Transcript Highlights:

• Similarly, H.R. 1 will cut funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which one in seven
• Unfortunately, at the same time, we have H.R. 1 that is, you know, just slicing through the safety net
• H.R. 1 is a cruel piece of legislation that will have disastrous consequences for health care workers
• Federal legislation like H.R. 1 is reshaping programs such as CalFresh and Medi-Cal.
• of workers, but how does H.R. 1 impact?

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• maintenance endowment by individuals, local governments, or private donors, the state would contribute $1
• H.R. 1 enacted a large and harmful cut to food assistance.
• Last year on July 4th, Congress passed H.R. 1, which includes the largest cuts to SNAP, known as CalFresh
• H.R. 1 added a three-month time limit on veterans, which requires them to report 20 hours of work per
• The California Association of Food Banks has asked Congress to repeal H.R. 1 food cuts to veterans and

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs

Summary: The committee heard several veterans-related bills. SB 888 would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income when determining eligibility for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption. Support came from veterans organizations, county veterans services groups, and local officials; there was no opposition, and the bill was approved and sent to Appropriations. SB 1040 would create a state-local matching program for veterans’ cemetery maintenance endowments, with the state matching private or local deposits up to $250,000 per cemetery per year. It drew support from veterans groups and county representatives and was also approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 1407, which would exempt military retirement pay and surviving spouse military retirement benefits from state income tax. The author and supporters argued it would help retain military retirees in California and support the workforce and economy. The bill received broad support from veterans organizations, county officials, and labor representatives, with no opposition, and was moved to Appropriations, with the roll held open and later completed. SB 1034 would streamline access to disabled veteran parking placards for veterans rated 100% permanent and total, and SB 1201, the No Hungry Heroes Act, would seek federal waivers and other changes to protect vulnerable veterans from CalFresh/SNAP cuts and ensure referrals to county veterans service officers. Both bills had support from veterans advocates and food banks, no opposition, and were approved to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1354 would prohibit out-of-state military personnel from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the governor’s permission, while preserving Title 10 activations and mutual aid arrangements. The author and the California Public Defenders Association framed it as a safeguard for state authority and civil rights; there was no opposition, and it was sent to Public Safety. After the main votes, the committee later completed the held rolls and reported the bills out, then adjourned after thanking veterans and attendees.

Transcript Highlights:

• maintenance endowment by individuals, local governments, or private donors, the state would contribute $1
• H.R. 1 enacted a large and harmful cut to food assistance.
• Last year on July 4th, Congress passed H.R. 1, which includes the largest cuts to SNAP, known as CalFresh
• H.R. 1 added a three-month time limit on veterans, which requires them to report 20 hours of work per
• The California Association of Food Banks has asked Congress to repeal H.R. 1 food cuts to veterans and

Summary: The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee heard several veterans-related bills, beginning as a subcommittee until a quorum was established. SB 888 would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income when determining eligibility for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption. Support came from veterans organizations, county veterans services officers, and local government representatives; there was no opposition. The bill was moved to Appropriations and later recorded as passing 4-0. SB 1040 would create a state-local matching program for maintenance endowments for veterans’ cemeteries, with the state matching private or local contributions up to $250,000 per cemetery per year. Supporters emphasized the need for sustainable perpetual care funding for state and county cemeteries, and there was no opposition. SB 1407, the chair’s bill, would exempt military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits from state income tax; supporters argued it would help retain military retirees in California and support the economy, while members noted similar bills had previously stalled in Appropriations. SB 1034 would streamline disabled veteran parking placard eligibility for certain 100% permanent and total veterans, and SB 1201, the No Hungry Heroes Act, would seek federal waivers and related changes to protect vulnerable veterans from CalFresh/SNAP cuts and connect applicants to county veterans service officers. All of these bills received support from veterans groups and related organizations, with no opposition heard. SB 1354 would prohibit out-of-state military personnel not operating under Title 10 from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the governor’s permission, with supporters framing it as a safeguard for state authority and civil liberties. The committee asked about legal testing of the proposal, and the author said it had not yet been tested in court. After roll calls and a brief recess to regain members, the committee recorded 4-0 votes to pass the bills and consent calendar items, and the meeting adjourned after thanking veterans for their service.

Transcript Highlights:

• maintenance endowment by individuals, local governments, or private donors, the state would contribute $1
• H.R. 1 enacted a large and harmful cut to food assistance.
• Last year on July 4th, Congress passed H.R. 1, which includes the largest cuts to SNAP, known as CalFresh
• H.R. 1 added a three-month time limit on veterans, which requires them to report 20 hours of work per
• The California Association of Food Banks has asked Congress to repeal H.R. 1 food cuts to veterans and

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'll start with a little bit about H.R. 1.
• The new Pell was included in H.R. 1 last summer, and immediately it was the talk of the workforce and
• As you can see, H.R. 1 requires the governor to consult with the state's workforce board to determine
• . 1, those first results were very promising.
• My question is getting back to the rulemaking timeline with the H.R. 1 and the Pell Grant: have you identified

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Summary: The committee held a work session on the state of Washington’s community and technical college system, beginning with an update from State Board executive director Nate Humphrey and Tacoma Community College president Ivan Harrell. They described the system’s open-access mission, affordability, enrollment growth over 12 consecutive quarters, credential production, guided pathways work, tribal partnerships, dual enrollment, corrections education, and a new program-search tool. They also highlighted major challenges, especially student basic-needs insecurity, rising emergency aid requests, and federal disruptions affecting TANF, BFET, SNAP-related supports, adult basic education, Perkins funding, and several federal grants. Members asked about SNAP and BFET participation, declining high school graduates, the value of higher education, and how colleges are responding to student needs and workforce demands. AFT Washington and the Washington Association of Higher Education then testified in support of stronger state investment in community and technical colleges, emphasizing the importance of classified staff, professional staff, and contingent faculty to student success. They argued that low wages, unstable employment, and lack of funding for staffing and compensation directly harm advising, retention, and classroom continuity, and urged lawmakers to protect existing funding and avoid further cuts. The committee also heard from the Workforce Board on federal H.R. 1’s new Workforce Pell program and the updated Career Bridge website. The presentation explained that Workforce Pell would support short-term, job-aligned training programs with high completion and employment thresholds, and that Washington is well positioned to implement it through its existing training-provider evaluation system. Members asked about implementation gaps, how the new Pell differs from traditional Pell, and whether eligibility is determined at the program rather than student level. Washington Student Achievement Council staff presented the new Washington Completes FAFSA campaign created by executive order. They described an advisory board, a prior pilot that used microgrants and outreach to boost FAFSA completion, and this year’s goal of 46,000 FAFSA/WASFA completions, with a focus on free-and-reduced-price-lunch students and underrepresented groups. They also demonstrated a public dashboard with subgroup data and a school leaderboard, and said they would provide legislators with outreach materials. Committee members asked about rural and homeschool outreach, Pierce County representation, and whether pilot schools overlapped with other grant programs. The meeting concluded with student leaders from the Washington Student Association, UW Tacoma, and Evergreen State College sharing personal testimony on affordability, basic needs, homelessness supports, Native student scholarships, the Shelton Promise program, and the importance of campus belonging and student support services.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is the fact of what was passed in H.R. 1 as far as the student loan caps and things like that
• We are being quite cognizant of the changes in H.R. 1 as those are enacted over time and as they're phased
• . 1 are going to affect the HDA and hospital fiscal health in general.
• So on page 14, H.R. 1 CAHPS Medicaid Directed Payment. H.R. 1 CAHPS Medicaid Directed Payment.
• If we, because that becomes important, if we're looking at in two years, if H.R. 1 comes into being,

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise in opposition to H.R. 8464.
• I rise in opposition to H.R. 8464.
• Votes will be taken in the following order: passage of H.R. 7892; passage of H.R. 8312; the motion to
• recommit H.R. 8464; passage of H.R. 8464 if ordered; and motions to suspend the rules and pass H.R.
• 8467 and H.R. 8340.

Bills: HB9238 , HB8340 , HB8467 , HB8464 , HB8312 , HB7892

Keywords: financial management, accountability, government oversight, taxpayer funds, federal agencies, budget, performance metrics, improper payments, fraud prevention, payment integrity, government waste, waste, fraud, and abuse, financial loss, federal spending, federal programs, OMB Circular A-123, Do Not Pay Initiative, Treasury Department, Office of Management and Budget, Inspector General

Transcript Highlights:

• H.R. number 162. By Y.
• Speaker, I propose to consider H.R. 238. Rules are suspended.
• H.R. number 245 by Hina Hossa.
• H.R. number two, five, six. 7 by Guillen commemorating the 50th anniversary of Starr County Memorial
• Speaker pro tempore pursuant to rule 1 section 10 of the rules of the Texas House of Representatives

Transcript Highlights:

• Caucus to present H.R. 23, celebrating the life and accomplishments of the legendary labor and civil
• I urge an aye vote on H.R. 23 in recognition of Cesar Chavez.
• I ask for an aye vote on H.R. 23. Assemblymember Jackson, please return to your seat.
• Tuesday, April 1st, floor session at 1 PM. Seeing and hearing no further business.
• Patterson seconds that this house. stands adjourned until Tuesday, April 1st at 1 PM.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congress of H.R. 1 and President Trump's act that he has perpetrated on the country, which really throws
• What is unconstitutional, the Supreme Court said, is a property tax in excess of 1%.
• And the passage of H.R. 1 for our state looks like a $90,000 tax break for the highest-income households
• You've talked about some of the changes since then, the H.R. 1 that was passed last year.
• I think H.R. 1 is a major change.

Summary: House and Senate Democratic leaders announced and defended a new “Millionaire’s Tax” bill, saying it is intended to raise revenue from the highest earners while reducing reliance on sales tax and B&O tax and funding education, health care, community safety, and other state needs. They said the proposal is a starting point and will likely change as they continue talks with the governor, business groups, local governments, and other stakeholders. They also said the bill is not subject to cutoff because it affects state revenue, and that the Senate hearing is scheduled first in Ways and Means, with the House expected to follow after the Senate version moves over. The leaders described the bill as narrowly targeted at roughly 30,000 individual payers, with the first $1 million of income taxed at zero and the rate matching the state capital gains tax above that level. They argued the measure is not a broad income tax and rejected claims that it creates a marriage penalty, saying the structure mirrors the capital gains tax and uses Washington’s capital gains definitions. They also said the bill includes credits and deductions to address pass-through businesses, including dollar-for-dollar credits for B&O and public utilities taxes and an election allowing some businesses to pay the tax at the entity level. A major part of the discussion focused on how the bill would use revenue. Leaders said about 5% would go to counties for public defense costs tied to a new Supreme Court mandate, while the rest would support tax relief and new spending. They said the package would expand the Working Families Tax Credit, increase the small business credit, end the B&O surcharge a year early, and exempt some hygiene and grooming products from sales tax, with the tax-relief share estimated in the 20% range. They also said the necessity clause is needed because of structural budget problems and federal policy changes, and they expressed confidence that voters and lawmakers have become more open to taxing high earners, citing the capital gains tax vote and broader public concern about inequality and federal cuts.

Transcript Highlights:

• . 1.
• Moreover, to put this in context as well, because of the impacts of H.R. 1, the county, And moreover,
• to put this in context as well, because of the impacts of H.R. 1, the county is stepping in.
• As the Senator mentioned, we looked at the stark realities of H.R. 1.
• As the Senator mentioned, we looked at the stark realities of H.R. 1.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, H.R. 62 is reported favorable.
• Do we want to revisit the H.R. in the form of things?”
• It seems to me that the genesis of H.R. 216 is because Rep.
• H.R. 216 is voluntarily deferred. Thank you, Representative Bowen.
• The sampling for the detection thereof will be, again, on July 1.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• Congress of H.R. 1 and President Trump's act that he has perpetrated on the country, which really throws
• What is unconstitutional, the Supreme Court said, is a property tax in excess of 1%.
• And the passage of H.R. 1 for our state looks like a $90,000 tax break for the highest-income households
• You've talked about some of the changes since then, the H.R. 1 that was passed last year.
• I think H.R. 1 is a major change.

Summary: House and Senate Democratic leaders, joined by Speaker Laurie Jinkins and House Finance Chair April Berg, introduced a “Millionaire’s Tax” proposal and framed it as a way to reduce Washington’s reliance on sales tax and B&O tax while raising revenue from the state’s highest earners. They said the bill is a starting point and will continue to change through negotiations with the governor, business groups, local governments, and lawmakers. The leaders also said the proposal is intended to support education, health care, public safety, and tax relief measures such as sales tax exemptions on hygiene products, an expanded working families tax credit, a larger small business tax credit, and an early end to the B&O surcharge. The governor had already said he could not support the bill in its current form, which the sponsors said surprised them because they had spoken positively with him the day before. They said the bill will not be the same by the time it reaches his desk and that they expect continued talks to address his concerns, including more money for small business relief and the working families tax credit. They also defended the bill’s structure, saying it mirrors the state capital gains tax, uses Washington’s capital gains definition, and includes credits intended to prevent double taxation for pass-through businesses and others already paying B&O or related taxes. Much of the discussion focused on criticism from Republicans and outside groups that the proposal amounts to a marriage penalty or could drive away high earners and tech businesses. Democratic leaders rejected those concerns, saying the tax applies only to income above $1 million, that the first million is taxed at zero, and that the state would still compare favorably with other income-tax states. They said about 30,000 taxpayers would be affected and estimated the bill would raise roughly $3.5 billion, with about 5% dedicated to county public defense costs. They also said the bill is not subject to cutoff because it affects state revenue, and that the Senate public hearing is scheduled for Friday afternoon in Ways and Means, with the House expected to hear the Senate version later in the process.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill gives California important tools to mitigate the harmful effects of H.R. 1 for our CalFresh
• . 1 bill.
• . 1.
• So the federal government with H.R. 1 came along came along and said, enough, we're just not going to
• But one thing is for sure, H.R. 1 actually does take food out of the mouths of poor people.

Summary: The Assembly convened after initially lacking a quorum, completed the roll call, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then moved through a long daily file and concurrence calendar, with many items passed without debate and several bills taken up for final votes. The chamber also handled procedural motions, including re-referring AB 1152 to the Public Safety Committee, suspending rules for guest introductions, and later a roll-call vote on a motion to print a journal letter, which passed 41-16. Among the major Senate bills considered on third reading, SB 385, SB 753, SB 838, SB 643, SB 645, SB 761, SB 774, SB 400, SB 24, SB 37, SB 258, SB 364, SB 403, SB 770, and SB 22 all passed, with debate focused on topics such as shopping cart recovery, housing and land use, carbon removal grants, jury selection rules in civil cases, student CalFresh access, real estate licensing sunsets, renewable energy tax incentives, utility spending transparency, attorney advertising ethics, spousal rape protections for disabled spouses, freeway advertising placement, medical aid in dying, EV charging access in HOAs, and gift certificate redemption values. SB 596 on hospital nurse staffing drew the most extended debate, with supporters arguing it enforces existing law and protects patient safety, while opponents warned it could worsen rural hospital closures; the bill ultimately passed 59-0. The Assembly also concurred in numerous Senate amendments to Assembly bills, including measures on service of process, firearms, workers’ compensation, family leave for crime survivors, solid waste, water reporting for data centers, student information privacy, Diwali recognition, wildfire workforce recovery, educational equity, civic education, office-to-housing conversions, cannabis tax relief, browser privacy, housing element transparency, landlord-tenant appliances, code enforcement, homelessness, DEIA in state government, inmate firefighter wages, children’s health, real estate, rehiring protections for laid-off hospitality workers, hazardous materials, housing covenants, aging, care facilities, species protection, CalWORKs modernization, cannabis access for seriously ill patients, foreign labor contractors, and downtown revitalization financing. Most of these concurred with broad bipartisan margins; AB 247 on inmate firefighter wages drew especially extensive bipartisan support and passed 74-0, while AB 93 on data center water reporting and AB 766 on state DEIA planning drew some opposition but still passed concurrence.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Resolution 7, proposing approval of United States H.R. 5966, Ohio River Restoration Program Act
• It expresses our support of the United States H.R. 5966.
• This is our support of the United States H.R. 5966, the Ohio River Restoration Program Act, to bring
• United States H.R. 5966 has wide bipartisan support.
• Your Committee on Health and Human Resources will meet today at 1 p.m. in room 451M.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the first part of the agenda talking about child welfare, we all know the effects from H.R. 1 and
• . 1.
• Families, counties, and the state are all grappling with implementing H.R.1.
• Children will be substantially impacted by cuts to Medi-Cal and CalFresh imposed by H.R. 1.
• CalFresh imposed by H.R. 1.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, H.R. 1 funded the program, but it did not ...provide a distribution formula.
• But there are two significant match rate changes that are occurring as a result of H.R. 1.
• But there are two significant match rate changes that are occurring as a result of H.R. 1.
• H.R. 1 increased that on an ongoing basis to 73% to 75%. That's going to cost us about $33 million.
• So, under H.R. 1... Under H.R. 1, states are beginning to be penalized.

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee of Appropriations met on January 21, 2026, and first considered House Bill 2116, which would appropriate $1 million in fiscal year 2027 to the Colorado River Litigation Fund. The sponsor and Arizona Department of Water Resources both supported the bill, describing it as a backup measure to protect Arizona’s Colorado River entitlements if post-2026 negotiations among the basin states fail. Members discussed how the bill relates to the governor’s separate Colorado River Protection Fund proposal, and staff clarified the two funds serve different purposes. The committee approved HB 2116 on a 17-1 roll call vote. The committee then took up House Bill 2053, which would provide $100,000 for updated stormwater recharge mapping and expand the work beyond state trust lands to private lands. An amendment in the chair’s name was adopted to extend the coordination timeline, broaden the agencies involved, and revise language about mapped sites and appropriable surface water. The sponsor said the bill is intended to identify more places to capture stormwater for recharge rather than letting most rainfall evaporate. ADWR testified neutrally, supporting the mapping effort but raising a concern about language that could be read as requiring the department to determine whether water is appropriable, which it said is a legal question for the courts. The amended bill passed 11-7. House Bill 2148, as amended, was then heard and approved 11-7. The bill would give the legislature authority to appropriate non-custodial federal monies and set requirements for those appropriations. The chair’s amendment excluded federal research grants to universities, university employees, and the Arizona Board of Regents. The sponsor framed the bill as a transparency measure, saying the legislature should know how federal funds are being spent. No outside testimony was offered, and the committee approved the measure after debate about legislative oversight of federal funds. After the bills, the committee received a lengthy JLBC presentation comparing the executive budget with the JLBC baseline. Discussion focused on revenue forecasts, tax conformity, sports betting, lottery and tourism revenue assumptions, SNAP administrative costs and error-rate penalties, developmental disability and Access caseload growth, and K-12 enrollment and ESA spending. Members repeatedly questioned the executive budget’s use of one-time funding for ongoing costs, especially for SNAP administration and DES staffing, and expressed concern about rising supplemental needs and the lack of long-term budget capacity. No votes were taken on the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• That resolution comes H.R. 159.
• Speaker, Special Order 1: House Bill 1. Mr.
• Speaker, Special Order 1. House Bill 1. Mr.
• Speaker, Special Order 1, House Bill 1, House Bill 1 by Rep. Sen.
• That resolution becomes H.R. 63.

Bills: HR159 , HR160 , HR161 , HR162 , HR163 , HR164 , HCR60 , HCR61 , HCR62 , HCR63 , HCR64 , HR153 , HR154 , HR155 , HR156 , HR157 , HR158 , HCR57 , HCR58 , HCR59 , SB124 , SB399 , SB441 , SB447 , SB460 , HCR4 , HCR47 , HB59 , HB74 , HB159 , HB175 , HB330 , HB364 , HB414 , HB458 , HB525 , HB568 , HB628 , HB786 , HB909 , HB1008 , HB1033 , HB1034 , HB1041 , HB1052 , HB1062 , HB1070 , HB1079 , HB1112 , HB1118 , HB1139 , HB1151 , HB1154 , HB1176 , HB1182 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1231 , HB1241 , SB244 , HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB312 , HB313 , HB383 , HB314 , HCR3 , HB983 , HB1126 , HR1 , HR17 , HCR5 , HB27 , HB71 , HB214 , HB225 , HB241 , HB244 , HB306 , HB345 , HB366 , HB446 , HB511 , HB514 , HB655 , HB730 , HB743 , HB1027 , HB1037 , HB1043 , HB1082 , HB1091 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1175 , HB1230 , HB1237 , HB1238 , 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 , SB162 , SB349 , SB350 , SB382 , SB383 , SB127 , HB51 , HB58 , HB140 , HB750 , HB911 , HB982 , HB1010 , HB151 , HB180 , HB192 , HB193 , HB310 , HB635 , HB690 , HB961 , HB1003 , HB1146 , HB864 , HB977 , HB181 , HB31 , HB664 , HB615 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB9 , HB284 , HB393 , HB459 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB682 , HB733 , HB773 , HB996 , HB1113 , HB1234 , HB1236

Keywords: occupational therapy, healthcare, medical professionals, recognition, professional day, property transfer, public records doctrine, bad faith, Louisiana State Law Institute, real estate law, Black Maternal Health Week, maternal health, racial disparities, healthcare access, culturally competent care, Louisiana, community health, motorcycle safety, awareness month, motorcyclists education

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, H.R. 1 funded the program, but it did not H.R. 1 funded the program, but it did not provide a distribution
• But there are two significant match rate changes that are occurring as a result of H.R. 1. to offset
• But there are two significant match rate changes that are occurring as a result of H.R. 1.
• H.R. 1 increased that on an ongoing basis to 73% to 75%. That's going to cost us about $33 million.
• So, under H.R. 1, states are beginning to be penalized.

Bills: HB2053 , HB2116 , HB2148

Committees: House Appropriations , House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Keywords: stormwater, recharge mapping, water resources, groundwater, appropriation, Arizona, HB2116, Colorado River, litigation fund, water rights, Arizona water law, general fund appropriation, state budget, interstate water compact, Colorado River Compact, water litigation, A.R.S. 45-119, natural resources, water policy, river management

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Kerner, H.R. 278. Mr. Gonzalez, if you'd read that into the record, please.
• H.R. 773, Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Gonzalez. All right. Thank you, Representative Owen. H.R. 73. Mr.
• Gonzalez, if you read H.R. 73 into the record, please. Okay, everybody, let's pipe down.
• We have a motion by Representative Horton to report H.R. 73 favorably. Do we have any objections?
• H.R. 73 favorably. Do we have any objections? Hearing none, let H.R. 73 be reported favorably.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of criminal justice measures, with several bills and resolutions reported favorably and others rejected or deferred. Representative Baham’s HB 255, as substituted, would enhance penalties for certain felony or rioting offenses committed while wearing a mask to evade identification, with exceptions for religious, motorcycle, and medical coverings; it was reported favorably after opposition from the ACLU and support from law enforcement groups. His HB 378, as amended, narrowed a vehicle-obstruction offense to first responders and was also reported favorably. HB 1090, increasing penalties for arson of a religious building, was reported favorably with support from the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops. HR 272, requesting a study of parental discipline, abuse allegations, and juvenile delinquency, was reported favorably after sponsor testimony about confusion over current law. HB 479, the “Fiscal Truth and Sentencing Act,” sought quarterly reporting on incarceration costs and sentencing impacts; despite support from the ACLU and opposition from clerks of court over an unfunded mandate, it failed on a 4-7 roll call. HR 278, asking the Attorney General to review electronic monitoring laws and make recommendations, was reported favorably after testimony from advocates and supporters of tighter oversight. HR 273, creating a task force to study work-release programs, was also reported favorably, while SB 278 was voluntarily deferred. The committee also considered several high-profile social policy measures. HB 261, by Representative Boyd, would create an exception to abortion restrictions for rape and certain sex offenses; the hearing featured extensive emotional testimony from survivors, clergy, and legislators on both sides, but the bill was rejected on a 2-10 vote. HCR 100, as amended, urged the Gaming Control Board to ensure due diligence in proposed casino acquisitions with attention to economic development, job creation, and community benefit; the amendment resolved industry concerns and the resolution was reported favorably. SB 448, concerning the Office of the State Public Defender, was amended to add procedures for expert-witness funding disputes, sealed contradictory hearings, and interlocutory review, then reported favorably. SB 135, which would redirect sports wagering revenue away from a capped sports fund and toward early childhood seats, drew opposition from university-related interests but no motion was made. Finally, HB 778 on kratom was presented as a narrower approach that would ban synthetic and semi-synthetic kratom while allowing regulated natural products; testimony included concerns about harm, business impacts, and claimed benefits for pain management and PTSD, and the discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.