Transcript Highlights:

• institutions this will allow<00:01:49.719><c> them</c><00:01:50.000><c> to</c><00:01:50.520><c> evaluate
• </c><00:01:51.520><c> each</c><00:01:52.159><c> person's</c> allow them to evaluate each person's allow
• them to evaluate each person's curriculum<00:01:53.119><c> that's</c><00:01:53.280><c> coming</c><00
• So each individual will be evaluated on an individual basis. states that that can bridge over but for
• thank you thank you um former evaluated thank you thank you um former representative<00:04:11.879><c

Keywords: Roll Call 00:20 Discussion on HB 303 00:45 Vote on HB 303 04:41 Discussion on HB 305 05:32 Vote on HB 305 08:34, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and heard House Bill 303 first. Representative Steve Bratcher explained that the bill would let U.S. military members with medical training transition that experience into Kentucky health-care credentials more quickly. Schools and colleges would evaluate military curricula on an individual basis, identify gaps, and allow those gaps to be filled with additional classes or clinical time before the person sits for the required exam. The bill was described as applying broadly across medical fields, not just nursing, and it would not waive testing or standards. Senators asked whether the process would compare credentials across states and whether the bill covered only U.S. military service; Bratcher said evaluations would be individualized and the bill was primarily for those who served in the U.S. military. HB 303 received an 11-0 favorable vote. The committee then took up House Bill 305, presented by Representative Ken Fleming. He said the committee substitute would expand an existing health-care workforce award program to include dietitians and physician assistants, clarify that certain EMS-related services may be owned or operated by a hospital rather than only owned by one, and provide more flexibility around licensing timelines after a certificate of need is issued by the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services. After a motion and second, the committee voted unanimously to amend and pass HB 305 with favorable expression. A title amendment was also adopted unanimously. Before adjournment, the chair noted that the next regular meeting was scheduled for March 12 and warned that a special-called meeting might be needed the following Monday because of bills arriving from the House. No further business was taken up, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also gives Congress not just the power but the obligation to evaluate every 6 months whether we are
• This is to say Congress playing the role that is in law that every six months it should evaluate whether
• The question for us in Congress one year later, in exercising our statutory responsibility to evaluate
• The question for us in Congress one year later, in exercising our statutory responsibility to evaluate
• </c><03:49:19.120><c> the</c> to impose tariffs, I will evaluate the to impose tariffs, I will evaluate

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, February 12, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• MEMA, have been working very closely with A&F, as well as Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer, as they evaluate
• I will keep an open mind as we evaluate it.
• And so, you know, trying to perform top-notch correctional services today requires good heating systems
• And so, you know, trying to perform top-notch correctional services today requires good heating systems
• We perform... ...activities. We conduct educational programming.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and DCF to create review<01:36:38.960><c> and</c><01:36:39.080><c> revise</c><01:36:39.440><c> performance
• </c><01:36:39.920><c> measures</c> review and revise performance measures review and revise performance
• </c><01:36:42.400><c> program</c> data collection um and program data collection um and program evaluation
• 43.679><c> for</c><01:36:43.840><c> all</c><01:36:44.000><c> state</c><01:36:44.280><c> funded</c> evaluation
• programs for all state funded evaluation programs for all state funded grants<01:36:44.880><c> that<

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Evaluation committee process determined that there was a relevant interest for the Consumer Advocate
• body, and expanding the OCA's role in these proceedings would also expand the SEC's authority to evaluate
• But as the site evaluation committee, I've really been trying to dial in the focus of what it is we do
• But as the site evaluation committee, I've really been trying to dial in the focus of what it is we do
• But as the site evaluation committee, I've really been trying to dial in the focus of what it is we do

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for a private neuropsych evaluation to get answers.
• That evaluation confirmed she had dyslexia. She's here with me today.
• </c> pay for a private neurosych evaluation pay for a private neurosych evaluation to<00:06:46.560><c
• </c><00:06:47.840><c> That</c><00:06:48.080><c> evaluation</c> to get answers.
• That evaluation to get answers.

Bills: HF60 , HF3067 , HF3730 , HF3638 , HF3401

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: interchange, bond issuance, transportation, infrastructure funding, Sherburne County, paraprofessional, paraprofessional qualifications, education support staff, teacher aide, teacher assistant, special education, Title I, federal personnel qualifications, Minnesota Department of Education, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, Read Act, reading instruction, math instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• Cost of living is also added to the list of factors the Office of Administrative Law must evaluate.
• Cost of living is also added to the list of factors that the Office of Administrative Law must evaluate
• AB 2366 directly addresses these challenges by improving how regulations are evaluated before adoption
• Rather, it creates a plan to help lawmakers evaluate how a state bank operating under a wholesale model
• Rather, it creates a plan to help lawmakers evaluate how a state bank operating under a wholesale model

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact heard several bills focused on trade, affordability, and public finance. AB 2745 (Fong) would update California’s international trade and investment strategy, add a public advisory process, and allow regional trade hubs; supporters from the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce and California Forward said it would help California compete globally and attract investment, while no opposition testified. AB 2366 (Avila Farías) would require state agencies to analyze cost-of-living impacts when adopting regulations and direct the LAO to develop guidance; supporters from the New California Coalition and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association argued it would improve transparency and help address affordability, while members noted concerns about implementation and unintended consequences. The committee also heard AB 2243 (Haney), which creates a commission to study whether California should establish a state public bank and how it might be structured. Supporters from the California Public Banking Alliance, climate groups, and other organizations said a public bank could reduce borrowing costs and finance housing, climate, and small business needs; the California Bankers Association and credit unions opposed the bill, arguing it could compete with private banks, duplicate prior studies, and raise unresolved regulatory and cost issues. Several committee members said they would support the study concept but wanted the bill amended so any final decision would return to the Legislature, and the author agreed to clarify that point and remove language related to extending local public bank licensing timelines. The committee also took up consent items AB 2048 (Calderon), AB 2583 (Hoover), and ACR 129 (Haney), which were approved without opposition. After quorum was established, the committee voted AB 2366 out on a 7-0 basis to Judiciary, AB 2745 out on a 7-0 basis to Appropriations, and AB 2243 out on a 7-0 basis to Finance, with the consent calendar also approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a new contract valued at $720,000 for a statewide aviation economic impact evaluation study.
• It is to provide evaluation design, interim program evaluation, and summative evaluation for the TEFRA
• waiver program. ...is to provide evaluation design, interim program evaluation, and summative evaluation
• This is to amend an existing contract and is for the development of an evaluation design based on data
• analysis for evaluation metrics for the R-Home 1115 demonstration waiver.

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , or they bring out a copy of an evaluation of a lab report that's a photocopy on a... ...lab report
• These products are unapproved; they have not been evaluated or approved for safe use, and many pose risks
• patients. 45% were pediatric patients, and of those that required health care facility evaluation, 8%
• The Alabama Department of Agriculture is very engaged; they evaluate the THC levels and...
• They evaluate the THC levels and they will literally burn your crops if it's too high.

Bills: HB194 , SB87 , SB237

Committee: Senate Healthcare

Keywords: healthcare, advanced practice nursing, nurse collaboration, medical board, nursing board, committee structure, midwifery, licensed midwives, State Board of Midwifery, licensure fees, professional liability insurance, complaints investigation, emergency care plan, out-of-hospital care, hemp, hemp beverages, psychoactive cannabinoids, psychoactive hemp products, delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC

Transcript Highlights:

• school districts to provide a student's parent or guardian with a copy of the special education evaluation
• report no later than the 35th school day following receipt of consent to evaluate the student, unless
• school districts to provide a student's parent or guardian with a copy of the special education evaluation
• report, no later than the 35th school day following receipt of consent to evaluate the student unless
• We now have Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2557, special education evaluations, before us.

Summary: The committee met for its final executive session of the session and took up several House bills related to early learning and K-12 education. House Bill 1795 on restraint and isolation in schools was briefed as prohibiting mechanical, chemical, and certain physical restraints, limiting isolation, and barring new isolation rooms; a proposed amendment to the striker was defeated, and the bill then advanced. House Bill 2219 on child care licensing and drug safety was briefed as requiring licensed child care settings to be free of high-potency synthetic opioids, drug paraphernalia, and manufacturing equipment, with amendments to add drug testing and broader controlled-substance prohibitions; both amendments failed, and the striker was adopted before the bill advanced. House Bill 1295 on literacy was described as setting curriculum and educator training requirements; the committee adopted a striking amendment that removed some district implementation and continuing-education requirements, then advanced the bill. The committee also heard briefings on House Bill 1634 on behavioral health supports in schools, House Bill 2557 on timelines for special education evaluation reports and eligibility meetings, and House Bill 2636 creating a public education review steering committee and JLARC review process, all of which had no amendments at the briefing stage. In formal action, the committee voted to adopt the striker on HB 1295 and then passed HB 1795, HB 2219, HB 1295, HB 1634, and HB 2557 out of committee with due pass recommendations. HB 2636 was also advanced, but to the Ways and Means Committee rather than the Rules Committee. Several members noted concerns about costs and unfunded mandates, particularly regarding literacy implementation and child care safety provisions, while supporters emphasized student safety, child care safety, and clarity in existing law. The meeting ended with thanks to staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> evaluative mediation and arbitration. evaluative mediation and arbitration.
• ><c> versus</c> How many evaluative mediations versus How many evaluative mediations versus facilitative
• So 65 evaluative about 10 facil. Okay. So 65 evaluative about 10 facil.
• </c> was evaluative and there was no report. was evaluative and there was no report.
• </c><01:10:30.800><c> summary</c> We didn't have an evaluative summary We didn't have an evaluative summary

Bills: HB1991 , HB1776 , HB1897 , HB1900

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: liquor tax, alcohol, inflation adjustment, small craft breweries, public health, tenant rights, housing stability, landlord-tenant code, eviction prevention, multilingual resources, condominium, dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration, attorneys' fees, common expenses, construction defects, building code, statute of repose, statute of limitations

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1991, which would change Hawaii’s liquor excise tax structure to an ABV-based system. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii took no position and stood on written comments. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and an individual testifier who described surviving a drunk-driving crash, argued that higher alcohol taxes reduce alcohol-related harms, save lives, and generate additional state revenue. The public health witness cited alcohol-related harms as a major preventable cause of death and said the tax increase would have only a small annual cost for most consumers. Most industry testimony was in opposition. Representatives of Lanikai Brewing Company, Maui Brewing Company, the Wine Institute, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association said the bill would sharply raise taxes on beer and wine, squeeze already thin margins, and threaten local jobs and businesses. They argued Hawaii producers already face high costs for labor, energy, shipping, and compliance, and said an ABV-based tax would be difficult to administer, would require additional testing and labeling work, and could reduce consumer choice. Several industry witnesses urged lawmakers to instead adopt a small-producer or class 18 carveout, with one suggesting a cap tied to 60,000 barrels. Committee members questioned the brewers about alcohol content testing, labeling, and whether smaller producers already measure ABV. Witnesses said many local producers do not certify ABV for in-state sales, that yeast and fermentation can vary by batch, and that an ABV-based system could require more testing than current practice. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> information, it is difficult to evaluate information, it is difficult to evaluate the<00:30:47.279
• </c> of evaluating more of the of evaluating of evaluating more of the of evaluating more<00:49:20.079
• Um why can't we um evaluate<00:49:52.240><c> them</c><00:49:52.400><c> for</c><00:49:52.640><c> some<
• /c><00:49:52.960><c> lower</c><00:49:53.280><c> level</c> evaluate them for some lower level evaluate
• I don't use the word literally very often, and you could evaluate them and see if something needs to

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The working group convened with all members present, approved the minutes from its October 16, 2025 meeting and its October 28, 2025 Halawa Correctional Facility site visit by unanimous consent, and received no public testimony on the agenda or minutes. The chair then reviewed the statutory timeline under Act 292/SB 104, noting the group continues until January 8, 2027, and discussed required reporting dates and the need to develop a work plan for the remaining meetings. The chair also said the October 16 DCR presentation would be treated as satisfying the group’s interim-report purpose, though the legal reporting obligations to the Legislature and oversight commission still needed to be sorted out. The main discussion focused on DCR’s proposed amendments to Act 292 and the department’s interim report. Director Johnson said the department’s October 16 presentation included recommended statutory amendments because the law, as written, could not be fully complied with; the proposals were described as section-by-section changes intended to address implementation problems. Members discussed several specific issues, including transfer language for higher levels of care, the 2010 MOA with the Department of Health, and replacing “physician” with “clinician” to reflect staffing realities. DCR explained that the change would allow licensed clinicians, including APRNs and doctors of osteopathy, to make decisions when physicians are not on duty, and that the MOA is being updated so transfers can occur from any DCR facility to the state hospital. An OHA staff member gave a detailed critique of the proposed amendments, saying they would weaken Act 292’s intent by reducing procedural protections, expanding exceptions, and relying on aspirational language such as “strive” and “if practicable.” OHA also raised concerns about the lack of baseline data on restrictive housing use and said the department’s report showed serious operational problems, including overcrowded and outdated facilities, limited space for private medical or mental health exams, and the use of suicide/safety cells for people who may not need mental health treatment. DCR responded that it had requested 35 new medical positions in the budget, supported by the governor, and said those positions are needed to meet basic care obligations for people in custody. The group did not take a vote on the proposed amendments. Instead, members agreed to continue the discussion, with the chair saying the reports, settlement tracker, 2010 MOA, and comparison guidelines would be distributed and used as the basis for future work. In the final discussion on work-plan priorities, members identified staffing shortages, physical plant limitations, and the need to examine humane alternatives and implementation challenges as key topics for upcoming meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• that when people are not used to the acronyms and terminology departments use, they are not always evaluating
• people are not familiar with the acronyms and terminology departments use, they are not always evaluating
• These are individuals with a history of violent crimes; the best predictor of future performance is past
• :56.320><c> predictor</c><01:46:57.199><c> of</c><01:46:57.760><c> future</c><01:46:58.199><c> performances
• </c><01:46:59.159><c> is</c> best predictor of future performances is best predictor of future performances

Bills: HF1367 , HF2732 , HF1897 , HF1424 , HF1383 , HF2728 , HF2863 , HF1685 , HF2929

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child maltreatment, child abuse, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, human trafficking, child protection, local welfare agency, county social services, Minnesota Department of Human Services, judicial review, district court appeal, venue, out-of-state abuse, cross-border investigation, Minnesota child welfare, family assessment, maltreatment determination

Transcript Highlights:

• For instance, I've had the pleasure to help advise the site evaluation committee.
• For instance, I've had the pleasure to help advise the site evaluation committee.
• For instance, I've had the pleasure to help advise the site evaluation committee.
• </c><01:36:16.480><c> and</c> They should be able to at least have the option of getting evaluated and
• this under your license, you perform this under your license, you wouldn't<02:22:53.840><c> have</c>

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal VA has a process that they can evaluate the history of an individual to determine if they
• But the first step for our recommendation is to pre-file for burial so that the NCA can evaluate the
• eligibility of individuals. has a process that they can evaluate the has a process that they can evaluate
• We are then in a position to evaluate those documents and make a determination on eligibility, either
• evaluate those in a position to evaluate those documents<00:14:25.120><c> and</c><00:14:25.760><c> uh

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of folks, when they are waiting trial, the attorneys will ask for an evaluation to see if they're
• And now, when you talk about backlog, that's a backlog waiting for an evaluation.
• Waiting for an evaluation, yes, sir.
• So we do those forensic evaluations. There had been a backlog of forensic evaluations.
• So they provide a service... ...evaluation and provide some services.

Committee: All PUBLIC HEALTH- HOUSE HEALTH SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• here that the chair of MSCC is authorized to appoint three members of the commission to serve as evaluators
• the three commission members would whittle it down to three so the full commission doesn't need to evaluate
• That process, you guys will go through it, you'll evaluate them, you'll give them... Question.
• That process, you guys will go through it, you'll evaluate them, you'll give them... and I heard Ken
• Once it's done and once it's evaluating, you come up with a point for each applicant.

Summary: The Missouri State Capitol Commission met with a quorum present and approved the minutes from the November 3, 2025 meeting. Members also discussed tentative future meeting dates for 2026 and received an update from the Missouri Department of Conservation on a Show-Me 250/Liberty Tree planting planned for the Capitol Complex at the end of March, along with a broader effort to identify and map historic Liberty Trees across the state. The main substantive discussion focused on the Capitol restoration and improvement project. The commission reviewed the construction subcommittee’s work, including multiple concepts for addressing restoration, ADA access, HVAC, mezzanines, fiber optics, interior restoration, and parking needs, all within the $595 million budget. After discussion about how to structure the procurement process, the commission approved a motion authorizing the Office of Administration and FMDC to prepare an RFP for an owner’s representative, subject to appropriations by the legislature and governor. Staff then explained that the owner’s representative selection would use the state’s qualification-based process, with an open solicitation, scoring, shortlisting, interviews, and a final recommendation, with the timeline estimated at about 19 weeks. The commission also approved the planting of the Show-Me 250 Liberty Tree on Capitol Complex grounds, after being told the location would not interfere with the proposed master plan footprint.

Transcript Highlights:

• This does not mean that if a sport requires tryouts or an evaluation for placement that they are prohibited
• A child performing skills above their ability is a child at serious risk of injury.
• . ...page three, Rules 7 and 8, talking about having an actual education plan and with specific performance-based
• materials for her, tools for her, approved unless I send in these ideas with, like the curriculum, with performance-based

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed a long agenda of agency rules, with most items approved without objection after brief presentations and no public comment. Early items included Department of Energy and Environment rules on landfill post-closure trust fund spending thresholds and liquefied petroleum gas standards, DFA’s electronic odometer disclosure rule, and several Department of Health rules covering ionizing radiation, mobile home and RV parks, lead-based paint, counseling board revisions, hearing instrument dispensers, athletic training, dental examiners, nursing, pharmacy, medical board, speech-language pathology and audiology, radiologic technology, massage therapy, community health workers, doula certification, and cosmetology/body art. Most of these changes were described as updates to match recent acts, federal standards, compact participation, fee adjustments, or cleanup/clarification, and the committee repeatedly approved them without objection. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the Arkansas State Board of Nursing’s broad set of rule changes implementing multiple 2025 acts. Those changes included creating a dialysis patient care technician registry, updating contact information requirements, expanding APRN authority to delegate certain tasks, clarifying death certificate and pronouncement authority, allowing substitution of therapeutically equivalent medications, permitting purchase of compounded products, and updating certified medication assistant rules and training standards. Members asked detailed questions about the meaning of therapeutically equivalent substitutions, delegation limits, compounded products, and how often medication lists would be updated; the board said it would review rules annually and use future rulemaking as needed. The committee also approved new nursing rules for declaratory orders and the new dialysis registry. The Department of Education’s rules drew the most discussion, especially the Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program. The department said the revisions, based on Act 920 of 2025, were intended to add guardrails, clarify eligible expenses, and streamline approvals. Changes included defining core educational expenses, limiting sports-related spending, adding an intentional misuse standard, restricting certain technology purchases and requiring extra justification over $1,000, capping carryover funds at $8,500, and creating a reconsideration process for denied expenses. Members raised concerns about oversight, appeal timelines, sports equipment, provider credentialing, and whether the rules were too restrictive; department officials said the rules were meant to protect taxpayer funds while preserving flexibility, and they noted the program had received extensive public comment. The committee also approved Education rules for scholarships, residency classification, teacher programs, accelerated learning, and graduate medical education, as well as Labor and Licensing rules on wage and hour standards, boiler rules, motor vehicle commission requirements, professional wrestling regulation, appraiser qualifications, and military recruiting incentives.

Transcript Highlights:

• from hospice licensure, to provide for criteria for exempted organizations, to provide for services performed
• from hospice licensure, to provide for criteria for exempted organizations, to provide for services performed
• certain medical procedures and treatments, to provide for parental consent for medical procedures performed
• So HCR requests that LDH and DOE conduct a coordinated statewide evaluation of autism services, identify

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee heard a personal privilege update on HB 1227, which Representative DeWitt said would return next week as a proposed HCR for a two-year study of the three-doctor panel after discussions with Dr. Nia Colotta. Better Louisiana also presented its new Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Program, describing it as a data-driven leadership initiative focused on health care workforce, rural access, chronic disease, and other system issues; members discussed whether the program could also help generate policy research, including on managed care organizations. The committee then considered SB 427 on anatomical gifts. After adopting technical amendments, Senator Presley and Dr. Jeff White explained that the bill would strengthen organ donation law by creating a decision registry that records both yes and no choices, clarifying the legal effect of refusal, and codifying ethical principles such as the dead donor rule. Questions focused on organ viability, registry procedures, minors, and a Monroe case involving a disputed donor designation. Supporters included LOPA and the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 946, dealing with hospital price transparency and compliance with federal pricing rules, drew extensive testimony. Representative Landry and a witness from Patient Rights Advocate described it as a consumer transparency measure, but the Louisiana Hospital Association opposed the bill’s state-level enforcement and debt-collection provisions. Landry offered an amendment removing the debt-collection and affirmative-defense language, but after debate the substitute failed on a 5-6 vote and the bill was voluntarily deferred. The committee also reported favorably on SB 109, which revises membership qualifications for the Louisiana Emergency Medical Services Commission; SCR 20, urging federal flexibility on Medicaid redetermination for elderly and disabled beneficiaries; SB 216, allowing coroners to rely on licensed practical nurses for medical pronouncements of death; and SB 45, exempting certain gratuitous hospice houses from licensure, with testimony from hospice house operators and supporters. Finally, HCR 71 by Representative Chasson sought an LDH study of how Louisiana’s law and guidance on pregnancy-related emergency medications is working in hospitals, urgent care, and retail settings. Supporters said providers are hesitant to use medications such as misoprostol because of stigma and uncertainty, while opponents from Louisiana Right to Life argued the resolution was unnecessary and could create controversy. The discussion centered on whether the study should be narrowed or made more objective, but no final action on the resolution was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• going so that we can get them out of that situation into a safe environment, do assessment and evaluation
• I'm sorry that there's a discrepancy about whether it's performed or accurate.
• I'm sorry that there's a discrepancy about whether it's performed or accurate.
• response was that for a dental service, they would typically have the physician come to the facility and perform

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on April 27 and first took up House Bill 175 and its companion House Bill 165, both dealing with lottery proceeds for veterans. HB 175 was amended to create a Veterans Service Grant Board within the Department of Veterans Affairs and direct $500,000 annually from Louisiana Lottery net proceeds into a Veterans Service Grant Fund, with unused money returned to the lottery proceeds fund that supports the MFP. Supporters, including the bill sponsor, The Boot Louisiana, LDVA Secretary Charlton McGinley, and Bastion Veterans Organization, argued the grants would help veteran services, workforce placement, mental health, housing, entrepreneurship, and retention of veterans in Louisiana. Members raised concerns about drawing from lottery proceeds that traditionally support education, but the committee adopted amendments and reported HB 175 favorably as amended. HB 165, the constitutional amendment companion, was also amended for technical and ballot-language changes and then reported favorably as amended for voter consideration. The committee then considered House Bill 457, which would authorize the Louisiana Department of Health and the State Fire Marshal to set minimum housing standards for homeless shelters, group homes, and halfway homes. The sponsor said the bill responded to a state auditor recommendation and to unsafe conditions in some facilities; he also explained an amendment changing the Fire Marshal’s duties from mandatory to permissive to reduce fiscal impact and allow agencies flexibility. Some members questioned whether local standards already existed and how enforcement and funding would work, while others supported the need for statewide minimum standards for human housing. The committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 457 favorably as amended. House Bill 488, by Representative Brough, sought to create a Belle Chasse Bridge Merit-Based Special Fund using recurring severance tax revenues from Plaquemines Parish to help buy out the Belle Chasse toll bridge and end what the sponsor described as excessive tolls and fees. He and several local witnesses, including business owners, a YMCA representative, and a parish council member, testified that the tolling arrangement had harmed access, businesses, and quality of life. The committee adopted a technical amendment clarifying the revenue source and then reported HB 488 favorably as amended. House Bill 566, which would prohibit state funds from supporting net-zero greenhouse gas initiatives tied to the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan, drew significant debate over whether it would interfere with agency funding and economic development efforts; the sponsor argued the plan lacked legislative approval and should be repudiated, while members urged caution and suggested hearing from affected agencies. The sponsor agreed to consider deferring the bill, and the committee did not advance it at that time. House Bill 603, a constitutional amendment authorizing investment of state funds in digital assets and precious metals, was discussed as a way to hedge inflation and preserve value; members asked about limits and safeguards, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then began hearing House Bill 763, a transparency measure creating a public database for settlement agreements involving state agencies.