Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> this proposal proposed amendments rate, this proposal proposed amendments rate, they<03:31:46.960
• :31:55.600><c> elderly,</c> current proposed rate, the elderly, current proposed rate, the elderly, disabled
• ,</c> least, under the current proposed rate, least, under the current proposed rate, our<03:32:25.680
• However, under the rate I $49.7 million.
• So a lower tax rate gives these operators money to be able to invest.

Transcript Highlights:

• You get paint at a much cheaper rate than $50,000 to repaint your government housing.
• </c><02:51:07.120><c> than</c> at a much cheaper rate than at a much cheaper rate than $50,000<02:51:
• </c><04:31:22.479><c> that</c><04:31:22.600><c> was</c> making cars at a rate that was making cars at
• a rate that was unfathomable<04:31:24.880><c> at</c><04:31:25.040><c> that</c><04:31:25.239><c> time
• It and that's assuming interest rates don't go up on us.

Bills: HR125 , HCR11 , HR122

Keywords: committee membership, House of Representatives, government structure, ethics, political appointments, concurrent resolution, President communication, Congress assembly, meeting date, government procedure, joint session, Congress, President's address, H.Res. 122, HR122, H.R. 77, midnight rules, Congressional Review Act, CRA, resolution of disapproval

Transcript Highlights:

• . rate. rate.
• Um, states that have the higher breathalyzer rate have lower DUI rates on the road.
• Um, states that have the higher breathalyzer rate have lower DUI rates on the road.
• Um, states that have the higher breathalyzer rate have lower DUI rates on the road.
• <02:06:17.440><c> haven't</c><02:06:17.760><c> been</c> rates haven't been rates haven't been included

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2025, the annual unemployment rate across the eight San Joaquin Valley counties ranged from 6.7 percent
• All eight were above the state rate, but the harder problem isn't the number of jobs, but that as jobs
• than the statewide average may give us... ...nearly 100% higher unemployment rates than the statewide
• components of CME and supported through our partnership with NextGen, USC, UC, Santa Cruz, and Lyft, rate
• According to CalEnviroScreen, Stockton's poverty rate is in the 96th percentile range in California.

Summary: The select committee on Community Economic Mobility and Investment heard testimony on how California can support inclusive economic development through coordinated workforce, education, nonprofit, and industry partnerships. Chair Arambula opened by emphasizing that rural, low-income, and historically underinvested communities often face the greatest barriers to accessing state resources, and that the hearing would focus on successful collaboration models, the role of training and higher education, and future opportunities tied to economic mobility and social determinants of health. Witnesses from the California Workforce Association, Fresno State, and NextGen Policy described local and regional workforce systems in the Central Valley and beyond. They highlighted examples such as apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, employer-led partnerships, on-the-job training, support for women entering construction, programs for justice-involved and opportunity youth, and the need to braid federal, state, philanthropic, and private funding. Several speakers stressed that local workforce boards, community colleges, adult education, labor organizations, and community-based groups are best positioned to identify regional labor needs and that California should fund systems, not just individual grants, especially as federal workforce funding has declined and new work requirements tied to HR 1 and AI-related labor shifts create added pressure. A second panel focused on the Community Economic Mobility Initiative as a statewide model. Sierra Health Foundation and its partners said CME has helped community organizations build capacity, pursue more than $400 million in grants and contracts, and attract about $178 million back into California communities. Speakers from Siskiyou Economic Development Council, Fresno EDC, Edge Collaborative, and Líderes Campesinas gave examples of place-based projects in rural and urban regions, including business innovation centers, community-owned development, bioeconomy and restoration projects, subsidized employment, and farmworker-led cooperatives. They argued that long-term, locally driven investment produces stronger regional economies and better health outcomes, and urged the Legislature to provide durable funding and policy support rather than short-term extensions. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• In April of 2025, finances, interest rate changes, everything, it was determined that the assessments
• You know, interest rate changes, everything.
• us and what we've learned, the more fortified roofs we have in an area, it's going to improve the rates
• Amendment 14 separates references to rates and claims outcomes to emphasize that underwriting and claim
• And that would be primarily dependent on the rate of utilization? It would.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's going to have a considerable impact more than what we think it's going to be on rates, but
• :19:37.040><c> their</c> the plans are putting together their the plans are putting together their rates
• , rates, rates, uh,<00:19:38.840><c> uh,</c><00:19:39.080><c> for</c><00:19:39.360><c> the</c><00:19:
• they need, but we also are not overburdening the fully insured market in a way that could drive up rates
• </c> up rates uh for a lot of Minnesotans. up rates uh for a lot of Minnesotans.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• , that that would not fall upon commercial and residential rate payers in the area.
• My question is if there is any additional load on rates caused by the data center, specifically caused
• , that that would not fall upon commercial and residential rate payers in the area.
• My question is if there is any additional load on rates caused by the data center, specifically caused
• This impact on water consumption, on utility rates, and so this is actually not an easy vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they could actually prevent you from offering a cash price that is lower than the negotiated rate.
• Since 2024 alone, prevent you from offering a cash price that is lower than the negotiated rate.
• It's really hard to get competitive rates in Wisconsin. Is that one of them? I don't think so.
• So yes, we do need to make money on commercial payers, but we're not trying to impose unfair rates.
• so so do you so the impose unfair rates.

Committee: House General Laws

Transcript Highlights:

• August, September, and October reporting at a preliminary rate within 7% and below.
• October reporting at a preliminary rate within 7% and below, which more closely aligns with the federal
• You talked about reducing the error rate.
• You talked about reducing the error rate Thank you for being here.
• You talked about reducing the error rate.

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The committee first considered the confirmation of Dr. John Lattell to the Florida Board of Medicine. In questioning, senators focused heavily on his views on abortion, vaccines, ivermectin, hormonal birth control, and the role of CDC/FDA guidance in board discipline cases. Dr. Lattell said the board should apply Florida statutes, described himself as strongly pro-life and skeptical of some federal health guidance, and said he would be sympathetic when judging fellow physicians because of his own experience in practice. Supporters praised his medical background, military service, and family medicine experience, while opponents argued his stated views could affect his ability to fairly discipline other doctors. The committee voted 5-2 to recommend confirmation, with Senators Polsky and Rouson voting no. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families. Hatch outlined her background at DCF and APD and described department priorities including streamlining services, improving child welfare and behavioral health systems, expanding peer support, and reducing SNAP error rates. Members asked detailed questions about Hope Florida, the number and role of Hope Navigators, agency responsiveness on bill analyses, and accountability for community-based care contractors. Hatch said Hope Florida is a partnership-based navigation effort aimed at self-sufficiency, that 143 Hope Navigators are in place, and that the department is working to improve transparency and oversight through contracts, audits, and a proposed funding model. Senators also pressed Hatch on the Hope Florida Foundation’s compliance history and on forensic audits of community-based care agencies, especially Northwest Florida Health Network. Hatch said the foundation is now in compliance and under audit, and that the contractor had completed corrective actions and was operating within current accountability limits. She said DCF had not yet conducted new forensic audits under her tenure but was preparing another round and was considering using contracted-services dollars to support that work. The discussion ended with continued questioning on oversight, staffing, and whether the agency could provide more formal bill analyses going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• They've maintained the loss rate under 1%.
• ratio and the calculations that she had that this would not break that debt calculation, that the rating
• They've maintained the loss rate under 1%.
• ratio and the calculations that she had that this would not break that debt calculation, that the rating
• They've maintained the loss rate under 1%.

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 241, which would provide information about alternative pain treatments rather than mandate services. Members cited support from the prime sponsor, medical organizations, insurers, and other stakeholders, and noted there was no fiscal impact. The committee voted unanimously, 7-0, to ought to pass the bill. It then took up House Bill 629, which raises a boat decal fee and dedicates the revenue to the dam maintenance fund. Members described the state’s deteriorating dam infrastructure, noting the large number of dams, the high-hazard sites, and the much larger funding need, while saying the bill would provide only a modest start. They also said boat owners generally did not strongly object to the fee. The committee voted 7-0 to ought to pass. House Bill 1042, concerning an increase in the unified contingent credit limit for New Hampshire Business Finance Authority projects, drew more divided discussion. Supporters said the higher cap would provide needed flexibility and liquidity for business development and that the state treasurer and BFA had explained the credit structure and low historical loss rate; opponents warned the increase would raise state exposure too much, too soon. After debate, the chair postponed the bill, then later returned with an amendment lowering the proposed limit from 450 million to 400 million, which the committee adopted unanimously. The committee then moved to ought to pass as amended. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 1411, which would have allowed withholding payments to the federal government in response to federal actions. Members opposing the bill argued that withholding employee-related funds would be unlawful and ineffective, while supporters said it could serve as a statement and suggested interim study instead. The committee rejected the bill on a 4-3 vote and voted to inexpedient to legislate.

Transcript Highlights:

• So opponents say no one will buy oil and gas at the rates when we tried to raise the royalty rates.
• This mandate required an EV market rate of over 43% by model year 2027 and increasing 8% each successive
• The EV market rate actually declined.
• though we work really hard to get a renewable portfolio at our co-op, We continue to struggle with rates
• The Clear Horizons Act does not raise utility rates or impose new costs on families.

Bills: SB12 , SB36 , SB92 , SB120 , SB133 , SB151 , SB18 , SB96

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Keywords: tax credit, physician, healthcare, income tax, rural health, quantum technology, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, journalism, local news

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2389 requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to develop rules for the rated
• House Bill 2389 requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to develop rules for the rated
• Only about 9% of serious adolescent offenders go on to continue criminal offending at a high rate.
• Or higher rates than children of color.
• The police precinct that covers my district has the highest rate of juvenile-involved crime in Seattle

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2456, which would create a juvenile firearm early intervention alternative for youth charged in juvenile court with unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree. Staff explained that the program would require prosecutor agreement, intensive community supervision, random suspicionless searches, therapy and mentoring services, periodic court review, and dismissal of the charge upon successful completion. The bill would also raise concealed pistol license fees by $100 each and dedicate the revenue to a new account funding the alternative. Representative Davis said the bill is intended to fill the gap between firearm possession charges and later juvenile sentencing, and to fund evidence-based services; one member questioned whether the fee increase functions more like a tax than a fee. The chair then paused testimony on HB 2456 to return to the other bill. The bulk of the hearing focused on House Bill 2389, which would expand suspended disposition alternatives, reduce some juvenile robbery sentencing ranges, add a midpoint review for certain youth committed to DCYF, and create new rules for juvenile rehabilitation capacity and emergency transfers. Supporters, including youth currently or formerly in juvenile facilities, defense advocates, restorative justice providers, and some judges, argued the bill would reduce overcrowding, improve rehabilitation, address racial disparities, and give judges more individualized options. Several testified that youth need treatment, family connection, and incentives for progress rather than long confinement, and that current sentencing practices are outdated and underuse suspended dispositions. Opponents, including sheriffs, prosecutors, county officials, victim advocates, and some judges, argued the bill would shift costs and responsibility to counties, require resources that do not exist, and weaken accountability for serious offenses such as robbery, assault, and trafficking. They raised concerns about expanded appeals, added court workload, the need for more staffing and programming, and the impact on victims and public safety. DCYF said it supports reducing overcrowding but wants clearer emergency transfer authority for Green Hill; facility staff described improved conditions as population has fallen, but said overcrowding still creates safety and programming problems. No vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's enough, just on the patented claims, for us to mine at a decent mining rate and process for
• We actually found that it increased when that happened, so our violation rate was higher.
• Industrial water rate schedules across all customer classes, about 1,075 of them.
• You couldn't ask for a better staff, and they keep you a nice rate. They do.
• that, just because local agencies have a capacity to pay, that doesn't mean we're not passing on a rate

Committee: Joint Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates a 99% five-year survival rate when melanoma is detected early.
• And it is the case that Black, Latino, and Indigenous youth have higher rates, and our API youth have
• higher rates of diagnosable mental... ...rates, and our API youth have higher rates of diagnosable mental
• , behavioral, or emotional disorders, and our trans youth face higher rates of depression, anxiety, and
• Violent crime rates in 2023 were less than half of the peak in the 1990s.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then moved through guest introductions, including students and fellows from California Lutheran University, UC Merced’s CAPE program, the Maddy Institute, and Madera High School’s Madtown Robotics Team 1323, which was recognized for multiple robotics world championships. The chamber also adopted an adjournment in memory and took up the daily file. Several bills and resolutions were considered and passed, including AB 1390 on school board compensation thresholds, AB 1338 on air district cost recovery for fence-line air monitoring, AB 648 on community college housing, AB 1207 on cap-and-trade price ceilings, ACR 66 recognizing Skin Cancer Awareness Month, AB 49 on keeping ICE out of public schools, AB 317 on a CEQA exemption for certain single-family homes, AB 527 on geothermal exploratory wells, AB 665 on the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation ombudsman report, AB 940 creating quantum innovation zones, AB 1021 on workforce housing for education agencies, AB 1112 on property tax apportionment in Rancho Mirage, AB 1318 on nonprofit eligibility for public funding, and AB 1470 on using student housing loan funds for affordable housing in downtowns and commercial districts. Most measures passed with broad support; AB 49 and AB 1318 were urgency bills and passed with the required higher vote threshold. The floor also adopted H.R. 40, declaring May 25 as Rosenda’s Day to honor a teen killed by a drunk driver, and H.R. 42, recognizing May as Behavioral Health Awareness Month. Both drew extensive personal testimony from members about mental health, suicide, substance use, and the need to reduce stigma and expand access to care. Additional health-related bills passed, including AB 408 creating a physician health and wellness program, AB 546 requiring coverage for HEPA purifiers for certain enrollees after wildfire disasters, AB 967 expediting licenses for out-of-state physicians, and AB 968 expanding pharmacist authority to provide non-hormonal contraception. The Assembly also debated AB 1056 on phasing out gill net fishing and AB 1376 on limiting juvenile probation terms, with supporters framing both as conservation or rehabilitation measures and opponents warning about economic harm or public safety concerns. Both bills ultimately passed. Throughout the session, members repeatedly emphasized public safety, education, housing, climate, health care access, and support for immigrant and youth communities, with recorded roll-call votes and voice votes taken on each measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• of you has a printout, and this is an indication of your school district and what your absenteeism rates
• You also quoted the graduation rate, which is A lot of progress.
• You also quoted the graduation rate, which is up to 89.7% right now, and I'm so glad to hear that.
• And then that ABC, the course failure rate.
• So the growth rate in St. Johns is tremendous.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an overview from Department of Education Chancellor Paul Burns on Florida’s K-12 governance structure and major divisions, including early learning, public schools, safe schools, school choice, and accountability. He highlighted school readiness and VPK, teacher preparation and licensure, school safety functions, scholarship and virtual/home education programs, and FAST progress monitoring. Burns also cited statewide gains such as higher mid-year reading performance, a record graduation rate of 89.7%, and record CTE enrollment, while members questioned the meaning of Florida’s “number one” education rankings, teacher pay, post-COVID learning loss, vacancies, and chronic absenteeism. St. Lucie County Superintendent John Prince then described the scale and responsibilities of a mid-sized district, emphasizing student safety, transportation, meals, hurricane shelter operations, career and technical education, teacher recruitment and retention, progress monitoring, remediation, and mental health supports. Members asked about school shelter construction standards, remediation funding, late school start times, attendance, and concordance scores; Prince argued for more flexibility for CTE pathways and noted that local districts use a mix of state and federal funds to support remediation and staffing. The committee then moved to an early warning systems panel. Burns explained that Florida law requires districts to use attendance, behavior/suspensions, course performance, FAST results, and other academic indicators to identify students needing support, with districts and families developing intervention plans. Superintendents from Putnam, St. Johns, and St. Lucie counties said chronic absenteeism is tied to achievement and NAEP decline, but causes vary by district, including poverty, transportation, daycare, family instability, travel, and student athletics. They described MTSS, PBIS, home visits, attendance letters, and community partnerships as responses. Members also discussed VPK access, full-day VPK funding, excused versus unexcused absences, and the need for earlier intervention in pre-K and K-2. Finally, Vice Chancellor Darren Norris outlined Florida’s post-Parkland school safety measures, including armed school officers, anonymous reporting, behavioral threat assessment teams, mental health training, panic alert systems, emergency drills, active assailant response policies, and firearm detection canines. Superintendents said compliance is costly and often requires shifting local funds, but they praised state grants for mental health, hardening, and mapping. They noted ongoing challenges with new mandates, capital costs, manual reporting burdens, and the need to balance safety requirements with classroom resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tuition and fee rates have exceeded projected numbers that have been reported to us.
• Tuition and fee rates have exceeded projected numbers that have been reported to us.
• So that would be the average of rate.
• </c><01:10:00.400><c> This</c> average public 4-year tuition rate.
• This average public 4-year tuition rate.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• No, Claremont's tax rate is three times my...
• No, Claremont's tax rate is three times my...
• No, Claremont's tax rate is three times my...
• No, Claremont's tax rate is three times my...
• What kind of bond rating do you think we would get in that situation?

Summary: The subcommittee first dealt with a brew pub license bill and corrected some sponsor/subcommittee roster confusion before voting to pass it without discussion. The main item of debate was a bill allowing patrons to take purchased alcoholic beverages into restrooms. The bill sponsor argued the current ban is outdated, rarely enforced, and can leave patrons vulnerable if they set drinks down and leave them unattended; he said establishments could still post their own rules if they wished. Liquor enforcement officials said they were neutral overall, noting both the risk of drinks being left unattended and the practical concerns of underage drinking, over-service, and restroom monitoring. Testimony split between those who saw the law as a non-issue and those who viewed it as a safety measure. One member said he had never seen anyone take alcohol into a restroom and opposed changing the law, while others cited drink-spiking concerns and suggested alternatives such as safe zones behind bars, drink covers, and alert apps. Industry representatives said many operators would prefer to keep the law as-is because it helps with policing drinking in their establishments, though they acknowledged the motivation behind the bill. Several members also raised drafting concerns, saying the wording was confusing about whether the rule applied to patrons or establishments. The committee ultimately voted 5-2 to recommend the bill ought to pass. Afterward, members discussed amending the language to clarify that establishments could still prohibit the practice, but one member suggested a simpler fix would be to strike the word “restroom” from the prohibition entirely. The committee then unanimously voted to reconsider its action so the language could be revised later, and the amendment discussion was left for a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The cost of that coverage gets baked into rental rates, making car rentals..." "...free.
• But we live in a state that claims, rightfully, to have the highest rate of insured residents in the
• So, between high rates of health care inflation, rising unemployment, people losing their insurance,
• And that is the reimbursement rates that these hospitals are receiving, not only from public taxpayers
• Rates that these hospitals are receiving not only from public payers like Medicare and Medicaid, but

Summary: The Senate took up a series of resolutions and bills, beginning with unanimous adoption of resolutions congratulating two Eagle Scouts. It then advanced several local and special acts, including measures on Machado-Joseph disease awareness day, the Ipswich senior tax referral program, Swampscott conservation commission appointments, protections for individuals with disabilities in MassHealth day habilitation programs, continued employment in Brookfield, Marblehead parking fines, Natick’s home rule charter, and Boston affordable housing/branch library space. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committees. The Senate enacted House bills authorizing additional wine and malt beverage licenses in Lexington and a means-tested senior property tax exemption in Melrose. It also passed Senate Bill 2603 on affordable car rentals after adopting an amendment; supporters said the bill would reduce rental costs by changing Massachusetts’ rental car insurance rules to align with most other states. Senate Bill 1057 on fentanyl test strips was also passed to be engrossed after Senator Creem argued the bill would expand access to a low-cost overdose prevention tool and save lives. Senator Moore then spoke in support of expanding Nikki’s Law to cover MassHealth day habilitation programs, describing the bill as a needed protection for people with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. A major portion of the meeting focused on House 4530, a FY2025 supplemental appropriations bill providing $234 million for hospitals and community health centers. Senators discussed the Health Safety Net shortfall, rising health care costs, underinsurance, and federal reimbursement; Ways and Means explained that about $93 million was expected back in federal financial participation, making the net state cost about $140 million. The Senate also took up House 4531 on the 2026 state primary election date, rejecting an amendment before passing the bill to engrossment. The chamber later adopted emergency preambles for House 4530 and House 4531, and all three final bills—Machado-Joseph Disease Awareness Day, the supplemental budget, and the primary election date bill—were enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate adjourned in memory of Ricardo Barbosa after a memorial statement by Senator Miranda.

Transcript Highlights:

• patient access to medically necessary breast pumps by increasing Medicaid reimbursement and coverage rates
• to amend Title 46, relative to ambulatory surgical centers, to provide for Medicaid reimbursement rates
• Relative to ambulatory surgical centers, to provide for Medicaid reimbursement rates.
• in Title 40 relative to non-emergency medical transportation, to provide for Medicaid reimbursement rates
• This requires the Louisiana Department of Health to increase their reimbursement rates for non-emergency

Bills: SCR12 , HB1259 , HB221 , HB509 , HCR117 , HCR58 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SB295 , SB312 , SB326 , SB348 , SB485 , SCR9 , SCR58 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB514 , HCR32 , HCR5 , HCR95 , HB75 , HB198 , HB244 , HB302 , HB325 , HB623 , HB719 , HB749 , HB755 , HB761 , HB797 , HB823 , HB1028 , HB1049 , HB1194 , HB1199 , HB1201 , HB1222 , HB17 , HB27 , HB36 , HB41 , HB73 , HB140 , HB166 , HB181 , HB211 , HB223 , HB226 , HB271 , HB308 , HB337 , HB399 , HB410 , HB487 , HB690 , HB712 , HB730 , HB750 , HB759 , HB762 , HB775 , HB906 , HB966 , HB968 , HB1006 , HB1009 , HB1018 , HB1036 , HB1062 , HB1081 , HB1086 , HB1098 , HB1107 , HB1112 , HB1203 , HB1215 , HB1220 , HB1242 , HB1252 , HB1256 , SB208 , SB217 , SB274 , SB283 , SB300 , SB341 , SB382 , SB387 , SB389 , SB401 , SB408 , SB449 , SB469 , HB74 , HB119 , HB134 , HB368 , HB414 , HB552 , HB732 , HB776 , HB848 , HB870 , HB953 , HB956 , HB1117 , HB1236 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB78 , SB149 , SB441 , HB210 , HB258 , HB359 , HB468 , HB784

Summary: The Senate convened with 26 members present, heard a prayer from Dr. Steve Horn, and recited the pledge. The chamber then handled messages from the House, including concurrence in SCR 83 and appointment of conference committee members on several disagreements. A number of Senate resolutions were introduced or adopted, mostly creating study task forces or commending individuals and organizations, including resolutions on energy infrastructure, breast pump access, insurance coverage for auto repairs, biomarker testing, higher education funding, public-private partnership contracting, and various commendations. Several resolutions were adopted without objection, while others were returned to the calendar or concurred in by recorded vote, including SCR 29 and SCR 33 with House amendments. The Senate also considered House and Senate bills and resolutions returned from the House, with many measures adopted or concurred in. Notable actions included concurrence in HCR 117 on homeowner insurance claims processes, adoption of HCR 5 on special red drum harvest permits, and passage of bills on TOPS Tech eligibility (HB 325), vapor product permitting (HB 623), ABLE/Tuition Trust administration (HB 749), design services contracting (HB 755), rare cancer advisory board composition (HB 761), non-emergency medical transportation reimbursement (HB 1028), public meeting notices (HB 1049), healthy food retail financing (HB 1194), genetic testing coverage for SCN2A disorders (HB 1199), grocery initiative grants (HB 1222, which failed), and a constitutional amendment on retirement debt repayment order (HB 27). The chamber also adopted HCR 95, creating a joint rule requiring a fiscal review of certain tax measures for sales and use tax uniformity. Several measures drew extended debate. HB 181, which would allow the legislative auditor access to Medicaid and SNAP-related tax information for eligibility verification and fraud review, prompted concerns about privacy and scope but ultimately passed 26-8. HB 1220 on the State Board of Medical Examiners generated amendment discussion about board composition and transparency, including live video broadcasting of meetings, but was returned to the calendar before final action. HB 1018, creating a temporary local moratorium on certain alcohol permits in one Shreveport district, passed after discussion about broader policy solutions. The Senate then recessed for lunch at 2 p.m. after completing the subject-to-call list for the morning session.

Transcript Highlights:

• It directs JLARC to study state and local renewable energy tax rates by October 2031.
• It increases the small business B&O tax rate and raises the annual minimum filing threshold to $250,000
• This is followed by a preferential use tax rate for when refineries use self-produced fuel to operate
• And when the refineries use that gas, they pay a use tax rate closer to the public utility tax rate rather
• than the nominal use tax rate of 6.5 percent.

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences