working on menus, procurement, and coordination with distributors and farmers. A Farm to School representative said the current bottleneck was poor communication with farmers and the need to bring them into planning earlier; DOE said it was still figuring out the process and that island-based procurement and separate RFPs were being explored.
HB 328, relating to school meals and local resource food and plant-based options, drew the most testimony. DOE testified with comments, and the Attorney General’s office suggested revisions to clarify that the bill would apply to both DOE and charter schools, to separate public and private funds if donations or grants are accepted, and to add standards if nonprofit or private entities receive public money. Supporters included HSTA, the Hawaii Public Health Institute/Farm to School Network, Climate Protection Hawaii, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and numerous individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized healthier school meals, student-requested plant-based options, support for local farms, and the 30% by 2030 goal. Some testimony urged more local purchasing and raised concerns about decentralization, while DOE said it was considering island-based procurement and separate contracts to better support local producers. No votes were taken in the excerpt.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Labor and Industrial Relations May 7th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We have 21 within those—I'm sorry, there are eight chapters in the Louisiana treatment schedule. try
- We have 21 within those, I'm sorry, there are eight chapters in the Louisiana treatment schedule.
- Within those, I'm sorry, there are eight chapters in the Louisiana treatment schedule.
- They just updated three of those chapters in this next release.
Summary:
The House Labor and Industrial Relations Committee met on May 7, 2026, and first deferred several measures, including House Bill 460, Senate Bill 322, Senate Bill 32, Senate Bill 22, and House Bill 561. The committee then took up House Bill 819 by Chairman Cruz, which would replace Louisiana’s current workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule with the Official Disability Guidelines (ODG) by MCG as the primary guideline, while keeping the existing variance and appeal process. Cruz and MCG representative Troy Prevo argued that ODG is more comprehensive, updated more frequently, and used in many states, and said it could reduce delays, disability duration, and costs. Dr. Jason Picard, the state medical director, testified that Louisiana already uses ODG as a secondary reference in many cases because the state schedule lacks coverage for some body parts and treatments, and said the bill would not otherwise change the appeals process or care delivery.
Committee members focused heavily on whether the bill would delay care or improve it. Several members questioned the private-company nature of ODG, the $400 annual subscription cost, and whether Louisiana doctors would be forced to rely on an out-of-state guideline. Rep. Glorioso and others raised concerns about preauthorization delays and proposed amendments to create tacit approval when treatment follows the schedule, require payment within 30 days, and make the carrier prove by clear and convincing evidence that care was not medically necessary to challenge it. Chairman Cruz said he was willing to work with those ideas, and the committee also discussed adding an on-ramp or legacy language so current patients would not be disrupted.
Opposition testimony came from injured-worker advocates and representatives of medical and labor groups, including Joseph Jola St. and Robin Krumholt. They argued that Louisiana’s current guidelines are already working, that rates have fallen over time, and that the real problem is delay in approval rather than the content of the schedule. They said ODG is overly rigid, cost-driven, and can lead to denials that shift costs to workers, Medicaid, or private health insurance. They urged the committee to keep Louisiana’s existing system and instead adopt tacit approval under current law. The bill was still under discussion at the close of the transcript, with amendments being read and no final vote shown.