Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm just thinking maybe we should consider pooling our resources behind the Double Up Food Bucks
• committee, but just have a sit-down with all and see where the best, most effective way to use our resources
• So we want to be as efficient as possible. Yeah, I totally hear you.

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Agriculture Committee met for its first 2026 meeting and took up a full agenda of bills focused on food safety, agricultural programs, consumer transparency, and farm-related policy. Early measures included S.592 on a youth and agriculture entrepreneurship summer employment program, which was reported to finance without opposition, and S.1239E, the Food Safety and Technical Disclosure Act, which would require disclosure of certain food ingredients to the state and public and also ban three substances outright. Senator Kavanaugh described the bill as closing a loophole in federal food safety law; Senator Borrello opposed it as a state-by-state approach that could raise costs and disrupt the supply chain, while Senator O’Rourke supported it as a science-based measure with available substitutes. The bill was reported back to the board with one no vote and one without recommendation. The committee also advanced S.1783A on liquefied petroleum/propane fee disclosures, with supporters saying it would prevent consumers from being charged for improper or hidden fees and opponents arguing it should not single out state-related charges; the bill moved to the board. S.4041, creating a sanitary retail food store grant program, was reported to finance. S.4162, relating to the Fresh Connect program and local produce purchases, prompted discussion about whether state resources should instead be concentrated on the Double Up Food Bucks program; sponsors said both programs are needed and that Double Up has capacity limits, and the bill was moved to finance. Later, the committee advanced S.6286A, establishing an agricultural tax viability pilot program tied to agrivoltaics; supporters said it would address a need raised in recent hearings and work with farm groups, while Senator Borrello voted no. The final bill, S.7618 on food safety and quality date label requirements, drew debate over whether New York should act without a federal standard and whether the bill could create confusion or unintended costs, especially for dairy and other perishables. Supporters said the bill would reduce food waste and simplify the many existing date labels without forcing new labeling on those who do not already use it; members also discussed refrigeration references in the bill, and the sponsor said the language could be adjusted. The committee then adjourned and announced that future meetings will be held on the third floor in the new location.

Transcript Highlights:

• I ALSO WANT TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCIES OF THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE FINANCIAL
• RESOURCES SO WE CAN BUILD QUALITY WHILE KEEPING TUITION WHERE IT IS.
• IF I HAD THIS RESOURCE I WOULD HAVE HAD STABLE HOUSING WHILE FOCUSING ON MY MASTERS DEGREE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This water is a crucial resource for agriculture, municipal and industrial use across the state.
• So water's a scarce resource to begin with and us being in a drought makes it that much more harder.
• These, um, companies are already looking at taxes for obvious reasons, the low, the low efficient regulatory

Committee: House S/C on State-Federal Relations

Transcript Highlights:

• to position California to defend against unlawful federal actions that could jeopardize resources and
• Again, the resources that are provided for legal aid assistance are already in. Being used.
• So this is why I think it's important that we. are putting resources to defend Californians.
• We also had a resource fair there to make sure that the community had the resources that they needed.
• hire a private attorney; they don't have the resources to defend themselves.

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we also need federal funding for a lot of the resources that we’re utilizing at the ports.
• This is making government more efficient by basically bifurcating these things and having an abbreviated
• Members, any questions from resource staff? See none?
• Members, any questions for the resource staff? No. No. No. Seeing none. Who do we have?
• I feel that it is actually humanly impossible to do what this bill states in a professional, efficient

Bills: SB1041 , SB1088 , SB1118 , SB1128 , SB1168 , SB1176 , SB1189 , SB1207 , SB1250 , SB1272 , SB1274 , SB1286 , SB1428 , SB1457 , SB1461 , SB1503 , SB1519 , SB1537 , SB1582 , SB1618 , SB1654 , SB1713 , SB1827 , SCR1012 , SCR1020

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, cybersecurity, homeland security, artificial intelligence, state appropriation, VPN security, zero trust, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes

Transcript Highlights:

• We lost critical time, knowledge, and resources because of all of this.
• </c><00:36:07.520><c> and</c> Minnesota, to enhance efficiencies and Minnesota, to enhance efficiencies
• </c> lost critical time, knowledge, resources lost critical time, knowledge, resources um<00:38:00.880
• I wonder if you could say a little bit more about the impacts that has, like the time, resource, and
• So our year one focuses<01:11:24.960><c> on</c><01:11:25.120><c> that</c><01:11:25.440><c> efficient<

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> coordination of programs and efficiency, coordination of programs and efficiency, but<00:14:41.760
• President. focus most of our CTE resources into our focus most of our CTE resources into our colleges
• </c> means we don't have the resources means we don't have the resources um<01:19:27.120><c> to</c><01
• This amendment respects local control, improves efficiency, improves transparency.
• ,</c><03:13:51.120><c> improves</c> improves efficiency, improves improves efficiency, improves transparency

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• resources, which profits are made, are done out in the cloud.
• resources, which profits are made, are done out in the cloud.
• economy, these resources in this new economy, these resources which<00:21:00.960><c> profits</c><00:
• </c> going to exacerbate existing resource going to exacerbate existing resource imbalances<00:29:39.480
• </c><00:42:29.800><c> way</c> sales tax base and a more efficient way sales tax base and a more efficient

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House File 5055, the governor’s supplemental tax budget. Commissioner of Revenue Paul Marquart outlined the proposal as a balanced budget package that would leave a positive bottom line in the current biennium and beyond. He emphasized family-focused tax relief, especially a new refundable young child credit for children ages 0 to 4, which would provide up to $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more, benefit about 104,000 families, and phase out at higher incomes. He also described federal conformity changes, including updates to business interest deductions, dependent care credits, and Section 179 expensing, along with omitted federal items such as research expensing and opportunity zones due to cost and policy concerns. Marquart also defended broader tax modernization proposals, including expanding the sales tax to selected consumer services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services while lowering the statewide sales tax rate, and creating a social media tax on consumer data collection that would fund an AI readiness special revenue fund rather than the general fund. He said these changes would make the sales tax less regressive and better aligned with the modern economy. Additional provisions mentioned included a gun-related gross receipts tax on firearms and ammunition, cannabis tax technical changes, historic structure rehabilitation conformity, and added auditors for tax compliance. Testimony from outside groups was mixed. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project supported the governor’s approach as a response to federal tax and spending changes, praised the decision not to conform to opportunity zones or federal no-tax-on-tips/overtime provisions, and urged even stronger revenue measures. Brian Lake of the Minnesota State Bar Association strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on consumer legal services, arguing it would burden low- and middle-income people in sensitive cases and create unfairness when individuals litigate against the state. Tanner Fritsinger of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees supported the sales tax base expansion and the social media tax as ways to broaden revenue without raising the base rate. The committee chair thanked the commissioner and then began hearing public testimony, with additional testifiers queued up.

Transcript Highlights:

• To that end, our commission serves as a trusted resource for our community.
• It's a resource that is great for all.
• Lopez, I have you from Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute testifying neutral.
• It's really going to impact our land and natural resource infrastructure.
• We protect the natural resource.

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Passage of this bill is a standalone measure to ensure the continued safe and efficient operation of
• Passage of this bill is a standalone measure to ensure the continued safe and efficient operation of
• operation of our facilities efficient operation of our facilities and<00:25:26.120><c> uh</c><00:25:
• We just don't have those resources.
• We just don't have those resources.

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There are some parishes whose resources are somewhat meager and they are not able to supplement much
• Witness: I think it would make the work of the DA's office a lot more effective, efficient, and predictable
• Do you think this will make courts more efficient, removing 10 ADAs from Orleans Parish?
• , but I think that family might feel better to say that we're spending the state's dollars more efficiently

Bills: HR310 , HR314 , HR316 , HR317 , HR321 , HR275 , HR276 , HR279 , HR282 , HR286 , HR289 , HR292 , HR295 , HR302 , HR319 , HCR112 , HR307 , SCR59 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR68 , SCR69 , SCR70 , SCR54 , SCR55 , SCR64 , SCR75 , HCR79 , HCR104 , HB75 , HB410 , HB719 , HB750 , HB944 , HB1098 , HB1220 , HB1252 , HB359 , HB210 , HB468 , HB1117 , SB382 , HB368 , HB552 , HB732 , HB870 , HB1236 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB149 , SB208 , SB274 , SB300 , SB312 , SB387 , SB389 , SB401 , HR74 , HB998 , HB901 , HR20 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , SB97 , SB123 , SB237 , HB36 , HB42 , HB74 , HB119 , HB159 , HB258 , HB259 , HB302 , HB414 , HB459 , HB848 , HB956 , HB1017 , HB1028 , HB1095 , SB217 , SB283 , SB469

Keywords: oil and gas, orphan wells, inactive wells, shut-in wells, marginal wells, plugging and abandonment, well decommissioning, site remediation, site restoration, Oilfield Site Restoration, OSR program, financial security, bonding, taxpayer liability, public liability, offshore wells, onshore wells, coastal erosion, Department of Conservation and Energy, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would try to solve the problem of the overconsumption of resources, energy, and land by AI
• That way it can be more efficient for... flipping it, it seems, with this bill, where EV owners would
• That way it can be more efficient for.
• Putting in much lower to make sure you have more money for gas, that way it can be more efficient for

Committee: All BOYS STATE

Summary: The meeting opened with remarks to Arkansas Boys State delegates about leadership, public service, and the significance of the Capitol, followed by prayer, attendance, and announcements that both chambers were organized and ready for business. The House then considered House Bill 1001, which would have increased funding for rural health care through a 10% tax on people earning at least $300,000; supporters argued it would improve access and quality in rural areas, while opponents raised concerns about fairness, funding, and driving away doctors and taxpayers. The bill failed, 24 yeas to 51 nays. House Bill 1002, aimed at funding more teachers for rural school districts and limiting how many subjects a teacher could be assigned, drew debate over teacher burnout, funding, and whether it would improve outcomes; it passed after immediate consideration, 38 yeas to 36 nays, though the transcript later includes a conflicting note that it failed. House Bill 1003, the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2026, would let counties restrict data centers and impose a 10% tax for conservation; supporters emphasized local control and resource protection, while opponents warned about jobs, economic loss, and federal issues. It passed 62 yeas to 7 nays. House Bill 1004, reducing motor vehicle registration fees, was debated as a way to ease costs for families but criticized for reducing transportation funding; it failed, 20 yeas to 46 nays. The chamber then moved to Senate bills. Senate Bill 1 proposed incentives tied to SNAP benefits and healthier food purchases, including a Double Bucks-style program; supporters said it would help address food insecurity and obesity, while opponents objected to taxing junk food and burdening non-SNAP users. It passed 43 yeas to 27 nays. Senate Bill 2 would require reading tests in earlier grades and provide state tutoring for students who fail; supporters said it would address literacy problems early, while opponents wanted clearer provisions for older students and more detail on implementation. It passed 67 yeas to 6 nays. Senate Bill 3, the Freedom to Earn Act, would lower the individual income tax rate from 3.7% to 3.0%; supporters said it would help working families and attract business, while opponents argued the benefits would mostly go to corporations and wealthy executives. It passed 53 yeas to 15 nays. Senate Bill 4 created a zoning grant program to encourage mixed-use development in growing cities, funded by a 1% hotel tourism tax up to $50 million; supporters said it would promote housing, small business growth, and downtown revitalization, and it passed 51 yeas to 7 nays. The session ended with a motion to adjourn, which carried.

Transcript Highlights:

• gave me a ton of other ideas that they've seen throughout the state on how we can make audits more efficient
• for taxpayers, not reducing transparency, but being more efficient.
• Wanted to take a smart, strategic approach ensuring that we are applying taxpayer dollars efficiently
• We were told in Natural Resources everything was 30 minutes behind.

Committee: Senate State & Local Government

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:10 Attendance Roll Call: 00:15 SB 133 Discussion: 00:52 SB 133 Vote: 05:01 SB 226 Discussion: 06:10 SB 226 Vote: 09:36 SJR 62 Discussion: 10:22 SJR 62 Vote: 12:55 SB 261 Discussion: 13:42 SB 261 Vote: 18:19 SB 262 Discussion: 19:10 SB 262 Vote: 26:36 Adjournment: 28:02, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Actually, we were able to pick up more litter this year for less cost, so you can see some efficiency
• through this initiative to make sure we continue to improve both on the pickup side as well as the efficiency
• at some of the design elements and give us some ways to help build the projects faster and more efficient
• those courts throughout the state to deal with people who are repeat offenders who need additional resources

Summary: The Senate Joint Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee received an update from DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet and Deputy Secretary Bo Black on the department’s transformation efforts. DOTD highlighted its new project delivery dashboard, key performance indicators, and litter abatement work, including nearly $15 million spent on litter pickup and a new highway sponsorship pilot. Members also received updates on LTIF 1.0 and 2.0, with officials reporting that most LTIF 1.0 work is complete and that LTIF 2.0 is progressing under budget. The committee also heard updates on the Office of Highway Construction’s bridge bundling program, the Calcasieu River Bridge project, and the Cameron Ferry boat replacement and privatization solicitation process. The committee reviewed the draft 2026-2027 highway priority program, which DOTD said includes $913 million for construction and about $1.2 billion across 302 projects. Members discussed the public roadshow comments, project acceleration, and corridor planning, including the I-12 corridor and the Calcasieu River Bridge environmental review and public meetings. No vote was taken on the highway priority program at this meeting. The statewide flood control program presented six recommended projects for fiscal year 2026-2027, including projects in Gretna, St. John, St. James, Mandeville, and two Lafourche-area projects, with officials saying the projects meet benefit-cost criteria and would reduce flood damage. The airport construction and development priority program was also reviewed, with 31 air carrier projects and 99 general aviation projects recommended. The rail program reported no new projects but said it expects a $13 million request and has 19 projects in the queue, while the port program presented three unfunded projects for future consideration. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and LSU’s Center for Analytics and Research presented crash data focused on impaired driving. They said 2024 saw 753 traffic fatalities, with impaired driving accounting for about one-third of fatal crashes, and estimated the economic cost of impaired driving at roughly $700 million. Members discussed youth driving, marijuana and alcohol trends, ignition interlock, DWI courts, and enforcement challenges on waterways. The meeting concluded with no formal votes or final actions on the major program items presented.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you can see some efficiency that's being developed there.
• through this initiative to make sure we continue to improve both on the pickup side as well as the efficiency
• at some of the design elements and giving us some ways to help build the projects faster and more efficient
• who need ...throughout the state to deal with people who are repeat offenders who need additional resources

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Senate Joint Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee received updates from the Department of Transportation and Development on its transformation efforts, including a new project delivery dashboard, key performance indicators, and litter abatement work. DOTD said the dashboard is now live and tied to daily field updates, and reported progress on its T4LA initiatives, including improved project transparency, customer service, and a new highway sponsorship litter program. Members praised the department’s work and asked about litter funding, with DOTD saying last year’s $14.7 million litter pickup effort included the legislature’s supplemental appropriation. The committee also heard detailed progress reports on LTIF 1.0 and 2.0, the Office of Highway Construction’s bridge bundling and roadway projects, the Calcasieu River Bridge project, and the Cameron Ferry. DOTD reported that LTIF 1.0 is about 80% complete and that LTIF 2.0 has encumbered nearly $150 million, with several projects ahead of schedule and some under budget. The Office of Highway Construction said 62 bridge projects are in the bundle, 11 are under construction, and emergency procurement has helped accelerate delivery. DOTD said the Calcasieu River Bridge remains on track for a mid-to-late April groundbreaking, with all federal permits in hand and right-of-way acquisition underway; it also reported that new Cameron Ferry boats are under construction and that a privatization proposal from Labmar Ferry Services will go to the Louisiana Transportation Authority. Members then reviewed the draft 2026-2027 highway priority program, which DOTD said includes $913 million for construction across 302 projects and about $1.2 billion total investment. The committee also received public comment on the statewide flood control program, which recommended six projects expected to reduce flood damage by more than $289 million, and on the airport construction and development priority program, which includes 31 air carrier projects and 99 general aviation projects. DOTD also noted no current projects for the rail infrastructure program but said it expects to request $13 million and has 19 projects in the queue, and it presented three port projects that are not yet funded but will be considered by the Louisiana Transportation Authority. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and LSU’s Center for Analytics and Research presented data on impaired driving, saying impaired driving remains a major factor in fatalities and injuries, with alcohol and drugs together contributing to a large share of crashes and about $700 million in annual economic costs. Members discussed youth driving, marijuana, ignition interlock, DWI courts, and enforcement challenges on waterways; the presenters emphasized education, enforcement, and treatment as part of a broader safety strategy. No formal votes were taken during the meeting, and the committee adjourned after receiving the presentations and public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, it authorizes the Secretary within existing resources to study the feasibility of employing
• That's the office that tracks this regulatory efficiency.
• would make it an annual report, and it tracks the progress of the agency and encourages government efficiency
• topics contained in the underlying bill and basically sum them up into one regular report on the efficiencies

Bills: SB5000 , SB5325 , SB6044 , SB6313 , SB6084 , SB6137

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: state nickname, evergreen state, identity, cultural heritage, tourism, state cactus, symbolic designation, ecological significance, state symbols, SB 6044, Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Washington state holidays, RCW 1.16.050, state holiday recognition, religious observance, Hindu holiday, Sikh holiday, cultural recognition, paid holiday

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 4, of course, was to make sure that we get maximum use out of all of our thermal generation resources
• unfortunately with sources that aren't as<00:19:39.520><c> uh</c><00:19:40.320><c> uh</c><00:19:40.799><c> efficient
• > or</c><00:19:41.520><c> not</c><00:19:41.760><c> is</c><00:19:42.240><c> reliable</c> as uh uh efficient
• or not is reliable as uh uh efficient or not is reliable and<00:19:43.840><c> uh</c><00:19:44.320><c

Committee: House Natural Resources & Energy

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:02 HB 398 Discussion 01:01 HB 398 Roll Call Vote 16:09 Chair Comments 18:05, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, ag and other natural resource industries are not like manufacturing, right?
• This bill has been put forward as an efficiency and something that will make us more prosperous, as I
• This bill has been put forward as an efficiency and something that will make us more prosperous, as I
• understand it, private business. efficiency and something that will make us more prosperous.

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2524 would create a State Security Guards Industry Standards Board within L&I to set minimum standards for security guard pay, leave, benefits, and training, funded in part by a $25 transfer from security licensing fees. The bill’s sponsor and labor supporters said it would professionalize the industry, improve safety, and address high turnover and inadequate training. Security workers described unsafe conditions, retaliation, and being expected to handle crises without enough support. Opponents from business and security companies argued the bill duplicates existing licensing and training rules, would raise costs, and gives too much authority to an unelected board; L&I said it had administrative concerns about timing and fee handling. The hearing on HB 2524 was then closed. HB 2513 would change plumbing license suspension rules by keeping the current three-infractions-in-three-years standard for residential work, while creating a five-infractions-in-five-years standard for non-residential plumbing violations. The sponsor and supporters from mechanical contractors and labor said repeat violators undermine safety and fair competition, and that the bill gives L&I a stronger enforcement tool against bad actors in commercial work. Several plumbing contractor groups opposed the bill as written, focusing on a new subsection they said was vague and could create an undefined corrective process or overly broad discretion for L&I; they asked that the subsection be removed or the bill be delayed for more stakeholder work. L&I requested an effective date of January 1, 2027 to allow time for rulemaking. HB 2611 would reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours starting January 1, 2028, and would also change paid sick leave accrual from one hour per 40 hours worked to one hour per 32 hours worked. The sponsor and labor supporters said a shorter workweek would improve work-life balance, reduce burnout and turnover, and could increase productivity, citing examples from San Juan County and other places. Business, hospitality, grocery, construction, agriculture, and janitorial representatives opposed the bill, saying it would raise labor costs, reduce hours and flexibility, complicate scheduling, and hurt industries with thin margins or seasonal demands. The committee heard no votes or final action on HB 2611 before closing the hearing and ending business for the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are consistently in the top 10%, and this really capsulizes what our goal is: Get the most efficiency
• Sometimes there are efficiencies.
• So we do have what we call a natural resources portfolio that is commodity-related.
• They'll have a consulting board that can help a small company grow, go into new markets, better efficiencies

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• most of us would agree that we learned some new ways of doing things and to manage our lives more efficiently
• is an attempt to provide our juvenile justice system with the option of continuing one of those efficiencies
• it's simply another tool in the toolbox to ensure that justice is provided in a very timely and efficient
• This bill, House Bill 1988, Amends the Human Resource code to allow voluntary disclosure of information

Committee: House S/C on Juvenile Justice