Transcript Highlights:

• And I notice that Senator Dingra is in our room, and so we will open the hearing on 6206.
• And I notice that Senator Dingra is in our room. And so we will open the hearing on. Thank you.
• must be prioritized for providers that offer child care during non-standard work hours, on short notice
• The cost of child care is already high, but the extended hours and short-notice care make it overwhelming
• The cost of child care is already high, but the extended hours and short notice care make it overwhelming

Bills: SB6192 , SB6206 , SB5346 , SB6125 , SB5841 , SB5907 , SB5951

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: education, reading, mathematics, student intervention, instruction, academic standards, child care, first responders, incentives, pilot program, mobile phones, cell phones, smartphones, school phones, classroom distraction, digital citizenship, media literacy, internet safety, cyberbullying, student mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• One thing you'll notice about this sheet right off the bat is that there are two columns.
• So one thing that you'll notice is that that... ...annual JFAC appropriations.
• So one thing that you'll notice is that that circle does not include the local funds on the right-hand
• So on your green sheet, you'll notice that we have four pages on the green sheet.
• And you'll notice again that I've zeroed out the right-hand side column for legislative action because

Summary: The committee first received a presentation on the state general fund and the JFAC “green sheet” from Legislative Services analyst Christopher LaHosette. He explained the general fund’s main revenue sources, how appropriations and transfers are tracked, how the green sheet is used to reconcile projected revenues against expenditures, and how structural balance is measured. Members asked about continuously appropriated funds, federal dollars, sales tax exemptions, and cash reconciliation issues tied to the state’s Luma system and interest allocations. The presentation emphasized that the green sheet is a cash reconciliation tool and that the committee would use it throughout session to track budget actions and policy bill impacts. The committee then began its Department of Health and Welfare budget hearings with an overall agency presentation from analyst Alex Williamson. She reviewed the department’s size, structure, vacancy rate, five-year spending trends, and the role of continuously appropriated funds such as the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund and Rural Physician Fund. Members asked about personnel vacancies, unspent personnel dollars, and the department’s large trustee and benefit payments. Department officials later explained that vacancies reflected a department-wide review, hiring freeze, and reallocation of FTP to better match funding, with some positions being reverted and others moved to areas such as State Hospital South and Medicaid-related work. The committee then heard the first division-level budget presentation for Indirect Support Services. Williamson outlined the division’s administrative functions, its FTP and vacancy picture, historical spending, and budget changes tied to reorganizations, the ombudsman office, and IT consolidation. The division’s 2027 requests included a dedicated-fund irrigation project at State Hospital West, a background-check unit fund adjustment, removal of special transfer restrictions, and the transfer of 58 FTP to the Office of Information Technology as part of modernization. Members also discussed the new Rural Health Transformation Program, including Idaho’s $925 million federal award, the governor’s proposed 12 limited-service FTP and related spending, and whether the department could use AI or other efficiencies. Additional questions covered the definition of rural, the mechanics of the IT transfer, and a constituent question about bathroom upgrades, which the department said was handled by the Department of Administration rather than Health and Welfare.

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll notice the one in the bottom left-hand corner in Lordsburg. That was specifically put...
• I noticed that on I-10, you know, you have a lot of cameras; you have a lot of equipment right there
• Just as a final notice, you can see where SAMSARA thinks about how we provide value to organizations
• So we'll just click into one of these assets, and just in real-time you'll notice that you can see the
• After I noticed that it was wrong, I was doing research for this and emailed them about it.

Transcript Highlights:

• a comment that was made related to the amendments, as my team worked on the amendments, that the notice
• The notice is actually pre-removal. The notice is actually pre-removal.
• The original notice, per existing law, just noted that they had 72 hours before removal.
• where they can pick it up, and that they had at least 15 days to be able to do that, to give that notice
• So just being clear that there's not a notice post-removal; it is in advance, and it is more than what

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several transportation-related bills, beginning with AB 431 on advanced air mobility. The author and supporters from AUVSI, Joby Aviation, United Airlines, Wisk Aero, the City of Long Beach, and Archer said the bill would create a statewide plan and technical framework for eVTOL/advanced air mobility infrastructure, public outreach, and local implementation. No opposition testified, and the bill passed the committee as amended to Appropriations on a unanimous roll call. Members then took up AB 630 on abandoned or hazardous RVs. The author and supporters, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s office, argued the bill would curb a cycle in which inoperable RVs are towed, auctioned cheaply, and returned to the streets by predatory buyers, while adding notice, recovery, and reporting requirements. Opponents from Western Center on Law and Poverty and ACLU California Action warned the bill would destroy RVs that serve as shelter for unhoused residents and could worsen homelessness. After discussion about the bill’s focus on dismantling rather than towing, the committee passed AB 630 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also approved AB 314, which would support transit-oriented development around planned and existing high-speed rail stations; AB 1223, which gives Sacramento County communities more flexibility to use local transportation revenues for related infrastructure supporting infill development; AB 1111, which adds flexibility to the zero-emission school bus transition for rural and disadvantaged districts; AB 1190, which caps fees charged by DMV business partners and requires clearer disclosure of the official DMV site; AB 987, which limits unreasonable towing fees and related charges; and AB 911, which creates a narrow exemption from Advanced Clean Fleets rules for telecommunications bucket trucks and sail-on-wheels used in emergencies. Most bills drew support from local governments, industry, or consumer groups, while AB 1111 and AB 911 drew opposition from clean transportation and environmental advocates concerned about weakening emissions goals. All of the bills were reported out as amended to the Committee on Appropriations, with recorded roll-call votes and several members adding their names as co-authors or supporters.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we have any kind of technical difficulties, we will post a notice as to when we will reconvene.
• So, if there's any kind of technical issues, we will post a public notice as to when we are going to
• technical issues, we will post a kind of technical issues, we will post a public<00:33:27.200><c> notice
• as to when we are going to public notice as to when we are going to reconvene.<00:33:29.760><c> We</
• Well, because I noticed some of your directors here are of Native Hawaiian, um, that will be representing

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Committee on Transportation, Culture, and the Arts heard several resolutions, with most public testimony focused on Senate Concurrent Resolution 159 and Senate Resolution 129, which urge continued U.S. support for the Ukrainian military. Testimony on those measures was largely opposed, with witnesses arguing Hawaii should prioritize local needs such as homelessness, infrastructure, and cost of living over additional aid to Ukraine; one support testimony was noted from the Democratic Party of Hawaii. Despite the opposition, both committees recommended passage with technical, nonsubstantive amendments, and the recommendations were adopted. The committees also considered transportation-related resolutions. Senate Concurrent Resolution 182 and Senate Resolution 152 would initiate a summer streets pilot program, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 200 and Senate Resolution 180 would ask AMPO to coordinate a transportation management training program. Testimony on the summer streets proposal included support and opposition, with one witness saying community input should be gathered through existing district and community meetings rather than creating a pilot. The training-program measure drew opposition from a witness who argued it would add unnecessary bureaucracy. Both pairs were recommended for passage, with the summer streets resolutions passed unamended and the training-program resolutions passed with technical amendments. In the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee, Senate Concurrent Resolution 18 and Senate Resolution 14, concerning relocation of the Pearl City post office to Navy property, were recommended for passage with technical amendments. The committee also heard extensive testimony on Senate Concurrent Resolution 136 and Senate Resolution 150, which call for a geothermal energy working group. Supporters included the State Energy Office, PUC, consumer advocate, and others, though the energy office asked to move the report deadline to 2027. Opponents raised concerns about cost, health impacts, environmental risks, and Native Hawaiian representation. The chair proposed amendments to add a Native Hawaiian member, the consumer advocate, and the House and Senate energy committee chairs, clarify participation by utility, geothermal, and nonprofit representatives, and extend the report deadline to 2027. The resolutions were then recommended for passage with amendments, and all recommendations were adopted before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are thousands and thousands of Floridians that have taken notice of the strange cloud formations
• We've noticed how these skies have become riddled with these unusual patterns.
• I travel the state of Florida for work, and I've been noticing over the last six to ten years these unusual
• It says that you must have at least a 30-day notice for any changes to any plans for the state park and
• If you'll notice, that's more than the total number of tortoises we have on other conservation lands

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The committee first heard SB 200, which would implement recommendations from DEP’s 2020 Recycling Goal Final Report by creating a technical assistance group to develop a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan by 2026. The bill focuses on recycling education and outreach, evaluating the former recycling grant program, and developing markets for recyclable materials. Supporters from the waste and recycling industry and counties said the bill would finally create a real plan to help Florida move toward its recycling goals. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience, which would promote green, gray, and hybrid infrastructure, direct USF’s Flood Hub to develop guidelines, require DEP rulemaking on erosion and mangrove protection, and study whether nature-based flood reduction could help lower insurance costs. Supporters appeared in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 7000 as a committee bill to continue a public records exemption protecting site-specific location information for threatened and endangered species. Members next took up SB 56 on weather modification activities. The bill would prohibit the release of chemicals or substances into the atmosphere to affect weather or sunlight, define geoengineering, increase penalties through an amendment, and create a DEP reporting hotline with possible referral to DOH or emergency management. The sponsor and several supporters argued the bill was needed to address public concerns and lack of oversight, while several senators questioned the evidence, the role of state agencies, and whether the bill was ready for passage. Despite opposition from some members, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 62 creating a resilient building tax credit program, after amending it to shift agency references from DEP to DBPR and add university advisory members, and CS for SB 80 to clarify state park management as conservation-based, require public notice and advisory input for plan changes, and improve reporting on park repairs; both bills were reported favorably after testimony from supporters and conservation groups who sought tighter language to prevent incompatible uses. Finally, the committee received presentations from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on gopher tortoise relocation, wildlife disease surveillance, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. FWC described tortoise relocation and recipient-site programs, ongoing monitoring of wildlife diseases such as chronic wasting disease and feline leukomyelopathy, and efforts to address fish die-offs and update sanctuary agreements amid state-federal jurisdiction issues. No votes were taken on the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The main improvements are, and you notice that, you know, one of the statutory responsibilities that
• The main improvements are, and you notice that, you know, one of the statutory responsibilities that
• Well, you are correct about the quorum and notice and public meeting requirements.
• I think they all should be public meetings and that should be publicly noticed.
• I think that having it be a public meeting, noticed and in public, is a good thing.

Summary: The Louisiana Public Defender Oversight Board met on June 18, 2026, established a quorum, and adopted the agenda. Public comment took up most of the meeting, with numerous district defenders and chief defenders speaking in support of State Public Defender Remy Starns. Speakers from several districts said the system is more unified, communication with the state office has improved, and local offices feel better supported than in the past. Several also credited Starns with visiting districts, helping with local issues, and improving coordination on capital and non-capital work. One speaker, Richard Thompson, emphasized Starns’ background and training under Sam Dalton, and another noted that a recent staffing decision in St. John the Baptist Parish ultimately proved beneficial for mentorship and resource sharing. Starns then gave his state public defender report. He said the system has improved over the last seven years and argued that public defense still needs a stable, renewable funding source comparable to other parts of the criminal justice system. He discussed legislative changes affecting public defense, including a cleanup bill, a law eliminating filing fees for writs and appeals, and a new procedure related to expert-fee claims after a recent Louisiana Supreme Court decision. He also described ongoing efforts to integrate capital and post-conviction work into district offices, expand the laws/writs program, and use local and state resources more efficiently. He thanked the board, the Public Defenders Association, and the late Mike Ginnart, whom he praised for his leadership and service. The board then considered and adopted proposed bylaws. Members discussed the need for a vice chair and a secretary, the role of special committees, and whether committee meetings should be public and limited to less than a quorum. The bylaws were adopted with the understanding that a committee would review and refine them later; volunteers were named for that committee. The board then elected a vice chair and designated the Office of the Public Defender, with staff assistance, as secretary for recordkeeping. Finally, the board heard a presentation on the strategic plan, which was described as largely unchanged from FY25 except for updates to reflect current law, accessibility requirements, training, compliance, and communication goals. The strategic plan was adopted by resolution, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• She had about three days notice to come up with her co-pay for her kids, and she talked about the challenge
• And so we did want to let you know that we've noticed all the providers that there...
• And so we did want to let you know that we've noticed all the providers that there will be a drag in
• And so we did want to let you know that we've noticed up all the providers that there And so we did want
• to let you know that we've noticed up all the providers that there will be a drag in time, potentially

Committee: All EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, please note the 48-hour notice for HSCR number 1814-26.
• <00:35:59.960><c> note</c><00:36:00.400><c> the</c><00:36:00.520><c> 48-hour</c><00:36:01.480><c> notice
• </c> Members, please note the 48-hour notice Members, please note the 48-hour notice for<00:36:02.440
• Your committees on public safety and water and land request a waiver of the 48-hour advance notice requirement
• Um, your committee on finance requests a waiver of the 48-hour advance notice requirement for the purpose

Bills: HR39 , HCR43 , HR178 , HCR188 , SB3144 , SB3102 , SB2053 , SB3248 , SB2256 , SB3118 , SB2245 , SB2519 , SB3055 , SB2090 , SB2765 , SB2169 , SB3136 , SB2521 , SB2851 , SB3154 , SB3262 , SB2387 , SB3001 , SB2818 , SB2972 , SB2372 , SB2108 , SB888 , HR63 , HCR69

Keywords: pedestrian safety, crosswalks, traffic calming, school zone, Honolulu, community safety, raised crosswalks, traffic infrastructure, agritourism, agricultural tourism, Hawaii Tourism Authority, HTA, working group, farm tourism, regenerative tourism, working lands, agricultural land use, county ordinances, permitting, farm bureau

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation maintains a schedule of public notice and hearings to maintain transparency and ensure
• this is putting just a best practice into code, but it directs the department to provide a written notice
• Subsection 2 requires the department to create a written notice of these rights and requires foster homes
• to post that notice where children can access it.
• The purpose of universal notice of rights is not that every child, especially infants or very young children

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 12, 16, and 17, 2026. It then heard House Bill 593, a Department of Environmental Quality cleanup bill tied to the DOGE Task Force review. Senator Semmelroth explained that the bill removes obsolete references and repeals outdated provisions related to the state hazardous waste management planning committee and the Big Payette Lake Water Quality Act council. After brief support from a Republic Services representative and DEQ’s hazardous waste bureau chief, the committee voted to send HB 593 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Next, the committee heard House Bill 714, which repeals the Hazardous Waste Siting Act and consolidates hazardous waste siting provisions into the Hazardous Waste Management Act. Senator Burkey said the bill streamlines Idaho’s hazardous waste laws while preserving safety, public notice, hearings, and expert review. Republic Services and DEQ testified in support, describing the measure as protective, efficient, and the product of stakeholder review. The committee then voted to send HB 714 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee also considered House Bill 788, a pilot program intended to reduce Medicaid prior authorization burdens for certain medical professionals who precept medical students in high-need specialties. Representative Wheeler said the goal is to increase preceptorships by giving eligible providers a temporary “gold card” exemption, and he asked for a sunset date of July 1, 2030. The Idaho Freedom Foundation testified in opposition, arguing prior authorization is a cost-control tool and that the bill could raise Medicaid costs. The committee voted to send HB 788 to amending orders, with several senators recorded as no. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 724, which would establish foster child safety rights, require written notice of those rights, and direct courts and the Department of Health and Welfare to consider safety in placement and visitation decisions. Representative Wheeler said the bill responds to concerns from foster parents and aims to ensure children in state custody have clear protections. Multiple foster parents, a child psychologist, and a former foster youth testified in support, describing serious safety failures and arguing that children need clearer rights and more complete information before reunification or placement decisions. The committee voted to send HB 724 to the floor with a do pass recommendation, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation maintains a schedule of public notice and hearings to maintain transparency and ensure
• this is putting just a best practice into code, but it directs the department to provide a written notice
• want to highlight specifically is subsection 2, which requires the department to create a written notice
• of these rights and requires foster homes to post that notice where children can access it.
• The purpose of universal notice of rights is not that every child, especially infants or very young children

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Credit card fee charges are, but if it's above the statutory 2% right now, they have to post a notice
• Paragraph 1 talks about the notice, but paragraph 2 specifically talks about the surcharge itself.
• Paragraph 1 talks about the notice, but paragraph 2 specifically talks about the surcharge itself.
• So to that end, then paragraph one is all about displaying and notice that I'm going to charge you a
• notice time for expiring license.

Bills: HB1268 , HB3041 , HB3075 , HB3378 , HB3463 , HB3619 , HB3620 , HB3624 , HB3722 , HB4335

Committee: House Government Oversight

Keywords: retirement, public employees, deferred option plan, service credit, contributions, distributions, credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, rounding, cash payments, public finance, Oklahoma Common Cents Act, political subdivision, science and technology, research, board appointments, emergency legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2650 concerns notice and effective dates for certain excise taxes.
• The proposed substitute also modifies notice requirements and effective dates for local REET and lodging
• Substitute also modifies notice requirements and effective dates for local REET and lodging tax rate
• The bill also requires local governments to provide advance notice to DOR and the county treasurer of
• local government changes a local REET rate, under current law, they must give the county 60 days' notice

Bills: HB2367 , HB1974 , HB2650 , HB2626

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: coal-fired plant, preferential treatment, energy policy, electric generation, regulatory reform, 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:

• House Bill 2650 concerns notice and effective dates for certain excise taxes.
• The proposed substitute also modifies notice requirements and effective dates for local REET and lodging
• The proposed substitute also modifies notice requirements and effective dates for local REET and lodging
• The bill also requires local governments to provide advance notice to DOR and the county treasurer of
• local government changes a local REET rate, under current law, they must give the county 60 days' notice

Summary: House Finance heard several bills and took no recorded votes. HB 2367 would end special tax and emissions exemptions for the Centralia coal plant by limiting its Climate Commitment Act exemption to pre-2026 emissions, removing limits on additional greenhouse gas requirements, and repealing coal sales and use tax exemptions. The sponsor, Rep. Fitzgibbon, said the bill would help keep the plant’s transition to cleaner natural gas generation on track; Climate Solutions supported it, while business and clean-energy groups raised concerns about allowance-market impacts and asked for amendments to adjust the cap-and-invest allowance budget. HB 1974 would authorize public housing authorities, public corporations, and nonprofits to operate as land banks for affordable housing, give them priority for tax-foreclosed properties, and provide property tax, leasehold excise tax, and REET exemptions for land bank transactions. Rep. Hill said the bill was narrowed to reduce fiscal impact and support existing land banking work in Spokane; supporters said it would lower land costs and speed affordable housing development, while questions focused on how public land would be used and whether affordability should be permanent rather than limited to 30 years. HB 2650, a Department of Revenue request, would standardize notice and effective dates for local REET and lodging tax changes and clarify documentation for an affordable housing sales tax deferral. DOR supported the bill as an administrative efficiency measure, and there was no opposition testimony. HB 2626 would raise the premium tax on health maintenance organizations, health care service contractors, and self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangements from 2% to 3%, remove a dentistry-related exemption, and add a new 1% tax on certain disability and group stop-loss insurers. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help fund Apple Health and subsidies amid federal funding concerns; insurers and business groups opposed it as a cost increase likely to be passed on to consumers and employers, while patient and advocacy groups supported the revenue idea but urged that funds be dedicated to subsidies or other health care supports and that pass-through to consumers be prevented.

Transcript Highlights:

• hour, that individual must be available to drop whatever they are doing and respond on a moment's notice
• hour, that individual must be available to drop whatever they are doing and respond on a moment's notice
• This stipend has not increased. doing and respond on a moment's notice.
• you've had to travel up and down the state, like I know many of you do, if you travel at night, you'll notice
• You don't really notice it because it's a slow drip.

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:

• components of the the World Health transformation put them in the application process as part of the notice
• of funding opportunity and the notice of funding opportunity are no fo.
• As noted previously, it was signed into law in 7/4/2025, on September. 15th CMS released a notice of
• One key component of this, the notice of funding opportunity is any of the initiatives that are proposed
• So there are again, you know what in the notice of funding opportunity, it kind of specifies what's allowable

Transcript Highlights:

• of eviction, and it is a notice of eviction.
• of eviction, and it is a notice of eviction.
• And it also, on top of that, adds a 60-day notice.
• Members, take your seats. to notice them within 60 days so would to notice them within 60 days so would
• </c><01:23:18.000><c> that</c> property providing them no notice that property providing them no notice

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a problem that we're noticing. That's a problem that we're noticing locally.
• It requires employers who have already provided notice to the employee of the examination to request
• a hearing after the employee has skipped the examination despite the notice, and to obtain a judicial
• What it amounts to is a mulligan for employees who can simply ignore that first notice.
• And there is plenty of notice for the employee to call and say, 'Look, I don't have a car that works.

Committee: House Labor & Industrial Relations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Labor and Industrial Relations Committee met on April 9 and first took up Senate Bill 162, which would change the workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule appeal process. The bill, presented as a collaboration between the Attorney General’s office and trial lawyers, would require additional medical evidence submitted on appeal to be sent back to the medical director for review before court review continues. Members discussed the 30-day turnaround for the medical director and whether the process would delay injured workers’ cases. After testimony from injured workers’ representatives and support cards from several business and labor groups, the committee adopted the technical amendments and reported SB 162 favorably. The committee then heard House Bill 353, which would establish a state minimum wage beginning at $12 per hour in 2027, rising to $15 in 2029 and then indexed to inflation. Supporters, including the sponsor, Invest in Louisiana, the Workplace Justice Project, 10,000 Women Louisiana, the AFL-CIO, and a young witness from People’s Promise, argued that Louisiana’s wages have lagged behind costs of living, that many workers remain in poverty, and that the bill would help families, reduce reliance on public benefits, and improve economic stability. Opponents, including NFIB and small-business advocates, argued that the market should set wages, that the bill would raise labor costs, compress pay scales, reduce hours or hiring, and potentially increase prices. After extended debate, the committee voted and HB 353 failed. The committee next considered Senate Bill 383 on the incumbent worker training program. Senator Bass and Louisiana Works officials said the bill would expand and make the existing program more flexible, increase available funding, shorten the business eligibility period from three years to two, and allow unused funds to roll over. Members focused on how the program would reach workers, how businesses and employees would learn about training opportunities, and how it would support workforce development in growing regions. Support came from business and economic development groups, and the committee reported SB 383 favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee began Senate Bill 382, which would repeal the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, described as the Senate version of a bill the committee had already considered. The transcript cuts off during discussion of the prior vote on the similar House version, and no final action on SB 382 is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I noticed today, as I was saying, I noticed that we don't have any bills on this particular calendar
• today, as I was saying, I But I noticed today, as I was saying, I noticed<00:49:27.839><c> that</c><
• </c> want to make sure that I place notice want to make sure that I place notice and<00:49:50.319><c>
• Uh, but number one, I think that everybody that’s been on the floor has noticed a change today.
• Uh, but number one, I think that everybody that’s been on the floor has noticed a change today.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum present, then approved the prior journal and allowed bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The chamber received multiple committee reports, including favorable reports on several finance and taxation bills, confirmations, local bills, and a series of resolutions. The Senate also confirmed several appointments to higher education and university boards, including Nicholas J. Balden, Jennifer Wit, Ronnie Stalworth, and Rex Reynolds, using long or previous roll calls as applicable. The Senate adopted a special order calendar that set up floor consideration of several bills, including measures on physician assistants, seafood/aquaculture, motor vehicles, campaign practices, property insurance and energy reduction, child custody, and school bus drivers. During debate on the special order calendar, Senator Smitherman raised concern that no bills on the calendar were sponsored by minority members, noting a prior understanding that minority-sponsored bills should be represented; Senator Wagner responded that the calendar was prepared based on legislation rather than sponsor party, and the exchange ended with an agreement to continue moving forward. The Senate then adopted the special order calendar and began taking up the listed bills. On the special order calendar, the Senate advanced House Bill 156 on physician assistant compacts, House Bill 277 on seafood/aquaculture tastings, and House Bill 42 on motor vehicles, with supporters describing each as consumer-friendly or supportive of industry. The chamber also considered local legislation, including bills for Madison, Tallapoosa, and Shelby counties; House Bill 337 for Madison County was amended and carried over, while House Bills 490, 491, and 493 passed after roll-call votes. Throughout the meeting, the Senate also adopted several commendatory and memorial resolutions, including measures honoring individuals, recognizing organizations and events, and naming a highway, with most adopted by voice vote and no recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• of a requirement they be provided a copy of the draft permit at least 30 days prior to the public notice
• of a requirement they be provided a copy of the draft permit at least 30 days prior to the public notice
• It allows the PCA to reduce the 60-day public notice requirement to 30 days under certain conditions.
• really want to get going quickly, they can wave that right uh under this bill um to that pre-public notice
• And if they really want public notice.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all