Transcript Highlights:

• officer actually suspended the chase, but the fleeing vehicle continued at a high rate of speed in a residential

Bills: HB316 , HB549 , HB646 , HB752 , HB824 , HB873 , HB1129 , HB1157 , HB1170

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: literacy, adolescent, teacher education, high-dosage tutoring, reading intervention, workforce development, training programs, Bayou Growth Opportunity, funding, employment, skills gap, qualified employer, credential recognition, government growth limit, recurring revenue, state finance, Louisiana Income Tax Elimination Fund, fiscal responsibility, legislative sessions, regular sessions

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on April 22 and first considered Chairman Beaulieu’s House Bill 646, a constitutional amendment limiting the amount of State General Fund money that may be appropriated in a fiscal year. After adopting a set of amendments creating the Louisiana Income Tax Elimination Fund and making conforming changes, the committee reported the bill favorably as amended. The companion bill, House Bill 824, which establishes the growth limit formula based on CPI, medical CPI, and population change, was also amended and reported favorably as amended. Supporters framed both measures as a way to keep spending within recurring revenues and create a path toward reducing or eliminating the state income tax. The committee then reported favorably as amended House Bill 1157, creating the Louisiana State Infrastructure Fund to help finance infrastructure-related projects, with testimony that it would leverage private and federal dollars and initially focus on rail, port, road, and bridge projects. House Bill 316, which provides a framework for student literacy reforms for grades four through eight, was presented as having no new cost because the Department of Education said the work was already covered by existing resources; it was reported favorably. House Bill 549, creating the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program to provide employer-based training grants, also received support from business groups and was reported favorably as amended. House Bill 1129, dealing with the sale of state-owned surplus movable property, drew support from Louisiana auctioneers who argued local firms should be allowed to bid on the state’s auction contract instead of relying on an out-of-state vendor; it was reported favorably. House Bill 873, which would fund pursuit intervention technology through a $2 driver’s license fee, generated significant concern about adding fees and whether the money should instead come from existing budgets. After discussion of the proposed technologies and training, the committee deferred the bill voluntarily to work on alternatives, including a possible sunset and other funding options. Finally, House Bill 752, which would change the timing and duration of regular legislative sessions by joint rule, was reported without action after members noted the revised fiscal note showed a decrease in state general fund expenditures. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• officer actually suspended the chase, but the fleeing vehicle continued at a high rate of speed in a residential

Bills: HB316 , HB549 , HB646 , HB752 , HB824 , HB873 , HB1129 , HB1157 , HB1170

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: literacy, adolescent, teacher education, high-dosage tutoring, reading intervention, workforce development, training programs, Bayou Growth Opportunity, funding, employment, skills gap, qualified employer, credential recognition, government growth limit, recurring revenue, state finance, Louisiana Income Tax Elimination Fund, fiscal responsibility, legislative sessions, regular sessions

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows for alternative ways to finance infrastructure for mainly residential developments, but for

Bills: SB1290 , SB1530 , SB1847 , HR1050 , SB169 , SB1377 , SB1990 , SB1991 , SB1778 , SB1579 , SB1992 , SB3 , SB2028 , SB1928 , SB2127 , SB2117 , SB1439 , SB1930 , SB330 , SB1191 , SB2110 , SB2134 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB1613 , SB1246 , SB1976 , SB1346 , SB1509 , SB2071 , SB259 , SB1314

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, research funding, development rebate, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, tax incentives, higher education partnerships, Medicaid, ADvantage Waiver, home-based services, eligibility criteria, healthcare, senior services, Taiwan, Oklahoma, sister-state relationship

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows for alternative ways to finance infrastructure for mainly residential developments, but for

Summary: The House convened, took a roll call, and heard the daily prayer and Pledge of Allegiance before several special presentations. Members recognized recipients of the Oklahoma Seal of Biliteracy, the Fort Gibson High School wrestling team, the Doctor of the Day Dr. Jason Lees, the Nurse of the Day Teddy Cole, and the 32nd Annual Cattlemen’s Leadership Academy group. The chamber then stood at ease while awaiting the Senate and later convened a joint session with the Senate to honor the Oklahoma National Guard. In the joint session, Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell presided over Oklahoma National Guard Appreciation Day. Chaplain Josh Byrd delivered the invocation, Major General Thomas Mancino and Representative Hildebrandt spoke in praise of the Guard’s service and history, and Lieutenant Colonel Neil Harvey read the proclamation. Speakers highlighted the Guard’s deployments, disaster response, and the commemorative arch and museum projects. The joint session was then dissolved. Back in the House, members considered Senate Bill 2060, the Build Act, which would authorize master development districts and alternative infrastructure financing for residential and other developments. Supporters said it would help finance roads, water, sewer, and other infrastructure without creating public debt, while opponents argued it created an unelected quasi-government entity with strong lien powers, limited local control, and similarities to State Question 833, which voters had rejected. After debate, the House passed SB 2060 by a vote of 54-40. The House also adopted and passed several committee reports and bills with emergency clauses: House Bill 4042, appropriating funds to the Department of Commerce for census-related technology and staffing, passed 90-6 with the emergency approved; House Bill 4037, increasing the Ethics Commission revolving fund cap as its oversight duties expand, passed 91-0 with the emergency approved; and House Bill 4043, appropriating resources to Oklahoma Task Force One and the Department of Emergency Management, passed 93-3 with the emergency approved. The House then recessed until 12:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• not a property that is a short-term rental, a vacation rental, Airbnb, is going to be taxed as a residential

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Summary: The Committee on Veterans and Armed Forces met with a quorum and began with remarks honoring veterans on the committee, including presentation of Capitol-flown flags and certificates. The chair also announced new decorum rules, including a ban on hats except religious headwear, and reminded members about the importance of truthful testimony. The committee then moved into executive session to consider several bills related to veterans’ issues and benefits. The committee first took up House Bill 3029, which dealt with regulating veterans benefits matters and limiting bad actors who charge veterans for claims assistance. Members discussed concerns about private companies, accredited service officers, veterans’ choice, and whether the bill would reduce access or create future problems with VA reviews. Amendments were adopted to clarify that the bill would not cover housing loans and to remove a paragraph affecting certain registered providers. After debate, the committee voted 14-7 to do pass the House Committee Substitute for HB 3029. The committee then approved House Bill 3280, concerning spouse disability license plates, by a unanimous 21-0 vote. Next, the committee considered House Bill 2306 along with related bills HB 2276 and HB 2089 in a combined committee substitute. The measure would create property tax exemptions for disabled veterans and surviving spouses based on assessed value, with categories tied to disability ratings. Members asked detailed questions about how the exemption would interact with short-term rentals, remarriage, unoccupied homes, and the senior tax freeze. The sponsor explained the exemption would apply to a qualified primary residence and continue in certain cases such as assisted living or veterans homes. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted 18-2 to do pass the combined bill package. After the votes, the committee heard testimony from Heather, founder and executive director of Healing House and New Beginnings, a Christ-centered recovery program for women with substance use disorder. She described the program’s housing, recovery support, accreditation, and community outreach, and members praised its work. The committee also heard from Steve Baker of the Cass County Veterans Coalition, who described a local volunteer network that connects veterans to jobs and services. He emphasized that the coalition does not provide services itself but helps veterans find the right resources. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• not a property that is a short-term rental, a vacation rental, Airbnb is going to be taxed as a residential

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you know that the Home Builders Association are those that are involved in the new single-family residential

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• allows or tells cities that they must accept this type of housing in neighborhoods where you have residential

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6244 , SB6044 , SB5109 , SB5877 , SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, the flag was escorted by the Muckleshoot Veterans Color Guard, and the day opened with a prayer from Dennis Anderson Sr. The House approved the previous day’s minutes, welcomed representatives from the Urban Native Education Alliance, and then moved through caucuses and Senate messages before taking up a long series of third-reading votes on bills that had returned from the Senate. Several measures drew debate over Senate amendments. House Bill 1069, concerning bargaining over supplemental retirement benefits for certain public employees, passed 78-17 after supporters said it would help correctional workers and critics said the Senate changes weakened the bill. Second Substitute House Bill 1128, creating a child care workforce standards board, passed 68-27 amid arguments over child care shortages, wages, and affordability. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1155, banning non-compete agreements, passed 62-33; supporters framed it as pro-worker and pro-entrepreneurship, while opponents said contracts should be voluntary and important in business sales. The House also passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1187 on ambulance billing and collections (93-2), Substitute House Bill 1390 phasing out the Community Protection Program (51-44), Engrossed House Bill 1501 on housing-related local requirements (58-37), House Bill 291 on bargaining communication rights (92-3), Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2110 on ambulance staffing/training (95-0), Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2165 on impersonating peace officers (66-29), Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2219 on child care regulations and opioid-related safety language (67-28), Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2266 on housing siting and local flexibility (56-39), Substitute House Bill 2350 on notice and accountability for developmental disability services (95-0), Substitute House Bill 2360 allowing schools to keep and administer albuterol with parental-notification changes (79-16), Second Substitute House Bill 2384 on financial transparency for continuing care retirement communities (78-17), Second Substitute House Bill 2429 on behavioral health planning and appropriations (95-0), Substitute House Bill 2496 protecting tribal sacred sites (71-24), and House Bill 2510, on which the House did not concur in Senate amendments. The chamber also granted conference requests on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bills 5998 and 605 and appointed conferees for each.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am very sensitive to large vehicles being on some of our residential roads, some of our collectors,

Committee: House Transportation and Defense

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An act relating to prohibiting real estate brokers from marketing residential properties.

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, the pledge, prayer, and recognition of guests from the Sikh Coalition and Kalsa Gramath Center. Members then approved the journal and moved through committee reports and resolutions, including Senate Resolution 8678 honoring the Chimicum High School Marching Band for being selected to represent Washington in the 2026 National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C. The resolution was adopted unanimously, and the band and its supporters were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then confirmed two gubernatorial appointments to major health agencies. Ryan Moran was confirmed as Director of the Health Care Authority by a 49-0 vote, with supporters citing his Medicaid and health system experience and ability to provide stable leadership. Dennis Worsham was also confirmed as Secretary of Health by a 49-0 vote, with senators highlighting his long public health career, statewide outreach, and work on HIV/AIDS and community health. On legislation, the Senate passed Senate Bill 6011, expanding Court of Appeals bailiff authority to conduct threat assessments, and Senate Bill 5831, creating the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act. Senate Bill 6188, which expands Labor and Industries’ authority to update asbestos training and certification rules, passed 38-19 after an amendment to limit the bill to federal standards was rejected. Substitute Senate Bill 5917, concerning access to abortion medications through the Department of Corrections pharmacy, passed 32-17 after several Republican amendments were defeated. The Senate also passed In Gross Senate Bill 6024 on developmental disability services confidentiality and Substitute Senate Bill 6091 on prohibiting real estate brokers from marketing residential properties in exclusive private listings. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5840, adjusting campaign finance expenditure reporting deadlines, passed 46-3. After completing the day’s business, the Senate recessed for caucus and lunch until 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• groundwater, Chris Mays has sued von de Monte for pumping La Paz County's groundwater, drying up residential

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• got some practitioners coming up here that may be able to talk to it better, but, you know, in a residential

Committee: House Economic Development

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He asked whether a city could prohibit vertiports in residential neighborhoods due to noise concerns.

Summary: The Transportation Committee met with a quorum and first took up SB 1362 on advanced air mobility. Senator Harrell described the bill as creating a framework for vertiports and eVTOL operations, including DOT oversight, vertiport licensing, preemption of local design and operational regulation, and limited liability protections. An amendment was adopted that removed the bill’s sales tax exemptions and narrowed the sovereign immunity language so it would apply only to vertiports co-located at airports, aligning the bill more closely with the House companion. Supporters from eVTOL companies praised Florida’s leadership and the regulatory clarity, while the Florida Justice Association urged caution about extending immunity to unproven entities. The committee then reported the bill favorably. The committee next considered SB 260 on storage and cleanup of electric vehicles after crashes. An amendment narrowed the bill to EVs with visible battery or battery-compartment damage or saltwater submersion, clarified that the fee applies to storage rather than towing, and tied the proposal to existing fire marshal rules requiring damaged EVs to be stored away from structures. Insurance and rental-car industry representatives supported the narrowed approach but asked for more data reporting, clearer limits on cleanup language, and safeguards against overcharging or cost shifting. The bill was debated as a response to the space and safety burdens placed on tow operators, and it was reported favorably after amendment. The committee also approved SB 1352, which creates a secure online portal for license plate seizure/confiscation processing, allows disabled veterans to retain their DV plate alphanumeric designation, authorizes immediate issuance of DV plates by tax collectors, bans license plate covers/overlays that obscure plates, and routes online driver license/ID renewals to the customer’s county tax collector with service fees remitted accordingly. SB 1370 was reported favorably as well; it closes a loophole so drivers who never had a license can still be treated similarly to suspended-license offenders for habitual traffic offender purposes after repeated offenses. Finally, the committee considered SB 1220, FDOT’s transportation package, which included updates to trail prioritization, SunTrail materials and sponsorships, seaport and airport resilience planning, drone delivery and personnel delivery device provisions, LiDAR coordination, turnpike toll programming changes, and felony penalties for damaging autonomous vehicles. An amendment removed some provisions, including digital driver license authorization and the rapid rail transit compact, and added advanced air mobility corridor language and an FDOT study on alternative-fuel revenue impacts; after support from several stakeholders, the committee reported the bill favorably and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have had a member be told by an assessor that, hey, there's been a lot of residential development

Bills: SB1180 , SB1215 , SB1270 , SB1290 , SB1292 , SB1294 , SB1430 , SCR1028

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: income tax, conformity, Arizona Revised Statutes, taxpayer, federal regulations, firefighters, occupational disease, workers compensation, cancer presumption, police officers, hazardous duty, SB1270, Arizona retirement system, public safety personnel, defined contribution plan, correctional officers, corrections officers, retirement contributions, supplemental contributions, retention incentive

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's strictly non-exempt wells, so it does not affect residential wells; it's the larger wells that

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting covered a long list of House bills, mostly on third-read consent calendars, spanning appropriations, elections, education, public safety, water, taxation, and criminal law. Early discussion focused on HB 2148, which would give the legislature authority to appropriate non-custodial federal funds, described by the sponsor as a transparency measure. Other measures discussed included HB 2091 on insurance-related assessment limits, HB 2122 on reciprocity for BTR-related professions, HB 2138 clarifying firefighter workers’ compensation coverage, and HB 2008 barring public school libraries from using public money to pay library professional associations. HB 2110, removed from consent, would allow school governing body members to pray at meetings, with members noting Supreme Court precedent supporting such prayer. Several bills addressed school safety and parental rights. HB 2142 would create a School Safety Center at the Arizona Department of Education and allow up to 10% of school safety program funds for administration, with supporters citing an audit and lack of oversight. HB 2249 would expand the Parents’ Bill of Rights to require notice if a school employee facilitates social transitioning of a minor and to provide broader access to educational records, with penalties discussed for violations. HB 2074 would add mandatory reporting for anyone in a medical facility who knows a partial-birth abortion is occurring, and HB 2144 would allow child support calculations to begin during pregnancy based on a confirmed pregnancy test and related DNA testing provisions. The committee also took up election-related measures. HB 2022 would make permanent changes tied to the federal Electoral Count Act, including moving Arizona’s primary earlier to preserve military and overseas voting access, while keeping petition dates valid and preserving existing deadlines for candidates. HCM 2001 urged federal designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization, and HCM 2002 supported a separate congressional effort involving CARE and related federal review and designation processes; members debated the distinction between direct designation and a request for federal investigation. HCR 2001 proposed a constitutional amendment to limit voting to U.S. citizens, require government ID to register, prohibit foreign contributions, and end early voting by the Friday before an election. Water, land use, and tax bills were also reviewed. Measures included HB 2024 on snowpack augmentation as a water supply development project, HB 2029 and HB 2030 tightening how Water Conservation Grant Fund money is used, HB 2053 appropriating $100,000 for updated stormwater recharge mapping, HB 2096 expanding revolving fund uses to address cesspools, HB 2097 capping groundwater withdrawal in irrigation non-expansion areas, and HB 2116 funding potential Colorado River litigation. On the tax side, HB 2016 would remove late-filing penalties when no tax is due, HB 2104 and HB 2105 would protect agricultural property owners from repeated reclassification and require notice of inspections, and HB 2289 would update truth-in-taxation examples to reflect higher home values. The committee also heard bills on criminal penalties and other matters, including HB 2043 on felony murder involving an unborn child, HB 2045 on discharging a weapon near a vehicle, HB 2131 and HB 2132 on weapons trafficking and fentanyl penalties, and HB 2062 authorizing a Buffalo Soldiers memorial in Wesley Bolin Plaza.

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, we will take up Senate Bill 1224 by Senator Rodriguez related to fraudulent entry of residential

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 620, which would require candidates for federal, state, county, district, judicial, and school board offices to disclose any citizenship in countries other than the United States. The bill was presented as a transparency measure, with one opponent waiving time, and it was reported favorably on an 8-0 vote. The committee then heard SB 1396 on litigation financing consumer protection. Supporters from the Florida Justice Reform Institute, American Tort Reform Association, and U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform argued the bill would add transparency, limit funder control, and require disclosure of foreign entities involved in litigation funding. Opponents, including the Florida Justice Association, argued the bill would create strategic advantages for defendants and could affect discovery and settlement dynamics. The bill passed 7-2. The committee also approved SB 192, removing a $1,500 cap on patient funds chiropractors may hold in trust; SB 888, limiting indemnity and insurance requirements in design-professional contracts; CS/SB 332, creating a temporary closed-meeting exemption for pre-suit Burt Harris litigation strategy discussions; SB 820, requiring quarterly reporting on problem-solving courts; SB 1500, updating uncontested probate procedures; SB 1224, making fraudulent entry into rental dwellings a third-degree felony; and SB 1000, setting a floor and ceiling for interest rates on law firm trust accounts. Each of these bills was reported favorably, with broad support and little or no opposition. The committee also advanced CS/SB 694, which would compensate the descendants of the Groveland Four. Senator Bracey Davis described the bill as a final step in addressing the wrongful convictions, deaths, and long-term harm suffered by Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepard, and Ernest Thomas. Family members and advocacy groups testified in support, urging the state to complete its acknowledgment of wrongdoing with monetary compensation. An amendment was adopted to divide any appropriation equally among the four families. The bill passed unanimously. Finally, SB 144 creating a public records exemption for personal information of Judicial Qualifications Commission employees and their families was approved 9-1. Several members also requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on specific bills before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, we will take up Senate Bill 1224 by Senator Rodriguez related to fraudulent entry of residential

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard and advanced a series of bills on candidate disclosure, litigation financing, professional liability, public meetings, problem-solving courts, probate, wrongful conviction compensation, public records, and housing fraud. Senate Bill 620, by Senator Mayfield, would require candidates for federal, state, county, district, judicial, and school board offices to disclose any citizenship in countries other than the United States; it drew one waived-in opposition from Common Cause and was reported favorably 8-0. Senate Bill 1396, by Vice Chair Burton, would regulate litigation financing, including limits on funders’ recovery, restrictions on funder control, and disclosure of foreign entities involved; it received support from several business and tort-reform groups, opposition from the Florida Justice Association, and was reported favorably 7-2 after questions about the purpose and scope of the disclosures. Senator Martin’s bills also moved forward. SB 192 would remove the $1,500 cap on patient funds chiropractic physicians may hold in trust for prepaid services; it was supported by the Florida Chiropractic Society and reported favorably 7-0. SB 888 would extend to private contracts the current limits on indemnity and insurance requirements for architects, engineers, surveyors, and landscape architects, and it was reported favorably 7-0 after testimony from engineering and design professionals. Senator Bradley’s CS for SB 332, as amended, would create a narrow public meetings/public records exemption for pre-suit Burt Harris litigation strategy discussions by local governments; it was adopted and reported favorably 7-0. SB 820 would require quarterly reporting on problem-solving courts, including participant counts, offenses, completion, failure, and recidivism data, and it was reported favorably 10-0. SB 1500 would update uncontested probate procedures, raise certain small-estate thresholds, clarify safe-deposit-box authority, and strengthen enforcement provisions; it was reported favorably 10-0. The committee also advanced several other measures. CS for SB 694, by Senator Bracey Davis, would compensate the descendants of the Groveland Four; it was amended to divide any appropriation equally among the four family branches, received extensive emotional testimony in support, and was reported favorably 10-0. SB 144 would create a public records exemption for personal information of Judicial Qualifications Commission employees and their families due to harassment concerns, and it was reported favorably 9-1. CS for SB 1224, as amended, would make fraudulent entry into a rental dwelling a third-degree felony when done through false statements, counterfeit documents, or impersonation; it was supported by Florida Realtors and the Florida Apartment Association and reported favorably 10-0. SB 1000 would set a floor and ceiling for interest rates on law firm trust accounts tied to the Wall Street Journal prime rate, and it was reported favorably 10-0 after stakeholder compromise. The committee also took up SB 532 only to temporarily postpone it, and at the end members recorded additional affirmative votes on selected bills before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• For background, originally established in 1914, the Lakeland Village Residential Habilitation Center

Bills: SCR8406 , SB5825 , SB5842 , SB5863 , SB5840

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Keywords: civic health, community engagement, committee reestablishment, public participation, governance, Washington State Leadership Board, WSLB, gift acceptance, grants, endowments, private funding, public funding, fundraising, state board, youth leadership, civic engagement, leadership development, Washington World Fellows, sports mentoring, Boundless Washington

Transcript Highlights:

• earlier this week about Flex Finance, I think it's called, which is offering these products in the residential

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Where our current, old facility in Norman was located almost in a more residential area of town, we were

Keywords: 914, all