Transcript Highlights:

• Democrats mobilize they go away, they stay and fight. Each time the ending is the same, they lose.

Transcript Highlights:

• the process, but we do want to continue to make the website more user-friendly on your, you know, mobile

Committee: Joint Legislative Evaluation & Accountability Program

Summary: The LEAP committee met on June 18, 2025, with introductions from members and staff, then received a clean audit report from the State Auditor covering 2020–2024. The audit reviewed accounts payable, general disbursements, theft-sensitive assets, and data backup/recovery, and found no findings. Staff also outlined the interim work plan, including a full rewrite of the capital budget application (Build Sum), updates to the transportation bond model and operating budget tools, website improvements, and continued research into secure, responsible AI use. Members asked about AI safeguards, keyword search improvements, and making the website more user-friendly, especially on mobile devices. The committee approved the July 8, 2024 minutes after a quorum was reached. It then considered and unanimously approved several budget format changes: the Department of Corrections moved chemical dependency and sex offender treatment into its health care program and renamed Program 700 from “Offender Change” to “Reentry Services”; the Department of Revenue moved the AMP program into its tax analysis and technology support program; and the Department of Transportation changed a toll program title and added new sub-programs for State Route 509 and State Route 167 toll operations to reflect new facilities and more accurate reporting. Kevin Feltis also provided staffing updates, noting the retirements of longtime LEAP staff, the hiring of three new associate consultants in October 2024, and an upcoming December 2025 retirement for Sherry Randage after decades of state service. The new staff members briefly introduced themselves and expressed enthusiasm for their work. The meeting ended with thanks to members and staff and adjournment after the committee completed its business.

Transcript Highlights:

• patient, and we realized that she had rampant gum disease and that there were teeth that were actually mobile

Bills: HB50

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: constitutional amendment, ballot language, fiscal note, fiscal impact, cost estimate, savings estimate, Legislative Budget Board, LBB, secretary of state, Election Code, Government Code, voter information, ballot proposition, state budget, election administration, Texas

Transcript Highlights:

• the Department of Health to address telehealth and staffing shortages and to provide training and mobile

Committee: House Commerce Committee

Summary: The Commerce Committee met with a quorum and heard three bills. First, CS/HB 515 on the Uniform Commercial Code was presented as a Florida Bar-backed update creating a new chapter to address digital assets and ledger technologies, including rules for perfection of security interests and lien priorities involving items such as Bitcoin. The bill drew support from the Florida Bar’s business law section and the Florida Bankers Association, had no amendments or opposition, and was reported favorably after a unanimous roll call. The committee then heard HB 1427 on rural communities, a broad package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a rural resource directory, a Renaissance grant program, a rural arterial road monetization program, housing and school support measures, and new health care grant programs for telehealth, staffing, training, and mobile units. Sponsors and many local officials, economic development groups, chambers, utilities, and other organizations testified in strong support, emphasizing infrastructure, workforce, housing, and health care needs in rural Florida. Members from both parties praised the bill’s focus on rural counties, and it was reported favorably. Finally, HB 299 on elevator accessibility requirements would allow an additional shorter interior support well in elevators while keeping the existing 42-inch support well requirement, with the goal of improving accessibility and flexibility for building owners. The National Elevator Industry supported the measure, there was no opposition or amendment, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• years ago, has had existing pedestrian railings that offer zero protection for the thousands of students
• years ago, has had existing pedestrian railings that offer zero protection for the thousands of students
• 00:04:37.040><c> of</c> zero protection for the thousands of zero protection for the thousands of students
• and many others who walk, jog, students and many others who walk, jog, run,<00:04:40.720><c> or</c><
• At CART, we focus generally on mobility, and we tend to lean towards light rail as a solution to transit

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ashley is an English teacher at Mifflin County High School, where she instructs students in advanced
• Ashley approaches teaching with the goal of helping each of her students develop their communication
• a student at Shippensburg University.
• To the families of these students, you are in our prayers.
• of these students, you are in<07:18:47.440><c> our</c><07:18:47.718><c> prayers.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, May 5, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And my help every student succeed.
• </c><00:36:42.800><c> who</c> name of caring about the students who name of caring about the students
• at the students relate to the student at the students level.<00:45:10.240><c> Those</c><00:45:11.119
• </c><00:59:23.680><c> who</c> grants or student aid to any student who grants or student aid to any student
• </c> for pregnant and parenting students. for pregnant and parenting students.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We serve over 500 students.
• enrollment and student enrollment capacity.
• </c> education programs and student education programs and student enrollment<00:34:22.440><c> and</c
• ><00:34:22.919><c> student</c><00:34:23.280><c> enrollment</c> enrollment and student enrollment enrollment
• </c> you are a full-time worker and a student you are a full-time worker and a student now<01:51:20.360

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is rooted in my own experience, my own political experience, I first got involved in politics as a student
• 00:12:13.120><c> and</c> um that work bringing campaigns and um that work bringing campaigns and students
• and</c><00:12:13.920><c> administrators</c><00:12:14.560><c> and</c><00:12:14.800><c> public</c> students
• and administrators and public students and administrators and public safety<00:12:15.360><c> together
• They are real barriers that disproportionately affect people with mobility disabilities, chronic illness

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many students who get Pell grants will be harmed.
• ,</c><00:35:28.320><c> led</c> Winterstein prioritized students, led Winterstein prioritized students
• </c> commend each of the dedicated student commend each of the dedicated student athletes,<00:45:30.079
• c> of</c><00:50:13.200><c> Stonehill</c> congratulate the students of Stonehill congratulate the students
• > the</c><00:50:25.760><c> need</c><00:50:26.079><c> for</c> students to address the need for students

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe that professional pay will keep more teachers serving students.
• We believe that a dignified pension keeps teachers in the profession, nurturing students.
• We believe that professional pay will keep more teachers serving students.
• A more experienced colleague students.
• The workforce has never been more mobile.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the planning board just did a student housing definition, so we've been pretty active, so it's been
• And the planning board just did a student housing definition, so we've been pretty active, so it's been
• But when I talk to young people, when I go in to speak with high school students in the classroom, again
• <00:28:01.679><c> in</c><00:28:01.760><c> the</c> students in the students in the classroom<00:28:03.640
• I stepped out of the business, but we own some mobile home parks and rental property.

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with high school students who have participated<00:14:24.639><c> in</c><00:14:24.880><c> the</c><00:
• Thank you, Daryl, for your tremendous service to Putnam County and to our outstanding students.
• May his legacy continue to inspire future generations of student athletes. I yield back.
• </c> in keeping students safe and supported. in keeping students safe and supported.
• For five decades, she has helped shape generations of student athletes both on and off the field.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We worked together, and we used data to send vaccines, community health workers, and mobile clinics to
• How will you repay your student loans? Thanks. Don't you want to do something with less burnout?
• How will you repay your student loans?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket of bills focused on MassHealth benefits and reimbursement, health equity, behavioral health, public health, dental access, 340B drug pricing, tobacco cessation, and coverage for children. The chairs emphasized rising health care costs, provider shortages, administrative burdens, and persistent inequities by income, race, geography, and immigration status. Much of the testimony centered on H.1416/S.901, an act to advance health equity, with legislators and members of the Health Equity Compact arguing for statewide benchmarks, stronger health equity leadership, reimbursement for interpreter services, community health workers and patient navigation, Medicaid graduate medical education support, and a health equity zone trust fund. Witnesses described disparities in life expectancy, maternal mortality, access to primary care, and the impact of federal Medicaid and social service cuts, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. The committee also heard strong support for H.1368/S.847 on rapid whole genome sequencing for critically ill MassHealth children. Testifiers from industry, academia, hospitals, and families said early sequencing can end long diagnostic odysseys, improve treatment decisions, shorten hospital stays, and save money, while also providing emotional relief and information for families. The hearing then moved to H.1407 on MassHealth rate parity for inpatient behavioral health providers, where Rep. Scanlan and the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems said the bill would codify existing administrative parity so managed care plans cannot pay less than the MassHealth fee-for-service rate. On H.1392/S.853 to preserve and protect public health, witnesses supported higher vaccine administration fees to improve provider participation and immunization rates. The committee also heard testimony on H.770/845 to protect 340B providers in MassHealth, and on S.848 to require reporting and transparency around 340B revenues and outside administrative costs. Additional bills drew testimony on tobacco cessation coverage for MassHealth members, with advocates supporting broader access to counseling and medications through medical, behavioral health, and dental providers. On H.1409, a nursing home operator asked for more flexibility in a MassHealth staffing-related penalty tied to patient days per resident. On H.1401/S.888, supporters of the “Take 10” dental access proposal said adult MassHealth dental coverage is underused because too few dentists accept MassHealth, leading to long travel times and avoidable emergency room visits; they urged incentive payments for dentists serving new adult MassHealth patients. Finally, on H.1403/S.855, “Cover All Kids,” advocates and immigrant community members urged removal of immigration status as a barrier to full MassHealth coverage for children, while also backing a related bill to ensure 12 months of continuous coverage for children. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and asked questions on costs, reimbursement levels, and implementation details.

Transcript Highlights:

• Following a successful return in December 2025, we recently mobilized an additional 1,225 soldiers back
• Yeah, so if you've got a student who's got suicidal ideation or wants to go up there with a weapon into
• The academy I mentioned that's hosted at UL has trained 160 students here to date across 29 parishes.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Northwest Louisiana earthquake cluster. Laura Sori of the Department of Conservation and Energy said the agency has inspected Class II injection wells within 12 miles of the earthquakes, found no permit violations, and is requiring monthly reporting of daily injection data. LSU and Tulane researchers explained that the swarm includes about 50 earthquakes detected by USGS since December 2025, including a 4.9 magnitude event on March 5, and that better monitoring is needed because Louisiana has very limited seismic station coverage. Dr. Cynthia Ebinger said her temporary array has detected more small quakes than USGS, that the pattern looks more like a swarm than normal aftershocks, and that the data suggest pressure changes in the subsurface, though no definitive cause was identified. Keith Hall of LSU described how other states responded to suspected induced seismicity with more monitoring, more frequent reporting, injection limits or moratoria, and “traffic light” systems that escalate regulatory responses as seismicity increases. Members asked about depths, fault locations, possible links to injection or fracking, and whether more monitoring and data-sharing should be pursued; several speakers said Louisiana likely needs a denser monitoring network and more structured data collection. A Texas geoscientist, William Berger, also testified that Texas uses large-scale data analysis and AI to study injection-related seismicity and argued for secure sharing of operator data to improve forecasting and risk management. The committee then took testimony on UAV and drone incursions over Barksdale Air Force Base. GOSEP said the incident was logged in WebEOC and the common operating picture, but that Barksdale did not request direct GOSEP resources and that the matter was handled through law enforcement channels. Louisiana State Police and the FBI said they were limited in what they could disclose, but confirmed multiple drone sightings on the morning and evening of March 9 and continued monitoring for several days. State Police said they have created a task force with the Police Chiefs Association, Sheriffs Association, GOSEP, and LSP, and that officers are receiving FBI-related training to help detect and, where authorized, mitigate drones. Members discussed whether the activity was nefarious, what counts as an incursion, and the need for better public education about drone restrictions near military and critical infrastructure sites. No formal action was taken, but members said the issue will continue to be tracked alongside pending legislation. Finally, the committee received a one-year update on the merger of GOSEP with the Louisiana National Guard and Military Department. Major General Thomas Freelieu and Brigadier General Jason Maffus said the merger has reduced GOSEP from seven divisions to three, shifted administrative functions to the Military Department, and produced about $10.5 million in first-year cost avoidance. They said the agency has modernized its common operating picture, returned staff to in-person work, and continued statewide preparedness exercises. Freelieu highlighted Guard missions including cyber expansion, the new Air National Guard cyber squadron at Jackson Barracks, modernization of the 159th Fighter Wing, and ongoing support for homeland security missions in New Orleans and Washington, D.C. Maffus said GOSEP’s core mission remains emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, and that the merger is intended to make state support to parishes faster and more efficient.

Transcript Highlights:

• Following a successful return in December 2025, we recently mobilized an additional 1,225 soldiers back
• Yeah, so if you've got a student who's got suicidal ideation or wants to go up there with a weapon into
• The academy I mentioned that's hosted at UL has trained 160 students here to date across 29 parishes.

Summary: The committee met on May 26, 2026, and first approved the minutes from the May 22, 2025 meeting. The main topic was the Northwest Louisiana earthquake cluster, with testimony from Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy staff, LSU and Tulane geoscientists, and later LSU law professor Keith Hall. Witnesses said the cause of the swarm has not been definitively identified, but induced seismicity from wastewater injection or hydraulic fracturing remains a concern. They described 50 earthquakes reported by the USGS in Red River, Bienville, DeSoto, and Natchitoches Parishes, including a magnitude 4.9 event on March 5, 2026, and explained that Louisiana’s sparse seismic network limits detection and depth/location estimates. C&E said it inspected Class II injection wells within 12 miles of the events, found no violations, now requires more frequent injection reporting, and is working with researchers and LSU on a possible state monitoring network and future policy changes. Committee members asked about injection depths, fault locations, whether the activity could be natural, and whether Louisiana should adopt stronger monitoring or a traffic-light regulatory system like other states. The witnesses said more data is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn, but that denser monitoring can detect smaller quakes and help identify patterns. Professor Hall summarized responses in other states, including more frequent reporting, increased monitoring, injection reductions, moratoria, and traffic-light systems in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Ohio, and Illinois. Members also discussed whether operators should share more seismic and geologic data, and several said the state should avoid jumping to conclusions while still improving oversight. The committee then heard from William Berger, a Texas geoscientist, who described using AI and operator data to model wastewater injection and seismic risk, and said broader data sharing would improve forecasting and siting decisions. He and another witness emphasized that many earthquakes arise from clusters of wells rather than a single well, and that proprietary concerns limit voluntary disclosure. The committee also received a brief update from GOSEP and the Louisiana National Guard on the Barksdale Air Force Base drone incursions. GOSEP said it logged the incident in WebEOC and shared releasable information, while State Police and the FBI said they were limited in what they could disclose. Officers said a task force has been formed, some personnel have received federal drone-mitigation training, and House Bill 940 is intended to mirror the task force MOU. Finally, Major General Thomas Friloux and Brigadier General Jason Maffus updated the committee on the merger of GOSEP into the Louisiana Military Department. They said the merger has reduced GOSEP from seven divisions to three, brought back employees to in-person work, modernized the state’s common operating picture, and produced about $10.5 million in first-year cost avoidance through staffing and contract changes. They also noted the planned transfer of the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, ongoing hurricane preparedness, and continued coordination with parish emergency managers. No votes were taken on the substantive topics, and the meeting ended with the committee moving through its agenda items and receiving informational testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Colleagues, this departmental bill establishes the National Guard State Active Duty Mobilization Fund
• The purpose of the fund is to pay for personnel and equipment for state active duty mobilization of the
• The bill establishes the National Guard State Active Duty Mobilization Fund as a special non-lapsing
• The purpose of the fund is to pay for personnel and equipment for state active duty mobilization of the
• Floor leader for student board educational support board. Yes.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, April 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Passage of this bill will enhance the independence and mobility of service animal handlers by making
• My guide dog provides me with independent mobility, being able to walk safely and confidently.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with the co-chairs introducing House and Senate members and explaining the hybrid format, three-minute testimony guidance, and the deadline for written testimony. The committee then heard extensive testimony on S. 2665, which would require employers to post notice to employees when an I-9 audit or similar federal immigration inspection is underway. Supporters, including immigration attorneys, a pediatrician, a labor leader, and an affected family member, argued the bill would protect privacy, give workers time to gather documents and consult counsel, and reduce fear and wrongful arrests. One witness from Illinois described a similar law there and said it had not caused the problems employers feared, while others said recent ICE enforcement has made notice especially important. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1360, a bill affecting collective bargaining rights for State Police, with the State Police Association arguing that a statutory gap lets departmental rules override their contract and that the bill would restore intended bargaining protections. A separate labor bill, S. 1305, was also briefly supported by the AFL-CIO as part of broader worker-classification protections for app-based delivery drivers. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 2066, which would impose fines on transportation network drivers who refuse rides to people with disabilities using service animals. Testimony from blind and disabled riders, service dog users, advocates, and the Disability Law Center described repeated ride cancellations, drivers pulling away after seeing a service animal, and the difficulty of enforcing existing anti-discrimination laws through MCAD or other agencies. Witnesses said the current system leaves riders without practical recourse because drivers are hard to identify and complaints can take years, and they argued that fines on individual drivers would create a real deterrent. Several witnesses also described the impact on employment, medical appointments, and daily independence. Committee members asked about service-animal verification, whether refusals are ever appropriate, and whether penalties should target drivers or companies; witnesses said legitimate refusals are limited to misbehaving or unsafe animals and that companies already have policies and some training, but enforcement remains weak. The committee also heard from a witness supporting a related bill on rideshare accessibility and from advocates describing broader transportation discrimination issues. One witness discussed a separate proposal to study service-animal denial, and others noted that Uber’s self-identification feature and company policies have not solved the problem. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the meeting ended after the final witnesses on the service-animal bill and a brief organizational discussion about related legislation and committee business.

Transcript Highlights:

• They mobilize after the avalanche has already begun. But what if we stabilize the hillside instead?
• They mobilize after the avalanche has already begun. But what if we stabilize the hillside instead?

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where it adopted a House Committee substitute combining House Bills 3078 and 2672 and voted the substitute do pass, with one no vote. It then separately voted House Bill 2362 and House Bill 2588 do pass, each by 16 ayes and one no. During the executive session, one member objected to the combined bill on constitutional equal-protection grounds, while another supported it as a benefit for veterans. In public hearing, Representative Stephanie Boykin presented House Bill 3280, which would create a Missouri specialty license plate for the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran who previously qualified for a disabled veteran plate. She described it as a low-cost way to continue honoring a veteran’s service and family sacrifice. Committee members and a surviving spouse testified in strong support, emphasizing the recognition of spouses’ sacrifices and noting that similar plates exist in other states. No opposition was offered. The committee then heard House Bill 3029, sponsored by Representative Schulte, which would require disclosures and prohibit compensation for referrals in the business of advising or assisting with veterans’ benefits, with penalties for violations. Supporters, including a Missouri veterans service officer, argued the bill was needed to stop unaccredited “claim shark” companies from charging veterans for initial claims and using misleading social media advertising. Opponents, including a representative of Veterans Guardian and a VA-accredited attorney, argued the bill would restrict lawful private-sector assistance, reduce veterans’ choice, and should be narrowed to target bad actors while exempting accredited attorneys and referral arrangements. The hearing also included a presentation on the Missouri Veterans Recognition Program, which provides medals and certificates for veterans of major conflicts, and a presentation on MU Extension’s Veteran REEDS program, which uses literature and discussion to support veterans and first responders through community-based resilience work.

Transcript Highlights:

• approached at a Meridian Chamber of Commerce event this last summer by an individual who wanted to start a mobile
• at a Meridian Chamber of Commerce event this last summer from an individual who wanted to start a mobile

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, welcomed a substitute member, and received multiple Senate messages and committee reports. Several bills were introduced and referred, including measures on medical advanced healing, insurance/state property claims, stablecoins, solid waste, public assistance definitions, and foreign ownership of single-family homes. The chamber also advanced a number of bills to second or third reading, and adopted House Concurrent Resolution 32 on energy policy, which urged a focus on baseload energy sources, transmission, ratepayer protection, property rights, and aquifer protection; it passed by voice vote. The House passed a series of bills on the floor, including House Bills 838, 721, 817, 752, 680, 860, 875, 876, 877, 795, 826, 832, 843, and 872, along with Senate Bill 1373. The measures covered topics such as requiring draft policy bills with budget recommendations, plan review timelines for public projects, a mobile cigar business permit, restroom and changing-room restrictions, recorded investigative interviews of child abuse allegations, revisions to medical parental rights and emergency care language, vacancy-based budgeting calculations, the State Board of Education budget, vocational rehabilitation rent, a response to litigation over prior law, honey commission governance, CTE teacher recruitment, homeowners exemption proration, and ballot formatting. Most passed with comfortable margins, though House Bill 875 passed narrowly 35-34 and House Bill 752 drew substantial debate before passing 54-50-1. Debate was especially intense on House Bill 752, with supporters framing it as a protection for women’s privacy and safety and opponents arguing it would criminalize bathroom use and target transgender people. House Bill 875 also drew concern that codifying budget-calculation methods could constrain future budgeting flexibility, while supporters said it would improve transparency and prevent funding vacant positions. House Bill 876, the State Board of Education maintenance budget, prompted criticism over a 6.8% base reduction and warnings about layoffs and program cuts at colleges and universities. House Bill 826, 832, 843, and 872 were all considered under suspended rules and passed, and the House also adopted HJM 18 urging action against geoengineering, with members citing concerns about sky streaks and climate intervention. The House recessed and later returned to continue business, with additional Senate bills and House bills referred for committee action.