Transcript Highlights:

• And I know y'all have a lot of different things, and fisheries is a small part of what you do.
• And as data is small and spatially biased... ...a data set of what we can actually achieve from this.
• While I represent the federation, I'm also here today as a Louisiana charter captain, small business
• small bodies of water, and we just brought this bill to include larger bodies of water, which are two
• So meaning not on a lot of these small lakes that you see small charter operations where you might be

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources Committee met on May 21 with a quorum, approved the May 14 minutes, and then took up a series of natural resources, wildlife, flood control, and transportation-related measures. HB 841 on expropriation procedures was amended to strip most of its substantive language and then deferred. The committee also adopted a technical amendment and reported SCR 54 favorably, which memorializes Congress to fully fund the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act to help address invasive carp and other aquatic invasive species. Several wildlife bills were heard and reported favorably. HB 1248 allows licensed wildlife rehabilitators to possess white-tailed deer for rehabilitation, and HB 1258 codifies a policy for sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife so the department does not automatically euthanize animals that can be rehabilitated or released. HCR 5, which allows limited red drum harvest at certain established rodeos under strict guardrails, drew opposition from a fishing guide concerned about impacts to redfish recovery, but the committee still reported it favorably. HB 688 adds Atlantic tarpon to the definition of saltwater game fish, with support from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and others, and it was also reported favorably. The committee also advanced several infrastructure and flood-related measures. HB 595 requires local governments to respond within 30 days to certain road-use permit requests tied to natural resource development, and it was reported favorably after testimony from oil and gas and industry representatives. HB 802 creates a watershed restoration and conservation fund, narrowed to the Amite River Basin, and was reported favorably with support from conservation and levee interests. SCR 59, urging Congress to ensure FEMA lowers flood insurance rates once the Comite Diversion Canal project reaches 50% completion, was amended and reported favorably, and HCR 62, asking FEMA to review Louisiana flood maps every five years, was also reported favorably. The committee deferred HB 1171, which would have authorized airboats in the Maripaw Swamp Wildlife Management Area, after extensive testimony from supporters and from LDWF officials who raised concerns about habitat sensitivity, migratory birds, user conflicts, and deed restrictions. Finally, HB 1161, transferring certain state property in Lafourche and Jefferson parishes to local governments, HCR 78 supporting the American Seafood Competitive Act, HCR 86 supporting a migratory waterfowl study, and HB 1189 requiring charter boat guides on certain waters to hold U.S. Coast Guard licenses were all reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said he drove to Kansas City on Saturday, watched part of the Super Bowl, drove back at halftime,
• </c><00:04:37.039><c> business</c> life I farm uh I'm a small business life I farm uh I'm a small business
• One of the newer programs—not newer, but we've expanded the program—is NBIN, which is the National Integrated
• There is a parcel of land owned by the city that they would be interested in buying.
• </c><00:29:03.600><c> so</c> it becomes a cost neutral program so it becomes a cost neutral program so

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> city council. city council.
• While the adjustment will likely be too small of an increase to benefit medium or larger cities and towns
• </c> those for the city or the city council those for the city or the city council or<01:53:00.320><c
• </c> never got to the city council. never got to the city council.
• </c> tax credit program and the EFA program. tax credit program and the EFA program.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee convened for a day of public hearings on nine bills, with plans to later execute several early bills and possibly additional measures under House Rule 44. Chair Diane Pauer outlined time limits for sponsors and testimony, announced a lunch break around noon, and noted substitute members would be arriving later. The first hearing was on House Bill 1107, which would allow municipal budget committees to have one to three alternate members. Representative Valon, the prime sponsor, said the bill was intended to help towns like Epping deal with quorum problems during the compressed budget season and noted that alternates are common on other local boards. The New Hampshire Municipal Association testified in support, saying the bill would increase flexibility and help fill seats. Committee members raised concerns about whether alternates should be elected, how they would be selected, whether they would be sufficiently informed to vote, and whether the bill’s one-year term language and rescission provisions were clear. The sponsor and NHMA said the process would be consistent with other local boards, that alternates would typically be appointed after elections, and that they would follow up on possible statutory clarification. The hearing closed with six remote supporters, one paper supporter, and no opposition reported. The committee then heard House Bill 1118, sponsored by Representative Colby, which would raise the daily amount municipal employees may hold before remitting funds to the treasurer from the current $1,500 limit to $3,500. Colby said the existing thresholds are outdated, have not been updated in about 20 years, and create burdens for smaller towns that must make frequent bank deposits, sometimes far from town offices. She said the bill would improve efficiency and allow staff to focus more on serving residents, while still allowing municipalities to keep lower limits if they choose. Members asked about how the remittance process works in practice, what amounts municipalities typically collect, and whether the change reflected a broader trend of updating cash-handling thresholds. The sponsor explained that the bill only changes the dollar thresholds in the relevant statutes and does not require municipalities to adopt the higher limit. The transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 1118 is reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• He also produced a television program that was broadcast on MTV2.
• He also produced a television program that was broadcast on MTV2.
• The program targeted not criminals.
• So effectively, this bill is targeting one of the cities I represent, Phoenix.
• This legislature has done its best over the years to really harm cities and take away revenue from cities

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:55:47.599><c> to</c> programs under the NHP program to programs under the NHP program to sustain
• That may seem like a small amount, but it represents one-third of the budget for that program.
• program.
• ><c> will</c> program, our groundbreaking program will program, our groundbreaking program will cease
• The knowledge studies program, a culturally based STEM program that provides educational programming

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing on Act 310 grants and aid focused on organizations describing how federal funding cuts, Medicaid/SNAP changes, and related policy shifts are affecting their services and budgets. Committee members explained there would be no Q&A, testimony would be limited to one minute, and in-person participants would be heard before Zoom callers. Members repeatedly asked testifiers to identify the amount of federal funding lost or at risk. Testimony came from a wide range of nonprofits and community providers, including Aloha Care, Hawaii Bicycling League, Hawaii Literacy, Hawaii Youth Symphony, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, the Tsunami Museum, The Kohala Center, West Hawaii Community Health Center, West Hawaii Region Hospital Foundation, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii, Dynamic Community Solutions, Feeding Hawaii Together, Girl Scouts of Hawaii, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Homana, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Kids Hurt Too Hawaii, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Most described reduced or threatened federal support and requested state funding to maintain services such as health care access, food security, disaster preparedness, literacy and digital inclusion, youth mentoring, arts education, housing, and climate or agricultural resilience. Several speakers emphasized direct impacts on vulnerable populations, including kūpuna, low-income families, immigrants, homeless youth, and people with disabilities. Requests ranged from relatively small planning or program grants to multi-million-dollar stabilization asks, with some organizations citing specific losses such as reduced Medicaid or USDA funding, canceled EPA or FEMA support, or expiring federal grants. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This program is one of the most effective federal programs we have.
• The No Boss Act makes small tweaks to the self-employment assistance, or SEA, program to support unemployed
• The No Boss Act is small, pro-small business, and pro-self-starter.
• The No Boss Act makes small tweaks to the self-employment assistance, or SEA, program to support unemployed
• is pro small business and pro- is small is pro small business and pro- self-starter. self-starter. self-starter

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 27, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cities like Spokane have already adopted similar measures locally.
• I've been to Europe and seen some of these small elevators.
• You know, without the small elevators, you do have the stairs there.
• This bill is really about some clarification of definitions to the underlying foreclosure program, and
• The foreclosure prevention program would still be able to charge the notices of default, and a little

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's a small tweak.
• It's a great program to bring in money.
• Programs like the Washington Saves Program is a potential answer. But this amendment, Mr.
• We have a small one in the city of Washoe.
• And let me tell you how the program, there's been about 150 folks running through that program.

Summary: The House debated a series of amendments to a major income tax bill, with repeated arguments over tax fairness, affordability, administrative feasibility, and the role of the Department of Revenue. Early motions to reconsider a failed child care amendment were rejected, and Amendment 2561, which would have restricted data sharing with the IRS, was also defeated after debate over privacy, federal relationships, and whether the proposal was administrable. Amendment 2579, which would have required annual reporting on the tax’s effects on filers, businesses, and charitable donations, likewise failed, with supporters emphasizing transparency and opponents arguing DOR was not the right agency and the report was too speculative. Amendment 2598, proposing to use half of new revenue for a broad sales tax cut, was rejected despite arguments that it would reduce regressivity and provide immediate relief; Amendment 2556, expanding sales tax exemptions for diapers and other child-care essentials to include adult diapers and earlier implementation, also failed after debate over scope and timing.

Transcript Highlights:

• In a small Florida town, there was an old bridge everyone depended on.
• In a small Florida town, there was an old bridge everyone depended on.
• And I think in cities large and small across Florida, we see a proliferation of e-transportation.
• We see them in the small city that I live in. We see them everywhere.
• Against Children Grant Program to better align with ICAC.

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met with a quorum present and took up a full agenda of bills, beginning with agency and records measures from Senator Massullo. SB 488, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles agency package, would update reporting thresholds for crashes, expand DHSMV’s use of email for certain transactions, and align tank vehicle definitions with federal rules; it was reported favorably. Its companion, SB 490, creates a public records exemption for certain email records and also passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 892, revising enhanced sentencing procedures for repeat offenders, and SB 124, which cleans up outdated Florida Virtual School language without changing day-to-day operations. Later, SB 584 on commercial driving schools, SB 656 codifying the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and related grant program, and SB 816 establishing the University of Florida Diabetes Institute in statute all passed favorably as well. The most extensive debate centered on SB 216, which would tighten reemployment assistance eligibility by adding job-search requirements, interview attendance rules, identity and immigration verification every two weeks, and fraud-reporting duties for the Department of Commerce. Senator McLean argued the bill targets fraud and improves program integrity, while opponents and several members raised concerns about fiscal impact, administrative burden, and reduced access for unemployed workers, especially seniors and rural residents. Dr. Rich Templin of the Florida AFL-CIO testified against the bill, warning it could sharply reduce recipiency and worsen an already restrictive system. Despite opposition, the bill was reported favorably on a divided roll call. The committee also approved CS/SB 382 on electric bicycles, which requires riders to yield to pedestrians on shared pathways, sound an audible signal before passing, and limits speed near pedestrians; it also creates a task force to study further regulation. Michelle Lynch, whose son was killed in an e-scooter crash, testified in support of broader safety rules and urged the committee to add e-scooters back into the bill. Several members echoed concerns about e-scooter safety and asked for further work, but the bill advanced favorably. At the end of the meeting, members requested to be recorded on specific tabs, and the committee adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Colleagues, House Bill 1035 is the Department of Health's back-of-sensation program. Any questions?
• stroke programs.
• He said roughly half of the jobs in the state are generated by small businesses.
• He added that he has seen how this operates, and even small businesses benefit.
• What about the small business? What about the person back home?"

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, granted several leaves, and received gubernatorial approval notices for multiple fiscal-session measures. The chamber then referred House Bill 1034 back to the Joint Budget Committee so pay raises could be stripped out and cybersecurity/bank-fee funding handled later. House Bill 1103, increasing the homestead property tax credit by $75, passed 94-0. Members then considered several budget amendments and appropriations. Amendments to House Bills 1007, 1022, 1036, and 1064 were adopted, and Senate Bill 76, a $2 million appropriation for county extension office capital improvements, passed 87-7. A batch of appropriation bills passed, but several individual bills failed, including House Bills 1023, 1035, 1053, and 1066. House Bills 1089 and 1090, supplemental appropriations for pregnancy crisis centers and waste tire cleanup, both passed. House Bill 1093, a corrections reappropriation bill that excluded use of funds in Franklin County, also passed 94-0. The most extensive debate centered on House Bill 1100 Amendment 1, which set out the RSA and one-time funding package. Supporters described major allocations for corrections, state police, LEARNS Freedom Accounts, Medicaid, vehicle purchases, and a proposed $300 million economic-development site-preparation and road package tied to a confidential project. Opponents criticized the secrecy, size, and policy approach of the incentive, while supporters argued it could bring jobs and broader economic benefits. The amendment passed 54-36-3. The House also passed Senate Bills 8, 16, 30, 63, 67, and 73, while Senate Bills 41 and 59 failed, and Senate Bill 10 passed after being briefly set aside for clarification. The chamber adjourned to 1 p.m. the next day, with committee meetings announced for budget and house management.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> buyer downpayers assistance program buyer downpayers assistance program through through through
• Section 8 codifies the program in Chapter 462A as an ongoing program to be administered by a community
• ><c> to</c> in chapter 462A as an ongoing program to in chapter 462A as an ongoing program to be<00:18
• And though it's a small must make.
• </c> says we need to continue this program. says we need to continue this program.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m going to build a tent city, or what? I mean, what are we going to do? I’d like to know.
• I'm going to build a tent city or what, I mean, what are we going to do?
• their programs at the county levels.
• such as addiction treatment, job training, or mental health programs.
• Rough Rider Industries provides a job skills training program that has demonstrated positive.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Representative Hoverson offered remarks recognizing World Autism Day, and the House then handled conference committee motions on several bills, including House Bills 1460 and 1248 and Senate Bills 2262, 2070, 2294, and 2297, with the Speaker appointing members to each conference committee. The chamber also set aside Senate Bill 2200 for re-referral to Appropriations and moved to amendments on Senate Bill 2128, which was the main subject of the day. Senate Bill 2128, a major criminal justice and corrections bill, drew extensive debate over truth-in-sentencing, mandatory minimums, parole, transitional facilities, work release, electronic monitoring, and the fiscal impact of longer incarceration. Division A of the amendments removed mandatory minimums for resisting arrest and felony simple assault while keeping consecutive-sentence language; supporters said this preserved judicial discretion and reduced costs, while opponents argued it weakened public safety. Division A was adopted 70-23. Division B proposed broader changes to preserve transitional programming, add penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring and escape, limit some work-release restrictions, create a parole board study, and fund electronic monitoring with a $600,000 appropriation. Supporters framed it as a compromise that balanced rehabilitation and public safety; opponents said it undercut the bill’s intent and left dangerous offenders with too much access to transitional release. Division B failed on a 46-46 tie. The House then took up the bill itself, with the Judiciary Committee reporting a do-not-pass recommendation as amended, and debate continued over whether the amended bill should advance, with members split between concerns about victims and public safety versus rehabilitation, prison capacity, and recidivism.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not a fully funded program.
• This is not the time to disenfranchise or divest from the HIDTA program.
• To keep the HIDTA programs running. About sanctuary city policies.
• We've seen a decline in the D.A.R.E. programs for that reason.
• The return on investment is large, and the risk is small.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Counties work with their cities to determine whether some of the funds flows to cities or whether the
• Counties work with their cities to determine whether some of the funds flows to cities or whether the
• Senators, Kathy Sorenson, city clerk for the City of Blaine.
• for the city of Loretto.
• for the city of Loretto.

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> residential small industrial shopping residential small industrial shopping centers<00:47:55.599><
• </c> balance between investments in the city balance between investments in the city in<00:48:14.400>
• </c> southeast corner of the state, small southeast corner of the state, small co-op<02:06:21.599><c>
• </c> resource program self-supp. resource program self-supp.
• </c> to a small and manageable load size. to a small and manageable load size.

Committee: Joint Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or a hemp program.
• or a hemp program.
• And none of the bills presented. ...like we would do with a medical marijuana program or a hemp program
• I alluded to that describes our 11 child care programs and the history of funding those programs.
• He was a city police officer for Medina City. And he participated in that book.

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from prior meetings and then filled a vacancy on Legislative Management by appointing Senator Braunberger after a caucus recommendation. Members then took up an unusual appeal from the North Dakota Gaming Commission after the Administrative Rules Committee voided a rule that would have raised the poker tournament entry fee from $300 to $1,500. Legislative Council explained the administrative rules process and the grounds for voiding a rule, while Gaming Commission representatives argued the commission had statutory authority and that the issue should be left to the full Legislature. Several members raised concerns about legislative intent, precedent, and whether the matter should wait for the regular session. On a motion to disapprove the Administrative Rules Committee’s finding and restore the rule, the committee voted no, so the voiding of the rule remained in place. The committee then reviewed the fiscal impact statement for Constitutional Measure No. 1 on congressional age limits. Staff reported no current fiscal impact because no litigation had been filed, though members noted the possibility of future legal challenges if the measure were enforced. After that, the committee began hearing proposed bills for the upcoming special session, starting with several kratom-related measures. Representative Wolff withdrew her bill, saying it was redundant, while Representative Heinert presented a bill to legalize and regulate natural kratom for adults 21 and over under the Attorney General, with licensing, labeling, penalties, and a public health campaign. Senator Axtman presented a companion bill targeting synthetic kratom derivatives, placing them on the controlled substances list with penalties similar to marijuana. Legislative Council later outlined Representative Johnston’s separate kratom bill, which would regulate kratom under the Department of Agriculture with product registration, licensing, and enforcement provisions. The committee also heard Senator Hogue’s bill to address funding for the State Historical Society’s military museum project. He argued the state was in breach of contract and that delaying action would increase costs, so his bill would authorize a $35 million line of credit to keep construction moving while fundraising continued. Members questioned the relationship between the proposed line of credit, existing SIF funding, and the private fundraising requirement, but no vote was taken before the meeting moved on. Finally, Representative Sue Ann Olson began presenting a bill requiring the Class D driver’s license test to be administered in English, arguing it was a safety measure because road signs are in English and law enforcement encounters can be complicated by language barriers. The transcript cuts off before her testimony concluded or any action was taken on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• He has worked tirelessly on this program, which started over, what, two years ago, Mike?
• Hess is the city attorney for Roswell, and he is making sure that everything is set up where it's going
• And offers free programs and services that are self-funded and reach every county in the state.
• In fact, 88 cents of every dollar goes to workforce development programs.
• It deeply impacts those workforce programs, and so I'm happy for the work.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so they're more susceptible to issues around small loans for companies, To issues around small loans
• Here's some of the cities. Let's talk a little bit.
• And so having space to grow, credit to the city of Alameda to help them.
• It means providing an entire ecosystem to set these programs up for success.
• And the last is evidence-backed program optimization, where our teams can provide...

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology and Medical Technology held a hearing on California’s medical technology landscape, with opening remarks emphasizing the sector’s size, economic impact, and role in jobs and innovation. The first panel contrasted MedTech with biopharma, describing MedTech as hardware- and manufacturing-oriented, more incremental in development, and more dependent on supply chains, land use, and mid-skilled workforce pipelines. Witnesses argued California is the epicenter for MedTech because of its mix of engineering, software, hospitals, and manufacturing ecosystems, and cited clusters in places like Irvine, Fremont, Carlsbad, and the Bay Area. They also highlighted examples such as Penumbra and Vyaire Medical Systems to show how local manufacturing, community college training, and reshoring can support growth. The panel discussed cybersecurity, trade relations, supply chain disruptions, and the need for better coordination with hospitals and regulators, while AdvaMed stressed that medical devices are already heavily regulated by the FDA and should generally be exempt from broader state laws that could create a patchwork of requirements. Members also discussed AI in MedTech, workforce training, and the possible effects of federal NIH funding cuts, with witnesses saying MedTech is less dependent on NIH than biopharma but still benefits from a strong innovation ecosystem. Committee members then asked about AI, affordability, patient satisfaction, women’s health, and the R&D tax credit. Witnesses said AI is helping reduce errors, redundant testing, and imaging time, while keeping clinicians in the loop, and that digital pathology and robotic surgery are improving diagnosis and treatment. They also noted that packaging, plastics, and recycling can affect FDA approvals, and that FemTech is an active and growing area for investment and acquisition. Several members raised concerns about California’s regulatory and incentive environment, including the loss of the R&D tax credit, and witnesses said the absence of tax incentives has made it harder to keep companies and jobs in the state. The second panel featured company representatives from Lyca Biosystems, Intuitive, Saravia Neurosciences, and Newman. Dr. Monroe described digital pathology as a way to digitize tissue slides, improve access to subspecialty review, and enable AI-assisted diagnosis, especially for cancer care and rural areas. Intuitive highlighted robotic-assisted surgery, including the da Vinci system and the Ion bronchoscopy platform, and said its technologies improve precision, reduce complications, and support clinician-led care. Saravia Neurosciences presented an early-stage neurotechnology for dementia that uses MRI-guided transcranial magnetic stimulation and AI-driven personalization, and argued California needs a state translational fund to bridge the gap between discovery and commercialization. Newman, a startup working on home diagnostics, said California’s permitting, zoning, and manufacturing rules make it difficult to scale advanced manufacturing locally and urged streamlining, reduced red tape, and incentives to keep manufacturing jobs in-state. Committee members again focused on tax credits and asked how the state could better support manufacturing, translational funding, and the retention of high-paying MedTech jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a proven program that has stood the test of time.
• The CalVet Home Loan Program exemplifies fiscal responsibility.
• If that happens, we lose this program.
• And there's a small group of us that never came home.
• There's a small group of us that never came home.

Committee: House Military and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• associated with that program.
• The line item fusion centers fall under is a $4 billion grant program.
• And so what ticks me off is we have a lot of programs.
• And so what ticks me off is we have a lot of programs.
• Are you going to have a city council whose decision you don't like?

Committee: Senate Joint Legislative Audit

Keywords: 987, senate, all