Transcript Highlights:

• Terrence, would you please call the roll? Chair Gaetz, Vice Chair Bernard—here.
• If not, Terrence, call the roll. Terrence, call the roll. Senator Avila. Senator Bradley—yes.

Summary: The Ethics and Elections Committee met with a quorum and considered two bills. Senate Bill 588, relating to campaign communications and repeated political text messages or calls, was introduced by Senator Leake. He explained it would create a cause of action to stop unwanted campaign communications and recover attorney’s fees, but said the bill may be too broad and asked to temporarily postpone it while he works with stakeholders to narrow it. The committee agreed, and a pending amendment by Senator Polsky became moot. The committee then took up Senate Bill 280, which would create a private right of action to enforce party-affiliation qualification requirements for candidates seeking partisan office. Senator Arrington said the bill would allow political parties or others with standing to challenge a candidate who did not meet the 365-day party affiliation requirement before qualifying, and that a court could disqualify the candidate from the ballot. She offered a strike-all amendment clarifying that the 365 days must be the consecutive days immediately preceding qualifying and narrowing who may bring suit to political parties and other candidates for the same office. After brief questions, the committee adopted the amendment and then voted on the bill as amended. The roll call was unanimous in favor, and SB 280 was reported favorably. The committee then moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also present in support, not wishing to speak: Ben Lemoyne with Bessie; Terrence Lockett, ERN; Meredith
• Also present in support, not wishing to speak: Ben Lemoyne with Bessie; Terrence Lockett, ERN; Meredith
• Kevin Cobb with the Sheriff's Association, Terrence Lockett, ERN, and Jennifer Ansarty with the Jefferson
• We do have two green cards in support, not wishing to speak: Terrence Lockett, E.R.N., and Jennifer Anzard
• We do have two green cards in support, not wishing to speak: Terrence Lockett, E.R.N., and Jennifer Anzard

Bills: HCR97, HR168, SCR33, SB112, SB346, SB347, SB353, SB488, SB504, SB507, SB518

Keywords: hunting education, firearm safety, outdoor recreation, curriculum, youth education, conservation, collegiate athletics, funding, name image likeness, revenue sharing, NCAA compliance, student-athlete support, financial sustainability, work-based learning, task force, internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, cooperative education, co-op

Summary: The House Education Committee met on May 12, 2026, and first approved SB 518, which gives LSU a two-year pilot authority to buy and sell certain real estate within one mile of campus to support redevelopment and student needs. Senator Foyle and LSU representatives said the bill is intended to help the university act more quickly on deteriorating nearby properties and some Greek housing transactions, with safeguards such as appraisal and fair-market-value requirements. Members asked about whether the authority would affect mostly commercial property and whether the pilot could later be expanded to other universities; the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then reported SCR 33, creating a one-year Work-Based Learning Coordination Task Force to study and better coordinate internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, and related programs across state agencies and employers. Support testimony emphasized that Louisiana’s education and workforce systems are too siloed and that the task force would map existing efforts, identify gaps, and recommend a statewide structure. HR 168 also passed, directing the Board of Regents to study collegiate athletic program funding after concerns raised by athletic directors about deficits and accounting practices. Members next approved SB 488, a school safety drone response pilot program, after testimony described drones as a supplemental security tool that could respond faster than police and work with law enforcement; an amendment required coordination with the Department of Education, State Police, and the Sheriffs’ Association. HCR 97 was reported favorably to ask BESE and Wildlife and Fisheries to study age- and grade-appropriate hunting, conservation, and shooting sports education for grades 5-12. The committee also approved SB 112, allowing local school boards to adopt parental-consent release-time policies for religious instruction, with amendments on instructor qualifications, grade reporting, and constitutional safeguards; SB 504, expanding individual graduation plans to include vocational options and charter schools; SB 346 and SB 347, addressing harmful deepfakes involving K-12 and college students; and SB 353, authorizing postsecondary systems to digitize student IDs for LA Wallet, though members raised concerns about naming a specific vendor. The meeting adjourned after SB 353 was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, Terrence, would you like to come back up? Do you want to open with opening remarks?
• George for a term to expire Terrence George for a term to expire 6:30<00:09:10.640> 2028.
• <00:09:27.519> Terrence,<00:09:28.080> would<00:09:28.160> you 784?
• Terrence, would you 784? Hearing none.
• Any questions for um Terrence? members. Any questions for um Terrence?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard HCR 96, which encourages the University of Hawaiʻi to evaluate and expand student mental health services. University of Hawaiʻi Associate Vice President Farah Marie Gomes testified in support and noted the system’s mental health and basic-needs efforts across all 10 campuses. Members discussed staffing and funding constraints, including that the system had 27 adult mental health positions, 21 filled and six vacant, with one vacancy open for about four years. The resolution was adopted unanimously, unamended. The committee then took up several gubernatorial appointments. GM 785 nominated Wendo Hensel to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), and GM 784 nominated Terry George to the same body. Both nominees testified about the value of Hawaiʻi’s participation in WICHE; Hensel emphasized the importance of sharing policy ideas and best practices, while George highlighted Hawaiʻi’s unique higher education needs and the benefits of learning from other western states. Both nominations were supported and moved forward. The committee also considered multiple appointments to the Hawaiʻi Commission for National and Community Service. Kylie Alakard described wanting to serve as a youth voice and role model, and Ray Galas spoke about his prior volunteer board experience and desire to help people connect through service. Sandra Larson said volunteerism and community service were important to her and that she wanted to give back. The committee then heard GM 771 and GM 772 for Ken Kawahara to the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi; Kawahara said he would bring business and government experience to help with internal operations, education, and strategic goals, though he acknowledged he was still learning the organization’s details. Members also began hearing GM 624 for Joshua Famuina to the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents, with student caucus testimony in strong support emphasizing his attendance, communication, and engagement with students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Terrence, please call the roll. Chair Gaetz: Here. Vice Chair Bernard: Here. Senator Avila: Here.
• Senator Polsky having closed on the bill, Terrence please call the roll on Senate Bill 460.
• The senator having closed, Terrence, please call the roll on Senate Bill 748. Senator Avila? Yes.
• Is there anyone else, Terrence, who has signed a card to speak publicly?
• Is there anyone else, Terrence, who has signed a card to speak publicly?

Bills: S0460, S0748, S1180, S1334

Keywords: special elections, vacancy, Governor authority, election timeframe, judicial determination, voting rights, felony, sentencing, civil rights, criminal justice, rehabilitation, elections, voter registration, citizenship, provisional ballots, election fraud

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum and took up several election-related bills. CS/SB 1180 by Senator Arrington, which creates a recall framework for elected community development district board members and also addresses synthetic turf regulation and CDD eligibility, was presented briefly and then approved unanimously. SB 460 by Senator Polsky, requiring the governor to call special elections within set deadlines after vacancies and allowing judicial relief if deadlines are not met, also passed unanimously after members discussed flexibility for emergencies and the cost of delayed elections. The committee then heard SB 748 by Senator Bracy Davis, which would add constitutional voting-rights restoration language to the sentencing score sheet given to felony defendants. Supporters said it would improve clarity and notice without changing eligibility, and the bill was favorably reported unanimously. The committee also confirmed several appointees, including Jim Milliken and Alicia McShea to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Robert P. Estalas as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and additional gubernatorial appointees listed on the agenda, all by favorable votes. The longest discussion centered on Senator Grall’s strike-all amendment for SB 1334, an elections bill dealing with citizenship verification, Real ID and SAVE database use, paper-ballot voting, candidate qualification rules, and related election administration changes. Supporters argued it would streamline verification and ensure only citizens vote, while opponents warned it would create burdens, disenfranchise eligible voters, and impose costs and administrative confusion. After extensive public testimony both for and against, the committee adopted an amendment to allow supervisors of elections to observe holidays when not otherwise required to be open, then approved the strike-all as amended by a 6-2 vote, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. The meeting then adjourned after members recorded their votes on earlier items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also present in support, not wishing to speak: Ben Lemoyne with Bessie; Terrence Lockett, ERN; Meredith
• Also present in support, not wishing to speak: Ben Lemoyne with Bessie; Terrence Lockett, ERN; Meredith
• have some green cards in support, not wishing to speak: Kevin Cobb with the Sheriff's Association; Terrence
• We do have two green cards, present in support, not wishing to speak: Terrence Lockett, E.R.N., and Jennifer
• We do have two green cards, present in support, not wishing to speak: Terrence Lockett, E.R.N., and Jennifer

Summary: The House Education Committee met on May 12, 2026, and first approved SB 518, which gives LSU limited authority to buy and sell certain real estate within one mile of campus as a two-year pilot program. Supporters said the bill would let LSU respond more quickly to deteriorating properties near campus and improve the student experience, while keeping protections such as appraisals and fair-market-value requirements. Members asked about whether the authority would affect residential property or be expanded to other universities, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then advanced SCR 33, creating a one-year Work-Based Learning Coordination Task Force to study and better align apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, and related programs across state agencies and employers. Testimony emphasized the need to reduce duplication and improve coordination so students and employers can more easily connect. HR 168 also passed, directing the Board of Regents to study collegiate athletic program funding after concerns raised by athletic directors about deficits and accounting practices. Members next approved SB 488, establishing a school safety drone response pilot program to supplement school crisis plans. The bill drew detailed testimony from a vendor describing drone deployment, response times, and coordination with law enforcement; an amendment was adopted to require coordination with the Department of Education, State Police, and the Sheriffs’ Association. The committee also favorably reported HCR 97, asking BESE and Wildlife and Fisheries to study adding age-appropriate hunting, conservation, and shooting sports education in grades 5-12, with members clarifying that no live firearms would be used on campus. Finally, the committee approved SB 112, allowing local school boards to adopt parental-consent release-time policies for religious instruction, with amendments adding instructor qualifications, reporting requirements, electronic delivery flexibility, and constitutional safeguards. It also reported SB 504, expanding individual graduation plans to include vocational options and apply to charter schools, with an amendment for standalone elementary charters. The committee then passed SB 346 and SB 347, both dealing with deepfakes—one prohibiting their use against K-12 students and the other adding unlawful deepfakes to campus power-based violence rules—and SB 353, authorizing postsecondary systems to digitize student IDs for use in LA Wallet. Several members raised concerns about naming LA Wallet specifically, but the bill was still reported favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• My dear friend here today with us, former Delegate Sean Terrence.
• My dear friend here today with us, former Delegate Sean Terrence.
• My dear friend here today with us, former Delegate Sean Terrence.
• My dear friend here today with us, former Delegate Sean Terrence.
• My dear friend here today with us, former Delegate Sean Terrence.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, March 26, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened with 39 members present and a quorum. The session opened with an invocation by Bishop Antonio Palmer of Kingdom Celebration Center, whose remarks were journalized. The President and members also welcomed several guests to the chamber, including former Delegate Sean Terrence, students from Charles H. Flowers High School and Garrison Forest School, Dr. Lee Snyder as doctor of the day, and Dr. Barbara Ann Palmer in recognition of Women’s History Month. The President also noted that the next day would be pro forma and that some scheduled items would be moved to the following week. The Senate considered Executive Nominations Report No. 6, covering gubernatorial nominees for boards and commissions including the State Board of Education, MEDCO, and the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. On motion of the committee chair, the report was special ordered to Tuesday, with members asked to review the list for recusals or related issues. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 890, which concerns an insurance premium receipts tax exemption for captive insurance procured by nonprofit hospitals and health care systems. On SB 890, the Senate adopted the committee amendments and then adopted a floor amendment offered by the bill sponsor. The amendment was described as replacing the bill’s earlier approach with a two-year moratorium on collection of any related liabilities, followed by a Maryland Insurance Administration report back on ongoing investigations. One senator raised concern that the amendment’s language could require the state to refund taxes already paid by hospitals and others, potentially costing millions, and asked for more time to review it; the motion to special order the bill was defeated. After discussion, the amendment was adopted and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. At the close of the floor session, committee and delegation announcements were made, including Finance, Triple E, Judicial Proceedings, Budget and Tax, Executive Nominations, and several county delegations. A senator from District 6 also spoke about the anniversary of the Key Bridge collapse and thanked colleagues for bipartisan work on related legislation and recovery efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Terrence, please call the roll. Chair Gaetz: Here. Vice Chair Bernard: Here.
• Terrence, please call the roll. Senator Avila, Senator Bradley, Senator Garcia, yes.
• Terrence, please call the roll. I'm sorry, is there a motion to recommend? Please call the roll.
• Would you please call the roll, Terrence? Senator Avila. Senator Bradley, yes. Senator Garcia.
• Please call the roll, Terrence. Senator Avila. Senator Bradley, yes. Senator Garcia. Senator Grall.

Summary: The committee first considered the confirmation of Dr. John Lattell to the Florida Board of Medicine. In questioning, senators focused heavily on his views on abortion, vaccines, ivermectin, hormonal birth control, and the role of CDC/FDA guidance in board discipline cases. Dr. Lattell said the board should apply Florida statutes, described himself as strongly pro-life and skeptical of some federal health guidance, and said he would be sympathetic when judging fellow physicians because of his own experience in practice. Supporters praised his medical background, military service, and family medicine experience, while opponents argued his stated views could affect his ability to fairly discipline other doctors. The committee voted 5-2 to recommend confirmation, with Senators Polsky and Rouson voting no. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families. Hatch outlined her background at DCF and APD and described department priorities including streamlining services, improving child welfare and behavioral health systems, expanding peer support, and reducing SNAP error rates. Members asked detailed questions about Hope Florida, the number and role of Hope Navigators, agency responsiveness on bill analyses, and accountability for community-based care contractors. Hatch said Hope Florida is a partnership-based navigation effort aimed at self-sufficiency, that 143 Hope Navigators are in place, and that the department is working to improve transparency and oversight through contracts, audits, and a proposed funding model. Senators also pressed Hatch on the Hope Florida Foundation’s compliance history and on forensic audits of community-based care agencies, especially Northwest Florida Health Network. Hatch said the foundation is now in compliance and under audit, and that the contractor had completed corrective actions and was operating within current accountability limits. She said DCF had not yet conducted new forensic audits under her tenure but was preparing another round and was considering using contracted-services dollars to support that work. The discussion ended with continued questioning on oversight, staffing, and whether the agency could provide more formal bill analyses going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Joining me today are my friends, family, and colleagues, including my father, Terrence, who is here in
• My friends, family, and colleagues, including my father, Terrence, who is here in the room, are my biggest

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then also we have our team here from EIS, our state chief information officer, Terrence Woods, and
• Co-chairs, members of the committee, Terrence Woods, State CIO, and with me today. Good morning.
• And then also we have our team here from EIS, our state chief information officer, Terrence Woods, and
• Co-chairs, members of the committee, Terrence Wood, State CIO, and with me today. Good morning.
• Co-chairs, members of the committee, again, for the record, Terrence Wood, State CIO. Rep.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The committee held a series of informational briefings on information management and technology issues. It first heard from ACLU representatives on data privacy, who argued that Oregon should strengthen protections against private data brokers, government purchases of personal data, reverse warrants, automatic license plate readers, and local police surveillance. They urged data minimization, limits on data sales and retention, and broader transparency and accountability measures. Members asked about practical uses of license plate readers, state sales of data, and how Oregon’s approach compares with other states; the presenters said similar proposals have been adopted elsewhere, including data minimization in Maryland and a state version of the Fourth Amendment Is Not for Sale Act in Montana. The committee then received a detailed update from the Department of Administrative Services and Enterprise Information Services on licensing system modernization for 14 boards and commissions with the most immediate need. DAS said it is seeking a shared procurement approach through an RFP that would create either one scalable system or two tiers of systems, depending on agency needs and security requirements, with contracts expected by September. Committee members emphasized the need for a more unified, user-friendly statewide login and service experience for businesses and residents, and raised concerns about small agencies “figuring it out on their own” without sufficient cybersecurity or technical expertise. EIS said it is overseeing the investment review, security and architecture review, and future implementation planning, and noted that multiple agency requests may still come back to the legislature in the next session. The committee also discussed a revised cybersecurity incident notification concept. Staff explained that the earlier bill had raised stakeholder concerns, so the co-chairs directed further interim work with the Oregon Cybersecurity Advisory Council and other local government and K-12 stakeholders. The goal is a narrower, voluntary “911-style” notification process that would let public bodies alert peers and potentially receive assistance after cyber incidents; a temporary voluntary process is being tested now, with a work group developing language for possible 2027 consideration. Finally, the committee heard updates from the new state chief data officer on data governance, data sharing, geospatial work, and the state transparency website, followed by a briefing on data centers from NCSL and the Technology Association of Oregon. The data officer described efforts to expand data inventories, data governance plans, data literacy, and interagency sharing, along with statewide aerial imagery, geospatial standards, and the open data portal. The data center discussion focused on national and state trends, including rapid growth in data centers, rising electricity and water demand, and legislative responses such as new rate classes, reporting requirements, and cost-allocation rules to protect ratepayers. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Terrence, please call roll call on CS for SB 1178. Senator Avila? Yes. Senator Bradley? Yes.
• The senator having waived close, Terrence, please call the roll. Senator Avila? Yes.

Bills: S1622, S1178

Keywords: financial disclosure, statement of financial interests, ethics, late filing, late-filed disclosure, automatic fine, waiver, Florida Commission on Ethics, public officials, state officers, local officers, state employees, ethics enforcement, government transparency, sunshine law, reporting persons, penalty reduction, first-time offender, election ethics, general revenue fund

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and first took up Senate Bill 1178, the Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act, sponsored by Senator Garcia. The bill would expand state restrictions on foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, including creating a state registration framework for foreign agents, banning gifts to public officials from covered foreign entities, requiring ethics training on foreign influence, tightening procurement limits for information technology and critical infrastructure, restricting sister-city/sister-state encouragement, revising linkage institute rules and tuition provisions, and criminalizing certain conduct tied to foreign governments or unauthorized enforcement of foreign law. Members asked extensive questions about how the bill would affect election technology, software development, federal foreign-agent registration, educational exchanges, and the treatment of organizations such as CARE; the sponsor said the bill focused on ownership/control and foreign countries of concern, not specific components or general participation in events. An amendment by Senator Grall was adopted to clarify definitions, align penalties with willful violations, and specify that new ethics training content is additive. The committee then heard supportive testimony from Kelly Curry of State Armor and Rob Pierce of American Global Strategies, both of whom argued the bill would help Florida counter foreign influence, protect data and infrastructure, and improve transparency. CS for SB 1178 was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1622, which provides a one-time waiver of the automatic fine for a late-filed financial disclosure under specified conditions, including that the filer submitted the disclosure before the maximum fine accrued and had not previously received such a waiver. Carrie Stillman of the Commission on Ethics testified in support, saying the bill preserves transparency and compliance goals while making the fine and appeals process more workable. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. Finally, the committee took up confirmation hearings for appointments in tabs 3 through 26. No separate votes were requested, no public testimony was offered, and the block of appointees was recommended favorably to the full Senate by roll call vote. The meeting then concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Terrence, please call the roll call on CS for SB 1178. Senator Avila? Yes. Senator Bradley? Yes.
• The senator having waived close, Terrence, please call the roll. Senator Avila. Yes.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 1178, the Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act. Senator Grohl explained that the bill expands state restrictions and disclosure requirements related to foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, including foreign-agent registration, gift bans for public officials, ethics training, procurement limits for IT and critical infrastructure, restrictions on sister-city/sister-state affiliations, changes to linkage institutes and in-state tuition provisions, and new criminal penalties for certain offenses committed to benefit foreign governments or terrorist organizations. Senator Polsky raised questions about higher education, election technology, federal FARA overlap, and whether the bill would affect candidates or events involving CARE; the sponsor responded that the bill focuses on foreign countries of concern, ownership/control, and gifts, and does not prohibit speaking at events. An amendment clarifying definitions, willful violations, and ethics-training content was adopted, and after supportive testimony from Kelly Curry and Robert Pierce, the committee reported CS for SB 1178 favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1622, which provides a one-time waiver of the automatic fine for a late-filed financial disclosure if the filing is made before the maximum fine accrues and the filer has not previously received such a waiver or accrued the maximum fine in prior years. Carrie Stillman of the Commission on Ethics testified that the bill supports transparency and makes the fine and appeals process more efficient, noting it was a commission recommendation. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee held confirmation hearings on appointments in Tabs 3 through 26. No senator requested separate votes on any appointee, no public testimony was offered, and the block of appointments was approved and recommended favorably to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Terrence, please call the roll. Chair Gates: Here. Vice Chair Bernard: Here.
• Terrence, please call the roll. Senator Avala, Senator Bradley, Senator Garcia, yes.
• Terrence, please call the roll. I'm sorry, is there a motion to recommend? Move by Senator Garcia.
• Would you please call the roll, Terrence?

Summary: The committee first considered the confirmation of Dr. John Lattell to the Board of Medicine. In questioning, senators focused heavily on his views about abortion, vaccines, ivermectin, and the role of CDC/FDA guidance in board discipline cases. Dr. Lattell said the board applies Florida statutes and works through probable cause panels and legal counsel, but he also expressed strong pro-life views, skepticism of federal health guidance, and criticism of vaccines and some medical practices. Supporters praised his long medical career, military service, and family medicine background, while opponents argued his views could prevent him from being objective in disciplinary matters. The committee voted to recommend him for confirmation to the full Senate, with Senators Polsky and Ruson voting no. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Hatch described her background in state human services and outlined priorities centered on accountability, data, lived experience, and improving service delivery. Senators asked about SNAP error rates, Hope Florida, legislative analyses, staffing, and the department’s handling of child welfare and medically complex cases. Hatch said the department was reducing SNAP error rates, that Hope Florida uses navigators to connect people with community resources and self-sufficiency supports, and that DCF is working with the Department of Health and other partners to improve investigations and accountability in child welfare. She also said the agency is reviewing medically complex cases and strengthening oversight of community-based care providers through contracts, audits, and proposed funding-model changes. A substantial portion of the Hatch discussion centered on whether the department had been responsive to legislative requests and whether it had provided timely bill analyses. Senators also pressed her on Hope Florida staffing, the number of participants served, and the Hope Florida Foundation’s compliance and legal oversight. Hatch said the foundation is undergoing a financial audit and that the department is relying on required reports and ongoing investigations. The transcript ends amid continued questioning about a community-based care contractor’s finances, related-party transactions, and whether further forensic audits or repayments are needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair recognizes the honorable Cole Hefner to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States
• Terrence, thanks for coming to the capitol today. We definitely should welcome this iAspire team.

Bills: HB5560, HB2, HB24, HB3233, HB1397, HB2067, HB3133, HB5696, HB5680, HB2885, HB3966, HB3556, HB3595, HB144, HB26, HB2038, HB521, HB4, HB 1178, HB42, HB 1211, HB783, HB3963, HB2240, HB1690, HB 1234, HB3372, HB27, HB4211, HB2243, HB2853, HB4638, HJR7, HB 100, HB 126, HB3783, HB5138, HB2512, HB5616, HB4751, SB17, SB1637, SB1833, SB2155, SB21, SB2778, SB260, SB8, SB12, SB37, SB379, SB441, SB1566, SB2878, HB4112, HB3866, HB4749, HB2844, HB150

Keywords: groundwater, civil penalties, water conservation, drought contingency, environmental protection, public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, zoning, public notice, local government, residential development

Transcript Highlights:

• Captain Terrence Gomez for the Maui... waiting for this I do apologize for a waiting for this I do apologize
• 44:05.880> so thank you so thank you so much<00:44:07.880> Captain<00:44:08.359> Terrence
• c> Gomez<00:44:09.520> for<00:44:09.800> the<00:44:09.920> Maui Captain Terrence
• I’m Captain Terrence Gomez of the Maui Police Department.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on three fireworks-related bills. On SB 1226, which would create a shipping container inspection program and require Department of Law Enforcement reporting, the Department of Law Enforcement supported the measure, while the Attorney General recommended deleting references to explosives to avoid a single-subject constitutional issue and noted possible federal limits on military involvement. Harbor users raised concerns about logistics, delays, and cost, and HPD supported the bill; members also discussed how inspections would work and whether DLE would coordinate with county and federal partners. No vote was taken during the testimony portion. On SB 32, which would sharply restrict consumer fireworks by requiring permits for cultural use, repealing the general holiday exceptions, and imposing a $25 permit fee, the State Fire Council supported the bill as a public safety measure but said it was willing to work on problematic language. The Office of the Public Defender opposed it, arguing the bill’s use of “culture” could create constitutional and discrimination problems because permit decisions would effectively define culture. Fireworks retailers and other opponents said the bill would push consumers toward illegal fireworks and hurt lawful sales, while supporters said it would reduce injuries, fires, and respiratory harm. Members questioned whether the permit fee was new, whether the bill would affect commercial display companies, and whether permit caps should be added. On SB 1324, which expands fireworks offenses, increases penalties for injuries or death, creates new criminal offenses and an infraction adjudication system, and appropriates funds, the Attorney General strongly supported the bill and said it would give law enforcement and prosecutors better tools, while DLE said the current weight-based definitions make prosecutions difficult and labor-intensive. DLE also said disposal of seized fireworks is expensive and hazardous, and suggested violators should bear more of that cost. HPD and the Maui County prosecutor supported the bill, but some opponents argued it would overcriminalize conduct and create constitutional issues; a commercial pyrotechnics company asked for amendments to preserve lawful display work. Members asked about the appropriation, enforcement challenges, and whether existing exceptions would still allow commercial shows. The hearing ended with no final decision reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Terrence Lockett with the RNN is in favor and wishes to speak.
• Jessica Thompson in favor, not wishing to speak, Mary Beth Dickerson in favor, not wishing to speak, Terrence
• Terrence Lockett. And then Dr.

Bills: SR119, SCR65, HCR47, HB196, HB218, HB256, HB325, HB352, HB434, HB448, HB476, HB608, HB624, HB626, HB632, HB749, HB818, HB1059, HB1112, HB1242, HB1249

Keywords: SR119, Senate Resolution 119, D-D Breaux, Sara Breaux, LSU gymnastics, LSU Gymnastics Training Center, LSU Board of Supervisors, facility naming, honorary resolution, public buildings and grounds, women's athletics, Title IX, college gymnastics, SEC gymnastics, Louisiana State University, Tiger Athletic Foundation, women in sports, coach recognition, sports legend, campus naming

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with four members present and took up a long agenda of education-related bills. Early items included SCR 65, which would create a K-12 student success task force to study statewide career and academic pathway advising; the committee adopted a substantive amendment adding designees and then reported the resolution favorably. The committee also reported favorably on SCR 119, honoring Coach D.D. Breaux, after brief remarks about her LSU gymnastics legacy and the request that LSU study naming its gymnastics training facility in her honor. Several bills affecting school operations and student support were heard and reported favorably, including HB 434 on probationary school bus driver employment and superintendent authority over dismissal; HB 484 expanding scholarship benefits for children and spouses of fallen or disabled firefighters and police officers; HB 749 and HB 1059 on savings accounts and TOPS math eligibility alignment; HB 218 adding food insecurity questions to student questionnaires, which was amended and reported favorably; HB 325 expanding TOPS Tech eligibility through dual enrollment and part-time use; HB 476 requiring Safe Haven law postings in middle and high school restrooms; HB 1249 clarifying access to school-based health centers, with an amendment adopted; HB 1242 allowing more than one early learning center license at the same location under certain circumstances; HB 632 improving data protections and functionality for LA First; and HB 352 on behavioral health services for public school students, which was amended to address IEP and dispute-process concerns before being reported favorably. Two bills drew extended debate over transparency, privacy, and school autonomy. HB 608 would create confidentiality for intercollegiate athletics revenue-sharing documents; LSU representatives argued the bill was needed to protect student-athletes and competitive information, while PAR and the Louisiana Press Association opposed it as an improper secrecy carve-out for state-generated revenue. Despite the opposition, the committee reported HB 608 favorably. HB 1112, which would exempt BESE-approved non-public pre-K programs from certain licensure and safety requirements and adjust related definitions, was amended and then heard with testimony from the Pelican Institute in support, arguing it corrects overreach from prior law and protects private school autonomy and parental choice.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:18:15.919> like<00:18:16.000> I<00:18:16.160> said,<00:18:17.039> Terrence
• <00:18:17.520> City, >> Yeah, cuz like I said, Terrence City, >> Yeah, cuz like
• I said, Terrence City, maybe<00:18:18.480> Trustville,<00:18:19.600> Pensson,<00:18:20.480

Bills: HB117, HB17, HB22, HB153, HB140, HB117, HB17, HB22, HB153, HB140, SB12, SB42, SB93, SB28, SB35, SB134, SB12, SB42, SB93, SB28, SB35, SB134

Keywords: procurement, county commission, administrative savings, public services, government efficiency, HB17, municipal audits, municipal audit clarification act, municipal finance, local government, city council, mayor, city manager, Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, independent public accountant, annual audit, biennial audit, annual report, financial accountability, public records

Transcript Highlights:

• Terrence, please call the roll. Senator Avala? Yes. Senator Bradley? Yes. Senator Garcia?

Summary: The committee convened with a quorum present to consider confirmation of appointees listed in tabs 1 through 14. The chair announced that, unless a senator requested a separate vote, all appointees would be voted on together in one motion. Senator Bradley moved to confirm all appointees in tabs 1 through 14. A roll call vote was then taken, with recorded yes votes from Senator Avala and Senator Bradley; the transcript cuts off before the full roll call is completed, so the final tally is not shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Terrence, please call the roll. Senator Avila? Yes. Senator Bradley? Yes. Senator Garcia?

Summary: The committee meeting opened with a quorum present, and members were asked to review tabs 1 through 14, which contained appointee confirmations. Chair Gaetz stated that, unless a senator requested separate votes, all appointees would be considered in one vote. Senator Bradley moved to confirm all appointees together. A roll call vote was taken. Senators Avila, Bradley, Rouson, Vice Chair Bernard, and Chair Gaetz voted yes. The transcript indicates the appointments were forwarded favorably after the vote. Senator Polsky was noted as excused from the meeting. After the confirmation vote, the chair asked if there was any other business. Hearing none, Senator Avila moved to rise, ending the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• In favor, not wish to speak: Terrence Lockett, Adam Haddicks, Barry Irwin, Louisiana Leaders for Better
• Cole, Poinichan, from pre-K to fourth grade, and we're simply just extending that to eighth grade.

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met to hear several education-related measures. It reported favorably, without objection, on House Bill 1215, which would transfer certain removed historical statues and monuments to the Office of State Parks, prohibit re-erection in the parish where they were removed, and require interpretive signage. The committee also advanced House Bill 682, which creates a school guardian program for honorably discharged veterans employed or contracted by local school systems or charter schools; testimony emphasized that guardians would be unarmed, trained, and used for mentoring and school safety. House Bill 1079, giving enrollment preferences in charter schools to children in early childhood programs, military families, foster children, and children in custody disputes, was also reported favorably, as was House Concurrent Resolution 81, directing the Department of Education to study options for districts facing declining enrollment. The committee then took up House Bill 1084, which would allow public postsecondary institutions to raise tuition and mandatory fees by up to 15 percent annually, with higher increases requiring Board of Supervisors approval. The bill drew extended debate over affordability, TOPS, student retention, and whether universities should have more autonomy to set prices. Members raised concerns about fee burdens on families and whether the state should first study the issue; supporters argued the bill would increase transparency and let institutions respond to funding needs and market conditions. Senator Mazzell offered an amendment lowering the cap from 15 percent to 10 percent, and the committee adopted the amendment before reporting the bill favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 342, which would shift the burden of proof in special education due process hearings from parents to local education agencies. The author and parents testified that the current system places an unfair burden on families of children with disabilities, who often lack access to records and legal resources, and that schools already control the documentation and should have to show compliance with IEP obligations. Jefferson Parish school officials opposed the bill, arguing it would increase legal costs, require more staff and attorney time, and potentially lead to more hearings; they also questioned the fiscal note. The Legislative Fiscal Office said the fiscal impact was indeterminable, and the committee continued hearing testimony from parents and school representatives as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• TERRENCE, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?

Keywords: 999, senate, all