Transcript Highlights:

• about how the conversation has been going, but, uh, but it's still a work in progress as you can imagine

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because as you can imagine, we have our Birmingham, and then we have some towns that have... municipalities

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then item four, as you all can imagine with my other side job, I'm really extremely excited to hear

Bills: HB1404

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: HB 1404, North Dakota scholarship, scholarship eligibility, student aid, high school graduation, college readiness, career readiness, career and technical education, CTE, dual credit, advanced placement, AP exam, International Baccalaureate, IB exam, ACT, SAT, WorkKeys, ASVAB, JROTC, Civil Air Patrol

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with six members present and first took up House Bill 1404, which would update North Dakota scholarship eligibility language by allowing the NDA Plus assessment to be used in place of ACT scores in certain pathways. The Department of Public Instruction explained that the bill does not eliminate the ACT entirely, but removes outdated references tied to ACT accountability testing that will no longer apply after this year’s seniors graduate. Members discussed how the change affects public and nonpublic schools, then voted 6-0 to give HB 1404 a do pass recommendation. The committee then returned to House Bill 1363, a bill dealing with school emergency response planning and automatic external defibrillators. Members adopted an amendment clarifying that the requirements apply to school-owned facilities and grounds, replacing language about school events and venues, and revising the planning language for school-based events not held on school-owned property. The committee also debated whether the bill should be mandatory or permissive; a motion to change “shall” to “may” failed, with members noting the bill’s liability protections. The committee then voted 5-1 to pass HB 1363 as amended, with Senator Gerhardt carrying the bill. Before recessing, the chair noted that House Bill 1533 would be taken up later in the day after additional information from DPI was received.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I can't imagine how confusing it is to people.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met to consider House Bill 1298 and related amendments dealing with traffic enforcement, speeding fines, and point assessments. Senator Rummel explained an amendment that would simplify speeding fines to a flat $5 per mile over the limit, address variable speed limit signs, and remove local authority to double speeding fines, while also incorporating the previously approved point changes from House Bill 2243. Those point changes would increase penalties for several serious traffic offenses, including distracted driving, failure to maintain control, improper passing, wrong-side driving, following too closely, driving on a closed road, failure to yield, running a red light, child restraint violations, and move-over violations. Committee members discussed how the bill combines multiple traffic-related changes into one measure, including the increase from 75 to 80 mph on certain highways and the addition of variable speed limit signage. Members noted that the points provisions were the same as those previously approved by the Senate, while the House had made changes that could be worked out later in conference committee. There was also discussion about whether the bill could be divided on the floor, with members concluding that only some sections could be separated and that the package would be difficult to split cleanly. The committee adopted Amendment 25.0496.0.0103 to House Bill 1298 by a 4-2 vote. It then gave the bill a do pass recommendation as amended, also by a 4-2 vote. Senator Rommel was selected to carry the bill, and the meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Diceglie: I WILL CLOSE BY AND USE YOUR IMAGINATION AND VISUALIZE MY STAFF RUNNING AROUND LIKE DICKENS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ignite our imaginations with stories of compassion and hope.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been on the job now for eight days, so as you can well imagine, I'm drinking from a fire hose, but

Committee: Senate Confirmations

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you can imagine they bought a piece of equipment in 1940, and they're still having to track it every

Bills: HB93 , HB160 , HB29 , HB29 , HB93 , HB160

Committee: House State Government

Keywords: HB93, Alabama State Port Authority, State Auditor, property inventory, inventory control, audit exemption, state property, personal property inventory, public authority, port authority, Section 36-16-11, Code of Alabama 1975, administrative oversight, state audit, conforming changes, government property, Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, AMEA, municipal electric authority, board of directors

Transcript Highlights:

• the question about the sale of mortgages, and that's something we would cover in rulemaking, but I imagine
• the question about the sale of mortgages, and that's something we would cover in rulemaking, but I imagine
• Um and so due to as you can probably<02:17:37.439><c> unfortunately</c><02:17:38.160><c> imagine</c><
• So you will hear, I imagine, two arguments against this.
• ,</c><03:31:14.160><c> two</c> So you will hear, I imagine, two So you will hear, I imagine, two arguments

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Housing Committee opened with a public hearing on HB 196, which would repeal the Housing Champion program. Representative Matt Drew, the prime sponsor, argued the program is an unnecessary and poorly targeted subsidy, saying it rewards municipalities after projects are completed and may not be limited to new housing production. He questioned the transparency of the program, cited difficulty finding required annual reports, and noted a fiscal note suggesting the state could recover up to $3 million if obligations are terminated. Committee members and witnesses debated whether the program’s criteria amount to political favoritism or a standard grant process; supporters said the rubric is specific and that municipalities are evaluated against objective requirements. Representative Priest, Nick Taylor of Housing Action New Hampshire, and Karen Benfield of Stay Work Play New Hampshire all opposed repeal, saying the program encourages local zoning and regulatory changes, helps smaller communities participate, and supports housing supply and young people’s ability to stay in the state. The hearing on HB 196 was then closed. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 1405, a bill establishing an affordable housing guarantee program within the Housing Finance Authority. Prime sponsor Representative Chris Muns said the bill would reduce lender risk by guaranteeing up to 80% of principal on qualifying loans for affordable housing, with a cap of $30 million per lender per year and $300 million outstanding at any time. He described the measure as a low-cost public-private partnership backed by the full faith and credit of the state, and said it was identical to a prior Senate bill that had received unanimous bipartisan committee support before dying later in the process. He framed the bill as one part of a broader housing package aimed at financing, infrastructure, workforce, zoning reform, and other housing-related issues. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided. The only formal actions were opening and closing the public hearing on HB 196 and opening the public hearing on HB 1405, with testimony continuing on HB 1405 at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I ask each one of you to take a moment and imagine somebody important to you, whether it's a family
• And so we imagine the department might interpret this bill to include a line that way as well.
• As you might imagine, the combination of the two conditions is usually problematic.
• As you can imagine, many health centers have operated in their communities for decades.

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now imagine that kind of mindset shift happening even earlier in high schools.
• I mean, for so long, I can only imagine how many people were undiagnosed and what they had to endure.
• You talked about your experience with the daughters, and I'm just imagining what they're going through
• I never imagined I would still be advocating for awareness and change two decades later, but I was devastated

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery opened its first public hearing of the 2025–26 session with remarks from the Senate and House chairs outlining the committee’s priorities. They noted recent work on addiction and recovery legislation, the ongoing youth behavioral health crisis, and that members might need to leave periodically for floor votes. The chairs explained hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, written testimony deadlines, and reporting deadlines for Senate and House bills. The hearing then focused on several bills related to youth mental health, overdose prevention, and psychedelic treatment research. A major portion of the hearing centered on bills to improve youth crisis response and overdose prevention. Testimony strongly supported bills to print the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on student ID cards, with speakers from mental health organizations, crisis centers, and individuals sharing personal stories of depression, suicide attempts, and the importance of making 988 as familiar as 911. Another set of bills would require schools to stock naloxone and provide overdose prevention education. Physicians, harm reduction advocates, students, and grieving family members testified that school-based Narcan access and education could save lives, reduce stigma, and help students recognize overdoses and understand Good Samaritan protections. Senator O’Connor and Tamika Perry also testified for a bill to strengthen substance use prevention education and reduce overdose abandonment, emphasizing the need to teach students about overdose risks and the legal protections for calling 911. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to authorize a pilot program for psychedelic treatment in licensed facilities. Senator Friedman and several medical and behavioral health professionals argued the proposal was a narrow, research-based approach distinct from the broader ballot question rejected in 2024. They said the bill would allow only a small number of supervised clinics to use psychedelics for conditions such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, and substance use disorders, with data reporting and Department of Public Health oversight. Supporters described it as a cautious way to study promising treatments while avoiding unsupervised or commercialized use. Finally, the committee heard support for a bill to create a special commission and five-year strategic plan for children’s behavioral health services, with testimony that the current system is fragmented, difficult for families to navigate, and strained by workforce and funding challenges. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• But imagine a brand new graduate with no clinical background. nothing.
• But imagine a brand new graduate with no clinical background.
• Imagine a brand-new graduate with no clinical background at all, facing those same emergencies.
• Representative Jackson, I imagine you got all your ducks in a row with Mr. Carl; I'm just playing.

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:

• figure out in terms of that confidentiality is that, you mentioned financial reports, and I would imagine
• and</c><01:04:43.440><c> I</c><01:04:43.680><c> I</c><01:04:43.800><c> would</c><01:04:44.000><c> imagine
• </c><01:04:44.480><c> that</c> reports, and I I would imagine that reports, and I I would imagine that

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we can imagine how much money that has saved drivers in conditions like today.
• And we can imagine how much money that has saved drivers in conditions like today.
• But, you know, I would imagine if the economic conditions, to what Dr.
• And I imagine you'll highlight for us some of the key takeaways.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because I could imagine a world, if the intention includes that factually accurate piece happens bell
• to bell, I could imagine a world where I'm in a ninth grade history class.
• “And I can’t imagine a world in which we require our educators, who give their lives, they’re not in
• And I can't imagine a world in which we require our educators who give their lives.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if I could perhaps use an analogy, imagine somebody who has to drink a gallon of some kind of medicine
• And if I could perhaps use an analogy, imagine somebody who has to drink a gallon of some kind of medicine
• So just imagine your whole life going through P-66 and seeing generational things.
• One thing before I leave here, I want to say: just imagine, this is how we start our day at P-66.

Summary: The subcommittee heard extensive testimony on the governor’s proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit, which would provide a $1 to $2 per gallon credit against the diesel excise tax for SAF sold for use in California from 2026 to 2036. The Department of Finance and CARB argued the proposal would help decarbonize aviation, support a long-term transition in the fuel sector, and encourage in-state investment and jobs. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and several outside witnesses recommended rejecting the proposal, saying it is a relatively expensive way to reduce greenhouse gases, could have uncertain or limited net climate benefits, and may shift limited feedstocks away from renewable diesel rather than create additional fuel supply. A major point of debate was whether the credit would mainly benefit California refineries and workers or instead subsidize out-of-state producers while reducing revenue for transportation programs. Supporters, including union members, refinery workers, airlines, Boeing, and airport representatives, said SAF is one of the few viable near-term options for aviation, that California should keep fuel production and jobs in-state, and that the credit would help maintain refinery operations and support the industry’s transition. Opponents, including the LAO, trucking and fuels groups, environmental organizations, and county/road advocates, warned that the proposal could raise gasoline and diesel prices, reduce diesel excise tax revenue for highways and local streets and roads, and provide limited climate benefit compared with other uses of state funds. Some members also raised concerns about feedstock availability, food-system impacts, and whether the policy should be more narrowly targeted if the goal is to support a specific refinery. No vote was taken. The chair stated at the outset that all items on the agenda were being held open for a future hearing, and public comment was taken after the first item because of the level of interest. The hearing then continued with public testimony, which was split between strong support from labor and industry and strong opposition from environmental, transportation, and local government groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• thank you for your testimony and for returning, taking that pain and that tragedy and what I would imagine
• We must imagine our approach to our criminal legal system by moving away from the tired and old carceral
• Imagine how our policies would support a different response to violence if we embraced a universal right
• Imagine if we embrace that.

Summary: The committee heard a large public safety agenda and began by announcing several bills off calendar and limiting testimony to two witnesses per side. The first major item was AB 2698, which would authorize local governments to create youth court diversion programs for first-time juvenile offenders. The author and supporters, including Bakersfield Police Department representatives and a student participant, described the program as restorative, record-clearing, and successful in Bakersfield. Opponents argued it was not true diversion because it occurs after adjudication, could widen system involvement, and should instead be replaced by pre-arrest community-based diversion. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Appropriations, but remained on call with some members not voting. The committee also adopted a consent calendar of ten bills without opposition. The committee then heard AB 1959, which would create a narrow exception allowing resentencing in adult court for certain violent juvenile offenders in a case arising from the Santana High School shooting. The author, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, and a survivor/city councilmember argued the bill would close a loophole that could lead to resentencing and early release despite parole denials. Several organizations registered opposition or opposed unless amended, but many noted they were reviewing the amended version. The bill was moved due pass as amended to Appropriations and remained on call. AB 1628, extending California’s safe surrender window for newborns from 72 hours to 30 days, drew broad support from the author, firefighters, medical and child welfare groups, and no opposition; it was moved due pass to Human Services and remained on call. The committee also approved AB 1974, which authorizes law enforcement agencies to create voluntary temporary firearm storage programs. The author and supporters from San Francisco law enforcement, Giffords, and gun safety groups said the bill would expand safe storage options during crises and in custody disputes; there was no opposition, and it passed due pass as amended. AB 2297, requiring restitution in diversion cases, drew support from the author, district attorneys, and victims’ advocates, while opponents argued it was duplicative, could burden low-income participants, and might undermine diversion success. After discussion about restitution law and ability to pay, the bill passed due pass. Finally, AB 2438, which would require people sentenced to more than six years to serve in state prison rather than county jail, drew support from the author and Riverside County Sheriff Bianco, who said realignment had overcrowded county jails and strained resources. Opponents warned it could worsen state prison overcrowding and conflict with realignment’s purpose. The chair recommended no, and the bill was moved due pass and re-refer to Appropriations, remaining on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• thank you for your testimony and for returning, taking that pain and that tragedy and what I would imagine
• Imagine how our policies would support a different response to violence if we embraced a universal right
• Imagine if we embrace that.
• And I want you to imagine being me because I was just running along, listening to music and enjoying

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I can imagine that as a company that is well-established and doing business in pretty much every state
• I<01:17:26.160><c> I</c><01:17:26.320><c> can</c><01:17:26.520><c> imagine</c><01:17:27.040><c> that<
• /c> I I can imagine that I I can imagine that as<01:17:29.240><c> a</c><01:17:29.280><c> company</c><

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Nothing we can imagine ever would have stopped that. of the most important affecting days of of the most
• Nothing we can imagine<00:52:29.760><c> ever</c> imagine ever imagine ever would<00:52:31.120><c> have

Keywords: 1183, house