Transcript Highlights:

• So is there, I don't know if it has to be a legislative... Bakersfield for treatment.
• So is there—I don't know if it has to be a legislative fix.
• Is that a regulatory fix or is that a legislative fix? Thank you, Senator.
• Yeah, ensuring appropriate Medi-Cal eligibility enrollment is crucial, not only to...
• Appropriate Medi-Cal eligibility enrollment is crucial not only today, but also in light of a number

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointees and routine committee actions. Members approved, by unanimous 5-0 votes, three not-required-to-appear appointments: Hampus Eitsiter to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Peter Stern to the California Horse Racing Board, and Dean White to the State Mining and Geology Board. The committee also approved references of bills to committees and floor acknowledgements, each by 5-0 vote. The committee then heard testimony on Tyler Sadwith’s appointment as Chief Deputy Director of Healthcare Programs at the Department of Health Care Services. Sadwith emphasized protecting Medi-Cal access for 14 million Californians, navigating federal changes, and continuing CalAIM and behavioral health reforms. Senators focused heavily on hospital financial distress, rural access, Medi-Cal redeterminations, work requirements, provider reimbursement, fraud oversight, dental access, labor and delivery closures, and the effectiveness of CalAIM and community supports. Public commenters from county, hospital, and provider groups largely supported the nomination, citing his experience and collaborative approach. The committee voted 5-0 to send his appointment to the full Senate. The committee also considered Chris Thayer’s appointment as director of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Thayer described OEHHA’s role as providing transparent, science-based health assessments, improving risk communication, and supporting tools such as CalEnviroScreen and Prop 65 guidance. Senators raised concerns about reliance on models versus real-world data, PFAS, environmental justice, wildfire and battery-fire impacts, and whether CalEnviroScreen and Prop 65 are working as intended. Public testimony from environmental and health organizations supported the nomination and highlighted OEHHA’s scientific role. The committee approved Thayer’s appointment 3-1, with one senator not voting, and forwarded it to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, the legislative auditor.
• He's requested to be heard next. Mr.
• And this is from the Legislative Auditor's Office.
• The present proposed legislation gives The present proposed legislation gives no requirements for the
• I didn't think that was appropriate for us.

Summary: The committee first heard and favorably reported House Bill 1175, which updates aeronautics-related definitions to make Louisiana more attractive to the aviation industry. It then approved House Bill 655, giving DOTD clearer authority to contract for operation and maintenance of state ferry systems on a cost-plus basis, with testimony focused on flexibility for the Cameron Ferry and other state-run ferries. House Bill 1037, which reorganizes certain DOTD operations by shifting duties to a chief operating officer and extending work on a unified permitting platform, was also reported favorably, as was House Bill 1174, which recreates the Department of Transportation and Development on a revised cycle. House Bill 714 was voluntarily deferred. The committee next took up several port-related measures. House Bill 871, which would have added two St. Tammany appointees to the Port of New Orleans board, was voluntarily deferred after the author said the timing was premature given ongoing work on the LIT project and regional trade zone issues. House Bill 345, expanding the Rail Infrastructure Improvement Program to include rail infrastructure at ports, was reported favorably. House Bill 713, which would cap the Caddo-Bossier Port executive director’s compensation at the statewide average of the top ten port directors, drew extensive testimony for and against; supporters argued the salary was excessive and the port needed accountability, while opponents said ports are different from one another, the local appointing authorities already oversee the board, and the bill could hurt recruitment. The committee voted 12-1 to involuntarily defer HB 713. House Bill 667, which would change the Caddo-Bossier Port Commission from appointed to elected members, also drew strong opposition over cost, voter confusion, and loss of local appointing authority, and it too was involuntarily deferred by a 12-1 vote. The committee then favorably reported House Bill 743, creating the Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport District in St. Mary Parish, after testimony that the airport should be managed as a dedicated economic development asset. House Bill 836, which would reconfirm members of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East, was amended to move the reconfirmation date from August 1, 2026, to December 1, 2026, to avoid disrupting hurricane-season operations, and was reported favorably by substitute. Finally, House Bill 730, concerning the use of ADS-B aircraft tracking data, was discussed with an amendment limiting the bill’s application to smaller aircraft; the measure was presented as a privacy and safety bill to prevent assessors or others from using ADS-B data to impose fees or taxes on aircraft owners.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> support to joint legislative support to joint legislative commissions. commissions. commissions.
• Um, I I've mostly for map requests.
• But again, the standard requests.
• </c> legislation. You guys don't have it. legislation. You guys don't have it.
• </c> a request from Legacy? a request from Legacy?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I do not believe that a rule is a legislative enactment.
• I do not believe that a rule is a legislative enactment.
• This is just clarifying in this piece of legislation who already is required to.
• Yes, roll call vote has been requested. Any more comments? Okay. Okay.
• And I do appreciate the senator or the representative for bringing this legislation.

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee first considered House Bill 494, which would move background-check rules into statute. Representative Josh Wheeler and Department of Health and Welfare Chief of Staff Jared Larson said the change was needed to maintain access to the FBI’s national fingerprint database and to clarify who is subject to checks, without adding new categories of people. Senators questioned the bill’s reference to federal public policy and the FBI’s role, and some expressed concern about federal influence and state sovereignty. After debate, a motion to hold the bill in committee failed, and the committee voted to send HB 494 to the 14th order for possible amendment, with the intent of restoring language related to sex-offender background checks. The committee then heard House Bill 526, which would expand Idaho’s cottage food law to allow certain time- and temperature-controlled foods to be sold directly by small entrepreneurs up to a $5,000 threshold. Representative Jeff Ehlers said the bill was meant to help startup food businesses avoid the cost of commercial kitchens and permits, while still requiring labeling and direct-to-consumer sales. Testimony from Food Northwest and public health district officials opposed the bill, warning that the foods involved carry greater foodborne illness risks, that the current cottage food labeling rules were designed for shelf-stable foods, and that the bill lacked training or safety standards. Supporters argued consumers should be able to choose and that regulation does not eliminate all risk. After discussion, the committee voted to send HB 526 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Several senators voiced support for small business and consumer choice, while others noted concerns about food safety and liability. The committee adjourned after announcing it would meet again the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• How do we use AI to address public records requests at scale so we can free up our people?
• And then the second part is that you mentioned the public records request.
• For you to consider for the 2026 legislative session.
• For the record, Omar Santana Gomez, legislative director for the Office of Equity.
• But as you all know, as legislators, there's a lot to that.

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on technology in government, AI, broadband, and digital equity. Seattle CTO Rob Lloyd described the city’s AI strategy, emphasizing responsible use, privacy, security, community input, and data strategy. He said Seattle is using small pilots and partnerships to test AI for tasks such as public records processing, infrastructure inspection, and permitting, while keeping humans as the final decision-makers. Members asked about bias, liability, training on best practices, labor involvement, and public records; Lloyd said AI should remain an assistant tool, not a replacement for human judgment, and that Seattle is still testing solutions for records requests and permitting. WATech CTO Nick Stow and Deputy Director Mark Quimby discussed the state’s broader AI policy, the generative AI executive order, a sandbox with more than 15 agencies, and use cases including a resident portal, cybersecurity, and wildfire detection. They stressed consent, closed systems, human-centered design, and the need to govern all forms of AI, not just generative AI. Committee members raised concerns about federal data access, labor issues, and wildfire detection effectiveness. Spokane County IT staff described a more restrictive approach to AI, citing privacy, bias, and cyber risks. The county standardized on Microsoft Copilot as its only approved chat-style AI tool, blocked other AI chat platforms, and requires human review of all AI-generated content. They said AI is also being used by criminals for phishing and deepfakes, underscoring the need for strong policy and security controls. The committee also received an update from the Attorney General’s AI Task Force. Yuki Ishizuka said the task force has 19 members and eight subcommittees covering ethics, consumer protection, labor, health care, public safety, education, government efficiency, cybersecurity, and industry/energy. The task force is working toward an interim report due December 1, 2025 and a final report due July 1, 2026, and is reviewing recommendations through public forums and advisory committees. Ishizuka warned that a federal budget reconciliation provision could bar states from enforcing AI regulations for 10 years, and several members voiced support for state authority and asked about possible 2026 legislation. The committee then heard updates on broadband and digital equity. Commerce’s Dave Pringle said the BEAD broadband program is being reshaped by new NTIA guidance, which removed or reduced emphasis on several prior priorities, and Washington is now working under an expedited process to submit its state application by September 4. He noted that no projects have been built yet, that four counties did not receive applications in round two, and that the state is trying to keep applicants engaged through office hours and a shortened review window. The Office of Equity and the Digital Equity Forum reported increased participation, new members, and ongoing outreach to tribal, rural, and underserved communities, while previewing recommendations such as creating an interdepartmental digital equity team and improving data use. Finally, Lumen’s Robert Thoms described private-sector broadband deployment challenges, including permitting, regulation, and the economics of extending fiber, while noting continued investment in overbuild projects, a $30 low-cost service option tied to the former ACP, and work with the state, tribes, and libraries. No votes were taken; the meeting consisted of presentations and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation is focused on creating a safe path for communities to opt in to legal street usage of
• What's the need to try to create all the legislation, then, to allow them to be driven like a vehicle
• As you remember, and as I just told everyone here, it's an opt-in type of legislation.
• So I respectfully request that you allow this to move forward as we work together, and I ask you for
• I would like to request a moment of silence for Mr. James Bennett.

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard SB 356 by Senator Wright, which would create an opt-in framework allowing counties and municipalities to designate certain roads for utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) under local conditions, including driver licensing, insurance, and speed-limit restrictions below 55 mph. Senator Wright said the bill would give law enforcement clearer authority and mirror the local-option approach used for golf carts. Supporters included a retired Volusia County sheriff and county commissioner, who argued UTVs are safer than golf carts and are already being used on roads, while opponents from the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association and Honda warned that UTVs are designed for off-road use, lack federal safety standards, and pose crash and tire-blowout risks on public roads. Several senators raised safety concerns, especially about speed and crash severity, but the committee ultimately voted to report SB 356 favorably. The committee then held a lengthy discussion on seaport infrastructure and funding, beginning with a moment of silence for JaxPort COO and former FDOT employee James Bennett. FDOT presented data showing Florida’s 16 deepwater seaports generate major cargo volume, jobs, and economic impact, and described state funding programs such as FSTED, SPI, and the construction aggregate grant program. Port representatives from Port Everglades, PortMiami, Port Tampa Bay, and the Port of Palm Beach described record cargo and cruise activity, major capital projects, and the need for continued state and federal support for dredging, bulkheads, cranes, rail, and terminal expansion. Senators asked about ROI, trade shifts, intermodal connections, fuel and LNG availability, leverage and reserves, and operational risks such as flooding, sea level rise, and channel depth; port officials emphasized resiliency, private partnerships, and long-term master planning. The committee also confirmed appointees to the Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority and the Tampa Port Authority in one vote, with no objection. Finally, FDOT presented the statewide mapping programs work group report required by SB 1662, explaining that coordinated statewide use of LiDAR and aerial imagery could reduce duplication, improve emergency management and planning, and support insurance and storm-damage assessment. FDOT recommended a formal statewide coordination program, shared procurement and cost-sharing agreements, dedicated staffing, and statutory updates to Chapter 334 to support interagency agreements and recurring funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know specifically there was broad legislation for school districts, right?
• This is a Legislative Women's Caucus priority bill.
• And I don't think it's appropriate for you to be out of the home.
• Like, many $150,000 requests as needed? For each of the contracts.
• So I'm not clear why the need for additional legislation here.

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We request an aye vote. We'll now hear from those testifying in opposition.
• with specific detail as to what the stakeholders... and communities would like to see through the request
• Unfortunately, our requests were ignored, and so we turned to a letter of opposition. right after it
• passed appropriations in the Senate and have met with your office multiple times including again this
• Appropriations Committee, Soria? Aye. Soria, aye. Alanis? Aye. Alanis, aye. Agricuri?

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An electronic roll call vote has been requested.
• I rise to request a ruling on the amendment.
• A roll call vote has been requested. A roll call vote has been requested.
• And isn't it okay as a legislator to say maybe we got it wrong?
• I think that would be the appropriate process to go forward here.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:44:55.040><c> changes</c><00:44:55.520><c> to</c> requesting a couple of changes to requesting
• appropriate?
• 25.199><c> original</c> background legislation, the original background legislation, the original legislation
• Services must be culturally and linguistically appropriate, and funding is requested to help local welfare
• appropriate and funding is<02:09:13.760><c> requested</c><02:09:14.159><c> to</c><02:09:14.400><c> help

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> House Bill 499 from the 24 legislative House Bill 499 from the 24 legislative session<00:03:03.040
• </c> for this reason, we respectfully request for this reason, we respectfully request your<00:09:42.240
• </c> addition add additional budget request addition add additional budget request so<00:12:50.720><c
• Now we have done normally appropriated.
• </c><00:42:43.839><c> the</c> additional kids that we've requested the additional kids that we've requested

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met without a quorum and first heard from Kentucky Department of Education officials on career and technical education funding. KDE explained that House Bill 499 created a CTE funding formula using 60% weighted full-time equivalent enrollment and 40% incentives, but House Bill 6’s budget language excluded area technology centers (ATCs) from that supplemental funding. KDE requested approval of an additional budget request of $14,789,352 in each fiscal year 2027 and 2028 to include ATCs in the formula and hold local districts harmless. Officials said ATCs serve students from 117 of Kentucky’s 171 districts and argued the change would reduce funding disparities and better reflect the return on investment from CTE programs, citing growth in dual credit and work-based learning participation. Members asked whether the issue would need to be revisited each budget cycle. KDE responded that the problem could be fixed by removing the notwithstanding language from the budget bill, which they said would allow ATCs to be included under the existing statute. Representative Klein supported the request, saying the current clause could lead to stagnation and that the committee should help the program continue to grow. No vote was taken on the CTE item during the portion of the meeting provided. The committee then heard a presentation from PreK for All on expanding preschool access in Kentucky. Advocates said the state’s preschool program has been funded since 1990 and currently serves about 14,200 children at roughly $84 million per year, but that many working families still fall into a coverage gap. They proposed expanding eligibility to 250% of the federal poverty line, which they said would add about 9,600 children at a cost of $40 million in year two, after a planning year. The proposal also included regulatory flexibility for classrooms and partnerships with private child care providers and nonprofits, with speakers emphasizing child care deserts in some counties and citing research that early learning improves kindergarten readiness and later outcomes. No action or vote was taken on the preschool proposal in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we shall watch out as developing policies and, where appropriate, will adopt rules to govern the
• So, but we shall watch out as developing policies and where appropriate will adopt rules to govern the
• I am required to note that that is the lifespan of my legislative assistant.
• I am required to note that that is the lifespan of my legislative assistant.
• A world where I have room to get really crazy, you... ...we have one request for this bill if you're

Bills: SB6352

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, resources, funding, state law, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And at the appropriate time, Mr. Chair, I'd like to move favorable in the minutes.
• Members, our goal with this piece of legislation is to give children their voices back.
• Members, our goal with this piece of legislation is to give children their voices back.
• Nick Cuncle, Louisiana State Law Institute, present providing information if requested.
• H.B. 603 went through Appropriations Committee, 16-0, and of course... ...went through Appropriations

Bills: HB165 , HB603 , SB77 , SB140 , SB185

Committee: House Civil Law and Procedure

Keywords: HB165, lottery proceeds, Lottery Proceeds Fund, Veterans Service Grant Fund, constitutional amendment, veterans, military veterans, veterans' benefits, veterans services, family support, state lottery, education funding, Minimum Foundation Program, problem gambling, compulsive gaming, state treasurer, ballot proposition, constitutional referendum, lottery revenue, Louisiana resident veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, you may not like it, and I might not like it, but I do think that that is an appropriate thing for
• Chair, I also would like to request unanimous consent to strike title at this time.
• Members, you've heard the unanimous consent request to strike title.
• This was just something that was missed in last year's legislation as it got through that we're coming
• All parties involved from last year's legislation are great with this update.

Bills: SB2106 , SB1471 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB1619

Committee: Senate Local and County Government

Keywords: zoning, municipal compensation, property rights, financial impact, reversion ordinance, solid waste management, municipal authority, regulatory fees, waste reduction, environmental impact, restrictive covenants, discriminatory covenants, racially restrictive covenants, housing discrimination, Fair Housing Act, plats, subdivision plats, residential additions, county clerk, municipal ordinance

Summary: The Senate Local and County Government Committee heard and advanced several bills dealing with municipal authority, land use, waste management, and transparency. Senate Bill 2106, by Senator Brooks, would require municipalities that use a reversion ordinance to change zoning back to a prior designation to compensate landowners for any loss in property value; it passed 8-0. Senate Bill 1471, by Senator Boren, as amended, would allow cities and towns to impose narrowly tailored fees related to solid waste and packaging impacts, with revenue limited to waste collection, recycling, cleanup, education, and related contamination-reduction efforts; members discussed microplastics, bag fees, and concerns about scope and oversight, and the bill passed 6-2. Senator Nysha and the chair spoke in support of the measure as a conservation and landfill-reduction tool. Senate Bill 2139, by Senator Hicks, was presented as a cleanup bill directing county clerks to remove discriminatory language from recorded plats, including digital records, after an ordinance amending a plat is adopted and recorded. The committee adopted a committee substitute, struck title, and advanced the bill 8-0. Senate Bill 2154, by Senator Reinhardt, would require lien holders to be notified before foreclosure proceedings begin when a municipal lien is filed; Senator Nice asked whether the notice period could be defined as 10 business days, and the author agreed to discuss that with stakeholders. That bill also passed 8-0. Finally, Senate Bill 1619, by Senator Hamilton, was broadened from an original focus on data centers to a general transparency measure for municipal and county governments. It would prohibit officials from using nondisclosure agreements to conceal how public tax dollars are spent, while still protecting proprietary business information. Members discussed constituent concerns about secretive economic development deals, and the bill passed 8-0. The committee then concluded its business and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, the department requests approval of this pending rule.
• And with that, the department requests approval of this pending rule.
• And with that, the department requests approval of this pending rule.
• And so I am happy to tell you that with regard to the funding that we have had appropriated, we will
• We have some line-item requests in the budget, and all of our budget line-item requests are dedicated

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A RECENT STUDY BY VIRGINIA'S JOINT LEGISLATION AUDIT AND REVIEW COMMISSION IN VIRGINIA THE LARGEST DATA
• CENTER MARKET NATIONALLY AND GLOBALLY RATES APPROPRIATELY ALLOCATE COSTS TO THE CUSTOMERS RESPONSIBLE
• FACTS FOR THE REQUEST OF CUSTOMERS.
• FIBER INFRASTRUCTURE, ACCESS TO WATER WHERE APPROPRIATE, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND ALSO END USER
• WE SEE REQUESTS FOR GIGAWATTS AS 200, 500 BIG CUSTOMERS.

Transcript Highlights:

• The procedures anticipated all requests for clarification, The procedures anticipated all requests for
• , and documenting the request in the procurement file.
• I requested an investigation back in July of 2025.
• I requested an investigation back in July of 2025.
• We need to jointly plan an administrator, administrate a legislative strategy.”

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> The Appropriations Committee on Pre K 12 education to come to order and please call the roll Chair
• budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee.
• And so we wanted to make sure that in obtaining devices are appropriate for their expenses that are appropriate
• Kudos to you for for putting all of that and this legislation.
• They must weigh their child's right to a free appropriate public education.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ryan Woolsey with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Yes, Ann Hollingshead with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• At the appropriate time, I'm happy to take your questions.
• At the appropriate time, I'm happy to take your questions.
• I am introducing legislation today.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The 2023 legislature appropriated $135 million for this purpose.
• This bill, House File 20221, appropriates $30 million in fiscal year 2026 to cover the estimated remaining
• The 2023 legislature appropriated $135 million for this purpose.
• I want to thank the legislators for passing the unemployment insurance bill for hourly school workers
• $30 million in fiscal year appropriates $30 million in fiscal year 2026<00:01:44.960><c> to</c><00:01

Keywords: 1183, house