Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Jones, will you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
• Senator<00:06:59.120><c> Jones,</c><00:06:59.520><c> will</c><00:06:59.680><c> you</c><00:06:59.759><c> lead
• 59.919><c> us</c><00:07:00.080><c> in</c><00:07:00.240><c> the</c> &gt;&gt; Senator Jones, will you lead
• us in the &gt;&gt; Senator Jones, will you lead us in the pledge pledge pledge allegiance<00:07:03.199
• </c> enough to carry us to the next ban enough to carry us to the next ban bianium<01:36:22.239><c> budget

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, we can lead the effort to improve the quality of the alerts we receive.
• I lead the San Antonio and the San Angelo Food Banks. We serve 29 counties.
• I lead the San Antonio and the San Angelo Food Banks. We serve 29 counties.
• I have four patents, and I've managed lead manufacturing teams.
• Fast forward to today, Randy continues to operate as our lead incident commander.” “Mr.

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness hearing convened in Kerrville with quorum, public testimony limited to three minutes and invited testimony to 10 minutes. Leaders from both chambers, along with the lieutenant governor and speaker, framed the hearing as an unprecedented joint effort focused on learning from the July 4 flood, honoring victims, and identifying actions to reduce future loss of life. The committee also heard opening remarks about decorum, logistics, and the intent to continue work in future sessions. The first panel included Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, Emergency Management Coordinator William B. Thomas IV, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr., Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, Upper Guadalupe River Authority representative William Rector, Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk, and Real County Judge Bella Rubio. They described the flood as sudden and catastrophic, with Kerr County reporting 108 deaths and two missing. Local officials emphasized that they received no timely warning of the scale of the event, that responders and volunteers acted heroically under extreme conditions, and that communications, cell coverage, and rural emergency resources were strained. Several witnesses said the county’s existing alert systems were limited by geography, sparse broadband, and the speed of the flood. Testimony focused on possible improvements, including real-time flood gauges and predictive monitoring, stronger rural emergency management staffing and training, better interoperability and alerting tools such as IPAWS, CodeRED, WENS, and sirens, and expanded broadband and radio coverage. Kerrville asked for a flood warning system before next summer and state help for stormwater, floodplain, and disaster recovery funding. UGRA described its past and current flood-warning and mitigation efforts, including gauge funding, a new software-based flood prediction project, and consideration of additional retention dams. Kendall and Real counties highlighted successful or needed alerting and evacuation practices, while also stressing the difficulty of funding and maintaining such systems in small rural counties. Members asked detailed questions about the timeline of the flood response, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and whether regional consolidation or additional infrastructure could improve future preparedness.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let’s go through the questions and see where this leads us. Yes, sir.
• It's being piloted at LSU-Ban-Rouge, U.S.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs met on May 11, 2026, approved the April 27 minutes, and then took up several House bills. HB 618, by Rep. McMakin, would update Louisiana Economic Development fees and filing charges by indexing them to inflation and allowing some discretion to waive or reduce fees for small businesses; it was reported favorable. HB 732, by Rep. Owen, drew extensive discussion because it combined two issues: temporary OMV relief for a hospice-related ID problem and a suspension of the new hybrid vehicle road usage fee. Members and the OMV commissioner raised constitutional and drafting concerns about waiving or eliminating obligations, and the committee discussed how newer vehicle classifications blur the line between electric, hybrid, and gas-powered vehicles. The committee ultimately reported HB 732 favorable, with the understanding that amendments and further work would be needed before floor action. The committee also reported favorable on HB 217 and HB 214 by Rep. Henry, which would authorize local governments to grant property tax exemptions for the rehabilitation of blighted property and place the related constitutional amendment before voters. Testimony emphasized that the measure is permissive for local governments, applies only after a property is formally blighted and rehabilitated, and is intended to encourage redevelopment while preserving some tax revenue. Members discussed the exemption level, duration, and the need for clearer definitions of blight, but no objections were raised. HB 593, also by Rep. Henry, would raise the maximum service fee for OMV public tag agent offices statewide; the commissioner explained that many offices are locally operated and that the increase would help cover costs, and the bill was reported favorable. Later, HB 514 and HB 961, by Rep. Foreman, were reported favorable. HB 514 would allow local governments, by referendum, to provide additional property tax relief for seniors who meet income and freeze requirements, with phased age-based eligibility steps; HB 961 would extend a similar concept to certain homesteads held in trust. Members discussed the optional local nature of the program and the need to avoid overly broad rules. HB 908, by Rep. Mina, would increase certain Secretary of State business services fees to support operations and system upgrades; agency officials said the fees had not been comprehensively adjusted since 2013 and remained below regional averages, and the bill was reported favorable. The committee then heard an informational update on the capital outlay bill from the Division of Administration, including the use of bundled projects for universities and DOTD, the status of P1/P2/P5 funding, and available cash capacity. Finally, HB 1010, by Rep. Deshotel, was reported favorable after brief discussion; it would require assessors to report property tax collections to the Louisiana Tax Commission for centralized public reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• that we're trying to create, or the efficiencies that these reports are trying to move us to, and lead
• It's set number 4678, and basically it prohibits rules that ban the use of cell phones in areas of the

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

Committee: House Judiciary

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 first took up House Bill 1165, which was converted into a substitute bill to reorganize the Avoyelles Parish court system by creating two city courts, one for Marksville and one for Bunkie, and expanding their jurisdiction parishwide, including small claims and certain misdemeanor, civil, and juvenile matters. The sponsor and supporting judges said the change would better use existing courts and improve access to justice, while the district attorney opposed it, arguing it would not help the criminal docket, could create staffing and constitutional issues, and needed more study. After questions about voting districts, appellate procedure, and minority vote dilution, the committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard House Bill 1064 creating a domestic violence intervention court pilot program in the 19th Judicial District, with testimony from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and the YWCA describing a specialty court model focused on accountability, victim services, and wraparound support. The bill was reported favorably. House Bill 341, clarifying law enforcement officer rights during administrative investigations, was amended to specify administrative matters and reported with amendments. House Concurrent Resolution 64, as amended, expanded a study of behavioral health courts to include additional parishes and a later reporting deadline, and was reported favorably. House Bill 579, the sexual assault survivor bill of rights, was amended to strengthen notice, confidentiality, and funding provisions and then reported favorably. Later, House Bill 1004, which would have raised the jurisdictional threshold for justice of the peace courts from $5,000 to $7,500, drew significant opposition from city court judges who warned of unintended consequences, including different evidentiary standards, possible attorney-representation issues for entities, and added burdens on district courts. Supporters framed it as an inflation adjustment and access-to-justice measure, but after debate the committee voted 5-11 to defer the bill. House Bill 183, limiting courthouse cell phone bans in fee-payment areas, was amended and then failed on a 7-7 tie with the chair voting no. The committee also reported favorably House Bill 451 on ATC hearing notices, House Bill 541 on micro distillers via substitute, Senate Bill 44 on tactical medical professionals’ firearms, House Resolution 37 honoring veterans who served in Honduras, and House Bill 89 requiring a district attorney office to pay certain retirees’ health premiums from its own funds. Several other bills were voluntarily deferred, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Supreme Court upholds bans on cell cultured food while still allowing universities to conduct research
• And thank you for leading me to my next question.

Bills: HCR65 , HB512 , HB1194 , SCR23 , SB502

Committee: House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development

Keywords: crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2A program, seasonal workforce, Louisiana economy, Healthy Food Retail Act, food access, food deserts, economic opportunity, public health, Louisiana agriculture, community development, fresh food, agriculture, national security, food production, supply chain, security task force, farm labor, Chinese investments

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 23, which would create an Agricultural-based National Security Priorities Task Force to study issues such as Chinese drones, farmland ownership, and other technology-related concerns that could affect farmers and national security. Senator Kathy Stewart said the goal was to avoid unintended consequences in legislation and to bring agriculture stakeholders together. The resolution was moved favorably with no objections. The committee then took up Senate Bill 502 on sugarcane bagasse storage. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the American Sugar Cane League, said the bill would clarify that bagasse is an agricultural byproduct and would protect storage practices that comply with department best practices from local ordinances. Several residents from St. Martin Parish testified in opposition, saying a large bagasse pile near their homes was out of compliance, created dust and odors, and caused health and property-value concerns. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably with no objections. House Bill 512, by Representative Schamerhorn, would prohibit the manufacturing and sale of cell-cultured food products in Louisiana while allowing university research to continue. An amendment was adopted to make the bill effective only if certain federal court rulings allow such a ban. The sponsor and Commissioner Strain argued the issue is still scientifically uncertain and that the state should avoid costly litigation; the bill was reported favorably with amendments after no objections. House Bill 1194, the Healthy Food Retail Act, was amended to shift food-desert research and mapping duties to the LSU AgCenter, while the financing authority would continue handling grants and related funding mechanisms. Supporters said the bill would improve data on food deserts and help target grocery access in underserved urban and rural areas; some members raised concerns about government subsidies and long-term dependence, but the sponsor and Commissioner Strain said the program is intended as infrastructure support to launch stores, not ongoing operating aid. After debate, the bill was reported favorably with amendments by a 10-3 roll call vote. The committee also reported favorably House Concurrent Resolution 65, which urges federal action to reclassify crawfish-industry job duties as agricultural labor for H-2A purposes; testimony emphasized labor shortages, the impact on crawfish and rice producers, and the need for more legal guest workers. The meeting ended with a brief informational handout on direct marketing and custom slaughter plants and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Supreme Court upholds bans on cell cultured food while still allowing universities to conduct research
• And thank you for leading me to my next question.

Bills: HCR65 , HB512 , HB1194 , SCR23 , SB502

Committees: House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development , House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture & Rural Development

Keywords: crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2A program, seasonal workforce, Louisiana economy, Healthy Food Retail Act, food access, food deserts, economic opportunity, public health, Louisiana agriculture, community development, fresh food, agriculture, national security, food production, supply chain, security task force, farm labor, Chinese investments

Transcript Highlights:

• building codes, infrastructure requirements, and environmental protections, while preventing cities from banning
• Truly, the land is what's making affordable housing one of the leading causes of unaffordability.

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• O God, I pray that You lead these representatives and enable them to come together in unity and peace
• dependability, and a few years ago, we made that statement a priority when we passed Senate Bill 4 that banned

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 05:04 Orders of the Day 06:01 HB 143 06:11 HB 164 08:07 HB 314 11:07 HB 398 21:17 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 29:02 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 34:01 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 35:40 ConC/Rules Report 40:15 Floor Amendments 41:15 Adjournment 41:26, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• specifically, but it is primarily private sector growth and then primarily in the construction industry that leads
• I'll go ahead and pass it over to Acting Secretary of Banning Adams. Mr.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm currently a council member with the Confederate tribes and bans of the Acquination. Thank you.
• Last fall, one of these lead researchers told the Wildlife Commission that, I quote, 'predator control

Bills: SB5838 , SB5960 , SB6097

Committee: Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: tribal representation, natural resources, board of natural resources, environmental policy, community involvement, ungulate populations, wildlife management, habitat restoration, conservation, sustainability, Indian tribes, conservation futures program, federal recognition, environmental protection, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had Hurricane Milton in 2024. and you're leading.
• All this no cause a ban.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without Section 5, a city or county could still ban or surcharge those perfectly legal payments, leaving
• We're the number one leading state when it comes to innovation in the space.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 407, which would expand the California Pollution Control Financing Authority. The author said the measure would increase flexibility and access to resources, and the bill was approved 7-0 and sent to the Committee on Local Government. The committee also adopted the consent calendar, which included AB 76, by a 7-0 vote. A lengthy portion of the meeting focused on AB 1065, which would prohibit swipe fees on the sales tax portion of credit card transactions. Supporters, including small business owners, restaurant and grocery representatives, and a payments-policy expert, argued the bill would reduce costs for merchants and consumers and rein in dominant card networks. Opponents, including banks, credit unions, and payment industry groups, argued the bill is likely preempted by federal law, would be difficult to implement, and could disproportionately affect community banks and credit unions. After extensive questioning about preemption, fraud, implementation, and consumer impacts, the committee rejected the bill on a 6-0 vote, but then granted reconsideration by a 7-1 vote. The committee then heard AB 1365, which would create the Cal Account Program, a zero-fee, zero-penalty state banking account for unbanked and underbanked Californians. Supporters said the program would help low-income households, survivors of abuse, and others facing barriers to traditional banking, while opponents from community banks and credit unions argued existing low-cost accounts and the Bank On program already address the need and raised concerns about cost, feasibility, and duplication. The bill advanced on a 6-0 vote and later received enough votes on the reopened roll to move forward to the Committee on Labor and Employment. The committee also approved AB 1052, which would create a legal framework for digital assets and address unclaimed digital property and restrictions on public officials issuing or promoting digital assets, and AB 1180, which would create a pilot program for paying state fees with digital financial assets and require a report on broader adoption. Both bills passed with broad support after brief testimony and discussion. Final roll calls later confirmed AB 1052 and AB 1180, along with AB 407 and AB 1365, were moved out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• In July of 2024, a federal court ruled a federal ban on home distilling unconstitutional, recognizing
• Consumers are often unaware of the terms, conditions, and what is covered under the service contracts, leading

Bills: HB 1301 , HB2278 , HB2776 , HB2820 , HB3848 , HB3920 , HB4172 , HB4215 , HB4284 , HB4285 , HB4463 , HB4517 , HB4690 , HB4765 , HB4766 , HB4767 , HB4768 , HB4769 , HB4773 , HB4830 , HB5506

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Keywords: alcohol, beverages, winery permit, restaurant, malt beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, alcohol production, home brewing, family use, craft beverages, massage therapy, licensing, criminal offenses, sexually oriented businesses, public safety, bingo, charitable gaming, operating capital, regulation, funding

Summary: The Committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedures met with a quorum present, corrected the minutes from April 8, and then took up a long list of pending bills, most of which were reported favorably or left pending after hearing testimony. Early action included HB 1764 (accounting practice for certain out-of-state CPAs), HB 1788 (continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists on recognizing and assisting victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking), HB 2204 (land surveyor regulation), HB 2885 (local option elections on alcohol sales), HB 2996 (gambling offense definitions and prosecution), HB 3250 (real estate appraisals and appraisal management companies), HB 3352 (driver education on work zones), HB 3385 (farm winery permit), HB 3756 (powers of certain nonresident sellers’ permit holders who also hold a winery permit), HB 3816 (cruelty to livestock animals), HB 3913 (real estate licensing), and HB 3928 (electronic notice of towed vehicles), all of which were advanced with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Several of these bills were reported with committee substitutes, and some were also sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars. The committee then heard testimony on HB 2278, which would legalize limited home distilling of spirits for personal or family use and add honey as an approved ingredient; supporters framed it as a consistency and freedom issue, and the bill was left pending. HB 3920, a TDLR workforce/CTE bill, and HB 1301, which would allow beer or malt beverages to be sold at certain wineries with on-site restaurants, were also laid out and left pending after discussion. HB 2776, aimed at tightening massage therapy licensing restrictions for people convicted of sexual and trafficking-related offenses and strengthening TDLR enforcement, and HB 3848, which would allow electronic filing of elevator and escalator inspection reports, were both heard and left pending as well. A major portion of the meeting focused on alcohol-related bills. HB 4215 would place delivery network companies under a statewide TDLR regulatory framework; Favor Delivery supported it, and it was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. HB 4172 and HB 2820 would raise bingo reserve limits and update charitable bingo rules; supporters from veterans and nonprofit groups argued the changes would help charities, but both bills were left pending after the substitutes were withdrawn. HB 4463, a broadly supported bill allowing contract brewing and alternating brewery proprietorships, was also left pending. HB 4284 would remove the “excessive discount” prohibition in alcohol sales, HB 4285 would allow airlines to store alcohol within five miles of an airport in the same county, HB 4517 would create a complaint process for Texas distillers not paid by wholesalers, and HB 4773 would let breweries and brewpubs transport their own beer between facilities; HB 4773 drew the most debate, with supporters citing efficiency and opponents warning about unintended consequences and possible effects on the three-tier system, but it too was left pending. The committee also heard and left pending a series of TDLR cleanup bills and other measures, including HB 4765 through HB 4769, HB 4830 on service contracts for lease vehicles, HB 5506 giving civil immunity to ringside physicians at combative sports events, and HB 4690 on gasoline vapor pressure compliance. The meeting ended after all business was completed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• that they they don't feel threatened and outside interest groups to use, as we're asking for a total ban
• We hope it's the beginning, the conversation that that may lead to some cleanup of areas in need to be

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the current code also does not ban other states or other places in the U.S. from shipping remains

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee opened with brief remarks thanking page Hazel for her service, followed by Hazel describing her experience and future plans to study criminal justice and eventually attend law school. The committee then approved the minutes from March 9, March 13, and March 18, 2026, and voted to send RS 33803 to print. Senator Phil Hart presented RS 33816, a rules resolution from the Senate Resources and Environment Committee covering administrative rules for several agencies, including Fish and Game, Lands, Occupational and Professional Licenses, Parks and Recreation, Water Resources, and Environmental Quality. He noted that most rules were approved, with exceptions involving parks and recreation administration, groundwater quality, and a drinking water rule to be approved at sine die. The committee voted to send RS 33816 to print. The committee then heard House Bill 856, sponsored by Senator Tammy Nichols and Representative Heather Scott, which would close a loophole in Idaho law allowing the sale or trade of dry human remains and would increase the penalty from a misdemeanor to a felony. Supporters, including the Idaho Association of Counties and Terry Durden of the Idaho Sheriffs Association, said the bill was developed with input from law enforcement, coroners, universities, and medical institutions and included exemptions for legitimate educational, medical, and investigative uses. After testimony and discussion, the committee voted to send HB 856 to the floor with a due pass recommendation and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the current code also does not ban other states or other places in the U.S. from shipping remains

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor Hobbs signed the Ban Act in 2025; that was SB 1082, outlining clear criteria for land purchases

Committee: House House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee took up two bills. SB 1075 would create a foreign entity review commission and bar the conveyance, sale, lease, or sublease of state land to hostile foreign entities without commission approval, with penalties for violations. Supporters said it was needed to protect land and critical infrastructure from foreign ownership, while opponents argued it duplicated existing safeguards and could burden lawful property transactions. The bill passed on a 5-4 vote, with one member absent. The committee then heard SB 1280, which would prohibit the Arizona Game and Fish Commission from transporting Mexican gray wolf pups into Arizona or using public funds or resources for that purpose. The sponsor and supporters said the state should not spend money importing wolves and argued the population had already reached recovery goals, while opponents from Sierra Club and Humane World for Animals said the bill would undermine science-based recovery efforts and genetic diversity for a highly endangered species. Members debated wolf recovery numbers, population status, and potential impacts on ranchers and public safety. After public testimony and member discussion, the committee voted SB 1280 out with a do pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote, with one member absent. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor Hobbs signed the Ban Act in 2025, that was SB 1082, outlining clear criteria for land purchases

Bills: SB1075 , SB1144 , SB1280

Committee: House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Keywords: foreign ownership, land sales, review commission, national security, property rights, veterinary technicians, certification, education alternative, Arizona Revised Statutes, veterinary education, Mexican gray wolf, Mexican wolf, Mexican gray wolf puppies, Arizona Game and Fish Commission, Arizona Game and Fish Department, endangered species, wolf reintroduction, wolf translocation, cross-fostering, wildlife management

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Banning. Declare the vote: ten aye, three nay.

Summary: The committee considered several insurance, licensing, and workforce bills, often adopting PCRs/PCSs and, in some cases, striking title while continuing to work on language. HB 3127, as amended, would allow employers to adopt zero-tolerance drug policies while retaining existing safety-sensitive position provisions; it passed 11-3. HB 4488, the “right to appraisal” bill for motor vehicle insurance claims, passed 14-0 after questions about appraiser competency and certification. HB 2955, updating the Oklahoma Captive Insurance Company Act in coordination with the Insurance Department and the Captive Insurance Association, passed 13-1. The committee also advanced HB 3781, a homeowners insurance transparency measure that would move the state from a “use and file” to a “file and use” system and give the insurance commissioner more authority to review rates; members and the chair emphasized the bill was still being refined, but it passed 10-3. HB 3783, a plumbing workforce bill, was amended to allow candidates to take the exam earlier after completing training, with the license held until work requirements are met; after discussion about training hours and workforce benefits, it passed 14-1. HB 3802, a constituent-request bill to prevent a widow’s auto insurance from increasing until renewal, passed 15-0. Chairman Hill then laid over HB 2471, a bill concerning the Workforce Commission, saying recent discussions had resolved concerns and that further work was preferable to a “knee-jerk” reaction. The meeting ended with Leader Lawson praising Chairman Hill’s service and leadership before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB248 bans the intentional release of weather modifying chemicals for Alabama.

Bills: HB248 , HB311

Committees: House Tourism , House Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: weather modification, atmospheric pollution, chemical dispersion, environmental law, public health, improvement districts, assessment collection, property taxes, local governance, foreclosure procedures, 1136, house, all