Transcript Highlights:

• When I see law enforcement uniform, the guards around the voting booth, I feel more protected.
• ballot, I mean, the ballot was cast for candidate one or two; it should be counted, and it's not color-coded
• expansion, eliminating the inequitable and unreliable determination models that are created by Election Code

Summary: The Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments heard several election-related measures. SB 884 by Senator Umberg would expand electioneering buffer zones around polling places and ballot-processing sites, restrict law enforcement activity near voting locations except for crimes against persons or property, expand ballot drop box and vote center access, and extend the vote-by-mail receipt deadline. Supporters said it would protect voters from intimidation and interference; county election officials opposed it as operationally burdensome and difficult to enforce. The committee discussed amendments narrowing some provisions, and the bill was ultimately advanced on a 4-1 vote, with Senator Choi voting no. The committee also heard SB 1164 by Senator Cervantes, part of the California Voting Rights Act of 2026 package, which would codify and expand state voting-rights protections against vote dilution and voter suppression, add preclearance for certain jurisdictions with recent violations, and direct courts to interpret election laws in favor of voter access. Support came from civil rights and voting rights groups, while one city representative raised concerns about effects on pending litigation. Senator Choi questioned the bill’s concepts, but the measure was moved to Judiciary and later recorded as passing 4-1. SB 900 by Senator McNerney would shorten and streamline campaign-ad disclosure language, allow abbreviations, and increase the number of top funders listed on political mailers from three to five. Outdoor advertising and good-government groups supported the bill as improving readability while preserving transparency. It passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. The committee also considered SB 1225 and SCA 3 by Senator Niello, which would shift responsibility for initiative titles and summaries from the Attorney General to the Legislative Analyst’s Office; supporters argued this would improve neutrality, while labor groups opposed the change as unnecessary and less accountable. Both measures were advanced to Appropriations after divided votes. Finally, SB 1360 by Senator Cervantes would expand election language-access requirements beyond current federal thresholds and add a petition process for undercounted language communities. It drew broad support from civil rights and advocacy organizations, with county election officials seeking amendments over implementation details; the bill passed 5-0 after the committee completed roll calls on the absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I see law enforcement uniform, the guards around the voting booth, I feel more protected.
• I mean, the ballot was cast for candidate one or two; it should be counted, and it's not color-coded
• expansion, eliminating the inequitable and unreliable determination models that are created by Election Code

Committee: Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• going to talk about how there are different problems in different districts, which is why we need uniformity
• Because I’m looking at the existing code here.
• Well, we already have access to opt-outs in statute through Idaho Code 39-2, Section 10, which affirms

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I even have one of her nurse's uniforms. And.
• Madam Chair, Members of the Committee, the agency code is 668, and the corresponding volume.
• We'll be dealing with Agency Code 508.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THAT IS BAR CODE 37114. SENATOR GRALL. >> Sen.
• THIS IS A STATEWIDE PROCESS THAT DEALS WITH A UNIFORM METHOD.
• WE ADHERE TO A CODE OF ETHICS THAT INCLUDE COMPETENCIES IN NATURE SOCIETY FUNCTIONS EFFECTIVELY AND IDENTIFY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, for the bad actors and concerns within neighborhoods, we also have code enforcement in our
• Currently, I don't think they've done this because they were not commercial building codes.
• A lot of municipalities have code enforcement.
• and LDH can promulgate the rules and get out of the way and let the city and the parish let their code
• And that's enforced by code from what I understand. Yes, sir. So I don't see how this changes that.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1076, which would repeal the sunset date for the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board. The bill was presented as a simple continuation measure, and Rep. Stagney moved to report it favorably; the motion passed without objection. The committee then took up HB 475 on artificial intelligence in health care. The author explained that the bill was intended to require disclosure when AI or recording software is used to transcribe patient encounters, and an amendment changed the proposal from patient consent/opt-out to disclosure only. The amendment was adopted, and HB 475 was reported favorably with amendments. HB 740, dealing with Medicaid managed care, was amended with technical changes and then presented as a way to let providers in the coordinated system of care appeal claim denials through the same independent review process used by Medicaid managed care plans. The Louisiana Hospital Association supported the bill, and it was reported favorably with amendments. HB 926, which would have barred public facilities from restricting access based on vaccination status and related medical decisions, drew testimony from supporters who framed it as a medical autonomy and informed-consent measure. After questions about public versus private facilities and whether the bill could affect hospitals or disease-based restrictions, Rep. Cruz moved to voluntarily defer the bill, and it was deferred without objection. The committee then considered HB 457 on housing standards for organizations serving people experiencing homelessness. The author said the bill was prompted by concerns about unsafe and unsanitary group homes and would direct LDH and the Fire Marshal to establish minimum standards for safety, sanitation, privacy, and habitability. Supporters said the bill would protect vulnerable residents, while opponents, including Oxford House and the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center, warned it could conflict with federal fair housing protections and impose burdens that could reduce recovery housing and other services. After extensive debate, the bill was reported favorably with amendments by a recorded vote. Finally, HB 616, which would give the legislative auditor oversight of publicly funded homeless service providers, was heard with testimony from homeless service organizations that argued the bill was duplicative, costly, and could expose sensitive HMIS data; the bill remained under discussion at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prior testifiers that there are issues with uniformity.
• Right now there is no uniform standard across the state.
• Right now there is no uniform standard across the state.
• Right now there is no uniform standard across the state.
• </c> statutory uh requirement for uniformity statutory uh requirement for uniformity and<02:10:38.040

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> comes to subpoena Authority and any code comes to subpoena Authority and any code of<00:49:22.680
• </c> representative Lynn we have our own code representative Lynn we have our own code of<00:58:13.240
• talking about the issue of code of talking about the issue of code of conduct<01:27:44.880><c> um</c>
• </c><01:27:51.280><c> of</c> Bill if everywhere the term code of Bill if everywhere the term code of
• This law now, you violated the code of conduct, so the code of conduct is now expanded to include how

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met to hear House Bill 520, which would authorize the Department of Education to issue subpoenas in investigations and hearings involving the code of conduct for New Hampshire educators. Representative Lynn, the bill sponsor, said the measure was intended to give the department standard subpoena power during investigations and in later adjudicatory proceedings, with a process for challenging overbroad subpoenas. He argued that agencies with investigative and hearing authority should also have the power to compel witnesses and documents, and said the bill was narrowed from an earlier broader draft to focus on teacher credentialing and address concerns about scope. Members raised several concerns about whether the department already has enough authority, whether the Attorney General could handle subpoenas instead, and whether the bill creates an imbalance by giving subpoena power mainly to the investigating side. Representative Burroughs said she did not feel she had enough information and was uncomfortable with the bill, especially regarding who bears subpoena costs. Representative Biron questioned the trial analogy and whether both sides truly have equal subpoena rights. Lynn responded that the investigative stage is like a grand jury process, where only the investigating body subpoenas witnesses, while the adjudicatory stage allows both sides to seek subpoenas through the hearing officer. Other questions focused on the bill’s scope. Representative Andreos asked what investigative authority the Department of Education already has, and Representative Organ questioned why the bill is limited to educators rather than also covering vendors, charter school boards, or the EFA scholarship organization. Lynn said the limitation to educators was deliberate, because earlier broader versions drew objections for being too expansive. Representative Tur asked whether the Attorney General could already handle such matters, and Lynn said that while the AG might be able to pursue some investigations or court subpoenas, agencies should be able to conduct their own internal investigations. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• been numerous reports indicating that ICE and CBP are purchasing cell phone location data from commercial
• that would go into an inmate’s cell and not have their badge or their name placard sewn into their uniform
• This is in the Code of Federal Regulations; it is 8 CFR, Section 287.8(c)(3)(A).

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on responding to federal immigration enforcement in Massachusetts, with opening remarks from Sen. Liz Miranda and Rep. Bud Williams emphasizing fear in immigrant communities, recent ICE operations, and the need to learn from advocates and affected residents rather than debate individual bills. The hearing was organized around three topics: detention, arrests, and surveillance, with members repeatedly asking what the legislature can do to improve transparency, legal access, and oversight. On detention, Leah Hastings of Prisoners’ Legal Services said most people end up in ICE custody through contact with the criminal legal system and argued that state carceral systems are deeply intertwined with immigration enforcement. She described conditions at Plymouth County House of Correction and Burlington ICE holding as concerning, citing limited medical care, disability accommodations, solitary confinement, retaliatory transfers, and poor attorney access. Hastings said Massachusetts should reduce funding for sheriffs and the Department of Corrections, ban intergovernmental service agreements and 287(g) agreements, and invest instead in housing, treatment, and other community supports. Members also discussed ICE reimbursement, the immigrant legal defense fund, and the need for more immigration attorneys. On arrests and enforcement tactics, David Albright of JALSA said federal immigration enforcement has been expanded by major new funding and incentives, including higher payments for 287(g) and bed contracts, and he noted that most ICE detainees nationally do not have criminal records. He said Massachusetts has one 287(g) agreement with the Department of Corrections and one IGSA with Plymouth County, and that ICE also uses Burlington, Hanscom, and informal local collaboration in places such as Milford and Auburn. Danny Tampona of Neighbor to Neighbor and the LUCE Rapid Response Network described more than 10,000 hotline calls from 46 cities and towns, with arrests often involving masked agents, surveillance of workers and families, traffic stops, broken windows, and arrests at check-ins or schools; he said the network is concentrated in places including Everett, Chelsea, Lynn, New Bedford, Milford, Marlboro, Framingham, and Springfield. He urged legislation requiring clear identification for law enforcement, limits on surveillance technologies, and stronger legal defense resources. On surveillance, Joshua Dancoff of Citizens for Juvenile Justice argued that current state policies allow broad sharing of fingerprints and surveillance data with ICE, including through BRIC, the Massachusetts Fusion Center, and municipal police policies. He cited cases in Chelsea and Everett where children were taken from police custody into ICE custody and said many departments automatically share arrest fingerprints and other information with federal authorities. He recommended limiting fingerprint sharing, restricting surveillance databases and task-force participation, and curbing police and sheriff collaboration with ICE even where no formal 287(g) exists. Members and witnesses also discussed the need for more immigration lawyers, possible bar advocate-style funding for immigration defense, and legislative action to prevent further collaboration and deportation infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Code, where it would require a legislative vote to undo.
• In 1999, gender sneaks into the education code. Just clarifying, they said.
• In 1999, gender sneaks into the education code. Just clarifying, they said.
• In 1999, gender sneaks into the education code. Just clarifying, they said.
• Department of Justice, code is protected speech.

Summary: The committee heard several immigration-, health-, food access-, and tribal-rights-related bills. AB 1725 would require disclosure of oil wells near homes and sensitive sites and stronger methane monitoring; supporters described health and safety harms in communities near wells, while apartment, realtor, building, and chamber representatives opposed or sought amendments, arguing the bill should better target the responsible industry and fit existing disclosure processes. AB 1650 would require privately rented or leased vehicles used by government agencies for enforcement to be clearly identifiable and equipped with safety lighting; supporters, including immigrant-rights advocates and local officials, said unmarked vehicles create fear and confusion during ICE operations, while the chamber sought clarification and noted exemptions for ordinary undercover law enforcement. AB 1857 would prohibit grocery restrictive covenants that keep new supermarkets from opening after a store closes, with supporters framing it as a food-access and anti-hunger measure; grocers and retailers raised concerns but said amendments addressed many issues, and the committee moved the bill forward as amended to Appropriations on a recorded vote, with all members present voting aye except one absent member and the bill placed on call. The committee also heard AB 1876, which would codify federal health-care nondiscrimination protections in state law. Supporters from Equality California, Disability Rights California, Planned Parenthood, and other health groups said it would preserve coverage protections for LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and other protected classes amid federal rollbacks; opponents argued it would entrench gender-affirming-care standards and criticized the underlying medical framework. The bill passed to Appropriations on a recorded vote, with most members voting aye and one no vote, and was placed on call. AB 1908 would allow public entities to use judgment obligation bonds to finance self-funded victim compensation funds; Los Angeles County said the bill would fill a financing gap for faster compensation, and the committee advanced it on a recorded vote and placed it on call. AB 1881, the California Indian Freedom Act of 2026, would protect California tribes’ access to sacred sites and traditional practices on state public lands and require meaningful consultation; it drew extensive support from tribal leaders and Native organizations, while cities, counties, utilities, builders, and business groups were opposed unless amended, largely seeking clarification and narrowing. The bill was amended to focus on state public lands and passed to Appropriations on a recorded vote, then placed on call. Later, AB 2465 would bar businesses that profit from private detention facilities or contract with immigration-enforcement agencies from receiving state grants, loans, or tax credits and create an immigrant resilience fund. Supporters said the state should not subsidize businesses tied to immigration raids and detention; opponents, including the chamber, bankers, and contractors, raised vagueness and scope concerns, especially over what contracts would be covered. Members said they supported the concept but wanted the bill tightened, and it passed to Revenue and Taxation on a recorded vote with one no vote and was placed on call. The committee then heard AB 2662, which would create a formal state process to monitor and report on federal immigration enforcement actions and their impacts; supporters from legal aid and health centers said raids have chilled access to work, schools, clinics, and naturalization, and the bill was presented as a modest accountability measure. The transcript cuts off before any vote on AB 2662. The committee also approved a consent calendar of several bills and resolutions, sending some to Appropriations and others to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Los Angeles LGBT Center cannot provide the injectable PrEP drug, lenacapavir, to commercially insured
• SB 1023 will solve the problem by requiring commercial insurers that already cover injectable PrEP under
• And that the abstract of judgment that says guilty of 187 Penal Code homicide, that could be years and
• There are some in some places, but most of the time you go and there's a QR code on the table, and you
• So if you are doing a QR code and the menu comes up, just like if you were looking and you'd see like

Committee: Senate Health

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the discussion here in terms of issues with payment, since the bill is really looking more at commercial
• During the court proceedings, we learned that the prepayment review was limited to two CPT codes.
• learned that the reason for the review was because we were supposedly an outlier of these prepayment codes
• </c> With an MCO recently over one CPT code that we've used ever since we've been providing services,
• Don't mean to do a commercial for our own bill.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 27, as amended by committee substitute, which would create a Kentucky Parkinson’s disease research registry. The sponsor said the substitute was developed with UK, U of L, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Parkinson’s in Motion to better define a movement disorder center, add Parkinson’s experts from both universities to the advisory committee, require automated reporting, and delay implementation until 2027. Testimony emphasized the need to track diagnoses and testing while protecting confidentiality and allowing people to opt out. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted unanimously to pass SB 27 with a favorable expression. The committee then heard Senate Bill 93, dealing with hearing aid coverage for children. A parent described the high cost of hearing aids for her son and the financial burden created by insurance limits, while a pediatric audiologist explained that early identification and treatment improve language outcomes and that families can spend about $30,000 on hearing aids from birth to age 18. The committee substitute removed adults from the bill and added an in-network requirement for pediatric audiologists, along with a replacement interval consistent with Medicaid guidelines and repair/loss coverage provisions. After questions about costs, replacement timing, and insurer practices, the committee voted unanimously to pass SB 93 with a favorable expression. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 153, a transparency and due-process bill concerning Medicaid prepayment review. The sponsor and witnesses from Addiction Recovery Care and Frontier Behavioral Health said prepayment reviews can be imposed with little notice or explanation, disrupt cash flow, and burden rural and smaller providers; they argued the bill would require clearer notice, reasons, and timelines without stopping legitimate reviews. Members asked about managed care organizations, contract issues, and whether the bill would conflict with existing agreements, and the sponsor said it would not. After discussion and an explanation of vote from Senator Douglas, the committee voted to pass SB 153 with a favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• than just applying this to the high-fire severity zone, this is applying it to Altadena based on zip code
• This is only applying to Altadena and its zip code.
• And as you see, As I mentioned, this is only applying to Altadena and its zip code.
• have demonstrated an interest in alternative risk financing options outside of the traditional commercial
• costs, and they've been proven to be effective and used frequently by public sector entities and commercial

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill updates the exemption language in current code to mirror the standard already used in other
• It just aligns exemption language in the code. And with that, I ask for your aye vote.
• Again, it just aligns exemption language in the code. And with that, I ask for your aye vote.
• This deals with and corrects Idaho Code Section 9-807, which deals with mediation.
• This legislation amends section 18-808, Idaho Code. This bill will Section 18-808, Idaho Code.

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the corrected journal, then received committee reports and House messages before moving into floor action on several bills. Among the measures introduced and referred were bills on housing, education, machine guns, cash rounding, virtual currency kiosk fraud prevention, unauthorized workers, and other State Affairs topics. The Senate also took up a number of third-reading bills, including Senate Bill 1314 on Health and Welfare board structures, Senate Bill 1316 on newborn screening exemptions, Senate Bill 1301 on brewer retail taprooms, Senate Bill 1331 on a broad rescission/appropriations reduction package, Senate Bill 1332 on cash transfers to balance the budget, and later Senate Bill 1308 on mediation and Senate Bill 1309 on juvenile corrections. Senate Bill 1314 drew the most substantive debate early in the meeting. Supporters said it would eliminate outdated board structures in the Department of Health and Welfare and regional behavioral health boards that no longer served a necessary function, while opponents argued the boards still provided public accountability, regional input, and transparency, especially for behavioral health services. The bill passed 28-7. Senate Bill 1316, which updated exemption language for newborn screenings to align with other Idaho law and clarify parental rights, passed unanimously 35-0. Senate Bill 1301, allowing small brewers to expand from one to two remote taproom locations, passed 31-4 after supporters framed it as a free-market and small-business measure. The most contentious vote was on Senate Bill 1331, the rescission bill reducing fiscal year 2026 appropriations by about $192.7 million, including cuts to general fund, federal, and dedicated funds, along with reductions in FTEs and some program funding. Supporters said it was needed to balance the budget amid revenue uncertainty and that agencies had been asked where to make the additional 1% cuts; opponents criticized the bill as an across-the-board, opaque “Christmas tree” approach that cut lean and bloated agencies alike and created confusion about specific reductions. After extended debate, the bill passed narrowly 18-17. Senate Bill 1332, which transferred money from several funds back to the General Fund to help balance the budget, also drew criticism for shifting money from programs such as Launch, water pollution control, and building projects, but it passed 26-9. Later, Senate Bill 1308 passed 35-0 and Senate Bill 1309 passed 35-0 with little opposition. The Senate then returned to other business, introduced Senate Bill 1361 on public safety appropriations, and began consideration of Senate Bill 1300, which would change confirmation and appointment provisions for certain state agency directors.

Transcript Highlights:

• Initially, the bill talked about what was commercially reasonable that they must implement commercially
• :56:48.800><c> commercially</c> they must implement commercially they must implement commercially reasonable
• </c> then it says by using commercially then it says by using commercially reasonable<02:05:39.040><c
• We know that commercial monetization.
• </c> we talked about using commercially we talked about using commercially reasonable<02:26:26.399><c

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, find it in the, find it in the commercial. Yeah, commercial. Yeah, commercial.
• It's not a commercial system, correct?
• They sent down and wrote the code to integrate these products.
• Code, and it keeps foreign products out of our voting machines. Mr.
• Code, and it keeps foreign products out of our voting machines. Mr.

Committee: House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2348, which would appropriate state funds for Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs training-center needs, including Wi-Fi for reserve units at joint facilities, a reimbursement program for service members using personal computers, lodging and kind for drill weekends, and HVAC upgrades and maintenance. Two amendments were considered: the Marquez Amendment, which filled in dollar amounts for each purpose, failed; and the Gillette Amendment, which added national-security restrictions on networking equipment, removed the reimbursement and lodging provisions from the underlying bill, and adjusted the funding language, passed. The sponsor and several military witnesses testified that reserve and Guard members at places like Buckeye lack Wi-Fi, adequate HVAC, and lodging, forcing soldiers to use public libraries, personal devices, or sleep in cars or on armory floors. After debate over whether the state should fund needs tied to federal reserve units and how the money would be sourced, the committee recommended HB 2348 as amended by a 4-3 vote. The committee then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2016, a ballot referral that would cap precinct size at 2,500 registered voters and eliminate county authority to use vote centers, emergency voting centers, and certain on-site early voting options. The sponsor said the measure was intended to restore precinct-based voting and reflect voter preference, noting the change from an earlier 1,000-voter cap to 2,500 after feedback from county officials. County and advocacy witnesses opposed the resolution, arguing that vote centers provide flexibility, are often more cost-effective, and are necessary in rural counties and large counties like Maricopa; they also said precinct voting would require many more locations, staff, and equipment, and could force some counties into central-count tabulation. Supporters argued precinct voting improves voter confidence and access. The committee approved HCR 2016 for the ballot by a 4-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2165, which exempts veterans from Arizona State Parks admission fees, and adopted the Marquez Amendment to extend the exemption to active military, National Guard, and reserve members and to broaden acceptable identification. Arizona State Parks testified in a neutral position, saying the agency is self-funded through user fees and already offers discounts to active duty, veterans, and disabled veterans, but warned that expanding free admission could affect park revenue and rural economies. The bill discussion ended with the amendment adopted and the measure moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• include a clear and transparent description of the method proposed to be utilized, all of the forms, codes
• We have been trying to address the issue that commercial insurers pay community health centers less than
• do you set the level of payment rate, because MassHealth has a number of payment rates, so the commercials
• Commercials have asked us how and where the rate should be set.
• And so it sets the rate of commercial pay for primary care at that PPS rate. That's what it does.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rewriting Florida's Probate Code Section can along Thursday of on 30 section can in this case, the reptiles
• So what the court determined there is commercial speech is entitled to some level of First Amendment
• of speech without some scrutiny by the court said there's an intermediate level of scrutiny for commercial
• for says State bar of Arizona, the Supreme Court said, you know what I think we said about for commercial
• We can also regulate non misleading commercial speech.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Democrats have made Minnesota less safe, especially for those people who put on the badge and uniform
• the defunding and dismantling of police departments and even encouraged violence against those in uniform
• the defunding and dismantling of police departments and even encouraged violence against those in uniform
• for years they vilified an uniform for years they vilified an honorable<00:08:38.440><c> profession<
• </c> truth that the men and women in uniform truth that the men and women in uniform protecting<00:09

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Bills: SCR12 , HB221 , HB509 , HCR58 , HB75 , HB1222 , SB121 , SB312 , SB348 , SB485 , SCR9 , SCR58 , SB65 , SB215 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB514 , HCR54 , HCR79 , HCR87 , HCR94 , HCR104 , HCR32 , HB944 , HB17 , HB41 , HB73 , HB223 , HB244 , HB410 , HB750 , HB759 , HB906 , HB966 , HB1006 , HB1009 , HB1086 , HB1107 , HB1112 , HB1215 , HB1242 , SB208 , SB217 , SB283 , SB387 , SB389 , SB401 , SB408 , SB469 , HB74 , HB119 , HB368 , HB414 , HB552 , HB732 , HB776 , HB848 , HB870 , HB953 , HB956 , HB1236 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB78 , SB149 , SB274 , SB300 , SB341 , SB382 , SB441 , SB449 , HB134 , HB210 , HB258 , HB359 , HB468 , HB784 , HB1117

Keywords: logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, Mississippi River bridge, Trump Expressway, transportation, federal funding, Louisiana highways, injection wells, public hearing, geologic sequestration, environmental impact, public comment, Ascension Parish, state capitol, economic development, community partnership, celebration day

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received a prayer and pledge, adopted the journal, and heard messages from the House reporting final passage of several Senate bills and concurrence in SCR 86 and 87. The chamber also observed personal privileges honoring the lives of Edith K. Kirkpatrick and Susan Ann Traylor Bidick, with family members present and a moment of silence held for Bidick. The House later refused concurrence on Senate amendments to HB 42 and HB 159. The Senate then took up a series of resolutions, most of which were adopted without objection. These included studies on energy infrastructure and modernization (SR 174, amended to add an alternative energy industry representative and a consumer advocate), breast pump Medicaid reimbursement (SR 175), digital student IDs (SR 176), lethality assessment protocols in domestic violence cases (SR 177), problem gambling prevention (SR 178), community water system grading (SR 179), condolences for Sharon Courtney (SR 180), and expansion of the Louisiana Tumor Registry (SR 181). The chamber also adopted SCR 85 honoring the Sam Houston High School Broncos baseball team after a recorded vote of 36 yeas and 8 nays. On bills returned from the House, HB 1222 on grocery initiative grants failed on final passage by a vote of 18 yeas and 19 nays. SB 312 had House amendments rejected, SB 348 and SB 485 had House amendments concurred in, and SB 121 on congressional redistricting was the subject of extensive debate over racial gerrymandering, district configuration, and expected litigation before the Senate concurred in the House amendments by 28 yeas and 10 nays. The Senate also concurred in several House concurrent resolutions, including studies or reports on flooded corn and migratory waterfowl, deer hunting with dogs in Kisatchie National Forest, support for a Senator Kennedy letter to the Fish and Wildlife Service, boating safety reporting, and subsurface data review. Finally, HB 944 creating a Women’s Health Consortium within the Department of Health was amended to address funding concerns and convert it into a more task-force-like structure, then passed 37-0 with nine coauthors. The Senate then recessed until 1:30 p.m. to continue work, including conference committee reports.