Transcript Highlights:

• It ricochets off the highway under the door. Comes upward and Darren Lawson's legs.
• He can see every car coming and going, even on the main highway.
• </c><00:03:48.319><c> and</c><00:03:48.480><c> a</c><00:03:48.720><c> little</c> dragon in state highway
• and a little dragon in state highway and a little city<00:03:49.120><c> street</c><00:03:49.440><c>
• </c> going, even on the main highway. going, even on the main highway.

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Rep. Ashley Tacket Laferty on a bill to expand minimum hazardous-duty retirement and health benefits for certain public safety workers injured in the line of duty. She used a video and examples from Floyd County to describe officers and an emergency management director who were catastrophically injured but did not qualify for existing hazardous-duty coverage because their employers had enrolled them in non-hazardous retirement plans. The bill would provide a minimum benefit of 25% of pay, plus 10% for dependent children and limited health coverage, for eligible workers who cannot return to hazardous work. Laferty said the proposal would apply retroactively through a five-year window, estimated to affect a limited number of workers statewide, and would be funded by small increases in employer contribution rates. Committee members questioned how many former employees might qualify, how the bill interacts with the pension system, and who would pay the added cost. Discussion also noted that local governments choose whether to place employees in hazardous or non-hazardous coverage, largely based on cost. The sheriff’s association was present online in support, and no vote was taken. The committee then heard Rep. Daniel Gber present a revised bill allowing teachers and school district employees to use accumulated sick leave to observe religious holidays not already on the school calendar, if they provide a personal statement and sufficient advance notice. He said the measure is intended to address the rigid school calendar and the difficulty teachers face in observing non-school holidays without losing service credit toward retirement. He noted that the earlier version of the bill had allowed make-up work time, but the current draft is shorter and focused on sick leave use. He also referenced a supporting letter from a constituent who could not attend because of weather. The bill was presented for discussion only, with no committee action reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the State Department of Transportation's testimony in this measure, according to the National Highway
• :36:44.280><c> National</c> measure, according to the National measure, according to the National Highway
• <00:36:45.040><c> Traffic</c><00:36:45.520><c> Safety</c><00:36:45.840><c> Administration,</c> Highway
• Traffic Safety Administration, Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 44% 44% 44% of<00:36:48.840><c
• </c> are killing people out on our highways. are killing people out on our highways.

Transcript Highlights:

• What we have here is a bill that addresses farm implements on the highway.
• This is a pretty active community that always has farm implements on the highway.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to prohibit the operation of high-speed electric devices on any bicycle lane, highway, roadway
• I want to prohibit the operation of high-speed electric devices on any bicycle lane, highway, roadway
• I want to prohibit the operation of high-speed electric devices on any bicycle lane, highway, roadway
• I want to prohibit the operation of high-speed electric devices on any bicycle lane, highway, roadway
• </c> &gt;&gt; um Larry, who is the highways &gt;&gt; um Larry, who is the highways administrator,<02:

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2021, a transportation measure creating a framework for electric bicycle and micromobility regulation. The bill would define electric bicycle and electric micromobility device, set age and helmet rules, restrict class 3 e-bikes from sidewalks, allow limited sidewalk use for class 1 and 2 bikes, prohibit high-speed electric devices and certain nonconforming devices in specified locations, update county tax definitions, and change related terminology. Testimony was largely supportive from DOT, police, Honolulu officials, Hawaii Bicycling League, AAA Hawaii, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, and several individuals, while DCCA’s Insurance Division asked for clarity on whether insurance would be required. Committee discussion focused on safety, enforcement, and the fact that no insurance market currently exists for these e-bike classes; members also discussed the need to target bad actors rather than ordinary riders. The chair then proposed and the committee adopted amendments to HB 2021, including clarifying that road-legal, permitted, classified electric bicycles are not subject to insurance requirements at this time; allowing properly classified electric bicycles on sidewalks at 10 mph or less subject to county restrictions; barring high-speed electric devices and other nonconforming devices from public roadways; authorizing impoundment of non-road-legal or improperly registered devices; and requiring direct parental supervision for riders under 16 on class 2 or 3 e-bikes. The committee also made technical and effective-date changes. The recommendation to pass HB 2021 with amendments was adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee next took up HB 1641, a related transportation bill addressing high-speed electric devices. The chair explained that the measure would prohibit the sale, lease, rental, distribution, possession, or operation of high-speed electric devices and establish penalties, but the committee’s version would narrow the focus to devices covered by HB 2021. The amended bill would prohibit offering high-speed electric devices for lease or rent, require sellers to comply with the new regulatory framework, ban operation on bicycle lanes, highways, roadways, and streets, and set a civil penalty of $250 to $1,000 per violation. After no further questions, the committee voted to pass HB 1641 with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The meeting then moved to HB 1709, which would transfer regulation of the Hawaii Water Carrier Act from the Public Utilities Commission to the Department of Transportation and make conforming changes with an appropriation. DOT testified in support, while the PUC and DCCA’s Consumer Advocacy Division raised concerns about preserving consumer protections and the complexity of moving the regulatory framework. Young Brothers supported the bill and said the current system is outdated, but the discussion remained ongoing; the transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 1709 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been talking to the state highways folks as well as the governor to discuss this possibility.
• We've been talking to the state highways folks as well as the governor to discuss this possibility.
• [clears throat] >> uh, extending the state highway. Thank you. Thank you.
• We've been talking to the state<00:40:51.800><c> highways</c> state highways state highways uh,<00:40
• </c> &gt;&gt; uh, extending the state highway. &gt;&gt; uh, extending the state highway.

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s also got some cleanup language from the creation of the higher ed...”
• It’s also got some cleanup language from the creation of the higher ed...”
• It’s also got some cleanup language from the creation of the higher ed and workforce development department
• Speaker, this particular amendment, and I just want to touch on the amendment specifically, is good cleanup

Transcript Highlights:

• It is just clarifying cleanup language for the seven multi-county multi-types.
• just</c> well together, this is uh just well together, this is uh just clarifying<00:36:45.560><c> cleanup
• </c><00:36:46.080><c> language</c><00:36:47.359><c> for</c><00:36:47.880><c> the</c> clarifying cleanup
• language for the clarifying cleanup language for the seven<00:36:48.480><c> multi-county</c><00:36:49.840

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Section seven is a bit of cleanup.
• > is</c><00:31:14.920><c> a</c><00:31:15.000><c> bit</c><00:31:15.160><c> of</c><00:31:15.280><c> cleanup
• </c><00:31:16.480><c> We</c><00:31:16.640><c> do</c> Section seven is a bit of cleanup.
• We do Section seven is a bit of cleanup.

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a reduction of $1.5 million each biennium from the contaminated site cleanup and a reduction
• training grants. each bianium from the contaminated site each bianium from the contaminated site cleanup
• 00:25:12.960><c> lane</c><00:25:13.279><c> 80</c><00:25:13.919><c> of</c><00:25:14.400><c> 16</c> cleanup
• and a reduction on lane 80 of 16 cleanup and a reduction on lane 80 of 16 million<00:25:14.960><c> each

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is really a cleanup because this is the current state of law, and it has been for three years
• This is really a cleanup.
• This is anything but a cleanup bill. This is a huge substantive change in the law. And so I will.
• What a cleanup bill is, but you're right, it is not. Thank you, Mr.

Bills: HB259 , HB259 , HB 1128 , HB1337 , HB1506 , HB1794 , HB2215 , HB2470 , HB2771 , HB2882 , HB2993 , HB3053 , HB3428 , HB3669 , HB3789 , HB3924 , HB4201 , HB4675

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: redistricting, Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission, Texas Legislature, elections, district boundaries, voter representation, healthcare, insurance, patient rights, medical expenses, access to care, affordability, legislation, firearms, penal code, regulation, short-barrel firearms, ammunition, gun control, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this is a really great cleanup bill with the amendment sub.
• It is a great cleanup to the original draft, so I am in favor. Thank you.
• I think this is a really great cleanup bill with the amendment sub.
• It is a great cleanup to the original draft, so I am in favor. Thank you. Yes.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 566, which would implement the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation created last year. Chairman Cook described major provisions affecting charitable gaming, horse racing, sports wagering, and quarter horse racing, including locking charitable gaming fees in statute at a slightly lower rate, expanding charitable gaming board representation, preserving existing gaming technology, allowing school districts to hold charitable gaming licenses, and setting up self-funding for the new corporation through administrative set-asides from gaming-related funds. The bill also addresses uncashed vouchers, cross-training of investigators, ethics and employment provisions, and a three-year quarter horse breeding incentive intended to grow the industry. A committee substitute made two technical changes: clarifying voucher money stays with the track facility and making the school district itself the license holder. The substitute and then the bill both passed favorably, with several members noting concerns from last year but supporting the revised structure. The committee then heard House Bill 70, an interstate compact for dietitians. Sponsor Representative Vanessa Grossl and witnesses said the measure would allow reciprocity with other compact states, improve workforce mobility, help military families, expand patient access and telehealth, and reduce administrative burden on the licensing board. The committee substitute created a third license category for educational interpreters, but that language actually belonged to the next bill; for HB 70, the committee voted the bill favorably without reported amendments. The bill passed unanimously or near-unanimously and was sent to the House floor. Next, House Bill 72 was presented by Representative DJ Johnson to amend the law governing limited x-ray machine operators. The sponsor explained that current law effectively prevents limited x-ray operators from working in the same facility as other imaging equipment, which he said creates compliance problems, disrupts training, and can force practices to move equipment or lose employees. The bill would allow limited x-ray technicians to operate in the same facility as other imaging equipment. During discussion, some members noted opposition from students and others in the field, and the sponsor invited industry witnesses to explain their concerns. The transcript cuts off before final action on HB 72 is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• There probably will be some cleanup this year, and so you'll see it on the spreadsheets for this committee
• There probably will be some cleanup this year, and so you'll see it on the spreadsheets for this committee
• There probably will be some cleanup this year, and so you'll see it on the spreadsheets for this committee
• There probably will be some cleanup this year, and so you'll see it on the spreadsheets for this committee

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I think reading the testimony, it's obvious that there's a lot of cleanup work that needs to
• it's it's obvious that there's a<00:22:04.000><c> lot</c><00:22:04.120><c> of</c><00:22:04.240><c> cleanup
• ><c> that</c><00:22:05.080><c> needs</c><00:22:05.320><c> to</c><00:22:05.440><c> be</c> a lot of cleanup
• work that needs to be a lot of cleanup work that needs to be done<00:22:06.039><c> I</c><00:22:06.320

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Summary: On the deferred agenda, the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs took up SB 1364, which makes emergency appropriations for law enforcement personnel costs, and SB 1452, which relates to the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The chair recommended both measures pass with amendments, including technical corrections and a committee-report effective date of July 1, 2077. For SB 1364, the amendments included specified general fund and transfer fund amounts for DAGS, the Judiciary, and the Department of Law. For SB 1452, the chair said the bill was being corrected to fix a drug-name error that had been replicated from a federal mistake. Both recommendations were adopted by vote, with Senator Dort excused. The committee then discussed SB 1612, a joint measure on fitness to proceed that would require and appropriate funds for a five-year pilot program involving the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Health, with interim and final reports to the Legislature. Testimony was mixed: the Judiciary and Department of Health were supportive, while the Office of the Public Defender and the Disability Rights Center opposed it, arguing it conflicted with best practices and the Clark consent order, and that people found not fit to proceed must be sent to the state hospital. DCR said its main concern was that the bill would still require patients to be housed in its facilities, which it said are not rehabilitative and are already strained by staffing shortages and limited access. The bill’s author argued the proposal was meant to create joint custody and reduce the high cost of state-hospital placement, but the committee did not take final action in the portion provided. In the joint hearing with Health and Human Services, the committees heard SB 1322, a broad rewrite of the state mental health code. The Attorney General supported the measure as a comprehensive cleanup and modernization effort, but many testifiers raised concerns. Queen’s Health System and Hawaii Health Systems Corporation supported the concept but warned about emergency-room impacts and asked for amendments; IHS supported the bill with a caveat about assisted community treatment procedures; and the Public Defender, Disability Rights Center, and others opposed parts of it, citing due process, privacy, HIPAA, counsel rights, liability immunity, and the reduction of an involuntary-treatment panel from three clinicians to one psychiatrist. The hearing also covered SB 951 on child protection, where the Department of Defense supported the bill and proposed technical amendments and MOUs with military components to clarify reporting and coordination procedures; DHS and the Attorney General said they were still working through possible changes. Finally, SB 228 on excited delirium was heard, with the Public Defender and Disability Rights Center supporting the bill and arguing the term has been misused and that better police de-escalation training is the real solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• With the license types, it's not an easy task to take on, and that's why we're not doing cleanups.
• You always hear us talking about a cleanup bill.
• We're doing cleanups because it's easier to do that, so if we do, and this is probably something that
• We're doing cleanups because it's easier to do that, so if we do, and this is probably something that

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• If you drive on the highways in Massachusetts, you can't help but see them.
• We no longer have tobacco billboards on our highways.
• They're on the Massachusetts Turnpike and they're on every state and local highway and street.
• It's a difficult thing to prove, right, on a state highway. Something that is enforceable.
• It's a difficult thing to prove on a state highway.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis held a hearing on a package of cannabis bills focused on equity funding, delivery expansion, advertising restrictions, medical use, first responders, and ownership limits. Testimony strongly supported S. 87/H. 184 to direct a larger share of cannabis revenue into the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund and related equity programs, with speakers arguing the current funding is insufficient and that automatic transfers would better support businesses and communities harmed by the war on drugs. Several witnesses also backed H. 145/S. 89 to allow licensed cannabis delivery into municipalities that ban retail sales and to hotels, saying current rules unfairly limit social equity delivery operators and consumer access. There was also support for H. 176 on medical cannabis eligibility and S. 76 on cannabis use by first responders, while H. 177/H. 178 on new taxes drew opposition from several business owners who said the industry is already heavily burdened and overtaxed. A major point of debate was S. 94/H. 157, which would prohibit billboard advertising for non-prescription marijuana. Public health advocates, parents, and neuroscientists argued that cannabis billboards normalize use, are seen by youth, and are difficult to regulate effectively under the current 85% adult-audience standard. They urged a public health approach similar to tobacco restrictions. In contrast, several industry witnesses opposed further advertising limits, saying cannabis businesses already face strict marketing rules, billboards are privately owned, and additional restrictions would hurt small operators and raise First Amendment concerns. Some witnesses also criticized the proposed increase in ownership caps and consolidation provisions in the broader cannabis bill, warning they would favor large multistate companies over small and social equity businesses. Committee members asked questions about billboard ownership, enforcement of the current advertising rules, and the legal basis for restricting sign content. Witnesses and members also discussed the Cannabis Control Commission’s role, the difficulty of enforcing audience-composition standards, and whether delivery should be treated more like alcohol. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair noted that written testimony would continue to be accepted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since the 1980s, the California Highway Patrol's California Motorcyclist Safety Program has helped train
• of us, to be joined on the floor here in the Senate by Assistant Commissioner with the California Highway
• Members, this is from the California Highway Patrol's press release when Commissioner John...
• The California Highway Patrol's press release when Commissioner Johnson was promoted to assistant commissioner
• Robin Johnson's leadership and commitment to the continued service that she has for the California Highway

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journals, and removed SB 830 from the inactive file for return to the Assembly. It then took up several gubernatorial appointments, including Clint Kellum as Director of the Cannabis Control, Jennifer Osborne as Director of Industrial Relations, and two Medical Board of California appointments, Dr. Trinidad Solis and Dr. Gerald Tolbrook. Each appointment was confirmed by roll call, with broad support and no recorded opposition. The chamber also adopted SR 97 recognizing Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month. Senators from multiple caucuses spoke in support, highlighting AAPI contributions to California, histories of exclusion and solidarity, and the importance of visibility and representation. The resolution passed 39-0. The Senate also recognized numerous AAPI community leaders and honorees on the floor, including Kay Buck and Mira Sorvino for anti-trafficking advocacy, and later several additional guests and community figures. Members then adopted several other resolutions by unanimous consent: SCR 168 designating Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, SCR 148 declaring GM1 gangliosidosis awareness day, SR 95 proclaiming ALS Awareness Month, SCR 156 for Stroke Awareness Month, and SR 110 recognizing Hospital Week in California. Floor remarks focused on public safety, rare disease awareness, stroke recovery and aphasia, and the role of hospitals and health care workers. The Senate also honored retiring California Professional Firefighters president Brian Rice with extensive tributes to his labor leadership, firefighter safety work, and disaster response advocacy. The meeting concluded with the remaining appointment confirmations and adjournment until May 14, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since the 1980s, the California Highway Patrol's California Motorcyclist Safety Program has helped train
• of us, to be joined on the floor here in the Senate by Assistant Commissioner with the California Highway
• This is from the California Highway Patrol's press release when Commissioner John...
• The California Highway Patrol's press release when Commissioner Johnson was promoted to assistant commissioner
• Robyn Johnson's leadership and commitment to the continued service that she has for the California Highway

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2022, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission allowed a pilot program in the Acadiana area.
• It comes with the recommendation from our Highway Safety Commission.
• Lisa Freeman, our Executive Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. And Ms.
• I'm the Executive Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.
• I also serve as the Governor's Representative for Highway Safety for the State, and I have the privilege

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on April 29, 2026, and first voluntarily deferred House Bill 517. The committee then heard and passed several bills focused on impaired driving, wrongful conviction compensation, gaming promo play, child protection, and criminal penalties related to sexual exploitation and worship-service interference. Senate Bill 118 would require substance use disorder screening for all misdemeanor DUI offenders, with supporters arguing early screening could identify treatment needs and reduce repeat offenses; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 125 increased the wrongful conviction compensation cap from 10 to 15 years and from $400,000 to $600,000, with testimony emphasizing the hardship faced by people who were wrongfully imprisoned for decades; it also passed favorably. Senate Bill 294 allowed gaming operators to allocate promotional play across licenses without increasing the total amount, and it was reported favorably despite one opposition card. The committee also approved Senate Bill 87, which clarified the definition of commercial sexual activity to address conflicts in child sex trafficking statutes and better reach online solicitation and related conduct. Senate Bill 93 established minimum bond amounts for certain child sex abuse material offenses, and Chair Villio offered an amendment expanding related bail and revocation provisions for certain violent, sex, and firearm offenses; the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 98 added certain school employees, including school resource officers and security guards, to the definition of educator for purposes of prohibited sexual conduct with students, and it passed favorably. Senate Bill 199 imposed a mandatory minimum sentence for a second offense of purchasing commercial sexual activity and required sex offender registration; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably as amended. The committee then took up House Bill 333, which would require the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to house inmates within 30 miles of their home or offense location. The author argued this would preserve family ties and reduce recidivism, but sheriffs, district attorneys, and DOC representatives opposed it as impractical given limited bed space, security needs, and existing placement criteria; the bill was not moved. House Bill 828 would create an independent Louisiana Correctional Medical Review Board to investigate deaths in custody, but law enforcement and corrections witnesses warned it could interfere with homicide investigations and duplicate existing coroner and agency reviews; the author asked for voluntary deferral, which the committee granted. House Bill 146, authorizing a Sabine Parish sports wagering election, was heard but received no motion and remained in committee. The committee also approved Senate Bill 277, expanding concealed-carry exemptions for certain statewide elected officials in the State Capitol, and Senate Bill 306, creating the crime of obstructing worship services in a church or other place of worship; SB 306 was amended to reduce a proposed fine from $10,000 to $2,500 after concerns about jury-trial implications. The meeting ended with adjournment after all remaining items were disposed of.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's one sugar mill that stores their bagasse on the main highway in our community.
• So all the millions of dollars that the state spends on keeping our state's highways and roadways looking
• There's actually bagasse all down our highway, all over the street, the smell.
• Thank you. 6011 Main Highway, St.
• They drive down the highway. It's flying everywhere.

Bills: HCR65 , HB512 , HB1194 , SCR23 , SB502

Committees: House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development , House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture & Rural Development

Keywords: crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2A program, seasonal workforce, Louisiana economy, Healthy Food Retail Act, food access, food deserts, economic opportunity, public health, Louisiana agriculture, community development, fresh food, agriculture, national security, food production, supply chain, security task force, farm labor, Chinese investments

Transcript Highlights:

• want to point out a few safety concerns that we would have as the Department of Public Safety, the Highway
• A few safety concerns that we would have as the Department of Public Safety, the Highway Patrol, the
• It is a significant percentage of the highway patrol that is up here.
• Yes, members, as you know, I've been working on some highway issues with records, trucking, remediation
• summary, in the fiscal year 25, O.D. spent $152,000 of taxpayer dollars to clean up the sides of the highway

Bills: HB1453 , HB2933 , HB2941 , HB2945 , HB2959 , HB3087 , HB3094 , HB3297 , HB3298 , HB3319 , HB3321 , HB3386 , HB3453 , HB3471 , HB3505 , HB3510 , HB3544 , HB3549 , HB3652 , HB3727 , HB3791 , HB3845 , HB3906 , HB4119 , HB4125 , HB4126 , HB4198 , HB4236 , HB4425 , HB4343 , HB4094 , HB3407

Committee: House Civil Judiciary

Keywords: foreign ownership, property rights, agricultural land, Attorney General, divestment, real estate, felony penalties, insurance regulation, homeowner claims, premium discounts, catastrophe mitigation, civil penalties, fentanyl, overdose, first responders, drug reporting, immunity, controlled substances, penalties, abortion