Transcript Highlights:

• 42.839><c> on</c><00:15:42.959><c> 292</c><00:15:43.519><c> is</c><00:15:43.639><c> McKenna</c> assistance
• first up on 292 is McKenna assistance first up on 292 is McKenna Woodward<00:15:44.560><c> for</c><00
• We'll move the definition of seeks medical or law enforcement assistance into the definition section
• uh this one and the assistance uh this one and the recommendation<00:58:01.000><c> is</c><00:58:01.119
• into the definition section assistance into the definition section of<00:58:06.720><c> that</c><00:58

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 335 would route objections by political party officers to candidate nomination papers through the Office of Elections. The State Election Director testified that his office was not the right venue for party-membership challenges because it could create conflicts and force the Attorney General to represent the chief election officer in court; members discussed whether all objections should instead go directly to Circuit Court, but no action was taken. SB 280 would expand first-degree negligent injury to cover injuries negligently caused by intoxicated drivers. The Public Defender opposed the bill as too harsh and urged either a lower penalty or clearer statutory definitions of “under the influence,” while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it as a needed increase in accountability for drunk drivers who actually injure someone. Committee members raised concerns about overlap with existing offenses, proportionality, and whether the change would increase jury-trial volume; the prosecutor responded that the bill would apply to a smaller subset of cases involving actual injury and would help ensure more serious treatment of those cases. The committee also heard SB 292, establishing Safe Harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement assistance, with testimony in support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, HPD, U Alliance, and others, and no opposition. SB 31, concerning an additional penalty for dog owners whose dogs destroy property on agricultural land, drew only supportive testimony. SB 356 would require restitution in the form of financial support to the minor children of victims killed or disabled by an intoxicated driver; the Public Defender opposed it as better suited to civil court and questioned enforcement after probation, while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it and said courts can issue enforceable restitution orders. Testimony also strongly supported SB 1284, a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting discrimination based on ethnicity, age, disability, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, with supporters arguing it would strengthen protections in response to current political conditions. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• If Assistant Commissioner Moore and Assistant Commissioner Burton would like to make their way to the
• If Assistant budget recommendations.
• If Assistant Commissioner<01:15:41.760><c> Moore</c><01:15:42.120><c> and</c><01:15:42.240><c> Assistant
• </c> Commissioner Moore and Assistant Commissioner Moore and Assistant Commissioner<01:15:42.960><c>
• </c> Martha Burton, and I'm an Assistant Martha Burton, and I'm an Assistant Commissioner<01:20:03.080

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• I served as a teacher, an assistant principal, and a principal.
• </c> felt like I had when I was an assistant felt like I had when I was an assistant principal<00:29:
• This could be reduced by going to assisted living to around $3,400.
• </c><00:47:09.760><c> living</c> when it comes to assisted living when it comes to assisted living services
• </c> to assisted living to around $3400. to assisted living to around $3400.

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Board met on March 9 with a quorum present and no minutes to approve. The chair reordered the agenda to hear House Bill 689 first. Representative Amy Neighbors presented HB 689, which would authorize Kentucky to seek CMS approval for a Medicaid state-directed payment program for physician and non-physician professional services delivered through qualifying hospital-affiliated groups, beginning January 1, 2026, with retroactive payments for that year. She said the bill is intended to improve access to care in rural and underserved areas, support workforce retention, and generate about $29 million annually in federal Medicaid funds without using general fund dollars. Representatives from Owensboro Health and St. Elizabeth Healthcare testified in support, describing staffing and subsidy pressures, lower Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement, and the importance of the program for maintaining access and quality in rural and safety-net settings. Committee members noted the bill had already passed the House Health Services Committee unanimously and discussed broader concerns about Kentucky’s low reimbursement rates and the need to consider other systems not covered by the proposal. The board then heard Senate Bill 2011 from Senator Donald Douglas and Cody Hunt of the Kentucky Medical Association. The bill would address a Medicaid coding issue by ensuring that coverage limits do not reduce payment to fewer than two evaluation and management service units per provider, per patient, per day. Douglas argued the current one-visit, one-issue limitation forces multiple visits, increases no-shows, and prevents providers from treating the whole patient. Hunt explained that the bill is meant to correct a longstanding regulation that limited E&M services to one per physician per recipient per date of service, which can prevent providers from coding additional medically necessary work during the same visit. He said DMS has already filed a regulatory amendment to fix the problem, but a statutory change is still needed to prevent the issue from returning. He also said the bill is not intended to change reimbursement policy, only coding rules, and that MCO payment practices vary. Members generally supported the concept. Senator Berg asked about fiscal impact and private-payer billing; Hunt said there should be no fiscal impact because the bill does not change payment policy, only coding. Representative Moore said the proposal could reduce costs and improve convenience by avoiding extra visits. Chairman Meredith said the bill illustrated problems with fee-for-service care and supported moving toward a more holistic delivery model. Dr. Schuster raised a drafting concern about the bill summary language, and Hunt responded that the regulatory amendment should address the issue generally for providers. No votes were taken on either bill during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It increased the amount in MIMA's disaster assistance trust fund to $20 million.
• Why would driver that would be basically uh nursing homes, assisted living?
• Why would driver that would be basically uh nursing homes, assisted living?
• </c> uh nursing homes, assisted living? uh nursing homes, assisted living?
• </c> assisted living, they're not assessed. assisted living, they're not assessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 11 is the tribal college supplemental<00:03:13.840><c> assistance</c><00:03:14.319><c> assistance
• </c> supplemental assistance assistance supplemental assistance assistance grants.<00:03:15.760><c> Um
• 26.080><c> attorneys</c><00:06:26.800><c> or</c> assistance program for attorneys or assistance program
• It's for emergency assistance to postsecondary students.
• </c> assistance for po postsecary students. assistance for po postsecary students.

Summary: The committee took up House File 2312 and first adopted the DE1 amendment, after which the amended bill was discussed. Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through the spreadsheet and explained the bill’s higher education budget changes, including increases for state grants and tribal college assistance, unchanged funding for several existing programs, and reductions or eliminations for items such as state work study, summer academic enrichment, student loan counseling, concurrent enrollment, and the student parent support initiative. Staff also noted transfers to special revenue funds, the cancellation and reappropriation of ALS research funding, and a new licensing/registration revenue item. The committee was told the bill met the committee’s zero target overall, with a net general fund change of zero relative to the February forecast, while also adding some non-general fund expenditures for program licensing and registration. Members asked several questions about the transfers and specific line items, including whether any new special revenue accounts were being created, the foster care wraparound services line, and the treatment of the University of Minnesota and Centric Care partnership. Staff explained that the transfers generally did not create new accounts, that some items were not in the base, and that the U of M/Centric Care partnership was a one-time appropriation in the prior bill but was now being built into the base at a different amount. The University of Minnesota section also included new or continued funding for medical school development, health training restoration, emergency assistance grants, ALS research, and a weather resiliency program, while the Mayo Foundation section eliminated funding for Mayo Medical School and the Mayo family medicine residency program. The policy portion of the DE1 was then introduced. It included a maximum tuition and fee amount for state grants, direct appropriation of emergency assistance grants to Minnesota State, a juvenile justice appropriation for Metropolitan State University, and the ALS research reappropriation to the University of Minnesota. It also contained repealers for unfunded programs, including a delayed repealer for the student parent support initiative. In the higher education policy article, the bill would allow Minnesota State to offer applied doctoral degrees in cybersecurity, make technical changes to hunger-free campus and sexual misconduct procedures, extend pregnant and parenting student protections to private institutions, allow OHE to retain up to 10% of certain competitive grants for administration, consolidate reports, change the state grant formula so negative FAFSA contributions count as zero, and reduce the state grant lifetime credit cap from 180 to 120 credits. The Northstar Promise provisions would limit tuition and fees to resident rates and require MnState, and request the University of Minnesota, to ensure eligible students receive the benefit.

Transcript Highlights:

• But number one, as it relates to the physicians assistants, this will allow the physicians assistants
• So, when we passed this last year with physicians assistants, there are a group of physicians assistants
• So, when we passed this last year with physicians assistants, there are a group of physicians assistants
• So, when we passed this last year with physicians assistants, there are a group of physicians assistants
• So, when we passed this last year with physicians assistants, there are a group of physicians assistants

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• affordable rental and home ownership programs, full funding for Round 7 and 8 of the Homeless Housing, Assistance
• So those are loan assistance and technical assistance programs.
• The Small Business Technical Assistance Program and Capital Infusion Program provide meaningful and impactful
• assistance to local minority- and women-owned businesses in your district, and these services are necessary

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, you can assist, you can assure, assist or assure and in amounts that are prudent and that's going
• Uh, you can assist, you can assure, assist or assure and in amounts that are prudent, and that's going
• ><c> assure,</c><00:33:39.200><c> assist</c><00:33:39.679><c> or</c> can assist, you can assure, assist
• or can assist, you can assure, assist or assure<00:33:40.880><c> and</c><00:33:41.120><c> in</c><00:
• </c> assistant this morning. assistant this morning.

Committee: House Education Funding

Transcript Highlights:

• We use that for preventative assistance.
• So, if we find preventative assistance.
• </c> that we can assist that household. that we can assist that household.
• We use this for heating assistance.
• </c> have out there that assist them? have out there that assist them?

Bills: SB8

Committee: Joint Natural Resources & Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:42:57.454><c> [snorts]</c> Services shall assist [snorts] Services shall assist [snorts] the<
• Um sorry, it management assistance fund. Um sorry, it amends<01:00:01.320><c> it.
• </c><01:00:05.520><c> account</c><01:00:06.160><c> assistance</c> management assistance account assistance
• management assistance account assistance account<01:00:07.400><c> may</c><01:00:07.600><c> include</
• management assistance fund as the waste management assistance fund as the Senator<01:04:13.360><c> relayed

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> algorithms or data analytics to assist algorithms or data analytics to assist or<00:01:11.080><c
• Senate file 2689 is a medical assistance Senate file 2689 is a medical assistance protection<01:19:41.000
• We also assist federal law enforcement in their investigations.
• </c><01:23:06.200><c> living</c> in nursing homes, assisted living in nursing homes, assisted living
• > law</c><01:23:21.360><c> enforcement</c> We also assist federal law enforcement We also assist federal

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the assistant director of fiscal management. introduce those who are with me here introduce those
• </c><00:29:55.039><c> I'm</c><00:29:55.279><c> the</c><00:29:55.919><c> assistant</c> I'm Jake Fouts.
• I'm the assistant I'm Jake Fouts.
• So we assist them with in a bond issue.
• Our normal offer of assistance million.

Summary: The meeting was the first of the year for the Capital Planning Advisory Board. Members were called, a quorum was confirmed, new co-chairs and members were welcomed, and the board approved the prior year’s meeting minutes. The chair also reviewed the capital planning timeline, packet organization, and the list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, protecting existing infrastructure, preventive maintenance, and improving service delivery. Its major requests included a $21 million maintenance pool for 14 campuses and 175 buildings, phase 2 construction funding for a new public health laboratory, an 18-bed psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents with severe mental health needs, and several projects at Western State Hospital, Western State Nursing Facility, Hazlewood, and Oakwood. Members asked about the youth facility’s relationship to a separate DJJ project, vacant buildings, the high per-bed cost of the children’s hospital, and how the cabinet determined the need for the youth facility. CHFS said the youth project would be a separate facility serving high-acuity youth, the cost reflected the specialized nature of the unit and an 18-bed cap, and the broader youth plan also includes prevention, in-home services, and coordination across agencies. The Kentucky Department of Education then described projects for its three state-operated facilities: the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. It requested additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building after bids came in higher than expected, plus funding for a new education finance application system to support SEEK budgeting. Other priorities included a maintenance pool, FFA pool renovation, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, lighting improvements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size of the FFA pool, and construction cost assumptions; the department said it tracks students through the schools and short-course programs, the pool size figure may have been a typo, and current construction estimates are being adjusted upward because of inflation and supply-chain pressures. The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system to connect job seekers and employers, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would help match workers with employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility has safety and code concerns. The adult education system was described as outdated and lacking adequate case-management and tracking capabilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• With supported decision-making, decision makers are assisted by one or more people of their choosing
• <c> by</c><00:01:48.000><c> one</c><00:01:48.240><c> or</c><00:01:48.479><c> more</c> makers are assisted
• by one or more makers are assisted by one or more people<00:01:49.040><c> of</c><00:01:49.360><c> their
• </c><01:09:04.719><c> for</c> a recipient of medical assistance for a recipient of medical assistance
• , how does the department assistance, how does the department handles<01:12:50.480><c> it?

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee assistant can please call the roll. Maybe 1662 Wilson.
• The committee assistant can please call the roll. AB 1662, Wilson.
• If the committee assistant will please call the roll.
• If the committee is assisting, please call the roll. Maybe 1743 Wix.
• If the committee assistant can please call the roll.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety bills and took action on multiple measures. AB 1662 by Assemblymember Wilson, which would require notice to the DMV when a defendant receives diversion in certain driving-related cases so points can still be assessed administratively, drew support from law enforcement, district attorneys, AAA, and road safety advocates, with opposition from the Western Center on Law and Poverty. The bill passed on a due pass motion to Transportation and was held on call. AB 1741 by Assemblymember Pacheco, as amended, would allow sexual battery committed during an unlawful residential intrusion to be charged as a wobbler; prosecutors and victim advocates supported it, while public defender organizations argued existing law already covers the conduct and warned the bill was overbroad. It passed due pass as amended to Appropriations and was held on call. AB 2760 by Assemblymember Sharp Collins would let counties with an Office of Inspector General expand that office’s oversight to probation and animal control departments. Supporters, including the author, an Ella Baker Center representative, and San Diego County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe, said it would improve transparency and help counties lacking capacity. Probation officials and Fresno County opposed, citing existing oversight structures and concerns about conflicts, confidentiality, and duplication. The bill passed due pass to Local Government, with some no votes, and was held on call. AB 1753 by Assemblymember Wix, the Survivor Pathways to Safety Act, would strengthen firearm relinquishment and protection-order enforcement, expand firearm prohibitions for certain threats and violations, and broaden remote hearing and notification provisions. Support came from gun violence prevention, victim, medical, and law enforcement groups; gun rights organizations opposed on due process grounds. It passed due pass as amended to Judiciary and was held on call. The committee also heard AB 1743 by Assemblymember Wix, which would allow local governments and certain universities to request firearm trace data from DOJ for research and policy purposes. Supporters said the data would help identify trafficking patterns and inform evidence-based policy, while opponents warned about privacy, misuse, and stigmatizing lawful dealers. The bill passed due pass to Appropriations and was held on call. AB 2164, the Care Without Fear Act, would strengthen California’s shield-law protections for reproductive health care providers against extradition and related enforcement; supporters framed it as protecting lawful care in California, while opponents raised concerns about abortion and gender-affirming care and due process. It passed due pass to Judiciary and was held open. AB 2664, the Safe Worship Zone Act, would create a narrow buffer around houses of worship to prevent harassment of people entering or exiting; faith-based and anti-hate groups supported it, while civil liberties and some community groups opposed it as an unconstitutional speech restriction. The bill passed due pass to Appropriations and was held on call. The committee then began hearing AB 2122 by Assemblymember Kalra, which would prohibit bench warrants for Vehicle Code infractions and allow noncustodial warrants for other infractions, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• report includes any findings related to the state's financial statements and federal financial assistance
• I think that's dealing with adoption assistance...
• And 186, I think that's dealing with adoption assistance.
• The next one is page 194 and 195 with the medical assistance program.
• School readiness assistance program. Is that correct?

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Transcript Highlights:

• you know, it doesn't sound as though you have adequate or enough both bodies and or expertise to assist
• you and Yeah, so that's the to assist you and Yeah, so that's the problem,<00:25:16.760><c> right?
• Cuz we can certainly see the need for, you know, some sort of interim structure to assist your authority
• know, some sort of interim structure you know, some sort of interim structure to<00:26:31.160><c> assist
• you as you get to the point to assist you as you get to the point where<00:26:42.080><c> you</c><00:

Committee: Senate Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Summary: The Committee on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts held a confirmation hearing on GM 742 for John Komeiji, the gubernatorial nominee to serve as chairperson of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority through 6/30/2029. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. The executive director of the authority, representatives of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Corporation and the Mauna Kea observatories, and authority member Noenoe Wong-Wilson all praised Komeiji’s leadership, describing him as fair, transparent, steady, and effective at building trust and relationships among stakeholders. Chris Matsuda also supported the nomination, citing Komeiji’s presence at community workshops, his neutral facilitation of public discussion, and his careful handling of the authority’s work on observatory leases and the comprehensive EIS. In his remarks, Komeiji described the authority’s work as implementing Act 255 by building a new state agency, developing a master plan, drafting rules and regulations, and beginning the process for a comprehensive environmental impact statement related to observatory leases. He said the authority is trying to balance community voice, cultural and spiritual concerns, and the state’s policy supporting astronomy. He also discussed staffing and recruitment challenges, saying the authority is repurposing positions, using special project positions, and looking for creative ways to recruit qualified staff despite the controversy surrounding Mauna Kea. He noted that the authority is working through asset transfers from UH, managing operational needs, and addressing a projected $4 million federal funding gap affecting CMS. Members asked about timelines, contingency planning, staffing capacity, and financial sustainability. Komeiji said the authority is on track for the master plan and EIS, but would return to the legislature if delays require more time. He acknowledged that no detailed contingency plans have been developed yet for possible IT or other implementation problems, but said the board is continuing to monitor progress. He also said the authority is accelerating contracts to encumber funds while available and expects to cover planned EIS and master plan consultant costs if funding remains at current levels. After discussion, the committee voted to advise and consent; the chair and acting vice chair voted aye, with excused absences noted for Senators Inouye, Chang, and Lamosao. The measure was adopted and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's also has assistant coach, Sean... Chris is the head coach.
• He's also has an assistant coach, Sean Womack, and they really have a good relationship.
• You know, when it comes to my legislative assistance, I've always tried to hire actually deserve.
• I did want to say Ashley, my assistant, has... Thank you all for listening to that.
• So after taking... ...hospital as a nurse assistant, she was encouraged to become a nurse.

Bills: HR1051 , HR1048 , SB2074 , SJR39 , SJR47 , SB1983 , SB444 , SB1503 , SB1561 , SB592 , SB1501 , SB1946 , SB1567 , SB1833 , SB2026 , SB904 , SB2178 , SB1651 , SB1558 , SB1565 , SB1553 , SB1257 , SB65 , SB1749 , SB1242 , SB1642 , SB640 , SB667 , SB1436 , SB1484 , SB1562 , SB1794 , SB1644 , SB1533 , SB933 , SB1555

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of special presentations and introductions celebrating Oklahoma State University, the Cowgirl Wrestling Club, the OSU livestock judging team, military children, poster contest winners, and several visiting groups and honorees. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Kurt Emerson, and the Nurse of the Day, Beverly Felton. Much of the floor time was devoted to OSU Day remarks, including a citation honoring the university and comments from Speaker Hilbert, Coach Eric Morris, and President Jim Hess. The House then took up Senate Bill 2074, a pharmacy benefit manager measure intended to regulate PBMs and support pharmacists. An amendment by Representative Jenkins to remove a section of the bill was tabled, and members questioned the bill extensively about reimbursement rates, consumer costs, employer options, transparency, and the impact on independent pharmacies. After debate, the bill advanced and passed the House by a vote of 87-7. Members also considered Senate Joint Resolution 39, which would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot to cap property tax growth. The measure, as amended, would set a 1.75% annual cap on homestead property tax growth and a 4% cap on other properties, with a stair-step senior freeze. The resolution drew debate over effects on local government revenue, schools, roads, jails, and inflation, but supporters argued it would provide strong taxpayer protections. The House passed the resolution 85-9 and then took the additional vote required to refer the constitutional amendment to a special election.

Transcript Highlights:

• Todd Parker is a confidential assistant. Our executive staff, Dr.
• Todd Parker is a confidential assistant. Ms.
• Michelle Rivera is the assistant commissioner. Dr.
• We provide technical assistance, insect and disease control.
• Joey Bro, assistant commissioner, and he comes to Conservators of the land.

Committee: House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development

Summary: The committee took up several agriculture-related bills and first heard a series of presentations from Louisiana 4-H and FFA student leaders. The students described how those programs built leadership, public speaking, and career goals, and members from both parties responded with personal stories about their own 4-H/FFA experiences and support for agricultural education and youth development. On House Bill 715, the committee adopted a technical amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The bill requires aerial applicators using public airports or landing fields to carry radios and transponders, with the author and members framing it as a safety measure to prevent near-misses and improve communication during takeoff and landing. On House Bill 663, the committee adopted amendments changing the composition of the Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District board, including removing certain ex officio or agricultural-related members, and then reported the bill favorably; the author said the district has evolved beyond agriculture to include economic development, energy, transportation, and grant work. House Bill 717, dealing with labeling requirements for cell-cultured food products, was amended technically and reported favorably. The author said the bill simply increases and clarifies the font size and visibility of labels so consumers can more easily see that a product is lab-grown or cell-cultured, matching seafood labeling standards. House Bill 834 on animal shelters received 23 amendments, many technical, but also substantive changes preserving local control, allowing parishes and municipalities to designate or contract with shelters, setting a three-day hold period, clarifying transfer of ownership for stray animals, and providing good-faith liability protection; after discussion with the Police Jury Association and others, the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably. The committee also reported Senate Bill 349 favorably, which recreates the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and Senate Bill 350 favorably, which makes a technical name change related to the Louisiana soybean association and board membership. After those votes, Commissioner Mike Strain gave a lengthy sunset-review presentation on the department’s structure, duties, boards, and programs, emphasizing its role in agriculture, forestry, food safety, animal health, weights and measures, and related regulatory and promotional functions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Robbins is the deputy commissioner, Todd Parker is a confidential assistant.
• Todd Parker is a confidential assistant. Ms.
• The Office of ACS includes Kevin Finley, the assistant commissioner.
• So again, Michelle Rivera is assistant commissioner. Dr.
• We provide technical assistance, insect and disease control.

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

Summary: The committee took up several agriculture-related bills and heard testimony on each. HB 715 by Representative Dezotel would require aerial applicators using public airports or landing fields to carry radios and transponders for safety; after a technical amendment was adopted, the bill was reported favorably. HB 663 by Vice Chairman Travis Johnson would update the board makeup of the Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District by removing certain ex officio members and reducing the board from 24 to 23; amendments were adopted and the bill was reported favorably. HB 717 by Representative Schamberhorn would increase and clarify labeling requirements for cell-cultured food products, including a larger, more visible font size; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably with support from committee members and witnesses. The committee also considered HB 834 by Representative McMahon, a local-control bill on animal shelters and stray animals. A large amendment package of 23 amendments was adopted, revising hold periods, ownership transfer rules, local government discretion, liability protections, and the role of nonprofit or designated shelters. Testimony from the author, Police Jury Association representatives, and Michelle Hall emphasized that the bill is intended to fix a legal gap so shelters can transfer ownership to adopters, while preserving local control and limiting liability for good-faith actions. The bill was reported favorably with amendments. The committee then heard from Louisiana 4-H and FFA student leaders, who described how those programs developed leadership, public speaking, and agricultural career goals. Members responded with personal reflections and praise for the programs’ impact on rural youth and future agricultural leadership. Finally, the committee took up sunset review legislation: SB 349 to recreate the Department of Agriculture and Forestry was reported favorably, and SB 350, a technical change to the Louisiana Soybean Association/soybean board structure, was also reported favorably. Commissioner Mike Strain then began a lengthy presentation on the department’s functions, programs, boards, and commissions, but no further action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• law enforcement assistance, or to render aid during a natural disaster.
• need of assistance.
• , to the person who is in need of assistance, if they're a family member.
• And it says to a minor child who is in need of assistance and for the purpose of receiving that assistance
• But I just want to make sure that it go, that the minor being assisted, that they can come with me.