Transcript Highlights:

• Just as a reminder, House Bill 2660 is the bill that authorizes the court to order a parent to comply
• with conditions necessary to maintain the safety of a child who's under age five in the home if the court
• So the underlying bill authorizes the court to order these conditions at a shelter care hearing, which
• Ortiz-Self: ...that the least restrictive conditions were met, and that they wanted to make sure that the judge

Bills: HB2200 , HB2468 , HB2660

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: developmental disabilities, residential settings, data access, safety, stability, terminology correction, social services, healthcare, regulatory compliance, department reorganization, child welfare, court authority, shelter care, family law, court conditions

Transcript Highlights:

• local probation, which is often ordered by a district court, or a period of community custody.
• And a federal judge said it was flat out wrong. Three words: flat out wrong.
• It was court-ordered, and I felt a little bit of peace of mind.
• The judge looked at my stalker and he said, 'This cannot happen again.'
• The judge looked at my stalker and he said, this cannot happen again.

Bills: SB5979 , SB6308 , SB6319

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: opioids, substance abuse, dependent children, child welfare, caregiver substance use, court orders, shelter care, judicial discretion, family law, early childhood, family services, diversion programs, court-ordered assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• In their 2025 report, one of the recommendations is that DCYF should engage judicial officers, court
• You talk about the three branches of government, didn't talk too much about the courts, what the courts
• The court cannot order services for the parents at that time, so a parent will have to be willing to
• But the court, once again, still cannot order that parent to participate in services.
• But the court, once again, still cannot order that parent to participate in services.

Bills: SB5979 , SB6308 , SB6319

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: opioids, substance abuse, dependent children, child welfare, caregiver substance use, court orders, shelter care, judicial discretion, family law, early childhood, family services, diversion programs, court-ordered assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• parish.
• as the southern part of the parish.
• Academics up to the same level in the northern part of the parish as the southern part of the parish.
• I think there are over five in the parish.
• Well, they would have to go to court. Okay, that would be through the court system. Okay.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1079 by Rep. Boudreaux, which would allow charter schools to give enrollment preference to children who attended a licensed early learning center operated by the charter school or under an articulation agreement. An amendment expanded the preference to include children of active-duty military members, foster children, and children in court-ordered custody situations, and a second amendment clarified that the preference is permissive. Supporters said the bill would improve continuity from preschool to kindergarten and encourage more early learning centers. The committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 1079 as amended. The committee then took up HB 737 by Vice Chair Amedee, which would remove the state requirement that students show proof of meningococcal vaccination for school or post-secondary entry. The author argued the bill aligns state law with updated CDC guidance and preserves parental choice and physician consultation, while opponents, including pediatricians, public health advocates, and meningitis survivors, warned that removing the requirement would lower vaccination rates and increase the risk of severe illness or death. After extensive testimony and questions, the committee voted 4-8 against the motion to report the bill, so HB 737 failed. Next, the committee considered HB 628 by Rep. Landry, as substituted, to allow school boards and the Department of Education to work with licensed early learning centers to operate micro centers at schools, including dual licensing at one location. Supporters said it would expand access for three-year-olds, improve school readiness, and help families and the workforce. The substitute was adopted, and the bill was reported by substitute without objection. Finally, the committee heard HB 1008 by Rep. Owen, which would prohibit public post-secondary institutions from retaliating against faculty for disclosing certain violations or exercising academic freedom and free speech. The author and a professor witness said the bill would protect open inquiry and reduce self-censorship in higher education. The committee adopted two amendments to clarify academic freedom and tighten remedies; the transcript cuts off before any final vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the court has to evaluate that.
• There’s a difference in my cattle parish and Ascension Parish.
• Once the judge hears the complaint, then the judge will make a determination.
• Because the employer under this bill has to go to court, file a motion, get an order from a judge saying
• Supreme Court has reportedly struck down.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 162, which would change the workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule appeals process by allowing additional medical evidence submitted in court to be sent back to the medical director for review and a new opinion. The Attorney General’s office explained the bill, noting a 30-day deadline for the medical director to act before the case returns to court. The bill drew support from injured workers and several business and labor groups, and the committee adopted technical amendments and then reported the bill favorably without objection. House Bill 353, which would establish a state minimum wage starting at $12 in 2027, rising to $15 in 2029 and then indexed to inflation, prompted extensive testimony and debate. Supporters, including the sponsor, Invest in Louisiana, the Workplace Justice Project, 10,000 Women Louisiana, and the AFL-CIO, argued that Louisiana’s wages have lagged behind living costs, that many workers remain in poverty despite working, and that higher wages would help families and local economies. Opponents, including NFIB and several members, argued that the market is already setting wages above the federal minimum in many jobs, that a mandate would raise costs, compress pay scales, reduce hours or jobs, and hurt small businesses. After discussion, the committee voted on the bill and it failed on a roll call vote. The committee then reported Senate Bill 383 favorably with amendments. That bill expands the incumbent worker training program by increasing funding flexibility, shortening the business eligibility period from three years to two, and allowing unobligated funds to roll over. Members and the Louisiana Works secretary discussed workforce training, outreach, and how to connect workers to existing training programs and high-demand jobs. The committee also reported Senate Bill 382 favorably, which repeals the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, and began hearing House Bill 422, the “Behind-the-Counter Safety Act,” aimed at workplace violence protections for retail and food service workers, including signage, reporting, and enhanced penalties; the sponsor explained it was intended to address attacks on frontline workers and to give businesses a tool to warn against violence.

Transcript Highlights:

• Becknell and seconded by Judge Shoals. Is there any discussion? Any opposition?
• I am respectfully asking the court to reduce the length of the penalty.
• Point five, I respectfully ask the court to reduce the length of the revocation or send the case back
• regarding the permittee's continued aggressive and defiant behavior during booking at the Jefferson Parish
• regarding the permittee's continued aggressive and defiant behavior during booking at the Jefferson Parish

Summary: The Louisiana Gaming Control Board met on January 15, 2026, and first approved the minutes from its December 18, 2025 meeting. Staff then reported strong December gaming revenues across riverboats, Caesars New Orleans, racetrack slots, video gaming, sports wagering, and daily fantasy sports, with several categories showing month-over-month and year-over-year increases. Board members noted the overall growth in the industry and did not raise questions on the revenue report. The board next approved a temporary certificate of compliance extension for Bally’s Shreveport Casino and Hotel. Officials said most life-safety deficiencies from the annual inspection had been corrected, and the remaining issue involved the emergency generator, which had recently been repaired and tested successfully, though a final verification inspection was still pending. The temporary certificate was extended through February 28, 2026. The board also approved a $1,500 settlement with MPL Enterprises for late submission of required annual forms and fees. In the final agenda item, the board heard an appeal from Thomas Rasko challenging the revocation of his non-key gaming employee permit. Rasko acknowledged the underlying violation and asked for a shorter penalty, while the Division argued his conduct during an arrest showed he lacked the suitability required for gaming participation. The board voted to affirm the hearing officer’s decision, revoking his permit and finding him unsuitable to participate in Louisiana’s gaming industry, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Becknell and seconded by Judge Shoals. Is there any discussion? Any opposition?
• I am respectfully asking the court to reduce the length of the penalty.
• Point five, I respectfully ask the court to reduce the length of the revocation or send the case back
• regarding the permittee's continued aggressive and defiant behavior during booking at the Jefferson Parish
• regarding the permittee's continued aggressive and defiant behavior during booking at the Jefferson Parish

Summary: The Louisiana Gaming Control Board met on January 15, 2026, approved the December 18, 2025 minutes, and received a revenue report showing continued growth across several gaming sectors. State police reported December riverboat AGR of $167.8 million, Caesars New Orleans revenue of $283,602, racetrack slot AGR of $26.9 million, video gaming net device revenue of $67.1 million, retail and mobile sports wagering totals of $24.7 million and $373 million respectively, and daily fantasy sports gross revenue of about $4.8 million. The board noted increases in year-to-date revenues and fees in multiple categories, including the impact of Bally’s Baton Rouge landside opening and gains in the Shreveport-Bossier and Lake Charles markets. The board then approved a second temporary certificate of compliance for Bally’s Shreveport Casino and Hotel through February 28, 2026. AVS and the Attorney General’s office reported that most life-safety deficiencies had been corrected, including repair and successful testing of the emergency generator system, but a final verification blackout drill still needed to be completed. The extension was granted to allow AVS to complete that inspection. The board also approved a $1,500 settlement with MPL Enterprises, Inc. for late filing of annual forms and fees required for its Type 6 video draw poker license. In the final item, the board heard Thomas Rasko’s appeal of a revocation decision involving his non-key gaming employee permit. After argument from both Rasko and the Division, the board voted to affirm the hearing officer’s decision, revoking the permit and finding him unsuitable to participate in Louisiana’s gaming industry. The meeting then adjourned.

Bills: HB355 , HB437 , HB1631

Committee: House S/C on Juvenile Justice

Keywords: juvenile justice, custody, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, detention, legal framework, sex classification, safety, detention facilities, biological sex, juvenile detention, family court, detention orders, Texas juvenile justice, child welfare, court proceedings, detention studies

Transcript Highlights:

• Right, this has to do with making the option for a waiver of fines and fees by a judge to someone who's
• The court clerks do not want to end up being put in the place of being the ones to determine whether
• And then there's a court order stating as such.
• You've actually punished them prior to their day in court. Am I missing that?
• I think the court would sort that out in the evidence that they look at.

Bills: SB1450 , SB1458 , SB1232 , SB1238 , SB1325 , SB1209 , SB1362 , SB2072 , SB1451 , SB1540 , SB1581 , SB1535 , SB1266 , SB1927 , SB1460 , SB2084 , SB2182

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: criminal court costs, court fees, fines, assessments, waiver, ability to pay, indigent defendants, post-release relief, probation compliance, parole, deferred sentence, suspended sentence, restitution, child support, municipal court, district court, criminal justice reform, court debt, legal financial obligations, fee waiver

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it going to be the courts? Who does the monitoring?
• Half the time we do stuff that just has no way of being implemented by the court system.
• And the most chilling story that I heard was a judge who typically would always call the sheriff, Thank
• And the most chilling story that I heard was a judge who typically would always call the sheriff, ...
• orders visitation, comma, the court.

Bills: SB137 , SB504 , SB1213 , SB1216 , SB1221 , SB1224 , SB1232 , SB1238 , SB1255 , SB1256 , SB1258 , SB1264 , SB1266 , SB1325 , SB1441 , SB1448 , SB1450 , SB1460 , SB1496 , SB1543 , SB1589 , SB1597 , SB1621 , SB1655 , SB1679 , SB1687 , SB1716 , SB1730 , SB1733 , SB1769 , SB1921 , SB1932 , SB1936 , SB1980 , SB2011 , SB2030 , SB2084 , SB2112 , SB2170 , SB2182

Committee: House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight

Keywords: electronic monitoring, Department of Corrections, criminal justice, rehabilitation, public safety, SB504, marriage, child marriage, minor marriage, age of consent, minimum marriage age, underage marriage, teen marriage, parental consent, judicial approval, marriage license, Oklahoma Title 43, family law, juvenile justice, Department of Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, there have been different courts that have routinely applied.
• What am I going to say to me in the court? Oh, she's here. OK.
• It grants registry access to judges.
• Because it allows judges, courts, litigants, pro se, and attorneys to check, even interstate? Yes.
• So if you filed it in court, it would say, no, I'll go to arbitration.

Bills: HB4922 , HB4713 , HB4256 , HB872 , HB1571 , HB4266 , HB4559 , SB251 , SB441 , SB1719

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: healthcare liability, emergency medical care, standard of proof, negligence, legal reforms, Texas General Arbitration Act, arbitration, binding arbitration, statute of limitations, limitations period, tolling, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Section 16.073, alternative dispute resolution, ADR, civil procedure, lawsuit filing, court jurisdiction, Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence, procedural law

Transcript Highlights:

• It can be different from one court in one county to the next court in another county.
• And then they finally get out and we go to the court, or we go to family court, or we go to the criminal
• Two of my family court judges just said that the guy who's out on bond, who can't see his two children
• And it went up on appeal to the Ninth Court of Appeals.
• The Supreme Court said, no, that's not correct.

Bills: HB809 , HB 1193 , HB1916 , HB2558 , HB1973 , HB2350 , HB2399 , HB2340 , HB 116 , HB330 , HB2496 , HB116

Committee: House S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Keywords: digitized signature, waiver of citation, marriage dissolution, electronic notarization, family law, HB 1193, informal marriage, common-law marriage, declaration of informal marriage, confidentiality, privacy, county clerk, vital statistics unit, Family Code, Health and Safety Code, marriage records, public records, personally identifying information, PII, legal representative

Transcript Highlights:

• These cases would be handled by justice municipal courts, which are adult criminal courts that do not
• The bill requires judges to submit a plan to the Office of Court Administration, which will detail how
• And I've had judges ask me, "Hey, would you like to do, for the most part, court-appointed work for indigent
• We showed that you're a court manager for Harris County Commissioner's Court.
• Juvenile drug courts were designed as a rehabilitative alternative to traditional courts.

Bills: HB1511 , HB1831 , HB1988 , HB2147 , HB2234

Committee: House S/C on Juvenile Justice

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, state regulations, zoning, local government authority, drug court, juvenile justice, diversion programs, rehabilitation, criminal justice reform, remote proceedings, depositions, virtual hearings, court technology, criminal responsibility, age of maturity, expungement, mental health services, juvenile record sealing

Transcript Highlights:

• I am currently the presiding judge of the 403rd Criminal District Court here in Travis County.
• You've been a district court judge, which you are now.
• Next, we have Judge Denise Hernandez. Thank you for being here, Judge.
• We have you registered as a County Court at Law Judge for County Court at Law Number Six, and you're
• I'm the presiding judge of County Court at Law Number 6 here in Travis County, Texas.

Bills: HB1511 , HB1831 , HB1988 , HB2147 , HB2234

Committee: House S/C on Juvenile Justice

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, state regulations, zoning, local government authority, drug court, juvenile justice, diversion programs, rehabilitation, criminal justice reform, remote proceedings, depositions, virtual hearings, court technology, criminal responsibility, age of maturity, expungement, mental health services, juvenile record sealing

Transcript Highlights:

• We surveyed, of the 37 parishes, we surveyed eight.
• Of those eight parishes, they have 124 sub-districts. So, 124 sub-districts.
• So that's just eight parishes. That's 37 this would affect.
• I was called congressman a couple of times by my parish priest last week.
• Of the parishes? Of the parishes, yes. Of the parishes? Of the parishes? Yes.

Summary: The committee first approved the May 20 minutes and then advanced HCR 95, which would create a more uniform tax base for future state and local tax exemptions and credits, requiring a two-thirds vote of both chambers to deviate from that uniformity. HB 648 was deferred by the author. HB 1049, dealing with public meeting procedures and notice requirements, was amended after discussion with the Police Jury Association, school boards, and local government groups; the amendments removed a requirement for a lawyer at every meeting and clarified notice and posting language, and the bill was reported with amendments despite opposition from local government associations and the City of Baker. The committee then heard HB 615, which would expand livestreaming and two-year archiving requirements to more public bodies, including non-elected boards and commissions with taxing or rulemaking authority. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while local government and association witnesses argued it would impose an unfunded mandate, especially on small volunteer boards, and raised concerns about costs, staffing, record retention, and reliance on social media platforms. The bill was not advanced. HB 1201, as amended, would provide legislators reimbursement for travel and limited out-of-session expenses, including housing and mileage, beginning with the next term; members discussed the need to make public service more financially feasible and to broaden who can afford to serve. The committee reported HB 1201 with amendments. The committee also considered two constitutional convention-related bills. HB 244 would set guardrails for any future convention by capping delegates at 144, specifying delegate selection, requiring a two-thirds delegate vote to send proposals to voters, and requiring both a majority of voters and approval by three-fourths of the parishes for ratification; after debate over whether the parish threshold was too high, the bill was reported favorably on a roll call vote. HB 4, as amended, was narrowed to require the Senate and House Governmental Affairs committees to meet in the off-season to discuss the mechanics of a possible convention, but members viewed it as more of a study resolution than binding legislation, and the committee voted to keep it in committee. The meeting then moved to confirmation hearings. Courtney Myers, nominated for Deputy Secretary for the Office of Juvenile Justice, and Ernest Jacob Reade Jr., nominated as Assistant Secretary, testified about their backgrounds and priorities, emphasizing juvenile rehabilitation, education and vocational programming, mental health services, credible messengers, family contact, and better communication with legislators and families. Nathan McBride, nominated as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, testified about his engineering and government affairs background and said he would focus on legislative work, waste tire management, permitting modernization, and constituent service.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the trial judge would certify it to the Court of Appeals.
• I am Guy Herman, presiding statutory probate court judge here in the State of Texas, selected by my peers
• in the twenty-four statutory probate court judges here in the State of Texas, some of them Republican
• Judges are welcome to utilize Zoom court or video court to bring in those interpreters at a much lower
• For a court judge, I would say that the process for these certified interpreters in higher-level courts

Bills: HB 1239 , HB1990 , HB1748 , HB1749 , HB2578 , HB2986 , HB1970 , HB3163 , HB2733 , HB1922 , HB 113 , HB 1088 , HB1938 , HB3004 , HB2637 , HB2960 , HB113

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: public health, access to healthcare, insurance reforms, medical expenses, healthcare providers, mental health, protective custody, preliminary examination, detention period, emergency circumstances, emergency detention, legal framework, detention, healthcare, liability, landowners, nonagricultural land, trespassing, public safety, interpreters

Transcript Highlights:

• The families didn't even know the courts were happening because the courts were sealed.
• Are you saying you want some other judge to oversee the judge?
• I'll read 574 subsection A to you: A judge may order a proposed patient to receive... court-ordered temporary
• The judge. Judge Herman, who testified this morning, he would be the guy that would issue an order.
• Then the judge gets to make up his mind. Then the judge can court order medication.

Bills: HB 1239 , HB1990 , HB1748 , HB1749 , HB2578 , HB2986 , HB1970 , HB3163 , HB2733 , HB1922 , HB 113 , HB 1088 , HB1938 , HB3004 , HB2637 , HB2960 , HB113

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: public health, access to healthcare, insurance reforms, medical expenses, healthcare providers, mental health, protective custody, preliminary examination, detention period, emergency circumstances, emergency detention, legal framework, detention, healthcare, liability, landowners, nonagricultural land, trespassing, public safety, interpreters

Transcript Highlights:

• when she entered the court system in 1945 as a junior clerk in Suffolk Probate Court, while working
• In 1972, she was appointed by Governor Francis Sargent as a judge of the probate court, only the second
• training in the conditions as they affected litigants, court personnel, and judges, and for her unwavering
• She also received the Family Court Judge of the Year Award from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• Bridget Parish of Kildare in South Boston.

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and received a filed report from the Office of the Comptroller on its fiscal year 2025 deficiency report, which was ordered printed in the Senate Journal and placed on file. Senator Durant then welcomed members of the Longmeadow Lancers cross-country team, along with Representative Brian Ashe, to congratulate them on winning the Division 2 state championship, the program’s first-ever title. The main action of the session was a motion that the Senate adjourn in memory of the Honorable Mary C. Fitzpatrick, a longtime and distinguished probate and family court judge and the first woman to lead a major trial court department in Massachusetts. The Senate adopted the motion, observed a moment of silence, and noted her career, honors, and public service. Finally, the Senate adopted an order to adjourn and to reconvene on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. The chamber then adjourned in memory of Judge Fitzpatrick.

Transcript Highlights:

• Helena Parish at St.
• Helena Parish at St.
• Helena Parish.
• Helena Parish Schools, to mobilize.
• I've had a number of conversations with my parish school board members, with my parish administration

Bills: HB624 , HB1022 , HB1203 , SB82 , SB206 , SB305 , SB376 , SB441

Committee: House Education

Keywords: school safety, emergency operations plan, crisis management, active shooter, drills, training, classroom security, primary health services, behavioral health, school health providers, medical necessity, student health care, education, school week, instructional time, public schools, performance score, student athletes, cardiovascular health, sudden cardiac arrest

Transcript Highlights:

• that have discretionary over fine money that comes to their court to fund their courts.
• A lot of them parish driven.
• our parish.
• The parish, the parish president or the parish mayor or whatever entity it is would have to say, okay
• The parish, the parish president or the parish mayor or whatever entity it is would have to say, okay

Bills: HB1163 , HB1168 , HR252 , HR253 , HCR103 , HCR108 , SB80 , SB131 , SB251 , SB254 , SB279 , SB384 , SB414 , SB468 , SB469 , SB496

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Keywords: fireworks, retail sales, fire safety, legislation, holiday celebrations, construction standards, precast concrete, DOTD, building regulations, minimum requirements, public projects, private projects, consumer protection, credit card fees, cash transactions, rounding practices, transparency, low-income, economic impact, residential construction