Transcript Highlights:

• So, House File 3483 does two things. So, House File 3483 does two things.
• This bill does not change that.
• Representative Weiss said, this does not Representative Weiss said, this does not affect<00:07:03.400
• This bill does not days is lawful. This bill does not change<00:07:14.000> that.
• Thank you. ...this legislation does.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2014 does pass.
• It does work really well.
• As there are zero nays, House Bill 2694 does pass.
• House Bill 3171 does pass.
• House Bill 3732 does pass.

Bills: HB103

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is all it does. Thank you.”
• That’s what it does in its simple form.” “That’s what it does in its simple form.
• Representative Ventrella, tell us what the bill does.”
• That’s what the bill does.” “Yes, sir.
• Basically, all it does is take up... does. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Bills: SCR54, SCR59, HCR5, HCR62, HCR78, HCR86, HB595, HB688, HB802, HB841, HB1161, HB1171, HB1189, HB1248, HB1258

Keywords: Mississippi River Basin, fishery commission, invasive species, sustainability, economic impact, red drum, fishing regulations, tournament permits, wildlife management, recreational fishing, flood management, FEMA, floodplain maps, environmental risks, Louisiana, flood insurance, risk assessment, community planning, seafood, commercial fishing

Transcript Highlights:

• Present in support and does not wish to speak.
• What does that look like? Be filed with the clerk of court? What does that look like?
• Won't you just tell us what the bill does?
• It does. Okay.
• And that's what the bulk of the bill does.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's basically what it does.
• Consistency does matter.
• So how does this bill do age verification? How does it— How does it do age verification?
• This bill does not address that, nor does it stop that.
• This bill does not address that, nor does it stop that.

Bills: HB2072, HB2251, HB2279, HB2308, HB2323, HB2342, HB2400, HB2408, HB2456, HB2660, HB2697, HB2868, HB2873, HB2877, HB2910, HB2946, HB2955, HB2991, HB4001, HB4010

Keywords: Cesar Chavez, public holiday, state law, holiday repeal, Arizona Revised Statutes, midwifery, medication administration, healthcare, patient safety, advisory committee, licensed midwives, river trips, liability, outfitter, Grand Canyon, negligence, risk management, contractual waiver, dental practice, business registration

Transcript Highlights:

• This does not change that. Okay. Thank you. Yes, sir. Just does not change that. Thank you.
• So the bill does four things.
• So the bill does four things.
• Does that make sense? It does. It does. It really does.
• Does that make sense? Okay.

Bills: HB398, HB906, HB1201, SB41, SB47, SB106, SB210, SB218, SB220, SB248, SB289, SB397

Keywords: travel expenses, reimbursement, state officials, US General Services Administration, disaster management, nominating petitions, unaffiliated voters, party primaries, political participation, elections, public meeting minutes, transparency, government accountability, publication deadlines, open meetings, boards and commissions, public records, contact information, email addresses, phone numbers

Summary: The House and Governmental Affairs Committee met on April 23 and advanced several bills related to judicial appointments, travel reimbursement, elections, public records, and board transparency. Senate Bill 397 by Chairman Reese was reported favorably without objection after discussion clarifying that it would allow retired or resigned judges to be reappointed ad hoc to finish cases or provide temporary coverage, without changing existing limits on returning to the vacated seat. House Bill 398 by Representative Zerang was amended to remove lodging from the reimbursement cap and instead tie meal reimbursements for state officials and employees to the federal General Services Administration rate; it was then reported as amended. House Bill 1201 by Representative Ilk, which would create per diem for legislative business outside session and adjust salaries for statewide elected officials using a formula tied to university president pay, was also reported favorably without objection. Senate Bill 41 by Senator Allen, which would have extended the deadline for local public bodies to publish meeting minutes from 20 to 45 days, drew concerns about delayed public access and was voluntarily deferred in committee for further work. Senate Bill 289 by Senator Abraham, proposing confidentiality exceptions for university presidential searches, research records, and certain donor information, was heavily debated; opponents argued the donor provisions were unnecessary and could reduce transparency, and the bill was held in committee for further work. Senate Bill 248 by Chairman Miller, allowing precincts with fewer than 20 voters to be consolidated with another precinct at the same polling place and same ballot, was supported by the Secretary of State as a privacy and efficiency measure and was reported favorably as amended. The committee also reported favorably Senate Bill 47 by Senator Mizell, as amended, requiring public boards and commissions to provide contact information, including email and phone access, for members and designated contacts. Senate Bill 210 by Senator Klein-Peter, increasing the number of election commissioners for closed party primaries, was reported favorably. Senate Bill 106 by Senator Klein-Peter, restricting public release of certain crime scene photos, audio, video, and digital images except by court order or clerk of court, was reported favorably after a roll-call vote of 8 yeas and 2 nays. Finally, House Bill 906 by Representative Billings, revising presidential nominating petitions and rules for unaffiliated voters in party primaries, was amended and reported favorably; the committee then deferred Senate Bills 218 and 220 to the following week and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Yeah, just so that members know what this amendment does. It does three different things.
• First of all, this bill does not force the federal government to comply nor does it interfere with a
• This bill also does not disparage law enforcement.
• agents, nor does it impede lawful federal action.
• agents, nor does it impede lawful federal action.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill does not mandate nuclear power.
• It does not spend a dollar, and it does not weaken our clean energy goals.
• Very respectfully, I would like to be clear what this bill does and what it does not do.
• It does not ask anyone to take a position, It does not mandate any specific technology.
• What SB 78 does is much similar.

Bills: SB47, SB195, SB196, SB197, SB198, SB78

Keywords: food recovery, composting, waste management, solid waste surcharge, organic waste reduction, environment, grants, advisory group, soil conservation, water resources, training services, outreach programs, environmental protection, animal care, veterinary services, spay and neuter, Las Vegas, community funding, animal welfare, animal shelter

Transcript Highlights:

• sick but seeing none we're just does sick but seeing none we're just does anyone<00:41:31.240>
• I'm just asking, as it's written, I'm not clear that it does, but we could make it clear that it does
• I'm just asking, as it's written, I'm not clear that it does, but we could make it clear that it does
• I'm just asking, as it's written, I'm not clear that it does, but we could make it clear that it does
• I'm just asking, as it's written, I'm not clear that it does, but we could make it clear that it does

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Does this bill do anything to make life more affordable? It does not.
• Does it bring down the cost of health care? It does not. Does it bring down the cost of housing?
• It does not. Does it bring down the cost of groceries? It does not.
• It does not. Does it bring down the cost of health care? It does not.
• Does it bring down the cost of housing? It does not. Does it bring down the cost of groceries?

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder on consent calendars and how bills can be pulled for floor debate or amendment. Members were told that third-read consent bills bypass caucus debate, while caucus consent bills may have committee amendments adopted together unless pulled. The meeting then moved into Minority Caucus Calendar No. 2. A large number of bills were briefly presented, with several members pulling measures from consent or voicing opposition. Topics included appropriations and federal monies accounting (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety center administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning disclosures (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighter workers’ compensation definitions (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), late tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineering and professional licensing reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and mutilation penalties (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting of partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking and fentanyl sentencing changes (HB 2131 and HB 2132), drive-by shooting forfeiture rules (HB 2045), probation review notice changes (HB 2046), venue changes for cases involving court employees (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Members repeatedly criticized several abortion-related bills, the library bill, and the tax and agriculture measures as harmful, unnecessary, or unfunded mandates. The latter part of the meeting focused on water and election legislation. Water bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), water conservation grant disclosures (HB 2029), removal of education/research as an eligible water grant use (HB 2030), stormwater recharge mapping with an appropriation (HB 253), cesspool remediation assistance (HB 2096), groundwater pumping limits in INAs (HB 2097), Colorado River litigation funding (HB 2116), and natural resource conservation board changes (HB 2117). Election-related items included moving the primary date earlier and changing signature cure timelines and observer rules (HB 2022), a memorial urging designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization (HCM 2001), a memorial urging review of CAIR for terrorist designation (HCM 2002), and a constitutional amendment on citizenship, voter ID, foreign contributions, and early voting limits (HCR 2001). Members raised concerns about voter access, anti-Muslim rhetoric, and the practical effects of the election changes. The caucus concluded with birthday acknowledgments and an announcement for Muslim Day at the Capitol before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Bill does not hinder, uh, any type of municipal annexation of growth, but does facilitate accountability
• not do and what it does do.
• It does not hinder annexation. It does not hinder development agreements.
• Is that, does that sound right?
• Does it have to accept? Does it have to receive a piece of paper and that's it. It doesn't.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill does not make nurses doctors. This bill does not expand the scope for APRNs.
• The Board of Nursing does.
• I'm not sure that you told me what it does... What does it do for nurse practitioners?
• It does not change my scope.
• What does this bill keep you from doing, or what does this bill allow you to do, or what does this bill

Bills: SB1888, SB3003, SB2417, SB2459, SB3055, HB1393, HB2884, SB2943

Keywords: grand jury, jury qualifications, jury wheel, small counties, Texas legislation, age verification, obscene devices, online sales, juvenile protection, penalties, antitrust, attorney general, Texas Free Enterprise, business regulations, legal confidentiality, personal identifying information, data brokers, judicial safety, civil rights, data privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe that the lieutenant governor does as well.
• I believe that the lieutenant governor does as well.
• That does not make me less patriotic.
• This bill provides that when a public employee does file a complaint because he or she does see firsthand
• Does it make any distinction? ...requirements from high school? Does it make any distinction?

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several election- and ethics-related bills, along with a block of gubernatorial confirmations. Senate Bill 572, by Senator Harrell, updated ethics statutes so the definition of “relative” would include foster parents and foster children; the Commission on Ethics supported the change as a recommendation, and the bill passed unanimously. Senate Bill 414, by Senator Bracey Davis, would have allowed campaign funds to be used for campaign-related child care expenses, but the sponsor said it lacked the votes to advance and temporarily postponed it. The committee also heard Senate Bill 500, by Senator Avila, which would provide FDLE protective security details for major-party nominees for governor, lieutenant governor, and cabinet offices through the election and transition period. Senators raised questions about definitions, current protections, and public disclosure of travel information; despite some opposition over taxpayer funding, the bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 620, by Senator Mayfield, required candidates to disclose any non-U.S. citizenship when qualifying for office; testimony from a dual citizen criticized the bill as unnecessary and stigmatizing, while supporters framed it as transparency. The bill also passed favorably. Chair Gates then presented CS for SB 92, creating whistleblower-style protections for public employees who file ethics complaints based on firsthand knowledge, including remedies for retaliation; the Commission on Ethics supported it and it passed favorably. The committee also approved a slate of gubernatorial appointments en bloc. Finally, Senate Bill 564, by Senator Yarborough, would allow registered or pre-registered high school students to volunteer at polling places for community service hours; testimony from a supervisor of elections and advocacy groups supported the civics benefit, a senator asked about how it would interact with existing community service requirements, and the bill passed favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• reason does a member rise? reason does a member rise?
• does not require abandoning ethics. does not require abandoning ethics.
• It does not give more parental choice. It does not give more parental choice.
• Does the member yield for a Thank you. Does the member yield for a question?
• reason does a member rise? reason does a member rise?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what does that mean?
• It does.
• It does feel...
• Does your health insurance... Down to your car. Does your car insurance ever go down? No.
• Who does this really benefit?

Bills: HB99, HB49, HB164, SB30, SB43, SB50, SB136

Keywords: medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> What it does not do, it does not take What it does not do, it does not take the<00:10:37.680>
• It does not say how often, does not say where, does not say how much.
• It does not say how often, does not say where, does not say how much.
• It does not say how often, does not say where, does not say how much.
• It does not say how often, does not say where, does not say how much.

Keywords: Consideration of HB 139 -- 00:03:15 Consideration of HB 356 -- 00:08:48, 958, all

Summary: The committee first adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 139, which would allow a political party to replace a candidate who dies or withdraws after the filing deadline but before ballot certification. Representative Decker explained the substitute as a narrow election-related fix, and the bill was then passed by the committee on an 11-yes, 1-pass vote and sent to the full House. The committee then heard House Bill 356, which would move the Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) qualification test from a once-every-four-years, Frankfort-based format to administration through the Kentucky Community and Technical College System at multiple locations and times. Representative Bridges said the Department of Revenue would still write and control the exam, KCTCS would only administer it, the fiscal note was zero, and the change would improve access and convenience without weakening standards. KCTCS said it was prepared to help if directed. Members generally agreed PVAs should be tested, but some raised concerns about test integrity, whether a broader testing network could create uneven conditions, and whether the change should instead use a smaller number of regional test sites. Others supported the bill as a common-sense way to expand access and avoid forcing candidates to wait years after missing a single test date. The committee also discussed the lack of a study guide for the exam and whether that should be addressed separately. No final vote on House Bill 356 is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• What does current RSA say?
• Does that answer your question? That does, and I appreciate it.
• does anybody have a suggestion? does anybody have a suggestion?
• works does not hold an office. works does not hold an office.
• But this bill does not.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill does not both of those things. This bill does not prevent<00:10:29.120> investigation.
• It does not prevent investigation.
• And<00:58:44.680> then<00:58:45.680> does And then does And then does this<00:58:48.000
• anecdotally it does happen quite a bit. anecdotally it does happen quite a bit.
• this bill that does, doesn't it? Yes. this bill that does, doesn't it? Yes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what it does.
• That’s what this bill does.
• Does that answer?
• Well, why does it say it is?
• That's exactly what it does.

Bills: HB165, HB175, HB198, HB272, HB457, HB488, HB566, HB603, HB763, HB902, HB909, HB971, HB981, HB1066, HB1125, HB1154, HB1231

Keywords: HB165, lottery proceeds, Lottery Proceeds Fund, Veterans Service Grant Fund, constitutional amendment, veterans, military veterans, veterans' benefits, veterans services, family support, state lottery, education funding, Minimum Foundation Program, problem gambling, compulsive gaming, state treasurer, ballot proposition, constitutional referendum, lottery revenue, Louisiana resident veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what it does.
• That’s what this bill does.
• Does that answer?
• Well, why does it say it is?
• That's exactly what it does.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on April 27 and first took up House Bill 175 and its companion House Bill 165, both dealing with lottery proceeds for veterans. HB 175 was amended to create a Veterans Service Grant Board within the Department of Veterans Affairs and direct $500,000 annually from Louisiana Lottery net proceeds into a Veterans Service Grant Fund, with unused money returned to the lottery proceeds fund that supports the MFP. Supporters, including the bill sponsor, The Boot Louisiana, LDVA Secretary Charlton McGinley, and Bastion Veterans Organization, argued the grants would help veteran services, workforce placement, mental health, housing, entrepreneurship, and retention of veterans in Louisiana. Members raised concerns about drawing from lottery proceeds that traditionally support education, but the committee adopted amendments and reported HB 175 favorably as amended. HB 165, the constitutional amendment companion, was also amended for technical and ballot-language changes and then reported favorably as amended for voter consideration. The committee then considered House Bill 457, which would authorize the Louisiana Department of Health and the State Fire Marshal to set minimum housing standards for homeless shelters, group homes, and halfway homes. The sponsor said the bill responded to a state auditor recommendation and to unsafe conditions in some facilities; he also explained an amendment changing the Fire Marshal’s duties from mandatory to permissive to reduce fiscal impact and allow agencies flexibility. Some members questioned whether local standards already existed and how enforcement and funding would work, while others supported the need for statewide minimum standards for human housing. The committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 457 favorably as amended. House Bill 488, by Representative Brough, sought to create a Belle Chasse Bridge Merit-Based Special Fund using recurring severance tax revenues from Plaquemines Parish to help buy out the Belle Chasse toll bridge and end what the sponsor described as excessive tolls and fees. He and several local witnesses, including business owners, a YMCA representative, and a parish council member, testified that the tolling arrangement had harmed access, businesses, and quality of life. The committee adopted a technical amendment clarifying the revenue source and then reported HB 488 favorably as amended. House Bill 566, which would prohibit state funds from supporting net-zero greenhouse gas initiatives tied to the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan, drew significant debate over whether it would interfere with agency funding and economic development efforts; the sponsor argued the plan lacked legislative approval and should be repudiated, while members urged caution and suggested hearing from affected agencies. The sponsor agreed to consider deferring the bill, and the committee did not advance it at that time. House Bill 603, a constitutional amendment authorizing investment of state funds in digital assets and precious metals, was discussed as a way to hedge inflation and preserve value; members asked about limits and safeguards, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then began hearing House Bill 763, a transparency measure creating a public database for settlement agreements involving state agencies.