Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:37:24.640><c> from</c> number of Governors and legislators from number of Governors and legislators
• Madam Chair, I would request a roll call. Requested roll call granted.
• /c><01:23:45.560><c> roll</c><01:23:45.920><c> call</c><01:23:46.360><c> uh</c> request request a roll
• call roll call uh request request a roll call roll call uh requested<01:23:46.960><c> roll</c><01:23
• </c> Rights and we also have that legislation Rights and we also have that legislation in<01:29:28.080

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> requests one of our two budget requests requests one of our two budget requests is<00:16:10.200>
• </c> um sending you their request? um sending you their request?
• . appropriate. appropriate.
• Can you also do appropriations? Could the state do appropriations to expand summer youth?
• Can you also do appropriations? Could the state do appropriations to expand summer youth?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, is the appropriate time?
• Again, thank you for the legislation. Senator Andrews?
• This is a state legislative auditor.
• And that's why this legislation helps with that.
• This legislation is not an attack on homelessness.

Bills: SB237

Keywords: child welfare, Department of Children and Family Services, mandatory reporting, abuse prevention, investigative teams, child ombudsman, forensic interviews, confidentiality

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 20, 2026, with eight members present and approved the May 13 minutes. The committee quickly reported several bills favorably, including SB 1224, which requires DCFS review when a pregnancy involves a child under 17 and makes children under 12 a child in need of care; SB 1100, which repeals an old statute on unenriched bread; HB 1220, a continuation of prior work to codify certain provisions related to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners; HB 1231, clarifying that continuous glucose monitoring is covered through Medicaid for any insulin-dependent diabetic, including gestational diabetes; and HB 198, setting reimbursement rates for ambulatory surgery centers for certain Medicaid procedures. The committee also adopted a personal privilege welcome for physicians on White Coat Day and repeatedly noted that several bills were being advanced with the understanding that further work might continue before floor debate. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1160, which would create a streamlined restricted license pathway for qualified international medical school graduates, especially for rural and shortage areas. Committee members pressed the Board of Medical Examiners about delays in promulgating rules under an earlier 2024 law and objected to rule language they said went beyond the statute. Board representatives acknowledged a misunderstanding about the original bill’s intent and said the program had been operating, but members warned against agencies writing rules that contradict enacted law. Despite the criticism, HB 1160 was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably HCR 67, which creates a task force to study gaps in acute care for special-needs adults and children, following emotional testimony from the sponsor about her son’s death and the lack of appropriate care options. The committee then approved HCR 27, calling for a coordinated statewide evaluation of autism services by the Department of Health and Department of Education, with testimony emphasizing rising diagnosis rates, rural provider shortages, and the need for better data and coordination between medical and school-based services. HCR 28, which would study school nurse orientation and training, was also reported favorably after school nurses described the lack of standardized onboarding for new graduates and the risks of placing them alone in schools without adequate supervision. HB 469, which would have allowed pharmacy license renewal fees to be directed to Xavier University’s pharmacy school as well as public schools, was deferred after concerns about diverting funds from public institutions and the absence of testimony from affected schools. The committee also took up HB 223, which recreates DCFS, and adopted an amendment shortening the sunset date and requiring law enforcement reports to be accepted through a secure web-based platform; the bill was then reported favorably as amended. Another major discussion centered on HB 457 and HB 616, both tied to homelessness. HB 457, establishing minimum standards for shelters and related facilities, was reported favorably as amended after sponsor testimony and support cards. HB 616, which would allow the legislative auditor and local officials access to records and databases for audits of homelessness initiatives, drew extensive debate over privacy, federal funding, and accountability. Supporters cited a 2025 audit showing more than $216 million in federal homelessness spending in New Orleans and argued that auditors need access to performance data to detect waste and abuse; opponents warned about client privacy and the impact of funding cutoffs. The committee adopted an amendment changing permissive language to mandatory language for enforcement and then continued hearing testimony, with the discussion still centered on balancing oversight with confidentiality.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I'll move the bill when it's appropriate. Thanks, Senator.
• And I know that some information was already requested and asked.
• And I know that some information was already requested and asked.
• The motion is due pass as amended to the Committee on Appropriations.
• The motion is due pass as amended to the Committee on Appropriations.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislative proclamation: City of Coolidge centennial celebration.
• This is a legislative proclamation honoring Pre-born Day of Rights.
• The roll call vote was requested, yeah, and this one...
• And so ...want to have a certain piece of legislation heard.
• We've had the opportunity as legislators to feast...

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• who were also hearing from legislators who were also hearing from uh<00:05:39.280><c> homeowners</c>
• I hope you'll pass such legislation again, and that this time the Senate will concur.
• that in a comprehensive AI my request that in a comprehensive AI bill<00:15:10.839><c> you</c><00:15
• And they seemed surprised by the request, and they weren't really prepared for it.
• </c> which is why I make the same request which is why I make the same request that<00:51:40.280><c>

Keywords: Consideration of HB 27 00:04:20 Presentation by Secretary of State 00:10:44 Presentation by Karen Sellers and Jason Denny 00:35:56 Consideration of HB 45 00:55:36, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled House Bill 27, which would remove the prohibition on political yard signs in planned communities statewide while still allowing communities to regulate size, placement, and duration. The sponsor said the 2023 Planned Communities Act created an unintended consequence by treating similar homeowners differently based on grandfathering dates, and a legal explanation was offered that the bill would clarify the law and avoid constitutional problems. After discussion, the committee voted 15-0 to pass the bill with favorable expression. The next item was an update from the Secretary of State on the 2024 election and implementation of House Bill 53, which created prompt post-election audits. He said the audits were carried out smoothly, most found no discrepancies, and no election winners changed, though he recommended adding a specific timeline to the law. He also discussed voter-roll maintenance, saying Kentucky has removed more than 440,000 ineligible voters since 2020, and argued that federal law and limited access to federal databases remain the main obstacles to faster cleanup. Members asked about the possibility of improper removals, double voting across states, and how provisional voting works. The Secretary said anyone improperly removed can reregister, that any double-voting abuse is likely marginal but still unacceptable, and that provisional ballots are available when eligibility is in doubt and can be reviewed by the county board of elections. He also urged Congress to modernize the 1993 federal voter-registration law, improve access to death and citizenship data, and create a central interstate information-sharing system for election officials.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the request of Chair Hughes and Vice Chair Boudreaux, we sent out a request for information from all
• And so as we develop the legislation, the proposed legislation for this, I just wanted those things to
• And again, we can work it out through the legislative stage.
• I'm no longer on appropriations, Vice Chair Boudreau.
• I can do it from the seat, if that's appropriate. Yes. Dr.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The task force met with a quorum to continue work on Caleb Wilson hazing-prevention recommendations, with the Wilson family present and repeatedly acknowledged. Members discussed Southern University’s expulsion of Omega Psi Phi and the family pressed for clarity on whether the fraternity could return; counsel said the expulsion appears permanent on its face but there is legal ambiguity, prompting legislators to say a statutory fix is needed to define suspension versus expulsion more clearly. The group also reviewed data on hazing-related suspensions since 2018 and hearing-panel practices across the public postsecondary systems, including panel composition, annual training, and appeals processes. The task force adopted several recommendations focused on prevention and accountability. These included annual hazing-prevention training for students, advisors, and faculty/staff; a state-provided training framework with campus-specific flexibility; stronger attention to mandatory reporting; an amnesty policy to encourage reporting and help-seeking; reverting hazing proceedings back to a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard; adding hazing to the annual power-based violence report; tying noncompliance penalties to loss of State Bond Commission borrowing authority; and identifying sustainable funding for training and reporting. Members debated scope and implementation, especially whether training should cover all employees or only those who interact with students, whether external advisors and graduate advisors should be included, and how to avoid unintended consequences for advisor recruitment. Several amendments were made, including narrowing one recommendation from “all” to “appropriate,” and the amnesty discussion was clarified to avoid creating a loophole for misconduct. The task force also discussed K-12 considerations, including applying bullying and hazing materials to nonpublic schools, updating prevention materials, and improving data collection. In closing remarks, student members and family representatives emphasized that hazing is about power, not tradition, and called for culture change, accountability, and earlier education. University leaders from the University of Louisiana System, Southern University System, and LSU said they support the effort and will implement the recommendations if enacted, while also urging stronger individual and organizational accountability beyond training alone. A public commenter from Nicholls State’s SGA praised the task force’s work before the meeting moved into public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:11:11.240><c> 142,</c> Appropriations, including S. 64, S. 142, Appropriations, including S.
• </c> corrections for the 2026 legislative corrections for the 2026 legislative session.<00:15:49.600>
• </c> um and of course legislative council. um and of course legislative council.
• </c> Appropriations Committee talk. Appropriations Committee talk.
• </c> the next legislative session. the next legislative session.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Great legislators have worked hard for...
• Great legislators have worked hard for decades to pass strong, smart environmental legislation.
• Same request. >> So ordered. Representative Olds. >> in support. Same request. >> So ordered.
• Uh, this appropriates dollar >> Thank you.
• As the 2026 legislative As the 2026 legislative session draws to a close, I am proud of our many collective

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, this bill modernizes the process for requesting certified copies.
• yes. more stronger pieces of legislation that more stronger pieces of legislation that we've<01:17:24.159
• So, I would hope everybody would support the legislation.
• So, I would hope everybody would support the legislation.
• :00.880><c> revenue</c><01:58:01.920><c> house</c> to appropriations and revenue house to appropriations

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• BUDGET REQUEST FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR.
• SO FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR WE ARE APPROPRIATING 131 MILLION.
• IN TERMS OF OUR 26, 27 BUDGET, WE HAVE PUT FORWARD AN LPR LEGISLATIVE BUDGET REQUEST ASKED FOR 139 MILLION
• AS EARLIER MENTIONED IT WAS AN APPROPRIATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024.
• WE ARE LOOKING AT LIQUIDATED DAMAGES WHERE THEY ARE APPROPRIATE.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um the appropriated<00:03:42.080><c> amount</c><00:03:42.319><c> is</c> appropriated amount is appropriated
• 00:04:53.919><c> by</c> appropriation has been reduced by appropriation has been reduced by $60,000<00
• It's a counseling appropriation.
• So the appropriation is eliminated.
• The appropriation was didn't.

Bills: HF2312

Keywords: higher education, college finance, student aid, financial aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, tuition relief, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, work-study, child care grants, Indian scholarships, tribal colleges, Hunger-Free Campus, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct

Transcript Highlights:

• It was not requested by the trial lawyers. It was not written by the trial lawyers.
• As amended, it has been requested that a roll call. On this bill be done.
• We're now appropriating the budget through grow.
• Introduction of legislation. Hearing no objection. We're on that order of business.
• Introduction of legislation. The reader to read.

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislative education staff for helping on all of this.
• None of these are supposed to be part of the annual appropriations process.
• Yes, I don't know all of the appropriated mandatory programs.
• Annual appropriations bills they don't do. Consolidating general appropriations act like we do.
• This is an appropriate one-time or not.

Transcript Highlights:

• going to start as a subcommittee here to allow Assemblymember Dixon to present, and then, at the appropriate
• Respectfully request an I vote. Okay, thank you so much.
• Well, if you do take further amendments, please add me to your legislation.
• Many of the 1.8 million calls to 2-1-1 every year are not just requests for information.
• I'll allow you to close at your appropriate time. Awesome. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several emergency-management-related bills. AB 1749 would prohibit drones from knowingly or recklessly interfering with wildfire suppression or other emergency response airspace and authorize civil enforcement with penalties up to $75,000 per violation. AB 1540 would restore the 988 “press 3” option for LGBTQ+ suicide prevention, with the author and supporters describing it as a needed crisis lifeline; opponents argued the bill was unnecessary and criticized the Trevor Project. AB 1805 would overhaul oversight of the state’s troubled next-generation 911 project by strengthening the advisory board, requiring quarterly reports, and mandating an independent technical evaluation and audit. AB 1832 would create a statewide 2-1-1 support fund and a community needs dashboard to expand and stabilize 2-1-1 services. AB 2543 would require EV charging operators to develop emergency management plans and identify backup power or charging options during disasters, with opponents arguing it singled out one industry and could slow deployment. Testimony was largely in support of AB 1540, AB 1805, and AB 1832, with many public agencies, behavioral health groups, fire organizations, and local governments backing the measures. AB 1540 drew emotional testimony from a parent who lost a child to suicide, while AB 1805 received support from police chiefs, dispatchers, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which discussed the need for an independent technical review of regional versus statewide 911 system options. AB 1832 supporters emphasized that 2-1-1 helps divert non-emergency calls from 911 and provides critical disaster information and referrals. AB 2543 drew opposition from EV charging companies and industry groups, who said the bill imposed unique obligations on private operators and did not address all fuel types. After debate, the committee voted to advance all of the measures. AB 1540 was sent to Senate Health, AB 1749 to Senate Judiciary, AB 1805 to Senate Privacy, Digital Technology, and Consumer Protection, AB 1832 to Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications, and AB 2543 to Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications with amendments to be taken in the next committee. The consent item, AB 1836, was also approved. Final recorded votes were overwhelmingly in favor, with AB 2543 receiving the most opposition but still passing the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:18.000><c> with</c><00:04:18.239><c> broad</c> piece of legislation with broad piece of legislation
• </c> proprietary and to have appropriate proprietary and to have appropriate employee<00:09:07.040><c
• It wasn't even requested.
• So, I I I have to wasn't even requested.
• Representative Frasier, which legislators? Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, request roll call. Thank you, Mr. President, request roll call.
• Request a roll call. President. Request a roll call.
• </c> legislative session. legislative session.
• </c> we request a roll call. we request a roll call.
• I request a roll call.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the last legislative session, the General Appropriations Act gave the ethics Commission the authority
• Only one of the requesters has waived confidentiality.
• The advisory opinion requested was discussed at the last meeting, as you recall.
• This last advisory opinion request was also discussed at the September meeting.
• Next advisory opinion request, um.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is not the full language that we requested, but it might help get us to that.
• Maybe the legislation you can just reference.
• Maybe the legislation you can just reference.
• Are they developmentally appropriate?
• Are we giving judges appropriate guidance on when to use certain conditions?

Summary: The Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice held an informational hearing focused on the 2025 Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board annual report, with testimony from Child Advocate Marisol Garcia and Melissa Threadgill of the Office of the Child Advocate. The presenters described the office’s role in analyzing juvenile justice data and highlighted several trends: overall juvenile court volume has stabilized, but a growing share of youth are entering by arrest rather than summons; racial and ethnic disparities remain stark at the front door of the system; and more than two-thirds of cases are dismissed before disposition, raising questions about unnecessary court involvement. They also noted increased use of pretrial conditions of release, including more intensive monitoring, and a rise in weapons-related charges, especially firearm possession cases, while emphasizing the need for stronger community-based prevention and support services. Committee members asked about whether the weapons trend is unique to Massachusetts, the role of public safety in pretrial decisions, the impact of mental health and substance use needs, and whether current conditions of release amount to an unfunded mandate for families. Garcia and Threadgill said many pretrial conditions are tied more to court appearance and compliance than dangerousness, and that families often struggle to meet conditions without adequate services, transportation, or coordination. They also discussed barriers to data access, including confidentiality rules that prevent the office from obtaining raw court data needed for recidivism analysis, though they said county briefs and additional disparity reports will be released soon. The hearing ended with committee leaders expressing interest in continued collaboration and the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> coordination with other legislative coordination with other legislative changes<00:08:02.960><c>
• </c> through one-time non-base appropriations through one-time non-base appropriations from<00:46:58.319
• We will have some appropriate celebration at a more appropriate place and venue.
• We will have some appropriate celebration at a more appropriate place and venue.
• We will have some appropriate celebration at a more appropriate place and venue.

Bills: HF4693

Keywords: transportation, license plates, validation stickers, replacement fees, government fees, 1183, house