Transcript Highlights:

• I'll give you a digital copy that you can share, a PDF of this, as well as a letter explaining that the
• I'll give you a<01:34:05.199> digital<01:34:05.520> copy<01:34:06.400> that<01:34
• :06.800> can<01:34:06.880> share<01:34:07.120> PDF<01:34:07.520> of a digital
• copy that you can share PDF of a digital copy that you can share PDF of this<01:34:07.840> where<

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, genetic testing, digital dermatology, and home diagnostics. Now, um, so I put this in Dr.
• of soft plaque. um genetic<01:28:48.639> testing,<01:28:49.679> uh<01:28:49.920> digital
• <01:28:50.239> dermatology, genetic testing, uh digital dermatology, genetic testing, uh digital

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met for its third meeting, approved the minutes, and heard testimony from Dr. Jack on behalf of the American Beverage Association and Kentucky Beverage Association. Dr. Jack argued that the “totality of the science” supports low- and no-calorie sweeteners as safe and useful tools for reducing sugar and calories, citing FDA and other domestic and international reviews, clinical trials, and the FDA’s recent healthy-label rule. He also described the industry’s transparency efforts, including a “Good to Know” database compiling ingredient and safety information, and said the beverage industry has voluntarily worked to offer more choices with less sugar. Members questioned him about whether beverage ingredients are restricted in other countries, possible health effects beyond weight and cancer, concerns about metabolic issues and gut microbiome effects, whether sweeteners are addictive, and why companies do not simply remove sweeteners. Dr. Jack responded that most ingredients are permitted in many jurisdictions, that broad food-safety reviews have looked at multiple endpoints and found the ingredients safe, that the gut microbiome is still being studied, and that recent clinical evidence does not show increased sweetness preference. He also said business decisions about formulations are up to companies and noted that cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are metabolically similar. The committee also discussed consumer apps and ingredient-scoring tools; Dr. Jack said the industry’s website presents facts without interpretation and is based on food-safety agency assessments. At the end of his testimony, the chair accepted additional fact sheets for the committee. The meeting then moved on to introduce Dr. Gary Huber, who began testimony by emphasizing integrative medicine, metabolic syndrome, and the role of diet, exercise, sleep, and stress in health, but his full presentation was not included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• CR is dedicated to amplifying the voice of consumers to promote safety, digital rights, financial fairness
• 00:04:33.919> to<00:04:34.160> promote<00:04:34.560> safety,<00:04:35.120> digital
• consumers to promote safety, digital consumers to promote safety, digital rights,<00:04:36.479><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Data centers are the essential digital infrastructure behind every online purchase, every telehealth
• appointment, every online news article, every digital classroom, and the essential services and cutting-edge
• Digital infrastructure is a critical component of United States global economic competitiveness and keeping
• Data centers provide digital infrastructure for a range of essential services such as government, cyber

Bills: HF2928, HF2912, HF2297

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is particularly concerning with their safety and security with the rise of digital technology.
• The digital age has made it alarmingly easy for individuals to access and disseminate personal information
• in with the parents picking up the kids and left a note at the deputy's door. family privacy the digital
• age has made family privacy the digital age has made it<01:14:34.480> alarmingly<01:14:35.159

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• a week, but also has people answering the phones actively, so it's not always going to go to some digital
• going to<01:26:15.560> go<01:26:15.679> to<01:26:15.800> some<01:26:16.000> digital
• receipt<01:26:17.119> it<01:26:17.239> is<01:26:17.360> a to go to some digital
• receipt it is a to go to some digital receipt it is a place<01:26:17.719> to<01:26:17.840>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, it's a good question. um all of the electronic uh nicotine um all of the electronic uh nicotine
• So the bottom piece, which is the electronic piece, can be separated quite easily.
• So the bottom piece, which is the electronic piece, can be separated quite easily.
• It's not in the electronic cigarettes.
• It's it's in the electronic cigarettes.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• there's very likely some more elegant ways to get to this solution and do the same thing in an electronic
• Uh, allows insurers to provide explanation of benefits electronically.
• This proposal would allow insurers to send explanation of benefits electronically, paper, or both if
• explanation of benefits electronically. explanation of benefits electronically.
• , paper or o or both if electronically, paper or o or both if members<01:37:21.760> prefer.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the regular bill because I was going to have any city ward or town that currently electronic
• My amendment's more relevant for a time when electronic records are available, but your intent here is
• <01:45:19.800> records<01:45:20.119> are a time when electronic records are a time
• when electronic records are available<01:45:20.840> but<01:45:21.119> your<01:45:21.320
• Eric where we can have electronic Eric where we can have electronic verification<01:52:27.960>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• conduct a comprehensive review of the statutory framework and administrative procedure relative to electronic
• House Bill 1257 by Representative Beham provides relative to electronic monitoring prohibitions relative
• to ownership, financial interests, and electronic monitoring service providers.
• Speaker, this bill seeks... ...and electronic monitoring service providers. Mr.
• conflict of interest and thus be prohibited, or immediate family from engaging in the business of electronic

Bills: HR275, HR276, HR277, HR278, HR279, HR280, HR281, HR282, HR283, HR284, HCR112, HCR113, HR265, HR266, HR267, HR268, HR269, HR270, HR271, HR272, HR273, HCR107, HCR108, HCR109, HCR110, HCR111, SCR63, SCR66, SCR67, SB414, SB484, SB513, HR168, HR174, HR194, HR216, HR264, HCR54, HCR74, HCR79, HCR85, HCR87, HCR94, HCR95, HCR97, HCR98, HCR104, SCR23, SCR29, SCR33, SCR38, HB75, HB705, SB54, SB56, SB72, SB79, SB97, SB105, SB123, SB125, SB129, SB163, SB171, SB252, SB287, SB375, SB386, SB461, SB466, HR84, HR188, HR205, HR3, HR197, HR243, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, SCR2, SCR20, SCR24, SCR35, HCR6, HB301, HB359, HB657, HB675, HB680, HB727, HB39, HB58, HB112, HB134, HB155, HB187, HB287, HB462, HB782, HB825, HB846, HB903, HB904, HB929, HB941, HB962, HB1200, HB4, HB623, HB944, HB986, HB1098, HB1222, SB45, SB58, SB71, SB81, SB92, SB100, SB109, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB204, SB205, SB207, SB213, SB214, SB216, SB229, SB257, SB274, SB290, SB304, SB374, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB429, SB479, SB522, SB34, SB164, SB172, SB198, SB208, SB232, SB281, SB286, SB317, SB322, SB334, SB380, SB385, SB409, SB417, SB421, SB430, SB439, SB447, SB458, SB510, HB842, HB633, HB1191, HB625, HB1255, HB251, HB582, HB646, HB819, HB998, HB1257, SB197, SB436, SB78, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HB284, HB302, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, HB258, SB149, SB382, SB441

Keywords: highway maintenance, signage, transportation safety, DOTD, infrastructure, public safety, federal grants, job creation, carbon storage, carbon dioxide storage, carbon capture and storage, CCS, mineral rights, mineral owners, oil and gas, disposal wells, injection wells, advanced drilling, carbon sequestration, Louisiana energy policy

Summary: The House met with a quorum and began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several personal privileges recognizing National Police Week, fallen law enforcement officers, a young Olympic weightlifter, a community sports agent, a deceased coach, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Day, the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association, aviation professionals, and a birthday tribute. The chamber also received Senate messages, committee reports, and a long series of resolutions and bills, many of which were adopted or concurred in without objection. Several measures were returned to the calendar, while others were advanced with technical or clarifying amendments. A major portion of the meeting focused on resolutions honoring or commemorating people and groups, including National Police Week, Barron Baker, Paul T. Derezel II, Coach Emilio Tese, Alpha Phi Alpha, Louisiana Realtors Day, Special Olympics Louisiana, and various memorial highway designations. The House also adopted or concurred in resolutions on topics such as DOTD signage, shrimp procurement, geothermal energy, opioid settlement reporting, hospital design standards, Medicaid redetermination flexibility, chronic wasting disease management, remote online notarization, and a task force on intestate succession. Testimony on these items was generally supportive and brief, with sponsors explaining that most were technical, commemorative, or requests for study. The chamber also took up several substantive bills and Senate amendments. Among the measures concurred in were bills on peace officer citizenship requirements, post-conviction bail limits, portable benefits for independent contractors, workforce development, construction debris burning, license plate coverings, insurance and captive insurers, oil field indemnification, and rural infrastructure financing. One notable bill, HB 39 on peace officer citizenship, drew questions about National Guard members and legal permanent residents before the House concurred in the Senate amendments by a 74-22 vote. HB 134 on harmful material and interactive computer services had its Senate amendments rejected, while HB 359 on nonaffiliated candidates was temporarily returned to the calendar. The most extended debate came on the conference committee report for HB 842, which addressed Louisiana election law in response to the federal Callais decision. Members questioned how the report would affect the current congressional election cycle, absentee ballots, qualifying dates, signature requirements, and whether the closed party primary for U.S. House races had been canceled in favor of an open primary in the fall. The sponsor explained that the report cancels the current closed party primary for congressional races, voids ballots cast in that canceled election, returns qualifying fees, lowers petition-signature requirements, and sets new dates for the open primary and runoff. The House suspended the rules to consider the report the same day it was received, and the discussion highlighted concerns about election administration, district maps, and the scope of the changes before the chamber moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• but<00:16:03.839> in<00:16:04.079> terms<00:16:04.240> of<00:16:04.480> electronic
• <00:16:05.279> uh<00:16:05.839> technology but in terms of electronic uh technology
• but in terms of electronic uh technology we're<00:16:06.560> also<00:16:06.800> talking
• ><00:16:06.959> about<00:16:07.120> electronic we're also talking about electronic we're
• also talking about electronic medical<00:16:08.320> records<00:16:08.800> as<00:16:09.040

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on December 19, with Senators Long and Lang serving as replacements. The committee approved the November 21 minutes and adopted the consent calendar after removing two Department of Health and Human Services items for separate discussion. It then took up an HHS request involving nursing facility rates, where Nathan White explained that $2.2 million would be transferred from a long-term care Medicaid eligibility contract to the nursing facilities budget. He said the funds would offset an otherwise projected 3.9% average rate decrease and bring the overall average change to zero for the next six months, with rates reset again in July under state law. Members asked about the budget adjustment factor, bed counts, and whether additional funds could raise rates further; White said the factor is statutory, capped at 28.76%, and that more money would lower the factor and increase rates. The committee also corrected a date in the request from February 1, 2025 to February 1, 2026, and approved the item. The committee next approved another HHS item related to rural health transformation grants. Members confirmed the request covered the full amount applied for this biennium, and asked about the technology component. HHS said the grant is not solely about AI, but about broader technology improvements such as electronic medical records, back-end systems, and tools to improve access and sustainability in underserved areas. The committee approved that item as well. The Judicial Council then requested funds for contract attorneys providing indigent defense on a fixed-fee basis. The council said current funds had already been exhausted and that the new appropriation would be used immediately. Members questioned the size of the request and the number of people awaiting counsel; the council reported about 150 incarcerated people and about 300 non-incarcerated people waiting for counsel, more than in recent years. It attributed the increase to competition for attorneys, public defender offices closing intake in some locations because of caseload limits, and broader case and court-system changes. One member raised constitutional concerns about delays in counsel for incarcerated defendants. The committee ultimately amended the request downward to $1 million, approved it, and then approved a motion to place several annual financial reports on file and release them to the public when available. The committee also discussed dashboard reporting from HHS, asking for more detail on community mental health center caseloads and budget-reduction information, and HHS agreed to provide more useful monthly detail.

Transcript Highlights:

• Statewide it would probably be single-digit millions.
• So, like if we could get it in digital format so I can actually like play with the numbers a little bit
• we could<02:03:38.239> get<02:03:38.400> it<02:03:38.480> in<02:03:38.639> digital
• format<02:03:39.199> so<02:03:39.360> I<02:03:39.520> can could get it in digital
• format so I can could get it in digital format so I can actually<02:03:39.840> like<02:03:40.639

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One could have better electronics, one could have better drivetrain.
• One could have better electronics,<01:31:27.920> one<01:31:28.080> could<01:31:28.239><
• c> have<01:31:28.320> better electronics, one could have better electronics, one could have
• stuff about unmanned<02:15:33.520> aircraft<02:15:34.040> events,<02:15:35.040> electronic
• unmanned aircraft events, electronic unmanned aircraft events, electronic ascension<02:15:36.320

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was, we're talking double digits of people actually showed up out of 9,000 plus people who used it
• It was, we're talking double digits of people actually showed up out of 9,000 plus people who used it
• It was, we're talking double digits of people actually showed up out of 9,000 plus people who used it
• It was, we're talking double digits of people actually showed up out of 9,000 plus people who used it
• It was, we're talking double digits of people actually showed up out of 9,000 plus people who used it

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• really rely on audio-only telehealth for their care, for the barriers that I just mentioned, including digital
• the barriers that I just mentioned the barriers that I just mentioned including<01:23:11.159> digital
• literacy<01:23:12.840> um<01:23:13.000> so<01:23:13.199> teleah including digital
• literacy um so teleah including digital literacy um so teleah Health<01:23:13.719> addresses<
• saying that they're under threat, but we are actively thinking about how we preserve them, how we digitize

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, our next order of business here will be the adoption of our electronic meeting policy.
• Before us on the committee, everyone has a copy of the electronic meeting policy.
• Hearing none, all those in favor of adopting the electronic meeting policy, please indicate your vote

Summary: The Commission on Unemployment Compensation met, established a quorum, and elected Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling as chair and Senator Mike Jones as vice chair. The commission also adopted its electronic meeting policy and heard introductions from new members, staff, and officials from the Secretary of Labor’s office and the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). Secretary Jessica Lumen outlined the administration’s workforce and labor priorities, including supporting workers, employers, and program transparency, while members raised concerns about business climate, job losses, labor participation, and the implementation of paid family and medical leave. Staff provided legislative updates on recent unemployment-related bills. These included increases to the weekly unemployment benefit amount enacted in 2025 and 2026, a bill on labor dispute disqualification that changed how lockouts are treated for benefit eligibility, and a budget item providing $75,000 for actuarial support to the commission. The commission also discussed the 2025 work group on annual adjustments to weekly benefit amounts; staff reported that the work group did not complete its charge, and members agreed to revisit whether to reconstitute it at a future meeting. Delegate Martinez expressed support for continuing the work, and the chair said the issue would be taken up at the next meeting. Deputy Commissioner Joanna Darkus gave a detailed presentation on Virginia’s unemployment insurance system, including current claims data, eligibility rules, employer tax structure, benefit levels, trust fund solvency, fraud prevention, and customer service operations. She reported that Virginia’s unemployment rate remains low, weekly claims are modest, the current weekly benefit range is $160 to $478, and the trust fund balance factor is projected at 50.9 percent, near the threshold for additional employer charges. Members asked about the taxable wage base, trust fund solvency, the effect of benefit increases, fraud controls, and the planned paid family and medical leave program. VEC said it is implementing that program through regulations, staffing, IT procurement, public listening sessions, and consultation with other states. A public commenter from the Virginia Poverty Law Center urged the commission to strengthen state investment in unemployment insurance and warned that federal support is uncertain. The commission then adjourned without taking further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, our next order of business here will be the adoption of our electronic meeting policy.
• Before us on the committee, everyone has a copy of the electronic meeting policy.
• Hearing none, all those in favor of adopting the electronic meeting policy, please indicate your vote

Keywords: Commission on Unemployment Compensation, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the second thing, it merely allows us to send out electronic notice.
• We do not plan on doing that anytime soon because right now we're still having electronic notice.
• To make that concise, that 20 minutes, he just spent 10 days electronic, I moved favorably.

Bills: HR2, HR37, HR61, HCR11, HCR64, HB89, HB183, HB341, HB371, HB451, HB480, HB520, HB541, HB579, HB597, HB816, HB1004, HB1064, HB1165, SB44

Keywords: transparency, accountability, Justice Department, FBI, Jeffrey Epstein, victim protection, investigation, public trust, HR37, House Resolution 37, Honduras veterans, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, military medal, veteran recognition, Congress memorialization, U.S. veterans, foreign deployment, 1981 to 1992, military service awards, combat support

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up a long agenda of judiciary-related bills and resolutions. It first considered HB 1165, which was substantially rewritten by substitute to create the City Courts of Marksville and Bunkie and expand their jurisdiction parishwide in Avoyelles Parish, including small claims and certain misdemeanor, civil, and juvenile matters. Supporters, including judges, said the change would improve access to justice and better use existing courts; the district attorney opposed it, arguing it would not help the criminal docket and raised constitutional, staffing, and election concerns. After questions about voting districts, appeals, and minority vote dilution, the substitute was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably HB 1064, creating a domestic violence intervention court pilot program in the 19th JDC, and HB 341, clarifying that law-enforcement officer interrogations under the bill of rights are administrative rather than criminal matters; both drew supportive testimony from court, advocacy, and law-enforcement representatives. The committee then approved HCR 64, as amended, to study behavioral health courts and expand the study to Ouachita, East Baton Rouge, and Orleans parishes, with a report due by January 1, 2027. It also reported favorably HB 579, which strengthens the sexual assault survivor bill of rights and related protections, with testimony emphasizing survivor services and access to funding. HB 1004, which would have raised the jurisdictional limit for justice of the peace courts from $5,000 to $7,500, drew substantial opposition from city court judges and others who warned of unintended consequences, including inconsistent procedures, possible attorney-representation requirements for entities, and more appeals; after debate the bill failed on a roll call vote, 5 yeas to 11 nays. Later, the committee reported favorably HB 451, allowing the Alcohol and Tobacco Control commissioner to send hearing notices electronically and removing the 30-day mailing constraint; HB 541, as a substitute, allowing in-state microdistillers producing under 100 gallons to obtain a permit for a $100 fee; HB 183, prohibiting courthouse cellphone bans in areas where fines, fees, or court costs are paid, though it faced concerns about legislative authority over local courthouses and ultimately failed on a 7-8 vote; SB 44, requiring agency approval for firearms and ammunition carried by tactical medical professionals; HR 37, memorializing Congress to award the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal to veterans who served in Honduras from 1981 to 1992; and HB 89, requiring the Third Judicial District DA’s office to pay health insurance premiums for eligible retired employees from its own funds. Several other items were voluntarily deferred, and the meeting ended after the committee completed its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> 902 KAR 5595 amends<00:14:37.960> to<00:14:38.080> add<00:14:38.240> electronic
• <00:14:38.839> prescriptions amends to add electronic prescriptions amends to add electronic

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting’s minutes, and then reviewed a series of administrative regulations from multiple agencies. Most of the regulations were presented as technical updates or policy clarifications, and in each case the committee approved staff-suggested amendments without objection. The Department of Revenue regulation would delete a section on tax credits for trusts and estates to align with statute. The Kentucky Public Pensions Authority package updated definitions, sick leave credit rules, hazardous/non-hazardous employment participation, refund procedures, contribution limits, mortality table references, and incorporated federal tax references. The Board of Medical Licensure regulations addressed renewal and activation of inactive physician-assistant licenses and renewal/reinstatement timelines for athletic trainer licenses. The Fish and Wildlife regulations revised rules for Otter Creek and Peabody areas by deleting definitions and creating shooting-range permit exemptions. The committee also heard emergency vocational rehabilitation regulations that would clarify definitions, due process rights, federal compliance, service fees, in-state service preferences, and service-specific requirements; a workforce insurance regulation updating contribution/reporting rules for professional employer organizations; and a horse racing regulation adding license categories for allied animal health professionals, animal chiropractors, and equine dental providers, while updating fees, application timing, and special events licensing. Members asked questions about the horse racing licensure changes, and the agency explained they were responding to prior session changes and adding guardrails, including veterinarian sign-off for equine therapist licensure on the back side of a racetrack. The Department for Public Health package made several personnel and salary-related changes for local health departments, including salary ranges for new hires, probation and evaluation rules, salary increases after probation, and limits on certain leave payouts for employees who separate without proper notice or are dismissed for cause. The Office of Inspector General regulation added electronic prescription references and removed authority to create a new prescription number for partial dispensing of Schedule II prescriptions. The Department for Medicaid Services regulations updated provider group definitions, removed some service limits, required prior authorization for all genetic testing for non-MCO recipients, changed physician fee schedule updates from quarterly to annually, and added reimbursement for department-approved vaccines. Members asked detailed questions about genetic testing prior authorization and sleep disorder coverage; the agency said prior authorization is intended to take two to five days and that sleep disorder services generally involve sleep apnea-related treatments such as CPAP machines and sleep studies. The committee then adjourned and announced its next meeting for Tuesday, May 12 at 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Infrastructure management system, a new electronic infrastructure management system that will be up in
• How we're trying to bring all of our infrastructure into the 21st century and showcase that in electronic
• in oil and gas to start, got to aviation, got to defense work, and then got into space frontier electronics

Keywords: 914, all