Transcript Highlights:

• It does not do a subsequent search and say this plate belongs to Matthew McQueen.
• Is there a warrant involved? Chairperson. Thank you, Mr.
• There are other ways if a person has an arrest warrant written for them and signed off by a judge.
• At some point, you need a warrant. Does this not rise to that level?
• talking about, where you had said you could be added to this hot list for stolen vehicle, arrest warrant

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• intend to stop a judicial warrant to be executed by an ICE agent or anyone else.
• One man was detained in a parking lot while simply searching for his son.
• The bill requires that agents present a valid judicial warrant signed by a judge and clearly identify
• All the bill asks is this: If you want to make an arrest near a courthouse, get a judicial warrant.
• It's really critical, especially as folks search for their family members.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• We executed over 1,500 search warrants during that time.
• We're putting a warrant out for you, and you're going to face Louisiana justice.
• for him out of Vermont, here in the state of Louisiana, if they issue a warrant for him out of Vermont
• I can tell you that I personally was on a search warrant where a father was sexually abusing his child
• I think when you have to— ...on restraints with pregnant women, and I think when you have to do a search

Summary: The committee held its inaugural meeting on March 5, 2026, with opening remarks from Chair Freiberg and Vice Chair Marcelle describing the panel’s purpose as studying issues affecting women and children, including health, education, economic opportunity, safety, and criminal justice. After roll call, the chair noted the meeting was informational only and not requiring a quorum. The committee then heard presentations and asked questions on human trafficking and child exploitation, followed by an audit report on the treatment and care of incarcerated women. Mary Kate Andrepont of the Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention presented 2025 data showing 2,963 victims identified, 15,437 service instances, and 33% of victims remaining in services at least nine months. She said 93% of reported victims were sex trafficking victims, most were under 18, and 62 of 64 parishes had trafficking reports. She explained familial trafficking, described screening and coordinated response procedures, and highlighted new tools and outreach campaigns. She also discussed two priority bills: HB 321 by Rep. LaFleur, which would create immunity from prostitution offenses for child trafficking victims under Safe Harbor principles, and SB 83 by Sen. Edmonds, which would require school board trafficking policies and expand victim advocacy services to labor trafficking victims and survivors up to age 21. Committee members asked about reporting procedures, data trends, service gaps, and the reach of the screening tools. Chris Masters of the Attorney General’s office then presented on online child exploitation and child sexual abuse material through the Louisiana ICAC Task Force. He reported 31,203 tips in 2025, 545 arrests, more than 80 children identified or rescued, over 1,500 search warrants, and more than 100 community presentations. He said the task force is expanding statewide, including an Orleans Metro unit, and asked for more analysts and outreach personnel to handle a projected rise in cyber tips. Members asked about community presentations, the scope of the investigations, sex offender social media restrictions, interstate cases, sentencing, and how online enticement and live abuse are prosecuted. The discussion emphasized parental monitoring, school outreach, and coordination with federal partners. The final item introduced an audit report on the treatment and care of incarcerated females. Legislative Auditor staff said the review, requested by a 2023 resolution, found that Louisiana’s jails and guidance documents had not fully addressed the key laws and standards governing women’s incarceration, including restraint use during pregnancy and childbirth, health care, hygiene, dignity, and reentry. They noted that local jails still house a majority of incarcerated women despite the opening of a new state facility, and that several facilities had confirmed prohibited restraint use or failed to provide required written advisements. The staff said the report included legislative considerations for improving compliance and care.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, there is current ambiguity in statute preventing law enforcement from acting swiftly to search
• Victims of the current law requires a search warrant for a cellular telephone or otherwise. wireless
• Committee substitutes Senate Bill 1497 relating to search of certain wireless communications devices
• The jail enforcement model, which is the most common and well-known. known, the warrant service officer
• They the sheriff may may choose either the jail enforcement. model, the warrant service officer model

Keywords: HCR65, HCR19, Senate resolutions, memorial, community impact, legislative proceedings

Summary: The recent Senate meeting primarily covered two resolutions, HCR65 and HCR19, both of which were passed unanimously with little to no opposition. HCR65 was introduced in memory of Tracy Lee Vincent of Longview, while HCR19 was presented to honor the late Terrell Lynn Roberts of Angleton. The meeting included brief addresses from several senators, who shared personal reflections on the impacts of the individuals being honored and expressed gratitude for their contributions to the community. This collaborative atmosphere showcased the members' capacity for camaraderie and respect, emphasizing the importance of human connection in legislative proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> it's on the warrant it's on the warrant article.<02:10:41.840><c> This</c><02:10:42.480><c> idea
• </c> enforcement with a warrant. enforcement with a warrant.
• </c><05:01:49.760><c> articles</c> impact notations on warrant articles impact notations on warrant articles
• </c> provide tax impact analysis on warrant provide tax impact analysis on warrant articles,<05:01:59.280
• </c> the estimated tax impact on a warrant the estimated tax impact on a warrant article<05:04:46.798

Transcript Highlights:

• update the form peace officers are required to use when carrying out emergency detentions without warrant
• have to remain at the receiving facility after presenting persons for emergency detention without a warrant
• in my hold in a facility where I was subjected to great... degrading procedures, including a strip search
• The United States Supreme Court has said over and over and over that trial should be the search for truth
• on a probable cause statement or as part of the arrest warrant.

Bills: SB330 , SB663 , SB1020 , SB1152 , SB1164 , SB1896 , SB2111 , SB2196 , SB2383 , SB2581 , SB2797 , SB2798 , SB2371

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a search warrant where it ended up. from the states that where, you know, from the states that
• This is a at a<00:11:19.839><c> search</c><00:11:20.079><c> warrant</c><00:11:20.480><c> where</c><00
• </c><00:11:21.440><c> The</c> A search warrant where it ended up.
• We were able to get a search warrant and attach a tracker to their vehicle.
• We were able to get a search warrant and attach a tracker to their vehicle.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the September 24 minutes, and heard a briefing from representatives of three Kentucky drug task forces: Greater Hardin County, Bowling Green-Warren County, and Bluegrass Narcotics. The presenters described how multi-jurisdictional task forces operate, their partner agencies, and the kinds of drugs and trafficking patterns they are seeing, with fentanyl identified as the most dangerous and fastest-growing threat. They also described large seizures and investigations involving fentanyl pills, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, tractor-trailer shipments, postal shipments, and a case tied to a pill press and undercover work with the DEA. Bluegrass Narcotics said it was formed in response to overdose deaths and has since seen major reductions in complaints and overdose deaths in Harrison and Bourbon counties. A major theme of the presentation was funding. The task forces said Byrne JAG funding has declined from about $2.1 million statewide in 2023-2024 to $1.4 million this year, while their costs for vehicles, fuel, technology, overtime, office space, and training have risen sharply. They said local support and asset forfeiture help, but the revenue is uneven and unpredictable, and they asked the legislature to consider adding about $1 million per year in state support, with oversight from the Justice Cabinet or Office of Drug Control Policy. They also emphasized that if meth labs return, many agencies would need new training and equipment because those capabilities have largely expired or been scaled back. Members asked about possible statutory barriers, coordination across counties and states, the source of drugs, and how seized cash is handled. The task forces said coordination with federal, state, and other local agencies is generally strong, but money remains the main obstacle to broader operations. They explained that seized cash is held as evidence and, after court proceedings, may be awarded back to task forces or split under statute, with 15% going to the Commonwealth’s attorney and 85% to law enforcement. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• in those warrants.
• </c> presented with a judicial warrant. presented with a judicial warrant.
• </c> requires proper judicial warrants requires proper judicial warrants identifications<00:09:20.000
• This areas specified in those warrants.
• Do they have a warrant? Then they can have access. Do they have a judicial warrant?

Bills: HF3435 , HF3409

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• These accounts are tied to warrant language that the department would still just pay whatever it is.
• </c> so these accounts are uh tied to Warrant so these accounts are uh tied to Warrant language<00:49
• The department said the warrant might only be $3 million, so I updated that.
• </c><01:20:54.120><c> and</c> 28 charter school funding warrants and 28 charter school funding warrants
• might only be 3 million so I warrant might only be 3 million so I updated<01:21:06.120><c> that</c><

Summary: The Finance Division II work session focused on organizing the committee’s remaining budget work and reviewing a set of recommended changes to House Bills 1 and 2. Mr. Landrian explained the committee’s tracking sheets and draft amendment package, noted that the division was being asked to find roughly $200 million in reductions, and said the governor’s lottery proposal in House Bill 2 could help offset part of that target. Members also discussed how revenue estimates tied to fee changes would be handled, with the chair saying the committee could seek Ways and Means input but would ultimately decide the estimates itself. The committee then considered four mostly technical amendments to House Bill 2. It voted unanimously to delete Section 81, which duplicated CCSNH dual and concurrent enrollment language already moving in House Bill 192; to delete Sections 143 and 144, which duplicated police standards and training extra-duty language already in House Bill 778; to adopt a correction to Section 151 that removed an inadvertently repeated sentence; and to delete Section 178 because the same Lottery Commission language already appears in House Bill 1. The committee also agreed to approve Section 4 of House Bill 1, the Lottery Commission boilerplate language, while deferring action on Section 2 of House Bill 1 until the university and community college budget is settled. A substantial portion of the meeting was spent planning upcoming work sessions and discussing possible revenue measures. The committee planned to invite Fish and Game on Monday to review a large set of follow-up materials and to discuss a possible amendment requiring hunters and trappers to pay the license fee before taking free training classes, with a second chance to retake the class if needed. Members also discussed possible fee adjustments for Safety and Fish and Game, including using dedicated-fund fees to reduce reliance on general funds and help stabilize the Highway Fund and Fish and Game Fund. The chair emphasized that all actions were recommendations until the committee’s final deadline and encouraged members to review draft language carefully before voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• the law enforcement officer must inform the motor vehicle operator of his or her right to decline a search
• of his or her wireless communication device and may not access that device without a warrant. ...to
• decline a search of his or her wireless communication device and may not access that device without a
• warrant.
• understand the concerns for what that could be and, you know, potentially leading to unnecessary searches

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Summary: The committee first reviewed the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget proposal for transportation, tourism, and economic development, which totals about $18 billion and includes major funding for the Department of Transportation work program, Visit Florida, affordable housing, library/cultural/historical initiatives, National Guard tuition assistance, and Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles needs. Members approved staff technical adjustments and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee then heard and approved CS/SB 666, which creates a specialty license plate for the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, with proceeds supporting scholarships and school academic, athletic, and arts programs. CS/SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, drew extensive testimony from the sponsor, law enforcement, advocates, and victims’ families. Supporters argued it would create a clearer, easier-to-enforce prohibition on holding a wireless device while driving and help reduce crashes and deaths; some senators raised concerns about enforcement, privacy, and impacts on drivers with older vehicles, but the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1408, designating memorial highways for Tampa Police Officer Jesse Madsen and Charlotte County Sergeant Elio Diaz, and SB 1516, which would create the International Aerospace Innovation Fund administered by Space Florida to support partnerships between Florida and international aerospace companies. Both bills had supportive testimony and no opposition noted. The meeting ended with adjournment after the final votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><01:16:55.840><c> not</c><01:16:56.080><c> pursuant</c> Not pursuant to a warrant, not pursuant
• Not pursuant to a warrant, not pursuant to<01:16:56.800><c> a</c><01:16:57.120><c> specific</c><01:16
• </c><02:09:09.599><c> probable</c> warranted a warrant issued upon probable warranted a warrant issued
• searches searches does<02:10:18.560><c> not</c><02:10:18.719><c> disappear</c><02:10:19.119><c> just
• Check from an investigative search.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's a separate conversation. residential search charge is expected to residential search charge
• </c> &gt;&gt; Well, the this is a result of the search &gt;&gt; Well, the this is a result of the search
• </c> that you're going to see the search that you're going to see the search charge<01:30:31.440><c>
• </c><02:37:06.240><c> So</c> the warrant of arrest of an alien.
• So the warrant of arrest of an alien.

Transcript Highlights:

• As I was saying, Kash Patel ordered the change to the warrants, removed language referencing Good as
• a deceased ...person as a criminal suspect for the purposes of a search.
• So this amendment is searching for a problem, and I encourage members to vote no.
• Well, this solution, though, is a solution in search of a source of not.
• And the thing that troubles me is that this is, again, another policy where we see a solution in search

Transcript Highlights:

• I wanted to kind of further explain that we've gotten 58 arrest warrants.
• From that, they did 10 search warrants, seizing 2,500 grams of fentanyl, 12,000 grams of cocaine, 100,000
• They executed 10 search warrants, seizing 2,500 grams of fentanyl, and 12,000 grams of cocaine. of cocaine
• There were 10 search warrants executed, seizing 2,500 grams of fentanyl and 12,000 grams of cocaine.

Transcript Highlights:

• they were raising funds, and so we asked for an audit: how much of those funds are going back into search
• After all, most people want to support training to help in search and rescue, or they want to support
• But there was no action or activity that I believed warranted that we could do that, because it would
• to resolve to say, drop the sheriff and just go with some other entity, you know, whether you're search
• I think it warrants further conversation and analysis.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures. HCR 2059, a resolution reaffirming support for county sheriffs and recognizing their constitutional authority, drew debate over language describing sheriffs’ authority as “supreme” or “supreme constitutional.” Supporters said it was a tribute to sheriffs’ work, especially in rural areas, while opponents objected to the phrasing as tied to fringe legal theories. The resolution passed with a do-pass recommendation, 8-3. HB 2811 was presented as closing a gap in Arizona law by making interference with a lawful arrest involving violence or threats of violence a felony under obstructing governmental operations. Supporters said it would clarify the law and align it more closely with federal standards; opponents argued the conduct was already covered by existing resisting-arrest and hindering statutes and that the bill was duplicative and confusing. The bill received a do-pass recommendation, 8-4. HB 4129 would create a Department of Public Safety mental health and wellness program for law enforcement officers and appropriate $15 million for confidential counseling, peer support, family counseling, telehealth, and related services, with some funding reserved for smaller agencies. The sponsor and supporters emphasized officer trauma and suicide prevention, while opponents said similar services already exist and raised cost concerns. Before a final vote, the sponsor requested the bill be held for further work, and the committee agreed. The committee also advanced HB 2270, which expands protections for county seals, logos, insignia, and related identifiers and gives sheriffs exclusive authority over naming and dissolving posses. Sheriffs and county officials said the bill was needed after disputes over posse names and branding; critics warned the language was too broad and could raise First Amendment and due process concerns. The bill passed 12-1. HB 2416, appropriating $20 million for local border support and law enforcement costs related to drug trafficking, smuggling, prosecution, detention, and equipment, also passed after testimony both for and against the funding, 7-5. HB 4018, a strike-everything amendment clarifying sheriffs’ authority over volunteer posses and reserves, passed 10-0 after testimony from sheriffs’ office staff and a member of the public who opposed expanded use of armed volunteers. HB 2253, barring retaliation against employees who testify in law-enforcement disciplinary appeal proceedings, passed unanimously after an amendment removed language voiding restrictive policies. The committee then began hearing HB 4044, which would create a Public Safety Parity Fund using investment earnings from the state rainy day fund to pay DPS and corrections salaries, with the sponsor saying he intended to remove the forfeiture component before floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without the ability to issue a warrant, these people will be gone.
• Are you saying that they can issue a warrant or other action?
• So this bill would get rid of the criminal process of the warrant and the bench warrant and immediately
• I mean, I was desperately searching for the answer to...
• I mean, I was desperately searching for the answer to my question, so let me repeat it.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee approved the minutes from its March 18, 2026 meeting and then took up a long agenda of bills and a clemency nomination. HB 2825, as amended, was heard first. The bill would replace criminal enforcement tools for nonpayment of fines, fees, restitution, and surcharges with a civil collection process, including a required summons and civil default procedures. Supporters said it would streamline restitution collection and reduce costs, while opponents argued it would weaken victims’ rights and remove effective enforcement leverage. The committee adopted the Rogers amendment and passed the bill 5-2. The committee also confirmed Neil McDowell to the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency by a 6-0 vote after hearing his background in corrections and his plans to help the board function efficiently. The committee then passed HB 4070, as amended, 5-2. That bill bars incorporation of corporations whose officers, directors, or trustees have been convicted of sex trafficking or human trafficking, and expands civil liability to those who facilitate trafficking. Supporters framed it as a corporate accountability tool to deter trafficking, while the ACLU opposed it as overbroad and potentially sweeping in people not intended to be covered. HB 2720, which increases penalties for paying or agreeing to pay for sexual conduct and adds a fee to support anti-trafficking services, also passed, 4-3. Supporters, including survivors and law enforcement, said it targets demand and helps victims; opponents warned it could criminalize victims and lacked sufficient safeguards. The committee heard several additional bills. HB 2047 would raise trespass penalties after eviction-related writs of restitution from third-degree to first-degree trespass; the sponsor and constables said it would improve scene safety and encourage law enforcement response. HB 2136 would create new crimes for “civil terrorism” and “subversion” and increase penalties for certain highway obstruction; the ACLU argued it would punish protest and speech critical of government. HB 2406 would make images and recordings of abused children and deceased minors confidential, limit dissemination, and impose civil and criminal penalties for misuse; supporters said it would prevent re-victimization and reduce trauma, while defense and media concerns were raised about access. HB 2415, dealing with kratom and 7-OH products, drew sharply divided testimony over whether the bill is a needed safety regulation or an overbroad ban that could push users to illicit drugs; the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• one-page legal analysis, but it allows even law enforcement to know you cannot proceed without a search
• warrant.
• First and foremost, but at the same time, we want to balance protecting against undue warranted entry

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 81, which protects our most vulnerable communities and health care facilities from arbitrary searches
• comply with foreign subpoenas that do not meet California legal standards, nor with out-of-state warrants
• masked, unmarked supposed agents abducted a U.S. citizen hotel worker who was not the subject of a warrant
• You might ask if they had a warrant for his employment at the car wash.
• a three-year-old with my mother and brother, and whose only crime was to come to this country in search

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a heavy floor schedule with several procedural motions and unanimous-consent actions, including withdrawing AB 362 from Appropriations, moving SB 494 to the inactive file, and rescinding prior action on SB 400. Members also adopted a motion suspending the rules to withdraw AB 362 from Appropriations and place it on second reading, with the roll showing 41 ayes and 13 noes. The chamber then took up ACR 70, proclaiming September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Assembly Member Pellerin presented the resolution with a personal account of losing her husband to suicide and urged use of the 988 lifeline, safe firearm storage, and open conversations about mental health. Many members from both parties and caucuses shared personal stories and support. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, Senate amendments were concurred in, and suicide awareness pins were distributed. Members next concurred in Senate amendments to AB 977 on Native American human remains, with broad support and a 68-0 vote, and to AB 1510 on public employees, which passed 66-1. HR 65, designating October as Filipino American History Month, drew extensive remarks on Filipino American history, labor, public service, and community contributions; it was adopted by voice vote with 63 co-authors added. The Assembly also passed SB 81 and SB 98, both urgency measures aimed at protecting immigrant communities in health care facilities and schools from immigration enforcement activity, and both were sent immediately to the Senate after 54-10 and 54-8 votes, respectively. Finally, the chamber debated SJR 9 condemning immigration raids; supporters described fear and family disruption, while one Republican member argued for secure borders and criticized the bill and related policies. The transcript ends during that debate without showing a final vote on SJR 9.

Transcript Highlights:

• warrants.
• A search for Jonathan will never end until he's found.
• A search for Jonathan will never end until he's found.
• of resources by shortening overall search times.
• Without a judicial warrant or a court order.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on multiple bills, beginning with a motion to suspend the five-day notice rule for a long list of Senate bills, which passed on a voice vote. The committee first heard Substitute Senate Bill 6026, a governor-request housing bill that would require cities and counties over 30,000 population to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones, limit mixed-use/ground-floor commercial requirements in some areas, and allow added height where such requirements are imposed. The lieutenant governor testified strongly in support, arguing the bill would add needed housing capacity without requiring ground-floor retail burdens. The hearing on SB 6026 was then suspended so the committee could move through the agenda. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6294, a broad local government finance measure with eight parts, including expanded uses for certain REET revenues, a new county public utility tax, a new local sales tax for children and family services, expanded housing-related tax uses, changes to county levy structure, longer lid lift periods, and expanded use of rental car tax revenue. Local government, housing, and public health witnesses largely supported the bill, emphasizing flexibility for affordable housing, rental assistance, children’s services, and county fiscal stability. Opponents, including wireless industry, water/sewer district, auto dealer, realtors, energy, and cannabis representatives, objected to specific tax provisions as regressive, costly, or likely to raise consumer prices. Several witnesses requested amendments, including adding public health clinic funding and flood recovery language from House bills. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5400 on local news sustainability, which would create a state grant program funded by a surcharge on large search engines and social media platforms to support journalism jobs and the Murrow Fellowship program. News organizations, the League of Women Voters, open government advocates, and local journalism supporters testified in favor, saying local news is essential to civic life and that the bill would help sustain reporting without using general fund dollars. Technology industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it unfairly singles out tech companies and could face legal challenges. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6211, which would let opt-in GMA jurisdictions impose REET-2 without voter approval; cities and counties supported it as a parity and infrastructure funding measure, while Realtors opposed the loss of voter approval. Senate Bill 5650, authorizing local cannabis excise taxes, drew support from some local officials but strong opposition from cannabis businesses, which argued Washington’s cannabis taxes are already too high and drive sales to the illicit market. Senate Bill 6033, waiving penalties and interest for taxpayers who failed to collect new sales tax on certain services, was supported by NFIB as a compliance and fairness measure. Senate Bill 6297, exempting temporary staffing services for nonprofit behavioral health providers from sales tax, drew strong support from behavioral health organizations citing workforce shortages and unsustainable costs. Finally, Senate Bill 6343, extending and expanding tax relief for disaster-damaged property and repairs, was presented as aid for flood recovery; local officials testified in support. No final committee votes on the bills were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the House amendment was predicated on a number of 80 additional warrants being added.
• We are not able to secure the appropriation for the total 80 additional warrants.
• Therefore, Caddo is getting additional warrants. They are getting less than we had hoped for.
• And I would say... ...warrants. Therefore, Caddo is getting additional warrants.
• I'm really excited to have additional warrants in my area, and I think everybody is going to be across

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Finance Committee met on May 27, 2026, with six members present and took up a series of House bills, most of them dealing with education funding, criminal justice staffing, transportation, health care access, and economic development. HB 325 was reported favorably after testimony that it would expand TOPS eligibility by allowing dual-enrollment credits to satisfy eligibility criteria and by making part-time students eligible for TOPS Tech, with supporters saying the program has been underused and the change would help working students. HB 719 was amended and reported favorably to increase assistant district attorney positions in various judicial districts; the Louisiana District Attorneys Association said the changes were based on workload data and local input, and members discussed the need to coordinate any expansion with public defender funding. The committee also reported HB 749 favorably, which would move Louisiana’s 529 savings accounts to a more secure online platform after a cyber incident, and HB 1028 favorably, which concerns transportation reimbursement for providers and was described as already subject to appropriation. Several bills focused on food access and local economic development. HB 1222, the Grocery Initiative Act, was reported favorably to let LED use existing grant resources to map food deserts and develop a program, with members noting it could return for funding later if needed. HB 1194 was amended and reported favorably to define food deserts and direct the LSU AgCenter and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to identify and map them, with authors emphasizing it was a study and not a government-run grocery program. HB 755, which would create IDIQ contracting for architects and engineers on smaller state projects, was reported favorably with no fiscal impact. HB 823, a local diversion pilot for Orleans Parish, was also reported favorably after the fiscal note was revised to remove state impact and reflect only local costs. The committee spent substantial time on HB 488, a proposal from Plaquemines Parish to use severance-tax revenue to help buy out a private toll concession on the parish’s bridge. The author and local officials described severe toll burdens, economic harm to local businesses, and what they called an unfair contract, but members noted the bill was not funded and ultimately deferred it without a motion. HB 797, the Bayou Gold/Louisiana Sound Money Act, was amended to make implementation subject to appropriation and then reported favorably. The committee also took up HB 198, which would raise Medicaid reimbursement for ambulatory surgery centers for certain outpatient procedures; after extensive discussion about fiscal notes, access to care, and potential long-term savings, the bill was amended to narrow its scope and make implementation subject to appropriation, then reported favorably as amended. The meeting ended with the chair noting it would be the committee’s last meeting and asking members to spread the word.