Transcript Highlights:

• In our student services, we employ five positions: we have a dean of student services, a registrar, an
• This slide shows Medicaid payments for residential services and outpatient services over the past five
• We've increased payments for residential services by over 1,700% and payments for outpatient services
• We've increased payments for residential services by over 1,700% and payments for outpatient services
• To coverage of IMD services.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:59:25.920><c> services</c> changing the covered service services changing the covered service
• or we provide services now, now services or we provide services now, now we<02:23:12.880><c> don't</
• services.
• </c> service, services, level of services. service, services, level of services.
• Functional support services are community-based services.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So hospital service districts, that's public money.
• through homeless service providers. ...significantly disrupt the provision of services through homeless
• service providers.
• This bill will disrupt the provision of services.
• those folks from potentially providing services.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1076, which would repeal the sunset date for the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board. The bill was presented as a simple continuation measure, and Rep. Stagney moved to report it favorably; the motion passed without objection. The committee then took up HB 475 on artificial intelligence in health care. The author explained that the bill was intended to require disclosure when AI or recording software is used to transcribe patient encounters, and an amendment changed the proposal from patient consent/opt-out to disclosure only. The amendment was adopted, and HB 475 was reported favorably with amendments. HB 740, dealing with Medicaid managed care, was amended with technical changes and then presented as a way to let providers in the coordinated system of care appeal claim denials through the same independent review process used by Medicaid managed care plans. The Louisiana Hospital Association supported the bill, and it was reported favorably with amendments. HB 926, which would have barred public facilities from restricting access based on vaccination status and related medical decisions, drew testimony from supporters who framed it as a medical autonomy and informed-consent measure. After questions about public versus private facilities and whether the bill could affect hospitals or disease-based restrictions, Rep. Cruz moved to voluntarily defer the bill, and it was deferred without objection. The committee then considered HB 457 on housing standards for organizations serving people experiencing homelessness. The author said the bill was prompted by concerns about unsafe and unsanitary group homes and would direct LDH and the Fire Marshal to establish minimum standards for safety, sanitation, privacy, and habitability. Supporters said the bill would protect vulnerable residents, while opponents, including Oxford House and the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center, warned it could conflict with federal fair housing protections and impose burdens that could reduce recovery housing and other services. After extensive debate, the bill was reported favorably with amendments by a recorded vote. Finally, HB 616, which would give the legislative auditor oversight of publicly funded homeless service providers, was heard with testimony from homeless service organizations that argued the bill was duplicative, costly, and could expose sensitive HMIS data; the bill remained under discussion at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The crossover items are between the Human Services Committee and the Health and Human Services Committee
• </c> items between the um human services items between the um human services committee<00:01:17.840><
• kinship services.
• </c><00:15:46.720><c> On</c> services to include kinship services.
• On services to include kinship services.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul Regional Water Services.
• Paul Regional Water Services.
• Paul Regional Water Services alone, we started with about 26,000 lead service lines.
• service line.
• I know the need is service lines.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House and Senate capital investment leaders held a public discussion focused primarily on lead service line removal and the need for a new bonding bill. Rep. Fue Lee and Chair Jeff Franzen said Minnesota’s existing state and federal lead-line funds will be exhausted by the 2026 construction season, warning that without action there would be no lead removal program in 2027. They framed the issue as a bipartisan public health and infrastructure priority, emphasizing that no amount of lead is safe and that regular capital investment is needed to keep communities moving forward. Testimony from Raquel Vasquez of St. Paul Regional Water Services, Bradley Peterson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, and Joel Smith of LiUNA Minnesota and North Dakota described the scale of the problem and the progress made so far. Vasquez said St. Paul’s pilot program is working, with costs coming down and about 6,000 of roughly 26,000 local lead service lines expected to be replaced by the end of the season, but warned that 18,000 to 20,000 would remain without more funding. Peterson said there are about 100,000 known lead service lines statewide and more than 200,000 still being assessed, with replacement costs averaging $10,000 to $15,000 per line. Smith stressed that funding gaps would stall momentum, leave at least 90,000 lead pipes in the ground, and cost the state thousands of union jobs. In response to questions, Sen. Sandy Pappas said she supports including $100 million in appropriation bonds for lead service lines in the Senate bonding proposal, while acknowledging the need is closer to $250 million. House leaders said they were discussing the size and contents of the bonding bill and were considering both general fund cash and appropriation bonds, with affordability for homeowners a key concern. The chairs also discussed broader bonding priorities, including other water, sewer, road, and facility projects, and noted that decisions would depend on whether leadership can reach agreement on a final bonding package before the end of session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Program in the Federal Grants Trust Fund from the grants and aids contracted services category.
• This amendment is for the result of the social service.
• and ambulance services.
• Both trust funds are allocated within the investigative service budget entity.
• , Director of Administrative Services, who's going to present Amendment EOGB 2026-0459.

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission considered 21 budget amendments, most of them routine authority adjustments tied to federal grants, Medicaid payment programs, and trust fund realignments. The Department of Education received $14.751 million for a Preschool Development Grant to support early learning system improvements, workforce credentialing and training, IT modernization, and related early childhood certification work. The Department of Veterans Affairs shifted $2.2 million within its trust fund to cover higher nursing home occupancy, replace contract nursing with OPS staff, and meet rising operating costs. The Department of Health moved about $9.1 million to support Disability Determinations, where roughly 140,000 cases were pending or in process, and said the change would help reduce backlog and avoid a deficit. The Agency for Health Care Administration presented multiple amendments for Medicaid-related programs, including $766 million for indirect medical education, $1.9 million for managed care network adequacy audits, $209 million for the Rural Health Transformation Program, and several large supplemental payment programs for hospitals and physicians; members asked about CMS approval delays, provider access, and how rural funds would be distributed. The commission also adopted an amendment realigning KidCare funds, placing a $32.1 million surplus into reserve, though several members objected that the state had not yet implemented the 2023 KidCare expansion and that children remained on a wait list. Another Medicaid amendment placed a $376 million surplus into reserve after updated estimating conference projections. Other agencies also received approvals. FDLE received $16.26 million to buy counter-unmanned aircraft systems equipment such as radar and RF sensors to detect and mitigate drone threats. The Department of Juvenile Justice received $1.6 million for the Florida Scholars Academy and a Social Services Block Grant realignment, with staff confirming corrective action had been taken after prior audit findings about allowable SSBG spending. The Division of Emergency Management received federal pass-through authority for FIFA World Cup security and counter-UAS funds, both controlled by the Miami host committee, and members noted the state had little direct oversight over how those local grants would be used. The Department of Commerce received $148.4 million for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery work, with questions focused on the split between housing, infrastructure, and administrative costs. The Department of State received $408,377 for arts and culture federal grant obligations. All amendments were adopted, generally without objection, after brief questioning and no public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mediation and Conciliation Service has stopped doing that.
• Lastly, the last group is the Florida State Fire Service.
• I represent security services.
• The time of service would have to be within the bargaining unit.
• And the time service would have to be within the bargaining unit.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining met to hear informational presentations on several state employee bargaining units at impasse. The Department of Management Services outlined the status of negotiations for FDLE special agents, correctional/security services, sworn law enforcement officers, Florida Highway Patrol troopers, and Florida State Fire Service employees. In each case, most contract articles had been resolved, but key disputes remained over wages and several non-economic provisions such as hours of work, grievance language, safety, grooming, seniority, equipment, travel, and on-call pay. DMS emphasized that the state had offered competitive pay increases, special pay, recruitment/retention funds in some units, and that insurance costs would remain unchanged for employees. Representatives for the Florida State Fire Service Association argued that the state was requiring firefighters to perform work far outside their job descriptions, including major construction and renovation, and that wildland firefighters were being undercompensated for long hours, on-call duty, and callback work. They also pressed for higher wages, an incentive-based pay plan, additional compensation for firefighter-EMTs, more protective clothing, and stronger decontamination and cancer-prevention measures. The Police Benevolent Association’s Florida Highway Patrol unit sought a larger career development plan, veteran stipends, broader grooming/tattoo allowances, improved vehicle safety, and more pay, while the law enforcement unit raised concerns about vehicle safety, performance evaluation quotas, and a $7,000 across-the-board raise. The security services unit representing correctional officers, probation officers, and ISS officers focused on a substantial wage increase, retention pay, special pay for death row and close management assignments, and overtime treatment for lieutenants and captains. Committee members asked only a few clarifying questions, including whether correctional officers receive overtime, which DMS confirmed they do. No votes were taken and no formal action was scheduled; the meeting was expressly for information only. The committee thanked the presenters, noted that the materials and testimony would be taken under advisement, and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> public for these services. Thank you. public for these services. Thank you.
• , EIDBI, or autism services.
• service contract.
• service contract.
• service contract.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Green Star as part of American Service banner tradition.
• with their military service and should be recognized by our state.
• Military service can continue long after deployment ends.
• But for today, the wounds of service do not end when they come home.
• Battalion Valar's life reminds us that service takes many forms.

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then spent much of the session on recognitions and resolutions honoring community groups and observances. Members welcomed the Far West region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Los Angeles South Bay alumni chapter, and later recognized the 2026 Latino Spirit Award honorees after adopting SR 86 on Cinco de Mayo Week. Senators from multiple caucuses spoke in support of the resolution, emphasizing Mexican history, Latino resilience, and shared struggles for justice. The Latino Spirit honorees included leaders in higher education, philanthropy, labor, health, advocacy, business, environmental justice, journalism, culinary arts, and music, along with a legacy award for Los Tigres del Norte. The Senate also adopted SCR 146 declaring May Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, SCR 154 establishing Green Star Veterans and Families Day, SCR 123 honoring California Peace Officers Memorial Day, SCR 164 recognizing Black Health Equity Advocacy Week, and SCR 103 designating Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. Testimony and floor remarks focused on health disparities, mental health, veteran suicide, and the sacrifices of peace officers, with several caucuses speaking in support of the health equity resolution. Each of these resolutions passed by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. The chamber then took up several appointments from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, confirming Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle, Jason Johnson, Madeline McLean, Brian Bishop, and Sarah Larson, despite some protest votes from Senator Grove over the lack of action on another appointment. In third reading, the Senate passed SB 1159 on AI and public participation, SB 1416 on faster refunds for duplicate medical payments, SB 1273 on winery video advertising at instructional events, SB 941 limiting commissary markups in private detention facilities, SB 990 on a highway information sign near Ridgecrest, SB 1099 clarifying local authority to provide public benefits, and SB 1195 expanding tied-house exemptions for certain venues. The session concluded with adjournment memories for labor leader Kent Wong and Navy veteran-artist Vittaliano Victor Villar, and the Senate adjourned until May 7, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a continuum of care and continuum of service. services that, you know, as noted in Senator Blumenthal's
• that's eligible for Vet Center services.
• How many of those veterans are connecting in VA for VA services or in the community for community services
• services as health care would require?
• Thank you, Senator, and thank you for your service as well.

Keywords: veterans, mental health, suicide prevention, Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Grant Program, HOPE Act, BRAVE Act, Every State Counts for Vets Mental Health Act, advocacy, legislation, mental health resources

Summary: The committee meeting focused primarily on the critical issues surrounding veterans' mental health and suicide prevention. Discussions centered on the reauthorization of essential programs aimed at providing non-clinical support services to veterans, particularly the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. Senators emphasized the urgent need for adequate mental health resources as the suicide rate among veterans remains alarmingly high. Key testimonies were provided by various advocates and officials, illustrating both successful implementations of these programs and areas needing improvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• It addresses the uncompensated care problem for ambulance services.
• </c> reporting period that non-metro Services reporting period that non-metro Services reported<00:05
• c><00:09:00.680><c> service</c><00:09:01.000><c> fails</c><00:09:01.600><c> the</c> if an ambulance service
• fails the if an ambulance service fails the service<00:09:02.079><c> area</c><00:09:02.399><c> that<
• </c> continued viability of EMS Services continued viability of EMS Services across<00:10:39.320><c>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 337, a bill addressing long-term funding for rural and Greater Minnesota EMS and ambulance services. The author offered the A2 amendment, moved to divide it, and the committee adopted lines 1.2 to 1.19 of the amendment. The bill, as amended, was described as creating a policy framework for identifying ambulance services with operating deficits, requiring financial audits, and setting up a future grant program, with the author emphasizing that the proposal was still being developed and was intended to be a long-term solution rather than a short-term fix. Testimony was largely supportive. Eric Simonson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities said the bill builds on last session’s one-time aid and would target grant dollars using state data, clarify eligible uses, allow audits, address uncompensated care and readiness costs, and require reporting back to the legislature. Mike Warner of the Red Wing Fire Department said his city’s ambulance service operates with a heavy government-funded payer mix and a persistent operating shortfall. Tim Meyer of Sanford Ambulance said low-volume rural services face widening revenue gaps, staffing pressures, and the loss of the volunteer model. Nathan Zacharias of the Association of Minnesota Counties and Kevin Lee of North Memorial Health also supported the bill, citing rising costs, staffing shortages, stagnant reimbursement, and the need for a sustainable statewide funding model. Members raised concerns about how the bill would work in practice, especially around communities that straddle metro and non-metro boundaries and around local control over grant dollars. Representative Pel asked how the eligibility language would apply to places like Northfield and New Prague; the author and a testifier said eligibility would depend on whether a service area is mostly outside the metro area, but acknowledged more review was needed. Representative Huitt argued the bill should give more local control and should address EMS as a statewide issue, not only a Greater Minnesota issue. Representative Ryer asked whether the bill would eventually include revenue recapture or another funding source, and the author said the proposal was still at an early stage and all options were being considered. The committee laid HF 337, as amended, over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Services. Services.
• </c> Medicaid Services. Medicaid Services.
• </c> we believe it's a medical service. we believe it's a medical service.
• </c> eligible for services. eligible for services.
• . services. services.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, approving the minutes and consent calendar, then moved to the regular calendar of administrative rules. Department of Energy rule 25-220 was postponed until June at the sponsor’s request so stakeholders would have more time to review revised language. Several Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid-related rules were then considered, including 25-240, 25-265, and 26-33, each of which drew staff comments mainly about expired rule provisions and the agencies’ reliance on federal law, the Medicaid state plan, or other manuals. The committee approved those rules after brief questions, with the agencies stating they were already operating under the relevant federal or state-plan authority and, in one case, that rulemaking was underway to update an expired citation. The most extended discussion was on HHS Bureau of Aging rule 25-304, which had an amended conditional approval request. Staff explained the amendments clarified how case management agencies accept or deny cases, how telehealth participation is evaluated, and that the department sets the timing for accepting or denying cases under its existing authority. Staff also noted a separate issue about whether reimbursement rates must be in rule, but said the agency had long interpreted the statute to allow its approach and that any change would likely require legislation rather than committee objection. A provider representative testified against parts of the rule, arguing the case management agencies should not be required to accept referrals before contacting the participant, that telehealth decisions for other providers should remain with those providers, and that the quality-management section was duplicative and burdensome. Committee members questioned whether the telehealth language merely allowed case managers to say a service fit the client’s plan or instead gave them authority over another provider’s delivery method. The agency responded that case managers may determine what services an individual needs, but should not control how another licensed provider delivers those services. The discussion continued with no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the failed Northstar commo rail service the failed Northstar commo rail service I<00:46:39.119><
• The response was that terminating the service and providing bus service is the best alternative, and
• ><c> service</c><01:04:52.720><c> and</c><01:04:53.000><c> providing</c> terminating the service and
• providing terminating the service and providing bus<01:04:53.720><c> service</c><01:04:54.079><c> is<
• </c><01:05:12.200><c> Mr</c> favor of terminating the service Mr favor of terminating the service Mr

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• support services.
• support services.
• support services.
• support services.
• support services.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We are going to start our public hearings of the Early Learning & Human Services Committee today.
• I oversee the educational preschool services and D.C. My name is Jeanette Wade.
• I oversee the educational preschool services and DCYF licensing for 15 classrooms.
• Military families face unique burdens throughout and after their service.
• of ECAP services in the state of Washington.

Summary: The Early Learning & Human Services Committee held public hearings on several child care and disability-related bills. House Bill 2317 would exempt certain ECAP and Head Start programs from DCYF licensing when they operate part-day or school-day in public school buildings or on public school property. Staff and the prime sponsor said the bill would remove duplicative licensing barriers and help expand preschool seats, especially as Washington prepares to add more ECAP slots. Testifiers from Head Start, school-linked providers, and the Washington Federation of Independent Schools supported the bill, describing licensing delays, added costs, and lost classroom time; no one testified in opposition. The committee also heard House Bill 2099, which would expand ECAP access for military families with incomes up to Working Connections Child Care limits and adjust prioritization for families with deployed or single custodial military parents. The prime sponsor and multiple supporters, including retired military leaders, Head Start/ECAP advocates, ESD staff, and a military-community partnership, said military families face frequent moves, deployment-related strain, and child care shortages that affect readiness and family stability. Testifiers said the bill would help families access care without changing the program’s low-income focus or adding state cost. House Bill 2350 would require DSHS to notify residents, guardians, and family members when a residential habilitation center is found out of compliance with federal CMS requirements, and to provide follow-up notices on correction and enforcement actions. The sponsor said the bill responds to limited communication around recent noncompliance issues at Rainier School and would improve transparency; DSHS had requested a narrow amendment about how notice is provided to residents. Disability rights advocates strongly supported the bill, saying families need timely information to protect loved ones and make informed decisions. Finally, House Bill 2318 would let ECAP and Head Start children count toward the 5% subsidy participation threshold needed for Early Achievers quality improvement awards. Supporters said the current rule can discourage providers from enrolling ECAP children because it risks losing an award, even though ECAP already requires Early Achievers participation. The sponsor and testifiers described the bill as a small fix to reduce a funding disincentive for providers serving high-need children. The committee took no votes and adjourned after closing the hearings on all four bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> provided by these services. provided by these services.
• </c> local base services. local base services.
• Importantly, these services services.
• <c> health</c><03:12:32.399><c> services</c> Services and behavioral health services, and that are, say
• </c> service is ridiculous. service is ridiculous.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a thing to continue to be net services.
• You get legal protection services.
• of crime, and also for rehabilitative services.
• of crime, and also for rehabilitative services.
• This way it maximizes the connection to Medi-Cal and health services. Emergency Medi-Cal services.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next bill is SB 152, the human services omnibus trailer bill.
• We were able to also reject cuts to home supportive services, protect child care access, provide services
• Michael Henning, California Alliance of Child and Family Services.
• Michael Henning, California Alliance of Child and Family Services.
• Allison Ramey, on behalf of Ultimate Health Services.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are folks receiving more services on More people who are coming in for services?
• And that was our service elevator.
• So unless it's talking about crime lab does toxicology services for us, but we do not do services for
• Does toxicology services for us, but we do not do services for the crime. Okay.
• Dementia care services program.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a series of updates on health-related projects and Department of Health and Human Services budget matters. Representatives from CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck and Williston, and Altru in Grand Forks, reported progress on behavioral health expansion projects, including demolition and construction milestones, updated timelines, funding status, staffing plans, and barriers such as an unbudgeted air handler replacement in Williston. Members asked about original completion dates, use of telehealth, recruitment of psychiatrists and other staff, and whether the new beds might reduce the need for patients to travel to Jamestown State Hospital. The projects were described as on track overall, with completion expected in 2027 for the larger builds and earlier openings for some phases in Williston. The committee then heard from HHS leadership on technical line-item transfers and the Salaries and Wages Block Grant. Donna Ockland explained that recent transfers were administrative corrections to place spending in the proper budget lines and did not involve new spending, and she reviewed FTE counts and vacancies across the department. Questions focused on behavioral health staffing changes and the use of consultants in the Rural Health Transformation Program. Pat Rainer outlined the rural health program’s first-year grants and priorities, including workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community wellness initiatives, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, hospital equipment, suicide prevention training, technology, and EMS support. He said North Dakota’s plan was drawing positive national attention, but the department still needed to obligate roughly $199 million by September and was working with CMS on timing and compliance. The committee also received an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller. She said North Dakota had been accepted as a demonstration state, with certification efforts underway in Williston, North Central, Fargo, and Dickinson. Members asked about care coordination, service growth, staffing, and whether certification would expand to all clinics; the department said it was still collecting baseline data and evaluating impacts before making future recommendations. Finally, Rebecca Askins reviewed SNAP payment error rates, explaining that the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89 percent and that the department is working on training, system changes, and quality assurance steps to get below 6 percent. Members pressed on the causes of monthly variability, the performance of the SPACES system, and accountability for ongoing errors, and the department said it expects improvement over the next 6 to 12 months.

Transcript Highlights:

• What kind of service?"
• and one is a skin service.
• And so they do that service there. Now, just a question. So they do that service there.
• I'm not looking at the services of the people in the salon, looking up services by the esthetician.
• Just because they would have a... they'd be able to not have to segment services or servicing?

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on May 11, 2026, with a quorum present and took up a series of Senate bills, a resolution, and one House bill. The committee reported favorably Senate Bill 79 to recreate Louisiana Economic Development, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 to establish the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, Senate Bill 375 on firefighting foam with amendments clarifying use in declared emergencies, Senate Bill 398 moving manufactured and modular housing oversight under the Contractors Licensing Board with technical and substantive amendments, Senate Bill 163 on virtual currency business licensing with an amendment providing for federal preemption if Congress enacts a national licensing regime, and Senate Bill 287 on virtual currency kiosks with consumer-protection provisions and technical amendments. The committee also reported favorably House Resolution 197, as amended, urging the Public Service Commission to study distributed energy generation and storage resources with LSU involvement, and Senate Bill 54, which would allow estheticians to blow-dry hair after certain services; that bill drew extensive testimony from supporters and opponents in the cosmetology and aesthetics industries before being reported favorably. Several bills prompted detailed discussion and testimony. On Senate Bill 398, the sponsor and Contractors Licensing Board representatives said the change would improve enforcement and consumer safety for manufactured-home installation, especially tie-downs, leveling, and foundation blocking, while not affecting HUD-regulated construction. On the virtual currency bills, OFI said it currently licenses 37 virtual currency businesses with 33 pending applications, and supporters described the kiosk bill as a response to fraud complaints by requiring clearer disclosures, refund procedures, live customer support, and reporting to OFI. For House Resolution 197, the sponsor, PSC officials, and energy stakeholders said the study would examine the value of distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar and battery storage, in light of rising demand and grid reliability concerns; PSC staff and LSU energy experts described the study as focused on market value and avoided-cost benefits. House Bill 744, which would have shifted regulation of certain New Orleans utilities from the city council to the PSC, generated discussion about constitutional history, rate impacts, and utility consolidation. PSC officials and the sponsor said the current city-council regulation is a constitutional exception dating back to 1921, and they argued that PSC regulation could reduce costs and simplify oversight, but the sponsor ultimately moved to defer the bill rather than force a floor fight, and the committee agreed. The committee then began consideration of Senate Bill 386, the Louisiana Data Privacy Act, adopting technical amendments and then a larger amendment package that revised definitions and compliance provisions; the transcript ends while that bill’s amendment process is still underway, with no final action shown in the excerpt.