Transcript Highlights:

• Oftentimes, the penalty is zero.

Bills: HB310 , HB363

Committee: House Ethics and Campaign Finance

Keywords: campaign finance, electronic notifications, civil penalties, Fair Campaign Practices Act, Secretary of State, foreign contributions, political parties, electoral integrity, state legislation, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote of 14 yeas, zero nays, you have passed Senate Bills 835 and 1111. Do pass.

Committee: House Financial Institutions

Summary: The Committee on Financial Institutions met in executive session with 13 members present, establishing a quorum. The committee considered Senate Bills 835 and 1111 together and first adopted a House substitute for the Senate committee substitute after a motion and voice vote, with no opposition noted. The committee then moved the House Committee substitute for Senate Bills 835 and 1111 do pass. A roll call vote was taken, and the measure passed unanimously by 14 yeas and 0 nays. No other business was discussed before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote of 14 yeas, zero nays, you have passed Senate Bills 835 and 1111. Do pass.

Committee: House Financial Institutions

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The count is four to zero. It is on call. Thank you. We will now move on to file item 2.
• I Pellarine I the count is four to zero is it is on call thank you we will now move on to file senator

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several Senate bills focused on student health, access, equity, and career preparation. SB 608 by Sen. Menjivar would expand access to condoms and related sexual health resources for students in grades 7–12 and direct the Department of Education to align with the California Healthy Youth Act. Supporters argued the bill would help address high STI rates among youth and remove barriers to access, while opponents raised concerns about parental authority, local control, and encouraging early sexual activity. The bill was approved on a 6-1 vote and sent to the Health Committee. SB 965 by Sen. Blakespear would prohibit libraries from requiring a parent to be physically present for a 16- or 17-year-old to obtain a library card, while still allowing libraries to require parental consent or signature. Supporters said the current rule creates unnecessary barriers for teens and school research projects, and the California Library Association said it was now neutral after amendments. The committee passed the bill 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 998 by Sen. Gonzalez would define and expand the duties of discrimination prevention coordinators in the state’s Office of Civil Rights, including adding a disability coordinator and deputy coordinators focused on anti-Black, anti-Asian, anti-Latino, and anti-Native American discrimination. Testimony emphasized the need to address rising hate incidents and discrimination in schools, especially for Black, LGBTQ+, AAPI, and other marginalized students. The bill was approved and sent to Judiciary with amendments to be processed there. SB 845 by Sen. Perez, which expands work-based learning and youth apprenticeship opportunities, also received broad support from education, workforce, and industry groups and passed unanimously to Labor and Employment. The committee also approved a consent calendar of additional bills and adjourned after all items were acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote of 47 ayes, three nays, nine not voting, zero excused, and one absent, you have passed Senate
• We voted 25 ayes, 25 nays, 9 not voting, zero excused, and one vacant. You have failed.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day. Members also welcomed a visiting group from Women Leading Government and adopted a proclamation honoring Deputy Warden Veronica Parcell and National Corrections Officers and Employees Week. The House then agreed to request Senate consent to adjourn after completing its work on Wednesday, April 22, and later moved into Committee of the Whole to consider bills on the calendar. In Committee of the Whole, the House advanced several Senate bills. SB 1457, SB 1808, SB 1006, SB 1018, SB 1041, SB 1345, and SB 1512 all received do-pass recommendations, with SB 1552 also receiving a do-pass recommendation as amended. SB 1006 was amended to increase the anonymous small-donation reporting threshold and add an inflation adjustment, drawing debate over transparency. SB 1018, dealing with Sharia law, prompted sharp disagreement over constitutional concerns and community impact, but still advanced. SB 1041, a strike-everything amendment on electronic monitoring in assisted living facilities, drew supportive testimony about accountability and protecting vulnerable seniors. SB 1345 advanced with amendments after discussion of licensing timelines for health facilities and removal of an anonymous complaint provision. On third reading, SB 1167 and SB 1254 passed, and SB 1763 also passed after debate over school district finance rules. SB 1315, concerning school safety interoperability and communications with law enforcement, failed on a 25-25 tie after extensive debate over whether it was a vendor-driven bill and whether it created an unfunded or poorly designed mandate. After that vote, a motion to reconsider SB 1315 succeeded by a 30-18 vote. The House also concurred in Senate requests to return HB 2035 and HB 2249 for reconsideration. The session ended with announcements about the annual legislative charity softball game, a Democratic caucus meeting, and adjournment until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates zero accountability, transparency, and we are now in the hole over a billion dollars and growing
• It creates zero accountability, transparency, and we are now in the whole over a billion dollars in growing

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Celiac disease presents differently in everyone, including zero symptoms at all.
• Celiac disease presents differently in everyone, including zero symptoms at all.

Bills: H5013 , H5087 , H5115 , S2928

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Keywords: celiac disease, gluten intolerance, autoimmune disorder, pediatric screening, child health, public health, screening pilot, early detection, 12-year-olds, cholesterol screening, lipid screening, health care providers, Department of Public Health, patient advocacy, family support, Massachusetts, preventive care, diagnostic screening, nutrition, gastroenterology

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, members, with your votes of 7 aye, zero nays, and zero present, absent, you have given SB 1479

Committee: House House Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Committee on Government heard and advanced several bills. SB 1479 would require photo identification for certain documents recorded at county recorder offices, add identifying measures for notarized real property documents, and increase the penalty for knowingly submitting a false claim or forgery related to real property from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 5 felony. Testimony from a deed fraud victim, county assessors, the Attorney General’s office, and an online notary representative emphasized the bill’s role in preventing deed fraud; the chair also said he would run a floor amendment to tighten the ID-recording provisions. The committee voted 7-0 to give SB 1479 a due pass recommendation. SB 1473 would prohibit counties and municipalities from capping the number of residents in assisted living homes, restricting such homes on residentially zoned property, or requiring extra administrative documents based solely on resident count. Supporters from the Arizona Assisted Living Homes Association and a Paradise Valley operator said local occupancy reductions from 10 beds to 6 could force closures, worsen the shortage of senior care beds, and undermine affordable residential care; members discussed parking concerns and the growing need for assisted living. The committee voted 7-0 to give SB 1473 a due pass recommendation. The committee also considered SB 1663, which creates a Freedom of Speech Monument Committee to nominate two deceased individuals each year for the Freedom of Speech Monument and allows placement of a monument in the governmental mall. After limited testimony, including one opponent, the committee voted 4-1 to advance the bill. Finally, SB 1686, which would rename Wesley Bolin Plaza the Wesley Bolin and Charlie Kirk Freedom Plaza and authorize memorials for Charlie Kirk and Don Bowles, drew extended debate and an unsuccessful amendment to separate the Charlie Kirk and Don Bowles provisions. After testimony for and against, the committee voted 4-3 to give SB 1686 a due pass recommendation, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, members, with your votes of 7 aye, zero nays, and zero present, absent, you have given SB 1479

Committee: House Government

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But again, it's just trying to make sure this thing's not going to go to zero.
• We're not going to run it to zero. I can assure you that. Yeah, because we'll get into set-aside.

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Summary: The committee considered a series of appropriation, fund transfer, and reserve requests across multiple agencies. Section B temporary appropriations included funding for state technology upgrades, personnel management staffing and IT skills assessment, court reporters and interpreters, crime victim claims, juvenile sex offender assessments, radiation lab testing, and higher education workforce grants and credentialing pathways. Additional items covered an ARPA grant for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith LPN program, an IIJA grant for the Oil and Gas Commission’s critical minerals work, a restricted reserve transfer for State Police vehicle purchases, a transfer to the Arkansas Heroes Program, and cash fund requests for the Real Estate Commission’s AV system and HVAC work. Most of these items were approved by voice vote. One budget classification transfer request from the Commissioner of State Lands drew extended questioning and was ultimately not approved. Members questioned the $250,000 transfer to operating expenses tied to the purchase of a West Little Rock office building, the ongoing lease costs at the prior location, and whether the agency had adequately planned for building-related expenses. After discussion, the motion failed, and members told the agency to tighten spending and return if needed. The committee then took up 15 pay plan appropriation requests totaling $25.7 million and approved them after discussion with DFA, DHS, Corrections, and the State Board of Election Commissioners. Members focused heavily on DHS staffing shortages at human development centers, where officials said vacancies and turnover were driven by overtime and burnout rather than pay alone; one member asked DHS to submit a written plan to address the issue. Corrections reported the pay plan had improved hiring and retention. The committee also approved overtime appropriations for Emergency Management and Military. Reports on reserve funds, the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund, tobacco settlement, State Central Services, Education Adequacy, Medicaid Trust, IIJA, and revenue transfer activity were received. The Medicaid Trust Fund report prompted significant concern about February’s $90 million draw; DHS said the month was unusually high because of cash-flow timing and that the fund should end the year with a balance between $150 million and $200 million, while lawmakers noted a second $100 million set-aside is planned for FY27. The final discussion centered on DHS’s state hospital damage claim and reconstruction funding, where members expressed disappointment that insurance reimbursement would likely return only about $1.8 million now and possibly about $97,000 more later, far less than the roughly $5 million initially expected. DHS explained the policy was based on actual cash value and depreciation for old buildings, and said the work would proceed on Unit 3 for secured restoration because it was the most cost-effective option.

Transcript Highlights:

• Zero and a bill finally passed. Representative Barrow, Moose adopted. Moose to reconsider votes.
• Club will close to be 99 yays, zero nays, and the bill finally passes.

Bills: HR39 , HR40 , HR41 , HCR19 , HCR20 , HCR21 , HB2 , HB3 , HB15 , HB441 , HB976 , HB977 , HB978 , HB979 , HB980 , HB981 , HB982 , HR19 , HR20 , HR21 , HR22 , HR23 , HR24 , HR25 , HR26 , HR27 , HR28 , HR29 , HR30 , HR31 , HR32 , HR33 , HR34 , HR35 , HR36 , HR37 , HR38 , HCR15 , HCR16 , HCR17 , HCR18 , SCR10 , HB115 , HB208 , HB465 , HB964 , HB965 , HB966 , HB967 , HB968 , HB969 , HB970 , HB971 , HB972 , HB973 , HB974 , HB975 , HB474 , HB487 , HB503 , HB606 , HB633 , HB707 , HB720 , HB728 , HB733 , HB846 , HB852 , HB856 , HB868 , HB875 , HB78 , HB112 , HB148 , HB149 , HB190 , HB221 , HB346 , HB354 , HB355 , HB356 , HB358 , HB384 , HB427 , HB657 , HB675 , HB716 , HB207 , HB300 , HB331 , HB428 , HB464 , HB587 , HB618 , HB629 , HB801 , HB853 , HB891 , HB901

Keywords: St. Joseph's Day, Saint Joseph's Day, St. Joseph's Altar, Italian American, Italian heritage, Italian immigrants, Louisiana culture, New Orleans, Sicilian heritage, Catholic, Feast of Saint Joseph, cultural resolution, heritage caucus, legislative caucus, ethnic heritage, jazz history, Italian Louisiana, immigrant contributions, cultural recognition, House Resolution 40

Summary: The House opened with procedural motions, receipt of enrollment and committee reports, and several personal privilege recognitions for visiting groups and commemorative observances. Members welcomed Irish dignitaries, the Convention of States, the Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association, nurse practitioners, professional surveyors, a birthday recognition for a member’s daughter, an America 250 concert announcement, and a youth leadership group. The chamber also introduced a number of resolutions and bills, including major fiscal measures such as HB 2 (capital outlay) and HB 3 (bond authorization), along with local and policy bills covering retirement, utilities, law enforcement, education, and public safety. Several resolutions were adopted without objection, including observances for HBCU Day, Opportunity and Action Day, and commendations and condolences for individuals and organizations. The House then considered numerous second-reading bills and committee reports, including measures on income tax check-offs, traffic signal penalties, utility terrain vehicles, personal delivery devices, tax underpayment penalties, road dedications, and motor vehicle regulations. In floor action, HB 78 passed 96-0 to expand the jurisdiction of the Bogalusa city court. HB 190 passed 97-0 to create a Civil Code standard of care for software and computer programs, and HB 427 passed 99-0 to clarify online child-protection provisions and replace “sexually explicit” with the statutory “material harmful to minors” definition. HB 675 passed 100-0 after an amendment removing a middle name from the honoree, and HB 716 passed 99-0 to rename the Chalmette Ferry Terminal for Michael C. Ginnart Jr. The chamber also approved several memorial highway and bridge designations, including HB 346 for Speaker Joe Salter Memorial Highway, HB 355 for Veterans Park Memorial Highway, HB 356 for the Everett Brady Jr. Memorial Bridge, and HB 358 for a memorial highway honoring Charles Bordelon. Other bills were returned to the calendar or temporarily deferred, including HB 112, HB 148, HB 149, HB 221, HB 354, and HB 657. The House also announced committee meetings for the next day, received additional committee reports, and adjourned until 2:00 p.m. the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without Ducks Unlimited, you know, I would say that most of those Wetland Reserve easements would have zero
• Without Ducks Unlimited, you know, I would say that most of those wetland reserve easements would have zero

Bills: SB2 , SB40 , SB50 , SB55 , SB69 , SB96 , SB101 , SB103 , SB104 , SB159 , SB160 , SB182

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Keywords: highway designation, Pointe Coupee Parish, Falcons Band, signage, local recognition, emergency vehicles, traffic safety, road regulations, vehicles on highways, vehicle procedures, memorial bridge, designate, public signage, Louisiana Highway 315, Terrebonne Parish, seat belt, safety belt, motor vehicles, vehicle restraint, driver safety

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 11 with a quorum present and heard a series of specialty license plate bills. Committee members were reminded to turn off cell phones and testimony cards were explained. Several Department of Public Safety and Corrections/Office of Motor Vehicles amendments were adopted across the bills to require OMV to create plates only when statutory conditions are met and its electronic registration system is updated. HB 801 by Rep. Rhett Martinez created a classic black specialty license plate, with revenue directed to state police high-speed pursuit training. Members discussed the bill’s connection to a fatal high-speed chase in Martinez’s district and the need for better training and technology for law enforcement. The committee adopted amendments, including a change from “holding” to Zachary, and reported the bill favorably with amendments. HB 891 by Rep. Jacob Landry created wildlife/conservation specialty plates and adjusted revenue distribution to support Quail Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries conservation fund. Testimony from Ducks Unlimited and Quail Forever emphasized habitat work, fundraising leverage, and conservation partnerships; the bill was reported with amendments after some questioning about waterfowl management and habitat projects. HB 587 by Rep. Dickerson created a PANS/PANDAS specialty plate to raise awareness and return money to the general fund. The bill was supported by testimony from Caitlin Jafreda, who described her daughter’s sudden onset illness, the difficulty of diagnosis, and how insurance coverage for IVIG treatment had recently helped another family. The committee also heard HB 331 by Rep. Mack for a Louisiana GOP specialty plate, HB 629 by Rep. Lyons for the Crew of Athena, and HB 428 by Rep. Baham for an LSU baseball national champions plate recognizing the 2023 and 2025 College World Series teams. All were amended and reported favorably. Rep. Walters voluntarily deferred HB 129, HB 130, and HB 854, and the committee adjourned after Rep. Broussard moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• stick, especially here in Hawaii where at one time we were actually in the New York Times as having a zero
• ><c> New</c><00:15:20.760><c> York</c> Okay, and I think that lasted for about six months, totally zero

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services held a hearing on several Governor’s Message nominations. The chair opened with instructions about live streaming, testimony limits, and the possibility of reconvening if technical problems occurred. One nomination, GM 542 for Jamie Gagnon to the West O‘ahu subarea of the Hawaii Health Planning Council, was initially deferred because he was not present and there was concern he may not have received notice; when recalled later in the hearing, he testified that he wanted to help address limited provider resources and improve coordination of care. The committee also heard from Christine Cabingao Ting Kang for GM 541, but she was not present and her nomination was deferred to Wednesday, March 11 at 1:00 p.m. in Room 225. The committee then heard strong support testimony for GM 688, Raelynn Tenno for the Pa‘ala Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs. Tenno said she wanted another term because of her experience caring for elderly family members and her work on emergency preparedness for older adults and condominium/HOA communities. Supporters from the Office of Aging, the PABEA chair, the Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition, and others praised her knowledge of housing, elder issues, and community service. GM 712, Kathleen Merriam for the State Council on Mental Health, also drew support; Merriam described over 40 years in mental health work, including managing a community mental health center in Kaneohe and supporting clubhouse programs. The committee also considered GM 560, Jeffrey Hicks for the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council. Hicks said his career in justice and juvenile work motivated him to continue contributing to rehabilitation efforts for youth. The chair and members discussed the importance of prevention and rehabilitation in juvenile justice. After testimony, the committee moved to decision-making and voted to advise and consent on GM 542, GM 688, GM 712, and GM 560, while GM 541 was deferred to a later date and time. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote of 10 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Committee substitute for House Bill 2585
• I have zero support in my group for the funding model represented by that consultant.

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development met in executive session and first took up House Bill 2585. The committee adopted a House Committee substitute and a separate amendment, both described as clerical and technical changes to align the bill with Department of Higher Education workflow and state and federal law. The substitute for HB 2585 was then approved do pass by a 10-0 roll call vote. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 1627, which would revise the Career and Technical Education Advisory Council by adding the Commissioner of Higher Education or designee, increasing business and commerce representation, shortening member terms, reducing required meetings, and adjusting reporting requirements. Representative Haley said the changes would better reflect workforce needs and strengthen ties between education and industry. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education testified in support, saying the changes were recommended by the advisory group. No opposition testimony was offered. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2123, a broader higher education funding proposal that also includes a Bright Flight scholarship increase to full in-state tuition. Representative Black and Representative Shields described the bill as an effort to modernize Missouri’s long-standing base-plus funding model by moving toward a metric- and performance-based system tied to workforce needs, with a phased testing and approval process before implementation. Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development staff, the Missouri Community College Association, and the Council on Public Higher Education testified in support of continuing the work, though the council urged removing bill language that was too specific about the consultant’s model and timeline. Some members raised concerns about fiscal impact, implementation, and whether the model could be rolled out without harming institutions or students. The hearing on HB 2123 concluded without any vote taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• By your vote of 10 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Committee substitute for House Bill 2585
• I have zero support in my group for the funding model represented by that consultant.

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• very easy question in committee and said, five million—what if every last dime of that dropped to zero
• And the maximum, which no one's arguing this, if this revenue dropped to zero, is $5 million.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Infrastructure Committee first returned to engrossed House Bill 4419, which would require the West Virginia Parkways Authority to hold public hearings and give notice before increasing tolls, rents, fees, or charges, and would allow legislative auditing of related revenues and sinking funds. The committee debated two amendments related to E-ZPass transponders: one from the Senator from Jefferson to clarify that the Parkway Authority would not be required to read every plate failed on a 4-4 tie, and one from the Senator from Wetzel to codify a restriction on transferring single-fee transponders between vehicles was rejected after discussion with counsel and the Parkways Authority about current policy, convenience for users, and possible effects on the bill. The committee then approved a motion to send HB 4419 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, but first be referred to Finance, and a separate motion to send it to Finance passed. The committee also considered engrossed House Bill 4563, on which Senator Randolph moved for a second reference to Finance because of fiscal concerns. After discussion of the newly filed fiscal note and the bill’s potential revenue impact, that motion failed by a 4-5 division vote. The committee then voted to report HB 4563 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 4538, which increases fines and penalties for failing to obey traffic control instructions or speeding in construction and work zones, and also references penalties tied to distracted driving provisions. Counsel noted the bill’s possible overlap with existing vehicular homicide penalties and that it had no fiscal note. Jason Pizzitella of the Contractors Association testified in support, emphasizing work-zone safety and recent fatalities, while senators from Fayette, Randolph, and Jefferson also supported the bill and discussed the need to protect workers and drivers. The committee adopted a motion to report HB 4538 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• What if every last dime of that dropped to zero?
• And the maximum, which no one's arguing this, if this revenue dropped to zero, is $5 million.

Committee: Senate Transportation and Infrastructure

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So with the fiscal note, it says, you know, zero cost claim.
• cost us money and so we went with what health and welfare had suggested to make sure that we had a zero

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 723, which Representative Erickson said was developed in response to a state oversight report on children’s residential care and testimony about abuse and neglect in licensed youth treatment facilities. The bill would codify and strengthen oversight standards, require individualized service planning, create a youth bill of rights for residents and parents, and require critical incident reporting to parents or guardians within one business day. Erickson said the bill largely mirrors existing department rules, was drafted with the Department of Health and Welfare to avoid a fiscal note, and includes enforcement tools such as corrective action plans, sanctions, payment withholding, and law-enforcement referral for crimes. Several senators raised concerns about whether the bill was strong enough, whether unannounced inspections could raise Fourth Amendment issues, whether faith-based facilities would be affected, and whether the department would have too much discretion. Erickson responded that the inspections apply only to licensed facilities, not private homes, and that the bill is intended to improve transparency and oversight without changing existing rights or imposing new costs. Survivors and advocates testified in strong support, describing seclusion, restraints, forced medication, medical neglect, lack of private communication, humiliation, and retaliation in Idaho and out-of-state residential programs. They argued the bill would improve accountability, transparency, and safety for children and families. After testimony, the committee discussed the bill further. Some members said the bill was a meaningful step but wanted stronger consequences, while others noted the seriousness of the abuse described and the need for oversight of Medicaid-funded facilities. Senator Wintrow moved to send H723 to the floor with a do pass recommendation, and the motion passed by voice vote. The committee then received a presentation from Teligen on its role as Idaho Medicaid’s quality improvement organization. Nancy Johnson explained that Teligen handles prior authorization, quality oversight, fraud and abuse reporting, and a small case management program for complex Medicaid participants. She said the case management team of five Idaho-based nurses reached out to just over 1,000 participants in 2025, fully engaged 160, and reported about $850,000 in cost savings through reduced readmissions and better care coordination. Members asked about contract costs, staffing, the scope of services, and how suspected fraud is reported to the Medicaid program integrity unit. The committee adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with the fiscal note, it says, you know, zero cost claim.
• And so we went with what Health and Welfare had suggested to make sure that we had a zero fiscal impact

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the plants that normally get 100 to 135 workers have gotten zero.
• cannot get their workers, and so some of the plants that normally get 100 to 135 workers have gotten zero

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 965, house, all