Transcript Highlights:

• File item one, SB 401 by Hurtado.
• File item four is SB 1175... ...recommendation to consent calendar.
• File item four is SB 1175 by Rubio.
• File item number six, SB 1389 by Dolly.
• File item number eight, SB 1420 by Richardson.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please file your committee reports and drafts with the chief clerk's office by 9:00 p.m. this evening
• 06.640> This<00:38:06.880> deadline<00:38:07.280> is<00:38:07.520> for filing
• This deadline is for filing deadline.
• Please file your committee committees.
• Please file your committee reports<00:38:13.119> and<00:38:13.359> drafts<00:38:14.000>

Bills: HB1952, HB1951, HB1929, HB2497, HB2208, HB2572, HB1953, HB2551, HB2549, HB1737, HB1628, HB1769, HB2493, HB2264, HB1997, HB2168, HB2427, HB1805, HB2180, HB2184, HB2219, HB2469, HB2233, HB2519, HB2141, HB1904, HB2201, HB2410, HB2007, HB2385, HB2444, HB2349, HB2235, HB1872, HB2416, HB2291, HB2292, HB2263, HB2359, HB2455, HB1509, HB1514, HB1515, HB1648, HB2164, HB2323, HB1825, HB2172, HB1888, HB2005, HB2387, HB2358, HB2119, HB2276, HB2472, HB1714, HB2325, HB1541, HB1960, HB2140, HB2315, HB2367, HB2388, HB1696, HB2333, HB2138, HB2332, HB2283, HB2059, HB2057, HB2589, HB2417, HB2337, HB1588, HB2217, HB2020, HB1915, HB1742, HB2026, HB1965, HB1546, HB2360, HB1563, HB1749, HB2614, HB1511, HB1753, HB1849, HB1641, HB2161, HB2194, HB1721, HB2284, HB2188, HB1897, HB1880, HB1573, HB1876, HB20, HB2137

Keywords: HB1952, Hawaii agriculture, University of Hawaii, CTAHR, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Kauai, agricultural research station, extension station, capital improvements, general obligation bonds, GO bonds, appropriation, ADA compliance, Americans with Disabilities Act, certified kitchen, greenhouse, laboratory, field research, cesspool decommissioning, invasive species

Transcript Highlights:

• So therefore, they don't have to go back into the files and create a report for stuff that has already
• to go<00:04:58.720> back<00:04:58.880> into<00:04:59.199> the<00:04:59.440> files
• <00:05:00.080> and<00:05:00.320> create<00:05:00.560> a go back into the files
• and create a go back into the files and create a report<00:05:02.080> for<00:05:02.720> stuff
• stuff, not not going back in the files stuff, not not going back in the files and<00:05:41.840><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 74, which requires agencies to report annually on permits that are significantly delayed. An amendment was offered and adopted to replace the bill’s original permit-by-permit reporting with a summary report by category, including counts of permits taking more than 60, 120, or 180 days and general reasons for delay. The amendment also delayed the first report until April 30, 2027, so agencies would report only on future permitting activity rather than reconstructing past files. Members discussed whether delays caused by incomplete applications or requests for additional information should be included in the reporting categories. The sponsor and others said the bill is intended to measure delays after an application is administratively complete, but that reasons such as waiting on applicant-provided engineering data could still be captured under the summary reasons. Several members praised the amendment as a substantial improvement and said it would produce more useful information with less burden on agencies, while one member said they would support the amendment but not the bill because agencies already face budget constraints. The committee first approved the amendment unanimously by show of hands, then voted 7-1 to report Senate Bill 74 ought to pass as amended, with one member opposed and one absent. Afterward, the committee briefly discussed a separate Senate message on House Bill 67, noting that the Senate version had no additional general-fund cost and that any remaining issues would be handled with the election law committee before concurrence.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then why are we forcing parents to file three costly contempt actions just to see their children?
• A motion for enforcement is filed against the custodial parent for violations of possession and access
• The custodial parent, if they're owed money, is going to file their own counter-motion.
• So in my contempt action... ...that I filed, there were seven violations.
• And so a Texas court can issue a, you know, can file a ...suit and serve the person in California and

Bills: HB46, HB272, HB551, HB1661, HB2820, HB3181, HB4145, HB4157, HB46, HB272

Keywords: low-THC cannabis, dispensing organization, Texas Compassionate-Use Program, medical use, patient access, registration, healthcare, legislation, credit card fraud, debit card fraud, prosecution, illegal possession, state law, political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, election supplies, ballots

Transcript Highlights:

• Introduction of bills: the following House files have been offered for introduction today.
• The Chief Clerk will report the House files and give them their first reading.
• Introduction of first reading of House files 33, 37 through 33, 46.
• First reading House files 33, 37 through 33, 46. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• Reading Senate File Number 2298 as amended by conference. Third reading is amended by conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• Filing with CFIUS is mandatory for specific types of transactions, but much of the process remains voluntary
• Notices of late filings will be sent directly to the campaign filer instead of to the state prosecuting
• The committee substitute makes non-substantive changes; it just converts the non-legislative council file
• process for candidates for public office who make technical or clerical errors in their campaign filings
• It requires the failure to file a financial statement on three separate occasions before it becomes an

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• So for today we do have eight bills on the file. We will hear bill presentations on file order.
• If the author of the next bill on the file is not in the room, we will immediately move to the bill next
• on the file.
• Next, we have file item number 4, Assemblymember Solache with Assembly Bill 482.
• File item six. Assembly Bill 937 by Assemblymember Connolly.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are prohibited and will work to clear ambiguities that have led to numerous class action lawsuits filed
• It turned out, when I did some research, that 148,000 complaints were filed last year against debtors
• It provides an effective date on becoming law, which will work to mitigate the flood of litigation filed
• by submitting one of the following rather than both: the audited financial statements or the SEC filings
• Your first bill talks about SEC filings. Why didn't you include the Big Ten or the ACC?

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard several insurance- and financial-services-related bills. HB 315 was temporarily postponed. The chair also noted that, following the speaker’s remarks, members should expect additional special meetings as the committee investigates insurance-related issues and seeks transparency and the truth. HB 497, relating to nonprofit agricultural organization health coverage, was presented as a way to give Florida Farm Bureau members—especially farmers, ranchers, and small business owners—more affordable health coverage options. An amendment added statutory placement changes, disclosures that the product is not commercially sold, and annual financial audits. Members discussed ACA-related protections, fraud, and insolvency concerns, and the bill received support from Florida Farm Bureau and was reported favorably 16-0. HB 379, the annual securities package, updated exemptions, foreign jurisdiction rules, the Florida Invest Local Exemption, merger-and-acquisition broker rules, fingerprinting requirements, and technical issues in the Securities Guarantee Fund. Three amendments clarified entity definitions and fingerprint/live-scan requirements; the bill drew support from industry and OFR and passed favorably 17-0. The PCS for HB 147 on consumer debt collection clarified prohibited communications during nighttime hours, with the sponsor and supporters explaining the intent was to allow email while restricting other forms of contact and reduce litigation over passive communications. Members and public witnesses discussed ambiguity in the wording, and the sponsor said further cleanup language may still be needed; the PCS was reported favorably 17-0. HB 655 on pet insurance and wellness programs created a regulatory framework for pet insurance, drew support from industry and humane society representatives, and passed favorably 17-0. HB 367 on home and service warranty association financial requirements allowed financial compliance through multiple contractual liability insurance policies and alternative parent-company documentation; an amendment corrected cross-references and duplicative language, and after questions about consumer protections and insolvency, the bill was reported favorably 17-0. Finally, HB 7003 preserved a public-records exemption for sensitive financial technology sandbox application materials; members discussed the sandbox concept and possible future issues, but no amendments were taken and the bill passed favorably 17-0. The meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we will be moving House File 2.
• I would like to move House File 2 before the committee. Committee, committee.
• All right, and with that House File 3 will be laid over for future date. that changes in the future but
• c> will<00:14:38.519> be<00:14:38.639> laid<00:14:38.920> over that house file
• House File 2, I had House File 3 on the brand...

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 2, a bill on mandatory fraud reporting and grant oversight. Representative Davis described the bill as a response to recent fraud scandals and said it would require state agencies to report suspected fraud immediately to law enforcement and legislative leaders, post organizational charts and staff contacts online, require unannounced site visits to verify grant recipients and financial stability, mandate reporting of grant-process violations to supervisors, the commissioner or designee, and the legislative auditor, and suspend or terminate grant agreements when recipients are charged with or convicted of related criminal offenses. He also said the bill’s concepts would apply to nonprofits through grant-making and oversight provisions. Members asked several clarifying questions about whether reporting obligations were either/or or cumulative, whether whistleblower protections would cover those making reports, and whether contract employees should be included. One member suggested adding language for inspectors general or other appropriate law-enforcement contacts for clarity, and another raised the idea of halting funding immediately when fraud is reported; the author responded that section 10 already provides for immediate suspension upon criminal charges. Representative Joy supported the bill but suggested funding should stop during investigations, and Representative Anderson noted surprise that the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits was listed as an opponent. The author said he was open to considering contract employees and additional wording. The chair announced the bill would be laid over because a fiscal note was not yet available, stating a commitment not to move bills out of committee without one. He said members could continue refining the bill and that the committee administrator could help contact the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits to seek more detailed concerns. The author closed by emphasizing the bill as a nonpartisan effort to address waste, fraud, and abuse in state spending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then a further statement is filed.
• <01:38:00.719> of system for the electronic filing of system for the electronic filing of
• provide a electronic candidate filing provide a electronic candidate filing system<01:38:25.719>
• <01:38:41.400> does not 2026 because candidate filing does not 2026 because candidate filing
• other individuals required to file other individuals required to file organizational<01:59:12.920

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs held its first hearing of the 33rd Legislature and heard several measures, beginning with HB 131, which would allow agencies to disclose government records to researchers for certain purposes and direct the Office of Information Practices to adopt uniform rules. OIP supported the bill, saying it would help researchers access government records, while DLNR questioned whether the bill was necessary, raised concerns about costs and exemptions, and suggested a definition change regarding media. The Public First Law Center and other supporters said the bill would not remove existing exemptions or create new disclosure requirements, but would simply authorize rulemaking to create a clearer process for research access. Common Cause Hawaiʻi raised concern about including news media in the measure. The chair emphasized that the rulemaking process would allow agencies and the public to work through details, and the committee moved on without a recorded vote in the transcript. The committee then heard HB 411, which would create uniform administrative penalty procedures under the state ethics code and lobbyist law, and HB 412, which would expand lobbying definitions to cover certain communications with high-level executive officials about procurement and make some contracts voidable if awarded through unethical lobbying. The Ethics Commission supported HB 411 as an efficiency measure that would streamline the charge process without changing substantive rights, while HB 412 was described as a narrow transparency measure modeled on other states. The State Procurement Office warned that voiding contracts could cause delays, warranty issues, third-party complications, and higher reprocurement costs. The Ethics Commission responded that any contract revocation would be at the Attorney General’s discretion and likely reserved for egregious cases, and that the threat of voiding a contract would help deter noncompliance. The committee also heard HB 413, which clarifies that lobbyist campaign contribution prohibitions apply during periods when both houses of the Legislature are in session; the Ethics Commission and Campaign Spending Commission both supported the bill and the Ethics Commission requested amendments to clarify jurisdiction between state and county lobbyist enforcement. Finally, the committee took up HB 149, which would require domestic and foreign corporations to report independent expenditures and political contributions to shareholders. The only testimony noted in the transcript was written comments from Matson, which said the requirement would be expensive and cumbersome and that the information is already publicly available through existing campaign finance reporting websites. No votes or final committee actions on the bills were recorded in the provided transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can file a lawsuit if you didn't get paid one cent on your...
• You can file a lawsuit if you didn't get paid one cent on your medical bills.
• You can file a lawsuit for that.
• We are not changing any process regarding filing complaints to the Ethics Commission.
• So someone would have to have knowledge that you didn't disclose that and file a complaint.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then moved into returning messages from the Senate. Early action focused on CS/CS/HB 1503 on computer science education and certification, which would add computer science and artificial intelligence content in high school and create a K-12 teacher certificate program; after adopting a House amendment restoring certificate language and adjusting implementation timing, the House concurred in the Senate amendment and passed the bill 105-0. The chamber then took up CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity, adopting a House amendment to allow local governments to buy into the cyber grant program and add a five-year sunset, then concurring in the Senate amendment shifting grant administration back to the Florida Digital Service; the bill passed 104-1. The House refused to concur in Senate amendments to CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over U.S. military installations and HB 6011 on reporting gifts or honoraria, sending both back to the Senate. It also refused to concur in the Senate amendment to CS/HB 851 on professional learning for instructional and school administrative personnel, saying the Senate version expanded the bill beyond its original autism-focused scope. After a recess, the House unveiled Speaker Daniel Perez’s portrait and heard extended remarks praising his leadership, institutional reforms, and the work of House staff and members. In the second returning-message list, the House debated CS/CS/HB 1471 on systems of law and terrorist organizations. The Senate amendment clarified the definition of “promote,” refined notice and timeline provisions for terrorist organization designations, and kept references to Sharia law as an example in the foreign religious law section. Supporters argued the bill was aimed at conduct beyond speech and was intended to protect the Constitution and public safety; opponents warned it would chill free speech, target Muslim Floridians, and give the governor and cabinet unprecedented power without adequate due process. After lengthy debate, the House concurred and passed the bill 80-25. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1473, a public records bill tied to HB 1471, and moved to concur in a technical Senate amendment aligning the records exemption with the revised structure of HB 1471.

Transcript Highlights:

• After some digging around, these consumers have found later that they could have filed directly with
• After some digging around, these consumers have found later that they could have filed directly with
• After some digging around, these consumers have found later that they could have filed directly with
• We also want to try and have a balanced approach, where individuals that rightfully decide to file a
• baseless anonymous complaints that file baseless anonymous complaints that through<00:54:08.480>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. HB 1957, relating to safe entryways, would create enforcement procedures in large cities to prevent personal property from blocking private doorways or entrances. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended moving the offense to the criminal code, adding clearer definitions to avoid vagueness, and including notice, inventory, storage, and property-disposition procedures to address constitutional concerns. No other testimony was offered and no questions were raised. HB 25003/HB 253, relating to fireworks, would expand civil asset forfeiture for certain fireworks offenses, revise the definition of aerial device, and clarify air-delivery offenses. The Attorney General supported the bill but suggested removing the 25-pound weight threshold to avoid unequal treatment of similar offenses. The Department of Law Enforcement also supported the measure, saying it would improve clarity for evolving fireworks investigations and prosecutions. The committee took no action during testimony. HB 2137, relating to artificial intelligence, would prohibit certain harmful uses of realistic AI-generated digital imitations, require disclosures, and create civil remedies and fines. The Commission on the Status of Women supported the bill, while the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women opposed it on First Amendment grounds. The Motion Picture Association, Recording Industry Association of America, and SAG-AFTRA also opposed the bill but said they preferred a different framework, the federal “No Fakes” model, and were willing to work with the committee on amendments. The Attorney General had suggested constitutional amendments, which the chair said would be considered later. The committee also heard HB 2198 on prediction markets, with the Honolulu prosecutor strongly supporting inclusion of prediction markets in the gambling definition because of concerns about speculative betting on events and national security-related outcomes. HB 1511 on consumer protection drew support from the Office of Consumer Protection and the Insurance Division, with OCP proposing clearer disclosure for license and registration renewal solicitations. HB 1897 on condominium alternative dispute resolution received supportive comments from the Real Estate Commission and CI. HB 1642 on crypto kiosks drew strong support from OCP and AARP Hawaii for a ban on kiosks accepting U.S. currency, but opposition from Hill Ventures, which argued for regulation and guardrails instead of a ban. HB 1753 on social media account deletion received supportive comments from DCCA on clarifying deletion of unique identifiers and inferences. HB 1654 on anonymous complaints against public employees drew strong opposition from the Attorney General over implementation and due process concerns, while the Government Employees Association supported it as a way to screen baseless complaints; the committee then moved on to HB 1659 on collective bargaining, with testimony beginning as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects, was filed
• Resolutions filed by Representative Chan of Quincy, Representative Santiago of Newton, Representative
• Resolutions filed by Representatives Hong of Lowell, Chan of Quincy, Wong of Saugus, Wynn of Andover,
• Resolutions filed by Representative Lombardo of Billerica and other members of the House, recognizing
• The communication will be placed on file.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House received a Governor’s message on fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The Committee on Rules reported several resolutions, including honors for Abby Goodman, a resolution reaffirming Massachusetts-Taiwan friendship, recognition of the Cambodian-American community’s Khmer New Year celebration, and Elks National Youth Week; the House suspended the rules and approved them. The House also concurred with Senate petitions on assisted living residences and medication administration in rest homes, sending them to the Committee on Aging and Independence. The main legislative business was House Bill 5279/5375, the transportation bond bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. Ways and Means recommended a substitute bill, House 5375, with a $2.737 billion general obligation bond authorization, and the House adopted the amendment and ordered the bill to a third reading. Later, the House took up House 5375 directly, heard support from members emphasizing Chapter 90 road funding, municipal flexibility, rural road mileage distribution, and broader transportation investments, and then passed the bill to be engrossed by roll call vote, 155-0. The House also passed House Bill 5371, authorizing grants of easements or takings of certain parcels of land to the city of Boston, to be engrossed. In addition, the chamber received and filed the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s report on the March 31, 2026 special election for the 5th Essex District, adopted an order to escort the Governor and Executive Council into the chamber, and administered the oaths of office to Representative-elect Andrew Tarr. The session ended with an order to adjourn until the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• your campaign finance report, the Secretary of State's Office or whoever your filing officer is, must
• publish a list of all active committees that owe penalties for late filing reports.
• made no expenditures, and if the committee subsequently received contributions and expenditures, it filed
• a proper report with that, and then also that the committee filed a termination statement before the
• Committee filed a termination statement before the end of this year.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, if you want to file a bill that says you're not allowed to raise funds...
• Okay, so essentially what we're saying then is we're letting the courts enforce filings of absence without
• Okay, so was this bill filed specifically? Because Democrats love to break quorum.
• Well, I mean, I filed the bill because my constituents were irate that they were getting up.
• in Texas, but in D.C., a bunch of Republicans left because they didn't want to vote on the Epstein files

Bills: HB18

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• On the consent calendar, file item 1, SB 291 Grayson.
• File item 4, SB 387 Rubio. The motion is due passed to the Committee on Appropriations.
• File item 5, SB 517 Nealow. The motion is due passed to the Committee on Judiciary.
• File item 6, SB 602 Cortese. The motion is due passed to the Committee on Appropriations.
• And file item 7, SB 517 Nealow. The motion is due passed to the Committee on Judiciary.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pelosi, it was filed in the U.S.
• It was dismissed on the basis of who filed it.
• This resolution is the exact same resolution filed in both the House and the Senate, and it's great that
• While I've long filed legislation calling for an Article 5 convention, I recognize that this Commission
• Sabadosa's support, who filed a separate bill.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs was opened by Chair Joe McGonagle and Vice Chair Senator Mike Rush, who noted that Chair John Velis was deployed with the Massachusetts National Guard. The chairs explained the hybrid format, three-minute testimony limit, live streaming, and filing deadlines, and said the committee would hear 11 House bills and eight Senate bills dealing with federal and overseas issues. Much of the hearing centered on competing resolutions about Article 5 constitutional conventions, along with related resolutions on D.C. statehood, child labor, Citizens United, and Cambodia. Supporters of H. 4692 and S. 284, a joint resolution to rescind all prior Massachusetts Article 5 convention applications, argued that old resolutions from the 1930s and 1970s could be used to count Massachusetts toward the 34-state threshold for calling a federal constitutional convention. Testifiers from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, the ACLU, Reproductive Equity Now, labor groups, and others warned that a convention would have no clear rules, could not be reliably limited to specific topics, and could put civil rights, reproductive rights, labor protections, and other constitutional protections at risk. Several speakers also cited a recent federal lawsuit and said the safest course was to remove outdated applications from the books. A large opposing panel testified in support of H. 3888, a resolution calling for a Convention of States to propose amendments limiting federal power, imposing fiscal restraints, and establishing term limits. Supporters argued that Article 5 provides a lawful way to address federal overreach, debt, and congressional stagnation, and said the process would be limited by state applications and ratification by 38 states. Some committee members and witnesses raised concerns about a runaway convention, broad language in the resolution, and whether Congress could or should set rules for such a convention. Representative Gentile also testified in support of several related resolutions on overturning Citizens United, D.C. statehood, and the child labor amendment, while Representative Howard and Representative Tongue supported a Cambodia resolution condemning political oppression and urging free and fair elections. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fifteen previously deferred reports were filed, and nine were deferred.
• The committee filed 103 audit reports that were brought before it. Mr.
• During the meeting, the committee filed 13 reports.
• However, an extension. for filing the ACFA was December 31st, 2025.
• Do I have a motion to file this report? Motion. I have a motion and a second.

Summary: The committee met to adopt prior minutes and reports from its executive and standing committees, including counties and municipalities, educational institutions, and state agencies. Those reports covered routine audit activity, delinquent private water and sewer audits, municipal accounting compliance issues, education audit findings, and several state agency audit items. The committee also reviewed and adopted the State of Arkansas annual comprehensive financial report for fiscal year 2025 and the related single audit report, both presented by Legislative Audit staff. The state financial report showed unmodified opinions on the state’s financial statements and described total assets of about $41.9 billion and liabilities of about $11.1 billion, along with retirement system assets of $39.9 billion and a net pension liability of $9 billion. Two material weaknesses were identified: insufficient internal controls at the Office of State Technology to monitor threats and unauthorized access, and a Division of Workforce Services methodology change for unemployment-related estimates that was not properly documented or approved. The single audit covered $12.4 billion in federal awards across 469 programs, with 16 major programs reviewed; it resulted in 33 findings, 14 with questioned costs totaling $16.6 million, and qualified opinions for the Summer EBT program, the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, and the Child Care Development Fund cluster. Members questioned agency officials in detail about the Summer EBT questioned costs, DHS unresolved findings, broadband grant documentation, cyber security controls, workers’ compensation liabilities, and child care funding and reporting. DHS explained that the Summer EBT issue involved drawing federal funds in advance rather than as benefits were redeemed, and said the process has been corrected. Broadband officials said the questioned $6.6 million reflected documentation-detail disagreements across many invoices rather than missing payments. OST officials described new logging, endpoint detection, and phishing-training efforts, and DFA and Education officials addressed specific audit findings and corrective actions. The committee ultimately moved to hold the two large statewide reports over until the August meeting for further review, with discussion continuing on whether to release some agency staff in the meantime.

Transcript Highlights:

• So do we go and file suit again? Who mediates that problem?
• Is that another lawsuit filed in order to make the judgment debtor take care of the judgment creditor's
• So do we go and file suit again? Who mediates that problem?
• the garnishment interrogatories and respond to it, and then later you have to file a motion to have
• You can file a, you can seek, if you know somebody's got a bank account or a piece of property that's

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 476, which would add clearer warning language for garnishees responding to interrogatories and create a limited procedure for a new trial when a garnishee can show it never held property or owed the debtor during the garnishment period. After brief questions about how garnishment works, the bill was reported favorably without objection. Senate Bill 260, a youth athletics coaches training bill, was then amended to remove language about the department using donated funds to purchase courses and was reported as amended. House Bill 79, by Chairman Carter, would remove the damages cap for carbon capture release claims. Carter argued carbon capture should be treated like other industries and not receive special liability protection, and the committee reported the bill favorably without objection. The committee also took up Senate Bill 424, which clarifies that electronic service applies only to counsel of record representing a party, and Senate Bill 180, a constitutional amendment allowing a surviving spouse of a deceased disabled veteran to make a one-time transfer of an expanded property tax exemption to another qualifying homestead. SB 180 received a ballot-language amendment and a 6.88 report before being reported as amended. The longest discussion centered on House Bill 1089, which creates “care accounts” for future medical damages in delictual actions. Supporters said the bill would ensure future medical awards are used for medical care, reduce abuse, and function like a restricted account with a card or similar payment mechanism; opponents raised concerns about the account being owned by the judgment debtor, possible reversion of unused funds to the wrong party, administrative confusion, and impacts on survivors of trafficking and sexual abuse who may need flexible, trauma-informed care outside standard billing codes. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee adopted an amendment set and reported the bill favorably by a 6-1 vote, with Representative Carter voting no. Finally, House Bill 437 was heard and amended. The bill would prohibit expert witnesses from having a pecuniary interest in the outcome of the case, while still allowing inquiry into an expert’s prior testimony history. An amendment excluded criminal traffic and juvenile proceedings, and the committee continued discussion with testimony from supporters and opponents as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• .other than future medical services, is in fact needing the surgery, has the surgery performed and files
• So do we go and file suit again? Who mediates that problem?
• Is that another lawsuit filed in order to make the judgment debtor take care of the judgment creditor's
• And some of those fine survivors do eventually have the strength to come forward, file a civil lawsuit
• You can file a, you can seek, if you know somebody's got a bank account or a piece of property that's

Bills: HB79, HB437, HB646, HB1089, HB1099, SB173, SB180, SB260, SB424, SB476

Keywords: carbon capture, damages, environmental liability, legal liability, site restoration, expert witness, expert testimony, witness fees, pecuniary interest, conflict of interest, civil procedure, evidence law, Louisiana evidence code, Louisiana civil litigation, expert report, discovery, pretrial disclosure, litigation transparency, settlement, damages award

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 476, which would add clearer warning language for garnishees responding to interrogatories and create a limited procedure for a new trial when a garnishee shows it never held property of, or owed money to, the judgment debtor. After brief questioning about how garnishment works, the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up Senate Bill 260 on youth athletics, which establishes required injury-mitigation training content for youth sports coaches, including emergency preparedness, concussions, heat injuries, overuse injuries, equipment, heart defects, and sudden cardiac effects. An amendment was adopted to remove language allowing the department to spend donated funds to purchase the courses, and the bill was reported as amended. House Bill 79, which removes the damage threshold for carbon capture release, was also reported favorably after sponsor testimony that carbon capture should be treated like other industries and not receive a special liability cap. Senate Bill 424, clarifying service by mail, delivery, or electronic means by defining “counsel of record” as someone who actually represents a party, was reported favorably as well. Senate Bill 180, a constitutional amendment allowing the surviving spouse of a deceased disabled veteran to make a one-time transfer of an expanded property tax exemption to another qualifying property, received a ballot-language amendment and a 6.8A report, then was reported as amended. The committee spent the most time on House Bill 1089, which creates “care accounts” for future medical damages in delictual actions. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would ensure future medical awards are actually used for medical care, function like a money market/HSA-style account, and potentially reduce costs; opponents raised concerns about the account being owned by the judgment debtor, possible reversion of unused funds to the wrong party, unclear mechanics for payment, and the impact on survivors of trafficking and sexual abuse who may need flexible, non-billing-code-based care. Several members suggested exclusions or clarifying amendments for med-mal, intentional torts, and sexual abuse victims, and the bill was reported favorably on a 6-1 vote after amendment. Finally, House Bill 437 was taken up, which bars expert witnesses from having a pecuniary interest in the outcome of the case. An amendment excluding criminal traffic and juvenile proceedings was adopted, and members discussed that the bill would prohibit contingent-style expert fee arrangements while still allowing cross-examination about an expert’s prior testimony and payment history. The discussion emphasized that the rule would apply to both plaintiffs and defendants.