Video & Transcript : 'backlog of repairs' :
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OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Business and Insurance 2ND REVISED Feb 19th, 2026
Business and Insurance
Transcript Highlights:
- So is the author aware of any kind of circumstance or example of where this has actually occurred?
- We see litigation trends and the rising cost of litigation. We see building and repair costs.
- Of course not.
- kinds of ideas, working on these kinds of ideas for fear of driving away competition, because what we
- of reasons, a lot of farmland and acreages across Oklahoma that are in various states of disrepair or
Bills:
SB1969 , SB1953 , SB1277 , SB1287 , SB1061 , SB1916 , SB1589 , SB2178 , SB1444 , SB1438 , SB1501 , SB1873 , SB1364
Committee:
Senate Business and Insurance
Keywords:
massage therapy, licensing, multistate compact, regulation, healthcare, professionals, Employer Health Plan Transparency Act, health insurance, claims data, contract provisions, health care providers, auditable materials, HIPAA compliance, insurance regulation, unemployment benefits, employment security, work search, job search, reemployment, jobless benefits
Summary:
The Senate Business and Insurance Committee met and first laid over Senate Bills 1969 and 1624 without hearing them. It then considered SB 1953, a health insurance transparency bill requiring third-party administrators to provide employers information on what was spent on employee health benefits; an amendment deleting the word “welfare” was adopted, and the bill passed 7-1. SB 1277, which codifies a three-week work-search requirement for unemployment benefits, passed 8-0. SB 1287, amended to change “may” to “shall,” would bar the Oklahoma Abstractors Board from licensing applicants not legally authorized to work in the U.S.; after questions about the need for the bill and the alleged loophole, it passed 7-2.
The committee also passed SB 1061, a cleanup measure on mortgage broker licensing and renewal fees, and SB 1916, which would move the Oklahoma Receivership Office under the Insurance Department and streamline receivership operations. SB 1589, as amended to reference Indian Gaming Regulatory Act authorization, would increase penalties for illegal sweepstakes/gambling operations and expand enforcement against entities profiting from illegal gambling; it passed unanimously. SB 2178, a compromise special-event license bill requiring liability insurance coverage, also passed unanimously.
Two major insurance reform bills were debated at length and failed. SB 1444 would shift homeowners insurance rate regulation from a use-and-file system to prior filing with authority for the Insurance Commissioner to declare rates excessive; after testimony from a homeowner about a large premium increase and extensive debate over regulation and market effects, it failed 4-5. SB 1438 would require reporting of underwriting gains and profits, cap average profits at 5% over three years, and require rebates or premium credits if profits exceeded that level; supporters argued it would protect consumers, while opponents warned of market disruption and reduced competition. It failed 2-7. The committee then passed SB 1501, clarifying medical marijuana grow reclamation bond requirements, SB 1873, correcting a drafting error in a prior bill and delaying its effective date, and SB 1364, requiring an affidavit of encumbrances before transferring a medical marijuana business license.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Jan 28th, 2026 at 11:02 am
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- They give of their precious time and talent here in the city of the Holy Faith of St.
- Of the Holy Faith of St.
- The House of Representatives of the State of New Mexico remembers Deacon Steve Summiel House of Representatives
- of directors of the Good Shepherd Center, and the co-chair of the Celebration of Faith and Service corned
- of the Board of County Commissioners of Grant County.
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
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Jan 28th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
- the people of Washington state arise, and whereas ...when the needs of the people of Washington state
- of the House of Representatives to the Adjutant General of the Washington National Guard, the Governor
- of the State of Washington, and other appropriate officials.
- For example, the keeping of the journal of our proceedings or the manner of election of your office,
Bills:
HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1604 , HB1798 , HB1002 , HB1065 , HB1155 , HB1269 , HB1916 , HB2120 , HB2123 , HB2158 , HB2178 , HB2264 , HB2309 , HB2411 , HJM4004
Keywords:
design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Health & Long-Term Care Jan 20th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Health & Long-Term Care
Transcript Highlights:
- shall be obligations of the state of Washington.
- shall be obligations of the state of Washington.
- shall be obligations of the state of Washington.
- of non-opioid alternatives for the treatment of pain.
- I don't understand all of the inner workings of that.
Bills:
SB5845 , SB5916 , SB6102 , SB6071 , SB6103 , SB6159 , SB5877 , SB5967 , SB5904 , SB5915 , SB6025
Committee:
Senate Health & Long-Term Care
Keywords:
health insurance, health carrier, insurance carrier, prompt pay, timely payment, claims processing, clean claim, remittance advice, provider reimbursement, hospital billing, medical billing, prior authorization, claims denial, interest on late claims, administrative penalty, Washington insurance commissioner, RCW 48, public employees benefits board, school employees benefits board, Medicaid managed care
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Doris Gleeson, the mother of Shannon Dion and a constituent of House District 115, was one of those victims
- A deletion of the section prohibiting control of testamentary documents.
- Deletion of the list of amenities as the list had the potential to narrow the scope of the bill to a
- I'm personally aware of offense locations related to the series of murders.
- Some of these facilities are charging us upwards of $6000 to $10,000.
Bills:
HB 660 , HB 4845 , HB 3902 , HB 5396 , HB 4615 , HB 1825 , HB 1403 , HB 4336 , HB 4585 , HB 4371 , HB 863 , SB 1589 , HB 5223 , HB 3195 , HB 2734
Committee:
House Human Services
Keywords:
child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Boris Gleason, the mother of Shannon Dionne and a constituent of House District 115, was one of those
- of family members of victims and others affected by the lack of safety standards for senior homes.
- Deletion of the list of amenities was made as the list had the potential to narrow the scope of the bill
- More than three out of four of those were among seniors.
- this is one of those.
Bills:
HB660 , HB4845 , HB3902 , HB5396 , HB4615 , HB1825 , HB1403 , HB4336 , HB4585 , HB4371 , HB863 , SB1589 , HB5223 , HB3195 , HB2734
Committee:
House Human Services
Keywords:
child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And all of that.
- And then when the government says they need a list of all of this, it infringes on one of their most
- Act of 2025.
- I was kind of jumping out of my chair a little bit to try to answer some of the questions before, and
- This would result in two of five of the categories being met.
Bills:
HB660 , HB4845 , HB3902 , HB5396 , HB4615 , HB1825 , HB1403 , HB4336 , HB4585 , HB4371 , HB863 , SB1589 , HB5223 , HB3195 , HB2734
Committee:
House Human Services
Keywords:
child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- days. of months of that.
- of age.
- And so, the standard of care, when I'm taking the standard of care and the lack of...
- Backlogs at USCIS have slowed down the processing of work authorization cards, meaning bureaucratic delays
- Is it all because of illegal immigrants? No. How much of it is because of that?
Bills:
HB5141 , HB4638 , HB2264 , HB2035 , HB4813 , HB4408 , HB2684 , HB1621 , HB2300 , HB216 , HB3829 , HB4466 , HB1747 , HB2284 , HB3614 , HB2587 , HB3219 , HB3318 , HB5147 , HB4014 , HB216
Committee:
House Public Health
Keywords:
lease, state property, public purpose, Travis County, Health and Human Services, pharmaceutical initiative, drug distribution, healthcare services, generic drugs, advanced pharmaceuticals, cost savings, mental health, patient discharge, medical records, health care professionals, substance use, family involvement, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- They're still in a lot of debt—still, I mean, hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- Any of you can answer that, or all of you?
- I'm coming out of school with a quarter of a million dollars of debt, it's like...
- Call all of them, call all of them. All of these as well.
- ...of all of those types of things. Under the FDA situation, none of that has to be disclosed.
Bills:
HB 44 , HB 2200 , HB 1612 , HB 2747 , HB 2038 , HB 3717 , HB 1431 , HB 3800 , HB 3801 , HB 3560 , HB 3246
Committee:
House Public Health
Keywords:
HB 44, Life of the Mother Act, abortion exceptions, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, fetal survival, Texas abortion law, abortion ban, physician liability, health care provider, disciplinary action, aiding and abetting, emergency abortion, obstetric care
Summary:
The meeting of the public health committee focused on the pressing issue of opioid addiction in Texas, with a particular emphasis on House Bill 3717. Chairman Harris detailed the bill's intent to fund a grant program for Ibogaine clinical trials, framing it as a critical response to the ongoing opioid crisis. He shared poignant testimonies highlighting the struggles of families and veterans battling addiction and mental health issues. The conversation underscored the necessity of innovative treatments, like Ibogaine, which showed promising results in studies for reducing symptoms of withdrawal and PTSD.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Press Conference: Lt. Governor Dan PatrickRegarding progress on Senate priorities for the 89th Legislative Session. Apr 3rd, 2025
Texas Senate Floor Meeting
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
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The highway is in need of major repair, and they've done improvements both north and south of Blooming
- residents of the city of Blooming Prairie.
- On behalf of the of Blooming Prairie.
- </c><00:25:03.919><c> that</c> company of the previous owner of that company of the previous owner of
- Diagnostics and repair of equipment has become more time consuming.
Bills:
HF604 , HF1972 , HF578 , HF1951 , HF629 , HF864 , HF874 , HF1155 , HF884 , HF2365 , HF643 , HF234 , HF2655 , HF2637 , HF2535 , HF2530 , HF2344 , HF584 , HF524
Committee:
House Capital Investment
Keywords:
airport funding, bonds, transportation, capital investment, Karlstad, community center, Breckenridge, state bonds, economic development, HF578, Faribault, River Bend Nature Center, bonding bill, bond proceeds fund, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR grant, nature center, visitor center, environmental education, multicultural center
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I am here on behalf of the Department of Justice.
- words of advice?
- All of these— all of these different areas work together, and that's a big part of our job. to work with
- This is a lot of money. This is a lot of money.
- , it not only had the benefit of benefiting all of the every business, really, in the state of Texas,
Committee:
House Ways & Means
Keywords:
HB 8, school finance, compressed tax rate, maximum compressed tax rate, MCR, PYMCR, property tax, school district taxes, Education Code, Tax Code, state aid, school funding formula, local school taxes, Texas school finance, tax rate compression, public education funding, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 076 Mar 31st, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> of General Orders Second Reading of of General Orders Second Reading of Bills.<00:55:42.720><c>
- </c> of General Orders Second Reading of of General Orders Second Reading of Bills<00:55:50.480><c> and
- whole backlog of teachers in particular that exceeded the 100% AMI by so in some instances hundreds of
- a whole backlog<01:00:26.040><c> of</c><01:00:26.280><c> teachers</c><01:00:26.800><c> in</c><01:00:
- 26.960><c> particular</c><01:00:28.040><c> that</c> backlog of teachers in particular that backlog of
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 04/04/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- ><00:02:49.519><c> contaminants</c> modeling of an air of air contaminants modeling of an air of air
- </c><00:03:18.400><c> And</c><00:03:18.640><c> with</c> backlog of permit applications.
- And with backlog of permit applications.
- the</c><00:08:52.080><c> agency's</c> end of January ahead of the agency's end of January ahead of the
- I in favor of of Senate File uh uh 570.
Committee:
Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (2-18-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- We're out of space at both of those for some of our events for the month of July, the attendance of any
- We're out of space at both of those for some of our events for the month of July, the attendance of any
- We're out of space at both of those for some of our events for the month of July, the attendance of any
- It's a small dollar figure, under 2,000, but invoice revisions for services created a backlog of invoices
- </c><00:43:24.359><c> of</c> services uh created a backlog of services uh created a backlog of invoices
Keywords:
Meeting start 00:00:29
Roll Call 00:00:40
HB 2 Discussion 00:02:55
HB 2 Vote 00:14:10
Kentucky Exposition Center Redevelopment Plan Discussion 00:17:22
HB 545 Discussion Only 00:39:15, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 2, which would address the taxation of currency and bullion and was presented as a response to last session’s dispute over whether a line-item veto could be applied to a revenue measure. The sponsor said the bill, as amended by Committee Substitute 2, was largely technical but also made the tax exemption retroactive to August 1, 2024 while making the $1,000-per-day penalty prospective only. Members asked about fiscal impact, possible legal liability for executive branch officials, and whether the issue should instead be resolved by the courts. The sponsor argued the Constitution limits the governor’s line-item veto power to appropriations, not revenue bills, and said the bill would create a judicial remedy and refund process if the executive branch continued collecting the tax. The committee approved the committee substitute and then passed House Bill 2 by a vote of 19-1, with two members passing; the bill was reported favorably to the floor.
During discussion, Representative Bojanowski voted no, saying he could not support removing taxes on gold bars while parents pay taxes on diapers. Representative Gentry passed, saying he supported the original intent but was not yet convinced and wanted more time to review the issue. The sponsor also clarified that any liability would be joint and several and could involve executive officials or their budgets if the tax collection continued despite the exemption.
The committee then heard a discussion-only presentation on the Kentucky Exposition Center Redevelopment Plan Phase 2. Facility representatives described Phase 1 and the planned Phase 2 expansion, saying the center had record attendance and needed more space to remain competitive and meet client demand. They said Phase 1 was about 20% complete, with completion now expected in October 2026 and an opening target of December 31, 2026 after a short testing period. Phase 2 would follow, including demolition of the West Wing, utility work, and improvements to food service and circulation areas. They said the project would be funded without federal dollars and estimated that, once complete, it could generate about $683 million in annual economic impact, $302 million in state sales tax, and 850,000 room nights in Jefferson County.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- All in favor of approval of the minutes say aye. Any opposed? The minutes are approved.
- Next item is the consideration of authorization of expense reimbursement for official commission duties
- What we do is look at the page count of the bound volume and then the page count of the supplement.
- I'm not aware of the contract outside of us.
- Just wanted to give you a look at the scope of what would be involved with a number of funds.
Committee:
All CODE REVISION COMMISSION
Summary:
The commission first approved the prior meeting minutes and then adopted the annual authorization for expense reimbursement for commissioners performing official duties under Arkansas Code 25-16-902. Members noted that legislative commissioners would not receive reimbursement for the meeting day if they were already in session and receiving legislative per diem.
The commission then heard a LexisNexis proposal for pricing increases and replacement volumes for Arkansas Code publications. LexisNexis said the proposed increase was about 7 percent, citing higher costs and the producer price index, and recommended replacing three volumes in 2026 and four in 2027 based on supplement size and the age of the volumes. Members asked about public pricing, the basis for selecting replacement volumes, and whether a statewide contract for judicial legal research services might be possible; LexisNexis said it would connect the senator with its sales team. The commission approved the pricing and replacement volume proposal.
Staff also provided an update on the codification project for state treasury funds. The project will move duplicative fund-creation language into Title 19 only, repeal duplicate provisions elsewhere in the code, and be presented later as a technical corrections bill. Members discussed whether any funds appeared obsolete and whether future legislation could eliminate unused funds, and staff said DFA maintains a list of obsolete funds that could be included in future cleanup work. The chair said the commission would likely meet again in the fall to consider technical corrections, and the meeting adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 5/7/25
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> of Health in this bill is an increase of of Health in this bill is an increase of 874,026<00:03:
- </c> it out of ways of means. Thank you, Mr. it out of ways of means. Thank you, Mr.
- And that's the conclusion of the walkthrough of the language pieces. of EMS.
- If I had of thousands of motans.
- Um 27% of our of our they're going now.
Bills:
HF2435
Committee:
House Health Finance and Policy
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Thu Mar 19, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c><00:12:14.240><c> we</c> the time of execution of a contract, we the time of execution of a contract
- the</c><00:31:41.400><c> and</c><00:31:41.480><c> the</c> more of your backlog and the and the more
- of your backlog and the and the delays, delays, delays, that<00:31:43.800><c> you</c><00:31:44.080><c
- We already have a huge backlog of bench warrants that are not being served.
- office of Marshal of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1846.
Committee:
House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several Senate bills. On SB 2530, relating to campaign contributions, the State Procurement Office suggested clarifying that contractor disclosure information be submitted within 30 days of a fully executed contract, while the Campaign Spending Commission supported the bill but asked that the restriction on contributions by officers be expanded beyond compensated officers. Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action supported the measure and urged keeping the Senate language, arguing it better addresses contractor influence, while no other testifiers appeared.
On SB 2970, relating to standards of conduct, the State Ethics Commission supported the bill and proposed amendments to consolidate the new language into existing Chapter 84 contract provisions and use “department head” instead of “director.” The State Procurement Office supported the measure but recommended closing a perceived loophole by limiting the covered contracts to those under $10,000. No opposition testimony was offered.
The committee then heard SB 2919, which would fund one full-time Deputy Public Defender position focused on immigration-related advice under Padilla v. Kentucky. The Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Coalition for Immigrants’ Rights, and the ACLU of Hawaii supported the bill, explaining that the position would help public defenders advise clients about immigration consequences of criminal cases, not provide immigration representation. Members asked several questions about the scope of the position and whether it could assist with citizenship; testimony clarified that it would not handle civil immigration matters. The bill was also described as creating a statewide consistent resource for the public defender system.
Finally, on SB 2446, relating to the judiciary, the Intermediate Court of Appeals supported adding a seventh associate judge position but noted the court has only recently been fully staffed at six judges and has improved output through internal changes. The chair emphasized that the bill authorizes the position without funding and encouraged the judiciary to return later if appropriations are needed. The committee also began hearing SB 2730, a criminal justice reform bill on warrantless arrests and citations. OHA supported reducing unnecessary arrests but objected to making citations visible on criminal records; the Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, citing law enforcement flexibility, identification concerns, and possible litigation costs; and the Judiciary requested a later implementation date and suggested changes to citation-resolution language. The transcript ends while testimony on SB 2730 was still underway.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- in support of this bill, as well as the mayor of the city of New Orleans.
- She's the chief of staff of the Sewer and Water Board.
- She's the chief of staff of the Sewer and Water Board.
- Todd Morris, Chief of Police for the City of St.
- Might keep a couple of them out of jail, even.
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.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- in support of this bill as well as the mayor of the city of New Orleans.
- She's the chief of staff of the Sewerage and Water Board.
- She's the chief of staff of the Sewerage and Water Board.
- Todd Morris, Chief of Police for the City of St.
- Might keep a couple of them out of jail, even.
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 and approved the prior meeting minutes before taking up a series of local bills. Early action included HB 362, creating the Regency Park Towns Townhomes Crime Prevention and Security District in Orleans Parish, which was reported favorably. HB 822, dealing with nonprofit entities that hold appointments on boards and commissions while not in good standing with the Secretary of State, drew discussion about how long an entity must be out of compliance and whether notice should be required; the committee adopted an amendment changing the threshold to three consecutive years and then reported the bill as amended.
A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1243, which would shift more authority over the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board to the Orleans Parish City Council. Supporters, including Representative Hilfriddy and Council President J.P. Morrell, argued the current structure is dysfunctional and unresponsive, and that local elected officials need authority to act more quickly. The Bureau of Governmental Research testified without taking a position on the bill itself but urged a formal transition plan or study committee so the city would have a clear governance path. Despite that concern, the committee adopted an amendment clarifying asset ownership and then reported HB 1243 as amended.
The committee also handled several St. George bills. SB 348, allowing local law enforcement to contract for administrative support related to motor vehicle enforcement, was reported favorably. SB 444, granting St. George expropriation authority for certain public infrastructure projects, was also reported favorably. SB 485, concerning the city’s authority over insurance premium taxes, initially had amendments adopted but was then reconsidered; the amendments were stripped and the bill was reported favorably in its original form. HB 431, requiring mayors to complete annual continuing education, was amended to clarify approved training and then reported favorably. Other measures reported favorably included HB 990 on Jefferson Parish master water meters, HB 466 on West Feliciana Parish tax rebates tied to a data center project, HB 664 raising the maximum fine for parish ordinance violations, HB 87 increasing per diem for a Livingston Parish gas utility district board, HB 115 abolishing the police chief position in Edgefield, HB 741 creating emergency housing vouchers for human trafficking survivors, HB 377 removing civil service pay-plan restrictions for state examiners, HB 162 allowing a fee increase for the Jefferson Place/Bocage Crime Prevention District, HB 368 increasing fines for improper demolition of historic properties in New Orleans, and HB 441 returning New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board employees to city civil service. The committee adjourned after reporting the bills.