Video & Transcript Research : 'House Resolution'
Page 193 of 500
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Apr 30th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The resolution is adopted.
- The clerk will read: House Resolution 109 by Assembly Member Schiavo relative to California's janitorial
- Today I rise to present House Resolution 109, recognizing April 27, 2026, as a day we honor the excellence
- Several communist agents came to my house and took my father away.
- The resolution is adopted. That brings us to the Senate Third Reading File.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Health Care Affordability, Select Apr 30th, 2026
Health Care Affordability, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- through the portal will be posted on the electronic legislative information systems as well as the House
- So it is my hope and prayer that eventually this committee, the House, and the entire legislature will
- means now you're spending money or your employer is spending money on health care costs instead of housing
- social determinants of health care or health outcomes, these are things that might be like food, housing
- They mention hearing this commitment twice, once during a gathering at the White House and again at CPAC
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixty - Wednesday, April 29
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I hope the House will make them feel welcome. This is the people's House. Welcome to the House.
- The next order of business will be House Bills for Perfection: House Bill 3249 through House Bill 324
- , through House Bill 324, through House Bill 324, House Bill 324, House Bill 3rd, 3rd, through the formal
- No. 2 for Senate Bill 1233, House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1408, House Bill 3329, House Bill
- 3405, and House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2426.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the House Journal for the prior day by a 126-0 roll call, and then moved through several points of personal privilege and guest introductions. Members recognized National Fentanyl Awareness Day, honored journalist Ray Hartman with a moment of silence, and welcomed numerous student groups, interns, and other visitors to the chamber.
The main floor action centered on conference committee report HB 2637/HB 3155, a large public safety package. Members discussed its size and scope, including juvenile justice changes, mental health provisions, cyberstalking language, drone restrictions, prosecutorial salaries, and sex offender registry issues. The House first approved a motion allowing conferees to exceed the differences, then adopted the conference report 124-13, passed the bill 119-18, and adopted an emergency clause for the drone-related sections 125-15. Supporters said the bill improved earlier legislation, while opponents criticized the bill’s length and constitutionality.
The House then passed Senate Bill 834, a consumer protection measure combining mortgage modification rules with protections against predatory residential sale-leaseback transactions, by 139-1. Members said it would help homeowners and small businesses and improve transparency. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 937, a land transfer bill authorizing the governor to dispose of certain state properties, by 137-2-1 after a minor amendment, and Senate Bill 938, which raises recording-related fees from $4 to $6 to fund the land survey program and recorder of deeds offices, by 121-21-2. Finally, the House passed House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 973, a wholesaler/consumer protection bill that was amended to remove a school property right-of-first-refusal provision and add land bank language, by 110-36. The House then announced upcoming committee meetings, noted bills moving to the informal calendar, and adjourned until April 30, 2026.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Professional Registration and Licensing Apr 29th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Professional Registration and Licensing
Transcript Highlights:
- This committee voted this bill 20 to 0, and then it went into the House and was voted 144 to 0.
- House Bill 2,300, and its companion, Senate Bill 895. Happy to answer any questions.
- I now move we vote do pass House Committee Substitute, Senate Substitute, Senate Bill 1083.
- The motion passed: House Committee Substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1083.
- You voted do pass: House Committee Substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1083.
Summary:
The Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing held a public hearing and then executive session on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1083. The bill, as explained by the sponsor, would require respiratory therapists in Missouri to hold an active RRT credential rather than a CRT, while grandfathering current CRT licensees, and would also add random renewal audits to confirm licensees maintain active credentials. The Senate substitute also included provisions affecting interior designers, physician licensure background checks and disclosure requirements, social worker supervision experience, and speech-language pathologist clinical fellowship supervision requirements.
Testimony was generally supportive of the respiratory therapy, speech-language pathology, and social work provisions, with witnesses saying the changes would improve patient care, reduce barriers to licensure, and help address workforce shortages, especially in rural areas. The interior design portion drew the most discussion, with Representative Nolte disputing the sponsor’s claim that the relevant board was in full agreement and saying the board had concerns; the interior designers’ witness responded that they had negotiated changes with board representatives and made additional revisions. One witness also asked the committee to consider adding language from House Bill 2300 and Senate Bill 895.
In executive session, the committee adopted an amendment that added or clarified language on residential care and assisted living facility accreditations, a three-year work-experience requirement for temporary licensure language, cleanup language regarding an osteopathic college, and a speech-language pathology fix clarifying supervision could be from any state. The committee then rolled the amendment into the substitute and voted do pass on House Committee Substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1083 by a vote of 21-1, with Representative Nolte voting no.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator, welcome over to the House, and you can proceed when ready.
- We just have the best equipment over here in the House, Senator. Got the safe distance, I think.
- I did submit written testimony in the House form in opposition, and I did oppose the original version
Summary:
The committee met to hear Senate Bill 1586, sponsored by Senator Ben Brown, which would address abandoned, ownerless landfills in Missouri. Brown described a constituent’s discovery of contamination near an abandoned landfill in St. Clair and argued the state has at least 29 similar sites, creating risks to water supplies and public health. He said the bill evolved through multiple versions and now keeps the solid waste districts intact while redirecting 10% of tipping fees to fund environmental studies, investigation, remediation, and management of ownerless landfills. The bill also would clarify seller disclosure requirements by requiring written, dated notice delivered by mail.
Members questioned the fiscal impact and whether the 10% diversion would effectively amount to a larger share of district revenues. Brown said he was open to further discussion but emphasized the need to fund at least initial studies and to create an interim committee for broader stakeholder input next year. Supportive testimony came from University of Missouri engineering dean Marisa Crusoe, who said the bill provides both a clearer regulatory framework and a stable funding stream, and that studies are a necessary first step to determine cleanup costs and potential reuse of the sites.
Opposition testimony came from solid waste district representatives, including Chris Busson, Diana Bryant, and Lacey Miller. They argued the districts already perform important recycling and household hazardous waste functions, that the proposed cut would significantly reduce local programs and staffing, and that DNR already has authority to address abandoned landfills. They also said the districts are subject to oversight and that the system has generally worked, while warning that consolidation or funding cuts would harm local recycling, grants, and hazardous waste services. No vote was taken, and the hearing concluded without further business.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Ways and Means Committee narrowly approves omnibus health finance bill 4/29/26
Transcript Highlights:
- Any questions from members regarding the A8 amendment to House File 4466?
- House File 4466 is the Health Finance and Policy bill.
- House File 4466 is the Health Finance and Policy bill.
- We get into the conference committee, and the House has a position.
- I will renew the motion that uh House I will renew the motion that uh House File<00:47:52.880>
Summary:
The committee took up House File 4466, the Health Finance and Policy bill, and first adopted the A8 amendment, described as a set of technical fixes. Members then considered a large A9 amendment that bundled a wide range of Children and Families provisions, including child care licensing modernization, crisis nursery licensing, SNAP/MFIT-related language, child care provider self-reporting, a physical abuse recognition poster, child protection and welfare provisions, funding for parent support outreach, and forensic interview training scholarships. Supporters described it as bipartisan work with relatively small fiscal impact, while opponents said it greatly expanded the bill and should be handled separately; after a roll call, the A9 amendment failed 7-14.
Representative Scott then offered the A11 amendment, raising concerns about new all-payer claims database language and whether it should have been heard in the Judiciary and Civil Law Committee. Department of Health staff explained the data-sharing safeguards, de-identification process, fee structure, and enforcement provisions, but Scott remained concerned about privacy and the scope of the program and withdrew the amendment. The committee then moved to final bill discussion.
Members and authors described HF 4466 as a lean health finance bill largely conforming Minnesota law to federal HR1 Medicaid-related changes, including work requirements, retroactive eligibility limits, cost-sharing, and home equity provisions. Supporters argued conformity was necessary to avoid major federal funding losses and noted a few additional member bills in the package; opponents criticized the federal changes as harmful, especially for vulnerable populations such as victims of trafficking and domestic violence. Fiscal staff said the bill would save just over $2 million in FY 2026-27 and almost $98 million in FY 2028-29. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Taxes Committee considers bill creating new income tax tier to increase local, county aid Apr 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Up next, House File 4845.
- Thank you for oppose House File 4845.
- House File 4845. House File 4845.
- <00:15:35.680>
File who wishes to testify on House File who wishes to testify on House File - for for House Research. for for House Research.
Summary:
House File 4845 was presented as a tax modernization and local aid bill that would adjust Minnesota income tax brackets for inflation, add a new top bracket of 10.85% for high earners, and increase local government aid and county program aid beginning in 2026. Representative Hollins said the bill would strengthen local government funding and require the Department of Revenue to recertify aid distributions. The chair noted the bill would be laid over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill.
Supporters, including St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter? no, Mayor Kelly Her of St. Paul, AFSCME Local 34, and Rebuild Minnesota, argued that cities and counties need more stable revenue to cover rising costs, public safety, human services, and property tax pressure. They said the bill would help local governments meet unmet needs and reduce reliance on property taxes. Opponents from the Minnesota Business Partnership and Minnesota Chamber of Commerce argued the new top rate would hurt competitiveness, talent recruitment, and business investment, especially because many businesses pay through the individual income tax code. Some testifiers also opposed directing more aid to cities that they said restrict housing development, while others urged the committee to address unfunded mandates and fraud instead of raising taxes.
During member discussion, Representative Joyce opposed creating another bracket and suggested using cannabis tax revenue instead. Representative Wiener said the state has a spending problem and cited fraud concerns, while Representative Roach questioned whether the bill truly helped greater Minnesota and noted the current LGA appropriation is just over $644 million. Representative Hollins responded that the proposal would mostly benefit greater Minnesota by shifting more of the tax burden to high earners in the metro area. No vote was taken; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House/Senate Republican Media Availability 4/.28/26 Apr 29th, 2026
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We've proved in the House that Democrats and Republicans can come together and do work and try to make
- We've proved in the house that Democrats We've proved in the house that Democrats and<00:01:22.240>
These are proposals that House These are proposals that House Republicans<00:11:49.160>- House Republicans have been trying to do that since the end of last year, and House Democrats have blocked
specifically - their own caucuses, uh Senate and House. their own caucuses, uh Senate and House.
Summary:
Republican legislative leaders reacted critically to Governor Walz’s speech, saying it was divisive and focused too heavily on Democratic priorities rather than unity or bipartisan work. Speaker Daudt and Majority Leader Liska argued the governor ignored the state’s affordability problems, including high property taxes, rising business costs, and what they described as mandates imposed under full Democratic control. They also said the speech downplayed poor educational outcomes and failed to offer a unifying vision for the final weeks of session.
A major theme was fraud and accountability. Leaders said the governor waited too long to address the state’s large fraud scandal and then deflected blame to other states. They said Minnesotans want accountability and affordability, and they pointed to the House Fraud Committee and the Senate’s OIG bill as examples of anti-fraud work Republicans say Democrats have blocked. They also criticized the governor’s tax proposals as a “bait and switch,” arguing that promised tax cuts would be offset by new taxes on services and banking fees.
The discussion also touched on school safety, gun policy, child care credits, and the HCMC bailout. Republicans said they were willing to work on bipartisan school safety measures, including mental health supports and funding for public, private, and charter schools, but believed gun-control proposals lacked the votes. On the child care credit, leaders said they would keep evaluating it but were concerned about future deficits and the need for a pay-for. In response to questions, they said they were not surprised HCMC was not mentioned and said conversations were continuing. One leader also objected to the governor’s comments about voting access for people of color, calling them disrespectful.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota Latino Caucus Press Conference 4/29/26
Transcript Highlights:
- I understand you were the first Latino Republican House Rep."
- that but I'm very excited that the House that but I'm very excited that the House Republican<00:
- Have you been active with the House Hispanic Assembly?
- representation here in the House representation here in the House Republican<00:20:30.880>
Caucus - House House Hispanic<00:21:16.200>
I'm <00:21:16.640>looking <00:21:16.880>at <00
Summary:
House Republicans announced the formation of the Minnesota Latino Caucus as a sub-caucus of the House Republican Caucus. Chair John Koznick said the group is intended to give Latino conservatives a voice, promote “common sense” and right-of-center policies, and reach Latino communities across Minnesota, especially around affordability, lower taxes, less regulation, and government accountability. Representatives Bedell Duran and Erica Schwartz joined Koznick as founding members and described the caucus as a response to the diversity of Latino communities and the need for representation beyond a single political viewpoint.
The members emphasized personal backgrounds and constituent outreach. Koznick discussed his adoption from Colombia and his long involvement with Latino advocacy groups, while Duran and Schwartz spoke about their districts, family histories, and experiences that shaped their politics. They said Latino Minnesotans live throughout the state, work in many fields, and should not be viewed as a monolithic voting bloc. They also highlighted issues such as education, postsecondary achievement, entrepreneurship, public safety, and the economic impact of immigrants and Latinos.
In response to questions, the lawmakers said the caucus was not created solely because of recent Latino voting patterns, but they acknowledged Republican gains among Latino voters and said they want to continue competing for Latino support. They also said immigration policy should be clearer and more transparent, while supporting secure borders and reform. Koznick said he has bipartisan relationships with Latino legislators and pointed to support for a Hispanic or Latino art museum in St. Paul as an example of possible cross-party cooperation. No formal votes were taken; the event was a caucus launch and press availability, and the members said they would hold a celebratory kickoff later that evening.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, we have a joint House resolution to take up at this time.
- Now you've heard the reading of the resolution, and the question is: shall the House adopt the resolution
- Members, we have received a request to read a House Concurrent Resolution that the House and Senate adopted
- 54.360>
and Concurrent Resolution that the House and Concurrent Resolution that the House and - House adopt the resolution on its part? House adopt the resolution on its part?
Summary:
The House opened with a devotional by former member Jason Lorber, who spoke humorously about the difference between asking questions and making statements, urging members to be direct and add value in deliberation. The chamber then took up several resolutions: JRH 11, urging Congress to enact the National Infrastructure Bank Act of 2025, was read and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development; JRS 51, setting weekend adjournment for May 1, 2026, was adopted in concurrence; and H.C.R. 261 was read, recognizing May 2026 as Older Americans Month and designating May 6, 2026 as Age Strong Vermont Day. Members also used announcements to welcome guests and highlight events, including the Age Strong Vermont initiative, a former member’s return, visitors connected to psychedelic medicine advocacy, an art social, fisheries and trout-in-the-classroom guests, a legislative intern, and a reminder about the May 16 NAMI walk.
The House then took up Senate Bill 230, an omnibus labor measure relating to fair employment practices. The committee explanation described technical clarifications to parental and family leave for full-time teachers, expansion of protections for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, removal of outdated statutory language on mandatory retirement for tenured faculty, and clarification that elected and appointed municipal officers are not employees for minimum wage and overtime purposes. The main new policy in section 3B would prohibit non-compete agreements for non-exempt employees, with an exception for collective bargaining agreements, and would restrict certain non-compete and related clauses in health care provider contracts while preserving continuity of care and excluding non-clinical business support services. The committee reported extensive testimony and voted 11-0-0 to recommend the bill favorably with amendment; the House agreed to propose the amendment to the Senate and ordered third reading.
The House also began consideration of Senate Bill 179, updating Vermont’s Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act. The committee presentation explained that the bill would eliminate the current 9-month deadline for disclaimers, reflecting changes in federal tax law and the much larger modern estate and gift tax exclusion, and would modernize the statute in several ways. Proposed changes include clearer rules for jointly held property, allowing pre-death disclaimers, authorizing trustees and parents in limited circumstances to disclaim on behalf of trusts or minor children, permitting disclaimers by proxy for infirm persons, clarifying partial disclaimers and entity disclaimers, improving delivery rules for non-real-estate property, and specifying that a disclaimer is not a transfer for transfer-tax purposes. The bill was described as a response to outdated law in light of an impending large intergenerational wealth transfer, and the House proceeded with second reading discussion.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (04/29/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (04/29/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> Good morning and welcome to the House Executive Department of Administration Committee.
- I will pass out the amendment that would add House Bill 1286 to this bill.
- <00:15:04.839>
was passed this committee and the house was passed this committee and the house - I'll ask the clerk to the house clerk to I'll ask the clerk to the house clerk to see<00:21:49.520>
- It's not a minute as amended until the House votes on it.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services Apr 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- units, affordable housing units, placing 60 families into permanent affordable homes, and connecting
- The agenda provided very robust background on the CalWORKs Housing Support Program and the Housing and
- based on that metric and other metrics. ...and housing instability in CalWORKs based on that metric
- Second, integrating health, housing, and human services.
- Second, integrating health, housing, and human services.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Apr 29th, 2026
Appropriations
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance Apr 29th, 2026
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Apr 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- All of the staffing is done in-house.
- For the Public Advocates Office, the vast majority is in-house expertise.
- We also have 16 hours of negotiation training, numerous other in-house trainings.
- The CPUC Communications Division issued a resolution that put out there...
- And the draft resolution to increase... ...$1.25 to cover the approved budgets to date.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Apr 29th, 2026
Housing and Community Development
Transcript Highlights:
- To provide farm worker housing better access to low-income housing credits, AB 2270 creates scoring parity
- We had a few weeks ago, or maybe months ago now, a hearing on rural housing, farmworker housing, and
- getting into that housing.
- , stay in my house.
- to transitional housing to permanent rental housing that is affordable to homeownership.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Today is Wednesday, April 29th, and this is a hearing of the House Insurance Committee.
- I did it better in the House than we did in the Senate. I could not pronounce that one.
- I can't, I have no idea what will happen on the House floor.
- Freeman, because the first thing I would say is that we probably should put back in a resolution.
- Chairman, I think I put in a card in support over on the House side.
Summary:
The House Insurance Committee met on April 29 with a quorum present and considered several insurance- and health care-related bills. SB 192, concerning dental reimbursement and payment methods, was amended to clarify opt-in for electronic acceptance and then reported as amended. SB 84, which expands prostate cancer screening coverage for men over 40 and bars cost-sharing, was also amended and reported as amended after testimony from the American Cancer Society supporting earlier detection and reduced out-of-pocket barriers. SB 275, dealing with reimbursement and network access for certified registered nurse anesthetists, was reported favorably with broad support from nurse anesthetists, hospitals, and related groups. SB 169, a biomarker testing cleanup bill, was amended to clarify legislative intent and reported as amended.
The committee spent substantial time on two major drug-pricing bills. SB 401 would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to study selected prescription drug prices, collect manufacturer and related pricing data, and report findings to the legislature; amendments narrowed the scope, addressed confidentiality, and delayed implementation. Supporters said it would provide transparency similar to Texas and help lawmakers understand drug pricing, while opponents warned about government overreach and confidentiality concerns. SB 387, the companion PBM reform bill, would restrict PBM compensation to flat fees and performance bonuses, require rebate pass-throughs, limit formulary practices, expand audit and reporting requirements, and create enforcement mechanisms; it was amended to delay implementation, refine definitions, and address ERISA-related concerns. Supporters argued it would curb PBM abuses and lower drug costs, while opponents from the Pelican Institute and PCMA said it would interfere with private contracts, reduce flexibility, and could raise premiums. After a roll call vote, SB 387 was reported with amendments.
The committee also took up SB 241, which requires certain insurance adjusters and appraisers to include license numbers in written communications. After amendments narrowing the requirement to individual claims and public adjusters, the bill was reported as amended. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly raised concerns about unintended consequences, especially for cities, school boards, and other non-ERISA plans, and sponsors said they would continue working on the drug-pricing bills before floor consideration.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Blanc has patented in the House, so I think you have the House members on your side. Gotcha.
- Well, maybe they give an old House member a break and let me use it twice.
- Well, maybe they give an old House member a break and let me use it twice.
- Well, maybe they give an old House member a break and let me use it twice.
- This is the appropriate time, and I'm actually going to do a little house cleaning.
Summary:
The Retirement Committee met with a quorum and heard a series of retirement-system bills, mostly described by sponsors and system directors as cleanup measures, technical corrections, or changes to funding and re-employment rules. Early bills included SB 22, which made the constable position for the Second City Court of New Orleans eligible for membership in the Municipal Employees Retirement System, and SB 17, which created a funding deposit account for cost-of-living adjustments for registrars of voters’ employees. The committee also advanced SB 455 and SB 456, addressing employer participation in the Parochial Employees Retirement System and compensation for assigned retired judges, respectively.
The committee then took up a group of State Police and teacher-retirement measures. SB 8 added the Louisiana Access Management Pool as a participating employer in MERS. SB 10, SB 11, and SB 12 adjusted State Police retirement funding and actuarial treatment, including changes to COLA funding, benefit increase funding, and administrative definitions. SB 16 reduced annual trustee education requirements for retirement boards from 16 hours to 12. SB 13 made similar actuarial-funding changes for the Teacher’s Retirement System, and SB 14, developed from a study group, consolidated and simplified TRSL return-to-work rules while expanding some re-employment options for retirees.
Later bills focused on re-employment and system funding. SB 18 repealed a special exception allowing certain MERS retirees to return to part-time work while collecting full benefits, while protecting current participants. SB 20 and SB 21 updated actuarial gain and loss handling for the School Employees’ Retirement System and LASERS, respectively, to align with newer COLA funding structures. SB 416 expanded re-employment options for retired Department of Public Safety and Corrections employees in critical shortage positions, prompting discussion about staffing needs and cross-gender strip-search issues in prisons. SB 477 clarified the retirement status of the Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board as a full-time state employee. All bills discussed were reported favorably, and the chair announced the committee’s next meeting would be moved from Monday to Tuesday.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Natural Resources and Environment Apr 29th, 2026
Natural Resources & Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, House Concurrent Resolution 80 by Representative Domangue expresses the legislature's commitment
- We moved 90% of the stuff in the house. And that night, my house filled up with propane.
- We moved 90% of the stuff in the house. And that night, my house filled up with propane.
- The gas in your house goes up when you're trying to electrify your house.
- The gas and your house goes up when you're trying to electrify your house.
Summary:
The committee first heard HCR 80 by Representative Domangue, which expressed support for private property rights and reviewed the 2025 landman code of conduct. Domangue described concerns about aggressive landmen and expropriation threats, then voluntarily deferred the resolution so Chairman Geymann could present his bill. The committee then took up HB 841, also on expropriation procedures and landman conduct. Geymann explained the bill was aimed at how expropriation negotiations are conducted and enforced, not at whether expropriation is allowed, and cited a recent dispute involving a pipeline right-of-way and threatening letters to landowners. A video of affected landowners was played, and members from industry and landowner groups discussed the need for fair compensation and better communication.
The committee adopted two amendment sets to HB 841. The first set made technical changes, removed some court-cost language, broadened the code of conduct to all certificate holders, added a prohibition on threatening landowners with court costs and attorney fees, shortened the response period for offers, and clarified that the rules apply across energy types rather than only carbon capture. The second amendment set added graduated fines for violations, required the Department of Conservation and Energy to collect the fines, and directed the department to post violators on its website. After support testimony and no opposition, HB 841 was reported favorably as amended.
The committee next considered HB 621 by Representative Coates, which requires recycling of decommissioned renewable energy infrastructure to the extent practical. An amendment clarified that existing DEQ recycling rules apply. Members raised concerns about decommissioning language, costs, and whether the bill overlapped with existing hazardous-waste and universal-waste rules. Coates agreed to remove the bill’s last sentence on decommissioning costs and add an effective date of January 1, 2027. DEQ explained that many components are already covered under federal and state universal-waste rules, and industry witnesses said solar recycling is feasible and already occurring. HB 621 was then reported favorably as amended.
Finally, the committee heard HB 595 by Representative Jacob Landry, which addresses local permits that impede natural resource development, especially road permits affecting Haynesville shale operations. An amendment clarified that local governments may not unreasonably interfere with permitted activity and that road permits not acted on within 30 days are deemed approved. Supporters said delayed parish permits can stall rigs, reduce investment, and hurt royalty owners, while opponents warned the bill could further erode local authority, including in carbon capture matters. Police jury representatives said they were willing to keep working on the issue and suggested a 30- to 45-day target for permit decisions. HB 595 was reported favorably as amended. The committee then began HB 1191 by Representative Landry, creating a certificate of compliance process for oilfield and exploration and production sites, with testimony that it could help clear environmental liability and bring properties back into commerce; the bill was still under amendment and questioning when the transcript ended.