Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Thank you. Thank you, Chairman, members of the committee.
• “Unfortunately, how this works, we take your testimony and we get to ask the question.”
• Again, if you could keep your testimony... Again, if you could keep your testimony, thank you.
• And thank you for your testimony today.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 20, 2026, with eight members present and approved the prior meeting minutes. The committee first advanced SB 1224, which requires DCFS to look into cases where a child under 17 is involved in a pregnancy, with added oversight for children under 12; it was reported favorably. The committee also favorably reported SB 1100, described as repealing an outdated statute. White Coat Day remarks welcomed physicians to the Capitol and thanked them for their service, including efforts to improve Medicaid reimbursement. Several health-related bills were then heard and advanced. HB 1220, a continuation of prior work to codify provisions related to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and physician licensure, was reported favorably. HB 1231 clarified that Medicaid coverage for continuous glucose monitoring applies to insulin-dependent patients, including those with gestational diabetes, and was also reported favorably. HB 198, which sets reimbursement rates for ambulatory surgery centers for certain Medicaid procedures such as colonoscopies, eye, ENT, and gastroenterology services, passed favorably. HB 1160, creating a streamlined restricted license pathway for qualified international medical graduates, prompted a lengthy exchange about delayed rulemaking and whether the board had added requirements beyond statute; despite concerns, it was reported favorably. The committee also advanced several resolutions and oversight measures. HCR 67, prompted by a personal family experience with a special-needs child’s acute care needs, creates a task force to study gaps in acute care for special-needs adults and children; it was amended and reported favorably. HCR 27, calling for a statewide evaluation of autism services by LDH and the Department of Education, was reported favorably. HB 223, which recreates DCFS, was amended to shorten the sunset date and require law enforcement reporting through a secure web platform, then reported favorably. HCR 28, creating a task force on school nurse orientation and training for new graduates, was reported favorably after testimony from school nurses about the lack of standardized orientation and the risks of placing inexperienced nurses alone in schools. The committee also took up HB 469, which would allow pharmacy license renewal applicants to designate a portion of fees to eligible schools including Xavier University’s College of Pharmacy; after opposition from Senator Cloud and a roll call, the bill was deferred. HB 1182, a cleanup bill changing the occupational therapy certifying entity and adjusting fees, and HB 1076, eliminating one of two sunset provisions for the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board, were both reported favorably. HB 1216, a major rewrite of clinical laboratory personnel rules, was deferred after concerns that it would restrict existing phlebotomy and lab functions in ways that could conflict with recent law. Finally, HB 457 and HB 616, both by Representative Knox and focused on homelessness, drew extensive testimony: HB 457 established minimum standards for shelters and similar facilities and was reported favorably as amended, while HB 616 would allow audits of homelessness-related funding and databases; after debate over privacy, federal funding oversight, and accountability, the committee adopted an amendment changing enforcement language from "may" to "shall" and continued hearing testimony from opponents and supporters.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you wish to give testimony, please fill out a witness card completely. I completely sign it in.
• Your signature is an affirmation that the testimony you give is true.
• I'm sure there's going to be a lot of testimony. There's a lot of cards.
• Well, thank you for your testimony.
• Our testimonies...

Bills: SB256

Keywords: court consolidation, judicial administrative, Orleans Parish, civil district court, criminal district court, court clerk, judicial funding

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Senate Bill 256, which would combine the Orleans Parish clerks of criminal district court and civil district court into one office, with the bill taking effect upon gubernatorial signature. Senator Jay Morris said the change would align Orleans with other parishes, improve efficiency, and eventually help consolidate funding and operations, noting that Orleans is the only parish with two clerks and that the criminal side lacks the civil-side revenue streams used elsewhere. Committee members questioned the timing because the election for the next term had already been held and certified, and repeatedly raised concerns that the bill would effectively eliminate an office after voters had already chosen Calvin Duncan as criminal clerk. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill would be constitutional or fair if enacted before the new term began. Opponents argued it would disenfranchise voters, target Duncan personally, and set a dangerous precedent by abolishing an office after an election. Supporters and witnesses for Duncan said the bill was rushed, lacked a fiscal note, and would create confusion about staffing, records, training, and the transition between the two court systems. Several witnesses also argued that the criminal clerk’s office is essential to access to justice and that the data and efficiency rationale did not justify the timing or effect of the bill. Calvin Duncan testified that he ran to improve access to court records after his own wrongful conviction and incarceration, and said the bill sends the message that votes do not count. Other witnesses, including teachers, voters, attorneys, former officials, and advocacy representatives, echoed that the measure undermines democracy and appears aimed at preventing Duncan from taking office. Senator Morris denied personal targeting and said the bill was about abolishing an unnecessary office, but acknowledged litigation was likely. The committee also adopted a three-minute rule for testimony by a 10-3 vote, then began hearing public testimony, with the first witnesses overwhelmingly opposing the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll hear some testimony from them in just a moment here, because it is something that fake IDs have
• Chair Riemer, I would prefer to go through testimony and get that through the bill first.
• So, we can now move ahead and hear testimony from our testifiers.
• we can now move ahead and hear testimony we can now move ahead and hear testimony then<00:08:00.720
• If you could please introduce yourself and then proceed with your testimony.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 1335, a bill to authorize Minnesota digital/mobile driver’s licenses and related electronic credentialing. Chair Tapkey moved the bill as amended to Ways and Means, and the committee adopted the A2 author’s amendment changing the effective date. Tapkey described the bill as a modernization measure modeled on other states, intended to add convenience and security for ID checks at bars, restaurants, airports, hotels, and car rentals, while keeping physical IDs in place. Chair Kosnick objected that the bill’s subject matter should be heard in other committees, especially Commerce, Public Safety, and Judiciary, citing privacy and law-enforcement concerns, but the hearing continued. Several testifiers supported the broader move toward digital credentials and e-titling. Brian McDaniel of the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association said the hospitality industry supports tools that make it harder for minors to access alcohol, while noting privacy concerns and wanting a role in developing the system. Amanda Doerr of the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association supported the A3 amendment as an incremental step toward electronic titles and electronic signatures, saying Minnesota is behind other states and that the transition should be gradual. Jim Hurst of the Minnesota Deputy Registrars Association said deputies support moving toward e-titling but raised concerns about liability for fraudulent electronic documents and strongly opposed the A4 revenue-sharing amendment, warning it could put deputy registrars out of business. Sam Krieger, representing private deputy registrars, said the A4 amendment could exclude private deputies and close about half the offices in the state. Chair Tapkey said the A3 and A4 amendments were intended to improve customer service, digital access, and future title transfers, but after hearing objections, both amendments were withdrawn. The committee then considered the A5 amendment offered by Rep. Anderson, which would bar electronic driver’s licenses for people not lawfully present in the United States. Anderson argued it would prevent issuing credentials to people in the country illegally, including suspected terrorists. Opponents, including Rep. Kegel and Rep. Lucero Nicolai, argued it would create unequal treatment and could wrongly affect refugees or asylum seekers. DVS Director Pong Xiong testified that current applications do not include NCIC checks and that standard credentials are validated through document review rather than broader database screening. The transcript ends amid continued debate over the A5 amendment and related privacy and eligibility questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Appreciate your testimony. Next speaker.
• Appreciate your testimony. Next speaker.
• And I'm here today to give testimony of my son, Angel Gutierrez Barreira.
• Gutierrez for their powerful testimony today. I'm sorry for your loss.
• I just want to personally thank Joe for being up so late tonight for his testimony.

Bills: HB2180, HB2184, HB2188, HB2194, HB2206, HB2321, HB2322, HB2438, HB2442, HB2448, HB2727, HB2797

Keywords: appropriation, funding, University of Arizona, education, state budget, fetal death, funeral homes, informed consent, abortion, women's rights, medical assistance, emotional support, language acquisition, early intervention, hearing impairment, grant program, deaf education, health care, insurance claims, prior authorization

Transcript Highlights:

• Looks like we do have uh testimony and opposition to this as well, but you and any co-sponsor take a
• Looks like we do have uh testimony and opposition to this as well, but you and any co-sponsor take a
• Looks like we do have uh testimony and opposition to this as well, but you and any co-sponsor take a
• Um, I'm just here today to" Looks like we do have uh Looks like we do have uh testimony<00:19:44.160>
• sure there's some testimony sure there's some testimony [clears throat]<00:22:50.720> that

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:10 Roll Call 00:00:24 HB 108 Discussion 00:03:45 HB 108 Vote 00:05:15 HB 194 Discussion 00:07:13 HB 194 Vote 00:09:45 HB 276 Discussion 00:11:53 HB 276 Vote 00:13:35 HB 290 Discussion 00:15:32 HB 290 Vote 00:18:29 HB 103 Discussion 00:20:31 HB 103 Vote 00:46:59 Adjournment 00:50:36, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its first meeting of the session and took up several local government bills, beginning with House Bill 108 on residual waste landfills. The bill would keep current rules in place when a landfill and the related company are in the same county, but would make projects subject to local determination when the landfill and industry are in different counties. The sponsor said it only affects residual waste landfills, not solid waste landfills. There was no opposition, and the bill passed with favorable expression by a 13-aye, 2-pass vote. The committee then approved House Bill 194, as amended by a committee substitute that changed a sales threshold from 15% to 25%. The bill creates a narrow exemption allowing cigar smoking inside tightly defined cigar bars, while not changing smoke-free laws for other public places. One member explained a no vote as a local control concern, but the bill passed with favorable expression. House Bill 276, which would authorize backyard chickens and prevent local governments from banning fewer than six chickens while still allowing setback rules, also passed with favorable expression. Supporters said it would not affect homeowners associations or commercial use, while one member opposed it as a local control issue. House Bill 290, dealing with county law libraries, passed unanimously with favorable expression. The sponsor said the bill would let local bar associations use their own funds for online legal research and computers instead of only books, noting that many law libraries are underused because legal research is now mostly online and that the libraries remain open to the public. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 103 on fluoride in public water systems after adopting a committee substitute that clarified an immunity clause for water districts. Sponsors said the bill would make fluoridation a local decision rather than a state mandate and argued that newer research raises health concerns, while opponents from the dental community and Kentucky Voices for Health testified that community water fluoridation is safe, cost-effective, and important for preventing cavities, especially for low-income and Medicaid populations. The transcript cuts off during the opposition testimony, before any final committee vote on HB 103.

Transcript Highlights:

• Swanson, please identify yourself for the record and begin your testimony.
• Swanson, please identify yourself for the record and begin your testimony.
• If you can identify yourself for the record and begin your testimony.
• and begin your testimony. and begin your testimony.
• their testimony their testimony today.<00:26:04.240> And<00:26:04.480> I<00:26:04.640

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That will >> Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. With go. Thank you for your testimony.
• and his testimony goes to both bills. and his testimony goes to both bills.
• Please begin with your testimony. >> Um, thank you, Chair Igo.
• :13.840> manufactured testimony, we've seen manufactured testimony, we've seen manufactured housing

Bills: HF4234, HF484, HF483, HF2614

Keywords: HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, natural gas, gas hookups, residential construction, energy policy, local control, state preemption

Transcript Highlights:

• First >> Uh we're going to hear testimony.
• Um, so we might need to keep the testimony a little shorter.
• I encourage you to read the testimony in your packet.
• This bill has more pages of testimony This bill has more pages of testimony than<00:56:15.599>
• to read the testimony in your packet. to read the testimony in your packet.

Bills: HF3965, HF3704, HF3260, HF3718

Keywords: pesticide, agriculture, environmental protection, health risks, chemical safety, local agriculture, insecticides, pollinators, seeds, environmental health, neonicotinoids, systemic insecticides, civil penalties, pest management, land trends, report, appropriation, farmers, veterinary medicine, veterinary technology

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll hear be hearing some testimony We'll hear be hearing some testimony from<00:21:10.080>
• So, we can now move ahead and hear testimony from our testifiers.
• we can now move ahead and hear testimony we can now move ahead and hear testimony then<00:25:43.280
• If you could please introduce yourself and then proceed with your testimony.
• <01:21:08.440> on living in, there there was testimony on living in, there there was testimony

Bills: HF3919, HF1335, HF3864, HF3916, HF3728

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, electronic license, driver's license, digital credential, transportation, data privacy, authentication, license plates, vehicle registration, validation stickers, Minnesota statutes, transportation policy, aeronautics, transponder, aircraft safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Mayo, your testimony.
• Mayo, your testimony. Please done. U Mr. Mayo, your testimony.
• <00:21:36.480> and and you can listen to the testimony and and you can listen to the testimony
• Thank you for your testimony.
• testimony? testimony?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My committee administrator will be timing your testimony because we have a relatively full agenda and
• Appreciate your testimony. Um, we're going to—we may have to jump around.
• gouty and proceed with your testimony gouty and proceed with your testimony keep<00:43:58.240>
• and some of the very heartfelt testimony and some of the very heartfelt testimony we<00:54:09.520
• Rigs, please be brief as we're doing our testimony.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think, um, perhaps there was a misunderstanding in my testimony.
• So I think, um, perhaps there was a misunderstanding in my testimony.
• So I think, um, perhaps there was a misunderstanding in my testimony.
• ago in the house there was testimony ago in the house there was testimony from<01:17:51.920>
• <02:03:08.320> as questions and to provide testimony as questions and to provide testimony

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to go ahead since testimony.
• Thanks for your testimony. Welcome.
• Thanks for your testimony. Okay. thanks. Thanks for your testimony. Okay. Welcome. Welcome.
• I think uh your testimony. Who's next?
• Thank you so much for your testimony.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, the committee is hearing testimony on H. 5279.
• Today, the committee is hearing testimony on H. 5279, An Act financing long-term improvements to municipal
• I'd ask everyone to keep their testimony to three minutes, and then everybody here in the committee room
• I'll begin my testimony today with the Chapter 90 program.
• That concludes our testimony for today's public hearing. Motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets held a public hearing on H. 5279, a bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. MassDOT and A&F testified in support, describing the bill as a more than $5 billion transportation bond package centered on a four-year, $1.2 billion Chapter 90 authorization, plus funding for MBTA rail reliability and modernization, housing-related transportation improvements, a new DCR/MassDOT PRISM program for parkways and other DCR assets, and reauthorizations of the Municipal Pavement Program, Shared Streets and Spaces, and highway programs. They said the bill would support safety, resilience, housing production, and multimodal transportation, and noted that some bonds could be issued as special obligation bonds backed by the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and Fair Share revenues. Committee members asked about the size and structure of the authorizations, the federal match for highway projects, the source of MBTA vehicle procurement, bridge repair needs, and whether the housing-related funds could be used flexibly for items like sidewalks, bike lanes, bus stops, and other local transportation improvements. Administration witnesses said the bill is intended as a temporary refill of existing programs until a larger transportation bond bill is filed next session, that the federal-aid line includes the full spending authority while the state only borrows the 20% match, and that the housing-related program is deliberately broad and not limited to MBTA communities. They also said Chapter 90 includes a road-mile component that especially helps rural communities and that preservation and safety are built into the programs. The Massachusetts Municipal Association also testified in strong support, emphasizing that Chapter 90 is the most important tool municipalities have to maintain the roughly 30,000 miles of local roads and bridges they are responsible for. MMA urged timely passage before construction season and praised the continued $300 million Chapter 90 level, especially the $100 million road-mile distribution that helps communities with large road networks and smaller populations. No votes were taken on the bill, and the hearing concluded with adjournment after testimony ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please note that any written testimony submitted to the committee is considered public comment and may
• Testimony on any such bill will be limited to a statement of name, organization, if any, and position
• The committee will allow no more than 40 minutes of testimony.
• Berrick, for your testimony and for being such a good Thank you, Mr.
• Barak, for your testimony and for being such a good constituent of mine.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, for House Bill 1384, we received zero testimony that this is a problem in New Hampshire.
• And um that the voluminous amount of testimony that was presented here should be able to fill the gaps
• And um that the voluminous amount of testimony that was presented here should be able to fill the gaps
• And um that the voluminous amount of testimony that was presented here should be able to fill the gaps
• And um that the voluminous amount of testimony that was presented here should be able to fill the gaps

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Egger, uh, Paul Egger, please introduce yourself as you get started with your testimony.
• Um, my testimony is going to be extremely brief because Mr.
• Thank you for your testimony,<00:04:38.760> Paul<00:04:39.000> Eger.
• <00:04:39.280> When<00:04:39.480> you're testimony, Paul Eger.
• When you're testimony, Paul Eger.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , this hearing will be streamed on the Assembly's website, and members of the public can provide testimony
• Website and members of the public can provide testimony in person here in Room 4444.
• Following the primary witnesses, remaining witnesses are asked just to limit their testimony to name,
• Are we having any testimony from one of the Marks? If that's all right, if you'll indulge me.
• The other Mark, I heard the testimony though. Good job. Good morning.

Summary: The committee heard several water, parks, and wildlife bills. AB 764 would expand the list of exotic non-game birds that can be managed in California to better control mute swan populations; the author and California Waterfowl said swans are invasive, aggressive, and rapidly increasing, while no opposition testified. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 616 would make the State Library Parks Pass program permanent by allowing state parks to transfer annual day-use passes to the State Library free of charge; supporters said it improves equitable access to parks, especially for low-income families, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. AB 293 would require groundwater sustainability agencies to post board membership and a link to Form 700 filings online. Supporters, including the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, argued it would improve transparency and public trust, while opponents said the requirement was redundant and could discourage service on GSA boards. The bill passed, but with some no votes. AB 639 would narrow the definition of dams so certain weirs used for irrigation would not be subject to dam regulations; the author and technical witnesses said the structures pose no safety risk and are already closely managed, while members urged the bill be narrowed further to the Kings River area. It passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 679 would streamline land transfers for Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks by exempting those acquisitions from the Public Works Board process. Supporters said it would speed conservation and park rebuilding after the CZU fire, while one member opposed it over cost and broader state land-management concerns; it passed as amended. AB 454 would remove the sunset on the California Migratory Bird Protection Act, making state protections for migratory birds permanent after federal rollback concerns; it passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also adopted its 2025-26 rules and approved the consent calendar, and the meeting adjourned after add-on votes were taken for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• We encourage the public to provide written testimony before the hearing by visiting the committee website
• Please note that any written testimony submitted to the committee is considered public comment, and may
• Please note that any written testimony submitted to the committee is considered public comment and may
• Testimony on any such bill will be limited to a statement of name, organization, if any, and position
• The committee will allow no more than 40 minutes of testimony in total.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on March 19, 2025, adopted its committee rules unanimously, and then heard a series of housing, insurance, and disaster-recovery bills. Early bills focused on wildfire relief and insurance issues, including AB 238 on mortgage forbearance for Los Angeles County wildfire survivors, AB 493 on insurance payout interest for homeowners, AB 597 on consumer protections after disasters, and AB 226 on strengthening the California FAIR Plan’s liquidity tools. Supporters generally framed these measures as necessary protections for disaster survivors and market stability, while opponents and concerned witnesses raised issues such as investor guidelines, compliance conflicts, and market disruption. Several members also noted equity concerns and the need to balance relief with consistency across the state. The committee also heard a cluster of housing-production bills. AB 306 proposed a six-year pause on new state building code updates affecting residential construction and limits on local code modifications, drawing strong support from housing and building industry groups who argued it would reduce costs and improve predictability. It also drew opposition from code, environmental, and clean-energy advocates, who warned about safety, local control, and the loss of important code updates. AB 253 would allow licensed third-party professionals to perform plan checks if local review takes 30 days or more, and AB 301 would impose state-agency permitting timelines similar to those already applied to local governments; both were presented as ways to reduce delays and speed housing development. AB 462 would exempt ADU construction from coastal development permit requirements in Los Angeles County, especially to aid fire recovery and expand housing supply. After hearing testimony and brief member discussion on each measure, the committee placed the bills on suspense or advanced them as appropriate. In the suspense hearing at the end of the meeting, the committee took up the suspense-file bills and reported AB 226, AB 238, AB 301, and AB 306 out with due pass recommendations on roll call votes. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• 553, the timber Grading Act, from the consent calendar so that there can be discussion and public testimony
• audience and just a reminder Representative that um you will have 5 minutes to respond to public testimony
• Uh, so if you will, Jackson, go ahead and unmute yourself and go ahead and give your testimony.
• Chairman, would you like to respond to any of the public testimony that was given?
• Since we are back in the bill, I will give a chance for there to be a public testimony and discussion