Transcript Highlights:

• And those are different processes, and this does not call for a constitutional convention.
• And those are different processes, and this does not call for a constitutional convention.
• , convention, convention, uh, uh, uh, this<01:06:51.520><c> this</c><01:06:52.400><c> part</c><01:06:
• And I just note that again this is not a constitutional convention.
• And I just note that again this is not a constitutional convention.

Bills: HF4348 , HF4186 , HF4202 , HF4455 , HF3884 , HF3883 , HF3882 , HF3881 , HF2688 , HF3295 , HF3862 , HF3362 , HF4242 , HF3798

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• The Gulf, like a provoked and angry giant, can awake from its seeming lethargy, overstep its conventional
• Overstep its conventional boundaries, invade our land, and spread chaos and disaster.
• Reimbursement rates for behavioral health crisis centers. Ms. Freiberg, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• such as the Bridge Center for Hope here in Baton Rouge.
• 69 by Senator Ilg requests the American Sugarcane League, LSU AgCenter, and Southern University Ag Center

Bills: HB410 , HR310 , HR314 , HR316 , HR317 , HR321 , HR275 , HR276 , HR279 , HR282 , HR286 , HR289 , HR292 , HR295 , HR302 , HR319 , HR307 , HR273 , SCR59 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR68 , SCR69 , SCR70 , SCR54 , SCR55 , SCR64 , SCR75 , HCR32 , HB776 , HB42 , HB119 , HB159 , HB302 , HB1017 , HB1028 , SB217 , SB283 , HB953 , SB208 , HR74 , HB998 , HB901 , HR20 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , SB97 , SB123 , SB237 , HB36 , HB74 , HB75 , HB258 , HB259 , HB414 , HB459 , HB784 , HB848 , HB956 , HB1095 , HB1220 , HB1252 , SB469 , SB479

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, the pledge, and a national anthem performance, then moved through several personal privileges and recognitions. Members welcomed a student cancer survivor and entrepreneur, Bella of Brave Bella Bead Company, and also recognized a new legislative assistant, a page leaving for college, and a resolution honoring National Mississippi River Day. The chamber also received conference committee reports and enrollment reports, and returned some previously failed measures to the calendar, including H.R. 119 and H.B. 410. The main floor action centered on a series of Senate concurrent resolutions, most of which were adopted overwhelmingly. These included SCR 59 on re-evaluating flood maps and insurance rates tied to the Comite River Diversion Canal, SCR 61 urging higher reimbursement for behavioral health crisis centers, SCR 62 calling for review of school-zone safety and speed limits, SCR 68 creating a blockchain and digital innovation task force, SCR 69 encouraging continued research to reduce sugarcane burning, SCR 70 supporting the Major Richard Star Act for medically retired combat-wounded veterans, SCR 54 supporting the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act, SCR 55 designating the Peggy Martin Rose as the official state rose, SCR 64 creating a construction manager-at-risk task force, SCR 75 studying a Louisiana maneuvers museum and trail, and SCR 80 creating a task force on the minimum foundation program and long-term teacher pay funding. Most passed with little or no opposition, with SCR 84 on earthquake seismic activity in several parishes amended to adjust task force membership before final adoption. The House also heard a personal privilege statement honoring the late Ponder P.C. Clinton Jr., a noted Black farmer, cattleman, and community leader in Shreveport’s Cedar Grove neighborhood, and expressed condolences to his family. Later, members received a hurricane-season reminder from Rep. Jay Galle about disaster response procedures and the need to work through parish emergency offices. The transcript ends as the House moves into additional concurrent resolutions returned from the Senate with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Steve Horn, since 2019, has served as executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, a network
• of over 1,500 Southern Baptist Convention churches in Louisiana.
• James Jenkins, are co-laborers with the Louisiana Baptist Convention.
• House Bill 198 by Representative Eccles is an act to amend Title 46, relative to ambulatory surgical centers
• Relative to ambulatory surgical centers, to provide for Medicaid reimbursement rates.

Bills: SCR12 , HB1259 , HB221 , HB509 , HCR117 , HCR58 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SB295 , SB312 , SB326 , SB348 , SB485 , SCR9 , SCR58 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB514 , HCR32 , HCR5 , HCR95 , HB75 , HB198 , HB244 , HB302 , HB325 , HB623 , HB719 , HB749 , HB755 , HB761 , HB797 , HB823 , HB1028 , HB1049 , HB1194 , HB1199 , HB1201 , HB1222 , HB17 , HB27 , HB36 , HB41 , HB73 , HB140 , HB166 , HB181 , HB211 , HB223 , HB226 , HB271 , HB308 , HB337 , HB399 , HB410 , HB487 , HB690 , HB712 , HB730 , HB750 , HB759 , HB762 , HB775 , HB906 , HB966 , HB968 , HB1006 , HB1009 , HB1018 , HB1036 , HB1062 , HB1081 , HB1086 , HB1098 , HB1107 , HB1112 , HB1203 , HB1215 , HB1220 , HB1242 , HB1252 , HB1256 , SB208 , SB217 , SB274 , SB283 , SB300 , SB341 , SB382 , SB387 , SB389 , SB401 , SB408 , SB449 , SB469 , HB74 , HB119 , HB134 , HB368 , HB414 , HB552 , HB732 , HB776 , HB848 , HB870 , HB953 , HB956 , HB1117 , HB1236 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB78 , SB149 , SB441 , HB210 , HB258 , HB359 , HB468 , HB784

Summary: The Senate convened with 26 members present, heard a prayer from Dr. Steve Horn, and recited the pledge. The chamber then handled messages from the House, including concurrence in SCR 83 and appointment of conference committee members on several disagreements. A number of Senate resolutions were introduced or adopted, mostly creating study task forces or commending individuals and organizations, including resolutions on energy infrastructure, breast pump access, insurance coverage for auto repairs, biomarker testing, higher education funding, public-private partnership contracting, and various commendations. Several resolutions were adopted without objection, while others were returned to the calendar or concurred in by recorded vote, including SCR 29 and SCR 33 with House amendments. The Senate also considered House and Senate bills and resolutions returned from the House, with many measures adopted or concurred in. Notable actions included concurrence in HCR 117 on homeowner insurance claims processes, adoption of HCR 5 on special red drum harvest permits, and passage of bills on TOPS Tech eligibility (HB 325), vapor product permitting (HB 623), ABLE/Tuition Trust administration (HB 749), design services contracting (HB 755), rare cancer advisory board composition (HB 761), non-emergency medical transportation reimbursement (HB 1028), public meeting notices (HB 1049), healthy food retail financing (HB 1194), genetic testing coverage for SCN2A disorders (HB 1199), grocery initiative grants (HB 1222, which failed), and a constitutional amendment on retirement debt repayment order (HB 27). The chamber also adopted HCR 95, creating a joint rule requiring a fiscal review of certain tax measures for sales and use tax uniformity. Several measures drew extended debate. HB 181, which would allow the legislative auditor access to Medicaid and SNAP-related tax information for eligibility verification and fraud review, prompted concerns about privacy and scope but ultimately passed 26-8. HB 1220 on the State Board of Medical Examiners generated amendment discussion about board composition and transparency, including live video broadcasting of meetings, but was returned to the calendar before final action. HB 1018, creating a temporary local moratorium on certain alcohol permits in one Shreveport district, passed after discussion about broader policy solutions. The Senate then recessed for lunch at 2 p.m. after completing the subject-to-call list for the morning session.

Transcript Highlights:

• To receive certain tax revenue derived from a hotel and convention center project and to pledge certain
• centers.
• This is a local bill that ensures revenue for New Braunfels Convention Center projects.
• center projects.
• To receive certain tax revenue derived from a hotel and convention center project and to pledge certain

Bills: HJR73 , HB31 , HB279 , HB370 , HB4768 , HB513 , HB875 , HB982 , HB 1085 , HB2677 , HB2874 , HB5478 , HB4880 , HB4798 , HB4514 , HB4958 , HB4508 , HB3758 , HB3830 , HB3744 , HB3622 , HB741 , HB2204 , HB2860 , HB4659 , HB4578 , HB813 , HB712 , HB1551 , HB2790 , HB2698 , HB3365 , HB3504 , HB3118 , HB2959 , HB1862 , HB 1026 , HB4401 , HB4164 , HB3920 , HB4737 , HB4966 , HB4967 , HB1958 , HB4979 , HB5459 , HB3862 , HB1823 , HB4415 , HB4893 , HB2343 , HB 1228 , HB4337 , HCR141 , SB250 , SB1883 , SB617 , SB2411 , SB2306 , SB2929 , SB552 , SCR27 , HJR218 , HB168 , HB2545 , HB5436 , HB4926 , HB5165 , HB4811 , HB4755 , HB3179 , HB4310 , HB4611 , HB3637 , HB3153 , HB2786 , HB2966 , HB2159 , HB5081 , HB638 , HB640 , HB876 , HB4809 , HB5308 , HB4687 , HB5623 , HB4412 , HB3284 , HB3420 , HB3449 , HB4098 , HB4281 , HB4120 , HB4504 , HB4370 , HB4421 , HB 1106 , HB4070 , HB2370 , HB2407 , HB2253 , HB2273 , HB2040 , HB1586 , HB3788 , HB3993 , HB4690 , HB4696 , HB2308 , HB 1142 , HB1533 , HB1621 , HB2242 , HB2012 , HB2193 , HB2464 , HB2348 , HB2313 , HB2289 , HB1942 , HB2011 , HB1629 , HB2993 , HB3592 , HB4076 , HB4623 , HB4535 , HB4327 , HB4520 , HB3824 , HB4921 , HB2494 , HB3066 , HJR112 , HB2695 , HB3138 , HB2442 , HB3863 , HJR73 , HB4773 , HB 1091 , HB5115 , HB5515 , HB3372 , HB5659 , HB 127 , HB386 , HB 115 , HB2868 , HB 1249 , HB4766 , HB3720 , HB4656 , HB4879 , HB 105 , HB5383 , HB4621 , HB5431 , HB5678 , HB5534 , HB4174 , HB4212 , HB3954 , HB3966 , HB3636 , HB3918 , HB1422 , HB4765 , HB4732 , HB4742 , HB5122 , HB4518 , HB5084 , HB3986 , HB4045 , HB4144 , HB3911 , HB3976 , HB4473 , HB3425 , HB3641 , HB3642 , HB3475 , HB3509 , HB3424 , HB3383 , HB4744 , HB4531 , HB4539 , HB3159 , HB5228 , HB5370 , HB4359 , HB4398 , HB4443 , HB4466 , HB3861 , HB3849 , HB4240 , HB4706 , HB4685 , HB5354 , HB5141 , HB5686 , HB3629 , HB3554 , HB3567 , HB2015 , HB3575 , HB5381 , HB1431 , HB3514 , HB4614 , HB4546 , HB4683 , HB5681 , HB5673 , HB5663 , HB4271 , HB4350 , HB4035 , HB3807 , HB3812 , HB3552 , HB3540 , HB3715 , HB3710 , HB3664 , HB4196 , HB4233 , HB4173 , HB1998 , HB3333 , HB3510 , HB4222 , HB2070 , HB2854 , HB2347 , HB 113 , HB983 , HB4847 , HB1449 , HB3833 , HB5151 , HB265 , HB1845 , HB782 , HB 108 , HB1960 , HB158 , HB1954 , HB1955 , HB2512 , HB605 , HB2581 , HB2803 , HB627 , HB2667 , HB1738 , HB636 , HB3679 , HB2638 , HB2655 , HB871 , HB2438 , HB 1107 , HB1765 , HB1822 , HB2153 , HB4099 , HB3732 , HB3171 , HB3178 , HB3182 , HB3749 , HB2814 , HB3977 , HB4204 , HB4207 , HB4449 , HB1820 , HB1876 , HB1939 , HB1347 , HB2593 , HB2136 , HB2132 , HB2658 , HB2413 , HB2757 , HB2080 , HB3154 , HB3063 , HB3009 , HB3448 , HB3006 , HB2844 , HB3241 , HB3680 , HB3169 , HB2078 , HB2507 , HB4559 , HB3946 , HB3460 , HB3405 , HB475 , HB3463 , HB3441 , HB3520 , HB2060 , HB4731 , HB4991 , HB1991 , HB5596 , HB2014 , HB2142 , HB2673 , HB2731 , HB2417 , HB2399 , HB2301 , HB3335 , HB3234 , HB3320 , HB5573 , HB4848 , HB4748 , HB4769 , HB4795 , HB2086 , HB2234 , HB2203 , HB4916 , HB5624 , HB4505 , HB139 , HB5093 , HB5302 , HB5402 , HB5606 , HB2333 , HB4630 , HB4701 , HB2583 , HB2983 , HB4924 , HB3339 , HB3793 , HB3631 , HB4882 , HB5509 , HB5499 , HB5430 , HB5561 , HB5611 , HB5043 , HB5064 , HB3733 , HB3781 , HB3219 , HB32 , HB4515 , HB5348 , HB3902 , HB4420 , HB3269 , HB469 , HB336 , HB316 , HB5396 , HB993 , HB1342 , HB5216 , HB2046 , HB2188 , HB2450 , HB2813 , HB2857 , HB4075 , HB2911 , HB4682 , HB3117 , HB3253 , HB3442 , HB4820 , HB4336 , HB5356 , HB3669 , HB3428 , HB5465 , HB3662 , HB2590 , HB2288 , HB1886 , HB3458 , HB5603 , HB5620 , HB1489 , HB4101 , HB4990 , HB5685 , HB4950 , HB4980 , HB5684 , HB3507 , HB3566 , HB4487 , HB4462 , HB4876 , HB4915 , HB4663 , HB5570 , HB2929 , HB5261 , HB2920 , HB4642 , HB4746 , HB1609 , HB5403 , HB5453 , HB3844 , HB2336 , HB1572 , HB 1226 , HB2806 , HB2617 , HB2827 , HB3948 , HB3945 , HB4266 , HB4542 , HB3319 , HB1772 , HB2496 , HB1970 , HB3434 , HB5545 , HB5577 , HB31 , HB279 , HB370 , HB4768 , HB513 , HB875 , HB982 , HB 1085 , HB2677 , HB2874 , HB5478 , HB4880 , HB4798 , HB4514 , HB4958 , HB4508 , HB3758 , HB3830 , HB3744 , HB3622 , HB741 , HB2204 , HB2860 , HB4659 , HB4578 , HB813 , HB712 , HB1551 , HB2790 , HB2698 , HB3365 , HB3504 , HB3118 , HB2959 , HB1862 , HB 1026 , HB4401 , HB4164 , HB3920 , HB4737 , HB4966 , HB4967 , HB1958 , HB4979 , HB5459 , HB3862 , HB1823 , HB4415 , HB4893 , HB2343 , HB 1228 , HB4337 , HCR76 , HCR127 , HCR9 , HCR40 , HCR118 , HR559 , HCR59 , HCR135 , HCR141

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Victoria O'Bannon, and I am with the Northwest Cooperative Development Center.
• So there's a project in Spokane County that will co-locate with a data center there.
• From data centers and look at that circular economy.
• This is not the only one that have chosen to co-locate with data centers.
• Most data centers right now use diesel backup generation.

Summary: The committee heard several public hearings on tax and housing-related bills. HB 2451 on local tax increment financing was briefed as a negotiated trailer bill adding new limits and consultation requirements for increment areas, including restrictions on using areas that already have needed public improvements, earlier sunset rules, more detailed project analysis, and stronger notice, mediation, and arbitration procedures for affected taxing districts. Supporters from cities, ports, and fire districts said the bill rebalances the process and protects impacted jurisdictions; the hearing then closed. HB 2322 would change the alternative jet fuel tax incentive program by replacing the current production-capacity trigger with a fixed effective period beginning in 2031 and ending in 2046, while clarifying carbon-intensity requirements. The sponsor said the change adds certainty and supports cleaner aviation fuel. A refinery representative supported the program but asked for clarification to include Pierce County or define “blender,” while a climate-health opponent argued the bill subsidizes continued fossil-fuel combustion and should be rejected. HB 2590 would revise the limited equity cooperative definition and exempt such cooperatives from WUCIOA unless they opt in, while preserving the property-tax exemption requirements; supporters said it would reduce red tape and better fit cooperative housing, while members raised concerns about unintended restrictive membership rules and asked for fair-housing guardrails. HB 2655 would create a new sales and use tax exemption for construction and equipment at certain new data centers in eastern Washington, subject to labor, wage, apprenticeship, employment, and sustainability requirements. Supporters framed it as a jobs and clean-energy opportunity tied to hydrogen development and regional competitiveness, while opponents said it was a subsidy for large corporations and could strain water, power, and public revenues. The committee then moved to executive action and advanced HB 1983, the second substitute for HB 1974, the substitute for HB 2334, HB 2367, and the substitute for HB 2650, all with due pass recommendations. Amendments were adopted on HB 1974 and rejected on HB 2367; the other bills were advanced without amendment. Votes were recorded on each measure, with HB 1974 passing 10-4, HB 2334 passing 13-1, HB 2367 passing 11-3, and HB 2650 passing 14-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we talked about the energy grid, we will have some co-location with data centers, and a big piece
• Location with data centers, and a big piece of the mix will be going into the grid.
• Reliability: large-scale data centers like hyperscalers need 99.999% uptime and reliability.
• Power their data centers to the tune of 30 or 40 gigawatts.
• We heard about data centers and AI.

Bills: HB 11 , HB14 , HB132 , HB1584 , HB1606 , HB5061 , HB 1041 , HB2286 , HB132

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The committee first took up pending business and quickly reported several measures favorably, including HB 12, SB 1361, SB 1705, SB 1749, SB 1897, SB 2344, SB 2566, HB 3809, and HB 4215, with most sent to the Local and Uncontested Calendar. HB 12’s substitute clarified a limited midterm review of regulatory agencies tied to Sunset Commission recommendations. SB 2696’s substitute changed med spa regulation from a license to a certificate, with training instead of an exam, plus background checks, continuing education, and two-year renewals. HB 3809 dealt with battery energy storage decommissioning and recycling, and HB 4215 was reported without a substitute. SB 1978, concerning interconnection of electric facilities in ERCOT and federal jurisdiction concerns, was reported out on a 5-3 vote after debate, but then the chair later announced the bill was withdrawn and left pending subject to the call of the chair. HB 1899 was also reported favorably, with one nay. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 14, the advanced nuclear energy bill. Senator Schwertner described it as creating a Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, a nuclear permitting coordinator, a development fund, a completion grant program, and a workforce development program. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives from Fermi America, Dow/X-energy, CPS Energy, Paragon Energy Solutions, Bridge to Nuclear, Aalo Atomics, and the Texas Association of Business, argued that Texas should lead in advanced nuclear, citing future baseload demand, data centers, industrial power needs, supply-chain development, and long-term energy diversification. Opponents, including Public Citizen, Texas Nuclear Watchdogs, Sierra Club, and individual citizens, argued the bill would subsidize unproven, expensive technology, create grants rather than loans, and expose taxpayers to major risk while doing little to meet near-term energy needs. Several members questioned whether the state should fund projects that may not produce grid power for years, and whether the bill’s grant structure and new office were justified. The committee also heard HB 5061, which Senator Schwertner said would prohibit unethical surveillance and misuse of confidential information by state contractors, create a confidential reporting system through the State Auditor’s Office, authorize Texas Rangers investigations, protect whistleblowers, and impose penalties including contract termination, fines, and contracting bans. No public testimony was offered, and the bill was left pending. HB 132, sponsored by Senator Hughes, would extend confidentiality protections for sensitive information to hostile acts by foreign adversaries; it was also left pending after no testimony. HB 1584 was then laid out, with Senator Schwertner explaining it would require utilities to maintain and update priority restoration lists for critical facilities after Hurricane Beryl exposed communication failures, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Convention Center, expand the L.A. Convention Center.
• We have enough workers as we speak to rebuild the convention center, build a new SoFi Stadium, and do
• We're trying to build the LA, as some of you know, we're trying to build the LA Convention Center, expand
• the LA Convention Center.
• We have enough workers as we speak to rebuild the convention center, build a new Sophy Stadium, and do

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly labor committees held a hearing on the Los Angeles wildfires and their impact on workers, employers, and recovery efforts. Chairs and members emphasized that rebuilding should prioritize worker safety, equity, local hiring, and strong labor standards rather than simply moving quickly or relying on the lowest bidder. They also stressed the need to learn from past disasters and to create a more coordinated state response for future emergencies. Worker advocates described how domestic workers, day laborers, firefighters, and other frontline workers were affected by the fires. Testimony focused on workers being trapped in evacuation zones, lacking timely information in Spanish, losing jobs and income, and facing exposure to toxic debris without adequate PPE. Speakers called for expanded outreach and education, stronger Cal/OSHA enforcement, broader occupational safety coverage for domestic workers and day laborers, recall and transfer rights, childcare and transportation support, and a centralized disaster relief system that can quickly deliver cash aid and equipment regardless of immigration status. Firefighter Derek Irwin said California firefighters face serious carcinogenic exposure and urged continued funding for the firefighter cancer prevention and research program, along with a long-term state health monitoring and research effort similar to the World Trade Center Health Program. Building trades and labor representatives argued that cleanup and rebuilding should be done through community workforce agreements, prevailing wage, apprenticeship requirements, and local hire provisions, and said the state already has trained workers available. They also said federal debris-removal work through the Army Corps has limited the state’s ability to impose some standards, but that state and local funding or subsidies should trigger labor requirements. Employer and business representatives described major losses to property, inventory, revenue, and jobs, especially in Altadena and nearby areas. The Altadena Chamber said it is coordinating recovery resources, while a construction business owner said small local firms are being shut out of disaster contracts and proposed a more accessible procurement process for local and minority businesses. LAEDC presented preliminary estimates of billions in property damage and business disruption, tens of thousands of potential job losses, and a recovery timeline of five to ten years, warning that low-income communities will be disproportionately affected and that workforce retraining and upskilling will be needed alongside the broader economic recovery.

Transcript Highlights:

• The funds would be used for fire protection, agricultural centers, neighborhood security and beautification
• and Civic Center, which is owned by the city.
• and Civic Center, which is owned by the city.
• The Pontchartrain Center will be used by GMB as the home of the Lake Town Squad ...the Pontchartrain
• Center will be used by GMB as the home of the Lake Town Squadron.

Summary: The State Bond Commission met on May 21, established a quorum, approved the April 16 minutes, and then considered a long agenda of bond, refunding, and election-related requests. Items 3 through 10 were election propositions for the November 3 ballot involving ad valorem taxes, parcel fees, and charter amendments for purposes such as fire protection, agricultural centers, neighborhood security, recreation, aging services, drainage, and roads and bridges; staff said they met technical and legal requirements, and the commission approved them. The commission also approved several local financings, including water and sewer projects, fire district equipment and facility improvements, school board and parish bonds, and refunding transactions for the East Baton Rouge City-Parish and St. James Parish School Board. A retroactive approval request from the City of Kenner related to a CEA with GMB Basketball LLC was discussed; staff made no recommendation because it was retroactive, but noted it appeared to be an oversight, and item 22, the related airport district agreement, was approved. The commission approved additional financing for the Louisiana Housing Corporation’s Federal City Building 10 affordable housing project, a preliminary approval for the Northwest Louisiana Finance Authority’s Petro Tower redevelopment in Shreveport, and two Louisiana Public Facilities Authority projects: Southern University’s Scott’s Bluff student housing project and the Crescent City Schools project for Harriet Tubman Charter School. During discussion of the Crescent City Schools financing, a commissioner asked about the use of MFP funds; staff explained that lease payments would be the repayment source and that MFP dollars are generally split between educational expenses and facilities costs, with the school’s typical split around 72% instructional and 28% administrative/facilities-related. Both items were approved. The commission then received six cost-of-issuance reports for previously approved bond issues, with various fee adjustments but no motions required. It also reviewed a debt schedule update and adopted Resolution No. 2 authorizing up to $425 million in general obligation refunding bonds to refund Series 2016 bonds and tender other outstanding bonds for savings, with pricing tentatively set for June 16 and closing for June 30. In other business, the commission heard a brief public comment from New Orleans City Council President J.P. Morrell thanking the commission for helping place a charter amendment on the ballot to improve New Orleans budgeting transparency and oversight. The meeting ended after monthly reports were noted and no further business was raised.

Transcript Highlights:

• The funds would be used for fire protection, agricultural centers, neighborhood security and beautification
• and Civic Center, which is owned by the city.
• The Pontchartrain Center will be used by GMB as the home of the Lake Town Squad. 3 is the city of Kenner
• and Civic Center, which is owned by the city.
• Center will be used by GMB as the home of the Lake Town Squadron.

Summary: The State Bond Commission met on May 21 with a quorum present and approved the April 16 minutes. The commission then reviewed and approved a large slate of local government and public authority financing requests, including election propositions for the November ballot, water and sewer infrastructure projects, fire protection and recreation district bonds, school board financing, and several refunding transactions. Most items were found to meet technical requirements and were approved on motions by Speaker DeVillier and seconded by Senator Talbot. Among the more notable items were the East Baton Rouge City-Parish refunding bonds for the Greater Baton Rouge Airport District, the City of Kenner’s retroactive approval request tied to a convention center agreement with GMB Basketball LLC, a Louisiana Housing Corporation financing increase for the Federal City Building 10 affordable housing project, and preliminary approval for the Northwest Louisiana Finance Authority’s Petro Tower redevelopment in Shreveport. The commission also approved financing for Southern University’s Scott’s Bluff student housing project and the Crescent City Schools/Harriet Tubman Charter School project. The Crescent City Schools item prompted questions about how MFP funds are used; staff explained that lease payments would support the bonds and that MFP funds are generally split between educational expenses and facilities-related costs. The commission received six monthly cost-of-issuance reports, which required no action, and a status update on the state debt schedule. It also approved Resolution No. 2 authorizing up to $425 million in general obligation refunding bonds to refund the Series 2016 bonds and tender other outstanding bonds for savings, with pricing tentatively set for June 16 and closing for June 30. During other business, New Orleans City Council President J.P. Morel thanked the commission for its role in helping address the city’s fiscal crisis and for approving a charter amendment election item aimed at strengthening budget oversight. The meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will ensure the data centers are not exempt from CEQA and creates a pathway for such centers
• Timothy Berg Jr., on behalf of the Data Center Coalition, or DCC.
• Timothy Berg Jr., on behalf of the Data Center Coalition, or DCC.
• DCC serves as the national voice for the data center industry, and our members include leading data center
• Our opposition to the bill centers around three core areas of concern.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with SB 1350 by Senator McNerney presented first. The measure would expand California’s use of renewable hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen, with supporters emphasizing grid reliability, clean-energy goals, in-state investment, and construction jobs. Support came from labor, clean-energy, municipal utility, and local government representatives; NRDC Action Fund withdrew opposition after amendments, while a few groups remained opposed or neutral. The committee later took a roll call and SB 1350 passed out on a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard SB 1180 by Senator Allen, which would set operational rules for the Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund created under SB 54, including clearer eligible uses, transparency, technical assistance, and access for tribes and smaller community groups. Environmental justice, ocean, conservation, and local government groups strongly supported the bill, saying it would ensure the fund addresses plastic pollution’s public health and environmental harms. Industry and manufacturing groups opposed unless amended, arguing the bill should stay tightly tied to plastic waste reduction and not broaden into source-reduction policy. After quorum was established, the committee approved SB 1180 on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. SB 1326 by Senator Wahab was then heard to strengthen tribal consultation and tribal cultural resource protections under CEQA by recognizing tribal registers and requiring feasible avoidance or mitigation measures when tribes identify resources. Tribal representatives and supporters said the bill would better protect sacred sites and tribal knowledge, while cities, counties, utilities, builders, and rural county groups opposed unless amended, citing implementation concerns, possible litigation, and uncertainty for infrastructure and housing projects. The committee voted the bill out on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. Finally, SB 954 by Senator Blakespear was presented as a cleanup of last year’s SB 131 advanced-manufacturing CEQA exemption, narrowing eligible projects and adding guardrails such as setbacks, air-quality limits, tribal consultation, labor standards, and habitat protections. Environmental and labor groups supported the bill as a needed correction to an overly broad exemption, while business, manufacturing, housing, and local-government groups opposed, warning it could make the exemption unusable and slow investment. Members debated the balance between environmental protection and manufacturing competitiveness, and the committee voted SB 954 out on a due pass recommendation to the Labor and Employment Committee; the transcript then moved on to SB 1031 on compostable plastics, which was introduced but not acted on in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• National Center, it's the National Center for State Courts. Okay. It's the recommendation.
• And they recommended and wanted to use this center for them.
• Well, it was the center—the judges themselves contracted with the center to do the study.
• Orleans Parish functions as the economic, cultural, entertainment, convention, and tourism center of
• They are handling matters involving tourists, convention attendees, hospitality workers,...

Bills: HR265 , HR266 , HR267 , HR268 , HR269 , HR270 , HR271 , HR272 , HR273 , HCR107 , HCR108 , HCR109 , HCR110 , HCR111 , HR257 , HR258 , HR259 , HR260 , HR261 , HR262 , HR263 , HCR105 , HCR106 , SCR30 , SB57 , SB157 , SB202 , SB237 , SB276 , SB450 , SB465 , SB501 , SB525 , HR3 , HR80 , HR197 , HR243 , SCR5 , SCR35 , HB4 , HB623 , HB944 , HB986 , HB1098 , HB1222 , SB34 , SB164 , SB172 , SB198 , SB208 , SB232 , SB281 , SB286 , SB317 , SB322 , SB334 , SB380 , SB385 , SB409 , SB417 , SB421 , SB430 , SB439 , SB447 , SB458 , SB510 , SB398 , HB646 , HR84 , HR188 , HR205 , SCR19 , SCR3 , SCR6 , SCR18 , SCR11 , SCR22 , SCR2 , SCR20 , SCR24 , HCR6 , HB301 , HB359 , HB657 , HB675 , HB680 , HB727 , HB302 , HB819 , HB1257 , HB1258 , SB8 , SB10 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB14 , SB16 , SB17 , SB18 , SB20 , SB21 , SB22 , SB40 , SB48 , SB55 , SB69 , SB75 , SB77 , SB78 , SB85 , SB102 , SB115 , SB133 , SB140 , SB148 , SB151 , SB165 , SB169 , SB170 , SB185 , SB197 , SB200 , SB217 , SB235 , SB278 , SB280 , SB291 , SB300 , SB303 , SB315 , SB324 , SB330 , SB411 , SB416 , SB420 , SB436 , SB438 , SB449 , SB455 , SB456 , SB477 , SB489 , SB521 , SB45 , SB58 , SB71 , SB81 , SB92 , SB100 , SB109 , SB141 , SB156 , SB181 , SB203 , SB204 , SB205 , SB207 , SB213 , SB214 , SB216 , SB229 , SB257 , SB274 , SB290 , SB304 , SB374 , SB379 , SB396 , SB410 , SB425 , SB427 , SB429 , SB479 , SB522 , HCR72 , HB633 , HB603 , HB940 , HB251 , HB775 , HB998 , HB1191 , HB625 , HB1255 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1240 , SB82 , SB89 , HB258 , HB842 , SB149 , SB382 , SB441

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the pledge, roll call, and several personal privileges recognizing visitors and special observances, including Transportation Day and a day without child care at the Capitol. Members also honored the Southern University Laboratory School track teams, early childhood educators, and later offered condolences and tributes, including a memorial resolution for Derek Butler’s family and birthday recognitions for members and staff. The chamber received Senate messages, committee reports, and introduced or adopted several resolutions and bills throughout the day. A major portion of the floor was devoted to retirement-system cleanup and funding bills, including Senate Bills 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, and 21. Members and authors explained these measures as technical changes to simplify contribution formulas, separate funding for COLAs and benefit increases from debt paydown, and update reemployment or benefit rules for retirees in various systems. Most of these bills passed with large margins after brief questions about whether they would affect automatic debt reduction; authors repeatedly said they would not stop debt paydown. Other measures passed on topics such as emergency vehicle procedures, international driving reciprocity with Ireland, seat belt use, port commission appointments, GOHSEP cybersecurity authority, storage facility rental rules, biomarker testing coverage, DNA sample collection procedures, and a law-institute bill on movable-property leases. The House also adopted HCR 72, the Jonas A. Feeley Act, which memorializes Congress to expedite research and treatment development for acute myeloid leukemia in honor of a deceased veteran, and H.B. 1258, which directs the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on handling unlawfully possessed sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife. Another notable bill, Senate Bill 200, created a process for expropriating property tied to foreign adversaries near military bases, with amendments allowing voluntary divestment before expropriation. Most measures were adopted by wide margins, with co-author votes taken on some resolutions and bills tabled or returned to the calendar when requested. The most extended debate centered on Senate Bill 217, which would reduce the number of judges in Orleans Parish courts based on a statewide workload study. Supporters said the National Center for State Courts study showed Orleans had more judges than comparable parishes and that the bill would right-size the courts and save about $2.1 million. Opponents questioned the study’s methodology, the lack of Orleans delegation involvement, the counting of cases, the absence of uniform statewide clerk-of-court standards, and whether reducing criminal judges made sense given crime concerns. Despite the criticism, the bill was advanced after lengthy questioning, while the chamber continued to move other bills and resolutions forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh Exposition Center. uh Exposition Center.
• busiest convention center in North America.
• In addition to that, you know, we also operate the convention center in downtown Louisville.
• In addition to that, you know, we also operate the convention center in downtown Louisville.
• Uh, participating convention center downtown. So, tourism is growing. And agriculture is important.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee met without a quorum at first, then approved the minutes once a quorum was reached. The first presentation was from the Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction within the Public Protection Cabinet. Commissioner Max Fuller and Deputy Commissioner David Moore reviewed the department’s licensing structure, noting about 50 license types and roughly 42,000 active licenses, with most tied to plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work. They compared Kentucky’s fees and requirements with neighboring states and said Kentucky is generally in line or slightly below surrounding states when local and contractor licensing requirements elsewhere are considered. The department also described staffing and inspection pressures. Officials said boiler inspections have a measurable backlog, with about 18% of state-jurisdiction boilers and pressure vessels past due statewide and a higher percentage in Jefferson County. They said building code plan review turnaround has risen from about 30 days to roughly 33–35 days, and that some areas are struggling to maintain same-day plumbing inspections and three-day HVAC inspections. Members asked whether the agency could handle increased housing construction, especially in rural areas; the department said it had requested additional plumbing staff and a plan reviewer, particularly for the Bowling Green/Warren County area, and noted that electrical inspectors are stretched across the state and are also pulled into disaster response work. The committee then heard from Kentucky Venues and the Kentucky State Fair Board on the Kentucky Exposition Center renovation and related operations. David Beck, board chairman David Williams, CFO Tony Shrek, and others said the project is progressing ahead of schedule, with keys to the new building expected in December and the facility already booked for future events. They reported strong tourism and economic impact, including record activity at the Exposition Center and downtown convention center, and said the Farm Machinery Show and other events continue to drive demand. Members asked about budget status, and the presenters said inflation, delayed access to funds due to the RFP/design process, and added costs have left them short of money to finish all planned work. They identified phase three funding needs, including food and beverage service improvements and completion of Freedom Hall seating, and said they are considering bringing food and beverage operations back under their control to improve efficiency and revenue. The meeting ended with no formal votes on the presentations and an announcement that the committee would meet again the following Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it currently operates seven sales center facilities and two production plants in Louisiana, including
• House Bill 86 by Representative McMakin: provide for a calling of a Constitutional Convention; frame
• a new constitution; provide for the time, place, delegates, organization, and staff of the convention
• House Bill 86 by Representative McMakin: provide for a calling of a Constitutional Convention; frame
• a new constitution; provide for the time, place, delegates, organization, and staff of the convention

Bills: HR94 , HR95 , HR96 , HR97 , HR98 , HR99 , HR100 , HR101 , HR102 , HR103 , HR104 , HR105 , HR106 , HR107 , HR108 , HR109 , HR110 , HR111 , HCR45 , HCR46 , HCR47 , HCR48 , HCR49 , HCR50 , HR92 , HR93 , HCR44 , SB11 , SB72 , SB78 , SB151 , SB207 , SB210 , SB219 , SB241 , SB286 , SB324 , SB351 , SB376 , SB409 , SB411 , HR74 , HCR26 , HB4 , HB98 , HB108 , HB131 , HB151 , HB161 , HB244 , HB288 , HB294 , HB305 , HB310 , HB320 , HB336 , HB380 , HB392 , HB403 , HB420 , HB459 , HB476 , HB513 , HB540 , HB596 , HB608 , HB615 , HB631 , HB637 , HB648 , HB665 , HB682 , HB789 , HB813 , HB815 , HB835 , HB870 , HB905 , HB915 , HB933 , HB938 , HB944 , HB971 , HB987 , HB1040 , HR15 , HR20 , HCR14 , HCR6 , HCR19 , HCR10 , HB81 , HB134 , HB154 , HB163 , HB170 , HB194 , HB217 , HB220 , HB254 , HB259 , HB290 , HB308 , HB311 , HB360 , HB382 , HB401 , HB410 , HB417 , HB463 , HB575 , HB592 , HB718 , HB723 , HB750 , HB755 , HB776 , HB812 , HB844 , HB882 , HB888 , HB961 , HB966 , HB980 , HB54 , HB67 , HB73 , HB125 , HB133 , HB158 , HB168 , HB169 , HB191 , HB195 , HB245 , HB280 , HB283 , HB296 , HB319 , HB339 , HB399 , HB407 , HB448 , HB550 , HB591 , HB826 , HB995 , HB1085 , HB1086 , HB722 , HB140 , HB468 , HB546 , HB746 , HB842 , HB923 , HB166 , HB349 , HB352 , HB429 , HB436 , HB588 , HB747 , HB780 , HB782 , HB911 , HB827 , HB953 , HB796 , HB901 , HB9 , HB52 , HB58 , HB193 , HB284 , HB400 , HB570 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB733 , HB735 , HB868 , HB952

Transcript Highlights:

• Private detention centers seek to maximize profits for their shareholders and to expand the market for
• My Local 1495 sent an investment resolution to our Council 28 convention.
• The centers of private detention, like the Northwest ICE Processing Center, should not exist.
• Last May, at our convention, our delegates voted unanimously to lobby the state legislature to reduce
• The genocide convention, ratified by the U.S., binds our state through the Supremacy Clause.

Summary: The committee began with a work session from the State Investment Board, where staff described the board’s structure, $230 billion in assets under management, and its mandate to maximize returns at a prudent level of risk for pension and other state funds. They reviewed long-term performance, noting strong historical returns and explaining that the board generally invests public equities passively through low-cost index funds. Members also discussed sustainability practices, including ESG integration, proxy voting, climate and DEI blueprints, and the board’s view that divestment or asset-class restrictions can reduce returns and increase costs. Senators asked about deferred compensation, legislative influence over investment policy, and digital assets; staff said the board is slow-moving and that any major change would be studied carefully. The public hearing then focused on SB 5439, which would prohibit new thermal coal investments beginning in 2026 and require full divestment by 2030, with limited exceptions. Supporters argued coal is a poor long-term investment and a major climate and health risk, and several said the bill still gives the board flexibility to retain holdings in companies transitioning to clean energy. The committee also heard testimony on SB 6109, which would bar investments in private detention facilities and require divestment by 2030; supporters said state money should not profit from immigrant detention, while staff confirmed the board currently holds a small investment in Geo Group. SB 6304 would require responsible investment principles for the State Investment Board, including consideration of human rights, environmental degradation, corruption, and related risks, along with proxy voting guidelines and annual reporting. Testimony in favor emphasized ethical investing, climate risk, and avoiding complicity in human rights abuses, while board staff had earlier said they view such decisions through an investment-risk lens rather than a values-based lens. The committee also heard Substitute SB 5945, which would exclude most offenses committed before age 18 from counting as strikes under the state’s persistent offender law and would allow retroactive resentencing for affected people, with exceptions for first- and second-degree murder and serious sex offenses. Staff said the substitute would likely affect fewer cases than the original bill, with estimates ranging from about 10 to 24 resentencings. Public defense, prosecutors, and sheriffs’ representatives raised concerns about workload, victim impacts, and retroactive application, while supporters and pro bono providers said they were prepared to help with resentencing and reentry support. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• because of business, because of whatever companies, high manufacturing energy need companies, the data centers
• Manufacturing energy need companies, the data centers, just the growth of Missouri growing.
• A 600-megawatt plant is less than a conventional nuclear plant.
• A 600-megawatt plant is less than a conventional nuclear plant.
• Now, if times come around and it turns out that in Missouri, in fact, another conventional plant, a 1,000

Committee: House Utilities

Transcript Highlights:

• because of business, because of whatever companies, high-manufacturing energy-need companies, the data centers
• because of business, because of whatever companies, high-manufacturing energy-need companies, the data centers
• A 600-megawatt plant is less than a conventional nuclear plant.
• Now, if times come around and it turns out that in Missouri, in fact, another conventional plant, a 1,000
• It turns out that in Missouri, in fact, another conventional plant, a 1,000-megawatt plant, would be

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The Committee on Utilities first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee substitute for House Bills 2658, 2147, 2472, and 2546 by a roll call vote of 20 ayes and 1 no. The substitute expanded telephone solicitation language to include unsolicited real estate solicitations, adjusted reassigned-number compliance language, and refined spoofing-related definitions to focus on intent to cause harm or wrongfully obtain value. Members also discussed how the no-call list, existing business relationships, and political fundraising calls would be treated under the substitute. The committee then heard House Bills 1626 and 2122, both relating to nuclear energy and construction work in progress (CWIP/QIP) financing for nuclear projects. The sponsors argued the bills would remove an outdated barrier to nuclear construction in Missouri, especially for small modular reactors, by allowing utilities to recover construction costs during construction and thereby reduce interest and overall project cost. They emphasized ratepayer protections through clawback provisions, the role of the Public Service Commission, future energy demand, economic development, and keeping Missouri competitive with other states. Several members raised concerns about higher utility rates, the risk of cost overruns, the possibility of ratepayers paying for projects that are delayed or never completed, and whether the proposal was premature given that SMRs are not yet widely deployed in the United States. In response, the sponsors and supporters said the bill would include refund protections similar to Senate Bill 4 and that the PSC would oversee prudence and timing. Public witnesses in support included business, utility, and municipal representatives, as well as Missouri S&T’s chancellor, who stressed workforce development and the growing national and global move toward nuclear power. The hearing on House Bills 1626 and 2122 was then closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I would say the other thing that comes up is in conventional is the idea of scratch cooking.
• So that's a subset of the conventional approach.
• So, I know, um, well, I know in some of the senior centers, they're charging 450 for a lunch, but I'm
• If you look from the very top corner of that conventional range, it's 10 to 12, versus the very bottom
• rightmost corner for conventional is 18 to 20.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's a project in Spokane County that will co-locate with a data center there.
• Let me be clear about this: the data centers are not the prize here.
• I know some of the— From data centers and look at that circular economy.
• This is not the only one that have chosen to co-locate with data centers.
• Most data centers right now use diesel backup generation.

Bills: HB1983 , HB1974 , HB2334 , HB2367 , HB2650 , HB2655

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: timberland, real estate, excise tax, governmental entities, property taxation, land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation

Transcript Highlights:

• state treasurer, a representative from state treasurer, a representative from the<00:18:06.320><c> center
• </c><00:18:08.559><c> The</c> the center for rural development.
• The the center for rural development.
• </c><00:35:16.079><c> to</c><00:35:16.320><c> propose</c> an article 5 convention to propose an article
• 5 convention to propose amendments<00:35:17.119><c> to</c><00:35:17.280><c> the</c><00:35:17.440><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Karen successfully led the expansion of the Kentucky International Convention Center, and she brings
• International</c> expansion of the Kentucky International expansion of the Kentucky International Convention
• <00:09:19.440><c> Center</c><00:09:20.000><c> and</c><00:09:20.240><c> she</c><00:09:20.560><c> brings
• </c><00:09:20.800><c> that</c> Convention Center and she brings that Convention Center and she brings

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Alyssa Gray, president and CEO of the Kentucky Humane Society, on the organization’s statewide animal welfare work and its request for a $5 million matching contribution from the General Assembly for a new Kentucky Animal and Community Campus in Louisville. Gray said KHS, an independent nonprofit founded in 1884, serves cats, dogs, and horses, reaches 96 counties, provides shelter relief, spay-neuter services, low-cost veterinary care, and disaster response, and has supported communities during recent tornadoes and floods. She described the new campus as a hub for disaster housing, shelter transfers, veterinary training, and expanded services to reduce overpopulation and relieve pressure on county shelters and local governments. Members asked about the campus’s location, staffing, veterinary student involvement, and the scope of KHS’s services. Gray said the new site would be next to KHS’s current spay-neuter clinic on Preston Highway, that the facility would include shelter medicine, high-volume spay-neuter, and a low-cost clinic, and that it could host veterinary students and interns for hands-on training. She also explained that KHS works with county officials and shelters to move animals during crises or cruelty cases, can connect counties with partner organizations when KHS is full, and provides mobile clinic services and occasional grant support for rural shelters. Committee members praised the presentation and discussed how KHS could fit into disaster recovery planning. One member suggested the organization could be folded into long-term recovery efforts because of its role in post-disaster animal care. The presenter said KHS wants to be a formal disaster response resource and already works with the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and other partners. No vote on the funding request was taken during the meeting. At the end of the meeting, the committee noted it still lacked a quorum, so approval of the minutes was postponed to the next meeting, tentatively scheduled for October 15. The meeting then adjourned.