Transcript Highlights:

• You honor your sister through your diligence in her memory, and I'm incredibly proud to know you, and
• or former employee to another business, at least until a court decides whether the non-compete or garden
• The bill narrowly applies to covered non-compete agreements and to covered garden leave... ...agreements
• Treatment under non-compete and garden leave agreements.
• The amendment specifically applies to covered non-compete agreements and covered garden leave agreements

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Senate Bill 1272 on guardianship, which would limit a guardian’s ability to isolate an adult ward from family and require notice of major events such as a ward’s death or relocation to a more restrictive setting. Senator Jones and supportive speakers said the bill was intended to protect wards from abuse and isolation by bad actors, while still preserving good-faith guardianship. With no opposition testimony or debate, the committee voted 8-0 to report the bill favorably. The committee then considered CS for Senate Bill 1284, which would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow civil claims for the death of an unborn child. An amendment was adopted to define “unborn child” as a member of the species Homo sapiens carried in the womb and to state that the act does not authorize claims against the mother or against health care providers acting within the lawful standard of care. The bill drew extensive debate and testimony. Supporters argued it would give parents parity and fuller damages, including economic losses and mental anguish, when negligence causes the death of an unborn child. Opponents, including the ACLU, medical professionals, and reproductive rights advocates, warned it could be used to target abortion care, increase malpractice exposure, worsen physician shortages, and create speculative damages. The committee approved the bill 6-4. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 1288 on parental rights, with a strike-all amendment that would strengthen parental control over minors’ medical decisions, surveys, and biofeedback devices, while adding exceptions for emergencies, court orders, certain legal statuses, and situations involving abuse or out-of-home placement. Supporters said the measure restores parents as primary decision-makers and protects children from inappropriate questioning or treatment without consent. Opponents argued it could block minors from confidential care for STIs, mental health, or abuse-related issues, and could chill school and medical screenings. The transcript ends during testimony and debate on this bill, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate, you know, the memories. It's true.
• These funds have catalyzed jobs, they help support our schools, they elevate voices, they memorialize
• It's also important to note that we see ourselves as a place of memory, reconciliation, justice, and
• We are being dismembered, and not just our bodies, but our memory.
• So this is not just a call to fund the arts, but to protect that memory, to defend creation, to refuse

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how recent federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and the creative economy in California. Chair Ben Allen and Vice Chair Chris Ward opened by describing the hearing as a response to proposed and ongoing federal cuts to the NEA, NEH, IMLS, and public broadcasting, as well as grant terminations and leadership changes at cultural institutions. Several members emphasized the economic and civic importance of the arts, while one Republican member argued for greater ideological diversity in the arts and noted the loss of music programs in small schools. Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA described the impact of federal policy on grants, jobs, and production. Harky said executive orders and the FY 2026 budget proposal threaten arts agencies and arts education, and that rescinded grants are causing hiring freezes, shutdowns, and losses for small organizations, especially in rural and underserved communities. Fisher focused on runaway film and television production, outdated tax rules, and the need for federal incentives, intellectual property protections, and action on AI and digital replicas. Members also discussed bipartisan support, the role of business and tourism partners, and the need to include more diverse voices in arts advocacy. The second panel featured Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council. Noguchi said NEH funding was cut immediately, putting California Humanities’ grantmaking and documentary programs at risk and prompting consideration of litigation and possible state support. Lucas reported that IMLS funding for California libraries was briefly canceled but partly restored, though a budget gap remains. Purcell said the California Arts Council is still awaiting federal award language for state partnership funds, but NEA grant terminations and the proposed elimination of federal cultural agencies create major uncertainty; she also said the council is assessing the damage and tracking impacts on grantees. Members asked about measuring outcomes, AI’s threat to creative work, documentary funding losses, and possible state and national strategies to protect cultural institutions and jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I'm here to introduce AB 760, a bill that would ensure the victim of the Garden Grove chemical
• A bill that would ensure the victim of the Garden Grove chemical incident will be made whole.
• Land-Wain, Trustee of Garden Grove School Unified District. Good morning, Mr.
• The Garden Grove chemical leak harmed residents and businesses through no fault of their own.
• Records would be lost, memories would fade, and the system would be unworkable.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several tax-related bills, beginning with AB 760, which would exempt settlement payments tied to the Garden Grove chemical incident from California income tax. The author and a school district trustee described evacuations, school closures, and losses to residents, businesses, students, and staff, arguing the payments should make victims whole rather than be taxed. There was support from the Orange County Board of Supervisors, no opposition, and the bill passed 3-0 to Appropriations, with committee amendments accepted. Members then heard AB 2319, creating a California post-production tax credit for film and television work done in-state, even when principal photography occurred elsewhere or the project did not receive the existing film credit. The author and supporters from the Motion Picture Editors Guild, California Post Alliance, and others said post-production jobs and facilities are leaving California and that the bill would help retain high-wage work; opponents were not present. The committee members generally supported the measure, and it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. AB 2186 followed, excluding future reparations benefits for descendants of formerly enslaved people from state income tax. The author and NAACP California-Hawaii State Conference said taxing such benefits would undermine reparative justice; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 3-0. The committee also heard AB 762, which would ban the sale of disposable nicotine vapes and add enforcement tools. Supporters, including waste, recycling, local government, and public health groups, said disposable vapes create fire hazards, waste problems, and costs for local agencies; opponents argued the bill would mainly eliminate the legal market while leaving illicit products untouched and urged stronger enforcement instead. The author accepted committee amendments adding CDTFA enforcement, but the bill was not voted on because a motion was pending and members were absent. Later, AB 1519, AB 2172, AB 2222, AB 1793, AB 2089, and AB 1265 were heard and each received support from committee members and passed 2-0 or 3-0 to Appropriations, with amendments accepted where noted. AB 1519 clarified that the 20-year tax collection statute of limitations should not be reset by later fees or penalties; AB 2172 would let large counties use a single assessment appeals commissioner for complex property tax appeals; AB 2222 would create a temporary tax credit for local news organizations to retain and hire journalists; AB 1793 would authorize symmetrical cash rounding to the nearest nickel after the federal penny phaseout; AB 2089 would streamline the welfare exemption filing process for affordable housing; and AB 1265 would extend and revise the historic building tax credit to encourage adaptive reuse for housing and mixed-use projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Isn't that just a big community garden?
• Isn't that just a big community garden?
• There are ways on small plots of land for farmers. just a big community garden.
• infrastructure funding for farmers markets, mobile farmers markets, urban agriculture, and community gardens
• infrastructure funding for farmers markets, mobile farmers markets, urban agriculture, and community gardens

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on food insecurity in California and how state and federal nutrition programs, agricultural production, and food distribution systems intersect. Assemblymembers emphasized that many Californians, including farmworkers, seniors, children, and communities of color, remain food insecure despite California’s agricultural abundance. Panelists and members discussed CalFresh, WIC, school meals, Sun Bucks, food banks, and the impact of federal policy changes, including possible nutrition cuts, tariffs, and immigration enforcement, on access to food and the agricultural workforce. Secretary Karen Ross described CDFA programs aimed at improving access to fresh food and supporting local agriculture, including the senior farmers’ market program, California Nutrition Incentive Program, Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program, Community Food Hubs, Farm to School, urban agriculture, and a proposed tribal food sovereignty program. She said these efforts help connect local producers to consumers, expand healthy food access, and build infrastructure such as refrigeration, mobile markets, and aggregation hubs. Department of Social Services Deputy Director Alexis Fernandez Garcia outlined CalFresh, CFAP, Sun Bucks, CACFP, emergency food programs, and tribal nutrition assistance, noting that CalFresh and related programs significantly reduce poverty and food insecurity, but participation gaps remain for non-English speakers, some Asian American communities, and undocumented households. PPIC researcher Tess Thorman presented data showing that 13% of California households experienced food insecurity in 2023, with higher rates among households with children and Latino, Black, and other households. She said nutrition programs reduce poverty and food hardship, but federal rules, income thresholds, immigration restrictions, and high living costs limit their reach. Members asked about simplifying applications, improving call center access, increasing outreach in multiple languages, and adjusting benefits for inflation. Officials said the state has used available federal options to streamline enrollment, improve customer service, and target outreach, but many core rules and benefit levels are set federally. The second panel shifted to food production and market access. A farmer, a UC food systems leader, and a produce distributor described efforts to connect small and medium farms with food banks, schools, universities, and Medi-Cal food-as-medicine programs. They highlighted programs such as Farms Together, the USDA Southwest Regional Food Business Center, Farm to School, food hubs, and climate-smart infrastructure grants as ways to create stable markets for local growers while improving food access. Speakers also raised concerns about land tenure, consolidation, regulatory burdens, labor constraints, and the loss of federal funding, and members discussed whether state investments and Prop. 4 funds could help sustain and expand these efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Their stories have been seared into our collective memory.
• Caucus in honor of Holocaust Memorial Day.
• His memories of the Nazi occupation are all too vivid.
• I rise to adjourn in memory of private first class.
• So today I join my colleague in a journey in the memory of Father Estrada.

Transcript Highlights:

• Leader Bank Pavilion at 300 Northern Avenue, where we will have music and stage and food and beer gardens
• Monument, on a Boston Harbor historic cruise, the USS Constitution, the National Cemetery and Born Memorial
• Monument on a Boston Harbor historic cruise, the USS Constitution, the National Cemetery and Born, Memorial

Summary: The special commission on the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution met without quorum but proceeded with updates on upcoming commemoration activities. Chair Sean Garballey and Senator Paul Mark opened the meeting, then heard a detailed presentation from Dusty Rhodes on Sail Boston/Tall Ships, including the July 10–15 schedule, ship arrivals and parade of sail, harbor anchorage, public boarding, the Sail Boston festival, fireworks, and related public safety and logistics planning. Rhodes said the event will involve 20 countries, about 60 ships, and significant coordination among pilots, tugboats, hotels, sponsors, and 67 public safety agencies. Massachusetts 250 staff Kate Fox and Sheila Green reported on campaign outreach and programming. They highlighted strong website and email engagement, merchandise sales, grant-funded exhibits and murals across the state, the Boston Pops July 4 program, multilingual media outreach, and an I Civics “We Declare” student competition. They also described Massachusetts’ contributions to the America 250 time capsule, the July 8 national reading of the Declaration of Independence, the Great American Block Party in Boston, the flag sojourn, MA 250 signage at rest areas, and a new schools-and-farms partnership with the Department of Clean Energy and Environment and the Executive Office of Education. Jonathan Lane of Revolution 250 updated the commission on Bunker Hill-related events, the Gloucester battle reenactment, Treaty Day in Watertown, and the organization’s Declaration of Independence project to reprint the Ezekiel Russell broadside for distribution to Massachusetts communities. Members praised the work and discussed a possible Massachusetts-specific time capsule, with several offering to help provide objects or facsimiles and staff planning to solicit broader commission interest in a subcommittee. The meeting ended with brief announcements about an upcoming Mass Humanities screening and Freedom Trail’s 75th anniversary, followed by a motion to adjourn that passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• Years later, she continued suffering from traumatic brain injury, memory loss, vision impairment, and
• advocating on behalf of her daughter, who was hit by a driver while she was walking her dog in the Lower Garden
• mine... ...this bill is named after Christina Lawson, a former constituent of mine, and to honor her memory

Committee: Senate Judiciary C

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Memorial 15, introduced by Senator Campos.
• Senate Memorial 15.
• Senate Memorial 16 introduced by Senator Haramil.
• Senate Memorial 15. Senate Memorial 16, introduced by Senator Haramil.
• Senate Memorial 16.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Special Ombudsman and Public Garden Ship Advisory Board: Daniel Smith.
• Continuing under the order of business: reading of Senate memorials and resolutions, other business of
• The Senate is received of the Senate Joint Memorial Number 112, adopted by the Idaho State Senate and
• been distributed members desks and will lie on the table the Senate is received of the Senate Joint Memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• An example of what might be purchased is some type of technology that would help with memory care.
• And an example of what might be purchased is some type of technology that would help with memory care
• So. is some type of technology that would help with memory care. So we're really happy and excited.
• work with service members within about 24 months of separation veterans guards and members of the garden

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The Committee on Military Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met to consider SB 96, which originally proposed a new veterans dental care program but was amended to expand the existing Veterans Dental Care Grant Program. The amendment raised eligibility from 300% to 400% of the federal poverty level and added a recurring $500,000 general revenue appropriation. Members discussed whether expanding eligibility without guaranteed additional funding could dilute services for veterans already being served, while supporters argued it would help veterans currently turned away for dental care. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 96 favorably by roll call vote, with Chair Wright voting no. The committee also approved two committee bills continuing public records exemptions: SPB 7000, covering the address and telephone number of people staying in public emergency shelters during storms or catastrophic events, and SPB 7002, covering certain Department of Military Affairs records stored in or transmitted through Department of Defense systems or related to military cyber operations. Both were moved as committee bills without objection and were favorably reported. Members then received presentations from Dr. Pia Woodley of the Florida Veterans Foundation and Joe Marino of Veterans Florida. Dr. Woodley outlined the foundation’s dental initiatives, emergency assistance, transportation support, benefits guide distribution, new programs for state veterans’ homes and community grants, and recent audits with no findings. Marino described Veterans Florida’s SkillBridge, entrepreneur, and workforce programs, including outreach and federal partnerships, and noted legislative priorities to allow stipends for training at UF IFAS AGVets facilities and to rename a program in statute for clarity. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we use a lot of common sense and gardening practices and try to use different species to help mitigate
• local tourism development funds, nonprofit funding from private donations, such as funds donated to memorialize
• individuals, memorial reefs, and from institutions, and special state appropriations for legislatively
• If you go to, I'm not going to use names, but you buy a bag of fertilizer for your home garden.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard a series of presentations focused on coral reef restoration, artificial reefs, biosolids management, and a proposed biosolids processing facility. Mote Marine Laboratory described the severe decline of Florida’s coral reefs, its restoration methods using microfragmentation, genetic banking, selective breeding, nurseries, and outplanting, and asked for a long-term state commitment to help restore reef areas. The Keys Marine Laboratory and Florida Institute of Oceanography highlighted their role as a hub for coral rescue, holding, propagation, and research, including emergency response during the 2023 bleaching event. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discussed the scale of reef loss, the state’s coral rescue and propagation efforts, and the economic and habitat value of artificial reefs, while noting permitting delays and material-selection concerns for reef projects. The committee then received a DEP update on the Osborne Reef tire cleanup. DEP explained that the original tire reef was a failure, that nearly 500,000 tires had been removed by 2024, and that the current effort is funded at $5 million for the fiscal year, with cleanup now shifting from large tire clusters to more difficult individual tires and coral relocation. Members asked about the future of the site after cleanup; DEP said that phase two decisions, such as whether to restore or monitor the area, have not yet been made. DEP also presented on biosolids rules, explaining that the 2021 rule tightened nutrient management, groundwater, and surface water protections, reduced the number of active land-application sites, and contributed to a shift away from Class B land application toward Class AA, landfill, or out-of-state disposal. Senators raised concerns about PFAS, nutrient loading, and the loss of disposal options, and a public speaker warned of a statewide septage disposal crisis. Finally, Sedron Technologies presented its VARCOR system and a planned Indiantown facility that would process dewatered biosolids into clean water, ammonia, and a dry Class AA product or fuel, with the company saying the process can destroy PFAS and help relieve regional disposal pressure. Senators expressed support for the technology as a potential solution to Florida’s biosolids challenges. No formal votes were taken on the presentations themselves, and the only action at the end of the meeting was adjournment after Senator Polsky moved to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gentlemen, we talked about these earlier, but I suppose it's appropriate that I bring them up so memorialize
• It goes right up to where the garden was, where my brothers and sister and I used to throw dirt clods
• at each other while we were planting the garden.
• It goes right up to where the garden was, where my brothers and sister and I used to throw dirt clods
• at each other while we were planting the garden.

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Summary: The Special Committee on Rural Issues heard House Bill 3375, sponsored by Rep. Koslow, a broad eminent domain reform measure aimed at protecting landowners, especially farmers and ranchers. The bill would create protections for beginning farmers and ranchers, require 15 days’ notice before surveyors enter property, extend the response period in eminent domain cases from 10 days to 60 days, bar eminent domain for wind and solar facilities, require land restoration and maintenance after construction, increase compensation to 125% of fair market value in certain cases, add tax-liability compensation, change treatment of heritage and blight-related compensation, and allow attorney’s fees when a landowner wins a higher award than the condemning authority offered. Members raised concerns about the bill’s scope, its effect on energy development, and several drafting and implementation issues, including surveyor access, maintenance standards, and whether the bill could create conflicts with existing attorney-fee provisions. The sponsor said he was open to changes and noted that an HCS would address some drafting errors and feedback. Testimony in support came from the Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, a landowner/banker, and attorney Brent Hayden, who argued that landowners are often pressured into quick, low offers and should be treated as partners rather than obstacles. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency, due process, compensation, and restoration standards, and that it would not stop infrastructure development. Hayden described current eminent domain practice as giving landowners little leverage over route selection or restoration and said the bill would create needed discipline for condemning authorities. Several supporters also defended the wind-and-solar restriction as a response to the amount of land those projects can require and to concerns about using eminent domain for generation projects. Opposition came from the Missouri Energy Development Association, municipal utilities, and MoDOT. Opponents said they agreed some reforms may be reasonable but warned the bill, as written, could increase costs, delay projects, and create litigation risk that would ultimately be passed on to customers and taxpayers. MoDOT said the fiscal impact could be substantial, potentially doubling annual right-of-way spending. Utility representatives also cautioned that the bill could conflict with existing attorney-fee rules and should be aligned with compromise language from other legislation. The hearing ended without a vote or committee action, with the sponsor and witnesses indicating further negotiations and possible revisions were expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would think some of those products would be available to be used in a homeowner's garden to grow food
• have used on a garden that is sold<00:45:29.359><c> in</c><00:45:29.680><c> one</c><00:45:29.839><c>
• </c><00:45:41.760><c> is</c><00:45:42.079><c> sewed</c> your garden is sewed your garden is sewed and
• One of my earliest memories was walking through the tobacco fields in Woodford County with my parents
• of my earliest memories was walking through<01:06:57.520><c> the</c><01:06:57.680><c> tobacco</c><01

Transcript Highlights:

• I talked to him the other day, and I asked him how his garden was, and he said, you know, it's not doing
• They defeated their opponent 31 to 14 at War Memorial Stadium to win the 4A title.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have written testimony in support from Hawaii Memorial Life Plan, Mitchell Dodo of Dodo Mortuary
• , Ricky Aoki of Jose Garden, Mor Mortuary, both in support.

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard House Bill 1481, which would require cemeteries, crematories, funeral establishments, HSI facilities, and mortuaries to dispose of human remains within 60 days after a burial transit permit or related affidavit is issued. The Hawaii Funeral and Cemetery Association and several funeral-related entities supported the bill, and the association said it had already implemented consistent cremation authorization language regarding notice and consent for recycling metal implants, effective January 1. The committee later recommended HB 1481 be passed with a defective effective date of July 1, 2050; the vice chair voted with reservations, saying the prior version with Department of Health rulemaking was stronger consumer protection. The committee also considered several resolutions. SCR 96 and SR 91, on a status update for implementation of the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, were recommended for passage with amendments adopting the PUC’s requested changes. SCR 172 and SR 163, seeking a comprehensive analysis of ways to reduce costs and financial risks while meeting state goals, drew support from the PUC and Energy Office with comments, and the committee recommended passage with amendments removing a disputed whereas clause. SCR 109 and SR 102, on studying expanded mail-order pharmacy use, drew mixed testimony: the Insurance Division and HMSA supported a study, while the Hawaii Pharmacist Association and others raised concerns about patient outcomes, rural access, and community pharmacy sustainability; the committee amended the resolutions to require broader agency cooperation and evaluation of community pharmacy impacts, then recommended passage. In additional decision-making, the committee deferred SCR 193 and SR 1802 on trust transparency due to no testimony. It recommended passage with amendments on several bills, including HB 1782 after clarifying terminology with the Attorney General’s Office, HB 1514 on workers’ compensation, HB 1619 on electric vehicle infrastructure, HB 1643 on pharmacy, HB 1721 on housing, HB 1864 on insurance, HB 1946 on timeshare registration, and HB 2475 on labeling requirements. HB 350 on energy was deferred for more work. The committee also reconsidered HB 2101 on commercial aquarium collection and recommended passage as amended after hearing from supporters and noting concerns about enforcement and statewide consistency.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've talked a lot about your gardening and your love of gardening at your home and your cooking and
• Let's take a trip down memory lane to 1991, when John started.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6244 , SB6044 , SB5109 , SB5877 , SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Transcript Highlights:

• We start Memorial Day weekend and we're done Columbus Day.
• Day weekend and we're done uh Memorial Day weekend and we're done uh Columbus<01:22:21.080><c> Day</
• </c><02:29:16.840><c> Day</c> a holiday weekend like Memorial Day a holiday weekend like Memorial Day
• One of the things that happens is Memorial Day weekend can often be impacted by the snow level.
• For many years, the typical boating season started on Memorial Day and ended on Labor Day.

Summary: The meeting was an orientation for the Resources, Recreation and Development Committee, led by Chair Bob Harb. He reviewed committee procedures, including pink cards for witnesses, blue sheets for counts, use of drawers in the committee room, scheduling practices, and how bills would be posted and distributed. Members briefly introduced themselves and explained why they wanted to serve on the committee, with several citing interests in conservation, water quality, outdoor recreation, land use, and related local issues. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 1113, relative to OHRV operation on certain highways within the town of Windsor. Representative Ré Colcombe, the sponsor, explained that the bill would allow local OHV/UTV access across a short section of state road in Windsor so residents on divided portions of town could travel legally between areas. He said the town selectmen were already allowing OHRV use on town roads, the route was paved, traffic impacts were expected to be minimal, and local police had no objections. He also said the town would hold public hearings and notify abutters as required, and that if the select board ultimately opposed the proposal he would recommend killing the bill. Members asked about the legal authority for the change, speed limits, traffic volume, winter maintenance, and whether the Department of Transportation or select board had to approve the route. Colcombe said the town must hold a public hearing and that the change would need to be incorporated into RSA 258:10, section 4. He said the road is maintained by the town in winter and by the state in summer. An opponent, Anne Davis, testified that she opposed the bill, saying ATV use should be treated as a tool for forest management rather than recreation, that law enforcement capacity in Windsor was a concern, and that she believed affected residents should be fully notified before any approval. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to refresh my memory in terms of the... Oh, thank you.
• in terms of want to refresh my memory in terms of the<00:17:26.400><c> Oh,</c><00:17:26.720><c> thank
• It can't be just a garden in your yard.
• Um it can't be just<01:40:20.080><c> a</c><01:40:20.320><c> garden</c><01:40:20.639><c> in</c><01:40:
• Uh we found just a garden in your yard.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• He said he does not, but he doesn't want one because there's a Gold Star memorial at the cemetery, and
• at the at the cemetery and star memorial at the at the cemetery and he's<00:12:00.240><c> afraid</c>
• </c> new gardens I just might see someday. new gardens I just might see someday.
• A garden to nurture understanding out of discomfort.
• A garden to nurture shatter stigmas.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Years later, she continued suffering from traumatic brain injury, memory loss, vision impairment, and
• advocating on behalf of her daughter, who was hit by a driver while she was walking her dog in the Lower Garden
• This bill is named after Christina Lawson, a former constituent of mine. ...to honor her memory and to

Committee: Senate Judiciary C

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.