Transcript Highlights:

• Part of that House committee substitute is stripping back the House bill's numbers to 3097, which was
• I now move that the House committee substitute for House Bills 1882 and 3097 be voted due pass.
• I now move that the House committee substitute for House Bills 1882 and 3097 be voted due pass.
• By your vote of 15 aye, the House committee substitute for House Bills 1882 and 3097 is due pass.
• House committee substitute for House Bills 1882 and 3097 due pass.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I now move the House Committee substitute for House Bill 2017 be voted do pass.
• You voted on House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2017.
• “House Bill 2019.
• By your vote of 29 aye, you have adopted House Bill 2019, House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2019
• By your vote of 28-0-0, you have voted House Bill, House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2020, do

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I now move that House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1962 be voted do pass. Any discussion?
• House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1962, be voted do pass. Any discussion?
• I now move that House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2371 be voted do pass. Any discussion?
• House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2371 be voted do pass. Any discussion.
• By your vote of 16 noes, you have voted House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2371 do pass.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next on the agenda, finally on the agenda for today, House File 729, Representative Noor.
• And as Chair Noor makes his way to the testifying table, he moves that House File 729 be re-referred
• As a reminder, House File 3520 was adopted in March 4th.
• The DE2 amendment as amended is adopted, and then Chair Noor renews his motion that House File 729 as
• The motion passes, and House File sign.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 729, an omnibus policy bill, and walked through a series of amendments before moving the bill forward. Early amendments addressed adult maltreatment accountability, senior nutrition flexibility, MA provider enrollment and fraud prevention, Direct Care and Treatment data and staffing provisions, disability and aging policy changes, technical corrections from DHS, behavioral health language, and MDH policy updates. Most amendments were adopted without public opposition, and several members and testifiers described them as clarifications or technical fixes to existing policy. Testimony focused on the practical effects of the bill’s provisions. Direct Care and Treatment representatives said the changes would help with data sharing, governance, staffing, patient care, and longer return stays for certain patients. Several witnesses from the substance use disorder and health care provider community supported changes to discharge summary deadlines and claims recoupment rules, arguing that business-day timelines and limits on late clawbacks would reduce administrative burden and financial uncertainty. A disability advocate also urged passage of the bill, saying services for people with disabilities were at risk if it did not advance. After public testimony and member discussion, the committee adopted the DE2 amendment as amended and then approved the bill as amended. Chair Noor renewed the motion to re-refer House File 729 to the Committee on Ways and Means, and that motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Johnson: Uh, I will renew my motion, House File 495, be laid over for possible inclusion
• Representative Johnson: Uh, I will renew my motion, House File 495, be laid over for possible inclusion

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard presentation on HF 495, a bill intended to help families with rising child care costs by allowing a subtraction from taxable income for licensed child care expenses. The author said the measure would provide immediate relief to families while broader child care supply and affordability problems are addressed, citing a revenue analysis estimating about 81,700 returns affected and an average tax decrease of $639. The bill was described as applying only to licensed child care centers, family child care, or group family child care under chapter 142B. A virtual testifier, Annel Velasco of St. Paul, opposed the bill. She said child care is indeed expensive but argued the proposal is only a small patch that does not address structural problems such as provider closures, low teacher pay, and lack of available slots. She also said the subtraction would disproportionately benefit higher-income families and would not help providers or teachers. Members debated whether the bill should be more targeted. Representative Smith and Representative Lee argued the proposal is uncapped, expensive, and structured as a subtraction rather than a refundable credit, meaning it would mainly help higher-income households and could divert resources from other credits such as the working family tax credit or child tax credit. Representative Swedzinski supported the bill as allowing families to keep their own money and said child care costs are high across income levels. Chair Gomez and others emphasized that the child care system has broader structural failures, including low pay and lack of slots, and said this bill would address only one part of the problem. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to welcome everyone to the March 26th meeting of the House Committee on Agriculture.
• Next up, we have House Bill 370. I'm staff. Thank you, Vice Chairman.
• Now our last and final bill, it's House Bill 847. Thank you.
• Now our last and final bill, it's House Bill 847. Ms.
• I already ran the auction bills, so that one's already out of the House.

Committee: House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture & Rural Development

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum, adopted the prior meeting minutes, and heard a series of agriculture-related bills, most of them sponsored by Representative Domain or Chairwoman Butler. The first major bill, HB 121, would expand the Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s authority over imported seafood by allowing its inspectors, in addition to the Department of Health, to seize and destroy adulterated seafood already under stop order. Representative Domain and Commissioner Strain framed the bill as a seafood-safety and anti-fraud measure aimed at protecting Louisiana shrimpers from tainted imports and bad actors. Members asked about cost, testing rates, countries of origin, and whether the bill would affect imported shrimp prices; the commissioner said it would not raise consumer prices and that Louisiana’s testing is focused at retail rather than ports. HB 121 was reported favorably with no objections. The committee then considered HB 725, which requires restaurants/retailers to retain invoices from imported seafood vendors for six months. After a technical amendment changing the bill’s one-liner from “restaurants” to “retailers,” the bill was explained as a recordkeeping tool to help auditors verify country-of-origin and labeling compliance without costly product testing. It was reported favorably with amendments. The committee also heard a bill reducing the required number of annual meetings for the Agriculture Finance Authority from four to two; Commissioner Strain said the change would streamline operations when there is no business to conduct, and it was reported favorably. Next, the committee took up HB 344 and HB 370 dealing with the Grain and Cotton Indemnity Fund. HB 344 raises the fund’s balance thresholds for suspending and restarting assessments, while HB 370 increases the assessment rate on agricultural commodities to replenish the fund more quickly. Commissioner Strain described recent large losses from grain broker bankruptcies, including Hansen-Mueller, and explained that the fund has been paying farmers but needs a larger balance to handle future defaults. Members discussed the risks posed by brokers, the adequacy of bonding, and the need to protect farmers and rural communities; both bills were reported favorably. The committee also advanced HB 367, aligning Structural Pest Control Commission hearing notices with the Administrative Procedure Act, and HB 847, which modernizes Soil and Water Conservation district supervisor elections by shifting administration to the Secretary of State and updating petition and ballot procedures after a crowded, ballot-short election. Finally, HB 505 streamlined certification and renewal rules for commercial applicators, pesticide salespersons, and agricultural consultants, including a technical amendment to keep unexpended pesticide-fund money in the fund; it too was reported favorably with amendments. After the bills, Commissioner Strain gave a lengthy update on the state of agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture. He highlighted continued pressure on shrimp from low-cost imports, currency shifts, and inadequate domestic marketing and cold storage, as well as ongoing seafood labeling enforcement and testing. He also discussed feral swine damage, drought and wildfire concerns, fertilizer and diesel cost increases, crop acreage trends, and export efforts for rice and timber, including Louisiana wood pellets used in the United Kingdom. LSU Ag Center Dean Matt Lee followed with a presentation on the center’s research and extension work, emphasizing its statewide network, high research ranking, and the economic return from agricultural science, especially in sugarcane variety development. He said LSU Ag Center research has helped Louisiana maintain strong sugar production and supports producers across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 357 simply fixes that.
• So House Bill 357 does not So House Bill 357 does not achieve that goal in any way.
• We had House Bill 198. We had House Bill 863, both attempting the exact same things here.
• In 2025, we had House Bill 117, which has now been resurrected today as House Bill 357.
• Now, at first glance, House Bill 357 sounds reasonable.

Committee: House Labor & Industrial Relations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 680 by Representative Weibel, which would modernize Louisiana’s workforce development system by consolidating strategy and administrative functions at the state level while preserving local input. After adopting two sets of technical amendments and a larger amendment package that added a transition advisory team, consultation requirements with local workforce partners, and other planning and governance changes, the committee heard extensive testimony from the author, the Secretary of Louisiana Works, parish and local workforce representatives, and a witness from Utah describing that state’s consolidation experience. Supporters said the bill would reduce overhead, direct more money to training and services, improve coordination, and better align workforce programs with regional labor needs, while several members pressed for assurances that local boards, parishes, cities, and small businesses would remain involved. The committee ultimately adopted the amendments and reported HB 680 favorably with amendments. The committee then heard House Bill 780 by Representative Furman, a workers’ compensation bill aimed at reducing litigation and speeding dispute resolution. After adopting technical amendments and a separate amendment set allowing authorized agents or attorneys to prepare certain notices, members also adopted a committee amendment deleting a statutory definition of “arbitrary and capricious” after concerns were raised that the language could create confusion or conflict with existing jurisprudence. The author and supporting attorneys argued the bill would restore an expedited preliminary determination process, create a single standard for attorney fees, and reduce costs for employers by limiting unnecessary litigation and delays. They said the changes would not affect an injured worker’s choice of physician or existing penalty provisions, and that the bill mainly addressed notice and dispute procedures. Opponents, including attorneys representing injured workers, argued the bill would make it harder for workers to recover penalties and attorney’s fees when benefits are delayed or denied, and said the new standard could favor insurers that are understaffed or slow to process claims. They also criticized the shift from reasonableness to a more restrictive standard and raised concerns about delayed payments and the lack of transparency around defense costs. After hearing testimony from both sides, the committee continued discussion of the bill with these issues still under consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then on the 17th and 18th, the House Transportation Committee and the Senate Transportation Committee
• No public comments were received either at the port meeting or at the House and Senate Transportation
• And then on the 17th and 18th, the House Transportation, it would affect them.
• And then on the 17th and 18th, the House Transportation Committee and the Senate Transportation Committee
• No public comments were received either at the port meeting or at the House and Senate Transportation

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Louisiana Transportation Authority met on March 26 with a quorum present and approved the September 10, 2025 minutes. The main item was the Cameron Ferry privatization proposal from Labmar Ferry Services. Staff explained the ferry’s current operational problems, including reliability issues with the aging Cameron No. 2 vessel, limited backup capacity, and staffing challenges. They also reviewed the competitive solicitation process that followed Labmar’s unsolicited proposal, noting that Labmar was the only proposer and that local entities, including the Cameron Parish Police Jury and Cameron Port Harbor and Terminal District, had no objection to the concept. Staff and counsel outlined the statutory public-purpose factors the board had to consider and described the scope of a potential agreement, which would cover vessel operations, maintenance, facilities, communications, dry docking, and emergency response. Board members praised DOTD staff and the Cameron ferry workers for their long service and emphasized the need for more reliable service and better contingency planning. Senator Abraham asked procedural questions about the unsolicited proposal and the solicitation process. The board first voted that the privatization proposal would serve a public purpose, then voted to approve the proposal contingent on execution of a comprehensive agreement; both motions passed without objection. The meeting also covered next steps. DOTD said negotiations would continue through spring and early summer, with a possible transition to Labmar in late summer 2026 if an agreement and funding are secured. Staff reported that two new hybrid ferries, the Holly Beach and the Cameron, are expected in May and August 2026, and that temporary docking and site improvements are underway. A feasibility study for terminal expansion estimated costs between $30 million and $50 million, with permitting and design likely taking at least a year and a half to two years. Members discussed the need for a multi-year funding plan, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee meeting opened with housekeeping items, including welcoming several new members and staff, noting departures from the committee, and adopting minutes from multiple prior 2025 meetings. A roll call established a quorum, and the minutes for April 24, April 30, May 15, May 22, May 29, and June 4 were approved without objection. The first substantive item on the agenda was HB 892 by Representative Hilferty. The chair explained the agenda order had been adjusted because some participants needed to leave early. Representative Hilferty then began introducing the bill, though the transcript cuts off before the bill’s substance or any testimony is fully presented. No votes on legislation are recorded in the excerpt beyond the approval of the prior meeting minutes. The meeting appears to have been in its opening stages when the transcript ended.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Keywords: 926, house, all

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ortega, from the Labor and Employment Committee to the Health Committee; AB 2238, Rubio, from the Housing
• Ortega, from the Labor and Employment Committee to the Health Committee; AB 2238, Rubio, from the Housing
• Clerk will read: House Resolution 90 by Assembly Member Gabriel, relative to No Ruz.
• House Resolution 94 by Assembly Member Kaloza, relative to Major League Baseball Opening Day 2026.
• This House stands adjourned for spring recess until Monday, April 6th, at 1 p.m. We are adjourned.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, everybody, a little house cleaning. Please silence your cell phones.
• I'd like to make the motion to voluntarily defer House Bill 20. Any objection?
• For House Bill 20, any objection?
• Not seeing any objection, we will report House Bill 20 is voluntarily deferred.
• House Bill 42 by Chairman Bacala, relative to the Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana.

Committee: House Retirement

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All those in favor of adopting House Committee Amendment No. 1, signify by saying aye. Aye.
• I now move that House Committee...
• I now move that the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2762, 2816, and 2402 be voted do pass.
• Your vote of 16 ayes and three noes, you have voted the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2762
• And three noes, you have voted the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2762, 2816, and 2402 do

Committee: House Utilities

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will come to order. Gentleman from Webster. The House will come to order.
• House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1718.
• House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2035 and 235.301. And House Bill 2547.
• House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1718.
• House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2035 and 235.301. And House Bill 2547.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House first established a quorum after a quorum call and welcomed special guests, including the Freedom of the Road motorcycle riders and students from Warsaw High School. It then took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1855, a reporting bill on Alpha-Gal syndrome. The bill sponsor described the condition as a serious tick-borne allergy that has affected his family and many Missourians, arguing that Missouri needs mandatory reporting and surveillance data to identify hotspots, guide public health outreach, and support research and funding. Supporters from both parties said the bill would improve awareness and data collection, while one member raised concerns about the fiscal note and whether the state would get useful information for the cost. The chamber adopted Amendment 1 to HB 1855, changing the follow-up language from “may” to “shall,” but rejected Amendment 2, which would have required patient consent before lab results were reported into the surveillance system. Opponents of the consent amendment said it would undermine disease surveillance and set a bad precedent for other reportable conditions; supporters argued for privacy and individual choice. After debate, the House adopted the committee substitute as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. The House then considered House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2230 and 2978, a K-5 education measure addressing screen time, cursive, and handwriting. The sponsor said the bill responds to research and parent/teacher concerns about excessive screen use, poor literacy outcomes, and mental health effects, and would create a state focus group to review evidence and make recommendations while leaving districts flexibility. Members discussed carve-outs for special education, English language learners, and virtual school, and adopted an amendment excluding the virtual school program. The House then adopted the substitute as amended and ordered it perfected and printed. Finally, the House took up House Bill 2355, the “Food is Medicine” initiative, which would allow Missouri to use federal funds through 1115 waivers for pilot programs such as medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, nutrition education, and related supports. Supporters said the program could improve health outcomes, reduce Medicaid spending, and help address food deserts. An amendment adding vitamin therapies and updating a date drew discussion over supplement safety and regulation, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote on that amendment or the bill itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we will now move to House Bill 3496, sponsored by Representative Reedy.
• I'm presenting House Bill 3496 for the record. I'm Rodger Reedy.
• Seeing none, the next person in favor of House Bill 3496, please come forward.
• Is there anyone here for informational purposes only on House Bill 3496?
• Is there anyone here for informational purposes only on House Bill 3496?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Local Government heard testimony on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 975, which dealt with community paramedic/mobile integrated health services and related jurisdictional issues. Supporters, including representatives from Caldwell County Ambulance, Osage Ambulance District, and Cox Health EMS, described community paramedic programs as effective in rural and regional care, reducing Medicaid costs, helping frequent ER users, supporting early hospital discharges, and filling gaps in underserved areas. A representative of the Missouri State Council of Firefighters opposed the jurisdictional changes added in the Senate, saying the organization supported the underlying bill but wanted the community paramedic language clarified so services could continue without conflict between service areas. Committee members asked about MOUs, service-area boundaries, and whether the Senate amendment was necessary, but no vote was taken and testimony was closed. The committee then took up House Bill 3496, sponsored by Representative Reedy, which would update county official salary schedules and assessed valuation ranges that have been in place for about 45 years. Reedy and Missouri Association of Counties Executive Director Steve Hobbs said the bill was the product of a multi-year task force effort and was intended to preserve local control while modernizing minimum salary schedules to reflect current county valuations and economic conditions. Members discussed how the bill would interact with existing salary-setting practices, annual training requirements, and prior legislation, and noted concerns about public misunderstanding when county commissions set salaries above the base schedule. Support for HB 3496 came from the Missouri Association of Counties and Warren County Presiding Commissioner Joe Gildon, who said he approved of the bill. There was no opposition or informational testimony on HB 3496, and the chair closed the public hearing and adjourned the meeting after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• for House Bills 2163 and 2574.
• I now move that House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2163 and 2574 be voted due pass.
• By your vote of nine ayes and zero noes, you voted House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2163 and
• I'm not bringing it back to my house, okay?
• I'm not bringing it back to my house. Okay?

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the House says, amen.
• He was a House member.
• Next order of business will be House Bills for perfection. House Bill 1772 through House Bill 1715.
• House Bill 1772 through House Bill 1740 will move to the informal calendar.
• House bill, House Committee said for House Bill 2944 as amended. Gentleman from Green.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 40th day by a roll call vote of 122-1. The chamber then spent a long period on points of personal privilege and introductions, including tributes to Scott Bell and the late Ernie Dempsey, recognition of numerous student, civic, and advocacy groups visiting for Child Advocacy Day, and several special guests and pages for the day. The main floor business centered on House Bill 3239, which would make the Missouri Workforce Diploma Program permanent and move it into the MoCAP framework with a $4 million annual cap and continued pay-for-performance funding. Supporters said it helps adults complete high school, especially women and parents who need flexible online access, while opponents argued the state should not divert foundation formula money from K-12 students and questioned the program’s cost and structure. An amendment to add college admissions and financial aid task force language failed 55-82, then the previous question was ordered 88-42, and the bill was perfected and printed. The House also took up House Bill 1768/2016, which would prevent county assessors from reclassifying single-family short-term rental homes from residential to commercial for tax purposes. Supporters framed it as a property rights and tax relief measure for homeowners and small investors, while some members raised concerns about LLCs, commercial use, and local control; the bill was perfected and printed. House Bill 2944, dealing with the senior property tax freeze, was also amended and perfected and printed; it would simplify the application process, make the freeze easier to maintain, clarify that it applies across taxing districts, and add notice requirements for changes in eligibility. An attempted Jackson amendment was ruled out of order as previously amended material.

Transcript Highlights:

• I now make a motion to vote do pass House Committee substitute for House Bill 2957.
• I now make a motion to vote do pass House Committee substitute for House Bill 2957.
• You voted do pass House Bill 2957.
• We will now skip down to House Bill 2897. Make a motion to do pass House Bill 2897. Any discussion?
• You voted do pass House Bill 2897. No further business. You voted do pass House Bill 2897.

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Keywords: 959, house, all