Transcript Highlights:

• And we have in the audience Kate and Selena, and Kate's daughter is here, and I just want to say they've
• his work and for all of his efforts and his work and for all of his efforts and thank<00:14:30.640
• And And And um, it<00:37:16.320> looks<00:37:16.840> Oh,<00:37:17.000> and<00:37
• And those limits include an inability, for example, to put up a sign that says parking in the back, right
• Because the size of the sign is limited and so things like women-owned businesses or parking in the back

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, April 13, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, quorum call, and a brief visit from Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman, who thanked delegates for their work on the budget and legislation. The chamber then handled several conference committee and Senate messages, including House Bill 153 on residential rental apartment air conditioning requirements. The conference report changed the bill from four to 10 units, removed preemption language, and required existing units with air conditioning to keep it; the report was adopted and the bill passed on third reading with 90 affirmative votes. The House also took up a number of Senate bills on third reading. Among those passed were measures on digital asset and blockchain task force establishment, franchise registration and disclosure law changes, professional licensing portability for foreign service members and spouses, medical cannabis protections for fire and rescue employees, workers’ compensation presumptions for Carroll County correctional deputies, speed monitoring systems approval timing, veterans cemeteries interment, motorcycle safety awareness in driver testing, IT investment fund uses, child care credential funding, school bus fire safety standards, local stop-sign monitoring pilot programs, stalking penalties, divorce records under the Public Information Act, local boards of elections qualifications, local sourcing database creation, and mutual insurance holding company conversions. Most passed overwhelmingly, though several drew notable dissent, including Senate Bills 10, 223, 439, 467, 757, 775, and 877. Members used vote-change time to shift positions on several bills, and the floor leader and committee chairs answered questions on the record. On Senate Bill 10, delegates discussed the bill’s “shot clock” for State Highway Administration responses to local speed camera requests; the chair later clarified that if State Highway does not act within 120 days, approval is deemed granted. On Senate Bill 775, the Judiciary chair explained that the bill requires destruction of firearms in gun buyback programs and serial-number checks to identify stolen or evidentiary firearms, with some firearms potentially returned if stolen. The House also adopted a favorable committee report on Senate Bill 949, which the floor leader said mirrors House Bill 1069 and would allow Maryland to count state-level ballots if federal action prevents counting federal ballots. The chamber also handled an amendment and conference committee process on Senate Bill 141 concerning election misinformation, disinformation, and deep fakes, with the House and Senate appointing conferees after each declined to recede. Several bills were passed by large margins, including Senate Bills 46, 68, 85, 314, 371, 426, 480, 512, 654, 808, 968, and 982, while a few had narrower margins such as Senate Bills 443 and 757. No final adjournment or sine die action occurred in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Nicholas Williams, San Francisco Parks and Recreation, San Francisco Sports Equity Coalition
• Recreation and Dance, we are 100% in support. We represent educators all over the state. Thank you.
• We can verify and know and let you in.
• And finally, and most importantly, other states and countries who understand the value and importance
• and our communities, and I support this bill.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• communities, rich in heritage, and for our counties and cities, their vision, and for our counties and
• And I had to jump in and help.
• levied on recreational vehicle parks.
• levied on recreational vehicle parks.
• levied on recreational vehicle parks.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for the Reverend Jesse Jackson and Joseph Di Alessandro, the Pledge of Allegiance, and announcements confirming a quorum. Members also adopted the special order report and recognized several guests in the gallery, including former Speaker Dan Webster and law enforcement and civic visitors. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar of bills, mostly on third reading, with several measures passing unanimously or by wide margins. Among the bills considered were measures on civil procedure and estates, including C.S. HB 1407 on commencement of civil actions, HB 895 on trustee settlement and discharge, C.S. HB 1337 on estates, HB 131 on curators of estates, and C.S. HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over military installations. The House also passed C.S. HB 441 on conservation lands, which would lengthen notice and increase transparency for land swaps involving conservation property, and C.S. CS HB 919 on commercial service airports, which created a statutory definition for major airports and preempted local naming authority for several airports. HB 919 drew extensive debate over the proposed naming of Palm Beach International Airport after President Donald J. Trump, with amendments to delay or alter the naming failing before the bill passed. Other bills approved included HB 409 requiring K-12 schools to observe Veterans Day, CS HB 461 allowing certain students to volunteer at polling places for community service hours, CS HB 1115 creating grants for genetic counseling education, HB 569 revising forensic client services, CS HB 505 regulating virtual currency kiosks to address fraud, and HB 271 on foreign and alien bail bond insurers. The House also passed HB 191 on re-employment assistance eligibility verification after extended questioning about its effects on benefits, appeals, and suitable work standards. One bill, CS HB 243 on electric bicycles, was temporarily postponed, and CS HB 1073 on school districts was also postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And advisers are Nicky O'Dell and Jeany Langdon.
• And advisers are Nicky O'Dell and Jeany Langdon.
• Are also required for recreational purposes, for hunting and fishing areas, and there are quite a few
• and the Catskill Park, as defined in subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 9-0101, adapted for reforestation
• and other forest products — that's the logging that you referenced — and for recreation or wind-related

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal, and then recognized several guest groups, including the Shenendehowa High School girls varsity cross country team and tennis champion Jolie Chichak, as well as the Downsville Central School Student Council. Senator Tedisco introduced the Shenendehowa athletes, highlighting their state and federation championships and strong academic records, and Senator Oberacker introduced the Downsville students. The chamber extended courtesies to the guests. The Senate then moved through the calendar, passing a series of bills and resolutions. Among the measures approved were a bill designating Overdose Awareness Day, a real property tax bill, a public authorities bill, several education-related bills, a private housing finance bill, a workers’ compensation bill, and a labor law bill. Some items were laid aside before later being taken up, including the cannabis bill and the environmental conservation bill. Votes were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, with a few recorded negatives on certain bills. The most extensive debate centered on Calendar 261, Senator May’s environmental conservation bill concerning renewable energy installations and transmission on state reforestation lands. Senator Walczyk and others questioned whether the bill would allow solar, wind, battery storage, tree cutting, herbicide use, and reduced environmental review, while supporters argued the bill was mainly about transmission corridors, climate goals, and preserving flexibility for DEC oversight and mitigation. After debate, the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed 42-13. The Senate also passed Calendar 353, Senator Ramos’s labor law bill addressing class action wage recovery and statutory damages. Supporters said it would clarify the law so workers can recover full wages in class actions, while opponents warned it could encourage litigation against small businesses over technical payroll errors. The bill passed 47-8. The Senate then completed the calendar and adjourned until March 4, 2026, with intervening days as legislative days.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Recreation Board for the Cedar-Riverside Rec Center project.
• and Recreation Board for the Cedar-Riverside Rec Center project.
• This really helps us to streamline overall for Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to streamline oversight
• <01:38:39.600> and funding to the Minneapolis Park and funding to the Minneapolis Park and
• to<01:39:07.680> streamline Park and Recreation Board to streamline Park and Recreation Board

Bills: HF4740, HF3940

Keywords: financial assurance, feedlot permits, manure storage, environmental compliance, agriculture regulation, abandoned infrastructure, pollution control, environmental impact, animal feedlot, livestock, regulations, Minnesota Rules

Summary: The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes and then heard House File 4740, authored by Rep. Hansen, which would require feedlots with at least 1,000 animal units to provide financial assurance for closure costs. Hansen argued the bill would shift cleanup responsibility from taxpayers to owners, citing abandoned feedlots, changing ownership structures, and the 2024 Pure Prairie Poultry bankruptcy as examples of why public funds should not be used for closures and cleanup. He also said the bill would apply to new or renewed permits and suggested a statutory definition of abandoned feedlot storage units may be needed. Farm and livestock groups testified in opposition. Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota Milk Producers Association, Minnesota Pork Producers Association, and Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation said existing MPCA and county permit rules already require closure planning and reporting, and that the bill would add unnecessary costs and barriers for family farms, beginning farmers, and expansion. They warned the financial assurance requirement could function like an animal-unit cap, encourage fragmentation or out-of-state relocation, and impose annual costs that would not improve environmental outcomes. Several testified that true abandonment is rare and that current permitting and closure processes already address it. MPCA staff said the agency has concerns with the bill, noted there is currently no formal fiscal note, and said the agency would need to ensure any appropriations cover ongoing staffing needs. MPCA officials explained that permitted feedlots already must notify the agency before closure, follow a checklist of closure requirements, and undergo follow-up inspection; they said abandonment notifications are uncommon and they are not aware of any currently permitted facilities in abandonment process. Members questioned whether the bill was needed, what form financial assurance would take, how other states handle similar requirements, and whether the proposal would unfairly burden smaller or family operations. No vote on HF 4740 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Golf thrives on what we call recreational daylight, the overlap of sunlight and people's availability
• mental health, outdoor recreation, and public safety are significant.
• We encourage solutions that preserve evening daylight for golf, for health, for recreation and local
• workers and tourism and recreation.
• For those of you who have consumed old Parks and Rec episodes, you may have seen the one that focused

Keywords: daylight saving time, Sunshine Protection Act, health impacts, clock change, legislative discussion

Summary: The committee meeting was dedicated to discussing significant legislative topics, focusing particularly on the implications of daylight saving time (DST). Senator Scott advocated for the Sunshine Protection Act, which aims to eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes and keep daylight saving time year-round. He emphasized the negative health impacts associated with DST, including increased risks of heart attacks and accidents immediately following the time changes. Various witnesses provided personal testimonies and expert opinions, highlighting the confusion and health disruptions caused by the current time change practices.

Transcript Highlights:

• and and I do Revenue loss from this so and and I do want<00:10:31.120> to<00:10:31.800> acknowledge
• and stop taxing us and reduce our taxes and stop taxing us to<00:16:05.360> death<00:16:06.360
• ><00:21:37.799> Youth<00:21:38.159> and Children and Youth and Children and Youth and americanism
• and bonus games and were the free plays and bonus games and that<00:30:17.440> that<00:30:17.640
• and serve uh different uh groups and and serve uh different uh groups and none<00:49:19.839>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 169, which would change the tax structure for charitable gambling. Representative Robbins offered and the committee adopted the A1 author’s amendment, described as a technical correction to ensure sports-themed tip boards are not inadvertently taxed under the bill. Robbins then presented the bill as a way to replace the current tiered combined net receipts tax on charitable gambling with a flat 5% rate, arguing charities were being overtaxed and that prior promises of relief had not been fully delivered. Chair Stevenson pushed back on several of Robbins’ factual claims, correcting the record on the status of E-pull tabs, the share of charitable gambling revenue they represent, and the amount of tax relief already enacted in 2023 and 2024. He said E-tabs were not eliminated, that the revenue split between paper pull tabs and E-tabs is closer to 45/55, and that charities had already received a $15 million tax cut plus savings from reduced developer fees. Robbins responded that the changes still significantly reduced revenue and that the bill was intended as a middle-ground approach. Testimony largely came from charitable gambling and veterans groups in support of the bill. Rachel Jenner of Allied Charities of Minnesota said nearly 1,000 charities depend on charitable gambling, cited high taxes and fees, and said many organizations were seeing revenue declines after the new E-pull tab rules took effect. Dr. Christy Jano of the American Legion Department of Minnesota said charitable gambling funds support veterans, youth, and community programs, and that a flat 5% tax would help posts continue those efforts. Members asked about the size of the revenue drops and how much gambling proceeds go to overhead and operating costs; Jenner said the losses varied by organization and that it was too early to know the long-term effect, while Jano said some expenses are used for property taxes and building upkeep. The committee then moved on to additional testimony, including Tim Angstrom, but no final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There will be an immediate meeting of the Finance Committee in collaboration with the Parks and Recreation
• Calendar 1220, Assembly 3223A, Assembly Member Eachus, an act to amend the Parks and Recreation and Historic
• Calendar 1220, Assembly 3223A, Assembly Member Eachus, an act to amend the Parks and Recreation and Historic
• and Park.
• ACADEMIA AND LAW AND BUSINESS.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then processed a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate or Assembly versions for third reading. The chamber also adopted the resolution calendar with exceptions and took up several resolutions and ceremonial recognitions, including a resolution mourning Hudson Talbott, a Dairy Month resolution highlighting New York’s dairy industry, and introductions honoring Niskayuna academic teams, Gabriella Scheer for receiving the Liberty Medal, the Hartstein family’s civic engagement, and Diana Cochran’s advocacy for safe firearm storage. The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed many bills on topics including insurance, public health, education, labor, social services, banking, local government, veterans, public service, consumer protection, criminal procedure, cannabis, parks, taxation, election law, and highway matters. Several members explained votes on notable measures: support for acupuncture insurance coverage, consumer protections for doorbell-camera data sharing, expanded protections in debt collection cases, trauma-informed procedures for sexual assault survivors, a Legionnaires’ disease awareness program, changes to mandatory minimum sentencing, and universal safe storage of firearms. A number of home rule and local authorization bills were also approved, including parkland alienation measures and local tax exemption authorizations. Most measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew recorded opposition. Notable roll calls included the consumer debt uniformity bill, the mandatory minimum sentencing bill, the safe storage/firearms bill, and the public housing and public health measures, each with more divided votes. The chamber also accepted a lengthy Rules Committee report sending many additional bills directly to third reading, and then began the supplemental calendar, passing at least the first items before the transcript ended.

Bills: HB816, HB1535, HB1537, HB1541, HB1562, HB1574, HB1591, HB1853, HB1854, HB1871, HB1965, HB1966, HB1969, HB1973, HB1974, HB2315, HB2343, HB2501, HB2505, HB1577, HB2443, HB2498, HB2581, HB2622

Keywords: HB816, Hawaii, opioid overdose, opioid crisis, buprenorphine, naloxone, Narcan, paramedics, emergency medical services, EMS, first responders, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, withdrawal management, overdose reversal, pilot program, Department of Health, DOH, county population under 100,000, rural health

Transcript Highlights:

• Regional Park, the San Pablo Reservoir and Martinez.
• This resolution affirms that Californians already know local parks, trails and waterways and essential
• Parks give us room to breathe mentally. physically, and emotionally.
• I rise today in recognition to welcome the dedicated team from the California Park and Recreation Society
• Their leadership and commitment help keep parks open, healthy, inclusive, and environmentally responsible

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We hear from parks and trail systems.
• <00:09:24.240> regional parks and natural spaces and regional parks and natural spaces and
• direction for regional parks and trails facilities.
• <00:09:56.240> and recently adopted the 2050 parks and recently adopted the 2050 parks and
• As I mentioned, 58 regional parks and park reserves, plus eight special recreation features.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• park, recreational vehicle park, or campground applicant's compliance with zoning, ...vehicle park or
• So if you buy a park and there's an existing license, my understanding with the amendments, So if you
• buy a park and there's an existing license, my understanding with the amendments is that license will
• park owners, and so that was why I voted no.
• Yeah, go ahead and go offline. Yeah, go ahead and go offline.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee reconvened to hear a revised version of Senate Bill 2385, with Representative Casper walking through changes made in consultation with the bill sponsor and agency counsel. He explained that the amendments restored language on change of ownership and license transfer for mobile home parks, recreational vehicle parks, and campgrounds; removed a proposed $5,000 civil penalty and returned the violation penalty to an infraction; extended the correction period before disciplinary action to 30 days with possible additional time for good-faith compliance; and removed the tenant right of first refusal, leaving park sales to willing buyers and sellers. Casper said the changes simplified the bill and addressed concerns raised earlier in committee. Members asked about how licenses would work after a sale, and Casper said a transferred license would continue for the current year, but the new owner would need to reapply annually. He also said all participating parties and the Attorney General’s counsel were amenable to the amendments. The committee adopted the Casper amendments by voice vote and then moved to a do pass as amended recommendation. The first roll call on the amended bill was confusing because several members were absent, and the committee briefly discussed whether to wait for Representative Ruby and whether votes should be repeated. Members explained their earlier no votes, with Representative Koppelman saying he had intended to vote against the amendment rather than the bill, and Representative Schauer citing concerns about provisions affecting park owners and evictions. After waiting briefly, the committee retook the vote and approved SB 2385 as amended on a 7-3-4 roll call. Representative Casper was asked to carry the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a motion and a second. And a question. Okay. Question. We have a motion and a second.
• Thank you, and good morning, Madam Chair and members.
• and Park Districts, City of Carlsbad, City of Redwood City, and City of Rancho Cucamonga, in support
• Park Districts City of Carlsbad City of Redwood City and City Rancho Cucabanga in support good morning
• 26, 16, and 26, 2551, 2563, 2582, and 2667.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on April 22, 2026, with a quorum present and first took up a large consent calendar. It moved a set of bills to the Assembly Floor consent calendar by unanimous vote, including AB 1773, 1785, 1828, 1873, 1918, 2001, 2085, 2173, 2412, 2536, 2644, and 2781, and separately approved another group of unanimous bills not eligible for floor consent, including AB 1544, 1555, 1614, 1621, 1637, 1704, 1816, 1933, 2529, 2559, 2663, and 2731. The committee then heard several individual bills, with each author describing the measure and witnesses generally testifying in support; no organized opposition was recorded on the bills discussed. Among the measures heard, AB 2393 would create fixed statutory damages for certain false imprisonment and arrest claims, while exempting peace officers, custodial officers, and public entities. AB 1697 would delay implementation of a recently enacted prohibition on employment contracts that require workers to repay employer debts if they leave a job, and AB 2534 would extend Domestic Violence Prevention Act restraining order protections to attempted forced marriages and survivors of forced marriages. AB 1608 would strengthen the High-Speed Rail Inspector General’s office by adding staffing and contracting authority, requiring public reports, and allowing limited temporary confidentiality for sensitive information; the bill drew questions from members about transparency and whether information could be withheld, but the author and Inspector General said the measure would increase accountability and only allow narrow, time-limited confidentiality. The committee also approved AB 1916, which would allow American Sign Language interpreters to participate in the same collective bargaining process as other certified court interpreters, and AB 1803, which would require anti-hate speech training as part of workplace harassment prevention training for employers with five or more employees. AB 1821 would change Public Records Act response timelines from calendar days to business days, with local government sponsors arguing it would better reflect actual processing time for broad and complex requests without reducing access. AB 1919 would establish election procedures to let voters decide the future of Santa Cruz Metro service funding after a one-time grant expires. Each of these bills was moved forward on due pass votes, with some members not voting on certain measures. The committee then approved a long suspense file, and the remaining suspense bills were deemed approved without further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a motion and a second. And a question. Okay. Thank you, and good morning.
• Thank you, and good morning, Madam Chair and members.
• and Park Districts, City of Carlsbad, City of Redwood City, and the City of Rancho Cucamonga, in support
• Park Districts City of Carlsbad City of Redwood City and City Rancho Cucabanga in support good morning
• 26, 16, and 26, 2551, 2563, 2582, and 2667.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , recreation, council on aging, drainage, and roads and bridges.
• And those are items 22 and 23. Any question on items 22 and 23?
• garages, elevators, a clubhouse, on-site management, and a pet park.
• 26 and 27.
• I know this meant some real challenges, and you’ve been vocal and you’ve been very diligent and aggressive

Summary: The State Bond Commission met on May 21, established a quorum, approved the April 16 minutes, and then considered a long agenda of bond, refunding, and election-related requests. Items 3 through 10 were election propositions for the November 3 ballot involving ad valorem taxes, parcel fees, and charter amendments for purposes such as fire protection, agricultural centers, neighborhood security, recreation, aging services, drainage, and roads and bridges; staff said they met technical and legal requirements, and the commission approved them. The commission also approved several local financings, including water and sewer projects, fire district equipment and facility improvements, school board and parish bonds, and refunding transactions for the East Baton Rouge City-Parish and St. James Parish School Board. A retroactive approval request from the City of Kenner related to a CEA with GMB Basketball LLC was discussed; staff made no recommendation because it was retroactive, but noted it appeared to be an oversight, and item 22, the related airport district agreement, was approved. The commission approved additional financing for the Louisiana Housing Corporation’s Federal City Building 10 affordable housing project, a preliminary approval for the Northwest Louisiana Finance Authority’s Petro Tower redevelopment in Shreveport, and two Louisiana Public Facilities Authority projects: Southern University’s Scott’s Bluff student housing project and the Crescent City Schools project for Harriet Tubman Charter School. During discussion of the Crescent City Schools financing, a commissioner asked about the use of MFP funds; staff explained that lease payments would be the repayment source and that MFP dollars are generally split between educational expenses and facilities costs, with the school’s typical split around 72% instructional and 28% administrative/facilities-related. Both items were approved. The commission then received six cost-of-issuance reports for previously approved bond issues, with various fee adjustments but no motions required. It also reviewed a debt schedule update and adopted Resolution No. 2 authorizing up to $425 million in general obligation refunding bonds to refund Series 2016 bonds and tender other outstanding bonds for savings, with pricing tentatively set for June 16 and closing for June 30. In other business, the commission heard a brief public comment from New Orleans City Council President J.P. Morrell thanking the commission for helping place a charter amendment on the ballot to improve New Orleans budgeting transparency and oversight. The meeting ended after monthly reports were noted and no further business was raised.

Transcript Highlights:

• , recreation, council on aging, drainage, and roads and bridges.
• And those are items 22 and 23. Any question on items 22 and 23?
• garages, elevators, a clubhouse, on-site management, and a pet park.
• 26 and 27.
• I know this meant some real challenges, and you’ve been vocal and you’ve been very diligent and aggressive

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The State Bond Commission met on May 21 with a quorum present and approved the April 16 minutes. The commission then reviewed and approved a large slate of local government and public authority financing requests, including election propositions for the November ballot, water and sewer infrastructure projects, fire protection and recreation district bonds, school board financing, and several refunding transactions. Most items were found to meet technical requirements and were approved on motions by Speaker DeVillier and seconded by Senator Talbot. Among the more notable items were the East Baton Rouge City-Parish refunding bonds for the Greater Baton Rouge Airport District, the City of Kenner’s retroactive approval request tied to a convention center agreement with GMB Basketball LLC, a Louisiana Housing Corporation financing increase for the Federal City Building 10 affordable housing project, and preliminary approval for the Northwest Louisiana Finance Authority’s Petro Tower redevelopment in Shreveport. The commission also approved financing for Southern University’s Scott’s Bluff student housing project and the Crescent City Schools/Harriet Tubman Charter School project. The Crescent City Schools item prompted questions about how MFP funds are used; staff explained that lease payments would support the bonds and that MFP funds are generally split between educational expenses and facilities-related costs. The commission received six monthly cost-of-issuance reports, which required no action, and a status update on the state debt schedule. It also approved Resolution No. 2 authorizing up to $425 million in general obligation refunding bonds to refund the Series 2016 bonds and tender other outstanding bonds for savings, with pricing tentatively set for June 16 and closing for June 30. During other business, New Orleans City Council President J.P. Morel thanked the commission for its role in helping address the city’s fiscal crisis and for approving a charter amendment election item aimed at strengthening budget oversight. The meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a special relationship with the Departments of Parks and Recreation, and we on average hold about
• We have a special relationship with the Departments of Parks and Recreation, and we on average hold about
• We have a special relationship with the Departments of Parks and Recreation, and we on average hold about
• We have a special relationship with the Departments of Parks and Recreation, and we on average hold about
• We have a special relationship with the Departments of Parks and Recreation, and we on average hold about

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief. Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility. Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have, Association and District Attorney Brad Burkett.
• And Ms.
• Park, Innocence and Justice, Louisiana; Tom Costanza from Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops; and
• Park, Innocence, and Justice, Louisiana.
• And last bill, Senator Sebaugh, SB 199. And Mr.

Bills: HB146, HB333, HB517, HB828, SB87, SB93, SB98, SB118, SB125, SB199, SB277, SB294, SB306

Keywords: sports wagering, gambling, elections, local control, revenue generation, inmates, housing, corrections, Department of Public Safety, local jurisdiction, criminal justice, juvenile justice, jury trial, felony offenses, crime of violence, sex offenses, correctional facilities, in-custody deaths, medical oversight, independent investigations

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on April 29, 2026, and first voluntarily deferred HB 517. It then took up several Senate bills focused largely on impaired driving, wrongful conviction compensation, child protection, and criminal procedure. SB 118 by Sen. Boudreaux required substance use disorder screening for misdemeanor DUI offenders; supporters, including the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, said early screening could identify underlying addiction and reduce repeat offenses, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 125 increased wrongful conviction compensation from 10 to 15 years and raised the cap to $600,000; supporters emphasized the hardship faced by people who spent decades wrongfully imprisoned, and it was also reported favorably. SB 294 allowed gaming operators to reallocate promotional play across licenses without increasing the total amount, and it was reported favorably despite opposition from the Louisiana Family Forum. The committee also advanced several bills aimed at child sexual exploitation and worship protections. SB 87 clarified the definition of commercial sexual activity in trafficking laws so prosecutors could more easily charge adults who solicit or pay for sexual images of children online; prosecutors said the current language was too narrow, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 93 set minimum bond amounts for certain child sexual abuse material offenses, and an amendment by Chair Villio added broader bail restrictions and revocation provisions for certain violent, sex, and firearm-related offenses; the amended bill was reported favorably. SB 98 expanded the definition of educator to include school resource officers and security guards for purposes of prohibited sexual conduct with students, and it was reported favorably. SB 306 created the crime of obstructing freedom of worship; after an amendment reducing a proposed fine from $10,000 to $2,500, supporters argued it was needed to deter disruptions at churches, while the ACLU raised concerns about overbreadth and redundancy, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. SB 277, allowing certain statewide officials with POST-qualified handguns to carry in the State Capitol, was also reported favorably. SB 199 imposed a mandatory minimum sentence and sex-offender registration for a second offense of purchasing commercial sexual activity; supporters said it would reduce demand, and it was reported favorably as amended. Two House bills drew significant discussion but were not advanced. HB 333 would have required the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to house inmates within 30 miles of their home parish or offense location; the author argued it would preserve family ties and reduce recidivism, but sheriffs, prosecutors, and DOC said the proposal was not practical given bed space, security, and facility-location constraints, and no motion was made, so it remained in committee. HB 828 would have created an independent Louisiana Correctional Medical Review Board to investigate inmate deaths and report to the legislative auditor; the author said it would improve transparency, but prosecutors and corrections officials warned it could interfere with criminal investigations and duplicate existing coroner and law-enforcement processes. The author asked for and received voluntary deferral. HB 146, authorizing a Sabine Parish election on sports wagering, also received opposition and no motion, so it stayed in committee. The meeting ended with adjournment after all listed measures were handled.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's why we're changing it.
• And if you said this in your presentation of the amendment and I missed it, I Apologize, but is this
• And I am in support of what Tet has done and their accomplishments.
• And so you think it would be An improvement to take half of the corpus and put it into a new fund.
• And so here we are today.

Bills: HB3327, HB3711, HB4104, HJR1077, HB3329, SB2184, SB171

Keywords: State Board of Education, Oklahoma education board, board appointments, school governance, education reform, governor appointments, legislative appointments, speaker of the house, president pro tempore, senate confirmation, board vacancies, removal for cause, public education, state superintendent, school board training, board member qualifications, emergency clause, Oklahoma statutes 70 O.S. 3-101, school funding, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• so much, and welcome to the Senate. so much, and welcome to the Senate.
• attorney and continuing her dedication to civic engagement and public service.
• engagement and public service. engagement and public service.
• friends and family in the gallery. friends and family in the gallery.
• and commissions. and commissions. >> Filed. >> Filed. >> Filed.

Bills: HB1166, HB389, HB644, HB1509, HB1692, HB1842, HB1878, HB1926, HB1949, HB2116, HB2581

Keywords: HB1166, automated speed enforcement, speed cameras, traffic enforcement, road safety, traffic safety, Department of Transportation, state highway fund, special fund, appropriation, fiscal year 2026-2027, camera enforcement, speeding citations, automated traffic enforcement, highway safety, HB389, uncrewed aircraft, drone, drones, UAS