Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so when the law says shall prohibit all personal electronic devices, laptops and tablets are personal
• electronic devices.
• </c> shall prohibit all personal electronic shall prohibit all personal electronic devices.<04:16:56.560
• Laptops and tablets are personal<04:16:59.279><c> electronic</c><04:16:59.760><c> devices.
• </c><04:17:01.600><c> So</c> personal electronic devices. Period. So personal electronic devices.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Summary: The committee held a hearing on House Bill 1571, which would direct the Department of Education to review and revise statewide academic standards and curriculum and make an appropriation. Representative Kristen Noble, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to update outdated standards, especially in math, and to have the department create a list of high-quality curriculum and materials aligned to the revised standards. She noted she would likely amend the bill to change a requirement that districts “shall” select from the list to “may,” and said a misplaced crossed-out section would need to be restored and moved by amendment. She also said assessments would need to be updated to match any new standards. Testimony from Marie Banfield strongly supported the bill and the move away from a mandate, arguing that current standards are outdated and that Common Core and related standards have not improved student outcomes. She criticized the math standards for emphasizing multiple strategies and written explanations over computation, and said stronger standards would better support students, including those with learning or communication challenges. She also argued that New Hampshire should follow examples such as Massachusetts, which she said used rigorous standards successfully. Nate Green of the Department of Education did not take a position on the bill but explained that the bill would affect statewide academic standards, state assessments, and potentially federal compliance. He distinguished academic standards from minimum standards in statute, said any standards revision would require work with content experts, State Board approval, and then a corresponding assessment update that could take about two years. He estimated assessment development costs could range from about $200,000 to $500,000 for minor revisions and $1 million to $2 million for a wholesale new set of standards. He also said the bill would apply to public and charter public schools, not private or homeschool students, and that the department does not currently provide a statewide list of curriculum materials because curriculum decisions have historically been local.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 709 by Eckhardt, relating to the established establishment and use of a written electronic
• communication system accessible to the public by certain municipal entities to business and commerce
• Senate Bill 726 by Hughes relating to requiring operators of smart devices to provide information to
• Senate Bill 797 by Eckhart relating to the unlawful installation or use of a tracking device to criminal
• customer data by a provider of an electronic communication service to criminal justice. by miles relating

Bills: SJR1 , SJR2 , SJR5 , SJR33 , SJR34 , SJR35 , SJR37 , SJR38 , SJR39 , SCR12 , SB4 , SB40 , SB701 , SB702 , SB703 , SB704 , SB705 , SB706 , SB707 , SB708 , SB709 , SB710 , SB711 , SB712 , SB713 , SB714 , SB715 , SB716 , SB717 , SB718 , SB719 , SB720 , SB721 , SB722 , SB723 , SB724 , SB725 , SB726 , SB727 , SB728 , SB729 , SB730 , SB731 , SB732 , SB733 , SB734 , SB735 , SB736 , SB737 , SB738 , SB739 , SB740 , SB741 , SB742 , SB743 , SB744 , SB745 , SB746 , SB747 , SB748 , SB749 , SB750 , SB751 , SB752 , SB753 , SB754 , SB755 , SB756 , SB757 , SB758 , SB759 , SB760 , SB761 , SB762 , SB763 , SB764 , SB765 , SB766 , SB767 , SB768 , SB769 , SB770 , SB771 , SB772 , SB773 , SB774 , SB775 , SB776 , SB777 , SB778 , SB779 , SB780 , SB781 , SB782 , SB783 , SB784 , SB785 , SB786 , SB787 , SB788 , SB789 , SB790 , SB791 , SB792 , SB793 , SB794 , SB795 , SB796 , SB797 , SB798 , SB799 , SB800 , SB801 , SB802 , SB803 , SB804 , SB805 , SB806 , SB807 , SB808 , SB809 , SB810 , SB811 , SB812 , SB813 , SB814 , SB815 , SB816 , SB817 , SB818 , SB819 , SB820 , SB821 , SB822 , SB823 , SB824 , SB825 , SJR1 , SJR2 , SJR5 , SJR33 , SJR34 , SJR35 , SJR37 , SJR38 , SJR39 , SCR12 , SB4 , SB40 , SB701 , SB702 , SB703 , SB704 , SB705 , SB706 , SB707 , SB708 , SB709 , SB710 , SB711 , SB712 , SB713 , SB714 , SB715 , SB716 , SB717 , SB718 , SB719 , SB720 , SB721 , SB722 , SB723 , SB724 , SB725 , SB726 , SB727 , SB728 , SB729 , SB730 , SB731 , SB732 , SB733 , SB734 , SB735 , SB736 , SB737 , SB738 , SB739 , SB740 , SB741 , SB742 , SB743 , SB744 , SB745 , SB746 , SB747 , SB748 , SB749 , SB750 , SB751 , SB752 , SB753 , SB754 , SB755 , SB756 , SB757 , SB758 , SB759 , SB760 , SB761 , SB762 , SB763 , SB764 , SB765 , SB766 , SB767 , SB768 , SB769 , SB770 , SB771 , SB772 , SB773 , SB774 , SB775 , SB776 , SB777 , SB778 , SB779 , SB780 , SB781 , SB782 , SB783 , SB784 , SB785 , SB786 , SB787 , SB788 , SB789 , SB790 , SB791 , SB792 , SB793 , SB794 , SB795 , SB796 , SB797 , SB798 , SB799 , SB800 , SB801 , SB802 , SB803 , SB804 , SB805 , SB806 , SB807 , SB808 , SB809 , SB810 , SB811 , SB812 , SB813 , SB814 , SB815 , SB816 , SB817 , SB818 , SB819 , SB820 , SB821 , SB822 , SB823 , SB824 , SB825

Transcript Highlights:

• receipt of bids through an electronic bidding platform.
• It's funding those devices and funding that training.
• State-of-the-art devices may range anywhere from $5,000 to $12,000 per device.
• But most of these devices have product-specific training programs.
• I think that our community and our loved ones...

Bills: HB506 , HB590 , HB647 , HB685 , HB692 , HB839 , HB860 , HB873 , HB887 , HB965 , HB972 , HB982 , HB1072 , HB1157

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1157, which would create a Louisiana State Infrastructure Bank to provide a new funding mechanism for transportation projects, including roads, bridges, rail, ports, and airports. The chairman and DOTD Secretary Glenn LaDoux said the bank would help leverage state, federal, local, and private dollars, modelled in part on programs in Florida and other states, and would be used for gap funding and faster project delivery. Members asked extensive questions about board makeup, oversight, seed funding, application priorities, and how the program would differ from capital outlay and other existing funding tools. Support testimony came from Greater New Orleans, Inc. and other groups, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then approved several mostly technical or local bills, including HB 860 allowing fillable electronic public bid forms; HB 972 naming a portion of Highway 93 in Lafayette Parish the Desert Shield Desert Storm Memorial Highway; HB 965 naming a portion of Highway 163 for Sergeant William Billy Earl Collins Jr.; HB 692 allowing local governments to use group purchasing organizations, as amended; HB 685 allowing cooperative procurement for public motor vehicles and rolling stock under FAST Act procedures, which passed after a roll call vote with one no vote; HB 982 designating portions of highways in Morehouse Parish, as amended; HB 506 creating specialty license plates, as amended; HB 839 lowering the CMAR threshold for hospital service districts from $2 million to $1 million via substitute bill; HB 647 revising the waterway assistance program and application timelines via substitute bill; and HB 887 revising construction management-at-risk procedures, as amended. Most of these measures were reported favorably or favorably as amended, with little or no opposition. The committee also received an update on the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction from Representative Chesson, who said the office will assume control of about 4,000 miles of roadway and 2,000 bridges and has been moving projects quickly using internal procurement procedures. HB 1072, which reforms the office’s powers and emergency authority, was amended to narrow emergency provisions and clarify funding and reporting language, then reported favorably as amended. The final major item was HB 873, which would fund pursuit-intervention technology and training for law enforcement through a $2 fee on driver’s licenses; the bill was presented alongside emotional testimony from the widow and daughter of Sergeant Grant Candies and from a St. John the Baptist Parish captain, who argued the fee would help agencies buy safer equipment and obtain grant support. The transcript ends during questioning on HB 873, before any final committee action on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• What you just covered on the electronic pull tabs...
• gaming systems or devices, at a gaming site.
• But yet they serve the community. They're spending that money in that community.
• We did not receive any community applications in 2025.
• They generally know the attorneys in their communities.

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to begin its study of charitable gaming and the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations, a study directed by Senate Bill 2334. Legislative Council gave an overview of the constitutional and statutory framework for charitable gaming, site authorizations, rent limits, proceeds, and recent legislative changes. The Attorney General’s Gaming Division then clarified the financial flow of gaming, explaining that in fiscal year 2025 North Dakota had about $2.5 billion in gross gaming proceeds, with roughly 88-90% paid back in prizes and about $256 million available to organizations after taxes; most of that activity came from electronic pull tabs. Members asked for more detail on winnings, replays, rent, and the breakdown of manufacturer/distributor revenues, and the AG’s office agreed to provide supplemental information. The committee also heard from the League of Cities and the Association of Counties about local site authorization. Cities said they have a limited role in approving gaming sites, can adopt policies after public hearing, may charge up to $100, and can set certain conditions, including local nexus requirements, but cannot require donations or force a specific charity or site. The League said it had worked with stakeholders on a model policy to provide more consistency, though members raised concerns that local requirements could become too restrictive for charities serving broader areas. Counties said the issue is mostly a city matter, with little county involvement beyond minimal site fees and general site approval. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance testified in support of the study and provided IRS-related material suggesting charities may use asset diversification, while emphasizing it had not taken a position on whether charities should own bars. Members questioned whether bar ownership is being used for site stability or to channel charitable gaming dollars, and whether city policies might disadvantage charities with broader missions. The committee also discussed the relationship between gaming organizations, manufacturers, and distributors, including restrictions on incentives and interference, and asked for more information on those entities and their ownership. Later in the meeting, the Racing Commission gave its regular update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, ADW providers, purse and promotion funds, a new TRPB contract, and concerns about cease-and-desist actions from other states. Finally, the State Hospital superintendent briefly reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, including the SORT team, training, and security assistance for the hospital campus.

Transcript Highlights:

• He also asked the committee to look at the definition of “electronic device,” because the bill appears
• He added that there are also electronic devices with software capabilities used in science projects that
• So with all that said, the last point was other electronic product or device in the definition of electronic
• device.
• lab, that is not the same thing as an electronic device.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 1067, which would require annual early math screening for K-2 students beginning in 2028-29 to identify learning gaps and connect students to evidence-based support. Senator Weber and supporters, including EdVoice and UC Davis researcher Dr. Charles Wilkes, argued that California’s low math performance and persistent achievement gaps justify early identification and intervention. Opponents, including the California Mathematics Council, county superintendents, and CTA, said the bill could create a new mandate, encourage narrow skill-based instruction, and divert attention from implementing the California Mathematics Framework and investing in teacher training and coaching. Committee members discussed how the screener would work, whether it would identify disabilities or simply flag students needing further evaluation, and cited examples of districts already using early screening tools. No vote was taken because quorum had not yet been established at that point. SB 1110, a child care subsidy administration bill, was presented next. Senator Becker and co-sponsors from the Child Care Resource Center and EveryChild California said the measure would stabilize the child care system as the state moves to enrollment-based funding by clarifying funding for administrative and family-service functions and helping providers maintain staffing, payment timelines, and compliance. There was support from several child care and education organizations and no opposition testimony. The bill was not voted on because the committee still lacked quorum. After recess, the committee heard SB 1374, which would allow public higher education institutions to seek temporary restraining orders on their own behalf when they face credible threats of violence. The CSU Chancellor’s Office and San Diego State police described incidents where threats were directed at campuses broadly rather than specific individuals, leaving institutions without a legal remedy under current law. UC and independent colleges supported the bill, and there was no opposition. The bill was held on call pending quorum. The committee then took up SB 1321, which would direct the State Auditor to review remedial course use and student preparedness at selected UC and CSU campuses. Senator Nila and supporters argued that recent UC San Diego data show severe gaps in incoming students’ math preparation and that the audit would help assess admissions and placement practices; there was no opposition testimony. Members raised concerns about the scope and timing of the audit request, and the bill was held on call. The committee also heard SB 1086 on microschools, which would define microschools in statute and direct model ordinances for local land use regulation. Supporters said microschools are growing but face inconsistent zoning treatment, while some members questioned whether the Legislature had enough information to define the model or direct state guidance without more study. After quorum was established, the committee voted SB 1086 out on a 4-1 vote to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with Senator Perez voting aye, Senator Ochoa Bogh aye, and Senator Cabaldon no; the remaining votes were not fully recorded in the transcript. Finally, SB 1181 was presented as a voluntary pilot program in Central Valley counties to allow schools to share credible safety concerns with regional threat assessment centers. Senator Hurtado and supporters, including the mother of a student killed in a shooting and Corcoran High School students, said the bill would improve early intervention and communication around threats. Members expressed support while also raising privacy and federal-sharing concerns about fusion centers; the bill was discussed but no vote was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• For their community, for our community.
• Texas Orders Communication System by remote communication. To third reading.
• House Bill 2963 is about ensuring that all Texans have the freedom to fix their electronic devices, about
• This amendment prohibits electronic device manufacturers from using software to prevent device owners
• from installing replacement parts on their electronic devices that the manufacturer has not approved

Bills: HB4 , HB20 , HB40 , HB46 , HB 101 , HB 112 , HB 117 , HB 121 , HB 127 , HB146 , HB150 , HB186 , HB229 , HB426 , HB521 , HB541 , HB549 , HB632 , HB713 , HB796 , HB 1052 , HB 1106 , HB 1135 , HB 1234 , HB 1306 , HB1403 , HB1523 , HB1532 , HB1690 , HB1960 , HB2035 , HB2217 , HB2399 , HB2488 , HB2517 , HB2594 , HB2655 , HB2686 , HB2731 , HB2757 , HB2820 , HB2963 , HB3005 , HB3053 , HB3073 , HB3225 , HB3320 , HB3333 , HB3336 , HB3441 , HB3483 , HB3516 , HB3520 , HB3697 , HB3748 , HB3793 , HB3848 , HB4099 , HB4134 , HB4144 , HB4158 , HB4233 , HB4236 , HB4285 , HB4350 , HB4359 , HB4464 , HB4580 , HB4690 , HB4730 , HB4848 , HB4904 , HB4995 , HB5196 , HB5294 , HB5381 , HB5435 , HB5437 , HB5509 , HB5606 , HB5646 , HB5658 , HB5661 , HB5663 , HB5666 , HB5672 , HCR40 , HCR59 , SB867 , SB2919 , SJR5 , SJR27 , SB4 , SB6 , SB7 , SB9 , SB13 , SB15 , SB23 , SB27 , SB30 , SB40 , SB57 , SB66 , SB140 , SB268 , SB293 , SB331 , SB413 , SB447 , SB457 , SB467 , SB506 , SB510 , SB512 , SB571 , SB650 , SB763 , SB777 , SB785 , SB800 , SB850 , SB863 , SB865 , SB973 , SB974 , SB1191 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1494 , SB1522 , SB1540 , SB1567 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1610 , SB1660 , SB1723 , SB1760 , SB1838 , SB1923 , SB1946 , SB1957 , SB1964 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2121 , SB2167 , SB2217 , SB2221 , SB2321 , SB2337 , SB2368 , SB2373 , SB2407 , SB2431 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2615 , SB2753 , SB2807 , SB2900 , SB2965 , SB2972 , SB2986 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB3059 , SB3070 , SB1 , SB17 , SB21 , SB260 , SB379 , SB509 , SB1198 , SB1405 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SB1833 , SB2155 , SB2308 , SB2601 , SB2778 , HB300 , HB2011 , HB2525 , HB5246 , HB 100 , HB 101 , HB 119 , HB227 , HB252 , HB322 , HB346 , HB654 , HB705 , HB718 , HB721 , HB824 , HB 1094 , HB 1234 , HB 1306 , HB1506 , HB1523 , HB1629 , HB1690 , HB1868 , HB1960 , HB1973 , HB2012 , HB2035 , HB2037 , HB2078 , HB2128 , HB2213 , HB2240 , HB2348 , HB2520 , HB2598 , HB2686 , HB2694 , HB2820 , HB3005 , HB3057 , HB3092 , HB3112 , HB3171 , HB3181 , HB3185 , HB3333 , HB3388 , HB3516 , HB3546 , HB3619 , HB3623 , HB3629 , HB3642 , HB3686 , HB3697 , HB3749 , HB3793 , HB3812 , HB3815 , HB3848 , HB3909 , HB4081 , HB4145 , HB4157 , HB4158 , HB4170 , HB4202 , HB4211 , HB4214 , HB4233 , HB4285 , HB4350 , HB4361 , HB4463 , HB4464 , HB4466 , HB4559 , HB4630 , HB4748 , HB4765 , HB4848 , HB4894 , HB4904 , HB4995 , HB5093 , HB5196 , HB5320 , HB5437 , HB5624 , HB5650 , HB5651 , HB5652 , HB5654 , HB5655 , HB5656 , HB5658 , HB5661 , HB5662 , HB5664 , HB5665 , HB5666 , HB5670 , HB5672 , HB5674 , HB5677 , HB5679 , HB5682 , HB5689 , HB5690 , HB5694 , HB5695 , HB5698 , HB5699 , HCR46 , HCR76 , HCR81 , HCR83 , HCR84 , HCR111 , HB748 , HB5652 , HB3395 , HB180 , HB 1306 , HB5650 , HB4894 , HB1629 , HB5698 , HB3171 , HB2694 , HB5664 , HB4690 , HB4464 , HB3623 , HB2520 , HB2213 , HB252 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB3619 , HB5320 , HB5651 , HB5670 , HB5665 , HB5437 , HB5679 , HB5661 , HB5662 , HB5654 , HB5672 , HB5656 , HB2035 , HB721 , HB346 , HB5695 , HB5694 , HB5674 , HB3185 , HB2348 , HB 1135 , HB 101 , HB5666 , HB5677 , HB5682 , HB5658 , HB4144 , HB3642 , HB3815 , HB2686 , HB2012 , HB1960 , HB227 , HB654 , HB4158 , HB4630 , HB1523 , HB1973 , HB3333 , HB3697 , HB3546 , HB3225 , HB2820 , HB186 , HB 119 , HB4466 , HB4170 , HB3909 , HB4081 , HB4145 , HB4285 , HB4463 , HB4995 , HB5624 , HB1449 , HB2598 , HB3629 , HB4361 , HB824 , HB1868 , HB4848 , HB40 , HB 117 , HB3686 , HB3793 , HB 112 , HB 104 , HB718 , HB4904 , HB4202 , HB4765 , HB4559 , HB4350 , HB4214 , HB3388 , HB3112 , HB5196 , HB3516 , HB3092 , HB4233 , HB 1094 , HB2037 , HB3005 , HB3848 , HB 121 , HB3336 , HB5294 , HB5646 , HB4236 , HB 1052 , HB5509 , HB5435 , HB3520 , HB3320 , HB2517 , HB2488 , HB5663 , HB2731 , HB3073 , HB2655 , HB2399 , HB541 , HB4099 , HB 111 , HB1532 , HB3483 , HB2963 , HB4580 , HB3748 , HB713 , HB632 , HB426 , HB4730 , HB 127 , HB5690 , HB5689 , HB5655 , HB3385 , HB2757 , HB4359 , HB5381 , HB20 , HB 123 , HB549 , HB5606 , HB2217 , HB2594 , HB796 , HB 1057 , HB3664 , HCR141 , HCR40 , HCR59 , HCR76 , HCR81 , HCR46 , HCR111 , HCR83 , HCR84 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3045 , SB3071 , HB40 , HB 117 , HB 121 , HB426 , HB541 , HB713 , HB 1052 , HB1532 , HB2217 , HB2488 , HB2517 , HB2655 , HB2757 , HB2963 , HB3073 , HB3697 , HB4099 , HB4144 , HB4158 , HB4236 , HB4285 , HB4848 , HB5435 , HB5437 , HB5509 , HB5646 , HB5666 , HB14 , HB 1240 , HB796 , HB1523 , HB5294 , SR559 , SR587 , SR614 , SCR53 , SJR59 , SB10 , SB22 , SB25 , SB34 , SB36 , SB38 , SB261 , SB777 , SB924 , SB1188 , SB1318 , SB1333 , SB1398 , SB1448 , SB1621 , SB1862 , SB2405 , SB2406 , SB8 , SB12 , SB37 , SB441 , SB1566 , SB2878 , HB300 , HB2011 , HB5246 , HB 101 , HB 119 , HB227 , HB252 , HB346 , HB654 , HB718 , HB721 , HB824 , HB 1306 , HB1629 , HB1868 , HB1960 , HB1973 , HB2012 , HB2035 , HB2037 , HB2213 , HB2348 , HB2520 , HB2598 , HB2686 , HB2694 , HB2820 , HB3005 , HB3092 , HB3112 , HB3185 , HB3333 , HB3388 , HB3516 , HB3546 , HB3619 , HB3623 , HB3629 , HB3642 , HB3686 , HB3815 , HB3848 , HB3909 , HB4081 , HB4145 , HB4170 , HB4202 , HB4214 , HB4350 , HB4361 , HB4463 , HB4464 , HB4466 , HB4559 , HB4630 , HB4765 , HB4894 , HB4904 , HB4995 , HB5196 , HB5320 , HB5624 , HB5650 , HB5651 , HB5652 , HB5654 , HB5655 , HB5656 , HB5658 , HB5661 , HB5662 , HB5664 , HB5665 , HB5670 , HB5672 , HB5674 , HB5677 , HB5679 , HB5682 , HB5695 , HB5698 , HCR46 , HCR76 , HCR81 , HCR83 , HCR84 , HCR111 , HB 1094 , HB3171 , HB3793 , HB4233 , HB5689 , HB5690 , HB5694

Transcript Highlights:

• They got used to it, and they looked up from their devices.
• In this bill, we essentially ban access to personal electronic devices from the first bell to the last
• There are several districts that are currently restricting access to personal electronic devices during
• They have fundamentally changed how we live, communicate, and learn.
• We knew that for generations, schools communicated effectively without personal devices.

Summary: The House opened with ceremonial activities, including the Pledge of Allegiance and recognition of several student athletic teams and guests, then took up a series of routine matters. Members adopted a resolution congratulating the William Diamond Jr. Fife and Drum Corps on its 25th anniversary, suspended Joint Rule 12 for a petition concerning lease authorization for Eastern Mountain State Forests, and enacted several bills, including measures related to the Sandwich town charter and Springfield tax relief. The House also passed a bill authorizing charity alcohol auctions after adopting a substitute amendment, and passed a bill directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for a specific applicant. The main policy debate centered on Senate Bill 2581, amended and retitled as an act promoting safe technology use and distraction-free education for youth. Supporters described the bill as a response to classroom distraction, bullying, and mental health harms associated with cell phones and social media, and said it would require bell-to-bell restrictions on personal devices in schools, provide guidance and a model policy for districts, and limit social media access for children under 14 while requiring parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds. Several members cited educator testimony, school district practices, and concerns about anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and online predators. Opponents and amendment sponsors argued for more local flexibility and warned about implementation costs, but amendments seeking to preserve district-specific policies or prohibit unfunded mandates were rejected. The House adopted a consolidated amendment to the bill by roll call, then passed the bill to be engrossed by a vote of 129-25. Earlier, the House also accepted a conference committee report on legislation modernizing cannabis laws by a vote of 155-0, after debate focused on restructuring the Cannabis Control Commission, expanding licensing and ownership rules, and addressing equity and social justice provisions. The chamber recessed several times, briefly lost quorum during proceedings, and adjourned to meet again in informal session the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• They got used to it, and they looked up from their devices.
• In this bill, we essentially ban access to personal electronic devices from the first bell to the last
• There are several districts that are currently restricting access to personal electronic devices during
• They have fundamentally changed how we live, communicate, and learn.
• We knew that for generations, schools communicated effectively without personal devices.

Transcript Highlights:

• All senators and guests in the gallery, please silence all electronic devices.
• Other messages from the governor or other executive communications. None of the desk, Mr.
• Governor or other executive communications? None on the desk, Mr. President.
• E-scooters and other such devices, and that is the amendment. Other questions of the sponsor?
• If it fits the description of e-mobility or micro-mobility devices, I would say yes.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and observed a moment of silence for former Senator Charlie Dean. The chamber also received several introductions, including guests from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and visiting Polk County students. After routine business, the Senate took up a special order calendar, temporarily postponing several bills including measures on Citizens Property Insurance, artificial intelligence, public records, and data centers. The Senate then passed a series of bills, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Approved measures included SB 198/HB 505 on virtual currency kiosks, which creates registration, disclosure, transaction-limit, warning, receipt, and fraud-refund requirements; SB 382 on electric bicycles, which adds pedestrian-yield rules, speed limits near pedestrians, and creates a micro-mobility safety task force; SB 844 on sickle cell disease continuing education for certain health professionals; and SB 1014 on municipal utility service, which bars cities from denying water or wastewater service outside city limits solely because the owner refuses annexation. Each of these bills was explained by the sponsoring senator, amended as needed, and passed on recorded votes. The Senate also passed SB 428, expanding the state swimming lesson voucher program from ages 0-4 to ages 1-7 and adding drowning-prevention education for new parents through a merged amendment with related language; senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing child safety and autism-related drowning risks. Additional bills passed included SB 540 on Office of Financial Regulation cybersecurity and oversight changes, SB 1440 on related public-records and cybersecurity exemptions, and SB 1594 to protect veterans’ benefits received on behalf of foster children by directing those funds toward post-secondary education or aftercare rather than agency reimbursement. Final votes were largely 36-0 or 37-0, with SB 1440 passing 35-1. At the end of the session, the Rules Chair moved to waive rules so all bills passed that day would be immediately certified to the House and all temporarily postponed bills would remain on the special order calendar. The Senate then adjourned until the next morning for committee meetings and other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are some items, as mentioned, some gaskets and electronics, and that we don't see alternatives
• And so that's why the report that MPCA put together is about internal and electronic components, and
• that want to deal with their communities that want to deal with their posos<00:19:38.200><c> but</c>
• </c><00:21:28.080><c> components</c> about internal and electronic components about internal and electronic
• </c><00:25:57.399><c> relating</c><00:25:57.760><c> to</c> the in all of the devices relating to the

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill requires that CYFD employees only use their department-issued devices for communication related
• But if the worker fails to only use electronic devices, it would apply.
• The bill begins 'employees of this department shall only use electronic devices issued by the department
• I propose we say 'employees of the department shall not erase data from the electronic devices issued
• 'Employees of the department shall not erase data from the electronic devices issued by the department

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> automated decision systems or electronic automated decision systems or electronic monitoring<00:
• </c> hoping we can all agree that electronic hoping we can all agree that electronic monitoring<00:13
• </c> that not that you can't use electronic that not that you can't use electronic monitoring,<00:14:
• </c><00:15:35.400><c> in</c> floated having implantable devices in floated having implantable devices
• <c> is</c><00:18:31.640><c> already</c> implantable devices, which is already implantable devices, which

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices, and anyone wishing to speak before the committee should complete
• I did not silence my electronic device. Violated rule number one. Yes, sir. Wow. Wow. Yeah, right.
• It requires detailed electronic receipts.
• So you do that at the device level.
• So you do that at the, at your phone, at your device level.

Bills: S0198 , S0422 , S1236 , S1356 , S1456 , S1722

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The committee first postponed SB 1456, then heard SB 1236, which would condition state economic development incentives on employers using secret-ballot union elections and prohibit neutrality agreements. The sponsor argued the bill protects workers from coercion and applies only to companies receiving taxpayer-funded incentives; opponents said it was government interference, likely to hurt contractors, apprenticeships, and business growth, and raised concerns about federal preemption and Attorney General enforcement. After debate, the committee reported SB 1236 favorably on a recorded vote. The committee then considered CS/SB 198, a measure to regulate cryptocurrency kiosks by requiring operator registration, fraud warnings, transaction limits, blockchain analytics, receipts, and refund protections for certain first-time transactions tied to fraud. Supporters from the banking industry, AARP, and others said the bill would help stop scams that are targeting seniors and vulnerable adults; one industry witness supported the bill but suggested narrowing the limits for existing users and shortening the new-customer period. The committee reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee took up CS/SB 1356 on dog breeding, pet sales, and breeder registration. The sponsor said the bill is intended to curb puppy mills, improve animal welfare, and add consumer protections, while an amendment removed state oversight of local animal shelters. Pet store representatives supported much of the bill but objected to the three-day waiting period for financed purchases, expanded reimbursement, and unfair trade practice penalties; others argued the bill would add red tape and litigation. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard SB 1722 on app stores and minors, which would require age verification, parental consent for minors, app-content disclosures, and enforcement by the Department of Legal Affairs. Supporters said the bill would help parents protect children online; opponents warned it could force collection of sensitive personal data, create privacy and constitutional problems, and duplicate existing parental tools. Members debated the balance between child safety and privacy, and the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 422 on ADS-B aviation data, which would bar use of ADS-B information to calculate certain landing or access fees; an amendment added departures to the restriction. Pilots supported the bill as a safety and privacy measure, while airport representatives opposed it as undermining airport finances and shifting costs. The amendment was adopted, and the hearing on the bill began with testimony from both sides.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:05.759><c> for</c> motor vehicle sunscreen devices for motor vehicle sunscreen devices for
• </c><00:22:02.760><c> bicycles</c> for the operation of electronic bicycles for the operation of electronic
• </c> class of insurance for electronic class of insurance for electronic bicycles<00:26:46.679><c> May
• Uber West Policy and Communications continued.
• </c><00:57:03.119><c> to</c> a a good solution for our community to a a good solution for our community

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on January 28, 2025, and heard testimony on a series of bills dealing with vehicle titles, motor vehicle taxes, window tinting, license plates, electric bicycles, insurance penalties, vehicle inspection fines, and transportation discrimination. For HB 532, which shortens the time to forward a transferred vehicle title from 30 days to 14 days and allows a letter of attestation to serve as an endorsement certificate, testimony was listed in support from Councilmember U. Hajin and the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, and in opposition from Maui Mayor Richard Bisson and Sylvie Madison. HB 655 would require payment of unpaid motor vehicle taxes, fees, and penalties for the most recent five consecutive years of delinquency; the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi stood on written comments, with Tim Rymer and Robert Souza providing comments/support. HB 368, which would exempt certain medically sensitive drivers from sunscreen-device tint limits, drew opposition from the Department of Transportation and support from several individuals. HB 226, lowering allowed windshield tint from 35% to 20%, drew opposition from the Department of Transportation and support from TNT Tinting Specialists; members asked about federal preemption, and DOT said federal guidance applies to manufacturers while states retain authority over aftermarket tinting. The committee also heard HB 543, prohibiting license plate flipping devices and imposing a $2,000 fine, and HB 228, authorizing counties to adopt rules for electronic license plates, repealing flipping devices, and setting a minimum fine for obscuring plates; both measures had DOT support, comments from the Honolulu Department of Customer Services, and opposition from Sylvie Madison. HB 70 would require insurance for electric bicycles and create a regulatory framework effective January 1, 2026. The Office of the Public Defender opposed it, arguing the bill improperly distinguishes e-bikes from mopeds; PeopleForBikes and the Hawaiʻi Bicycling League opposed it as costly and unnecessary, while the Insurance Division said the bill could conflict with existing no-fault definitions and might fit better in the motor scooter/moped insurance framework. HB 231, increasing the fine for violating motor vehicle insurance requirements from $500 to $1,500, was opposed by the Office of the Public Defender, which argued it would burden low-income residents and add to court congestion; members debated whether higher fines would improve compliance. Later, HB 227 would add fines for operating a vehicle without a current inspection certificate and had DOT support. HB 184 would require operators of low-speed electric bicycles to have a driver’s license, instruction permit, or provisional license; Kawaii Path, PeopleForBikes, and Get Fit Kauaʻi opposed it as a barrier to low-cost transportation and noted concerns for riders with disabilities, while DOT later said it would support the measure and was asked to research whether other states have similar licensing requirements. The final major measure discussed was HB 468, which would require the Civil Rights Commission to investigate discrimination complaints involving transportation network company drivers and riders with service animals and allow DOT to issue penalties to the companies. The National Federation of the Blind of Hawaiʻi, the Disability Rights Center, and individual riders supported the bill, saying current protections lack enforcement and that denials still occur; Uber and Lyft opposed it, saying they already prohibit discrimination, train drivers, investigate complaints quickly, and that the bill would duplicate existing law and create unnecessary penalties. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are unregistered devices, and this legislation requires those devices now to be registered, which
• It's also, these are unregistered devices and this legislation requires those devices now to be registered
• The bill would add new language requiring the Tax Commissioner to design and implement an electronic
• I think our local communities are doing everything they can. Most are doing everything they can.
• This is a real game changer for our very rural communities as well, who need this access.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• This is compounded by the fact of the active use of electronic devices that are going along with this
• </c> members friends the broader community members friends the broader community and<00:08:49.959><c>
• </c> fact of the active use of electronic fact of the active use of electronic devices<00:10:14.720><
• Thank you, Representative Craft, for doing this for your community and for all of our communities.
• Thank you, Representative Craft, for doing this for your community and for all of our communities.

Summary: House File 2130, sponsored by Representative Craft, was heard and amended before being re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy. The bill responds to serious impaired-driving tragedies in St. Louis Park, including the Park Tavern crash, and aims to strengthen Minnesota’s ignition interlock requirements for repeat DWI offenders. Craft described the bill as based on data showing repeat-offender risk, arguing that current law’s look-back and interlock timelines are too limited and that the statute was also reorganized for clarity. The A1 amendment was adopted without objection. Craft explained that the amendment clarifies when the $680 license reinstatement fee must be paid: not before entering interlock, but before exiting the program, to reduce barriers to participation. He also said the bill would extend interlock requirements more aggressively for repeat offenders, expand the look-back period for prior offenses, and in some cases require treatment. He emphasized that interlock is intended to improve public safety and can support sobriety, while also acknowledging broader root-cause issues such as mental health and addiction. Testimony in support came from St. Louis Park Mayor Nadia Mohamad, Police Chief Brian Cruy, and Methodist Hospital President Jennifer Meister. They said the bill would help address gaps in current law, better account for prior offenses, and potentially prevent future tragedies. Some members raised concerns about whether the bill was a reaction to tragedy and about addressing underlying causes of impaired driving, while others supported the measure and noted the need for broader transportation and treatment options. After discussion, the committee voted to re-refer HF 2130 to Public Safety Finance and Policy, and the motion prevailed.

Transcript Highlights:

• What you just covered on the electronic pull tabs...
• What you just covered on the electronic pull tabs.
• Did you say that the electronic, in 2025, those electronic pull tabs generated $2 billion?
• gaming systems or devices, at a gaming site.
• But yet they serve the community. They're spending that money in that community.

Committees: Joint Judiciary , Joint Judiciary Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The department also hosts sporting and community events, as well as musical festivals, farmers markets
• devices.
• devices.
• There's 13. fashion accessories, gift cards, and various electronic devices.
• ... ...that would allow our city to pay our bills and vendors electronically.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Summary: The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met to approve prior minutes and receive reports from several subcommittees and audits. The executive committee reported that audit and special reports were scheduled for presentation, one requested report remained outstanding, and staff had reviewed circuit-court caseload assignments in Benton County’s 19th West Judicial District. The committee also heard that Arkansas legislative audit financial statements and audits for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 received clean opinions with no internal-control findings, and that the report was accepted. The counties and municipalities report covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, with many entities reinstated after filing required reports, and reviewed current and deferred reports; several reports were referred to prosecutors, the attorney general, or the Government Bonding Board. The education audit report covered 57 school district audits, with three districts—Camden Fairview, Forest City, and Eudora—deferred until the June meeting because of findings and referrals. A substitute motion amended the report to file the Nettleton School District report, and the amended report passed. The state agencies report noted findings at the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Transportation and Shared Services, including duplicate payments, collateral issues, record-keeping problems, and missing vehicle logs; the committee filed five reports. The committee then reviewed the City of Pine Bluff’s 2024 financial audit. The city received clean opinions overall, but the management letter identified serious issues in the mayor’s office, Parks and Recreation, and Finance, including unaccounted-for receipts, altered invoices, unallowable and questionable purchases, missing equipment, and weak cash-receipting and reconciliation procedures. City officials, including the mayor and department heads, testified that the problems largely involved prior activity, said they had terminated involved employees, referred matters to law enforcement, and described corrective steps such as a forensic audit, new procurement and accounting procedures, electronic receipting and payments, and software upgrades. After questions from members, the committee voted to file the Pine Bluff report and adjourned, with the next meeting set for June 4-5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• trained to locate electronic storage devices by scent.
• Electronic storage devices can be hard drives or anything else that is stored somewhere or hidden.
• ESD canines are trained to detect electronic storage devices.
• ESD canines are trained to detect electronic storage devices.
• It's a unique scent that is only located in electronic storage devices. Okay. Okay, thank you.

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Most associates are required to wear this device.
• These devices are also frequently old and in disrepair.
• So the Fourth Amendment and California's Electronic Communications Privacy Act generally prohibit government
• So the Fourth Amendment and California's Electronic Communications Privacy Act generally prohibit government
• The California Electronic Communications Privacy Act is one that was passed in 2015, also with bipartisan

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection