Transcript Highlights:

• So we do have to plan and prepare for ongoing flooding issues.
• And that coordinates the aquifer recharge projects to mitigate the new withdrawals, which we are really
• And that coordinates the aquifer recharge projects to mitigate the new withdrawals, which we are really
• We've seen California go all in with their managed aquifer recharge, where they're flooding huge areas
• So you can see on the left that you're going to get more flood events, rain-on-snow events in the winter

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a work session covering the state revenue outlook, caseload forecasts, wildfire costs, budget balance, tort liability, water supply, and pension policy. The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council reported modest near-term U.S. growth, no near-term Washington employment growth in 2026, continued personal income growth, and elevated inflation, with tariffs and federal policy cited as major risks. Revenue forecasts were slightly improved for the current biennium by about $105 million but down about $185 million for the next biennium. Members asked about income inequality and housing permits; staff said personal income is an aggregate measure and housing production remains below long-term needs. The Caseload Forecast Council then reported that most forecasts were unchanged or only slightly changed, but several programs increased, including Washington College Grant, Working Connections, aged/blind/disabled cash grants, nursing homes, home and community services, and developmental disabilities personal care. The largest policy-driven change was in Medicaid low-income adult caseloads, where federal H.R. 1 was projected to reduce coverage substantially through narrower eligibility, community engagement requirements, and shorter eligibility periods. The committee also heard a wildfire funding update and a 2025 fire season review. Staff explained that the state budgets $93 million annually for suppression and uses supplemental appropriations for costs above that level, with an estimated state supplemental need of about $139 million for the current year. Department of Natural Resources officials said 2025 fire activity remained below the 10-year average in acres burned, but fires were more complex and closer to communities, contributing to higher residence loss. They described expanded use of aircraft, firefighters from other states, corrections crews, and the Arcadia 20 hand crew, and said the state did not need National Guard ground support this year. A budget preview then showed that the near general fund outlook had worsened after vetoes, lapses, and forecast changes, and that maintenance-level costs alone would leave a projected negative balance by fiscal year 2027 and about $4.3 billion by fiscal year 2029, before any policy decisions. Jason Seams, the state risk manager, reported a sharp rise in tort claim costs, with indemnity expenses nearly doubling from fiscal year 2023 to 2025 and DCYF accounting for most of the increase. He said the state self-insurance liability account has run deficits for four straight biennia and is now facing nearly $600 million in deficits, driven largely by a surge in DCYF claims, especially juvenile rehabilitation and long-running sex abuse cases. Members asked about the role of old claims, comparisons with other states, excess insurance, and whether more Attorney General staff could reduce special assistant attorney general costs. The committee then shifted to water policy, hearing from tribal leaders, Ecology, and the Washington Water Trust. Tribal witnesses emphasized overappropriation, declining flows, climate impacts, and the need for legislative oversight and tribal participation in water policy. Ecology described major projects in the Odessa sub-area, Yakima Basin, and Dungeness, along with the need for storage, recharge, conservation, and policy changes to support water supply development. The Washington Water Trust argued that climate change is reducing summer flows and that the state needs more funding, enforcement, and long-term commitment to restore instream flows. The final item was a pension update on LEOFF 1 surplus assets; staff reviewed two 2025 bills that would have merged or restructured the plan and used surplus assets, but neither passed, and instead the budget directed the Select Committee on Pension Policy to study the issue and report back.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<01:15:02.440> and complete the testing, mitigation, and complete the testing, mitigation
• there are a lot of ways to mitigate there are a lot of ways to mitigate [clears throat] [clears
• resilience priorities to develop housing outside of our flood plains.
• resilience priorities to develop housing outside of our flood plains.
• resilience priorities to develop housing outside of our flood plains.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• WE CAN MITIGATE THE IMPACT AND REMOVE THEM FROM CERTAIN AREAS AND WE CAN ENTER THE CONTROL MODE WITH
• THE INVASIVE REPTILES DAMAGE THE SEAWALL SIDEWALKS CANAL BAGS AND FLOOD CONTROL INFRASTRUCTURE.
• FLOOD CONTROL INFRASTRUCTURE IS COSTING THE TAXPAYER MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
• THESE MUNICIPALITIES ARE SPENDING HUNDREDS EACH YEAR BUT WITHOUT COORDINATE STATE SUPPORT LOCAL MITIGATION
• I RESEARCHED UP PYTHON ERADICATION PROGRAM OR AT LEAST MITIGATING IT ALSO WITH THE LIONFISH.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS CAN INCLUDE TOPICS SUCH AS HURRICANE MITIGATION, VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, HEALTHCARE
• PRESENTATION IS FROM DOCTOR RICHARD OLSEN FROM THE FIU CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE FOR HURRICANE DAMAGE, MITIGATION
• ARE USING VARIOUS LEVELS OF THE WIND FORCE INTENSITY TO TEST ALL KINDS OF PROCEDURES, PROTOCOLS, MITIGATION
• FINALLY THE FUTURE EXPANSION BUT THAT IS TO INCLUDE A WATER TABLE OF FLUID TO DO SEARCH, WAVE AND FLOOD
• WE HAVE WIND, STORM SURGE, WAVE ACTION AND FLOOD AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO RESEARCH ON A MULTI-COMPONENT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We leveraged $900,000 in FEMA funds for mitigation.
• It's the largest wildfire mitigation appropriation in the country.
• We've been working with the community leaders there to mitigate 28 homes.
• The Fair Plan is going to be part of this mitigation program that's being funded, and you can mitigate
• A place where we could help people mitigate with this... the mitigation.

Transcript Highlights:

• When communities take collective mitigation action, they are more effectively protecting themselves.
• Even a few homes lacking effective mitigation can be the weak link in wildfire defense.
• Without community mitigation, fire can more easily spread from structure to structure.
• Without community mitigation, fire can more easily spread from structure to structure, a pattern we have
• And if folks have ideas about ways to hone this so as to mitigate risk further, I'm so open to that.

Summary: The committee heard several insurance-related bills. SB 371 by Senator Cabaldon would lower uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage requirements for rideshare companies from the current $1 million level to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, with added transparency and data-reporting provisions. Uber, Lyft, and several business groups supported the bill as a way to reduce fares and improve affordability, while consumer attorneys, labor groups, and others opposed it as a major cut in protection for injured passengers and drivers. Committee members raised concerns about whether savings would actually reach riders and drivers, but the bill was approved on a do-pass vote to the next committee, with one member not voting. SB 487 by Senator Grayson would change how settlement or judgment proceeds are distributed when peace officers or firefighters are injured by a third party, ensuring they receive at least two-thirds of the at-fault party’s liability insurance limits in certain cases. Supporters, including public safety unions and an injured deputy sheriff, said current law can leave injured first responders with little or no recovery after employer reimbursement, while opponents representing cities, counties, and public agencies argued the bill would reduce recovery of taxpayer-funded workers’ compensation costs and lacked sufficient data. The committee members who spoke largely supported the bill, and it passed on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with one member not voting. SB 616 by Senator Rubio would create an independent community hardening commission within the Department of Insurance to develop statewide wildfire mitigation recommendations and a post-catastrophe reporting process. The Department of Insurance, local governments, consumer groups, and fire-related organizations supported the measure as a way to improve wildfire resilience and insurance availability, while water agencies opposed provisions touching water infrastructure and warned of litigation and ratepayer impacts. The bill advanced on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with some members not voting and one member voting no. The committee also heard SB 547 by Senator Perez, coauthored by Senator Rubio, which would extend wildfire-related insurance cancellation/nonrenewal moratoriums to commercial properties; insurers removed their opposition after amendments, and the bill passed to Appropriations on a do-pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• 18.520> water they've got concerns with storm water they've got concerns with storm water mitigation
• um just the stress on mitigation um just the stress on infrastructure<00:35:22.280> and<00:35
• rule that a state or federal law or rule that protects<00:53:18.440> Federal<00:53:18.760> flood
• ><00:53:19.079> Plaines<00:53:19.599> areas<00:53:19.880> of protects Federal flood
• Plaines areas of protects Federal flood Plaines areas of critical<00:53:20.400> or<00:53:20.599

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1987, the Minnesota Starter Home Act, and first adopted the A1 author’s amendment, which made minor cleanup changes, removed sections two and three, adjusted ADU language, and tweaked density language. The bill authors described the measure as a bipartisan effort to address Minnesota’s housing shortage by allowing more starter homes, duplexes, townhomes, and accessory dwelling units, while also limiting some local zoning barriers and preserving city protections in certain sensitive areas. They emphasized that the state has a large housing gap, rising home prices, and that the bill is intended as one part of a broader housing package. Supportive testimony came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Housing First Minnesota, Habitat for Humanity, AARP Minnesota, and Americans for Prosperity. These witnesses argued that workforce and starter-home shortages are hurting families, employers, and economic growth; that restrictive zoning and lengthy approval processes raise costs; and that more middle housing and ADUs would expand options for older adults, caregivers, working families, and people seeking homeownership. Several supporters said the bill would reduce regulatory barriers, lower development costs, and help communities add needed housing supply. Opposition or cautionary testimony came from city and municipal representatives, including officials from Cambridge, Eagan, and Mankato, as well as the League of Minnesota Cities and related groups. They argued that local governments already are approving substantial housing growth and need flexibility to manage zoning, parking, infrastructure, stormwater, and community input. They warned the bill could weaken local control, remove practical standards, and create unintended impacts such as more rental conversion in some neighborhoods or development without adequate infrastructure. No final vote on the bill itself was shown in the transcript beyond adoption of the A1 amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:01.840> uh you know, catastrophic flooding uh you know, catastrophic flooding uh across
• Uh that building is is flooding.
• <00:04:12.319> of approximately 18 inches of flooding of approximately 18 inches of flooding
• in to uh address the water mitigation. in to uh address the water mitigation.
• Our architect never 97 flood.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:01 Recognition of New Members: 00:01:17 Disaster Response: 00:01:41 Pretrial Discussion: 00:31:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee first established a quorum, approved the minutes from the November 7, 2024 meeting, and then heard an update on disaster response and courthouse recovery efforts after the April flooding. Representatives from the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Franklin County Circuit and District Court Clerk’s office, and the Franklin Circuit Court described damage in Perry, Hardin, and especially Franklin counties. Perry County had limited roof and water infiltration issues with no operational impact. Hardin County’s justice center basement took about 18 inches of water, affecting court records and mechanical/electrical equipment, and court operations were briefly suspended. Franklin County’s courthouse was far more severely damaged, with about four feet of water on the first floor, forcing relocation of court operations to temporary sites, including AOC space and the regional jail for custody proceedings. Witnesses said damaged files from Hardin and Franklin counties were removed, sent to an out-of-state vendor for drying and remediation, and would be returned or destroyed as appropriate. They estimated combined costs for file restoration, building repair, and remediation at about $11 million, with insurance through KCOJ/KO expected to cover only part of the losses and FEMA reimbursement still pending a federal disaster declaration. They also said the Franklin County courthouse’s first floor remains gutted, electrical panels and HVAC systems need major replacement, and the second and third floors may be used temporarily once power and data are restored. Members asked about roof damage in Hardin County, the status of FEMA applications, digitization of court records, and whether Senate Bill 25 restricted funds could be used to cover the funding gap; staff said the funds cannot be spent without General Assembly authorization. The committee also discussed broader record-retention and e-filing issues, with members noting the limits of paper filing and the need for better digitization as a backup in emergencies. AOC staff said they are working with the Supreme Court and state law librarian on what records can be digitized and how long hard copies must still be retained. After the disaster-response presentation, the committee moved on to a separate informational presentation on pre-trial services, with introductions from the executive officer of pre-trial services, the president of the Kentucky District Judges Association, a circuit judge, and the manager of pre-trial services, who began explaining how the pre-trial system works for newer committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• out our Wastewater events don't flood out our Wastewater system<00:47:13.480> we<00:47:13.559
• Back in 2008, the council did a study that estimated that the work to mitigate, to remove the excess
• Back in 2008, the council did a study that estimated that the work to mitigate, to remove the excess
• Back in 2008, the council did a study that estimated that the work to mitigate, to remove the excess
• Back in 2008, the council did a study that estimated that the work to mitigate, to remove the excess

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• She said soil health is important in the state, especially as it is subject to droughts, flooding, and
• their lands more impervious to flooding their lands more impervious to flooding droughts<01:10:16.040
• and mitigation measures the program<01:17:51.840> was<01:17:52.000> really<01:17:52.239
• <01:30:27.000> that rainfall events and the flooding that rainfall events and the flooding
• not Resolute so there are mitigating not Resolute so there are mitigating factors<02:49:31.960><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee held a hearing on several bills and announced at the outset that no votes would be taken because the measures would go to divisions later. The first major bill, HB 197, would require the state to pay 7.5% of political subdivision employer pension contributions for teachers, police officers, and firefighters. Representative Mike Edgar, the prime sponsor, argued the state had repeatedly reduced and then eliminated its promised share of retirement costs, shifting the burden to municipalities and property taxpayers. He said the bill would partially restore that commitment and provide relief to local governments, businesses, and taxpayers. Several witnesses testified in support of HB 197, including Representative John Cluder, Bradford selectman Marlene Fryer, the New Hampshire Municipal Association’s Margaret Burns, and Epping representative Mark Fone. Supporters said the bill would help with property tax pressure, school budgets, and municipal hiring, and they emphasized that much of the retirement cost reflects unfunded liability decisions made at the state level rather than by local governments. Committee members questioned whether the bill would change local incentives to control costs and how it would affect hiring and compensation. Burns said the state contribution would function as property tax relief because it offsets existing municipal expenses, and she noted the state is already on a long-term schedule to pay down the retirement system’s unfunded liability. After closing the hearing on HB 197, the committee opened a hearing on HB 97, introduced by Representative Tom Buco. He said the bill would continue funding for delayed and deferred wastewater projects and help municipalities finance expensive wastewater infrastructure, which he tied to housing development and local debt planning. No action or votes were taken on either bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The board adopted the flood plan in August.
• What we have learned across Texas is flood looks.
• funding for flood control, flood mitigation, and drainage projects.
• The next slide, slide 8, shows that our flood infrastructure...
• The state flood plan that costs is around $54.5 billion.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a recovery team to recover deceased bodies after floods and tornadoes.
• <00:05:04.560> Unfortunately, floods and tornadoes. Unfortunately, floods and tornadoes.
• <00:16:02.160> Who<00:16:02.280> are the floods and the tornadoes.
• Who are the floods and the tornadoes.
• And they are tapped into a lot during our flood responses. They have boat crews.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met on October 14, confirmed a quorum, and adopted the September 16, 2025 minutes. Members then received a Kentucky Air National Guard 101 briefing from Brigadier General Bruce Bancroft, commander of the Kentucky Air National Guard, who described the Guard’s structure, missions, and statewide role. He emphasized that Kentucky is a single-wing state centered at Louisville’s 123rd Airlift Wing and highlighted several unique capabilities, including the Contingency Response Group, critical care air transport teams, medical detachment for chemical environments, explosive ordnance disposal, fatality search and recovery, and special tactics personnel. General Bancroft also discussed staffing and readiness, saying the Guard has 1,273 authorized positions, with a mix of AGR, Title 32, and Title 5 personnel. He noted that AGR positions are funded at about 96 percent, while technician positions are funded at about 53 percent, leaving the organization to operate at roughly 75 percent of authorized manpower overall. He said the wing converted from the C-130H to the C-130J in 2021 and completed the transition in about 2.5 years, ahead of the original three-year timeline. The briefing further covered the Guard’s operational tempo and community role. Bancroft said the unit has earned 21 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, has deployed about 500,000 days since 9/11 across 45 countries, and routinely supports federal and domestic missions. He described the C-130J’s tactical airlift, airdrop, and blacked-out operations as directly useful for disaster response in Kentucky, and he pointed to strong ties with UPS and other aviation employers. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the prior minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Health for fiscal years 2027 and 2028 for mosquito surveillance, prevention, and mitigation
• is this money, am I understanding this, will this be statewide surveillance and prevention and mitigation
• we have, aerial applications are generally not effective in New Mexico unless we have some severe flooding
• But what are, and I think you alluded a little bit, what are the best mitigation and prevention procedures
• Those individual efforts can go quite a ways towards mitigation, but they're not going to be effective

Bills: SB66, SB79, SB108

Keywords: environment, cleanup, contamination, uranium mining, abandoned sites, state funding, mosquito control, public health, surveillance, prevention funds, local government grants, food security, agriculture, food bank, regional program, appropriation, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then you can see a couple rows relating to the flood hazard mitigation program.
• The flood hazard mitigation program is grants to local units of government for flood readiness, and they
• And you can see a number of other grant programs. mitigation program uh that is Grants to mitigation
• <00:28:06.320> government<00:28:07.320> uh<00:28:07.480> for<00:28:08.000> flood
• local units of government uh for flood local units of government uh for flood res<00:28:08.760><

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Capital Investment Committee met on January 16 for an informational overview on state bonding and capital investment. House Research analyst Chelsea Griffin and House Fiscal analyst Andrew Lee explained the nonpartisan roles of their offices and then walked members through the basics of Minnesota bonding: how bonds are issued and repaid, how they are categorized, and the main legal authorities governing state general obligation bonds, including the state constitution, Minnesota statutes, and federal tax law. Griffin emphasized that state GO bond proceeds must be used for a public purpose, for a purpose authorized in the constitution, as specifically described in law, and must mature within 20 years. She also noted that state GO bonding is typically originated in the House and that capital projects financed with state GO bonds generally require a three-fifths vote in each chamber. The presentation also covered practical limits and requirements on bonding projects, including the distinction between state and local GO bonding, the role of bond counsel, restrictions on bond-financed property, the prohibition on reimbursing already-paid costs, and the full funding and non-state match requirements. In response to member questions, Griffin clarified that the full funding requirement in section 16A.502 means a project must be fully funded before the appropriation is available, while section 16A.86 reflects an expectation that local governments provide about half the financing for local projects, though the legislature can choose to fund more than half or waive a local match. She also said she did not believe a bill to make the 50 percent match requirement statutory passed last session. Lee then began a spreadsheet-based overview of the 2023 capital budget laws, explaining how capital investment spreadsheets are organized and how different fund types appear in the documents. He highlighted examples such as University of Minnesota projects funded with GO bonds and Minnesota State projects using user financing, where the system contributes a share of project costs from non-state sources such as tuition or system revenues. The committee did not take any votes or formal actions during this informational meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• These include regional and state water and flood planning, joint planning for long-term aquifer management
• These include regional and state water and flood planning, joint planning for long-term aquifer management
• supply, infrastructure, treatment, groundwater, and surface water management, drought response, and flooding
• payment bonds and performance bonds, for contracts in excess of certain sums of money in order to mitigate

Bills: SB480, SB767, SB790, SB971, SB1066

Keywords: water resources, interlocal contracts, local government, collaboration, planning activities, wildfire response, firefighting equipment, emergency services, state database, Texas Forest Service, customer complaints, Public Utility Commission, water service, complaint process, utility regulation, SB 971, Texas Water Assistance Program, Water Code, rural political subdivision, rural water

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met on Texas Water Day and limited public testimony to two minutes. The chair emphasized the need to move quickly because of scheduling conflicts with other committees and noted the importance of water policy and related stakeholders. The committee heard several bills focused on water administration, rural utilities, emergency response, and public works contracting. Senate Bill 790 by Senator Alvarado would let the Public Utility Commission create a simplified process for resolving tenant complaints over water or wastewater bill discrepancies; it was described as a way to avoid lengthy contested-case hearings for small disputes. Senate Bill 971 by Senator Sparks would clean up conflicting statutory definitions of “rural political subdivision” so Texas Water Development Board programs are applied consistently; Texas Rural Water Association testified in support. Senate Bill 767, also by Senator Sparks, would expand and improve a statewide database of fire-response equipment so departments, including volunteer and rural departments, can locate and share resources more effectively during emergencies; fire service witnesses supported the bill and suggested annual updates to keep the database current. Chair Perry laid out Senate Bill 480 to clarify that local governments and special districts may enter interlocal agreements for water-related planning and research, including aquifer management and flood/water planning. He also presented Senate Bill 1066, which raises payment and performance bond thresholds for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department public works contracts to $150,000, arguing the change would reflect inflation and help smaller vendors on lower-risk projects. Witnesses were heard on the bills, with no opposition recorded in the transcript. The committee voted out all five bills favorably. SB 1066, SB 480, SB 767, SB 790, and SB 971 each received unanimous committee approval and were recommended to the local and contested calendar, with SB 767 noted as amended by a suggested annual-update requirement for the equipment database.

Transcript Highlights:

• an area is classified as pervious surface but it's actually impervious, you're going to see more flooding
• Also in Island County, a local environmental group looked at wetland mitigation and mitigation of other
• And what they found was that in the first year after the mitigation was constructed, only 6.7% of the
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, audits local government compliance with the flood insurance
• And if they find... ...audits local government compliance with the flood insurance program.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Defense of the state and nation, including terrorism response, emergency preparedness and disaster mitigation
• and a mitigation project would be something that after a disaster has happened, we know that there are
• vulnerabilities and weaknesses, whether it's from floods or fire or tornadoes.
• We are an all hazards organization from floods to fires to tornadoes to terrorism.
• And the second one, yeah, I think you answered, but you know, we dealt with a lot and y'all flooded our

Transcript Highlights:

• control Water Quality including flood control Water Quality Maintenance<00:21:26.200> through
• flood damage.
• flood damage.
• <00:48:40.200> these instate producers can mitigate these instate producers can mitigate these
• those principles would tend to mitigate those principles would tend to mitigate against<00:58:56.160

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative, do you not consider infrastructure like flooding and things like that a matter of public
• They make sure that infrastructure is there to keep places from flooding. I mean this is horrible.
• of the homes flooded.
• The districts are tasked with water supply, water quality, flood protection and flood management, and
• mitigation.

Bills: HCR66, HB387, HB617, HB797, HB950, HB975, HB1186, HB1222, HB1223, HB1228, HB1256

Keywords: economic development, rural communities, infrastructure, workforce training, Louisiana Economic Development, engineering, land surveying, construction, state fire marshal, plan review, hidden fees, junk fees, drip pricing, price transparency, mandatory fees, surcharges, consumer protection, unfair trade practices, advertising disclosures, total price

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee met on April 20, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then heard a series of bills and resolutions. It first advanced H. CR 66, which directs Louisiana Economic Development, working with the Governor’s Office of Rural Development, to study rural parish economic assets, infrastructure, workforce, and development opportunities. The committee also moved HB 387, a clarification allowing the fire marshal to review architectural and engineering plans equally, and HB 1223, which seeks to promote clinical trials in Louisiana by having LED market the state’s research capacity and by adjusting internal review board procedures. HB 1228, a cleanup bill for hearing aid dealers that updates definitions, contracts, testing periods, licensing, and related requirements, was also reported favorably, as was HB 950, which would create an elderly consumer perception program through the Office of Elderly Affairs to help seniors recognize scams and fraud. The committee spent the most time on HB 617, a broad “hidden fees” consumer transparency bill. The author and supporters said it would require mandatory fees to be included in upfront pricing so consumers can make informed choices, while opponents from grocery, restaurant, hotel, housing, retail, and business groups argued the bill was vague, overly broad, and likely to create compliance burdens and litigation risk. Housing advocates objected to the bill’s housing exemption, warning it could weaken renters’ ability to bring claims over undisclosed fees. After extensive debate over variable pricing, sales taxes, enforcement, and the scope of the bill, Senator Morris moved to defer HB 617, and the committee agreed without objection. The committee also heard HB 797, which would create a “Bayou Gold” certification program for certain gold vendors and transactional gold products. The sponsor said the program would encourage vendors to keep gold insured, segregated, and closer to Louisiana consumers, with the Treasury administering the certification through participant fees. Several senators and an outside witness raised concerns that the state seal could be mistaken for an endorsement, could create liability or consumer confusion, and would favor a narrow set of vendors. Despite opposition, the committee reported HB 797 favorably, with members noting it still had to go to Finance. Later, the committee advanced HB 1186, which would create a more uniform statewide building code and licensing system for inspectors, add disciplinary authority, and impose a small permit fee to support the program, and HB 1222, which would let LED develop a grocery initiative to address food deserts and food insecurity. The meeting concluded with the committee hearing HB 1256 on abandoned digital assets, which would require dormant digital assets to be held in original form for three years so owners can reclaim them.