Video & Transcript : 'celebration day' :
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FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Feb 18th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- It also changes the 365-day period preceding qualifying to 365 consecutive days immediately preceding
- Since college days as a student in the '60s, please support this bill.
- Later that day, in response to a video, I Later that day, in response to a video I shared discovering
- housing authorities, contracted program administrators, or other public or non-profit entities in the day-to-day
- The beast ...or other public or nonprofit entities in the day-to-day operation of the program.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Thirty Three - Thursday, March 5
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Second, schools that are excelling are recognized and celebrated.
- I know we touched on that the other day.
- You weren't here the other day during the perfection of this. I missed you.
- This exciting day for this bill, don't you think, and for yourself?
- I want to thank everyone for helping me celebrate my birthday week.
Summary:
The Missouri House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal 117-1, and held several points of personal privilege and guest introductions. Members recognized Women Legislators of Missouri for raising $100,000 for scholarships, honored fallen officer James Anthony Mitchell, Sr. with a moment of silence, welcomed the Blair Oaks state championship football team, visiting students from Bakersfield, Kirbyville, and Raymondville, hospital representatives promoting healthy eating, a former member of the House, and several interns.
The chamber then took up committee reports and a supplemental budget measure, House Bill 2014. The budget chairman explained the Senate substitute made limited changes, including removing funding for the capital commission and a D.C. promotional event, restoring $600,000 for an agriculture fee fund, and adding $14 million for tobacco settlement shortfalls. He also noted major funding for MoDOT, disaster relief, and rural health care. The House adopted the Senate substitute 135-14 and finally passed the bill 137-13.
Members next debated and passed House Bill 2559, the Raines Act, which would require more legislative review of rules with fiscal impacts; supporters framed it as reining in bureaucracy, while opponents said it would add delay and another layer of government. It passed 103-44. The House also passed House Bill 2710 on school accountability and A-F report cards for schools and districts after extensive debate over transparency, local control, and whether the bill would unfairly label schools; it passed 96-53. Other bills passed included HB 2404/2172 on repurposing unused school buildings (91-54), HB 1797 on alternative CPA licensure pathways (142-0), HB 1786 increasing Highway Patrol vehicle revolving fund spending authority (139-4), HB 2105 on water/sewer billing transparency for tenants (129-9), HB 2397 giving water district boards flexibility on dissolution thresholds and ballot language (130-15), HB 2108 conveying land to address a Jefferson City viaduct/emergency access issue (143-1), HB 2818 allowing St. Joseph to annex an airport it has owned since 1942 (137-8), and HB 1980 expanding peer review protections to emergency medical professionals, which was introduced and discussed near the end of the transcript.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Feb 18th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- It also changes the 365-day period preceding qualifying to 365 consecutive days immediately preceding
- So the real question before us ...sign, this is who Florida celebrates.
- housing authorities, contracted program administrators, or other public or nonprofit entities in the day-to-day
- The beast ...or other public or nonprofit entities in the day-to-day operation of the program.
- Vance Aaron, God bless you, you've been here all day long. He is waving in support.
Summary:
The committee first heard CS for SB 1342 on transit-oriented development by Senator Rouson, which seeks to expand housing near fixed transit corridors by updating TOD definitions and applying Live Local-style land-use principles to those areas. An amendment narrowed definitions, limited the bill to land-use and development regulations, removed a private cause of action, and added exclusions for environmentally sensitive areas, historic properties, and military installations. Supporters said the bill would increase housing supply near existing infrastructure and maximize the state’s transit investments, while local government groups and city leagues opposed it as a sweeping preemption of local zoning authority that could force high-density development without public hearings or adequate infrastructure planning. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably.
The committee then took up CS for SB 1334 on elections by Senator Grall, which would require documentary proof of citizenship in voter registration and related election processes, update how citizenship is verified through REAL ID and the SAVE database, clarify that paper ballots are the primary voting method, and add other election-related changes such as candidate eligibility rules and timelines. Two technical amendments were adopted. During extended questioning, senators raised concerns about how documents would be submitted and stored, whether voters without Florida IDs or REAL IDs—especially students, disabled voters, seniors, and homeless Floridians—could be flagged or burdened, and what fiscal and workload impacts the bill would have on supervisors of elections and state agencies. Supporters argued the bill would streamline verification and reduce duplicate paperwork, while many public speakers and some senators said it would create barriers to voting, increase costs, and risk disenfranchising eligible voters. The transcript ends during debate on the bill, before a final vote is shown.
Later, the committee considered CS for SB 1362 on advanced air mobility by Senator Harrell. A strike-all amendment aligned the bill with the House version and added vertiports and charging systems as eligible projects for public-private partnership funding, with FDOT authorized to fund certain vertiport costs within available resources. The bill drew support from industry and local representatives, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard SB 174, which designates a portion of State Road 985 in Miami-Dade County as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue and directs FDOT to install markers at an estimated cost of $2,400. The bill prompted significant debate over whether Kirk’s legacy warranted a state road designation, with opponents citing his controversial statements and arguing the honor was political and divisive, while supporters said the designation recognizes civic engagement near FIU and is symbolic rather than regulatory. The transcript ends during debate on SB 174, before any final action is shown.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Oct 8th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- in terms of this implementation process until our 60-day session.
- We try to jam so much in our days that...
- is 64 days.
- Citizens face every day, and this doesn't work in isolation.
- We see in day-to-day interactions that educators understand the impact this is having on the students
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jul 2nd, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The absence of the day will be deemed read and printed in the journal.
- prior to the day required under the Assembly and Joint Rules.
- Today is their first day.
- Seeing and hearing none, the Clerk will read the second day consent calendar.
- Mike resigned from the City Council on June 25th, just two days before he passed away.
Summary:
The Assembly met with an initial quorum call, then proceeded through routine floor business, guest introductions, and several procedural motions. Members approved requests to suspend rules for adjournment-in-memory remarks and guest seating, removed some bills from the consent calendar, and re-referred or withdrew several measures. The chamber also took up a number of second-reading and concurrence items later in the day.
Two major bills drew floor debate. SB 762, a tax measure allowing eligible local governments to seek voter approval for transactions and use tax rates above the statutory cap, was presented as a response to local fiscal pressures and was described by supporters as giving voters local choice rather than imposing a tax increase. It passed with an urgency vote of 54-13 and was sent immediately to the Senate. AB 126, the education budget trailer bill, was presented as a major investment in TK-12 education, special education, community schools, and educator leave; one member supported many provisions but objected to policy changes affecting charter schools being included in a budget bill. The Assembly concurred in the Senate amendments on AB 126 by a vote of 56-1.
The Assembly also concurred in AB 35, an urgency environmental protection bill intended to speed implementation of Proposition 4-funded projects by narrowing administrative delay; supporters said it would accelerate wildfire prevention, water, and other environmental projects. The measure passed unanimously, 66-0. The consent calendar was then adopted, including AB 2796 on criminal history information, which passed 67-0. The session concluded with multiple adjournment-in-memory tributes, including remarks honoring victims of a B-52 test flight crash at Edwards Air Force Base, former West Covina Mayor Lloyd Johnson, civil rights leader Harold Brown, educator and activist Kiyoko Nancy Oda, and Auburn Mayor John Mike Holmes, followed by announcements of summer recess and adjournment until August 3.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jul 2nd, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The absence of the day will be deemed read and printed in the journal.
- prior to the day required under the Assembly and Joint Rules.
- Today is their first day.
- Seeing and hearing none, the Clerk will read the second-day consent calendar.
- Mike resigned from the City Council on June 25th, just two days before he passed away.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Feb 25th, 2026
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, we are celebrating the retirement of a remarkable Oklahoman.
- They're out there every day.
- For Enid Day at the Capitol here in a couple, three weeks.
- It'll be around the clock, five days of reading the Bible.
- It'll be around the clock, five days of reading the Bible.
Bills:
HJR1032 , SB1314 , SB1257 , SB1326 , SB1365 , SB1932 , SB169 , SB1991 , SB1992 , SB1204 , SB1339 , SB182 , SB1847 , SB1360 , SB1346
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and recognized the Doctor and Nurse of the Day, along with several guests and visiting groups, including a military honoree, a women’s rugby team from Southern Nazarene University, a homeschool co-op, gun-rights advocates, and other constituents. The chamber also heard a citation honoring Chief Master Sergeant Scott R. Irwin for 34 years of military service, and the SNU women’s rugby team was congratulated for winning the 2025 National Collegiate Rugby Division I championship.
On the floor, members considered House Joint Resolution 1032, which would align Service Oklahoma rules with existing law and executive action regarding changes to birth certificate and license sex markers. The measure drew extended questioning and debate about gender identity, intersex individuals, and whether the repeal would change current practice. Minority Leader Kurt opposed it as political and harmful, while the author said it simply removed outdated administrative code. HJR 1032 passed 38-8.
The Senate then passed Senate Bill 1314, increasing caps on the groundwater well drillers and pump installers indemnity fund, 46-0; Senate Bill 1257, classifying THC as a Schedule I drug, 43-3; Senate Bill 1326, modernizing the self-storage facilities lien act and changing notice provisions, 40-4; Senate Bill 1365, raising the threshold for Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department inventory purchases from local vendors and making it an emergency measure, 35-11; and Senate Bill 1932, allowing certain motor carriers to be represented by an officer or partner at administrative hearings, 46-0. The Senate also heard announcements about an Appropriations Committee meeting and an upcoming Bible Reading Marathon before adjourning until February 26, 2026.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixteen - Thursday, February 5
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And in your straight paths, may we not stumble or fall on this day.
- And in your straight paths, may we not stumble or fall on this day.
- By the way, I like your red tie for Heart Day.
- And it's with all my heart... ...like your red tie for Heart Day.
- So the other day you brought up why a lot of this litigation has came to for The other day you brought
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixteen - Thursday, February 5
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- All in the Chamber and Gallery will rise as we begin our day with prayer by Monsignor Kerwiki.
- And in your straight paths, may we not stumble or fall on this day.
- And in your straight paths, may we not stumble or fall on this day.
- By the way, I like your red tie for Heart Day.
- So enjoy your day.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for February 4, 2026 by roll call vote, 123-1. Members spent a substantial portion of the morning introducing special guests and recognizing birthdays, including visitors from Missouri Technology Corporation, educators, pediatricians, a longtime legislative photographer, and several family members and constituents. A member also delivered a lengthy personal-privilege tribute for Black History Month honoring his father’s military service, postal career, ministry, and mentorship work, and another member paid tribute to the late Donna Kramer Scott.
The chamber then took up first reading of House Bills 3218, 3219, and 3220. On third reading, House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1667 and 2294 was debated as a “born alive”/abortion-related measure; supporters argued it protects infants born alive and clarifies provider duties, while opponents said the issue is already covered in statute and that the House should focus on other priorities. The bill passed 103-40. The House also considered House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1694, 1674, 1780, 2056, 2312, and 1755, a package centered on the Act Against Abusive Website Access Litigation and related accessibility/ADA litigation concerns. Supporters described it as curbing settlement-driven lawsuits and helping businesses, while opponents and some supporters emphasized the need for real accessibility improvements. That package passed unanimously, 149-0.
During announcements, members highlighted an American Idol contestant from a district, an upcoming rural health care funding informational session, a property tax reform committee executive session, a St. Charles festival, an American Heart Month photo opportunity, and several committee meetings. The House was told to be prepared to consider additional bills upon return, and it adjourned until 4 p.m. Monday, February 9, 2026.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Aug 29th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It is estimated 200,000 people died instantly and also from the radiation in the days that followed.
- Her optimistic attitude and big smile brighten up everyone's day.
- Since day one, Juliet has been committed to advocating toward a greener future.
- Today marks the last day of their internship, and what better way to celebrate than by visiting the State
- Session schedules as follows: Monday, September 1st, Labor Day is observed.
Summary:
The Assembly met after a quorum call and opened with a prayer marking the 80th anniversary of Hiroshima, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and several guest introductions, including a recognition of UC Merced’s 20th anniversary. Members then moved through the Daily File, with several items passed or retained on file, and took up concurrence votes on a number of bills.
Among the measures discussed, AB 385 on park property and AB 1119 on teacher credentialing both received unanimous concurrence in Senate amendments. SB 351, dealing with health practices and enforcement of California’s corporate practice of medicine rules, was presented as a way to protect physician decision-making from private equity and hedge fund interference and passed 61-0. SB 697 on water rights adjudication and use of technology, including drones for investigations, also passed unanimously.
The most detailed debate centered on SB 346, which would help local governments enforce short-term rental ordinances and collect transient occupancy taxes by requiring platforms to provide property information. Supporters argued it would improve local control, public safety, and revenue collection, while members with local government experience described the difficulty cities face regulating short-term rentals. The bill passed 50-0. The chamber then moved to adjournment-in-memory remarks honoring Miguel Antonio Cano, Vincent Dino, Andrew Meredith, and Erica Hoffman, before adjourning until Tuesday, September 2 at 1 p.m.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 40 Apr 29th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Are there any objections to proceeding with the orders of the day? Chair: None?
- Earlier today, we celebrated Veterinary Youth Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with an official
- Today we celebrated Veterinary Youth Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with an official proclamation
- She was the impetus behind a youth veterinary day today in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- , nearly 1,000 people a day, from 253 individual communities in this state.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- My husband and I got married in '73, and so this year we'll be celebrating 53 years of marriage.
- We used to pick beans all day long, come home with $15 or $20. We worked in the field.
- It's people we see every single day: retail workers, child care professionals, home care assistants,
- It's people we see every single day: retail workers, child care professionals, home care assistants,
- It's people we see every single day, retail workers, child care professionals, home care assistance,
Committee:
Senate Local & Municipal Affairs
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Committee on Water Supply During Drought Jun 11th, 2025 at 01:00 pm
Joint Legislative Committee on Water Supply During Drought
Transcript Highlights:
- I want to keep you guys all day long, so okay. Well, good afternoon.
- And we already have done a 10-day shutdown.
- And we had planned on ending our season October 1st, which is 19 days early.
- So we shut down for 10 days, and that gave us an additional...
- day was in the 90s.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Water Supply During Drought opened its 2025 meeting with member introductions and then held elections for committee leadership. After brief discussion about the committee’s customary rotation and eligibility rules, members unanimously elected Senator Ron Muzzall as chair and Representative Kristine Reeves as vice chair. The outgoing chair, Representative Ybarra, continued presiding for the remainder of the meeting at Senator Muzzall’s request.
The committee then heard a presentation from Sage Park of the Roza Irrigation District on current drought conditions in the Yakima Basin. Park described very low reservoir levels, declining water supply forecasts, an early shutdown of deliveries, and the district’s response measures, including a 10-day shutdown, pump-backs, leased water, canal piping, and on-farm conservation. She also noted impacts on growers, including fallowing and removal of thousands of acres of crops, and emphasized the need for continued emergency drought funding, faster and more efficient state lease assistance, and support for fish-related water needs and longer-term drought resiliency funding.
Urban Eberhard then presented on the Kittitas Reclamation District and the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan. He highlighted extensive on-farm conservation, canal piping and lining, SCADA/telemetry improvements, and the Springwood reservoir project, which is intended to improve water storage, delivery reliability, and fish flows. Members asked about the reservoir’s potential for hydro generation and about effects on groundwater recharge from canal lining; Eberhard said hydro is being considered in feasibility work and that managed aquifer recharge is being monitored and incorporated into planning. The committee did not take any further legislative action beyond the leadership elections.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Committee on Water Supply During Drought Jun 11th, 2025
Joint Legislative Committee on Water Supply During Drought
Transcript Highlights:
- I want to keep you guys all day long. So, okay, well, good afternoon.
- We had planned on ending our season October 1st, which is 19 days early.
- Was it like hotter days for a certain amount of time? Is that why it came out faster?
- So we shut down for 10 days, and that gave us an additional... orangeish-tanish line.
- day was in the 90s.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Water Supply During Drought opened its 2025 meeting by electing new leadership. After brief discussion of the committee’s membership and the usual practice of alternating leadership between chambers and parties, members unanimously elected Senator Ron Mazzal as chair and Representative Christine Reeves as vice chair. The outgoing chair, Representative Ybarra, continued presiding for the remainder of the meeting at Senator Mazzal’s request.
The committee then heard a presentation from Sage Park of the Rosa Irrigation District on the severe 2025 water year. Park said Rosa is facing very low reservoir levels, declining water supply forecasts, and an earlier-than-planned end to the irrigation season. She described the district’s conservation and drought response measures, including canal shutdowns, pump-backs, leased water, on-farm fallowing and water pooling, emergency well permits, and long-term investments in piping, sealant, drip irrigation, and storage. Park also urged continued emergency drought funding, more efficient state lease funding processes, and support for water releases that benefit fish during drought conditions.
Urban Eberhard then presented on the Kittitas Reclamation District and the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan. He described widespread on-farm conservation, reduced acre allocations, early shutoffs expected in late summer, and ongoing infrastructure work such as piping, lining, telemetry, and the Springwood reservoir project. He emphasized that these projects are intended to improve water delivery, support fish flows, and provide future storage, including possible hydroelectric generation as part of feasibility work. In response to a question, he said the districts are monitoring aquifer impacts from canal lining and are working on managed aquifer recharge to direct conserved water to beneficial groundwater areas. No additional votes or formal actions were taken after the leadership elections.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Make America Healthy Again Kentucky Task Force (6-4-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- And I love that now, you here my first day on this task force.
- Um, and unfortunately, twice in the last two years, I've spent about 8 to 10 days giving lots of love
- </c> and I love that now u here my first day and I love that now u here my first day on<00:23:04.080>
- giving lots of love about 8 to 10 days giving lots of love and<00:25:36.559><c> attention</c><00:25:
- Um, thankfully, I'm going to celebrate Deian Wink here for a second.
Summary:
The Make America Healthy Again task force held its first meeting to set interim priorities rather than take formal action. Co-chairs and members said the group’s goal is to identify practical policy ideas to improve Kentucky’s poor health outcomes, with an emphasis on prevention, and to gather input from members and outside stakeholders. Roll was called, several members were present, and the co-chairs noted the meeting would be limited in length and would not include a lunch break.
Members identified a wide range of possible focus areas, including childhood and adult obesity, nutrition in schools, food deserts, agriculture and support for local farms, health responsibility, physical activity, mental health, and provider education on nutrition. Several speakers stressed that Kentucky’s health care costs are rising unsustainably and that prevention is cheaper than treatment. Others emphasized that the task force should work with agencies, hospitals, universities, and experts, and should narrow its work to a few actionable areas rather than “chase every rabbit.”
There was also discussion of food as medicine, improving the quality of food in schools and hospitals, and making healthier choices more accessible and affordable. Members referenced conversations already underway with industries, the Kentucky Department of Education, the Kentucky Hospital Association, and agricultural leaders. No votes or formal motions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; the main action was the exchange of priorities and direction for future task force work.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Capital Budget Mar 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So greatly appreciated that, and we're looking forward to, you know, celebrating the centennial on campus
Summary:
The committee met in executive session to consider Substitute Senate Bill 6076 and Senate Bill 6313. SB 6076 would make changes to the authority of consumer-owned utilities, especially public utility districts, to self-perform certain public works related to non-emitting and renewable resource generation projects. Members adopted Amendment Hatfield 208, described as a technical clarification limiting the self-performance authority to the specific work covered by the bill. The bill was then reported out of committee with a due pass as amended recommendation by a 16-0 vote, with three members excused.
The committee then took up SB 6313, which creates a capital centennial stewardship account. Members adopted striking amendment H3738.1, which instead creates the account as a sub-account within the existing capital building construction account. Supporters said the change was a mechanical simplification that addressed concerns raised in testimony while preserving the bill’s fundraising and project purposes. After adopting the striker, the committee reported SB 6313 out with a due pass as amended recommendation by a 16-0 vote, with three members excused.
The chair then closed the executive session, noted a possible final meeting block on March 11 if needed, and invited interim planning ideas from members. The meeting adjourned after thanks were given to staff and committee members.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jan 14th, 2026
Military and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, Senator, there's also something else that we have to celebrate. Give me your hand.
Committee:
Senate Military and Veterans Affairs
Summary:
The committee met with one item on the agenda: Senate Bill 623 by Senator Archuleta. The bill would implement a related constitutional amendment to provide property tax relief for veterans and their families by allowing eligible veterans to combine, or “stack,” the homeowners’ exemption with the disabled veterans’ or veterans’ exemption, and by removing certain property limitations tied to the exemption. The author and chair framed the measure as recognition of veterans’ service and a way to expand access to tax relief for veteran homeowners.
The committee heard extensive testimony in support from veterans and advocates, including disabled veterans, combat veterans, representatives of veterans’ organizations, and county and health care advocates. Supporters said the bill would meaningfully improve benefits for veterans and their families. No opposition testimony was presented, and no committee member raised objections during the hearing.
The bill was moved on a due pass motion to the Committee on Appropriations. The roll call vote was 3-0 in favor, with the bill held on call pending Senator Menjivar’s return so she could vote as well. The meeting then adjourned after the chair thanked the veterans and attendees.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jan 14th, 2026
Military and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, Senator, there's also something else that we have to celebrate. Give me your hand.
Committee:
Senate Military and Veterans Affairs
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, 40 to 50 days, if the Lord is willing, you'll have cucumbers. 60 to 90 days, corn will be standing
- I was born on July 16, 1979, exactly 30 years to the day of the incident.
- Yeah. those who may be Catholic or celebrate the Lenton season.
- Twenty-five years, 11 days, Mr. President. Show the bill passes.
- Without objection, the Senate is now adjourned for the day.
Summary:
The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and several introductions recognizing visitors, students, local officials, and professional groups in the gallery. The chamber then took up a report from the Ethics and Elections Committee confirming 42 executive appointments; the report was adopted by a vote of 36-0. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring the Ripple Project for childhood cancer awareness and funding.
The bulk of the meeting was spent on special-order bills, many of them open-government sunset review measures and policy bills. The Senate passed bills preserving or updating public records exemptions for aquaculture records, trade secrets, and cybersecurity information; a child-abuse reporting statute of limitations bill; a commercial driving schools bill; a human trafficking training requirement for nursing graduates; a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person and its companion public-records bill; a nature-based coastal resiliency bill with an amendment restricting dredge-and-fill in Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve; a chiropractic patient-funds bill; specialty license plate legislation; a one-time waiver for late financial disclosure fines; public school personnel compensation changes; the Florida Farm Bill with amendments protecting Everglades lands and technical corrections; homestead exemption clarification for long-term leaseholders; disability presumption clarifications for firefighters and law enforcement; reinsurance intermediary manager conformity changes; patriotic displays in public schools; ADS-B aviation fee restrictions; autism-related law enforcement training and a blue envelope program; public post-secondary safety policy requirements; and a bill allowing licensed agents to market health care sharing ministries. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including local vessel restrictions, temporary certificates for practice, and domestic animals.
Members debated a number of measures, especially the health care sharing ministries bill, where opponents raised consumer-protection and commission concerns and supporters argued for free speech, religious liberty, and expanded consumer choice; it passed 32-5. Other debated bills included the autism law enforcement bill, the school athletics bill addressing coach support for student-athletes, and the Farm Bill, where senators discussed surplus land safeguards and biosolids timing. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, often 37-0 or 38-0, with a few closer votes such as the patriotic displays bill (36-2) and the health care sharing ministries bill (32-5).
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Local and Municipal Affairs May 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- My husband and I got married in '73, and so this year we'll be celebrating 53 years of marriage.
- We used to pick beans all day long, come home with $15 or $20. We worked in the field.
- a little bit more affordable for everyday Louisianians, for your constituents who go to work every day
- It's people we see every single day: retail workers, child care professionals, home care assistants,
- It's people we see every single day, retail workers, child care professionals, home care assistance,
Summary:
The Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs met on May 21, 2012, with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The committee then heard Senate Bill 230 by Senator Barrow, a proposed constitutional amendment to let voters decide whether Louisiana should establish a state livable/minimum wage starting at $10.25 per hour in 2027, with future increases tied to the Consumer Price Index. Senator Barrow and several supporters framed the bill as a response to stagnant wages, rising housing and living costs, poverty, and related social problems, including crime, family instability, and child care barriers. A technical amendment was adopted to correct the bill’s language after questions were raised about whether it improperly required all employers to pay the stated wage rather than setting a minimum wage floor.
Public testimony was largely in favor. Supporters included Mother Pearl Porter, who described decades of wage stagnation compared with sharply rising costs of rent, food, and gas; Angela Adkins of 10,000 Women Louisiana, who said workers should be able to cover basic expenses and that indexing wages to inflation would prevent future erosion; Jan Moeller of Invest in Louisiana, who argued the bill would help the ALICE population and noted Louisiana’s high poverty and inequality rates; Julie Schwamm Harris, who linked low wages to broader economic and social harms; Tom Costanza of the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, who cited Catholic social teaching and the common good; and Tyler Phillips, who spoke about the impact of low wages on students and low-income communities. The Louisiana Restaurant Association opposed the bill, arguing it did not account for tipped workers and would increase costs for restaurants and consumers.
After debate, Senator Boudreaux moved to report SB 230 as amended. The motion failed on a roll call vote, 2 yeas and 3 nays, so the bill was not reported from committee. The meeting then adjourned.