Transcript Highlights:

• Since it’s general funds, it would be the BNF or any of the additional funding for benefits.
• How many funds do we have? How many different funds for an emergency?
• grab it from other funds.
• </c> maybe get some from the other funds maybe get some from the other funds right<00:48:23.400><c> I
• and compulsive Gambler program fund and compulsive Gambler program appropriates<01:16:58.239><c> funds

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The joint Senate hearing covered Senate Bill 1536 and Senate Bill 1571. SB 1536 concerned the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s CEO position and whether the exemption from retirement benefits should be changed. Testimony and committee discussion focused on the estimated cost, the current budgeted amount, whether the change would make the position more competitive, and whether alternatives such as a portable retirement plan had been considered. The witness said the proposal came from HTA’s legislative committee and that the position’s salary and benefits would still likely fit within the budgeted amount. No vote was taken on SB 1536 during the excerpted discussion. The hearing then moved to SB 1571, relating to tourism. Debed and HTA representatives said they supported the bill in written testimony, but HTA’s witness said the measure had not been discussed or voted on by the full board and recommended deferring action until the board could clarify its position. Several members of the public testified both in support and opposition. Opponents raised concerns about changing “Hawaiian sense of place” to “Hawaii sense of place,” warning it could weaken protections for Hawaiian culture and invite broader interpretations that might affect places like the Hawaii Convention Center. Others opposed a provision removing a two-year waiting period for HBCB board members before serving on the HTA board, citing conflict-of-interest concerns. Committee discussion centered on the meaning and practical effect of the bill’s language, especially the distinction between “Hawaiian” and “Hawaii,” the scope of HTA’s tourism and destination-management role, and whether translation and language policy were being applied too broadly or too narrowly. Some members argued the bill could help preserve Hawaiian culture and place, while others worried about exclusionary interpretations, costs, and whether resources would be better spent on programs rather than expanded translation. The hearing ended with the chair announcing a short break and moving toward decision-making, but no final action on the bill was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• :22.480><c> by</c><00:27:22.720><c> Senator</c> Joint Resolution Number 38 by Senator Joint Resolution
• :27:31.039><c> Senator</c><00:27:31.440><c> Bell,</c> Resolution Number 39 by Senator Bell, Resolution
• federal funds for the state lodging efficiency grant fund.
• </c> the state lodging efficiency grant fund. the state lodging efficiency grant fund.
• I have a resolution. Clerk, say the resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a resolution. >> Clerk, see the resolution. >> House Resolution 329 from the House Rules Committee
• I have a resolution. resolution. resolution.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Clerk, see the resolution. &gt;&gt; Clerk, see the resolution.
• </c> resolution. All in favor say I. resolution. All in favor say I.
• </c> stays in this the the college uh fund. stays in this the the college uh fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• information, and accountability regarding the applicant's request and distribution of encampment resolution
• funding, also known as ERF.
• Number one, it expands the use of the ERF funds in the Encampment Resolution Funding Program to local
• requires HCD to report on a quarterly basis to the chairs of specified legislative committees on the funding
• rather than just an eviction kind of fund that's being used.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard several homelessness, public benefits, and aging-related bills. SB 748 would expand Encampment Resolution Funding to support safe parking sites for people living in cars or RVs, require quarterly reporting from HCD on outcomes, and direct LAO evaluation; supporters said it would help local governments reduce RV encampments while connecting people to housing and services. SB 290 would repeal the CalWORKs immunization sanction that reduces aid when parents cannot provide acceptable proof of a child’s vaccination; supporters argued the penalty unfairly harms families already in poverty and can worsen instability, while no opposition testified. SB 606 would define “functional zero” for overall and unsheltered homelessness and require local jurisdictions to plan for and report on the housing and interim shelter needed to reach that goal; supporters said it would add accountability and focus on reducing unsheltered homelessness, and one group moved from opposition to neutral after amendments. SB 433 would create an income-based room-and-board cap and personal needs allowance for all Medi-Cal assisted living participants in residential care facilities for the elderly, not just SSI recipients; supporters said it would prevent eviction and homelessness among low-income seniors and people with disabilities, and facility groups withdrew opposition or moved to neutral after amendments. SB 761 would require students applying for Cal Grants to be notified that they may be eligible for CalFresh and given information on how to apply; supporters said it would address widespread student food insecurity and low enrollment among eligible students. The committee accepted amendments on the bills, and all of the measures discussed were reported out on 7-0 or similar unanimous votes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, with the consent calendar also approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• In closing, I refer to House Resolution 101 passed by the House in 2014.
• Since that resolution, the Manhattan industry... 2014, sorry, 2014.
• , Plaquemines Parish was being funded properly and all this good stuff.
• Is it specific for enforcement or other, or just like a general fund within?”
• kind of our general fund that runs our agency, including law enforcement.

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 886 by Rep. Orgeron, which would make seasonal catch totals and related reporting for the commercial menhaden fishery publicly available by carving out an exception to confidentiality rules. The author said the bill was intended to align with the original intent of prior reporting legislation and to ensure the public can see how much menhaden is being taken from Louisiana waters. Supporters, including Louisiana Wildlife Federation, CCA, charter captains, and recreational anglers, argued the fishery uses a public resource and that transparency is needed for policymaking. Opponents said they did not object to transparency in principle, but one speaker asked that size-sampling data be removed, arguing it has no scientific value and is already handled through NOAA and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Council processes. The committee reported HB 886 favorably without opposition. The committee then heard House Bill 855, also by Rep. Orgeron, which would establish a 22-foot depth requirement for the commercial use of purse seines in the menhaden fishery. The author said the bill was based on a state-funded bycatch study showing red drum bycatch rises sharply in shallow water and that the current quarter-mile buffer is insufficient, especially in nearshore areas where recreational fishing and sensitive habitats are concentrated. Supporters emphasized the public trust nature of menhaden, the economic value of recreational fishing, and concerns about bycatch, beach fouling, and localized depletion. Several speakers cited the bycatch study, public comments opposing the recent reduction from a half-mile to a quarter-mile buffer, and the belief that deeper-water fishing would reduce impacts on redfish and other species. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries staff and the study’s principal investigator, Dr. Scott Rayburn, answered questions about the current buffer rules, enforcement, and the science behind the 22-foot threshold. They explained that the recent reduction to a quarter-mile buffer came from a commission directive and that the department had investigated complaints but found no violations. Dr. Rayburn said the 22-foot figure came from modeling red drum bycatch as a function of depth and that the study focused on red drum because of its economic and social importance, while not analyzing every species in the same way. Opponents of the bill, including West Bank Fishing and Ocean Harvesters representatives, said the rule of three is a standard confidentiality concept, argued the bill should not be framed as anti-transparency, and urged removal of the size-sampling provisions. The committee heard extensive testimony but no final action on HB 855 was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have fought for funding. You have fought for policy.
• For funding, you have fought for policy.
• , for resolutions.
• So they would not be able to spend funds on that, correct?
• What happens to grant funding, grant-funded positions, if the grant requires diversity reporting or inclusion

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and memorial remarks, including a moment of silence for service members killed in the conflict in Iran. The chamber then moved to special orders and took up a series of bills, with many measures passing unanimously after brief explanations and, in several cases, substitution of House companions. Early bills included CS/CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate education, which drew extensive supportive debate about the civic value of debate programs and passed 37-0, and SB 1072 on an anti-Semitism task force, which was amended to clarify that criticism of Israel is not prohibited and then passed 37-0. The Senate also approved CS/CS/SB 1230/HB 1019 on PFAS chemicals and firefighting foam, with discussion focused on phasing out AFFF, testing requirements, exceptions for federal aviation and military uses, and support for firefighters and water quality; the bill passed 37-0. Other measures passed without opposition included SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 186 on student health and safety and seizure response training, SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services, SB 990/HB 883 on protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, SB 560 on child welfare and foster care medication procedures, SB 684/HB 961 on electronic signatures for salvage titles, and SB 778/HB 569 on forensic client services. Two bills, SB 432 on intoxicating substances and SB 928 on dangerous crimes, were temporarily postponed. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to SB 1134 on official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. The sponsor argued the bill would prevent counties and municipalities from funding or promoting DEI efforts he described as discriminatory or indoctrinating, while opponents offered amendments to narrow the bill to spending only, add an intent requirement for penalties, and preserve local proclamations and observances. Those amendments were debated at length but were not adopted. The sponsor then continued explaining the bill’s exceptions, including references to holidays, heritage sites, and the Pulse Memorial, and the chamber was still in debate on the underlying measure when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is funding from taxpayer dollars.
• </c> use is Medicaid funding and donations. use is Medicaid funding and donations.
• </c> services that are multiple funding services that are multiple funding streams,<00:42:45.280><c>
• diverse</c><00:42:45.680><c> funding</c><00:42:46.079><c> streams,</c> streams, diverse funding streams
• So, we're going to release funds."

Bills: HF3797 , HF3780 , HF4068 , HF3935

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Rules reports recommending the following resolutions ought to be adopted: resolutions
• Sabadosa of Northampton recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival, and resolutions
• Question now is on adoption of the resolutions. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed, nay.
• Resolutions are adopted.
• A, all state agencies shall cease funding campaign ads which dissuade pregnant women Funding campaign

Summary: The House first took up several routine matters, adopting resolutions recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival and congratulating Father Gerald Francis Finnegan, S.J., on his long ministry. Members also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow a petition establishing a sick leave bank for a Massachusetts State Police employee to go to the Committee on Public Service. The chamber then moved to Senate Bill 2543, An Act Strengthening Health Care Protections in the Commonwealth, and adopted the Ways and Means amendment before sending the bill to third reading. Later, after the bill was released from third reading, the House considered it on final passage. Supporters described the measure as protecting reproductive and gender-affirming care, patient data, providers, and Massachusetts residents from out-of-state interference, while also incorporating federal emergency care requirements. Amendment 4, which would have barred state funding for campaign ads discouraging pregnant women from using pregnancy resource centers, was rejected. Amendment 8, which would have broadened the bill to include refusals of care and other preventive care for adults and minors, was also rejected after opposition argued it could allow one parent to block care for a child. Amendment 6, as changed, narrowing certain data protections to abortion-related care, IVF, and gender-affirming care, was adopted. The House also adopted Amendment 7, clarifying that businesses handling information for payment, treatment, or health care operations would not violate the bill, and Amendment 9, directing the Commissioner of Public Health to convene a technical advisory group to review a section of the General Laws. After these amendments, the bill passed to be engrossed by a vote of 136-23. The House then observed a moment of silence for victims of the Gabriel House assisted living fire in Fall River and adjourned to meet the next day in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• CL will receive the resolution CL will receive the resolution CL will receive the resolution house resolution
• number 95 by resolution house resolution number 95 by resolution house resolution number 95 by the house
• to an investment fund to build up fund to an investment fund to build up fund to an investment fund
• is funded is funded separately it is funded by a number of separately it is funded by a number of separately
• it is funded by a number of different things it's it's funded different things it's it's funded different

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> report with the following resolution report with the following resolution resolved<03:53:42.880>
• </c> school district not the state to fund school district not the state to fund the<04:00:11.199><c>
• ,</c><04:10:38.720><c> potentially</c> without state funding, potentially without state funding, potentially
• We must also consider the who fund them.
• resolution resolved is inexpedient<07:02:11.440><c> to</c><07:02:11.878><c> legislate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Resolution is the end of the session. Any objection? Hearing none, the motion is adopted.
• Senate Bill 12, relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds.
• The subject is taxpayer-funded lobbying. It is such a creative bill. It's such a title.
• I told her what I was going to be doing today, and I mentioned taxpayer-funded lobbyists.
• Taxpayer-funded lobbyists have lobbied against election integrity.

Bills: SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12

Transcript Highlights:

• The funds simply remain in the fund. In the first year, we reverted $27,000.
• Engineering Service Funding and Construction Funds for ASECIA statewide.
• Also, protecting funding.
• And funding as well.
• The 1113 program funds acequias.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• President and Senator, what chapter resolutions are you referring to? So, Mr.
• That resolution moves to the district. It's a group of some of the chapters.
• President, my experts say that PERA is currently funded at 65.2%. Okay, so Mr.
• President, Senator, this is going to be funded in the budget.
• loan fund.

Bills: SB273 , SB37 , SB100

Summary: The Senate convened on the 30th day of the 2026 session, established a quorum, heard an invocation from Chaplain Harry Eberts, and received several announcements and House messages. The chamber then took up multiple concurrence and third-reading items, including Senate Bill 273, Senate Bill 37, Senate Bill 100, Senate Bill 41, House Bill 34, House Bill 20, House Bill 43, House Bill 38, and House Bill 256. The body also heard that House Joint Memorial 2 was moved from the President’s table to the calendar, and later received messages from the House on several other Senate and House measures. The most contentious action was concurrence on Senate Bill 273, which concerns correction facility loss of revenue for counties affected by the loss of ICE detainees. Senators debated the economic impact on Torrance, Otero, and Cibola counties, with supporters arguing the bill provided partial relief and critics saying it did not come close to replacing lost jobs and revenue. The Senate ultimately concurred with the House amendments by a vote of 22-18. On Senate Bill 100, which would have expanded burglary-related definitions to include an “extension of a dwelling,” several senators argued the House language was too broad and legally vague, and the Senate voted not to concur, sending the bill back to the House. Senate Bill 41, with a technical correction and addition of second-degree criminal sexual penetration, was concurred with by voice vote. Among the bills passed on third reading, House Bill 34 updated school nurse licensure rules and supervision pathways and passed 38-0. House Bill 43, a PERA cleanup bill, clarified retirement and survivor-benefit provisions, and passed 39-0 after questions about whether it affected PERA’s unfunded liability; sponsors said it did not. House Bill 38 expanded insurance coverage for powered mobility devices and prosthetics, including coverage for batteries and in-state provider requirements, and passed 38-0. House Bill 256 expanded cardiac emergency response planning and AED requirements to athletic activities and schools, including private schools on a phased-in basis, and was debated over cost and scope before passing. House Bill 20, which would allow Native American designation on driver’s licenses and IDs, prompted extended discussion about tribal support, documentation, and possible profiling concerns; the transcript cuts off before final disposition of that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• the resolution. >> House Resolution 974 resolved that a committee of two members be appointed by the
• will report the resolution. >> House Resolution 975 resolved that the Clerk of the House inform the
• will report the resolution.
• 976 shall supplant House Resolution 6. >> Without objection, House Resolution 6. >> For what purpose
• will report the resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• across the state are sounding the alarm on a critical funding gap.
• Senate Joint Resolution 46, call the chair and we'll...
• This obviously requires tremendous amounts of additional funding.
• Funding, and even with federal assistance, it requires local funds in the form of matching funds and
• that the FEMA funds are going to pay for.

Bills: SB467 , SB325 , SB867 , SB994 , SB1052 , SB1237 , SB1449 , SB1531 , SB2063 , SB2172 , SB2173 , SB2520 , SB2529 , SB2538 , SB2541 , SJR46 , SJR84

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: SB 467, Texas property tax, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, residence homestead, fire damage, house fire, destroyed home, temporary tax relief, appraisal district, chief appraiser, local taxing unit, tax rollback, tax refund, Tax Code Chapter 11, prorated exemption, homestead improvement, disaster relief, property tax exemption, residential property

Summary: The committee heard several local government and property tax bills, with most testimony focused on appraisal disputes, tax administration, and development rules. Senate Bill 1052 by Senator Hinojosa would address coastal county appraisal litigation by requiring property owners in certain large-value disputes to report an uncontested taxable value while appeals are pending, so taxing units can base truth-in-taxation calculations on more realistic revenue. Nueces County, Del Mar College, and Corpus Christi ISD testified in support, describing major budget shortfalls caused by refinery valuation disputes; the committee substitute narrowed and clarified the bill’s scope. No opposition was heard, public testimony closed, and SB 1052 was left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1531, which would require local tax collectors to accept common electronic property tax payments such as credit cards, debit cards, and e-checks. Witnesses supported modernizing payment options and the committee substitute removed ACH/electronic funds transfer language to avoid bank-account disclosure concerns. Public testimony closed and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 325, by Senator Perry, would restore platting and groundwater-certification requirements that were unintentionally weakened by prior legislation; supporters from county government, water groups, and builders’ representatives debated whether the real issue was groundwater protection or road standards for private roads. The bill was left pending after extensive testimony and no vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 994 and SJR 46, which would exempt certain livestock feed inventory from property tax and provide the constitutional amendment needed for that change. Feed store and Farm Bureau witnesses supported the measure as relief for seasonal inventory taxes, and the bills were left pending. Senator Paxton presented SB 467 and SJR 84 to create a temporary property tax exemption for homes completely destroyed by fire, with refunds or corrected bills based on the date of loss; both were left pending. SB 1237 would clarify charitable property tax exemptions for senior housing and retirement communities, with testimony from Catholic and Baptist retirement organizations and a resident describing rising costs and exemption revocations; it was also left pending. The committee later voted 6-0 to report SB 2073, a pending bill on appraisal district authority to purchase or finance real property, and recommended it for the local and uncontested calendar. Finally, the committee heard SB 2172, SB 2173, and SB 2063, all related to property tax administration. SB 2172 would limit when appraisal districts can require homeowners to reapply for homestead exemptions, requiring a specific reason and written notice; SB 2173 would protect new homeowners from surprise tax liabilities caused by prior owners’ erroneous homestead exemptions, with testimony describing large back-assessment bills; both were left pending. SB 2063 would bar appraisal districts from using market-value evidence in unequal appraisal protests, and testimony sharply divided between taxpayer advocates, who said market data improperly overwhelms equity claims, and appraisal district representatives, who argued market value is inherently tied to equal-and-uniform taxation and cited a recent Texas Supreme Court decision; the bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The land has funded this state.
• The land has funded this state.
• House Joint Resolution 7.
• Senate Joint Resolution 7.
• Fund as the Executive Order for Disasters Fund, and authorizing expenditures from that fund for a natural

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and committee, a resolution that some of you have seen before in other iterations.
• I urge lawmakers to support Senate Joint Resolution 1.
• Chair and Senator, I'm going to stick to the content of this resolution.
• It's not part of this resolution, specifically. Mr.
• So for me to take funding from those two...

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• And we do have copies of those resolutions and letters if you guys need them.
• And we do have copies of those resolutions and letters if you guys need them.
• In 2017, the parish pursued a bill grant to try to identify some grant funds, federal grant funds.
• To try to identify some grant funds, federal grant funds, to assist with offsetting the cost of a new
• And so to me— The process, and we were fortunate enough to get some funding.

Summary: The Louisiana Transportation Authority met on March 26 and approved the minutes from its prior meeting before taking up the Cameron Ferry privatization proposal from Labmar Ferry Services. Staff from DOTD explained the ferry’s current operational problems, including an aging 1964 vessel, reliability issues, maintenance and dry-docking needs, staffing challenges, and the lack of a spare vessel or backup terminal pair. They reviewed the procurement process, noting that after an unsolicited proposal from Labmar, LTA required a competitive solicitation, received only Labmar’s updated proposal, and then selected Labmar as the preferred proposer. Local input was also described: the Cameron Parish Police Jury issued a no-objection letter and the Cameron Port Harbor and Terminal District gave written support, while no public comments were received at prior public comment opportunities. The board first voted that the privatization proposal serves a public purpose, based on statutory factors such as public need, compatibility with transportation plans, reasonable cost, and improved efficiency. It then voted to approve the proposal contingent on execution of a comprehensive agreement, with members emphasizing that the final contract terms would still need to be negotiated. Discussion highlighted that Labmar currently operates New Orleans ferry routes with high uptime, and that the Cameron crossing is important for local travel, emergency response, evacuation, industry, and tourism. Members also stressed the need to respect and retain current DOTD staff as the transition is negotiated. Staff outlined next steps: negotiations are expected to continue through spring and early summer 2026, with a transition period over the summer and possible full Labmar operations in late summer if an agreement and funding are secured. Two new hybrid ferry vessels are under construction and expected in May and August 2026, temporary dock space and site improvements are underway, and training will include Labmar personnel. A feasibility study for terminal expansion found that adding and improving landing slips could cost roughly $30 million to $50 million, but current funding is insufficient; members asked for a phased, multi-year plan and budget breakdown for future consideration. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• DHS is the only agency that is not funded on the federal side, and the only reason it is not funded is
• I think they've had eight votes total on this to prevent DHS funding.
• That funds health care, that funds food assistance, that does so much to advance our state.
• public safety, that funds health care, that funds food assistance.
• That funds health care, that funds food assistance, that does so much to advance our state.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> mechanism for needing to get the funds mechanism for needing to get the funds out<00:04:54.320><
• </c><00:12:45.160><c> with</c> trying to come to a resolution with trying to come to a resolution with
• </c><00:13:53.680><c> just</c> estimated to ca the UI trust fund just estimated to ca the UI trust fund
• And like I said yesterday, make no doubt about it, the school trust fund, the funds that come from the
• And like I said yesterday, make no doubt about it, the school trust fund, the funds that come from the

Bills: HF3023 , HF3078 , HF107 , HF2171 , HF3079 , HF689 , HF1316

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy