Transcript Highlights:

• I would like the chance to come back and brief you on the master plan process.
• So I could go on and on and on, telling you all about what’s going on.
• So, on this very brief set of amendments, as you can see, when we initially drafted the bill, speaking
• So, on this very brief set of amendments, as you can see, when we initially drafted the bill, speaking
• We are due on the floor at 1 o'clock. Yes, sir. I'll keep it brief.

Bills: HR1 , HB96 , HB345 , HB360 , HB401 , HB592 , HB703 , HB723 , HB729 , HB776 , HB838 , HB844 , HB882 , HB885 , HB888 , HB966

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Summary: The committee first heard House Resolution 1, which approves the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s annual State Integrated Coastal Protection Plan for fiscal years 2026-2027. CPRA officials described the plan as about $1.54 billion, with roughly 93% directed to project implementation and construction, funded through state mineral revenue, GOMESA, BP spill dollars, surplus funds, and newly available coastal sediment funds. They outlined projects across the coast, including marsh creation, barrier island restoration, levees, pump stations, freshwater diversions, and nonstructural flood protection, and said the plan had been unanimously approved by the CPRA board after public hearings. Members asked about specific coastal and basin issues, including the Sabine River, the Chafalaya Basin, Bayou Sorrel, and tidal flooding in interior parishes. HR 1 was reported favorably without objection. The committee then considered House Bill 838, as substituted, dealing with vehicle inspection stickers and related OMV modernization. The substitute would repeal inspection requirements for assembled vehicles, keep periodic inspections for commercial and student transportation vehicles, address federal inspection requirements, allow out-of-state inspections in some cases, and create a Louisiana Vehicle Identification Program using QR codes. Members focused on privacy and enforcement questions, and OMV and state IT officials explained that the QR code would contain only the VIN and that the system would support police ticketing applications. The bill also ties implementation to the OMV modernization effort and takes effect January 1, 2027. HB 838 was reported by substitute. The committee next advanced House Bill 888 on temporary dealer plates, adopting a set of amendments that added security features, clarified timing for the new electronic issuance system, and adjusted rules for temporary tags and dealer plates. Testimony from the auto dealers’ association said the bill was intended to reduce fraud, resolve confusion over five-day versus 60-day tags, and extend certain temporary loaner tag periods from five to ten days. HB 888 was reported with amendments. The committee also heard House Bill 885 on electronic titles and lien recordation, which would allow electronic signatures, electronic lien notifications, and electronic titling/recordation for participating commercial entities, with civil immunity for good-faith actions and a severability clause. Members raised questions about fraud prevention and consumer participation, and supporters said the bill would modernize the process and align Louisiana with current industry practice. HB 885 was reported by substitute. Finally, the committee advanced House Bill 723, which allows certain two- and three-wheeled motorcycles and mopeds to proceed through a red light under specified circumstances when sensors fail to detect them. The sponsor said the measure is a safety fix for riders stuck at malfunctioning signals, and the bill was amended to clarify the vehicle types covered. The committee also considered House Bill 882 on outdoor advertising, which would increase billboard spacing on state highways from 150 feet to 1,000 feet and allow certain signs damaged by an act of God after January 1, 2010, to be rebuilt. Supporters said the bill would reduce billboard density and improve aesthetics, while opponents argued it would harm smaller operators and impose a one-size-fits-all rule. After testimony, HB 882 was amended and reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is 12:40 on March 11th, 2025.
• </c> one reason or another. one reason or another.
• Are we able to move on? on? on? Thanks<00:51:51.720><c> so</c><00:51:51.840><c> much.
• </c> passion on both sides. passion on both sides.
• Um, as we move forward, we're also going to hear the budget bill on Thursday.

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• It was was on page one, line two.
• one</c> a sort of one-to-one, one license to one a sort of one-to-one, one license to one business<00
• </c><00:52:32.840><c> just</c> on a on a basis based on data, not just on a on a basis based on data,
• </c> care that is needed on day one and days care that is needed on day one and days 11<01:08:24.719>
• one-on-one, 24-hour, He requires one-on-one, 24-hour, hospital-level<01:14:13.040><c> care</c><01:14

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Center on Early Childhood Education, on broadband, broadband deployment, and on economic development.
• But we'll work on that one later.
• I have one comment on page 7, lines 12 and 13.
• on our agenda. the gavel back over to our Madam Chair to continue on with the remaining two items on
• I'll be brief.

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• To us, it just makes sense for that to be under one agency, under one leader.
• on.
• Date, since our budget has already been taken care of, or at least it's already been worked on and finalized
• state budget.
• On the amendment. On the amendment, okay, yes. Okay, any further discussion?

Committee: Senate Industry and Business

Summary: The Senate Committee on Industry and Business reconvened to work on House Bill 1584, which would create a new pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) regulatory structure within the Insurance Department. Insurance Commissioner John Godfrey and Deputy Commissioner John Arnold explained a revised set of amendments negotiated with Representative Casper and the North Dakota Pharmacists Association. They said the bill largely kept the House policy intact but added technical corrections, narrowed some references in Chapter 19-02, created a separate PBM licensing class, set a delayed effective date for licensing, and established emergency authority so the department could begin building the new division. They also described the proposal to fund the program through existing trust fund resources, PBM license fees, and a transfer of about $1.6 million from the prescription drug transparency program fund, while allowing the department flexibility to hire needed attorneys, pharmacists, and examiners. A major point of discussion was Section 10, which would have required the Attorney General to represent and bear costs for lawsuits related to the bill. Chief Deputy Attorney General Claire Ness said the language was too broad and would go beyond normal constitutional defense work, potentially obligating her office to cover all lawsuits against the commissioner or state under the section. Representative Casper said the intent was only to avoid the Insurance Department having to seek emergency funding for litigation, and both he and department officials said they were open to removing the section or narrowing it. After further discussion, the committee agreed to remove Section 10 from the amendments. The committee then voted 4-0 to adopt the amended amendment package, and then voted 4-0 to give House Bill 1584 a do pass recommendation as amended and refer it to Appropriations. Members noted the bill was still a work in progress, but said the revised version was intended to move the PBM regulation issue forward while continuing discussion in the appropriations process.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the first one is knowledgeable on the various issues.
• They're going to be the ones that have a little bit more knowledge of who and what's going on within
• I'll be brief, Mr. Chairman. I'll be brief, Mr.
• I can go on and on about that. We cannot take on new programs.
• I can go on and on about the amount of programs that are out there for people who ask for help.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Summary: The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education met in executive session and public hearing, with a quorum present. It first voted House Bill 1767, described as the educator and parent bill of rights combination bill, due pass by a 14-1 vote with one present. The committee then considered House Bill 2918, which was amended by a substitute focused on defining school-sponsored media as a news source and distinguishing news from commentary or editorial content; the sponsor said the changes were intended to promote balanced, truth-in-labeling journalism and to protect only bona fide news sources. The substitute was adopted, and the House Committee Substitute for HB 2918 passed 11-3 with three present. The committee also voted House Bill 2304 due pass by a 10-4 vote with three present, though the transcript does not describe the bill’s subject. The committee then moved out of executive session and heard House Bill 2772, sponsored by Representative Melissa Douglas, which would create a postsecondary McKinney-Vento-style liaison for students experiencing homelessness. Douglas said the bill would help students transition from K-12 homelessness supports into higher education by giving them a designated point of contact in financial aid, and she noted that a substitute would remove earlier appointment and donation provisions and leave implementation to higher education institutions. Committee members asked about the liaison’s qualifications, duties, staffing, and fiscal impact, and Douglas said the substitute removed the most controversial appointment requirements and was intended to be a zero-fiscal-note approach. Supporters testified that the bill would improve coordination and help homeless and foster students persist in postsecondary education. An opponent argued the proposal duplicated existing services, would be costly, and was unnecessary given current state, federal, and nonprofit supports. No vote was taken on HB 2772 before the hearing ended and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can go on and on. I mean, I certainly understand the... Can go on and on.
• was made: information on how much legislatures in other states cost, what those operating budgets are
• I told people to keep coming and asking, right, you know, trying to help educate them on the budget bills
• or two sessions on the budgeting process.
• Senator Cleary said that maybe a report on the budget section or an overview of the process would be

Committee: Joint Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm pleased to present SB 237 as one of the lead authors on this bill.
• I'll be very brief.
• on utility bills.
• Ayes 54, noes 15 on the urgency, ayes 54, noes 15 on the measure.
• one bill.

Summary: The chamber reconvened after a late-night session and first adopted the consent calendar, including ACR 107 on the Diablo Range, by a 48-0 vote. Members then took up several Senate bills and Assembly measures, with repeated remarks about the long hours and the need to respect staff and keep proceedings moving. A vote change was also announced for Assembly Member Patel on SB 414, changing from aye to not voting. The main policy debate centered on energy, climate, and affordability. SB 237, dealing with oil and gas policy, refinery closures, pipeline safety, Kern County permitting, gasoline blend flexibility, and regional fuel coordination, drew strong support from members who framed it as a managed transition to stabilize fuel supply and protect jobs, and strong opposition from members who called it a giveaway to oil interests and a setback for climate goals. The bill passed 59-0. SB 254, an energy affordability and wildfire package, included wildfire mitigation financing, a successor wildfire fund, transmission cost reductions, clean energy permitting changes, and energization timelines; members raised some concerns about local control, but the bill passed 58-0. SB 840 and AB 1207 advanced the cap-and-invest reauthorization package, with supporters emphasizing emissions reductions, housing, transit, wildfire prevention, and community air programs, while opponents argued it would raise costs and function as a tax-and-spend scheme. SB 840 passed 54-15 and AB 1207 passed 55-10, both with urgency and immediate transmittal. Members also approved SB 352, which makes the Bureau of Environmental Justice permanent and requires air quality monitoring and reporting on AB 617 implementation, by 43-19. AB 825, authorizing California to help establish a Westwide electricity market, was presented as a way to lower bills, improve reliability, and reduce emissions; it passed 67-2 and was sent to the Governor. Additional actions included concurrence in Senate amendments to AB 8 on cannabinoids and AB 383 on firearms cleanup, and the chamber began consideration of AB 764 on wildlife as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you'll see the three big things that we usually spend our budget on: the online licensing system,
• One is efficiency, which is basically build faster and build within a budget.
• Okay, reconvening for the Committee on Education informational briefing.
• As on the screen, we want to pull up the budget document.
• And the key is schedule, budget, and scope. Oversight on that is key, right?

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing on Substitute House Bill 2251, and Amy Skye will brief the bill. Good morning, Mr.
• And this goes on. There's no change in how this goes on over time.
• of the three budgets.
• First, some brief background.
• So Monday will be, for purposes of taking action on executive session on bills.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several transportation-related bills. On Substitute House Bill 2251, staff explained changes to Climate Commitment Act accounts and revenue distribution, including new operating and capital accounts and a revised split of auction proceeds among transportation, capital, operating, and air quality accounts. Members asked about the bill’s effect on CERA funding, the air quality account, and whether the bill responded to projected revenue declines. Testimony was mixed but generally supportive of the bill’s goal of clearer, more predictable budgeting; tribal testimony requested clearer protections and a dedicated tribal set-aside, while other witnesses supported the bill for its transparency and climate/transportation benefits. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2588, which would allow county ferry districts to operate and finance vehicle ferries, not just passenger-only ferries. The prime sponsor and county officials from Whatcom and Pierce described the bill as a local option to help fund aging ferry systems without raising taxes, and public testimony from island residents, county representatives, and advocacy groups strongly supported it as a way to stabilize essential ferry service. The committee also heard House Bill 2722, which would raise the vehicle weight threshold for Transportation Benefit District fees from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds. Staff said the change would modestly increase TBD revenue statewide, and the sponsor argued the current law unfairly exempts heavier trucks while lighter vehicles pay the fee. Cities and local officials supported the bill, while the trucking association said it would support a compromise at 9,000 pounds instead of 10,000. The committee also heard House Bill 2727, creating an Educational Transit Access Grant Program for transit agencies and community and technical colleges to pilot free or reduced fares for students; the sponsor and transit advocates said it would improve affordability and access, and testimony emphasized equity and student retention benefits. In executive session, the committee considered Second Substitute House Bill 1923, which would expand who can form passenger-only ferry service districts and where they can be formed, with added intent language related to southern resident orcas and a revised effective date. After discussion, the committee voted 23-4 to pass the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation. The chair also announced a deadline extension for amendment requests on bills heard that day and thanked staff before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to go on for now. And this is an agency-wide summary of the budget.
• So a little bit of background on this one.
• Would you like one last? We've got a lot of lights on. One last follow-up.
• One thing I want to call out on this one is the Pocatello reentry operations.
• So one thing I want to call out on this one is the Pocatello reentry operations.

Summary: The committee met jointly with Senate Finance and House Appropriations to review the Idaho Department of Correction budget, beginning with an agency overview from Legislative Services analyst Noah Peterson and then testimony from Director Bree Derrick. Discussion focused on the department’s overall funding mix, declining balances in dedicated funds such as inmate labor and probation/parole receipts, vacancy management, and the impact of the governor’s holdback exemption. Members also asked about software and technology costs, the Hepatitis C Fund, replacement items, and why some positions remain vacant or are held open as a budget strategy. A substantial portion of the meeting covered the department’s major divisions and cost drivers. In state prisons, county/out-of-state placement, community corrections, community-based substance use disorder treatment, and medical services, the analyst and director explained enhancement requests, supplemental needs, and rising operating costs tied to inflation, population growth, and contract rates. Members questioned the inmate labor fund’s decline, the loss of work contracts, the cost and effectiveness of recidivism and transparency software, the Pocatello reentry center, body-worn cameras, RFID and drone detection technology, and the medical contract with Centurion. The department said some cuts were made or planned in response to budget pressure, including reduced spending on Recidivis and other contracts, while body-worn cameras and some public-safety tools were retained. The committee also discussed prison population pressures, county jail and out-of-state placement costs, mandatory minimum sentences, and the use of county jails as overflow. Director Derrick said the department is seeing more admissions than releases and that Idaho’s incarceration rate remains high relative to neighboring states. She also said the department is working to expand county and out-of-state options and to pursue more inmate labor contracts. Several members asked for follow-up information on staffing, contract counts, program impacts, and fund balances. The meeting then moved to the Commission of Pardons and Parole budget, where Director Christine Starr testified that commissioners are part-time but effectively work full-time, are not paid for training or all preparation time, and that turnover remains a concern. No votes were taken; the committee adjourned to resume the next day after work groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• the, on the, on, on, on, on LCFF, Isn't 4% forever on the, on the, on, on, on, on LCFF, and that's as
• And as Senator noted, we are both the budget sub-chairs on this issue in both our houses, too.
• We received $10 million in one-time funding last year in the budget.
• We have a budget ask right now that's over in the Assembly, and I know there's conversations going on
• between the Assembly and the Senate on that, in looking at another budget request for this.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Actually, I have a similar one from previous years, and one this year I just want to commend you on your
• Actually, I have a similar one from previous years, and one this year I just want to commend you on your
• Actually, I have a similar one from previous years, and one this year I just want to commend you on your
• <c> then</c><00:55:43.520><c> one</c> question well one comment and then one question well one comment
• I just have one comment. My thoughts align with Senator Hasel on this.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• BUDGET, PROVISO AND BACK OF THE BILL.
• AND BRIEF COMMENT REGARDING THE BACK OF THE BILL OFFER.
• THAT WAS CERTAINLY ONE OF THE HOT BUTTON ISSUES.
• GRATEFUL FOR YOU DIGGING IN ON THAT AS WELL. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?
• ONE HOUR NOTICE.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a joint informational briefing with the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment.
• Thank you to the Senate for helping host this informational briefing today on pesticides.
• c><00:04:01.519><c> west</c> in my community on kaii uh on the west in my community on kaii uh on the
• </c> state so uh just one slide on my focus state so uh just one slide on my focus groups<00:36:15.200
• They did one on glyphosate.

Summary: The joint informational briefing focused on restricted use pesticides in Hawaiʻi, with Senate and House members opening the meeting and explaining that the session was intended to hear expert presentations and community concerns. Fern Holland outlined the background for the briefing, describing how restricted use pesticides differ from general-use products, why state-level regulation matters, and how community advocates have sought disclosure and protections for years. She summarized 2019 reporting data, saying a small number of users accounted for most reported use, with especially heavy application in North Central Oʻahu and on the west side of Kauaʻi. She highlighted concerns about applications near schools, homes, and coastlines, and identified 1,3-dichloropropene and metam sodium as among the heaviest-used fumigants. She also noted concerns about highly hazardous pesticides, some banned in other countries, and the lack of research on long-term combined exposure to multiple pesticides. Greg Takashima of the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture described the department’s pesticide program and regulatory authority under FIFRA and state law. He explained the distinction between general-use and restricted use pesticides, the certification requirements for applicators, and the department’s role in tracking RUPs from sale through use. He reviewed the branch’s functions in enforcement, education and certification, registration and technical review, and laboratory analysis, including inspections, complaint response, market surveillance, product registration, groundwater review, and outreach on drift reduction and integrated pest management. He also noted staffing and funding limitations, saying the branch lacks a toxicologist and long-term monitoring capacity, and compared Hawaiʻi’s resources to California’s much larger pesticide regulatory program. Takashima thanked the legislature for passing Act 231 the prior year and said the department supports the measure as it moves forward this session. Dr. Lee, speaking for the Hawaiʻi chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and as a former member of the Kauaʻi Joint Fact-Finding Task Force, said pediatric guidance has shifted from focusing on acute poisoning to recognizing chronic low-level pesticide exposure as a concern. He cited AAP publications linking pesticide exposure to cancer, brain tumors, leukemia, birth outcomes, neurobehavioral effects, and asthma, and said pediatricians are now encouraged to advise families on reducing exposure and to support right-to-know measures and buffer zones around schools and public gathering places. He also described the Kauaʻi task force’s work, saying it found the west side of the island to be an unhealthy community but could not prove causation because of missing drift, geospatial, and biomarker data. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational, questions were held until after presentations, and the department expressed support for Act 231.

Transcript Highlights:

• At budget hearings, we do allow people to have one minute of testimony at the end.
• proposed as part of the governor's budget for the Carl Moyer program, which focuses on scrapping and
• But because the budget bill is a one-year action, that only reflected... ...the budget bill is a one-year
• This is from the Governor's budget, and based on the Governor's budget proposal, where there is a General
• I want to make two very brief comments on item one and item number five.

Transcript Highlights:

• to one but the budget oversubscribed two to one but the budget base<00:04:20.199><c> is</c><00:04:20.400
• </c><00:44:53.640><c> 1207</c> questions on right now we're on 1207 questions on right now we're on 1207
• </c> come up not just on this but on multiple come up not just on this but on multiple different<00:50
• /c><00:58:32.000><c> then</c><00:58:32.160><c> last</c> uh on this one uh and then last uh on this one
• On a very tight budget, and that's why we have spent a lot of time and energy looking at this most affordable

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• MEMBERS, WE WILL HAVE BRIGHTON MEYER WHO IS HERE TO BRIEF US ON THEIR PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE BILL
• AGAIN, THOUGH STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FAMILIES TO TALK ONE-ON-ONE WITH AGENCY
• THE DIAGNOSIS ON THE RECORD.
• WE ARE STILL WORKING ON GROWING.
• MIGHT ISSUE, MY QUESTION IS ON THE APD SIDE THERE IS ONE WAIVER SUPPORT COORDINATOR OF 43.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do think there's one amendment. It's 2% on the first 80,000.
• I made one request, but ended up with two bills, one in retirement and one in education.
• Now, is that one way or another on 100, maybe 110? I'm not sure.
• Now, is that one way or another on 100, maybe 110? I'm not sure.
• or on the, on the retirement service.

Committee: House Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion on the substitute? I will just give a brief explanation on the substitute for you.
• Representative Reedy, if you would like to give a brief description on what you have done.
• They're like, we're going to get rid of section one by replacing section one with section one.
• And again, you know, the intent is not to take away from the current budget that they're on now.
• And I can go on and on about what they get at the city of St.

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The Committee on Local Government met in executive session and first adopted a substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 975, which replaced Senator Black’s version with Representative Farnan’s bill. Members discussed that the controversial community-agreement language had been removed and that related community paramedic language had been moved to another bill. The committee then voted 16-0 to do pass the substituted bill. The committee next considered House Bill 3496, dealing with county officials’ salary schedules and county classification issues. Representative Reedy explained the substitute added election authorities language, incorporated another bill on sheriffs and prosecuting attorneys, and changed the title and substance to address county valuation rules for certain fourth-class counties. Members discussed the impact on county classifications and the inclusion of abated and tax-exempt property in valuation calculations. The substitute was adopted, and the committee voted 15-1 to do pass the bill. In public hearing, Representative Sharp presented House Bill 3028 as a Lewis County fix to allow more at-large members on a county board instead of requiring one from each township; a retired Lewis County commissioner testified in support, and no opposition appeared. Representative Thompson presented House Bill 2431 to let Lexington ask voters for a public safety sales tax after a major gas explosion; supporters said it would fund police, fire, and ambulance needs without reducing current budgets, while an opponent argued against new taxes and special laws. Representative Violet presented House Bill 2732 to raise the voter-approved cap on water service line repair fees from $12 to $24 annually; St. Peters officials said costs have risen and the program helps residents avoid large repair bills, while an opponent said existing programs are solvent and opposed the increase. No votes were taken on the public hearing bills, and the committee adjourned after the hearings.