Transcript Highlights:

• You get credit for being from Victoria, but my research says you were born and raised in a small farming
• You bring those roots that you developed in South Texas in that small farm and community to serve the
• You bring those roots that you develop South Texas in that small farm and community to serve the whole
• Senate Bill 2597 by Middleton, relating to the designation of a portion of Farm to Market Road 521 in
• Senate Bill 2654 by Hall, relating to the ownership of deer in this state, to Water, Agriculture, and

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with remarks highlighting UTRGV’s growth, degree production, research expansion, medical school, and role in serving the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas. The chamber also recognized the doctor of the day and adopted additional resolutions, including one for Denton County Days at the Capitol and another recognizing Texas HBCU Day. The Senate gave extensive recognition to outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp through Senate Resolution 368. Senators from both parties praised his long public career, leadership of the A&M System, support for regional universities, and bipartisan approach. The resolution was adopted after multiple members added their names. The chamber also heard from advocates with the Texas Streets Coalition, and received gubernatorial nominations for the State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. On legislation, the Senate passed several major bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to address teacher vacancies, bilingual certification testing, paid leave options, classroom removals, and appeal rights, then passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment on parents’ right to direct a child’s education, advanced on a 22-9 vote. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, aimed at preventing foreign influence and intellectual property theft at public institutions of higher education, passed unanimously. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the business entities bill, also passed after debate over corporate governance and shareholder protections. Senate Bill 857, authorizing law enforcement to tow certain vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed despite some concern about towing abuses during disasters. The Senate also took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536 on dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, but the transcript ends as that bill is being laid out.

Transcript Highlights:

• And supporting farms and ranches is very important to us.
• And supporting farms and ranches is very important to us.
• And today, Sanderson Farms is paying over $733,000 a year.
• And today, Sanderson Farms paying over $733,000 a year.
• And that's where some of our farms already are at.

Summary: The committee held a hearing on high-capacity groundwater wells proposed in Anderson, Henderson, and Houston counties, with members framing the issue as one of local water supply, fairness, and the need to modernize groundwater law while protecting private property rights. Opening remarks focused on the scale of the proposed Redtown Ranch and Pine Bliss projects, the potential export of tens of thousands of acre-feet of groundwater annually, and concerns that the applications lacked sufficient technical detail and could harm nearby landowners, cities, agriculture, and manufacturing. Members also noted the broader context of the recent flooding tragedy in central Texas and the Legislature’s intent to address water-related loss of life in the upcoming special session. Witnesses from the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts and the Texas Water Development Board explained the current groundwater management framework. They described groundwater conservation districts as the state’s preferred management method, the role of groundwater management areas and desired future conditions, and how the Water Development Board uses those conditions to calculate modeled available groundwater. They emphasized that districts rely on local data, monitoring wells, and planning processes, but that information is often more limited in areas without a district, where the rule of capture applies. Members pressed witnesses on recharge rates, export permits, subsidence, the effect of pumping on nearby wells, the age and real-time availability of model data, and whether the proposed project would exceed modeled available groundwater in some counties. TCEQ explained its limited oversight role over groundwater conservation districts, including inquiries, compliance actions, and, in extreme cases, dissolution authority. Water Development Board staff also outlined funding programs, saying the New Water Supply for Texas Fund is limited to projects such as brackish desalination, reuse, ASR, and other new-supply projects, and does not fund fresh groundwater exports alone. They said the project at issue had not applied for board funding. A water lawyer then testified on the rule of capture, ownership in place, and district regulation, arguing that districts must use permitting and other tools to manage production within modeled available groundwater and that the Legislature could consider additional authority over groundwater exports under current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> eradication Alesia trees on molakai eradication Alesia trees on molakai access<00:08:25.360><c> deer
• ><c> Hawaii</c><00:08:26.159><c> island</c><00:08:26.599><c> and</c><00:08:26.759><c> K</c> access deer
• ><c> on</c><00:31:22.519><c> Hawaii</c> 3 Acre Farm versus a house on Hawaii 3 Acre Farm versus a house
• So our funding comes from the Plant Protection Act, which is sort of distinct from the Farm Bill.
• So our funding comes from the Plant Protection Act, which is sort of distinct from the Farm Bill.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:41:12.560><c> and</c> to continue investing in their farms and to continue investing in their
• farms and businesses<00:41:13.280><c> here</c><00:41:13.440><c> in</c><00:41:13.960><c> Minnesota</c
• Socially and economically sustainable farm in rural Minnesota.
• And I'd like to add to what Chairman Heintzeman said: I'm a deer hunter myself and a fisherman, and we
• And I'd like to add to what Chairman Heintzeman said: I'm a deer hunter myself and a fisherman, and we

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You get credit for being from Victoria, but my research says you were born and raised in a small farming
• You bring those roots that you developed in South Texas in that small farming community to serve the
• Senate Bill 2597 by Middleton, relating to the designation of a portion of Farm to Market Road 521 in
• Senate Bill 2648 by Hall, relating to the identification of a breeder deer, to Water, Agriculture, and
• Senate Bill 2654 by Hall, relating to the ownership of deer in this state, to Water, Agriculture, and

Bills: SJR12, SCR39, SB27, SB29, SB241, SB406, SB414, SB464, SB568, SB578, SB609, SB660, SB689, SB693, SB785, SB857, SB879, SB921, SB922, SB955, SB985, SB993, SB996, SB1008, SB1035, SB1036, SB1059, SB1098, SB1120, SB1122, SB1147, SB1188, SB1197, SB1209, SB1227, SB1245, SB1267, SB1307, SB1321, SB1332, SB1386, SB1396, SB1453, SB1484, SB1494, SB1536, SB1537, SB1596, SB1610, SB1664, SB1741, SB1814, SB1822, SB1841, SB1948, SB2065, SB2155, SB2188, SB2230, SB2406, SB2407

Keywords: parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, border security, southern border, federal immigration policy, illegal immigration, cartels, transnational cartels, fentanyl, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Operation Lone Star, Texas border, National Guard, state guard, border wall, border barriers

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation, and approved the previous day’s journal. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with senators highlighting the university’s growth, medical school, research expansion, and role in serving South Texas. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 368 honoring outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp, with numerous senators praising his long public career, leadership in higher education, and statewide impact. Senate Resolution 361 recognizing Texas HBCU Day and Senate Resolution 362 recognizing Denton County Days at the Capitol were also adopted, along with other routine recognitions and gubernatorial appointments being read into the record. The Senate then took up several bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to shorten vacancy posting requirements, allow bilingual certification candidates to retake only failed test sections, give teachers more flexibility with paid leave, clarify classroom removal procedures, and ensure parents are informed of appeal rights. The bill passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment to establish a parent’s right to direct a child’s education, was also brought up and passed to engrossment after a contested suspension vote. The Senate next passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, which would require reporting of foreign funding at public universities, bar gifts from adversarial governments, and require training and reporting systems to prevent foreign influence and intellectual property theft in higher education. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the so-called “Dexit” bill, was debated at length for its corporate governance changes, including codifying the business judgment rule and altering internal corporate litigation and records rules; it passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed by a 30-1 vote. Senate Bill 857, allowing law enforcement discretion to tow vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed after discussion of towing abuses during flooding and disaster conditions. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536, requiring dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, passed with broad support, and Senate Bill 922, addressing delayed electronic disclosure of sensitive medical test results so physicians can discuss them first, was taken up and passed to engrossment as the chamber continued through its calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, besides the damage to the environment, the deer in particular are horrendous for any kind of
• from the deer activity there.
• from the deer activity there.
• </c> the damage to the environment the deer the damage to the environment the deer in<01:45:07.360><c
• </c><03:49:16.520><c> did</c> through the budget review so deer did through the budget review so deer

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the New Mexico Food and Farms Day Awards are produced by Farm to Table and the New Mexico Food and
• And this is Kiera McCabe, from Skodin Farm, Shiprock, New Mexico. You want to wave?
• Big round of applause to our agricultural industry, our farmers, our farm workers.
• For bringing the farm to table information to us.
• We have more elk and deer than traffic, Traffic counts. We have more elk and deer than traffic.

Bills: HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM25, HB9, SB2, SB19

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• The scrap tires industry solution is now pushed off to a dairy farm in Pennsylvania.
• And even the ones that are treated are not treated to the level required at Deer Island's minimal treatment
• tunnels, which will hold the combined sewage until the rainstorm is over and then release it to go to Deer
• Island, to doing upstream controls, and then release it to go to Deer Island, to doing upstream controls
• One of my most memorable field trips was a teacher's backstage view of Deer Island treatment plants some

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing with testimony on a range of environmental bills. Early testimony focused on H. 1018, which would update management of the Commonwealth’s water resources and limit new conditions on historic water registrations. Water officials from Wellesley and the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission supported the bill, arguing that drought-related restrictions on registered withdrawals are difficult to administer, create customer confusion, and can undermine utility revenue needed for infrastructure upgrades. A Massachusetts Waterworks Association representative also backed the bill, saying registered systems have long operated within their allocations and should not have those withdrawals conditioned by regulation. A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 1040, which would ban tire-derived materials on playgrounds and playing fields. The bill’s petitioner, environmental advocates, and an environmental chemist testified that crumb rubber and other tire-derived infill can release chemicals into soil and water and may pose risks to aquatic life and public health. Committee members asked about alternatives and costs; witnesses said natural grass and some organic infills are available, though more research is needed on some substitutes. Rep. Schwartz also testified on CSO-related bills, describing combined sewer overflows as a public health and environmental problem and saying the bills set deadlines but leave implementation methods to local and regional officials. Rep. Chacolo supported H. 909, a grant program for low-noise, low-emission landscape equipment, citing worker health, noise, and emissions concerns, and Sen. Cyr testified for bills addressing coastal and environmental acidification and nutrient pollution. The hearing also included extensive testimony on H. 4040, which would prevent discharge of radioactive materials from the Pilgrim decommissioning process. Speakers including a Sierra Club representative, a physician, and the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association opposed Holtec’s plan to dispose of radioactive wastewater through evaporation or discharge, citing public health, transparency, and economic risks to fisheries and coastal communities. Another large block of testimony addressed CSO legislation, especially H. 1046 and related bills for the MWRA service area. Environmental groups, residents, and river users described sewage overflows into the Charles, Mystic, and Alewife Brook, impacts on health and recreation, and the need for a timeline to eliminate or sharply reduce overflows. Industry representatives opposed the CSO and waste bills, arguing they would be costly, duplicative, and disruptive, while waste facility operators said they already use continuous emissions monitoring and comply with existing regulations. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 10 on line 21 permits owners of farm trucks and commercial one-ton pickup trucks to obtain Minnesota
• There was actually a DNR officer out taking down or eliminating a vacant deer stand or something.
• uh, taking down or eliminating a a out uh, taking down or eliminating a a vacant<00:45:47.880><c> deer
• </c><00:45:48.880><c> The</c><00:45:49.040><c> DNR</c> vacant deer stand or something.
• The DNR vacant deer stand or something.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Bills: HB41, HB149, SB230, SB87, SB169, SB238, SB233, HB72, HB41, HB149, SB230, SB87, SB169, SB238, SB233, HB72

Keywords: sexual offenses, penalties, rape, sodomy, criminal justice, Judicial Branch, Alabama State Bar, legal profession, commissioners, government agency, campaign finance, security measures, candidates, elected officials, legislative protection, civil procedure, statute of limitations, real estate appraisers, legal complaints, appraisal board

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Farm Bureau has long supported property rights, fair taxation, and public safety.
• HB 3241 exempts from farm inputs such as fertilizer, feed, pesticides, and other assets used in farming
• Thank you. in fluctuating markets, our farm and ranch families are struggling.
• That is roughly nine farms per day going out of business in the state.
• In helping alleviate some of the pressure our farm and ranch families are feeling.

Bills: HB195, HB247, HB255, HJR2, HJR4, HJR6, HJR31, HJR34, HB195, HB247, HB255, HJR6, HJR31, HJR34

Keywords: school district, ad valorem tax, local revenue, tax collection, education funding, border security, tax exemption, ad valorem, real property, infrastructure, Texas-Mexico border, ad valorem taxation, farm products, livestock, timber, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer, constitutional amendment

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTtvA5lJYPc, 2026-06-21T07:17:00+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:09 SR 126 Discussion 03:09 SR 126 Roll Call Vote 08:04 SR 116 Discussion 09:14 SR 116 Roll Call Vote 11:30 SR 122 Discussion 12:33 SR 122 Roll Call Vote 14:47 SR 123 Discussion 15:45 SR 123 Roll Call Vote 19:24 SR 117 Discussion 21:15 SR 117 Roll Call Vote 24:38 SR 114 Discussion 25:30 SR 114 Roll Call Vote 26:56 SR 125 Discussion 27:47 SR 125 Roll Call Vote 29:23 SR 120 Discussion 30:58 SR 120 Roll Call Vote 33:31 SR 119 Discussion 34:15 SR 119 Roll Call Vote 38:48 SR 118 Discussion 39:44 SR 118 Roll Call Vote 42:30 SR 115 Discussion 43:49 SR 115 Roll Call Vote 44:51 SR 124 Discussion 46:41 SR 124 Roll Call Vote 47:31 SR 121 Discussion 48:14 SR 121 Roll Call Vote 51:50 SR 26 Discussion 53:56 SR 26 Roll Call Vote 55:48 SR 148 Discussion 56:57 SR 148 Roll Call Vote 1:03:12 Discussion on Brief summary of the events at the KY State Fair & Farm Machinery Show from CEO David Beck 1:04:35, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:41:46.000><c> go</c> that identification. those mu deer um go that identification. those mu deer
• Is that through the male or the deer populations?
• Is that through the male or the deer populations?
• Also by pushing healthier deer move in.
• Um deer tend to know CWD is 100% fatal.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jim Hayden from State Farm was then introduced.
• I'm trying to understand—you know, you represent State Farm.
• That's where it comes into play, you know, more with relation to State Farm.
• Chairman, so let's take John Deere. We had complaints about...” “Take John Deere.
• We had complaints about John Deere.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 733-FN, a bill concerning third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors funding lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, increases litigation abuse, and contributes to higher insurance and consumer costs. He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with guardrails and reporting requirements on specified pages of the bill. He also noted a couple of drafting fixes, including adding the word “knowingly” and incorporating a missing section later. Members raised questions about the bill’s foreign-entity language, especially the provision allowing a governor or the Department of Safety to designate a country as a threat to critical infrastructure. Representative Cole said he would have lawyers review that issue. Another member asked whether the bill would prohibit a party from obtaining outside funding for a lawsuit; Cole clarified that the bill is intended as a reporting measure, not a ban, and that disclosure would be required. He also said the bill is aimed at American citizens rather than foreign-backed financing, and that some states had considered caps on such arrangements, though this bill does not. Brandon Gratz of the Attorney General’s office testified that the enforcement language appears too limited, because it would allow only civil penalties and not broader Consumer Protection Act remedies such as injunctions or restitution. He suggested the Attorney General may not have meaningful authority under the bill as written and raised possible insurance-law issues. Commissioner D.J. Benton-Court of the Insurance Department said the disclosure could help insurers better assess risk and potentially soften the hard insurance market by improving transparency, competition, underwriting, innovation, and claims management. He also said the bill likely needs further work on jurisdiction and enforcement, and that the committee may need to coordinate with the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and possibly banking regulators. No vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a farm stand.
• This is a farm stand.
• This is a farm stand. right? This is a farm stand.
• </c> farm stand. farm stand. Now,<01:24:26.480><c> Mr.
• </c> commercial farm commercial farm farm<02:44:22.920><c> to</c><02:44:23.040><c> commercial</c><02:

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or a battery farm...
• What if you had a piece of property that here had a wind farm, here had a wind farm, and there weren't
• farm means losing that forever.
• That was my family farm.
• , and I have a wind farm.

Bills: SB458, SB819, SB1238, SB1642, SB1643, SB1644, SB1791, SB1810, SB1824, SB1825, SB758, SB1455, SB1706

Keywords: insurance appraisal, property insurance, auto insurance, homeowners insurance, residential property, disputed loss, loss valuation, appraisal clause, appraiser, umpire, Texas Department of Insurance, TDI, insurance dispute resolution, claims adjustment, total loss, windstorm insurance, FAIR Plan, surplus lines insurance, policyholder, insurer

Transcript Highlights:

• The state farm...
• There was a facility in Deer Park called ITC, the International Terminals Company, where 9,000 gallons
• There were many shelters in place in Deer Park, and that prompted the bill that I passed, Senate Bill

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kids, it's my pleasure to introduce the Pinal County Farm Bureau Ag Ambassadors Program, the student
• This is currently the only program of its kind within the Arizona Farm Bureau, making it a unique opportunity
• And my students that I serve on the Deer Valley School Board have that right. They absolutely do.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and heard introductions of guests. Members then adopted several procedural motions, including extending the second regular session, suspending the seven-bill limit for Representative Livingston on budget-related measures, and requesting the Senate return SB 1786 on artificial intelligence content verification for reconsideration. The House also moved into Committee of the Whole to consider calendar items. In Committee of the Whole, the House recommended do pass on SB 1057, SB 1171, SB 1424, and SB 1515, while retaining SB 1178 on the calendar. SB 1171, dealing with fingerprinting and fraud prevention in health and human services, was amended and received supportive comments about accountability and Medicaid fraud. SB 1424, concerning firearm safety instruction in schools, drew extensive debate: a proposed Gutierrez amendment modeled on “Christian’s Law” to require secure firearm storage measures was defeated by division vote 23-31, and the bill itself was defended as age-appropriate firearm safety education while opponents argued it was an unfunded mandate, a parents’ rights issue, and an improper burden on schools. SB 1515, creating a public safety parity fund for DPS and corrections bonuses from rainy-day fund interest, was amended and recommended do pass. The House then considered an additional Committee of the Whole for SB 1552, adopted a floor amendment, and recommended the bill do pass as amended. In third reading, SB 1021 failed 22-35, while SB 1215, SB 1345, SB 1456, and SB 1493 all passed, with SB 1345 drawing a floor explanation about an added regulatory requirement for health care facilities. The House also received first readings of several appropriations bills and announced a special Joint Appropriations Committee hearing on the budget the next morning before adjourning until Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Justin Wilmeth with LD 2, North Phoenix, at Deer Valley Airport and other things you don't
• North Phoenix, let's see, Deer Valley, North Terra, all the way down to Thunderbird on the 17.
• several fire chiefs across the state, and one put it this way: if there is a fire at Phoenix's tank farm
• Tom Carretto said one fire chief explained that if there is a fire at Phoenix's tank farm and firefighters

Bills: HB2207, HB2225, HB2602, HB2641

Keywords: braille, disability access, education funding, state corrections, inclusion, HB 2225, Yavapai County, northern Arizona regional training academy, training academy, public safety training, law enforcement training, police academy, first responder training, capital appropriation, state general fund, state treasurer, lapsing appropriation, section 35-190, capital costs, regional training facility

Transcript Highlights:

• Coast, so maritime and oil and gas industries played an instrumental role in the first offshore wind farms
• Because once again, you're giving the power to the prosecutor now to farm shop with judge they want just
• are that, to protect integrity, the defendant Are that to protect integrity, the defendant is not farm
• , special deer seasons, commission authority, primitive firearms, projectile size, weight, and energy
• Forest Service to take action necessary to allow the use of dogs for deer hunting in Kisatchie National

Bills: HR179, HR180, HR181, HR182, HR183, HR184, HR185, HR186, HR187, HCR75, HCR76, HCR77, HCR78, HCR79, HR165, HR166, HR168, HR169, HR170, HR171, HR172, HR173, HR174, HR175, HR176, HR177, HR178, HCR65, HCR66, HCR67, HCR68, HCR69, HCR70, HCR71, HCR72, HCR73, HCR74, SCR34, SB34, SB43, SB52, SB56, SB165, SB173, SB189, SB190, SB260, SB322, SB345, SB374, SB387, SB401, SB448, SB449, SB455, SB487, SB496, SB502, SB505, HB362, HB893, HB990, HB1007, HB1153, HB1243, HR1, HR17, HCR5, HCR4, HCR47, HB55, HB385, HB394, HB396, HB406, HB608, HB622, HB676, HB772, HB897, HB1030, HB1035, HB1038, HB1045, HB1049, HB1056, HB1058, HB1059, HB1092, HB1100, HB1117, HB1160, HB1161, HB1162, HB1177, HB1180, HB1189, HB1216, HB1239, HB1240, HB59, HB74, HB159, HB330, HB364, HB414, HB458, HB525, HB568, HB786, HB1008, HB1033, HB1034, HB1041, HB1062, HB1070, HB1079, HB1112, HB1118, HB1139, HB1151, HB1176, HB1182, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB368, HB433, HB441, HB447, HB466, HB481, HB741, HB1242, SB162, SB349, SB350, SB382, SB383, SB127, SB244, HB977, HB181, HB31, HB664, HB9, HB192, HB225, HB306, HB310, HB366, HB635, HB911, HB1230, HB1236, HB615, HB864, HB1103, HB1175, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB284, HB393, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB773, HB996, HB1003, HB1082, HB1113, HB1234

Keywords: neighborhood, crime prevention, security districts, law enforcement, community safety, funding, Counseling Day, mental health, Louisiana Counseling Association, community support, mental wellness, Louisiana State University, athletics, NAIA, sports achievements, recognition, success, competition, education, higher education

Summary: The House opened with a prayer, pledge, quorum call, and several personal privileges recognizing guests and special observances, including Junior League Day, Renewable Energy Day, Wholesalers Day, and Sin Law Day. Members also introduced and adopted a number of commemorative resolutions, including condolences, recognitions of schools and community figures, and resolutions related to LSU, ALS Awareness Month, and local festivals. Several Senate and House measures were referred or laid over, and the chamber announced upcoming scheduling changes for House and Senate bills. The most extensive debate centered on House Bill 385, which would require certain TOPS scholarship recipients to repay one semester of aid if they fail to meet academic requirements, subject to listed exemptions and an option to avoid repayment by entering certain high-demand career and technical programs. Opponents questioned the bill’s impact on students, its possible constitutional issues, administrative costs, lack of a fiscal note and implementation details, and whether it would worsen brain drain or convert a merit scholarship into a loan. The motion to recommit the bill to Appropriations failed 34-16, but after continued questioning and criticism, the author later moved to return the bill to the calendar, and that was agreed to. The House then passed House Bill 55, which restricts public disclosure of juror information, after adopting an amendment clarifying that juror interviews are still allowed if jurors choose to participate. The chamber also passed House Bill 394 extending the conditional parole programming period from nine months to 24 months, House Bill 396 making autopsy photographs admissible in criminal proceedings, House Bill 406 directing the Department of Education to study whether it should supervise interscholastic high school athletics, House Bill 622 aligning state criminal history record handling with federal requirements, and House Bill 676 creating the crime of fraudulent patient referrals, or body brokering, with amendments clarifying lawful marketing arrangements. House Bill 1030, concerning reimbursement for non-emergency medical transportation for certain mental health-related services, was taken up with amendments and then temporarily returned to the calendar.