Transcript Highlights:

• My coursework is mainly focused on public finance and budgeting, with another focus on program evaluation
• ... ...on public finance and budgeting, with another focus on program evaluation and tax policy.
• intent section under the statute that the staff read out, please... ...make it a more sophisticated request
• So this is not a request for... ...continue.
• So this is not a request for a comment saying, please have us come back and re-evaluate this particular

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My coursework is mainly focused on public finance and budgeting, with another focus on program evaluation
• ... ...on public finance and budgeting, with another focus on program evaluation and tax policy.
• intent section under the statute that the staff read out, please... ...make it a more sophisticated request
• So that this is not a request for... ...continue.
• So this is not a request for a comment saying, please have us come back and re-evaluate this particular

Summary: The Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on August 4, 2026, with all five commissioners present. The commission approved the May 26, 2026 minutes, welcomed new commissioner Diane Tabilius, and re-elected Andy Knopfsiger Meadows as chair and Dr. Sharon Keiko as vice chair. JLARC staff also introduced two Evans School interns who are assisting with preliminary research for the 2027 review cycle. JLARC presented preliminary findings on seven tax preference reviews, focusing most heavily on the Main Street communities credit, the Equitable Access to Credit Program, and the urban data center exemption. Staff concluded that the Main Street preference has helped increase the number of communities and businesses and recommended continuing it, while also recommending that DAHP collect more detailed and standardized business-count data. The Equitable Access to Credit Program was found to support underserved communities and was also recommended for continuation. The urban data center exemption was found to have been used only for refurbishment projects, not new construction, and staff recommended letting it expire; commissioners and Representative Paulette discussed the need for better performance measures, cost-per-job analysis, and clearer legislative intent language in tax preference statements. Staff then reviewed airplane modification, landfill biogas, automotive adaptive equipment, and housing for people with developmental disabilities. The airplane modification preference was found to likely support jobs and state tax revenue and was recommended for continuation. The landfill biogas preference was also recommended for continuation, with a suggestion for more detailed reporting on use and renewable natural gas production. The automotive adaptive equipment exemption was found to continue providing relief to disabled veterans and service members and was recommended for continuation, while the housing transfer exemption for adults with developmental disabilities had not been used and was recommended to expire. No public testimony was taken at this meeting, and the commission noted that public testimony would be heard at its September meeting before final comments are adopted in October.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senator from Arlington has requested that the remarks of Senators Pacheco, Miranda, Edwards, Gomez
• before the Senate relates to a provision in the bill that would allow law enforcement agencies to request
• This amendment merely strikes that and allows any criminal offense to be the basis for requesting that
• The senator has requested a call of the yeas and nays. All those in support please stand.
• The senator has requested a call of the yeas and nays. All those in support please stand.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate considered a comprehensive immigration-related bill, the Protect Act (House No. 5316), with extensive debate focused on limiting civil immigration enforcement in sensitive locations and protecting immigrants, victims, workers, and public institutions. Supporters argued the bill would reduce fear in schools, hospitals, courts, child care settings, and other community spaces, while preserving criminal law enforcement and public safety cooperation. Several senators also emphasized the economic and community contributions of immigrants, and some spoke from personal or district experience about fear, school enrollment declines, and impacts on health care and daily life. A number of amendments were debated. Amendment 6, offered by Senator Kennedy, was adopted to extend protections to DDS facilities and disability-related care settings, with supporters stressing the importance of protecting immigrant caregivers and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Other adopted amendments included Amendment 7 on effective dates, Amendment 34 adding residential schools/programs as safe spaces, Amendment 10 on courthouse curtilage, Amendment 13 protecting health care workers from retaliation, Amendment 20 establishing an immigration commission with minority-party representation, and Amendment 69 as a corrective/technical amendment. Many other amendments, largely offered by Senator Tarr and others, were rejected, including proposals concerning 287G agreements, detainers, civil arrests, court authority, and legal defense funding; several amendments were also withdrawn. The chamber took multiple roll-call votes on contested amendments. Amendment 59 on 287G funds was defeated 5-34, Amendment 63 on status information tied to criminal offenses was defeated 7-32, Amendment 67 on felony detainers was defeated 10-29, and Amendment 75 on state-funded legal defense programs was defeated 5-34. After amendments were completed, the Senate adopted the Ways and Means recommendation, ordered the bill to a third reading, and then passed it to be engrossed by a 37-3 vote. The Senate later rejected a House amendment, appointed a conference committee, and adjourned to meet again the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Constitution of Arizona, the House of Representatives of the 57th Legislature, second regular session, request
• SB 1457 represents a clear case of misplaced budget priorities.
• SB 1457 represents a clear case of misplaced budget priorities.
• Speaker, I move that the House to c to the Senate request to return HB 2035 for the purpose of reconsideration
• Speaker, I moved that the House succeed to the Senate request to return House Bill 2035 for the purpose

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to these concerns, we do respectfully request that Senate Bill 1354 be held in committee.
• allowed, we fear that a poorly designed ADU would be inconsistent with the community's design and request
• With that, I'm happy to answer any questions, and as I already requested, I'd appreciate the motion to
• Senator Taves continued: "Happy to answer any questions, and as I already requested, I'd appreciate the
• Library boards set policy, oversee budgets, and hire and evaluate directors while remaining accountable

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will not be presenting our rollout of the budget today. That is being postponed until next week.
• I’m understanding that the sponsor, Senator Osgood, has requested that we TP this bill at this time.
• Senator Osgood has requested that we T.P. this bill at this time, so we’re going to temporarily postpone
• Senators, if you would like to request that anybody be voted on individually, we will please request
• And again, not recreating the wheel, but just learning how they develop their budgets, how they, you

Bills: S0720, S1246

Keywords: tuition, resident status, incarceration, education, equal access, nursing shortage, health care, education funding, workforce development, LINE Fund, monetary contributions, nonmonetary contributions

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to consider one bill, a postponed bill, and a slate of trustee confirmations. The committee first took up CS/SB 1246, which expands the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) fund to support health science workforce shortages beyond nursing, including allied health programs. The bill also broadens eligible uses of funds, revises matching requirements and grant criteria, and updates reporting requirements. A strike-all amendment was adopted without objection, and the committee then reported the bill favorably after supportive testimony from Florida State College at Jacksonville, the Florida Hospital Association, the College of Central Florida, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Senator Davis also noted a favorable vote on the bill for the record. The committee then temporarily postponed SB 720 at the sponsor’s request. Chair Harrell explained that the bill had been incorporated into a larger committee measure and would likely be heard later in another form. Public witnesses who had come to speak on the bill were not heard because of the postponement. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for trustees at several state colleges, including Chipola College, Tallahassee State College, Pensacola State College, Palm Beach State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, and St. Petersburg College. The appointees emphasized themes of affordability, workforce training, nursing and allied health success, dual enrollment, community partnerships, and local economic development. After hearing from the appointees, the committee approved a block motion to recommend confirmation of all appointees on tabs 2 through 25. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will not be presenting our rollout of the budget today. That is being postponed until next week.
• I’m understanding that the sponsor, Senator Osgood, has requested that we temporarily postpone this bill
• Senator Osgood has requested that we temporarily postpone this bill at this time.
• Senators, if you would like to request that anybody be voted on individually, we will please request
• And again, not recreating the wheel, but just learning how they develop their budgets, how they, you

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Higher Education Appropriations Committee met with a quorum present and announced that the budget rollout would be postponed until the following week. The committee first considered SB 1246, which expands the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund to support health science workforce shortages in addition to nursing. The bill, as amended by a strike-all, broadened eligible uses of the fund, allowed matching contributions from non-health-care partners, prioritized health-care partner contributions, and updated reporting requirements. Testimony in support emphasized that the program has already reduced hospital vacancy rates and should be expanded to allied health fields. The committee adopted the amendment, passed the bill favorably, and recorded the chair’s affirmative vote. SB 720 was temporarily postponed at the sponsor’s request after the chair noted it had been incorporated into a larger committee bill. The committee then heard confirmations for numerous trustees of state colleges and universities, including Chipola College, Tallahassee State College, Pensacola State College, Palm Beach State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, and St. Petersburg College. Appointees generally described their backgrounds and emphasized visions centered on affordability, student success, workforce training, dual enrollment, and alignment with local labor needs. Several highlighted strong nursing outcomes, including high NCLEX pass rates and job placement, while others pointed to expanding programs in welding, plumbing, electrical, cybersecurity, aviation, and other technical fields. Trustees from Tallahassee State and Pensacola State also discussed veterans’ services and health care coverage for college employees, respectively. After hearing from the appointees, the committee took up the confirmations as a block. Senator Calatayud moved to recommend confirmation of all appointees on the listed tabs, Senator Leek seconded, and the motion passed by roll call. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, the budget subcommittee on tourism, economic development, energy, environment, and public protection
• Speaker, I have two requests.
• And I request that we observe a moment of silence in memory of those who died so that we might stand
• ,</c><00:21:41.039><c> I</c><00:21:41.200><c> have</c><00:21:41.360><c> two</c><00:21:41.600><c> requests
• Speaker, I have two requests. Mr. Speaker, I have two requests.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 00:55 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 11:09 Motion to Act on HR 21 15:13 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 23:52 ConC and Rules Report 29:29 Adjournment 31:04, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can see a table on the side of page 10 that lists those top industry-requested credentials based
• Actual requests for reimbursement rather than how LEAs budgeted their CTE grant funding.
• The other thing is on some of the requested credentialing.
• It's very interesting to me, I mean, to see a pesticide applicator's license as one of the requested
• Is it for the bullets above the request? Is that what it's for specifically? Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was our first budget that we put together, and we were not able to stay within that budget.
• This fiscal year we budgeted about $2 million net revenue in this budget we're in right now.
• </c> had to do to try to balance our budget. had to do to try to balance our budget.
• All this eats into their budget.
• All this eats into their budget.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:07 Roll Call 00:00:13 Approval of Minutes from August Meeting 00:01:55 Discussion of County Jails 00:03:31 Discussion of Centralized Collection of Net Profits and Occupational License Taxes 01:02:12 Adjournment 01:54:56, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August 26 minutes, and then took up a discussion of county jail funding. KACO representatives and county officials said jail operations are an ongoing strain for counties because they must pay for inmate care, facilities, and mandated standards, while many counties also rely on jail revenue to offset costs. They described Kentucky’s jail system, including 77 jails, 43 closed counties without jails, and the mix of county, state, federal, and controlled-intake inmates. KACO emphasized that counties remain financially responsible for inmates even when they must contract with other jails, often at costs above the state’s per diem rate, and said it is developing a broader proposal to present later. The testimony focused on rising expenses and shrinking revenue. KACO said counties spent about $374 million on jail operations in FY24, up 24% from FY19, and about $41 million on jail medical costs, up 40%. General fund support for jails was said to total $147 million in FY24, more than double pre-COVID levels. Speakers also noted that state inmate populations in county jails have fallen from about 11,500 in 2019 to 7,212 in 2025, while federal inmates have increased because they are more lucrative for counties. The state jail per diem of $35.34 was described as insufficient to cover actual costs, especially medical care. County judges from Webster, Knox, and Hardin counties gave examples of local budget pressure. Webster County said it now houses 114 state prisoners, 47 county prisoners, and 24 out-of-county prisoners, and that it transferred $512,000 from its general fund to the jail last year, about $77 per taxpayer. Knox County said its jail budget has grown from an initial $2.8 million projection to $5.7 million, with $3 million coming from occupational tax revenue. Hardin County said its jail has an approximate $11 million expense budget against $5 million in revenue, creating a $6 million deficit, driven by higher payroll, medical, and insurance costs and a 29% drop in state prisoner revenue. The judge said the county has responded with property tax increases and an expanded occupational tax district, but still uses reserves to cover other county services. A Grant County magistrate then began speaking from the perspective of magistrates and commissioners, describing her background working at a local jail before serving in county government. The discussion remained centered on the fiscal burden of jails and the need for counties and the legislature to work together on a long-term solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• Arizona, I am directed by the House of Representatives, 57th Legislature, Second Regular Session, to request
• President Pro Tem, I move that the Senate accede to the request of the House of Representatives, 57th
• So it's very important that this bill gets held somewhere along the line and becomes part of the budget
• And that's because we do not do dynamic budgeting when it comes to health care costs.
• A group motion will be made for the confirmations that follow unless a senator requests a nomination

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then spent much of the opening portion recognizing guests and advocacy groups, including State Farm agents, justice court judges, Donate Life participants, AARP, educators, and rural water advocates. Members also introduced a doctor of the day and several former legislators and officials. The chamber later agreed to the House’s request to adjourn after completing business on March 11 until March 16, and committee meetings and caucuses were scheduled for the recess. The Senate then took up a series of third-reading votes. Bills passed included SB 1602 on kinship foster care; SB 1621 creating an obesity treatment and prevention advisory council; SB 1672 on AHCCCS step therapy, where one senator objected to the fiscal note while another argued for broader access to treatment; SB 1677 appropriating funds for forestry and fire management, with comments about tamarisk removal and native plant restoration; SB 1811 on public schools; SB 1001 and SB 1072 appropriating funds to the Department of Economic Security; SB 1169 appropriating funds to AHCCCS administration, with support tied to medical residency opportunities; SB 1531 on special plates; and SB 1776 amending AHCCCS statutes. SCR 1020, a proposed constitutional amendment on compensation for elective state officers, also advanced after debate about recruiting a broader range of candidates and making the salary more livable. The chamber also used Committee of the Whole to amend and advance several bills. SB 1170 on drug offenses was amended to change crime qualifications and remove mandatory minimums, then recommended do pass. SB 1488 establishing a study committee on coal-impacted communities was amended to alter appointment provisions and then passed out of committee and later on third reading, with a lengthy explanation from a senator about the economic history of coal plants and tribal communities. SB 1641 on marijuana licensure was amended to remove DHS’s annual license determination role and passed with the required three-quarters vote. SB 1752 on mescaline offenses and SB 1740 on turquoise alerts also advanced. The Senate confirmed gubernatorial nominations for Alex Ridgeway as Director of Tourism, Jessica Manuel to the Game and Fish Commission, and Stephen Williams to the Livestock Loss Board. The session ended with announcements, a motion to reconsider the failed SCR 1047, a civic learning proclamation, and a series of first-reading referrals for House bills before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll tell you that in the Health Care Budget Committee, we did have DCF come to us.
• They did come and tell us, as I said, at the Health Care Budget Subcommittee, that the technology piece
• Regarding the appropriations request portion of it, how much additional funding does DCF need to make
• So we respectfully request that you eliminate the provision that would repeal the Certificate of Need
• At the end of the day, we know the impact that the state Medicaid plan has on our state's budget; as

Transcript Highlights:

• that the speaker has laid out before you, uh, we are including China Chinatown Richardson at the request
• They are simply, they simply must request from the chairman the opportunity to be recognized.
• I encourage you to give him your full attention, difficult questions, and I respectfully request the
• But when you have aging, uh, deteriorating infrastructure, uh, at the cost that is beyond a county budget
• , have to survive and they have to produce and they have to run their business with their private budgets

Bills: HCR 114, HB 137, HB 283, HB 1398, HB 1960, HB 2153, HB 2431, HB 2638, HB 2699, HB 2999, HB 3208, HB 3389, HB 3413, HB 3510, HB 3642, HB 3859, HB 3974, HB 3986, HB 4142, HB 4173, HB 4174, HB 4542, HB 4605, HB 4663, HB 4731, HB 5064, HB 5216, HB 5218, HB 5332, HB 5453, HB 5577

Keywords: memorial, pedestrian bridge, Houston, Sergio Ivan Rodriguez, city council, oversize vehicles, transportation permits, Hidalgo County, port authority, highway routes, healthcare, insurance, mental health, treatment access, state funding, transportation, axle weight, aggregates, regulations, Texas law

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is a clean-up bill requesting... by TDLR.
• I don't like painting with a broad brush, but here's what we did in our last budget.
• those calls and. with already taking care of three of their own in one and had to say no to that request
• Senator Miles has requested a motion in writing without objection and without that changing the outcome
• I know we're building in the budget a whole new building, a whole new lab for dishes. 21 FTEs just for

Bills: SB437, SB528, SB626, SB636, SB884, SB968, SB1044, SB1608, SB2336

Keywords: healthcare, training, abuse, neglect, penalties, chemical dependency, safety, regulation, inpatient competency restoration, competency restoration, forensic mental health, mental health law, criminal competency, incompetent to stand trial, Chapter 46B, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state hospital, behavioral health, local mental health authority

Transcript Highlights:

• city and municipal budgets, money put aside to replace that gear on a regular schedule.
• Is initial funding for this loan program in the Senate budget? It is not. Thank you.
• Is initial funding for this loan program in the Senate budget? It is not. Thank you.
• On the budget, on a new government program.
• There were six distinct requests that we made.

Summary: The committee took up a series of criminal justice, health, and public safety bills, with several measures reported favorably after brief sponsor presentations and mostly no opposition. CS for SB 1782 on dangerous excessive speeding, CS for SB 306 on Medicaid provider network access, CS for SB 716 on mandatory minimums for certain sexual offenses by registered offenders, CS for SB 1084 on intimate image dissemination and digitally forged images, and CS for CS for SB 1604 on corrections-related litigation and sentencing changes all passed the committee. Members also approved CS for SB 1838, which increases protections for court officials from tampering, harassment, and retaliation, and CS for SB 1252, which directs FDLE to study a statewide pawn data database. CS for SB 468 on fleeing or eluding, CS for SB 490 on off-duty concealed carry for certain officers, and CS for SB 890 on blood clot screening and treatment also received favorable votes, with SB 890 drawing supportive testimony from the bill sponsor, medical and patient advocates, and family members affected by blood clots. The most extensive debate centered on CS for CS for SB 1804, which would create a capital offense for adults trafficking children under 12 or mentally incapacitated persons for sexual exploitation. Senator Martin defended the bill as a response to especially heinous crimes and argued it fit within constitutional punishment principles, while several members raised concerns about the Eighth Amendment, the risk of lengthy and costly litigation, and the possibility of retraumatizing victims. The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers testified in opposition, citing moral objections, due process concerns, and constitutional precedent; the bill nevertheless was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 572, the “Pam Rock Act,” which tightens dangerous-dog rules, adds enclosure, microchip, insurance, and penalty requirements, and allows stronger enforcement actions after serious attacks. The Rock family and animal control supporters testified in favor, describing the bill as a response to fatal dog attacks and urging stronger accountability for owners. For SB 572, members discussed insurance requirements, the role of local authorities in classifying dangerous dogs, and whether the bill would affect ordinary pet insurance or only liability coverage after a serious attack. The sponsor said the measure is not breed-specific and is aimed at dogs that have already caused significant harm. The committee also heard testimony from family members of Pam Rock and other victims, along with supporters from animal control and sheriff’s offices. All of the bills taken up in the meeting that were voted on were reported favorably, and no roll-call votes failed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here today to request approval to repeal docket number 24-0901-25. Ms.
• With that, I respectfully request approval... ...rules prepared for your consideration.
• I am here today to request approval to repeal docket number 24-1901-2501, starting on page 446 of your
• If there are no questions, I respectfully request the committee's approval to repeal docket number 24
• We have Senator Groh coming in to present on the health and welfare budget sections of it for us.

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved the minutes from January 19, 2026, then took up several administrative rule dockets from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses. The first, docket 24-2301-2501 for the Speech, Hearing, and Communication Services Licensure Board, added a new video remote interpreting provider license created by prior legislation and set a $150 fee for up to five sign language interpreters per business. The agency said the fee would be the lowest in the country, drew no public comments, and would have no impact on the general fund. Some members questioned the cap and the fee level, but the committee approved the docket on a 5-3 roll call vote. The committee then approved, by voice vote, two chapter repeal dockets tied to the merger of the Nursing Home Administrators and Residential Care Facility Administrators boards into the new Idaho Long-Term Care Administrator Board: docket 24-0901-2501 and docket 24-1901-2501. Both repeals were presented as necessary because the old boards’ rules were being replaced by a unified rule set under the merged board structure. Finally, the committee approved docket 24-4101-2501, the new unified chapter for the Idaho Board of Long-Term Care Administrators. The presenter said the chapter combined previously approved rules from the two former boards with no substantive changes, only reformatting to fit the merged board. The committee also recognized visitors from A&A Idaho and Nurses Day at the Capitol before adjourning, with a budget presentation scheduled for the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Budget Subcommittee No. 1 will be meeting in Room 2100 at 9:30 or upon adjournment of session.
• Budget Subcommittee No. 2 will be meeting 15 minutes after adjournment in, I'm not sure what room—2200
• I'm happy to report that the Budget Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 will be meeting five minutes after
• Colleagues and honored guests who join us in the gallery and via live feed, I rise with solemn duty to request

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We could have addressed our budget challenges in many other ways than by putting targets on children's
• members of the House of Representatives, we got to hear from the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority in their budget
• requests this year for a $494 million dollars recurring increase to their budget.

Bills: HB3057, HB3130, HB4113, HB3310, HB3314, HB3985, HB4486, HB3040, HB3407, HB4343, HB2981, HB3764, HB3765, HB3767, HB3982, HB3321, HB3322, HB3323, HB4126, HB4130, HB4170, HB3345, HB2941, HB3062, HB3244, HB3298, HB2977, HB3304, HB3299, HB3297, HB4260, HB3906, HB3648, HB3319, HB2933, HB3544, HB1322, HB4104, HB4105, HB4106, HB4107, HB4108, HB3974, HB3134, HB3055, HB3115, HB3471, HB3497, HB3500, HB3505, HB3755, HB4202, HB4226, HB4236, HB4139, HB4144, HB4422, HB4423, HB4317, HB4321, HB4322, HB3176, HB3239, HB3263, HB3673, HB3794, HB3796, HB4265, HB4266, HB2123, HB3048, HB2445

Keywords: government reporting, information technology, child welfare, environmental policy, state agency compliance, gender transition, minors, health services, punitive damages, parental rights, health care providers, voter registration, voter eligibility, felony disenfranchisement, restoration of voting rights, formerly incarcerated, reentry, parole, probation, supervision

Transcript Highlights:

• This sends a message to Washington that declares opposition to Medicare privatization and requests that
• Both these programs have been funded through proviso and the state budget for some time, the one with
• Lakewood since 2002, the one with the City of Medical Lake since 2017, a particularly good operating budget
• City of Medical Lake since 2017, a particularly good operating budget that year.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that in your budget? Is that in your budget?
• If they're making those requests, how would that person be sentenced?
• Making those requests, how would that person be sentenced?
• So I have LCIW's budget, so that's what I'm responsible for.
• I always used to say that the state budget is a moral document.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee held its inaugural meeting on March 5, 2026, with opening remarks from Chair Freiberg and Vice Chair Marcelle describing the panel’s purpose as studying issues affecting women and children, including health, education, economic opportunity, safety, and criminal justice. After roll call, the chair noted the meeting was informational only and not requiring a quorum. The committee then heard presentations and asked questions on human trafficking and child exploitation, followed by an audit report on the treatment and care of incarcerated women. Mary Kate Andrepont of the Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention presented 2025 data showing 2,963 victims identified, 15,437 service instances, and 33% of victims remaining in services at least nine months. She said 93% of reported victims were sex trafficking victims, most were under 18, and 62 of 64 parishes had trafficking reports. She explained familial trafficking, described screening and coordinated response procedures, and highlighted new tools and outreach campaigns. She also discussed two priority bills: HB 321 by Rep. LaFleur, which would create immunity from prostitution offenses for child trafficking victims under Safe Harbor principles, and SB 83 by Sen. Edmonds, which would require school board trafficking policies and expand victim advocacy services to labor trafficking victims and survivors up to age 21. Committee members asked about reporting procedures, data trends, service gaps, and the reach of the screening tools. Chris Masters of the Attorney General’s office then presented on online child exploitation and child sexual abuse material through the Louisiana ICAC Task Force. He reported 31,203 tips in 2025, 545 arrests, more than 80 children identified or rescued, over 1,500 search warrants, and more than 100 community presentations. He said the task force is expanding statewide, including an Orleans Metro unit, and asked for more analysts and outreach personnel to handle a projected rise in cyber tips. Members asked about community presentations, the scope of the investigations, sex offender social media restrictions, interstate cases, sentencing, and how online enticement and live abuse are prosecuted. The discussion emphasized parental monitoring, school outreach, and coordination with federal partners. The final item introduced an audit report on the treatment and care of incarcerated females. Legislative Auditor staff said the review, requested by a 2023 resolution, found that Louisiana’s jails and guidance documents had not fully addressed the key laws and standards governing women’s incarceration, including restraint use during pregnancy and childbirth, health care, hygiene, dignity, and reentry. They noted that local jails still house a majority of incarcerated women despite the opening of a new state facility, and that several facilities had confirmed prohibited restraint use or failed to provide required written advisements. The staff said the report included legislative considerations for improving compliance and care.