Video & Transcript Research : 'state representative objection'

Page 186 of 500
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee Mar 17th, 2026

Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • In<00:01:48.040> many<00:01:48.280> states, In many states, In many states, safety<00:01
  • She's represents the Camp Association. She's represents the Camp Association.
  • Previous roll, no objection. Previous roll, no objection.
  • Use previous roll there's no objection. Use previous roll there's no objection.
  • I represent the Alabama Realtors. We have a state organization and 23 local chapters.
Keywords: 923, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session May 9th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • There's no objection. The rules are suspended.
  • Any objection? Hearing none, the bill passed to third reading. Objection?
  • Is there objection? Is there objection? Hearing none, the rules are suspended.
  • Is there objection?
  • Is there objection?
Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation, received a House message announcing passage of HB 74 creating the Puerto Verde Port Authority District, and heard a recognition from Senator Hancock about a weekend human trafficking operation in Fort Worth in which Unbound Now and the Fort Worth Police Department freed 19 victims. The Governor also submitted nominations to the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board. The chamber then repeatedly suspended rules to take up and pass a series of House bills and one House joint resolution, mostly by wide margins, along with several local and honorary designations. Among the substantive measures, the Senate passed HB 1244 on open-space appraisal after property transfers, HJR 99 and HB 1399 to exempt animal feed from ad valorem taxation, HB 166 expanding child/endangered-person protections to fentanyl-related conduct, HB 1672 speeding DMV enforcement against unsafe motor carriers, HB 2018 clarifying the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program, HB 140 creating a DFPS advisory committee on child protective investigations, HB 467 providing for dissolution of the Cedar Creek Hospital District, HB 2000 requiring sex-offender registration for child grooming, HB 331 creating presumptions for first responders who suffer heart attacks or strokes after strenuous shifts, HB 1089 creating the Gulf Coast Protection Account, HB 2730 limiting when appraisal districts may require new homestead exemption applications, HB 2723 easing cemetery tax-exemption procedures, HB 353 creating a trespass offense near schools and day care centers, and HB 3248 authorizing defense-based development authorities to employ and commission peace officers. Several of these bills drew brief explanations and, in some cases, questions from other senators about their scope and purpose. The Senate also passed numerous memorial highway and facility designations, including HB 767 for Paul P. Mendez, HB 1708 for Trooper Kevin Ramirez-Vasquez, HB 2415 for Senior Police Officer Louis Andy Taylor, HB 2143 for Army Specialist Joey Lenz, HB 2457 for the Molly Mullins Mile, HB 2523 for Deputy Constable Ruben Garcia, HB 2198 for Officer Jacob Candinoza, and HB 2763 naming a TxDOT facility for Eduardo Eddie Garcia Jr. Other local or administrative measures included HB 3513 on the Moore County Juvenile Board and HB 3135 creating specialty plates for retired firefighters. The chamber also adopted several concurrent resolutions and later moved through a large local calendar, including HCR 80, which designated Brenham as the ice cream capital of Texas. Most measures passed with little or no opposition, though a few votes on rule suspensions and final passage recorded small numbers of nays.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, May 15, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Without objection. >> Without objection.
  • Without objection.
  • Speaker, I rise today to recognize Minnesota State Representative Erin Kaggel for her incredible work
  • Speaker, I rise today to recognize Minnesota State Representative Erin Kaggel for her incredible work
  • state and local level and Representative state and local level and Representative Kaggel<01:50:18.719
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (02/18/2026)

Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Shear. >> Yes. >> Chairman Roy 12-0. >> Any objection to consent?
  • Representative Scherr: yes. Chairman Roy: yes. 12-0. Um, any objection to consent?
  • Representative Shear, yes. Chairman Roy, yes. 12-0. Any objection to consent?
  • Representative Shear, no. Chairman Roy, yes. 11. Um, no objection. Okay. No objection to consent.
  • Representative Shear, yes. Chairman Roy, yes. 120. Any objection, consent?
Keywords: 1189, house, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Environmental Regulation Apr 17th, 2025

Environmental Regulation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Is there any objection? There being no objection, the substitute is adopted.
  • Uh, well, the chair will recognize, uh, Representative Raymond on loan from State Affairs.
  • Representative, I think Representative, you may disagree.
  • I'm here representing Texas State Inspection Association.
  • Uh, if there's no objection, is there any objection?
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Delivery of Government Efficiency May 7th, 2025

Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you, Representative Garrett. If there's no objection, the bill will be left pending.
  • If there's no objection, the concurrent resolution will be left pending. Is there an objection?
  • This bill represents a great step toward modernizing the state employees group benefit program by adopting
  • If there's no objection, the bill will be left pending. Is there objection?
  • Thank you, Representative Representative Cook.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Feb 3rd, 2026

Alabama Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Any objection?
  • of Alabama. state of Alabama, the state of Alabama state of Alabama, the state of Alabama has<00:44:
  • or the state of we have as our state or the state of Alabama<00:56:51.599> to<00:56:51.760>
  • Any objection objection. All right. Any objection hearing?<01:47:36.560> None.
  • . objection. objection.
Keywords: 920, all
Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with a prayer by Pastor Jeremy Ward and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Sophia Woods. A quorum was established with 27 senators present, and the Senate adopted routine motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with the previous day’s journal, and allow bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The chamber also referred Executive Message 69, appointing Brandy Williams to the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards and Education Commission, to the Committee on Confirmations. The Senate received several Judiciary Committee reports. House Bills 41 and 149 and Senate Bills 230, 87, 169, 238, and 233 were reported favorably, with amendments on Senate Bills 87, 169, and 233. Those measures received second reading and were placed on the calendar for the next legislative day. The Senate also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 31, commending Mackenzie Grace Stigel, and Senate Joint Resolution 32, recognizing the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science for its national ranking; guests from the school were welcomed in the gallery. The Rules Committee report was then adopted by a 33-0 vote, setting a special order calendar that included Senate Bill 71 on administrative rules, along with several other bills on dredging, county subdivisions, legislative matters, public corruption, rural hospital investment, minority affairs, campaign finance, and natural resources. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 71, the “sound science” bill, which would limit state agencies from adopting environmental rules more stringent than federal law and require science-based standards where federal law is absent. Senator Coleman-Madison offered an amendment to preserve stronger scientific and causal standards, arguing the bill could weaken protections in heavily burdened communities; the amendment failed on a roll call vote of 25 nays to 1 yea. Senators then continued debating the bill’s effect on ADEM’s authority, emergency rulemaking, federal standards, and environmental enforcement in Alabama.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Insurance May 7th, 2025

Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • If there's no objection, SB527 is left pending. Is there objection?
  • Thank you, Representative Jones. If there are no objections, HB1680 is left pending.
  • Thank you, Representative Berry. I think we're good. If there's no objections, HB 3569.
  • We are... ...representing providers and consumers of Applied Behavior Analysis services here in the state
  • Thank you, Representative Morgan. If there's no objection, HB 4074... HB4074 will be left pending.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 5/17/26 - Part 1

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Journal resolution, be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota that the
  • Journal resolution, be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota that the
  • Hennepin, Representative Long. Hennepin, Representative Long.
  • and The member from United States and The member from Hennepin,<00:13:46.760> Representative<
  • Representative Niska. Representative Niska.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and a quorum present. The journal of the previous day was approved, Senate File 4515 was read for a second time, and House Files 5156 through 5160 were introduced and given first reading. The chamber also received a Senate message regarding Senate File 2077, which had been taken from the table and assigned new Senate conferees. The House agreed to the Senate’s request for a conference committee on Senate File 2077, and the Speaker later appointed Representatives Heinsman, McDonald, Vang, and Fischer to that committee. The Rules and Legislative Administration Committee brought forward resolutions to authorize continued House operations in advance of organization, direct correction and approval of the final House journal, and retain parking for members and employees between sessions; each was adopted. Members briefly discussed the continued operations resolution, with support noted as a housekeeping measure aligned with prior practice. The House also adopted a resolution recognizing May as American Indian Month in Minnesota. The resolution highlighted Minnesota’s 11 federally recognized tribes, the state’s long recognition of American Indian Month, and the contributions and resilience of Dakota and Anishinaabe peoples, while urging collaboration with tribal nations. During announcements, Representative Vang noted the death of former Representative Michael Nelson and asked for a moment of silence. Representative Long asked about Senate File 4067, the gun violence prevention package, and was told it was being reviewed with other omnibus bills. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 18, 2026, and stood in recess.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Apr 21st, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Seeing no objection, House Bill 222 is reported favorably. Thank you, Representative.
  • The sponsor, Representative Cruz, here, has introduced a great bill that allows the state to invest state
  • Is there any objection to that motion? Representative Freiberg has objected. Ms.
  • Okay, vote—Representative Kerner has made a motion to adjourn. Any objection?
  • Vote, Representative Taubra has made a motion to adjourn. Any objection?
Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 350, which would extend the grade levels at Ecole Pointe-au-Chien from fourth through eighth grade. The sponsor and several members emphasized the school’s importance to Terrebonne Parish, French immersion, and school choice. An amendment was adopted making the bill subject to appropriation, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Members then approved House Bill 749, which authorizes the Louisiana Tuition Trust Authority to contract with a program manager for certain savings programs, including ABLE, START, and START K-12, in response to a prior cyber incident and to improve security and customer service. An amendment simplified the bill’s effective-date language so provisions would take effect upon execution of the contract. The bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee also advanced House Bill 979 to increase the survivor benefit for law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty from $250,000 to $350,000. Testimony from the governor’s office said the increase could be covered within existing appropriations and that the amount was consistent with inflation since the benefit was last set. The bill was reported favorably. Later, House Bill 42 creating a phased retirement option for public post-secondary employees in the Teachers’ Retirement System was reported favorably, and House Bill 205 to allow local clerks of court to supplement election commissioner pay by up to $100 per election was also reported favorably after extensive testimony about staffing shortages and stagnant pay. The committee additionally reported favorably House Bill 12 extending survivor benefits to reserve officers killed in the line of duty, and House Bill 324 on judicial salaries, after amending it to remove future COLA provisions and leave only the permanent stipend increase.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Formal House Session 40 Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:51 am

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Representative from Lynn, the Representative from Marblehead, and the Representative from Woburn
  • Fernandes, and Representative Mark.
  • The chair hears no objection. Ms.
  • The chair hears no objection. Rep. Higgins of Leominster. The chair hears no objection. Rep.
  • The chair hears no objection. Ms.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The House began with routine business, including the Pledge of Allegiance and adoption of three congratulatory resolutions honoring Eagle Scouts Charles Goodman, Jack Goodwin, and Liam LaCrooy. Members also adopted a House-Senate concurrence on House 4359, a Milford alcohol-license bill, after amending it to repeal Chapter 289 of the Acts of 2022 and set an effective date. The chamber then passed Senate 2596, establishing maintenance of private roads in Gloucester, and engrossed House 4887. The House also observed moments of silence for former Lynn City Councilor Richard Rick Ford, Louise M. Pedroso, and Mildred “Millie” Cox, and welcomed several guests, including students, civic visitors, and British Minister of State Stephen Doughty. The bulk of the session focused on budget amendments related to housing and emergency assistance. Amendment 1579, which would have tightened HomeBASE eligibility by requiring citizenship-status inquiries, was debated at length and defeated 26-130. Amendment 1582, which would have barred Housing and Livable Communities from conditioning grants on MBTA Communities Act compliance, was also rejected 27-126. Amendment 1583, which would have limited right-to-shelter eligibility to U.S. citizens with six months’ Massachusetts residency, was defeated 26-122. Supporters argued these changes would reduce costs and prioritize taxpayers; opponents said they would exclude lawful residents and undermine existing housing and shelter reforms. The House then adopted Consolidated Amendment F, covering energy, environmental affairs, and housing, by a vote of 154-0. Speakers highlighted major funding for rental vouchers, emergency shelter, HomeBASE, public housing, clean water, climate and agricultural programs, and food assistance. The chamber also considered and defeated Amendment 1218 on creating a data center commission, Amendment 1234 on eliminating certain energy surcharges, and several education-related amendments from Ms. Sullivan-Almeida: changes to special education reimbursement thresholds and rates, and a proposal to make regional school transportation funding mandatory rather than subject to appropriation. Those education amendments were all rejected after roll-call votes. Amendment 1580 on ending vocational school lottery admissions was withdrawn by its sponsor before a vote. The transcript ends as debate continues on Amendment 1308, which would increase a budget line item, but no final action on that amendment is shown.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Legislative Ethics Board Jun 9th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • The state is arguing that Representative Simmons's activities with AEJG in her role as a legislator cannot
  • So as long as Representative Simmons was not paid out of state-funded projects, in your mind, you were
  • by the state.
  • representative.
  • Objection. He's asking her to comment on the Objection.
Summary: The hearing resumed in the Legislative Ethics Board matter involving Tara Simmons after the board confirmed no ex parte communications had occurred overnight. Respondent’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she violated ethics rules by combining legislative support for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and personal dealings were intertwined. After a recess for deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss, and the hearing moved into the defense case. The first defense witness was Sharon Navas, executive director of the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC). Navas testified that she met Simmons in 2018, later hired her, and took steps to separate Simmons’s legislative duties from her work for EEC. She said Simmons was never paid for lobbying or legislative acts, that her compensation came from unrestricted funds, and that the organization used written ethics-compliance language and a formal scope of work. Navas also described the proviso-funded dashboard project involving Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley, testifying that Simmons was not involved in the project’s day-to-day work, did not attend the meetings about the dispute, and was not part of the alleged contract disagreement. On cross-examination, staff focused on the contract documents, the dashboard work, and whether the scope of work matched the parties’ understanding. Tara Simmons then testified in her own defense. She described her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics guidance from House counsel and board-related materials before taking outside employment or supporting provisos. She said she relied on prior ethics advice when separating her legislative role from outside work and when seeking provisos for AEJG and EEC. Simmons also addressed her relationship with Anthony Powers, describing it as a friendship rooted in criminal justice reform work and prior collaboration. The hearing was still in the middle of Simmons’s direct testimony when the transcript excerpt ended, with no final ruling on the merits or disposition of the allegations.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships Apr 28th, 2025

S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm here representing myself and not that, um, office, but what I do is prosecute CPS cases for the state
  • Texas and only one other state, if they're even still doing it, was West Virginia, are the only states
  • And across the state, the standard is.
  • And thank you, Representative Campost.
  • For House Bill 2643 without objection.
Bills: HCR 10
TX

Texas 89th 1st C.S.

Senate Session Aug 12th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Is there objection? So ordered. Whoops.
  • State your inquiry? Mr.
  • My second objective with SB 4, first being that it be legal, the second objective was to support a plan
  • House of Representatives from the State of Texas.
  • House of Representatives from the State of Texas.
Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, invocation, and approval of the previous day’s journal, then observed a moment of silence after Senator Eckhardt referenced a mass shooting in Austin. The chamber also agreed to postpone reading and referral of bills until later in the day. Early procedural business included a motion not to print Senate Bill 3, which was adopted without objection. Later, Senator Mendez raised a parliamentary inquiry about moving flood relief bills to the top of the calendar, but the presiding officer said the order of business was up to the chair. The main floor action centered on Senate Bill 4, the congressional redistricting bill. Senator King laid out the bill, describing it as the companion to the House version, based on 2020 census data, and arguing it was legal, race-blind, more compact, and likely to elect more Republicans. Senators asked extensive questions about the process, public hearings, and the map’s effects on districts and communities. The Senate voted to suspend the regular order of business and the three-day rule, then passed SB 4 to engrossment and finally passed it, with the recorded votes showing 19 yeas and 2 nays. The Senate also took up Senate Bill 6, relating to abortion and civil liability for the manufacture and provision of abortion-inducing drugs. Senator Hughes argued the bill was needed to stop illegal abortion pills being mailed into Texas and harming women and unborn children. The Senate suspended the regular order of business and the three-day rule, passed the bill to engrossment, and then finally passed it, with the recorded votes showing 18 yeas, 10 nays, and one present not voting. A lengthy discussion followed on the committee substitute for Senate Bill 14, which would standardize law enforcement personnel and departmental files statewide. Senator King said the bill codifies a TCOLE model policy and limits public access to personnel files to substantiated misconduct, commendations, and evaluations, while keeping other records available through other legal processes. Senators Eckhardt, West, Hinojosa, and others questioned how the bill would affect transparency, meet-and-confer agreements, civilian review boards, and access to unsubstantiated complaints. An amendment by Senator Hinojosa of Dallas to narrow the bill to unfounded complaints failed, and SB 14 was then passed to engrossment on a vote of 18 yeas and 10 nays. The final major item was Senate Bill 1, the natural disaster omnibus bill responding to the July flooding. Senator Perry said the bill addresses camp and RV park safety, evacuation plans, emergency rooftop access, lines of succession for local emergency management, annual drills, volunteer management, drone restrictions over disaster areas, small-business recovery loans, and a statewide data hub for flood and weather monitoring. Senators Menendez, Eckhardt, and Kolkhorst asked about autopsies, volunteer background checks, liability, warning systems, floodplain mitigation, and coordination with FEMA and local governments. Perry said the bill focuses on preparation, response, and recovery, while broader prevention and mitigation issues may be addressed later. The transcript ends during this extended discussion, before final action on SB 1 is shown.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships Apr 14th, 2025

S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Noble, any questions of Representative Noble members? Not hearing any.
  • The lays out the committee substitute, uh, without objection and ask Representative Schatz to explain
  • It's best for our state.
  • days to give you a state.
  • This bill was brought to me by former state Representative Robert Puente, who also served in my House
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session-Day 5, February 13, 2026-PM

Wyoming House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Absent any objections, Section 96 is closed. Representative Smith: "Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
  • Seeing none, absent any objection, section 211 is closed. Representative Bear. Thank you, Mr.
  • Absent any objection, section 316 is closed. Representative Smith.
  • Thank you. >> Representative Pendergraft. >> No objection. >> Any further discussion?
  • >> Thank you, Representative. Any others? We have one more one-minute objection.
Keywords: 916, all
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Legislative Session Day 42 (3-9-26)

Kentucky House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • >> Without objection, so ordered. >> Without objection, so ordered.
  • Representative<00:06:46.000> Lockett. Representative Lockett. Representative Lockett.
  • to the state of Kentucky.
  • >> Got an objection, so ordered. >> Got an objection, so ordered.
  • Representative Lockett. Representative Lockett.
Keywords: 958, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 1/22/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • State your point of personal privilege, Representative. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
  • hearing no objection the be adopted hearing no objection the reports<00:08:00.720> are adopted
  • Hearing no objection, the motion prevails.
  • <00:10:32.760> McDonald I recognize representative McDonald I recognize representative McDonald
  • <00:11:00.880> of doing the business of the state of doing the business of the state of Minnesota
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a personal privilege statement from a member who spoke about the fatal shooting of his cousin, U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Chrismland, in Vermont. The member described Chrismland’s military and law enforcement service and requested a moment of silence, which the House observed. A quorum was then established, and the Journal of the previous day was approved without objection. Standing committee and division reports were also adopted without objection. The House then received first reading of House Files 11 through 193 and took up a large set of non-controversial motions and resolutions. One resolution offered by Representative Nisa addressed the absence of the 66 DFL members from the chamber and urged the Governor to enforce the law and direct the State Patrol and Sergeant at Arms to secure the absent members so the House could continue its work. Nisa said the House needed to restore order and complete the budget. Representative McDonald supported the resolution, saying Democrats needed to return so the House could do the business of Minnesotans. The resolution was adopted by voice vote. The House then approved a motion to adjourn until 3:30 p.m. Thursday, January 23, 2025, and subsequently adjourned on that schedule.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Education May 19th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Omade, Representative Broussard. Present. Representative Carlson.
  • Yes, it's to bring some uniformity, and I think that's why some of the other states' representatives
  • Representative Carlson, speak on your objection. Thank you, Madam Chair.
  • Members, House Resolution 249 by Representative Fisher requests the State Board of Elementary and Secondary
  • Okay, just state your name for the record. Yes, ma'am. I'm Susie LaBrie, representing myself.
Summary: The committee met on May 19, 2026, with a quorum present and first heard a presentation from Superintendent Cade Brumley on Louisiana’s recent education scorecard, which showed the state ranked first nationally in reading growth, second in math growth, and first overall in academic growth from 2022 to 2026. Members praised teachers and the department for the results. The committee then deferred SB 507 at the author’s request. The committee reported several bills favorably. SB 484 by Sen. Abraham, as amended, transfers selected duties from the Board of Regents to university management boards and Louisiana Works, adjusts authority over certain higher-education initiatives, creates a study of LUMCON’s placement, and adds financial reporting and early-warning requirements for universities. SB 157 by Sen. Jenkins, as amended, creates six weeks of paid parental leave for eligible public K-12 employees for birth, adoption, or fostering, with a reimbursement fund subject to appropriation; testimony emphasized family support, recruitment and retention, and health benefits. SB 83 by Sen. Edmonds, as amended, requires human trafficking prevention and victim-identification training in schools and updates coordination and service language; the amendment made implementation subject to appropriation and clarified the governor’s office role. The committee also reported SB 450 by Sen. Edmonds, as amended, requiring mandatory reporting of school threats and physical security assessments, with student witnesses and members stressing school safety and the need for funding and practical security measures. SB 132 by Sen. Klein-Peter, as amended, requires exterior master key boxes and updated school mapping data for emergency response, with an amendment exempting districts already using such boxes. Finally, Rep. Carver presented HR 251 on recess for K-3 students, citing Oklahoma’s expanded recess law and research on physical activity and learning, but said he would keep the resolution parked for further discussion rather than seek a vote.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Chesson has moved to report House Bill 1172 favorably. Are there any objections?
  • Representative Sawyer has moved to defer House Bill 493. Are there any objections?
  • Representative Sawyer has made the motion to voluntarily defer. Are there any objections?
  • Representative Chesson has moved to report H.C.R. 32 favorably. Are there any objections?
  • Thank God I have two good state representatives and a senator that contribute to our needs.
Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on April 21 and heard a series of transportation, licensing, tolling, and public safety measures. Early bills included HB 745, extending special permits for tandem/container loads serving port facilities; HB 1000, a DOTD cleanup bill that clarifies Highway Priority Program reporting and raises the letter-bid contract threshold from $1 million to $3 million; HB 1050, which revises commercial driver’s license rules and allows certain 18-year-olds to drive intrastate with a Class A license; and HB 1172, designating a portion of US 165 in Oberlin as the Coulin Brooks Manuel Memorial Highway. All of those bills were reported favorably, with HB 1000 adopted with amendments. The committee then took up HB 896 on toll facilities, prompted by concerns about Belle Chasse toll charges and customer service access. The bill would require local toll customer service centers, toll dispute procedures, and limits on certain fees; amendments were adopted to refine those provisions, including in-person assistance, appeal deadlines, and limits on additional charges. The bill was reported with amendments. HB 493, which would have prohibited expropriation by the Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District in East Feliciana and St. Helena Parishes, drew extensive testimony and debate over reservoir planning and local flood-control authority, but was ultimately voluntarily deferred. Later, HB 1173 was approved to give people in the OMV reinstatement relief program up to three months without a late fee on installment agreements, while keeping the payment due and moving it to the end of the plan. HB 1024 created a Louisiana Democratic Party special prestige license plate and was reported favorably. The committee also approved HCR 32 urging the Port of New Orleans to secure backup motors for the St. Claude Avenue Bridge, and HB 1159, concerning automated speed enforcement in Jefferson Parish municipalities, was ultimately voluntarily deferred after discussion of local control, public input, and prior legislation on speed cameras. The final major item was HB 679, as substituted, creating a driver’s license designation for people with brain injuries and directing law enforcement training on interactions with those individuals. The sponsor and several witnesses described personal experiences with traumatic brain injury and argued the designation would improve safety and communication during traffic stops. The substitute bill was adopted and the measure was reported favorably. The committee concluded by reporting HB 1207 favorably; that bill would limit unduly restrictive contractor qualification requirements in public bidding and require such requirements to be reasonably related to the project and justified in writing.