Transcript Highlights:

• The special committee on congressional redistricting will come to order.
• Okay, so the purpose of today's hearing is to hear testimony from invited witnesses on Congressional
• Of allowing those invited members, which, by the way, includes all the Democrat congressional members
• They certainly can, because it's open to the public, and the congressional members can as well.
• Congressional members and for the invited experts or invited witnesses, out of courtesy to the public

Transcript Highlights:

• truancy and engagement standards so that school districts would have guidance, would have additional authority
• Representative of Massachusetts' Fourth Congressional District, where he served proudly from 1981 to
• Representative Michael Harrington, who represented Massachusetts' 6th Congressional District.
• In 1980, Barney ran for Congress and was elected to serve Massachusetts' Fourth Congressional District

Transcript Highlights:

• On behalf of everyone in Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I want to congratulate Shatzer Fruit
• On behalf of everyone in Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I want to congratulate Shatzer Fruit
• </c> employees that review and authorize employees that review and authorize grants<00:12:53.800><c>
• </c> section 803a of the Congressional section 803a of the Congressional recognition<02:14:25.040><c>
• I now yield two minutes to the bill's sponsor and author, the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Davidson.

Bills: HR736 , HR692 , HR965 , HR975 , HR386 , HR224

Keywords: diaper need, infant health, family well-being, basic needs, public health, childcare, September 11, terrorist attacks, education, curriculum, first responders, national security, temporary protected status, Haiti, immigration, refugees, quorum, House of Representatives, business proceeding, legislative procedure

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:13.680><c> candidates's</c> are this congressional candidates's are this congressional candidates's
• Of course, we don't have that authority.
• :02.720><c> to</c> sure we don't have the authority to sure we don't have the authority to change<00:
• We can't overrule a specific authority.
• </c><00:22:55.520><c> because</c> that we don't have the authority because that we don't have the authority

Summary: The conference committee first met on HB 1260, a bill requested by municipal clerks to allow certain divorce-related records to be kept confidential. House members argued the Senate amendment would reverse the presumption of openness established in the Keene Sentinel case and raise constitutional issues under the state constitution’s privacy and open-government provisions. Senate members responded that the 2018 privacy amendment, the limited scope of the proposal, and modern internet risks justified the change, but the House maintained the issue needed a full hearing in a separate bill. The committee ultimately voted unanimously for the Senate to recede and adopt the House version, preserving the underlying bill without the Senate amendment, and both sides said they would revisit the topic in a future session. The committee then took up HB 1574, which extends free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch programs and provides funding for SNAP administrative costs. The main dispute was the Senate’s addition of $4.4 million for SNAP administration, which DHHS said was needed because federal law would shift more administrative costs to the state and could increase the state’s SNAP error rate, potentially triggering much larger future penalties. DHHS officials reported the current error rate was 7.57% for federal fiscal year 2024, below the national average, and estimated that if the rate rose above 8%, the state could owe about 10% of SNAP benefits, or roughly $12 million for a partial year and nearly $16 million for a full year. Some House members supported the added funding as a preventive measure, while others objected that the underlying bill was modest and the amendment resembled a previously rejected proposal. The discussion ended with the committee moving toward the House position and the bill’s future depending on the chamber’s vote on the Senate amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are going to open a hearing on HR 18, urging the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation to sponsor
• HR 18 urges the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation to sponsor legislation relative to and urging
• governed by USDA and the federal government, we decided to put in this resolution to urge our Congressional
• resolution to urge our uh Congressional Delegation<00:07:24.360><c> to</c><00:07:24.960><c> sponsor<
• You guys can look specifically underneath that RSA, just giving the department that more authority in

Summary: The committee opened a hearing on HR 18, a resolution urging New Hampshire’s congressional delegation to seek federal changes that would let very small slaughter plants use custom-exempt inspection criteria with a third-party inspector present, so beef, pork, lamb, and goat could be sold as individual cuts directly to consumers. Representative Judy Aron said the resolution was drafted in lieu of state legislation because the issue is governed by USDA rules, and she noted she was also working on an amendment to ensure the measure covered federal “very small” plants. Representative Miner asked for clarification about custom slaughter versus retail sales, and Representative Scully supported the resolution while suggesting language to make clear it applied only to local end consumers. Joyce Brady of the New Hampshire Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the state’s four USDA slaughterhouses and the bottleneck in custom cutting made the issue important. After no further testimony, the chair closed the hearing. The committee then moved into a work session on several bills. For HB 616, members discussed an amendment that had been revised after public comments and Commissioner Jasper’s feedback; Representative Guber said it balanced the competing positions, and Representative Penza and Representative Ger said the language now addressed concerns about animal suffering by allowing euthanasia if a treating veterinarian determines the animal is in extreme suffering. The committee then discussed HB 77, with Representative Penza describing changes to landfill-related standards, including replacing aquifer references with drinking water wells, removing a penalty section, changing discretionary language to mandatory language for the department, and adjusting an in situ soils standard. Members praised the compromise, though Representative Scully raised concerns about the 1,500-foot setback and suggested engineering controls such as berms; Penza responded that current rules do not include such controls and that the setback was intended to address surface spills. Several members said the bill reflected a hard-fought balance and should not be rewritten at the last minute. For HB 505, the freeze-dried food bill, Representative Aron explained that the amendment replaced a simple exemption with a requirement that homestead food operations selling freeze-dried foods from a farm stand, farmers market, or retail food store obtain a homestead food license under RSA 143-A:4. She said the amendment defines freeze-dried foods as fruits, vegetables, and commercially prepared dairy products, and delays the effective date 120 days to allow rulemaking. Members generally supported the approach as a light-touch oversight mechanism for potentially hazardous foods, though Representative Ktoa asked for clarification about how the amendment interacts with existing licensing and inspection exemptions, and Aron clarified that these products would not be exempt from licensing under the relevant law. The committee then turned to HB 250, concerning local authority over dog muzzling, where members broadly supported the amendment as a simple solution, while Representative Ktoa asked about the underlying definition of a vicious dog and whether all listed behaviors would warrant muzzling. The discussion noted that the amendment would allow towns to require muzzling for dogs meeting the statutory definition, while excluding hunting, working, herding, and similar dogs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:30:48.480><c> that</c> exceed the equitable authority that exceed the equitable authority that
• There was no statutory authority authorizing this, specifically with respect to negotiated rates, and
• There was no statutory authority authorizing this, specifically with respect to negotiated rates, and
• There was no statutory authority authorizing this, specifically with respect to negotiated rates, and
• . authority. authority.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the State of Hawaii’s affirmative litigation against the federal administration, with no public testimony. Attorney General Lopez and deputies said the office’s goal is to enforce the rule of law, not make partisan points, and noted that Hawaii is involved in 27 ongoing cases. They grouped the cases into four broad areas: immigration, funding freezes and grant terminations, federal agency dismantling/reductions in force, and protecting elections, health, and safety. Several immigration-related cases were discussed in detail. These included a challenge to the federal sharing of Medicaid data with DHS for immigration enforcement, a similar challenge to USDA’s demand for SNAP applicant and recipient data, and litigation over immigration-enforcement conditions attached to federal grants. The office also described the birthright citizenship executive order, saying it conflicts with the 14th Amendment and Supreme Court precedent; lower courts granted preliminary relief, and the U.S. Supreme Court later addressed only the scope of nationwide injunctions, not the merits. In the Department of Transportation case, the court granted a preliminary injunction against the “Duffy directive,” finding the immigration conditions lacked statutory authority, were arbitrary and capricious, and violated the Spending Clause and APA. The briefing also covered multiple funding disputes. In the education funding freeze case, the Department of Education and OMB withheld about $6 billion in formula funds, including roughly $33 million for Hawaii; after suit was filed, the funds were released. Other cases included the termination of over $11 billion in public health grants, which affected Hawaii Department of Health grants, the NIH indirect cost cap case, and NIH grant terminations tied to DEI, transgender issues, and vaccine hesitancy. The speakers said some cases have already resulted in preliminary or permanent injunctions, while others remain on appeal or are still being litigated.

Transcript Highlights:

• Article 48 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth authorizes voters to propose an
• I've authored, co-authored, or edited 12 scholarly books and over 100 peer-reviewed articles on topics
• Washington was the first state to adopt the top-two primary system for congressional and state-level
• Washington was the first state to adopt the top two primary system for congressional and state-level
• In congressional races, the real election happens in a low-turnout partisan primary.

Bills: H5001

Committee: Joint Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions

Keywords: election day registration, voter registration, proof of residency, provisional ballot, party affiliation

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-12, H.503, an act to implement all-party state primaries. Committee leaders explained the Article 48 process and said the hearing was part of the Legislature’s review before any measure could advance toward the 2026 ballot. The hearing format included subject-matter experts, proponents, opponents, and public testimony, though this excerpt mainly covers the expert and proponent panels. The first expert, Northeastern University political scientist Costas Panagopoulos, described top-two primaries used in states such as California, Washington, Alaska, Louisiana, and Nebraska, and said the research shows only modest or mixed effects. He argued that top-two systems do not reliably reduce polarization, can weaken party gatekeeping, may increase campaign spending and incumbent advantages, and can lead to undervoting when voters do not see a preferred candidate on the ballot. In response to questions, he said turnout effects are mixed and not substantially higher overall. Katie King of the National Conference of State Legislatures then outlined different primary systems, including closed, open, top-two/top-four, nonpartisan, all-comers, and blanket primaries, and reviewed Supreme Court cases holding blanket primaries unconstitutional while upholding Washington’s top-two system. She also noted that changing primary systems would require significant voter education and administrative preparation. The proponent panel, led by Danielle Allen of the Coalition for Healthy Democracy, argued that Massachusetts has too many uncontested elections, low primary participation, and too little accountability, and that all-party primaries would give every voter a meaningful choice in a higher-turnout general election. Supporters said the proposal is tailored to Massachusetts, would keep party endorsements visible on the ballot, and could broaden competition, improve representation, and help independent and minor-party candidates. Jim Henderson, coalition counsel, said the bill is narrowly focused on state-level primaries and was drafted to fit Article 48 requirements. Other proponents, including Kevin Johnson, Kate Kavanaugh, and Spencer Reynolds, echoed that the current system overrepresents a small partisan electorate and that the reform would shift power to voters. Committee members pressed the proponents on turnout evidence, party endorsements, ballot access, the role of fusion-style cross-endorsements, the effect on polarization, and whether the change would actually improve representation or simply move party influence to an earlier stage. No votes or final committee action were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• To ensure the department can provide these services for life-saving OTPs, my bill will authorize DOH
• the fee-setting authority.
• Here is a graphic from a recent Congressional Budget Office report that I chopped up into pieces.
• over the program, HRSA does not have authority under the statute to enforce their interpretation.
• authority rests with the federal government, not with drug manufacturers acting on their own.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2437, which would put the Department of Health’s authority to accredit opioid treatment programs into statute and allow the department to set a fee to cover the cost of those services. The prime sponsor and DOH said the bill would preserve a service that is especially important to tribal and rural providers and would be self-sustaining rather than supported by the general fund. Members asked about the relationship between DOH and HCA and whether the bill would duplicate existing authority; staff and the department said DOH already performs the accrediting role and the bill mainly formalizes that authority and fee-setting power. Public testimony on the bill was then closed. The committee then held an extensive work session on the federal 340B drug pricing program and later opened public testimony on House Bill 2145, which would prohibit manufacturers, distributors, and third-party logistics providers from restricting 340B drug acquisition or delivery and from requiring claims or utilization data as a condition of access. Committee staff and NCSL gave background on how 340B works, recent growth in the program, contract pharmacy issues, and state efforts in other jurisdictions. Testimony on HB 2145 was sharply divided: hospitals, community health centers, tribal representatives, contract pharmacies, and labor groups said the bill would protect safety-net providers, rural access, HIV and behavioral health services, and tribal programs from manufacturer restrictions; business groups, pharmaceutical companies, and employer coalitions argued the program has expanded beyond its original intent, lacks transparency, shifts costs to employers and taxpayers, and should be addressed through federal reform instead. No vote was taken in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2155, which would bar non-human entities from using nursing titles such as RN, APRN, or LPN or otherwise implying they are licensed nurses. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to protect patients from being misled by AI systems and to preserve transparency and public safety as health care technology expands. The Washington State Nurses Association testified in support, saying AI can be useful but should not replace nurses or be presented as a licensed professional. A member asked about enforcement and liability, and staff said they would follow up on those details.

Transcript Highlights:

• We feel we have enough information from the Health Care Authority to estimate some reduction in the taxable
• But, Co-chairs, after this meeting, I think I'll follow up with my colleague at the Health Care Authority
• Do we need to take motions and letters to the congressional leaders?
• There's also, of course, our congressional delegation. There's our tribal councils of government.
• So within that, it had to fall within our congressional group.

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• truancy and engagement standards so that school districts would have guidance, would have additional authority
• Representative for Massachusetts' Fourth Congressional District, where he served proudly from 1981 to
• Representative Michael Harrington, who represented Massachusetts' 6th Congressional District.
• In 1980, Barney ran for Congress and was elected to serve Massachusetts' Fourth Congressional District

Summary: The Senate began with several adjournment motions in memory of John Edwards and Hadley Boucher, each adopted by voice vote, followed later by a unanimous adjournment motion in memory of Barney Frank. The chamber also observed moments of silence for the deceased. In between, the Senate considered a child welfare bill, House No. 4646, with multiple amendments offered on issues including a Massachusetts Children’s Cabinet, student transfers, reasonableness in statutory language, electronic backpack records transfer, Office of the Child Advocate information integrity, timeout and isolation standards, best-interest-of-the-child standards, CRA filing prerequisites, probation petition standards, truancy and engagement standards, and mandated reporter definitions. Several amendments were withdrawn; others were adopted or rejected. Notably, amendments on student transfers, reasonableness, electronic backpacks, information management integrity, and the Senate Ways and Means draft were adopted, while several Tarr amendments were not adopted. After amendment consideration, the Senate ordered the bill to a third reading and then passed it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 39 in favor and none opposed. The transcript indicates the bill was then sent forward after engrossment. Separately, the Senate took up the House’s amendment to the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, voted not to concur, and requested a committee of conference, appointing Senators Creem, Finegold, and O’Connor. The Senate also adopted an order to reconvene the following Monday at 11 a.m. and to dispense with printing a calendar before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd be glad to continue conversations with the author on that. Thanks.
• We'd be glad to continue conversations with the author on that.
• Immediate jobs creation will generate... congressionally directed spending from congressionally directed
• I asked about the CDS funding, the congressionally designated funding.
• Um, any closing comments by the bill author?

Bills: HF2928 , HF2912 , HF2297

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:44:52.040><c> have</c> some of the sanction authorities have some of the sanction authorities
• </c> their congressionally mandated missions. their congressionally mandated missions.
• </c><05:15:05.640><c> the</c> our national parks by authorizing the our national parks by authorizing
• The bill time-limited authority.
• :21.640><c> the</c> This legislation would authorize the This legislation would authorize the Bureau<

Bills: HR831 , HB6380 , HR528 , HB2196 , HB5729 , HB5254 , HB4294 , HB3073 , HB2294 , HB1665 , HB4284 , HB4467 , HB2709 , HB1422 , SB1884 , SB3971

Keywords: Down syndrome, awareness month, federal funding, research, advocacy, healthcare, quality of life, disabilities, Vietnam veterans, recognition, freedom, democracy, military service, Save Our Sequoias Act, giant sequoia, giant sequoias, Sequoiadendron giganteum, California forests, wildfire resilience, forest management

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Barrow moves to open the machine for co-authors. Co-authors, members.
• Senator Hodges, that was the machine for co-authors. Co-authors, members.
• Open the machine for co-authors. Co-authors, members. Madam Secretary, closing: 11 co-authors.
• Co-authors, members. Madam Secretary, closing: 11 co-authors. Next bill.
• Madam Secretary, closing: 17 co-authors, 19 co-authors, 20 co-authors with Mizell.

Bills: SB525 , SR112 , SR109 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR12 , HB175 , HB276 , HB437 , HB456 , HB457 , HB459 , HB488 , HB579 , HB656 , HB804 , HB818 , HB841 , HB981 , HB1052 , HB1089 , HB1101 , HB1154 , HB1166 , HB1193 , HB1194 , HB1203 , HB1209 , HB1244 , HB1249 , HB221 , HCR69 , HCR58 , SB57 , SB405 , SB414 , HB62 , HB193 , HB203 , HB205 , HB210 , HB220 , HB222 , HB228 , HB246 , HB420 , HB475 , HB486 , HB574 , HB584 , HB750 , HB799 , HB813 , HB815 , HB826 , HB870 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1045 , HB1092 , HB1151 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1177 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1236 , HB1241 , SB106 , SB206 , SB248 , SB441 , SR86 , SCR30 , SB83 , SB135 , SB143 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB237 , SB276 , SB295 , SB388 , SB450 , SB465 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB484 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB501 , SB513 , HCR31 , HB301 , HB358 , HB359 , HB384 , HB413 , HB428 , HB450 , HB462 , HB547 , HB613 , HB631 , HB657 , HB669 , HB675 , HB680 , HB691 , HB712 , HB716 , HB720 , HB723 , HB727 , HB728 , HB735 , HB747 , HB759 , HB825 , HB845 , HB846 , HB903 , HB904 , HB907 , HB923 , HB929 , HB941 , HB962 , HB965 , HB1036 , HB287 , HB370 , HB515 , HB521 , HB570 , HB1200 , HB29 , HB39 , HB58 , HB67 , HB73 , HB76 , HB77 , HB82 , HB112 , HB121 , HB125 , HB132 , HB134 , HB151 , HB154 , HB155 , HB161 , HB166 , HB187 , HB191 , HB207 , HB211 , HB224 , HB238 , HB241 , HB242 , HB250 , HB260 , HB265 , HB275 , HB300 , HB320 , HB338 , HB339 , HB349 , HB379 , HB399 , HB427 , HB463 , HB464 , HB468 , HB545 , HB550 , HB551 , HB565 , HB588 , HB639 , HB725 , HB782 , HB805 , HB808 , HB834 , HB847 , HB853 , HB858 , HB861 , HB883 , HB916 , HB937 , HB977 , HB1012 , HB1027 , HB1044 , HB1054 , HB1091 , HB1117 , HB90 , HB127 , HB138 , HB150 , HB201 , HB268 , HB273 , HB285 , HB315 , HB354 , HB355 , HB360 , HB376 , HB445 , HB506 , HB606 , HB649 , HB665 , HB681 , HB721 , HB746 , HB757 , HB781 , HB835 , HB844 , HB857 , HB872 , HB886 , HB889 , HB892 , HB972 , HB982 , HB987 , HB1037 , HB1068 , HB1072 , HB1078 , HB1085 , HB1132 , HB1137 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1232 , HB1238 , HB23 , HB136 , HB36 , HB119 , HB126 , HB129 , HB245 , HB271 , HB280 , HB337 , HB351 , HB677 , HB726 , HB789 , HB850 , HB956 , HB966 , SB149 , SB382

Summary: The Senate convened with 27 members present, heard a guest minister’s prayer for the National Day of Prayer, and adopted the pledge. The chamber then dispensed with the journal and received a legislative bureau report on numerous House bills. It also received House messages on several Senate bills and joint resolutions, including concurrence on multiple Senate measures with amendments, and introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 63, which would request an audit of the fiscal note process. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 86, which would prohibit eyeglasses with video or audio recording capability on the Senate floor without approval from the President. Several Senate bills were advanced, including measures on human trafficking training in schools (SB 83), bulletproof vests for peace officers (SB 143), dental care for cancer patients (SB 155), parental leave for educators (SB 157), election board compensation days (SB 202), child welfare and the state child ombudsman (SB 237), brain injury treatment coverage (SB 295), foreign-adversary contract review and homeland security (SB 388), school safety reporting (SB 450), and prompt-pay standards for health care claims (SB 465). Most of these bills passed the Senate unanimously or near-unanimously and were moved to reconsider, while SB 513 on public works average-bid contracting was amended and returned to the calendar. The Senate also took up many House bills, passing measures on voluntary portable benefits for independent contractors (HB 301), memorial highway and terminal designations (HB 358, HB 384, HB 428, HB 657, HB 675, HB 716, HB 972), insurance and health-related changes (HB 413, HB 450, HB 631, HB 680), workforce development (HB 680), and a seafood research authorization near Grand Isle (HB 669). Several bills were amended before passage, including HB 359 on election qualifying rules and HB 675 with an added memorial corridor for crossing guard Katie Wells. Other House bills were received but not acted on or were returned to the calendar. The session ended with committee announcements, a brief recognition of mothers in the chamber, and adjournment until Monday, May 11 at 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Barrow moves to open the machine for co-authors. Co-authors, members. Co-authors, members.
• Eight co-authors. Next bill.
• Senator Talbot moves to open the machine for co-authors. Co-authors, members.
• Can you open the machine for co-authors, Madam Secretary? Co-authors: Abraham, yes.
• Madam Secretary, close the machine: 17 co-authors, 19 co-authors, 20 co-authors with Mizell.

Bills: SB525 , SR112 , SR109 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR12 , HB175 , HB276 , HB437 , HB456 , HB457 , HB459 , HB488 , HB579 , HB656 , HB804 , HB818 , HB841 , HB981 , HB1052 , HB1089 , HB1101 , HB1154 , HB1166 , HB1193 , HB1194 , HB1203 , HB1209 , HB1244 , HB1249 , HB221 , HCR69 , HCR58 , SB57 , SB405 , SB414 , HB62 , HB193 , HB203 , HB205 , HB210 , HB220 , HB222 , HB228 , HB246 , HB420 , HB475 , HB486 , HB574 , HB584 , HB750 , HB799 , HB813 , HB815 , HB826 , HB870 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1045 , HB1092 , HB1151 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1177 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1236 , HB1241 , SB106 , SB206 , SB248 , SB441 , SR86 , SCR30 , SB83 , SB135 , SB143 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB237 , SB276 , SB295 , SB388 , SB450 , SB465 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB484 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB501 , SB513 , HCR31 , HB301 , HB358 , HB359 , HB384 , HB413 , HB428 , HB450 , HB462 , HB547 , HB613 , HB631 , HB657 , HB669 , HB675 , HB680 , HB691 , HB712 , HB716 , HB720 , HB723 , HB727 , HB728 , HB735 , HB747 , HB759 , HB825 , HB845 , HB846 , HB903 , HB904 , HB907 , HB923 , HB929 , HB941 , HB962 , HB965 , HB1036 , HB287 , HB370 , HB515 , HB521 , HB570 , HB1200 , HB29 , HB39 , HB58 , HB67 , HB73 , HB76 , HB77 , HB82 , HB112 , HB121 , HB125 , HB132 , HB134 , HB151 , HB154 , HB155 , HB161 , HB166 , HB187 , HB191 , HB207 , HB211 , HB224 , HB238 , HB241 , HB242 , HB250 , HB260 , HB265 , HB275 , HB300 , HB320 , HB338 , HB339 , HB349 , HB379 , HB399 , HB427 , HB463 , HB464 , HB468 , HB545 , HB550 , HB551 , HB565 , HB588 , HB639 , HB725 , HB782 , HB805 , HB808 , HB834 , HB847 , HB853 , HB858 , HB861 , HB883 , HB916 , HB937 , HB977 , HB1012 , HB1027 , HB1044 , HB1054 , HB1091 , HB1117 , HB90 , HB127 , HB138 , HB150 , HB201 , HB268 , HB273 , HB285 , HB315 , HB354 , HB355 , HB360 , HB376 , HB445 , HB506 , HB606 , HB649 , HB665 , HB681 , HB721 , HB746 , HB757 , HB781 , HB835 , HB844 , HB857 , HB872 , HB886 , HB889 , HB892 , HB972 , HB982 , HB987 , HB1037 , HB1068 , HB1072 , HB1078 , HB1085 , HB1132 , HB1137 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1232 , HB1238 , HB23 , HB136 , HB36 , HB119 , HB126 , HB129 , HB245 , HB271 , HB280 , HB337 , HB351 , HB677 , HB726 , HB789 , HB850 , HB956 , HB966 , SB149 , SB382

Keywords: unclaimed property, abandoned property, escheat, state treasurer, administrator, claimant, purchase agreement, assignment, property recovery, owner verification, documentation requirements, fraud prevention, bankruptcy, bankruptcy court, court order, Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, Louisiana Revised Statutes, R.S. 9:167.1, Chennault International Airport, 40th anniversary

Transcript Highlights:

• First, I want to thank Senator Mchuan and Senator Raric for authoring this bill to assist the college
• It was built<00:10:22.480><c> with</c><00:10:22.640><c> US</c><00:10:22.959><c> Congressional</c><00:
• 10:23.519><c> and</c><00:10:23.760><c> Federal</c> built with US Congressional and Federal built with
• Uh, thank my co-author, Senator Koop, who's with me.
• </c> certifications and congressionally certifications and congressionally directed<01:03:19.839><c>

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• For each congressional district.
• And so this bill gives them the authority to do that with adequate...
• I was looking at the co-authors. I don’t see Representative Kerner as a co-author.
• Stephen Gillay, who is a noted authority on campaign law and campaign finance law.
• Yeah, Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East. I thought.

Summary: The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee met on May 20, 2026, with a quorum present and no minutes available for approval. The committee first heard HB 181, which would let the legislative auditor review income tax data to verify eligibility for Medicaid and, at LDH’s request, SNAP. The auditor said the work would be limited to internal data testing under sharing agreements and not disclosed to third parties. After questions about privacy and duplication, the bill was reported favorably to the floor without objection. The committee then took up HB 906 on presidential preference primaries and party nominating petitions. The Secretary of State and bill author said the measure would let major parties decide whether unaffiliated voters may participate in their primaries, with 180 days’ notice to the state, and would keep party rules consistent within presidential years so elections can be programmed properly. Several senators raised concerns that the bill would disenfranchise no-party voters and give parties too much control, but supporters said both major parties had approved the approach. The committee voted 4-3 to report the bill favorably. Members also advanced HB 398, which would require the judiciary to use the federal GSA meal per diem rate instead of the current higher state judicial rate; HB 1052, which strengthens confidentiality protections for child abuse investigations handled by child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams; HB 1245, which protects witness criminal history records from unintended public release in clerk of court records; HB 202, which requires state civil service or hiring agencies to notify applicants when a vacancy is filled or they are rejected; HB 540, which requires disclosure of paid digital election advertising; HB 9, designating stuffed shrimp as a Louisiana specialty; HB 1057, extending the validity of absentee-by-mail applications for military voters from one year to two; HB 225, proposing a constitutional amendment to limit governors to two lifetime terms; HB 177, allowing retired court reporters to contract with former public employers; and HB 459, requiring disclosure when campaign materials use AI, with amendments adopted after discussion of First Amendment and campaign finance concerns. The committee also rejected an amendment to HB 1057 that would have expanded Sunday early voting in certain parishes. After the bills, the committee held confirmation hearings for James Kelly and Charles Wilkinson to the Board of Supervisors of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, both of whom described education and workforce development backgrounds and were favorably received.

Transcript Highlights:

• For each congressional district.
• And so this bill gives them the authority to do that with adequate...
• And so this bill gives them the authority to do that with adequate notice to the state.
• I was looking at the co-authors. I don't see Representative Kerner as a co-author.
• Stephen Gillay, who is a noted authority on campaign law and campaign finance law.

Bills: HB9 , HB177 , HB181 , HB202 , HB225 , HB398 , HB459 , HB540 , HB906 , HB1052 , HB1057 , HB1245

Committee: Senate Senate & Governmental Affairs

Keywords: HB 9, HB9, Act 527, Shreveport, Stuffed Shrimp Capital, state symbol, Louisiana symbols, municipal designation, honorary title, cultural designation, tourism, local pride, seafood, shrimp, stuffed shrimp, cuisine, city branding, Louisiana Revised Statutes 49:170.26, court reporter, official court reporter

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> things are like congressionally things are like congressionally authorized<01:05:15.440><c> uh</
• of authorized uh in support of congressionally<01:05:16.559><c> authorized</c><01:05:17.039><c> military
• </c> congressionally authorized military congressionally authorized military contingencies<01:05:18.720
• </c> declaration of war or congressional declaration of war or congressional authorization.<01:05:28.720
• , the authority to full police authority, the authority to take<01:19:49.679><c> law</c><01:19:49.920

Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on federal and state authority over National Guard deployment in response to civil protest or unrest, prompted by recent federal actions and the California litigation in Newsom v. Trump. The chair explained the purpose was to help lawmakers and the public understand the legal background, the status of the California case, and possible Hawaii policy responses. David Day of the Attorney General’s office outlined several recent federal immigration-related executive actions and enforcement directives, then described Hawaii’s participation in multiple lawsuits challenging federal funding conditions, data-sharing demands, and the birthright citizenship order. A major portion of the briefing focused on Newsom v. Trump. Day summarized the June 2025 Los Angeles protests and the president’s memorandum federalizing National Guard units under 10 U.S.C. 12406, which California challenged as ultra vires, procedurally improper, and violative of the Posse Comitatus Act, the Tenth Amendment, and the APA. He said the district court initially granted relief, but the Ninth Circuit stayed the TRO and held, in a published decision, that review under section 12406 is highly deferential and that the president lawfully exercised authority under paragraph 3. He also noted California-law issues about orders being issued through the governor, and said Hawaii had supported California through amicus briefs and would continue to do so; the bench trial was scheduled for August 11-13. Members then asked how Hawaii law differs from California’s and whether the Ninth Circuit ruling would control here. Day said the standard-of-review aspects would likely apply, but the California-specific procedural language about orders issued in the governor’s name does not appear in Hawaii law. The committee also heard from Colonel Lloyd C. Phelps of the Hawaii Department of Defense, who explained that National Guard activations generally occur under Title 10 federal orders, state orders, or other statuses, and said the June 2025 federalization mechanism was a Title 10 call-up. He began addressing the president’s authority, the Posse Comitatus Act, and Hawaii’s own preparedness, but the discussion was cut short and members indicated they would return to the topic later. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• His experience and background has served him well during his first term as a member of this authority
• So are our banking districts still configured by the old congressional districts?
• Maybe questions for the author. Senator Kirt. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Other questions from the author? Senator Howard.
• There will be questions of the author. House Bill 4305. Senator Hamilton, you are recognized.

Bills: HB1590 , HB1242 , HB3818 , HB4305

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The committee first considered and unanimously approved the nomination of Keith Ventress to the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority and then to the Oklahoma Industrial Finance Authority. Members noted his banking background and asked a brief question about the reference to old congressional district boundaries in the nomination materials, but there was no substantive opposition and both nominations advanced to the Senate. House Bill 1590, by Senator Daniels, would create an Oklahoma education infrastructure linked deposit program to provide reduced-interest loans for charter schools and nonprofit private schools for capital and building needs. Supporters said it would use existing state linked-deposit structures already used for agriculture and affordable housing, while opponents raised concerns about using taxpayer-backed funds for private schools, the bill’s broad nonprofit language, and whether it could lead to more state oversight of private education. The bill passed 9-2. House Bill 1242, which would add survey day to the list of agricultural sales tax exemption items, was discussed briefly but received no motion for a do pass recommendation and remained in committee. House Bill 3818, by Senator Coleman, would create tax-advantaged insurance loss savings accounts for homes and vehicles; members expressed concern about missing definitions, contribution limits, and the potential for abuse, but agreed the concept had promise and the bill passed 9-2 after the enacting clause was stricken for further work. House Bill 4305, as amended, clarified how affordable housing properties are assessed for ad valorem tax purposes by excluding certain income-based subsidies from valuation; after questions about prior court cases and assessment practices, it passed 6-5.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Court has moved from establishing federal authority to fix malapportioned districts, then to mandating
• Court ruled that redistricting challenges are justiciable, meaning that federal courts have the authority
• Court ruled that redistricting challenges are justiciable, meaning that federal courts have the authority
• South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP in a congressional challenge that civil rights plaintiffs
• I'll clarify one thing: the Congress does give the authority over the census to the Secretary of Commerce

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census held a hearing on July 7, 2026 focused on how the census defines and tabulates race and ethnicity for redistricting. The sole witness, Professor Jeffrey Weiss, reviewed the history of Public Law 94-171, the Voting Rights Act, and Census Bureau race categories, explaining how block-level census data has been central to one-person, one-vote compliance and to enforcing Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. He described the evolution from separate race and Hispanic-origin tabulations to multiracial reporting, the addition of voting-age and citizen voting-age data, and the increasing complexity created by coalition districts and multiracial populations. A major theme was uncertainty about Census 2030. Weiss said the federal government is considering changes to race and ethnicity questions, possible elimination of the MENA category, reduced multiracial detail, and discontinuation of differential privacy, while also discussing a possible citizenship question and other procedural changes coming through the Commerce Department rather than the Census Bureau. He warned that these shifts, combined with staffing cuts, reduced outreach, and scaled-back testing, could affect the availability and granularity of redistricting data and may trigger litigation. Committee members pressed him on the Biden-era revisions, the Trump administration’s current actions, and whether future data might have to be reported at a higher geographic level if block-level privacy protections are removed. Weiss also summarized Supreme Court redistricting doctrine, describing the move from Baker v. Carr and Reynolds v. Sims to the Gingles framework, then to later decisions limiting race-conscious districting, including Shelby County, Rucho, and the recent Louisiana v. Calais decision. He said Calais significantly narrowed federal Section 2 protections but does not directly preempt state voting rights acts, which he noted are being adopted in several states and may still allow coalition-based protections. The hearing ended after questions from the chair and vice chair, with no votes or formal committee actions taken, and the committee adjourned.