Transcript Highlights:

• These They're all in support of the bill but not wishing to testify.
• Ray Hunt from the Police Officers Union out of Houston is also in support.
• We also have a letter of support from Montgomery County Judge Mark Keogh.
• I'm here in support of House Bill 27, or Senate Bill 27.
• Coming up, we've got three or four others who wanted to register for support.

Bills: HB767 , HB1708 , HB2143 , HB2198 , HB2415 , HB2457 , HB2763 , SB876 , SB1230 , SB2515 , SB2688 , SB2790 , SB2799 , HB3012 , HB1672 , HB2523 , HB3135

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: highway designation, memorial, Montgomery County, Paul P. Mendes, transportation, memorial highway, Kevin Ramirez Vasquez, Ector County, state designation, memorial designation, highway, military honors, veteran commemoration, Officer Jacob Candanoza, Transportation Code, state highway, Kaufman County, law enforcement, Travis County, Senior Police Officer

Transcript Highlights:

• AARP Texas is pleased to sponsor, uh, support this legislation and thanks Vice Chair Rose for authoring
• the pharmacist in charge for Amazon Pharmacy in Austin, and I'm testifying on behalf of Amazon in support

Bills: HB 741 , HB 1199 , HB 2070 , HB 2402 , HB 2542 , HB 2665 , HB 2789 , HB 3096 , HB 3396 , HB 3595 , HB 3747 , HB 4116 , HB 4127

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> support bill HP1817. support bill HP1817.
• Uh, we support HB 1817.
• . support.
• &gt;&gt; Um speakers speakers speakers support. support. support.
• </c> support of HB6003. support of HB6003.

Bills: HB1817 , HB2056 , HB2616 , HB1718 , HB1842 , HB1740 , HB1919 , HB1616 , HB1774 , HB1984 , HB1603 , HB2171

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: fishing regulation, ʻamaʻama, striped mullet, bag limit, overfishing, Hawaii fisheries, funding, appropriations, Honolulu, housing, construction, grant-in-aid, community development, Banyan Drive, Hawaii community development authority, cultural revitalization, special fund, public safety, economic development, affordable housing

Summary: The committee heard HB 1817, which would create a daily bag limit for amaa/ama fish to protect Hawaii’s fisheries. DLNR said the biggest stressor on amaa populations is diversion of freshwater flows that cut off food sources for juvenile fish, and suggested that place-by-place rulemaking with fishers and stakeholders would be the most effective approach. A teacher and several Waialua Elementary students testified in strong support, describing research on declining catch data, cultural importance, and the need to preserve the fish for future generations. Other supporters said the fish is being outcompeted by invasive species and cited historical declines, including testimony that bag limits in Hilo Bay have helped increase populations. Committee members asked DLNR about traditional and cultural gathering rights, whether the bill’s bag limit would apply to native Hawaiian practices, and whether the limit was 10 per day or per season. DLNR said constitutional Hawaiian practices are protected, but also noted that if the bag limit is set in statute it would limit the department’s flexibility to tailor rules by area. Members also asked about other conservation efforts, and DLNR said fish pond revitalization and amaa production are underway statewide. One member raised concern that a statewide statutory limit might not fit conditions on every island, and DLNR said it has authority to adopt area-specific rules through rulemaking, though that process can take months to more than a year. The committee then moved to HP 206, an appropriations measure for the City and County of Honolulu involving school land transfers, and HP 266B relating to Banyan Drive. On HP 206, the county said the request is a one-time item and estimated costs were about $3.25 million, with the city and county already spending more than $350,000 on the transfers. On HP 266B, HCDA said it is conducting a master planning effort for Banyan Drive and plans a community visioning exercise this summer. Testimony from the Banyan Drive redevelopment agency emphasized the need for more flexible land-tenure rules, while OHA supported the bill with amendments to include cultural specialists and lineal descendants in the redevelopment process and to protect ceded lands. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in support. in support.
• . support. support.
• . support. support.
• </c> in support. Hawaii Yimi in support. in support. Hawaii Yimi in support.
• Holua Collaborative in support. support. support.

Bills: HB1721 , HB1714 , HB1718 , HB1732 , HB1740 , HB1777 , HB1842 , HB1919 , HB1701 , HB1923 , HB1741 , HB1734 , HB1739

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, insurance, indemnification, construction, affordable housing, executive compensation, Hawaii housing finance, legislative approval, low-income housing, moderate-income housing, mixed-use development, transit-oriented development, TOD, county powers, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, HHFDC, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, DHHL, affordable housing credits

Summary: The House Housing Committee met on February 4 and heard testimony on several housing measures, beginning with HB1721, which clarifies insurance, indemnification, and certificate-of-occupancy requirements for expedited permits. Testimony on HB1721 was uniformly supportive from the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Grassroot Institute, and individual testifiers, who said the bill would fix insurance issues for design professionals and encourage more participation in the expedited-permit program. No opposition was heard and no questions were raised. The committee then heard HB1714, which would raise salary caps for the executive director and deputy executive director positions at the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and allow more autonomy in personnel matters, including employment contracts. HHFDC supported the bill, saying greater flexibility is needed to recruit and retain staff and that current pay ceilings are not the main issue because the agency lacks operating funds to reach them. The Department of Human Resources Development offered comments and raised concerns about autonomous personnel authority and employment contracts, saying state personnel matters are governed by existing statutes and collective bargaining rules; the Hawaii Public Housing Authority also offered comments, and one board member and one individual opposed the measure. Members questioned whether performance-based pay or existing incentive policies could address retention instead of statutory salary changes. The committee also heard HB1718, which would make permanent county authority to facilitate mixed-use developments and issue county bonds for low- and moderate-income housing projects. Support came from OPSD, HHFDC, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Housing and Land Management, and Housing Hawaii’s Future, all emphasizing that permanent authority is needed to finance long-term mixed-use and transit-oriented projects. A member asked whether the sunset provision would make bonding impractical, and the city representative agreed that temporary authority would make financing difficult because development takes time. Later, the committee took up HB1732, establishing the Kamina Homes program to fund counties’ purchase of voluntary deed restrictions from eligible buyers. The Department of Taxation and several groups, including HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Holomua Collaborative, and others testified, with most supporting the bill as a way to help local families remain in Hawaii and age in place. Holomua said a recent survey found 75% of 3,200 working families were considering moving, and argued the bill could preserve housing for local residents. Members asked about the bill’s 8% cap on deed-restriction cost and why the program focuses on residency rather than resale restrictions; the bill’s proponents said the cap allows flexibility for county negotiations and that the measure is aimed at workforce preservation rather than land-trust-style appreciation limits. Finally, the committee heard HB1740, which would modify a prior HHFDC housing pathway by reducing the qualified-resident requirement from 100% to 80% and allowing more flexibility for long-term rental instead of owner occupancy. HHFDC and Holomua Collaborative supported the change, saying the earlier 100% requirement had produced no developments or applicants and that the revised standard would make projects more feasible while still preserving housing for local residents. The committee did not take final votes on these measures during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• and great support from our judicial branch.
• Hope Gibson, present in support, not wish to speak.
• Support, do not wish to speak. Susan Rab, president, support, do not wish to speak.
• Susan Rab, president support, do not wish to speak. Cindy Bishop, president support.
• President, and support, not wish to speak.

Bills: HR2 , HR37 , HR61 , HCR11 , HCR64 , HB89 , HB183 , HB341 , HB371 , HB451 , HB480 , HB520 , HB541 , HB579 , HB597 , HB816 , HB1004 , HB1064 , HB1165 , SB44

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: transparency, accountability, Justice Department, FBI, Jeffrey Epstein, victim protection, investigation, public trust, HR37, House Resolution 37, Honduras veterans, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, military medal, veteran recognition, Congress memorialization, U.S. veterans, foreign deployment, 1981 to 1992, military service awards, combat support

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 1165, which was converted into a substitute bill to reorganize the Avoyelles Parish court system by creating two city courts, one for Marksville and one for Bunkie, and expanding their jurisdiction parishwide, including small claims and certain misdemeanor, civil, and juvenile matters. The sponsor and supporting judges said the change would better use existing courts and improve access to justice, while the district attorney opposed it, arguing it would not help the criminal docket, could create staffing and constitutional issues, and needed more study. After questions about voting districts, appellate procedure, and minority vote dilution, the committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard House Bill 1064 creating a domestic violence intervention court pilot program in the 19th Judicial District, with testimony from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and the YWCA describing a specialty court model focused on accountability, victim services, and wraparound support. The bill was reported favorably. House Bill 341, clarifying law enforcement officer rights during administrative investigations, was amended to specify administrative matters and reported with amendments. House Concurrent Resolution 64, as amended, expanded a study of behavioral health courts to include additional parishes and a later reporting deadline, and was reported favorably. House Bill 579, the sexual assault survivor bill of rights, was amended to strengthen notice, confidentiality, and funding provisions and then reported favorably. Later, House Bill 1004, which would have raised the jurisdictional threshold for justice of the peace courts from $5,000 to $7,500, drew significant opposition from city court judges who warned of unintended consequences, including different evidentiary standards, possible attorney-representation issues for entities, and added burdens on district courts. Supporters framed it as an inflation adjustment and access-to-justice measure, but after debate the committee voted 5-11 to defer the bill. House Bill 183, limiting courthouse cell phone bans in fee-payment areas, was amended and then failed on a 7-7 tie with the chair voting no. The committee also reported favorably House Bill 451 on ATC hearing notices, House Bill 541 on micro distillers via substitute, Senate Bill 44 on tactical medical professionals’ firearms, House Resolution 37 honoring veterans who served in Honduras, and House Bill 89 requiring a district attorney office to pay certain retirees’ health premiums from its own funds. Several other bills were voluntarily deferred, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• and great support from our judicial branch.
• police, present in support, does not wish to speak.
• Susan Rab, President, support, do not wish to speak.
• Susan Rab, president, support, do not wish to speak.
• President, and support, not wish to speak.

Bills: HR2 , HR37 , HR61 , HCR11 , HCR64 , HB89 , HB183 , HB341 , HB371 , HB451 , HB480 , HB520 , HB541 , HB579 , HB597 , HB816 , HB1004 , HB1064 , HB1165 , SB44

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: transparency, accountability, Justice Department, FBI, Jeffrey Epstein, victim protection, investigation, public trust, HR37, House Resolution 37, Honduras veterans, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, military medal, veteran recognition, Congress memorialization, U.S. veterans, foreign deployment, 1981 to 1992, military service awards, combat support

Transcript Highlights:

• Lance Maxwell and so he can't be in support.
• One green card in support.
• Nicole Doucette is present and would like to speak in support.
• Mary LeBlanc is present in support and would like to speak.
• So I just ask you for your support.

Bills: HB288 , HB403 , HB420 , HB783 , HB815 , HB915 , HB927 , HB933 , HB944 , HB962 , HB971 , HR74 , SCR3 , SCR20 , SB5 , SB34 , SB37 , SB190 , SB255 , SB270 , SB273 , SB314 , SB415

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: medical terminology, documentation, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, healthcare, medical records, billing, homemade food, food safety, small business, exemption, regulation, Department of Children and Family Services, background checks, child welfare, employee screening, safety regulations, criminal history, non-lactational dairy, labeling requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• Some that are the ones, actually, the ones I've spoken with are actually in support of this bill.
• And really, I've been very proud to support the efforts of the senator from Senate District O and the
• So I'm excited to be able to support this effort today. Debate the charitable debate.

Bills: SB1290 , SB1332 , SB1369 , SB1379 , SB1381 , SB1386 , SB1390 , SB1428 , SB1584 , SB1696 , SB175 , SB1778 , SB1794 , SB1806 , SB1836 , SB201

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, housing, infrastructure, water projects, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, economic development, zero-interest loans, clawback provision, local contractors, mental health, crisis services, 988 Lifeline, suicide prevention, behavioral health, human trafficking

Transcript Highlights:

• The ones I've spoken with are actually in support of this bill. Follow-up?
• And really, I've been very proud to support the efforts of the senator from Senate District 4 and the
• So I'm excited to be able to support this effort today. Additional debate. The chair will debate.
• substitute clarifies the scope of the registry, strengthens provider protection, and ensures the system supports

Bills: SB1290 , SB1332 , SB1369 , SB1379 , SB1381 , SB1386 , SB1390 , SB1428 , SB1584 , SB1696 , SB175 , SB1778 , SB1794 , SB1806 , SB1836 , SB201

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, housing, infrastructure, water projects, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, economic development, zero-interest loans, clawback provision, local contractors, mental health, crisis services, 988 Lifeline, suicide prevention, behavioral health, human trafficking

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a long series of Senate bills covering criminal justice, courts, education, health, water infrastructure, economic development, and social services. Early measures included SB 1584, which shortens the timeline for submitting sexual assault evidence kits for forensic testing, and SB 1386, a courtroom transparency bill creating a pilot program for audio/video recording in certain courtrooms; SB 1386 drew the most extended debate, with concerns raised about privacy, selective editing, political use of footage, and impacts on victims, witnesses, jurors, and attorneys. The author said the bill was intended to improve the accuracy and context of the record, not to add live streaming or AI transcripts, and both bills advanced. Several education and justice-related bills also moved forward. SB 1381 would require arrested persons to be brought before a judge within 48 to 72 hours and establishes a pilot in Oklahoma County; SB 201 raises each step of the minimum teacher salary schedule by $2,500; and SB 1778 revises the Strong Readers Act by directing a single state-paid screening instrument, adding early intervention and transitional/pull-out reading support, and phasing in changes beginning in 2027. SB 1836, requiring a board-approved mental health screener in routine primary care visits, passed after debate over its costs and implementation. SB 1806, allowing some young adults to remain in or re-enter DHS care until age 21, and SB 1428, creating an Alzheimer’s and dementia coordination office at the Health Department with private funding, also advanced. The committee approved multiple public health and human services funding and coordination measures, including SB 1369 creating a revolving fund for the 988 crisis line, SB 1290 creating a 2-1-1 hotline revolving fund, SB 1794 establishing a statewide real-time behavioral health bed/capacity registry, and SB 1379 creating a two-year private grant program for certified human trafficking service providers. Members questioned fiscal impacts, administrative overhead, and service continuity, but the bills moved on. Other bills passed included SB 1696 to fund local recruitment incentives for new residents in rural and mid-sized communities, SB 1332 creating zero-interest water infrastructure loans for housing-related projects, SB 175 creating a reimbursement fund for abandoned uninsured commercial vehicles, and SB 1390 extending the gross production tax sunset to July 1, 2032.

Transcript Highlights:

• These funds support... ...of dollars annually to the state budget.
• The industry supports over a hundred thousand direct and indirect jobs.
• These are families; these are supporting families and their careers.
• They support independence and grid reliability.
• I support the oil and gas industry, and we all should.

Bills: HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM18 , HM21 , HB10 , HB11 , HB12 , HB13 , HB14 , HB31 , HB50

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here to offer testimony in support of HB5377.
• You can see sale, rental, lease, advertisement for sale, rental, or lease.
• I'm testifying in support of the Senate bill.
• For companies that support veterans...
• Everybody in this room would support that.

Bills: HB 1087 , HB2504 , HB4113 , HB5144 , HB5146 , HB5377 , HB5543 , SB140 , SB264 , SB1244 , SB1343 , SB2121 , HR868

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: property owners, board vacancy, special election, association governance, community management, property owners' association, resale certificate, fees, real estate regulation, homeowners, HB 4113, Texas Rising Star Program, child care, child-care providers, Texas Workforce Commission, TWC, safety barriers, crash-rated bollards, bollards, playground safety

Transcript Highlights:

• reclassified where the sales were reported, pulling funds away from the community that actually supports
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify today in support of House Bill 5169.
• Thank you for your time, and I urge your support for House Bill 5169.

Bills: HB 105 , HB982 , HB1483 , HB1508 , HB2575 , HB3646 , HB3993 , HB4083 , HB4580 , HB4725 , HB5169 , HB5511 , HJR73 , HJR102 , HJR174 , HB3746 , HB4240

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: economic development, job creation, energy, tax incentives, technology investment, ad valorem taxes, elderly, disabled, low-income, tax limitation, homesteads, Texas Tax Code, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, residential real property, home improvement, energy efficiency, energy-efficient upgrades, HVAC

Transcript Highlights:

• Another job paying more money, and he went back to child support to increase his child support.
• Currently, state law requires separate judgments for child support, medical support, and dental support
• , medical support judgments.
• I'm testifying in support. of House Bill 3758.
• I think this is a very important bill that should be supported, and whatever we can do to support it,

Bills: HB557 , HB732 , HB1892 , HB1954 , HB2301 , HB3180 , HB3405 , HB3650 , HB3758 , HB4035 , HB4621 , HB4795 , HB4870 , HB5069 , HB5137 , HB5149

Committee: House S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Keywords: child support, arrears, court enforcement, contempt, legal protections, healthcare, insurance, cost reduction, accessibility, regulations, impotency, marriage annulment, Family Code, Texas law, family law, Texas legislation, dissolution of marriage, annulment, marriage, child custody

Bills: SJR 12 , SCR 39 , SB 27 , SB 29 , SB 241 , SB 406 , SB 414 , SB 464 , SB 568 , SB 578 , SB 609 , SB 660 , SB 689 , SB 693 , SB 785 , SB 857 , SB 879 , SB 921 , SB 922 , SB 955 , SB 985 , SB 993 , SB 996 , SB 1008 , SB 1035 , SB 1036 , SB 1059 , SB 1098 , SB 1120 , SB 1122 , SB 1147 , SB 1188 , SB 1197 , SB 1209 , SB 1227 , SB 1245 , SB 1267 , SB 1307 , SB 1321 , SB 1332 , SB 1386 , SB 1396 , SB 1453 , SB 1484 , SB 1494 , SB 1536 , SB 1537 , SB 1596 , SB 1610 , SB 1664 , SB 1741 , SB 1814 , SB 1822 , SB 1841 , SB 1948 , SB 2065 , SB 2155 , SB 2188 , SB 2230 , SB 2406 , SB 2407

Keywords: parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, business organization, internal management, corporate governance, partnerships, liability reduction, public camping, homelessness, local governance, enforcement, state authority, local entity, complaints, housing, public safety, birth certificate

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I'm here to express my strong support for House Bill 3727.
• I'm a locomotive engineer representing myself in support of House Bill 1772.
• Number 1, establish an AAM office to provide technical support to airports.
• Is that your understanding also with overwhelming support?
• It helps support our state's businesses and the people who work for them.

Bills: HB 341 , HB 791 , HB 1564 , HB 1695 , HB 1722 , HB 1729 , HB 1772 , HB 2003 , HB 2954 , HB 2989 , HB 3084 , HB 3134 , HB 3135 , HB 3309 , HB 3611 , HB 3679 , HB 3727 , HB 3832

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to express my strong support for House Bill 3727.
• I plan to support this piece of legislation. Thank you.
• And we're for the bill, so happy to speak in support of HB3.
• I'm here on behalf of AGC of Texas and myself in support. 3309.
• I'm going to 100% support this initiative.

Bills: HB341 , HB791 , HB1564 , HB1695 , HB1722 , HB1729 , HB1772 , HB2003 , HB2954 , HB2989 , HB3084 , HB3134 , HB3135 , HB3309 , HB3611 , HB3679 , HB3727 , HB3832

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates

Transcript Highlights:

• Desi Burns-Porter, and I serve as Executive Director of Texans Against High Speed Rail, and I'm in support
• And so we think Trump, who issued us the permits in 2020, is going to be supportive of the project.
• So, again, I thank you for this piece of legislation, and I support you. Thank you. Thank you.
• I'm here to express my strong support for House Bill 1564.
• We appreciate your support. Come on. Is she faking? Huh? Is she faking? She, uh...

Bills: HB341 , HB791 , HB1564 , HB1695 , HB1722 , HB1729 , HB1772 , HB2003 , HB2954 , HB2989 , HB3084 , HB3134 , HB3135 , HB3309 , HB3611 , HB3679 , HB3727 , HB3832

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates

Transcript Highlights:

• I call on my colleagues to support both nominations. as well as the legislation we're considering today
• I'm proud today to advance the Astronaut Ground Travel Support Act, which I introduced along with Senator
• bills on the agenda are ones the committee considered in the last Congress so I'm very pleased to support
• And Senators Cruz and Peters co-sponsored the Astronaut Ground Travel Support Act, which enables NASA
• modified s-433 the National Manufacturing Advisory Council Act s-582 the Astronaut Ground Travel Support

Bills: SB244 , SB28 , SB289 , SB323 , SB389 , SB414 , SB428 , SB433 , SB582 , SB613 , SB759 , SB792 , SB841 , SB843 , SB97

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Keywords: national security, cybersecurity, consumer technology, routers, modems, study, communication, consumer protection, smart devices, transparency, internet-connected devices, FTC enforcement, broadband, infrastructure, federal programs, internet access, accessibility, affordability, deployment, government coordination

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an important meeting where they discussed various bills aimed at addressing pressing issues like consumer protection, technology, and environmental management. Chairman Cruz opened the meeting by emphasizing the role of subpoenas in ensuring accountability and oversight, highlighting a recent compliance from several parties following such threats. The meeting progressed to consider several bills, including the Romance Scam Prevention Act championed by Senator Blackburn, which seeks to protect vulnerable populations from online dating scams that have resulted in enormous financial losses, particularly among seniors. The committee also nominated Michael Kratios for the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Mark Medder for the Federal Trade Commission, underscoring the significance of leadership in fostering innovation and consumer protection in technology sectors.

Transcript Highlights:

• VA strongly supports the Veterans Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Service Members Act. of
• VA generally supports the Service Members and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act or the SAVES Act of
• So these are the Rep VA Act, Vet Pact Act, which VA support. supports, and the Veterans Fraud Reimbursement
• I would hope that you can support that.
• It was overwhelmingly supported in a bipartisan way in the past.

Bills: SB124 , SB201 , SB275 , SB410 , SB478 , SB607 , SB610 , SB611 , SB654 , SB702 , SB787 , SB831 , SB892

Committee: Senate Senate Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: Department of Veterans Affairs, disciplinary procedures, accountability, personnel actions, whistleblower protection, cancer, military, aircrew, veterans, health study, toxins, morbidity, mortality, service members, mental health, community care, accessibility, treatment programs, substance abuse, appointments

Summary: During the meeting, various members engaged in extensive discussions surrounding 15 proposed bills related to veterans' affairs. Notably, concerns regarding recent VA workforce changes sparked debates, particularly about potential cuts and their implications for veterans' care and benefits. Chairman Moran emphasized the need for thoughtful reforms and coordination with stakeholders, urging responsible measures to prevent negatively impacting service delivery. The meeting highlighted a significant bipartisan effort to enhance veterans' access to essential health services, particularly in light of recent challenges faced by the VA workforce. Senator Blumenthal's assertions about the urgent plight of veterans due to cuts in personnel drew strong reactions, showcasing the deep concern among committee members regarding the current state of veteran services.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're in support of it. OMV Commission reviewed the legislation. They're in support of it.
• We are asking for your support for House Bill 431.
• We are asking for your support for House Bill 431.
• All right, we have cards in support.
• We have some cards in support.

Bills: SB348 , SB444 , SB485 , SB517 , HB87 , HB115 , HB162 , HB362 , HB368 , HB377 , HB431 , HB441 , HB466 , HB664 , HB741 , HB822 , HB990 , HB1243

Committee: Senate Municipal

Keywords: motor vehicles, enforcement, administrative support, law enforcement, private service provider, regulatory compliance, expropriation, public purpose, property rights, compensation, city governance, St. George, insurance premium tax, city of St. George, municipal authority, local taxation, East Baton Rouge Parish, economic development, Baton Rouge North, commissioners

Summary: The committee on local and municipal affairs met on May 7, 2026, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then took up a series of local bills. HB 362 creating the Regency Park Towns Townhomes Crime Prevention and Security District in Orleans Parish was reported favorably without objection. HB 822, dealing with nonprofit entities that hold appointments on boards and commissions while not in good standing with the Secretary of State, drew questions about whether it targeted a specific entity and about how long an entity should be out of good standing; the committee adopted an amendment changing the trigger to three consecutive years and then reported the bill as amended. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1243, which would give the Orleans Parish City Council more authority over the Sewer and Water Board. The sponsor, Council President J.P. Morrell, and Representative Hilfordy argued the bill would move New Orleans toward a more local, responsive public-works model and help address long-standing dysfunction. The Bureau of Governmental Research testified that it supported increased local control but urged a formal study or transition plan so the city would document the future governance structure. Despite those concerns, the committee adopted an amendment clarifying ownership of assets and then reported HB 1243 as amended. The committee also handled several St. George bills and other local measures. SB 348, allowing third-party administrative support for motor vehicle enforcement, and SB 444, granting expropriation authority for certain public projects, were reported favorably. SB 485, transferring insurance premium tax authority to the City of St. George, was initially amended but then reconsidered; the amendment was stripped and the bill was reported favorably. HB 990, concerning Jefferson Parish and unpaid water/sewer bills on multifamily properties, HB 466 on West Feliciana Parish property-tax rebates, HB 664 raising parish ordinance fines, HB 87 increasing per diem for a Livingston Parish gas utility district board, HB 115 abolishing the police chief for the Village of Edgefield, HB 741 creating emergency housing vouchers for human trafficking survivors, HB 377 removing civil-service pay restrictions for state examiners, HB 162 updating a crime prevention district fee, HB 368 raising fines for improper demolition of historic properties, and HB 441 returning Sewer and Water Board employees to city civil service were all reported favorably, most without objection. HB 431, requiring mayors to complete 16 hours of annual training, was amended to add continuing legal education and national conferences and then reported as amended. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.