Transcript Highlights:

• conduct has a definition for educator. conduct has a definition for educator.
• definition of this term. definition of this term.
• <00:48:48.040> a will say that it is definitely a will say that it is definitely a problem
• uh definitions on lines five to nine. uh definitions on lines five to nine.
• definitely make it much better. definitely make it much better.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That definition of bond has been revised to meet the modern standards of what the legal definitions of
• definition of bond. Mhm. definition of bond. Mhm.
• In the amendment with the definition of bond, could you reiterate again where that definition came from
• Um, since we passed that definition of bond, uh, we actually passed that exact definition.
• In the original bill, it definition.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a definitions and consistency measure.
• So when we're moving that definition from one place to another, the definition itself does not match.
• We have other definitions now in our law that are not this definition.
• We are changing the definition.
• But House Bill 180 simply provides some definitions of But House Bill 180 simply provides some definitions

Summary: The committee first approved the May 5 minutes and then heard House Bill 578, which would define sex in Louisiana law as biological sex, replace references to gender with sex in various statutes and forms, and direct the Law Institute to make conforming changes. Supporters from the governor’s office said the bill would bring clarity and consistency, while opponents argued it could create conflicts with existing law and weaken protections tied to gender identity. After debate, the committee reported HB 578 favorably. Members then considered House Bill 1250, a measure aimed at aerospace-related litigation. The bill would allow a special motion to strike certain claims against aerospace flight entities when the claims are preempted by federal law. Senators raised concerns that the language was broad enough to affect airports, airlines, contractors, and even unrelated incidents, and the author said he was willing to work on narrowing amendments. The committee nevertheless reported HB 1250 favorably. House Bill 718, dealing with liability protections for private airstrips used for recreation, was amended to narrow its scope and then reported favorably, while House Bill 163, a narrower related airstrip bill, was voluntarily deferred so the committee could work from the other measure. The committee also approved House Concurrent Resolution 61, which asks the Louisiana Law Institute to review possible conflicts between the constitution and statutes on expropriation. House Bill 180, defining foreign adversaries and agents of foreign adversaries for a proposed constitutional amendment, and House Bill 192, a constitutional amendment barring foreign adversaries from expropriating land in Louisiana, were both reported favorably. House Bill 1008, which sets out academic freedom and whistleblower protections for higher education, was rejected on a roll-call vote after concerns about its scope and limits on university discipline. House Bill 638, a prompt-payment bill for contractors, was set aside while amendments were being located. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 71, which would extend existing liability protections for justified use of force to properly trained armed security guards. The author and the Board of Private Security Examiners said security officers receive training and often face dangerous situations, but opponents argued the bill would give too much protection to personnel with far less training than law enforcement and could shield bad shootings. After debate, the committee voted to defer HB 71. The last measure discussed was House Bill 1082, which would change venue rules for lawsuits involving the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System so actions by the system would be filed where the employer is located; the author said the bill was meant to help small municipalities, and members indicated they were open to narrowing amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm looking at the definitions. I know Senator Bracey Davis had some questions about what would...
• I have a question about the definition of de-identified data.
• I know that the word reasonably is included in the definition.
• And so there is definitely ample evidence to show that there needs to be guardrails.
• chatbots, and we look forward to the amendments on that definition.

Bills: S0214, S0482, S7030, S0554, S0994, S0998, S1004, S1074, S1076, S1266

Keywords: special districts, funding, financial assistance, rural community, state agency, economic development, artificial intelligence, personal data protection, consumer rights, chatbot, deceptive practices, government contracts, public records, consumer protection, data privacy, investigations, proprietary information, chatbots, Florida statutes, nonprofit

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism heard and advanced several bills focused on economic development, consumer protection, workforce issues, and technology. SB 1076 would raise Florida’s research and development tax credit cap from $9 million to $50 million beginning with the 2027 allocation, and it was reported favorably. SB 1266, as amended, creates a cybersecurity experiential internship and clearance-readiness program with Cyber Florida and was also reported favorably. SB 554, a Florida Bar-backed update to the not-for-profit corporations statute, was approved without opposition. SB 1004, aimed at protecting buyers of dogs and cats from deceptive sales practices and predatory financing at retail pet stores, received supportive testimony from animal welfare advocates and was reported favorably. SB 1074, which sets rounding rules for cash transactions if pennies are unavailable, also passed favorably. The committee also considered SB 998, the Department of Commerce package, which combines updates to the Small Cities CDBG program, clarification of rural community eligibility, an exemption from a reverter clause for military-related land conveyances, and revisions to E-Verify enforcement. The E-Verify portion drew the most debate, with questions about employer cure periods, treatment of current investigations, and whether the bill creates a loophole for independent contractors. Senator Smith opposed the bill, arguing it creates unequal enforcement between employers and immigrant workers, while Senator Wright supported the military-related provisions. SB 998 was reported favorably on a divided vote. SB 214, which expands the rural community definition to include special districts in rural counties, was reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 482, an artificial intelligence consumer-protection bill that creates an “AI bill of rights” covering companion chatbots, parental controls for minors, data privacy, de-identified data, unauthorized use of likeness, and enforcement by the Attorney General, with a limited private cause of action for minors. The bill drew extensive testimony both in support and in opposition, including concerns about privacy, age verification, and enforcement, but it was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7030, a public-records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations under the AI bill, and adjourned after members requested to be recorded on certain votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So 53 is definitely not sufficient.
• >> Excellent question that that was definitely a challenge the >> Excellent question that that was definitely
• I agree that definitely resiliency as part of the process.
• Definitely challenges.
• So it's definitely one that's that's available.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• um a definition um a definition um<00:06:36.639> so<00:06:36.800> I<00:06:36.960><
• What is the definition of abuse?
• What is the definition of abuse?
• What is the definition of abuse?
• <02:32:54.399> for Um and also added a uh definition for Um and also added a uh definition

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The committee of conference spent most of its time on Senate Bill 96, which deals with educator conduct and when information may be withheld from parents. The main dispute was over the House-amended language on violations and the “compelling state interest” standard. The Senate sponsor objected to extending penalties to third-party medical or mental health contractors and to language suggesting psychological or emotional injury to a child would not constitute a compelling state interest. The House side argued its draft was intended to keep the bill focused on credentialed educators and administrators, to include parents or guardians, and to avoid creating competing standards by relying on existing abuse definitions in statute. The House also added a requirement that any withholding of information be documented and reported to the school board in nonpublic session, and both sides discussed whether educators, administrators, nurses, and guidance counselors would be covered under the statutory definition of educator. The discussion also covered enforcement and penalties. The House draft proposed that an educator found to have willfully violated the law could have a credential suspended for a first offense and would face a minimum one-year suspension for multiple offenses, while the Senate raised concerns that this was too rigid and did not allow enough discretion or address revocation. The House later explained that the department would still have discretion on first offenses and that the one-year rule applied only to multiple offenses. Another point of disagreement was a three-year statute of limitations for investigations, which the House said was meant to prevent “witch hunts,” while the Senate noted New Hampshire’s constitutional prohibition on retroactive laws. After caucusing, the Senate rejected the House amendment, and the House then voted non-concur; the committee of conference adjourned without agreement. The transcript then moved to Senate Bill 87, concerning one-day liquor license requirements and allowing salons and barber shops to obtain on-premise licenses. The members discussed a House amendment that would allow two drinks instead of one, with supporters saying the change reflected the longer time customers may spend in salons and that alcohol service would still be covered by existing training requirements, including the EDGE course. Opponents worried that allowing multiple drinks would create over-serving and enforcement problems and could complicate business practices. After discussion, the Senate member agreed to go along with the House position, and the bill was reported ready for final sign-off.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, definitely. Great to meet all of you guys.
• “So I guess while we wait, we can just briefly go over some of the most important definitions that we'll
• This is very key to the definition of a CCRC.
• We're definitely open to feedback and we want to leave room within each of these meetings to hear from
• Yes, definitely. Let me make sure to send these slides your way. All right.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The meeting was the introductory session of the new Commission on Aging and Independence focused on continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). Co-chairs Senator Pat Jehlen and committee staff introduced the commission’s purpose, and members and stakeholders from AARP Massachusetts, the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, LeadingAge Massachusetts, SEIU Local 1199, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Attorney General’s office briefly introduced themselves and described their interests. Several participants emphasized the value of CCRCs for aging in place, while also noting concerns about affordability, accessibility, resident rights, dementia supports, and the need for clearer complaint and oversight processes. The commission reviewed the basic definition of a CCRC, including the requirement for housing plus health-related services, a life contract, and an entrance fee, and discussed how Massachusetts law defines entrance fees and their return. Staff explained that the commission was created by Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024 and is charged with studying CCRC contracts, consumer impacts, financial viability, entrance fees, oversight and enforcement, advertising practices, and procedures for closure or change of ownership. The commission also outlined its deadline to submit recommendations by August 1, 2025. Because quorum issues and technical problems limited the session, no substantive votes were taken. Instead, the meeting focused on logistics: members will receive a survey to suggest priorities, site visits, and outside presenters; the group plans monthly meetings with two in June; and a public hearing may be held earlier in the process so feedback can shape the agenda. Staff also noted that ethics training for members was still being arranged.

Transcript Highlights:

• I felt to take the definition.
• <00:09:09.040> of place to put an overall definition of place to put an overall definition
• Um, so in RSA 362-F:2, which is all the definitions, um, there's no definition of secure energy.
• In RSA 362-F:2, which is all the definitions, um, there's no definition of secure energy.
• <00:32:39.279> of definitions um there's no definition of definitions um there's no definition

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is strictly definitions.
• This is only about definitions.
• definitions? Oh gosh, I don't remember. definitions? Oh gosh, I don't remember.
• , because these are definitions, because these are definitions, right?
• expand your definitions of abuse. Okay? expand your definitions of abuse. Okay?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with a brief update and prayer for Oscar, a person known to members, noting he was making slow but encouraging progress and awaiting transfer to rehab. The hearing then began on House Bill 518, which would require the commissioner of DHS to provide a detailed annual report of DCYF costs. Representative Erica Leyon, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to improve transparency, clarify how DCYF resources and shared services are used, and help future discussions about staffing, funding, and whether DCYF should remain within DHHS or become a separate department. She said the department could likely comply without additional cost and was open to adjusting the reporting date, with the department preferring December 31 instead of September 1. Committee members and the DCYF director, Marie Nunan, discussed whether the bill was duplicative of existing reporting and whether it should also include federal funding mandates. Nunan said DCYF already has many policies and reports, but does not currently produce one consolidated DCYF-specific report in this form; she also said the department believed it had the capacity to file the report and was not taking a position on the bill. Several members questioned whether the measure was necessary, while others supported transparency but suggested the information was already available or could be obtained without legislation. In executive session, the committee voted 15-1 to retain HB 518, meaning it will not advance to the calendar at this time. The committee then opened House Bill 775, sponsored by Representative Jod Nelson, concerning supervised visitation centers. Nelson introduced Dr. Scott Hampton, who testified that supervised visitation is important for child safety, domestic violence prevention, and family preservation. Hampton described the history of visitation centers in New Hampshire, saying funding cuts had reduced the number of centers over time and that prior legislation had failed due to budget reductions. He argued that supervised exchanges can reduce risks such as abuse, abduction, and homicide, and said the service can prevent harm without adding cost by avoiding more serious incidents. The hearing on HB 775 was still underway at the end of the transcript, with no vote or final action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And um under the current definition of a And um under the current definition of a first<00:03:33.920>
• since that first responder definition since that first responder definition became<00:05:18.000>
• That is definitely the first step.
• 31, the definition of first responder. 31, the definition of first responder.
• with expanding that definition? with expanding that definition?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As far as what constitutes an adequate education, we do have the working definition.
• I know we could definitely look at other states.
• There definitely is data collected on dropout rates, like Elizabeth said.
• We can definitely provide that.
• I can, as I have the definition here, I think, in front of me.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee received a Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on Arkansas academic standards, accountability, and achievement as part of the adequacy study. Staff reviewed how state curriculum and standards have evolved from the 1997 Public Education Act, the 2003 Quality Education Act, and the 2017 Educational Support and Accountability Act, including required course offerings, graduation requirements, career and technical education pathways, and recent additions such as success-ready pathways, Arkansas history, firearm safety, and fetal growth and development instruction. Members asked for a comparative chart showing how the laws and requirements changed over time, and staff agreed to provide one. The presentation then turned to the federal ESSA plan and Arkansas’s state accountability system. Staff explained the state’s long-term goals for 2030, including 80% proficiency in ELA and math, 52% of English learners on track to English proficiency, and 94%/97% four- and five-year graduation rates. They reviewed 2025 assessment results showing proficiency rates generally in the 30s, with English learners and students with disabilities performing lowest and white students highest. They also discussed school support and improvement categories, equitable access to educators, and report card/public reporting requirements, noting that some ESSA-related measures such as the school index, equity labs, and certain 2024 report card data were not currently available or not being calculated. Members questioned whether those ESSA commitments were being met and asked staff to follow up with DESE, including whether the legislature can revise the ESSA plan. The committee also reviewed the Arkansas Accountability Act and related assessment data. Staff described the Atlas assessment system, alternate assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities, ELPA 21 for English learners, ACT results, and NAEP comparisons. They reported that no student group met the 80% proficiency goal in 2025, Arkansas’s ACT composite score declined slightly over time, and Arkansas generally trailed national and SREB averages on NAEP. Members asked for additional data, including historical highs and lows, the number of assessments students take by grade, dropout data, and comparisons with other states. The meeting ended with agreement to invite the Department of Education to a future meeting to answer questions about missing data, equity labs, report cards, and ESSA compliance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, we create the definition for workplace here.
• <00:02:15.440> Um, the definition for workplace here.
• Um, the definition for workplace here.
• definition. Is that fair? definition. Is that fair?
• Now if the definition is too them equal.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 306, sponsored by Representative Michael Meredith with the Kentucky Chamber, which would define “workplace” and clarify threatening behavior in workplace violence/trespass cases. Supporters said the bill would better address repeated threats or trespass incidents at workplaces and strengthen penalties for subsequent offenses; one member questioned whether adding language could weaken existing protections, while another asked whether it would cover hospital workplace violence. The bill passed on a roll call vote, 15-0 with one pass, and was reported favorably. The committee then considered House Bill 312, sponsored by Representatives Savannah Maddox and Josh Bray, to allow law-abiding Kentuckians ages 18 to 20 to obtain a provisional concealed carry license with background check, training, and proficiency requirements. Supporters argued the bill recognizes adults’ rights and adds safety through training, while opponents raised concerns about putting more guns in younger people’s hands and public safety/self-harm risks. Several members explained yes votes as supporting training and constitutional rights, and the bill passed 15-3 with no passes, reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 320 on human trafficking, presented by Representative Jason Neimus with a title amendment adopted at the start. Three students from Sager Heart Model School explained their project and urged equalizing penalties for committing and promoting human trafficking, saying the current law treats promotion less severely. A Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers representative warned the statute could be too broad and sweep in solicitation cases, urging a carve-out or narrower language; members discussed possible wording changes, including removing “patronize” and reconsidering mens rea language. The sponsor said the bill was intended to make penalties equal for those who promote trafficking, not to address broader definitional issues. The bill passed unanimously, 18-0, and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• . definitions. definitions.
• Do the AAFCO definitions have a corresponding definition for each of these? No.
• definitions for what's being provided. definitions for what's being provided.
• I mean, not these definitions... definitions and and so we already have a definitions and and so we already
• I mean, not these<05:01:24.400> definitions These definitions are not necessary.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And there is a definition, but to be quite honest, I truly didn't like the definition, but there is a
• Section one is definitions, and it provides definitions such as what is the black, what is a fiduciary
• Section one is definitions, and it provides definitions such as what is the black, what is a fiduciary
• Section one is definitions, and it provides definitions such as what is the black, what is a fiduciary
• is definitions and it provides definitions<01:15:52.600> such<01:15:52.920> as<01:15:53.120

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Key changes in the bill: there's some definitions. The bill updates definitions, board composition.
• The bill there's some definitions.
• 24:28.400> board updates uh definitions uh board updates uh definitions uh board composition.<
• Johnson, that definition was based off the National Association for Veterinary Medicine's definition,
• <00:35:36.960> that They said if there's a definition that They said if there's a definition

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:40.479> of 1996, and amends the definition of 1996, and amends the definition of expressly
• Marty's 1996 and amends the definition Marty's 1996 and amends the definition of<00:05:10.479>
• <00:05:18.240> of bill and modifies the definition of bill and modifies the definition of
• <00:05:27.919> of<00:05:28.160> metropolitan the definition of metropolitan the definition
• Section 25 amends the definition of electioneering communication.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill expands the definition of critical infrastructure in state law to explicitly include oil and
• It deals with the same definition of critical infrastructure. Okay.
• That definition, and then considering Rep.
• I can envision a world where a rail car in the yard would operate under this definition.
• We do need to harmonize the definitions with Senator, with Representative Bacala's bill.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Judiciary C met on May 19, 2026, with a quorum present and first deferred House Bill 276 at the sponsor’s request. The committee then heard and advanced several bills, largely focused on criminal justice, domestic violence, victims’ rights, probation/parole, and critical infrastructure protections. HB 160, by Rep. Knox, would increase the penalty for domestic abuse battery and battery of a dating partner involving strangulation from three to six years, with at least one year without probation or suspension; it drew strong support from prosecutors and domestic violence advocates and was reported favorably. HB 769, by Rep. Boyd, would create a 24- to 72-hour cooling-off hold in domestic violence cases, with an amendment to make the hold concurrent with other detention periods and to avoid stacking with existing law; it was reported with amendments. The committee also reported favorably HB 1234, which creates mandatory jail time for fleeing the scene after striking a person and failing to render aid, and HB 158, which restores custodial inpatient treatment as an option for probationers and increases the allowable treatment period from 90 to 180 days. HB 169, allowing courts or the parole board to assess extradition costs against absconders based on ability to pay, was also reported favorably. HB 251, requiring notice to a victim or designated family member before resentencing or final conviction hearings, drew support from the Attorney General’s office and opposition from the ACLU, which argued that victim involvement at that stage could be inconsistent with post-conviction standards; it was nevertheless reported favorably. Additional measures advanced included HB 289, which removes a redundant 24-hour delay between denial of a new trial motion and sentencing; HB 394, extending the conditional parole period from nine months to 24 months to allow completion of required programming; and HB 330, increasing penalties and restitution for vandalizing churches and graves, which was supported by the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops. HB 429, expanding critical infrastructure protections to oil and natural gas facilities and related operations and increasing penalties for unauthorized entry, drone activity, and cyber interference, was reported with amendments after discussion about harmonizing the definition with another bill and ensuring coverage of water-related facilities. The committee also approved the minutes from the prior meeting before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 46 amends the definition of mass market transactions.
• <00:04:20.840> of repealing um the definitions of repealing um the definitions of accreditation
• Section 9 creates a definition for the term artificial intelligence.
• c> originally The definition that was originally The definition that was originally provided<00:15
• It's like they would read the definition and say, I don't understand what this really means.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up H.F. 4188, the Commerce and Consumer Protection Policy Omnibus, and moved through a series of agreed-upon motions to adopt various House and Senate language articles and sections. The adopted provisions covered a wide range of topics, including residential mortgage loan servicing standards, student loan borrower protections, rental home marketplace guarantees, group coverage cancellation, limited lines travel insurance, insurance lead generators, collection agency and credit services organization definitions, proof of identification requirements, scrap metal copper licensing, technical changes to ASTM references and report filings, securities-related provisions, unclaimed property issues involving virtual currency and funeral prepayment funds, repeal of the prescription drug affordability advisory council, reinsurance program changes, and health insurance reporting and oversight provisions. Most motions were adopted without opposition after brief staff explanations and member encouragements to vote yes. In the health-related sections, the committee adopted language requiring insurers and nonprofit health service plan corporations to notify the Commissioner of Commerce about significant enrollment increases, expanding access to all-payer claims data for oversight, and requiring the sharing of PBM annual transparency reports with the Commissioner of Health. The committee also adopted language on artificial intelligence in utilization review, initially defining AI and prohibiting exclusive reliance on AI for adverse coverage determinations. Representative Elkins then offered an amendment to remove the specific AI definition and replace it with broader language referring to automated processing, arguing that technology-neutral drafting is more durable and that a human must remain in the loop for coverage denials; the amendment was adopted. After the agreed-upon items were completed, members indicated the chairs would huddle to work on the remaining issues and return after recess. The meeting then recessed to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the conversation has started, but it is something that is definitely going to require more.
• So the conversation has started, but it is something that is definitely going to require more.
• So the conversation has started, but it is something that is definitely going to require more.
• So this is definitely a better way of reimbursing schools.
• So this is definitely a better way of reimbursing schools.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :16:13.880> involved<00:16:14.400> in will definitely be uh involved in will definitely
• ,<00:27:14.080> adding including expanding definitions, adding including expanding definitions
• > freestanding We definitely support the freestanding We definitely support the freestanding emergency
• > RSA<00:41:56.880> 21:3, definition directly into RSA 21:3, definition directly into RSA
• definitive about parliamentary inquiry. definitive about parliamentary inquiry.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all