Transcript Highlights:

• It It is a very straightforward bill.
• </c> it even is. it even is.
• You know, it what it is to be human.
• </c><01:48:51.440><c> it</c> happen, the part-time teacher, it it happen, the part-time teacher, it it
• it does not restrict it to that.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But it is in our schools. It is in our neighborhoods. It is in our workplaces. It is in our homes.
• It is homicide. It is suicide. It is domestic violence.
• It is suicide. It is domestic homicide. It is suicide.
• </c> are doing it. People are picking it up. are doing it. People are picking it up.
• </c> I spoke about it before, but it it still I spoke about it before, but it it still crosses<03:22:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> so it depends on the district um but it so it depends on the district um but it can<00:49:42.280
• </c><01:20:19.719><c> the</c><01:20:19.840><c> tax</c> but it it seems like maybe the tax but it it seems
• up it it we that's when we pick it up it it doesn't<01:29:19.000><c> matter</c><01:29:20.000><c> uh<
• </c> institutions and it it puts our public institutions and it it puts our public in<02:13:39.199><c
• </c> going to do it if we can make it going to do it if we can make it applicable<04:33:00.960><c> to

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is it. Um this is this this is it. This is it.
• it sits there, but it gives need it, it sits there, but it gives longer<02:07:51.760><c> duration</c>
• It's just stuck into it. It has no other funding in it.
• It's just stuck into it. It has no other funding in it.
• </c> listed it. listed it.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it it makes it hard um you vague.
• </c> wrap it up. I am going to wrap it up. wrap it up. I am going to wrap it up.
• /c> approval process is it it can go years approval process is it it can go years between<01:17:01.520
• All it does address it either way.
• It worked. It kept me stable. So year. It worked. It kept me stable.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It can be It can taking this bill on.
• We appreciate it. uh let let me put it that way. Does it uh let let me put it that way.
• for people who need it to claim it.
• It does seem like a hearing it again.
• > So, I think that it it really is an So, I think that it it really is an ideal<03:25:20.680><c> site

Bills: HB2459 , HB1616 , HB1799 , HB1604 , HB1732 , HB1736 , HB1931 , HB772 , HB2153 , HB2122 , HB2009 , HB2012 , HB1779 , HB2296 , HB2397 , HB2398 , HB1596 , HB2233 , HB1976 , HB1563 , HB815 , HB1655 , HB1851 , HB1941 , HB2037 , HB1635 , HB2201 , HB1943 , HB1163 , HB2452 , HB2429 , HB2148 , HB2306 , HB2007 , HB2049 , HB2616

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: food innovation, agribusiness, food safety, market access, branding, economic diversification, performance indicators, agriculture, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, housing development, commercial projects, county authority, public works, construction standards, exemption, zoning, housing

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:35:39.920><c> and</c> restructure it so it was clearer and restructure it so it was clearer and
• And what it does is it moves uh it.
• </c><03:32:47.800><c> So,</c> It fails to even address it. So, It fails to even address it.
• </c><04:32:41.359><c> it</c> and it it isn't practical. it and it it isn't practical. it would<04:32:
• Um it it feels uh it it feels a centers.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Perhaps it clarifies it.
• Perhaps it clarifies it.
• . it. it.
• . it. it.
• The gist of it is no one's talking about it. The gist of it is no one's talking about it.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He lived for it. He fought for it and ultimately he died for it.
• He lived for it. He fought for it and ultimately he died for it.
• He lived for it. He fought for it and ultimately he died for it.
• He lived for it. He fought for it and ultimately he died for it.
• :04:14.958><c> it</c><05:04:15.200><c> was</c> It was a bad case and it was and it was It was a bad case

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No, I think it was like, I think it was 21. Okay.
• So my question is, which is it? Is it $32,400 or is it $64,800?
• who gets it and who doesn’t get it.
• We amended it and it came out of commerce. You amended it in commerce.
• I mean, read it. I mean, just read it.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 105, which reinstates a sunset-expired TOPS Tech benefit for eligible veterans. Senator Kathy said the bill would use existing TOPS dollars, not new funding, and would help veterans stay in Louisiana and enter the workforce. After brief questions about eligibility and funding, Representative Marcelle moved the bill favorably, and it was reported favorably without objection. House Resolution 3, by Representative Newell, asked the Louisiana Housing Corporation to study whether vacant state-owned property could be repurposed for housing and rental assistance for cost-burdened state employees. Members discussed the high fiscal note and whether the work could be absorbed in existing budgets. Fiscal staff said LHC had requested a full-time position and four part-time positions for the study, but the committee also talked about narrowing the study’s scope. Representative Marcelle moved the resolution favorably, and it was reported favorably without objection. The committee then debated House Bill 189, which would extend supplemental pay to fire protection officers at the Lakefront Management Authority’s airport fire department. Representative Newell and airport representatives argued the firefighters perform specialized, hazardous ARFF duties and should receive the same supplemental pay as other qualifying public firefighters. Some members questioned whether the airport and its employees qualify under existing law and whether the supplement should be expanded further. After discussion, Representative Marcelle moved the bill favorably, but the motion failed on a roll call vote of 8 yeas to 10 nays. Later, Senate Bill 461, concerning Office of Group Benefits coverage for certain small employee groups, was reported favorably without objection. House Bill 623, creating a three-tier permitting system for vapor products, was amended to clarify direct-to-consumer shipment restrictions and then reported favorably as amended. House Bill 1222, creating a grocery initiative grants and financial support program through LED to address food deserts, drew extended debate over whether it would amount to government-run grocery stores; supporters framed it as an incentive and grant program for private grocers, while critics raised concerns about government involvement. After amendment, it was reported favorably as amended by a vote of 16 yeas to 2 nays. Finally, House Resolution 80, directing a comprehensive fiscal audit related to Board of Regents and university system spending on certain executive budget metrics, was amended into a substitute version. Members debated whether the resolution would require universities to do additional work and whether it belonged in Appropriations at all, especially since the fiscal note had been removed. The discussion also raised concerns about the listed schools and the resolution’s purpose in light of a federal civil rights investigation. The transcript ends while the committee is still discussing the resolution and related procedural motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is not a private airport; it is a public airport. It is not state-owned.
• So my question is, which is it? Is it $32,400 or is it $64,800?
• who gets it and who doesn't get it.
• We amended it and it came out of Commerce. You amended it in Commerce.
• I mean, read it. I mean, just read it.

Bills: HR3 , HR80 , HB4 , HB172 , HB189 , HB623 , HB944 , HB1185 , HB1199 , HB1222 , SB105 , SB125 , SB461

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: housing assistance, state-owned property, cost-burdened, state employees, affordable housing, fiscal audit, higher education, public funds, underrepresented minorities, Board of Regents, Louisiana legislation, constitutional convention, Louisiana constitution, electoral process, government structure, delegate elections, airport authority, fire protection, supplemental pay, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I move for its adoption. It will be laid over.
• And sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't.
• It makes it a requirement.
• He offered it, and he withdrew it. And for whatever reason, he withdrew it. He talked about it.
• If it yields. If you spoke about it earlier, I missed it.

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The House Budget Committee met with a quorum and began by taking up a series of budget bills and committee substitutes, including House Bills 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013, which were laid over. The chair then walked members through a committee amendment package, explaining a mix of technical corrections, fund swaps, and adjustments involving highway patrol fringe costs, summary budget timing, rural health care, the CCBHO FMAP correction, and marijuana-fund reallocations. Members adopted the chair’s decrease amendments and later adopted the corresponding increase amendments, including partial restoration for Care to Learn, a Title I grant language change, an Overpass and Seymour road project, technical corrections for DPS and health-related items, and restorations for Jordan Valley and FQHC substance abuse funding. After a brief recess for session and lunch, the committee returned to House Bill 2 and began considering member amendments. On House Bill 2, the committee adopted Representative Lewis’s amendment making the curriculum transparency and parent portal item a pilot program, and Representative Davidson’s amendment adding $2 million in federal Child Care and Development Block Grant funds for One-Time Wonder School. Representative Steinhoff’s attempt to shift funding from Missouri Star Solutions and WorkKeys to the Success Ready Student Assessment failed, as did Representative Taylor’s proposal to move $1.2 million from career ladder to community college nursing programs. The committee then rejected Representative Steinhoff’s attempt to redirect Title I Innovation and Improvement Grant funds back to the governor’s recommendation, and later adopted Representative Steinhoff’s vocational rehabilitation amendment, which restored the department’s request and drew down additional federal matching funds. The committee also adopted Representative Hyne’s language amendment to allow flexibility between the MOQPK pre-K grant program and the Child Care Works tri-share program, though members discussed concerns about cross-bill flexibility and whether funds would actually be available. Representative Fogle’s amendment to require budget communications sent to committee chairs to also go to the full Budget Committee was defeated after members expressed concern about information overload and the difference between required distribution and requested information. The committee then took up a lengthy debate over Representative Fogle’s amendment to remove language barring Parents as Teachers participation for children already enrolled in public pre-K. Supporters argued the programs serve different purposes and that families should not be forced to choose between them, while opponents said the language was intended to prevent duplication of services and preserve resources for children without other options. After extensive discussion, the amendment failed. The committee continued with additional House Bill 2 amendments, but the transcript ends before final action on the remaining items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hang on, I had it up on my screen, and now it disappeared. I don't know where it went.
• And it does make it one time. I don't think it says one time in there, does it, Keith?
• But I support it. I think it makes sense.
• it.
• That addresses... yes, it does. It does.

Bills: SB2399

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Keywords: mental health, psychiatric treatment, reimbursement, medical assistance, legislative report, 908, all

Summary: The Senate Appropriations HR Division met to work through amendments and budget items in House Bill 2012/HB 1004, focusing first on long-term care, disability services, and behavioral health. Members discussed competing approaches to a four-plex for medically complex individuals, a value-based care payment withhold for nursing facilities, accreditation requirements for providers, a study of developmental disability services, and funding for Family Voices and Ann Carlson-related services. Several amendments were accepted or set aside after discussion, including a study amendment for disability services and a Family Voices grant amendment that was adjusted to remove “one-time” language so it could continue as an ongoing grant. The committee also agreed to keep or defer some items for conference committee, including the youth crisis stabilization pilot and other long-term care proposals. A major discussion centered on the state hospital project. Members debated whether the $330 million project should remain in the DHS budget or be moved to the OMB budget for construction management. After discussion of costs, alternates, and the role of a steering committee and BND loan language, the committee agreed to remove the state hospital funding and related loan language from the DHS budget while leaving the steering committee language in place. The committee also considered a proposed Altru grant for additional beds and settled on a smaller planning-focused approach, with a $1 million grant and a line of credit concept to be refined later. The committee then turned to behavioral health items, including QRTP funding, nursing home behavioral health training, and a youth crisis stabilization pilot. Members generally supported keeping the QRTP funding level, but were divided on the nursing home behavioral health training and the crisis stabilization pilot, with some preferring to leave those issues for conference committee. The division also reviewed the HHS block grant and underfunding structure, with Donna Ackland explaining salary, vacancy, and flexibility calculations; the committee discussed adjusting the underfund and revenue assumptions but did not finalize every number before moving on. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 1577 on wastewater treatment grants. Senator Davison moved to hoghouse the bill into a study-focused version using the proposed amendment language, and the motion passed. The committee then moved HB 1577 as amended with a do pass recommendation; the roll call passed with Senators Cleary, Davison, Dever, and Mathern voting yes, and Senator Magrum not recorded as voting. The meeting adjourned with plans to return later in the day to continue budget work.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move for its adoption. It will be laid over.
• I move for its adoption. It will be laid over.
• He offered it, and he withdrew it. And for whatever reason, he withdrew it. He talked about it.
• It goes to the county. It goes to the sports authority, does it?
• And it seems like the parameters around it... statutorily, and it seems like the parameters around it

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was just asking because of the way you worded it, so it kind of felt like it was advocating for it.
• And I would go to the page before it where it shows the text of it to actually read it.
• It prefaced it at the beginning.
• Let me find it. I've lost it.
• It makes it something else.

Committee: Joint Legislative Council

Summary: The committee met to review and adopt Legislative Council ballot measure analyses, with members repeatedly reminded that the hearing was limited to the accuracy, clarity, and impartiality of the summaries and not the merits of the underlying proposals. Steve Premack explained the statutory role of the analyses in the publicity pamphlet, and staff presented draft language for several measures. The committee considered and voted on multiple amendments, often debating whether proposed wording was clearer or instead crossed into advocacy or added unnecessary legal detail. For SCR 1004, members debated amendments to more closely mirror the measure’s text and to add language about electric vehicles and mileage, but several proposed changes were rejected. The analysis was ultimately adopted by an 8-6 roll call. HCR 2021 was then adopted without amendment by the same 8-6 margin. For HCR 2055, members debated whether the summary should say the Department of Homeland Security must “do everything” or “use all lawful means available,” and whether to add language about cartels acting “individually or collectively”; both amendments were rejected and the analysis was adopted 8-6. The committee next took up SCR 1004 on photo enforcement systems, where members proposed amendments to clarify that the measure would apply to red light cameras, to add “thereafter” regarding recurring voter approval, and to specify that approval would occur at the general election; those amendments failed, and the analysis was adopted 8-6. On SCR 1032, dealing with instructional expenses and classroom site fund reductions, members debated adding a definition of the Classroom Site Fund and spelling out the waiver process in more detail; both amendments failed, and the analysis was adopted 8-6. Finally, on HCR 2001 regarding citizenship identification and early voting, members rejected amendments that would have added background on current law, clarified that mail voting would be affected, added severability and revenue-source language, and struck the measure’s short title; the discussion was lengthy and at times contentious, but the transcript ends before a final roll-call vote on that measure is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would go to the page before it where it shows the text of it to actually read it.
• Let me find it. I've lost it.
• It makes it something else.
• It makes it something else.
• It makes it something else.

Committee: Joint Legislative Council

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's it. That's it. Well, that's That's it. That's it. Well, that's That's it. That's it.
• Well, Well, it was it was the old day was but it's it was it was the old day was but it's it was it was
• So, it made it you were making it seem like it was all schools, making it seem like it was all schools
• when it when does it so paid when is it when it when does it so paid when is it when it when does it
• Like it like it it seem so what I mean? Like it like it it seem so what I mean?

Bills: HB 1500 , HJR 7 , HJR 112 , HB 34 , HB 133 , HB 112 , HB 119 , HB 128 , HB 130 , HB 132 , HB 2756 , HB 166 , HB 406 , HB 186 , HB 271 , HB 331 , HB 380 , HB 1583 , HB 1584 , HB 1819 , HB 621 , HB 303 , HB 552 , HB 366 , HB 463 , HB 1211 , HB 1327 , HB 1461 , HB 923 , HB 1760 , HB 2043 , HB 2467 , HB 5333 , HB 5265 , HB 1592 , HB 1576 , HB 1552 , HB 2018 , HB 3511 , HB 1781 , HB 2013 , HB 2340 , HB 2349 , HB 2508 , HB 2970 , HB 2520 , HB 865 , HB 2851 , HB 3385 , HB 3336 , HB 3529 , HB 3309 , HB 1127 , HB 1232 , HB 1397 , HB 4236 , HB 1804 , HB 1926 , HB 4041 , HB 1965 , HB 1964 , HB 2679 , HB 2730 , HB 3698 , HB 3699 , HCR 77 , HB 3354 , HB 163 , HB 201 , HB 272 , HB 333 , HB 405 , HB 519 , HB 569 , HB 654 , HB 694 , HB 791 , HB 1006 , HB 1136 , HB 1240 , HB 1266 , HB 1275 , HB 1437 , HB 1532 , HB 1675 , HB 1842 , HB 1868 , HB 1888 , HB 1894 , HB 1943 , HB 1990 , HB 2029 , HB 2061 , HB 2286 , HB 2523 , HB 2622 , HB 2626 , HB 2652 , HB 2692 , HB 2842 , HB 2885 , HB 2914 , HB 3016 , HB 3096 , HB 3129 , HB 3248 , HB 3251 , HB 3255 , HB 3479 , HB 3611 , HB 3623 , HB 3701 , HB 3724 , HB 3803 , HB 3804 , HB 3805 , HB 3806 , HB 3810 , HB 3816 , HB 3832 , HB 3887 , HB 4127 , HB 4129 , HB 4130 , HB 4131 , HB 4163 , HB 4187 , HB 4229 , HB 4238 , HB 4454 , HB 4588 , HB 4643 , HB 4736 , HB 4738 , HB 4739 , HB 4945 , HB 5015 , HB 5616 , SB 767 , SB 1619 , SB 1738 , HJR 5 , HJR 2 , HB 1399 , HB 388 , HB 114 , HB 205 , HB 2789 , HB 2791 , HB 499 , HB 2960 , HB 3163 , HB 3135 , HB 2427 , HB 1672 , HB 1722 , HB 2618 , HB 879 , HB 1126 , HB 4134 , HB 3513 , HB 1445 , HB 1893 , HB 1734 , HB 3229 , HB 3306 , HB 1276 , HB 3516 , HB 4145 , HB 1585 , HB 4810 , HB 2558 , HB 2742 , HB 1695 , HB 33 , HB 144 , HB 109 , HB 103 , HB 148 , HB 3809 , HB 2217 , HB 220 , HB 2421 , HB 2363 , HB 421 , HB 2455 , HB 3711 , HB 2559 , HB 2775 , HB 3126 , HB 3666 , HB 3595 , HB 3260 , HB 3376 , HB 3826 , HB 3770 , HB 1831 , HB 2614 , HB 3113 , HB 322 , HB 431 , HB 869 , HB 1203 , HB 1244 , HB 1875 , HB 1950 , HB 2152 , HB 2341 , HB 2809 , HB 2856 , HB 3012 , SB 1415 , SB 1058 , SB 487 , SB 1499 , SB 513 , SB 1697 , SB 1197 , SB 1437 , SB 1809 , SB 836 , SB 1879 , SB 1145 , SB 963 , SB 1038 , SB 1147 , SB 914 , SB 711 , SB 1409 , HB 3707 , HB 589 , HB 1360 , HB 2337 , HB 2391 , HB 718 , HB 23 , HB 2436 , HB 1500 , HJR 7 , HJR 112 , HB 34 , HB 133 , HB 112 , HB 119 , HB 128 , HB 130 , HB 132 , HB 2756 , HB 166 , HB 406 , HB 186 , HB 271 , HB 331 , HB 380 , HB 1583 , HB 1584 , HB 1819 , HB 621 , HB 303 , HB 552 , HB 366 , HB 463 , HB 1211 , HB 1327 , HB 1461 , HB 923 , HB 1760 , HB 2043 , HB 2467 , HB 5333 , HB 5265 , HB 1592 , HB 1576 , HB 1552 , HB 2018 , HB 3511 , HB 1781 , HB 2013 , HB 2340 , HB 2349 , HB 2508 , HB 2970 , HB 2520 , HB 865 , HB 2851 , HB 3385 , HB 3336 , HB 3529 , HB 3309 , HB 1127 , HB 1232 , HB 1397 , HB 4236 , HB 1804 , HB 1926 , HB 4041 , HB 1965 , HB 1964 , HB 2679 , HB 2730 , HB 3698 , HB 3699 , HB 3354 , HB 163 , HB 201 , HB 272 , HB 333 , HB 405 , HB 519 , HB 569 , HB 654 , HB 694 , HB 791 , HB 1006 , HB 1136 , HB 1240 , HB 1266 , HB 1275 , HB 1437 , HB 1532 , HB 1675 , HB 1842 , HB 1868 , HB 1888 , HB 1894 , HB 1943 , HB 1990 , HB 2029 , HB 2061 , HB 2286 , HB 2523 , HB 2622 , HB 2626 , HB 2652 , HB 2692 , HB 2842 , HB 2885 , HB 2914 , HB 3016 , HB 3096 , HB 3129 , HB 3248 , HB 3251 , HB 3255 , HB 3479 , HB 3611 , HB 3623 , HB 3701 , HB 3724 , HB 3803 , HB 3804 , HB 3805 , HB 3806 , HB 3810 , HB 3816 , HB 3832 , HB 3887 , HB 4127 , HB 4129 , HB 4130 , HB 4131 , HB 4163 , HB 4187 , HB 4229 , HB 4238 , HB 4454 , HB 4588 , HB 4643 , HB 4736 , HB 4738 , HB 4739 , HB 4945 , HB 5015 , HB 5616 , SB 767 , SB 1619 , SB 1738 , HCR 77

Keywords: Information Resources, Department governance, cybersecurity, state assistance, procurement training, technology resources, advisory committees, water fund, Texas water supply, constitutional amendment, state revenue, infrastructure, parental rights, child upbringing, government interference, Texas legislation, science park district, economic development, technology innovation, higher education collaboration

Transcript Highlights:

• so um this is it is it to be right it so um this is it is it to be right it so um this is it is it to
• a bathroom whe stay it it it started as a bathroom whe stay it it it started as a bathroom whe you know
• how it started and uh it it you you know how it started and uh it it you you know how it started and
• and after it the reason for passing it and after it the reason for passing it and after it if it passes
• it says um it the person who sells it it says um it the person who sells it it says um it it's the person

Bills: SB 2

Keywords: 920, all

Transcript Highlights:

• up on it, and you don't oppose it, and it would only apply to you.
• It was. I don't know quite why that was. It shouldn't be. It doesn't—it isn't logical.
• Maybe we'll see it one day. But is it zero? Is it one? We will see it one day. But is it zero?
• Is it one? Is it 10?
• it available and broadcast it.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the previous day’s journal by a 126-0 vote, and suspended business for the Speaker to sign several bills and substitutes. Members then spent much of the day introducing guests, including county assessors, students, civic groups, and visitors from local schools and universities. The chamber then took up House Bill 2002, the elementary and secondary education budget. Members adopted several amendments, including technical fixes to allow board-operated schools to use personal service funds for career ladder payments, clarifications to child care subsidy language, and changes to Parents as Teachers rules so that enrollment remains voluntary and virtual visits are not reimbursable. An amendment to shift $1 million from one child care facilities line to Child Care Works passed, as did an amendment to fund a new Success-Ready Student Assessment with $2 million to help replace the MAP test. A proposal to pay child care subsidies for foster children based on enrollment rather than attendance failed 53-93, and an amendment to divert $10 million in Title I funds into a competitive grant program also failed. A later amendment to send budget reports to the ranking minority member passed, while an attempt to remove child care subsidy language from the bill failed. The House then moved to higher education and workforce development appropriations. Members approved an amendment broadening a pre-apprenticeship program statewide and supported funding for Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries through a transfer from dual credit scholarship funds. The most extensive debate centered on House Bill 2003’s higher education funding model, where the chair defended an FTE-based approach as more transparent than the long-standing status quo, while opponents warned it would sharply cut funding for institutions such as Harris-Stowe, Lincoln, Truman State, and some community colleges, and would ignore factors like graduation rates, research, and workforce needs. A compromise amendment to soften the transition was withdrawn, and a separate amendment to restore the governor’s recommendation was also debated at length, with members arguing over the fairness and consequences of the proposed model.

Transcript Highlights:

• it would be, it was, it was... ...saying that that calculation, and I would say that it would be, I
• It has not served its residents.
• It does not stipulate or require anything. It makes it optional. It says may, not shall.
• as it makes its way to the floor.
• It seems to me it wouldn't be necessary, but you're saying it is.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee met at 5:13 p.m. on April 15 with 14 members present and took up several local and municipal bills. HB 87, which would increase the per diem for the Livingston Parish Gas Utility District No. 1 board, was presented as a local bill with no opposition and was reported favorably without objection. HB 162, authorizing the Jefferson Place/Bocage Crime Prevention and Improvement District to levy a fee after a local vote, was also moved favorably without objection. A lengthy discussion centered on HB 481, which would change the rate for publishing official proceedings and public notices. Supporters from the Louisiana Press Association said a prior agreement intended a 15% to 20% reduction in newspaper revenue, but a calculation error meant the current law would instead cut revenues by about 40% to 50% when it takes effect in 2027. Representatives from police juries and other local-government groups argued the bill should be corrected to restore the intended compromise, while some members questioned whether the change would break a prior deal and whether small or single-newspaper parishes would be harmed. The committee ultimately reported HB 481 favorably by a 10-5 vote, with members urging further negotiation and possible floor amendments. HB 573, as amended, would restructure oversight of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board by giving the New Orleans City Council and mayor more authority over operations, contracts, and accountability measures. Representative Hilferty and Mayor Helena Moreno argued the current structure diffuses responsibility and has failed residents, while one witness from the Louisiana Justice Institute warned the bill could shift control without fixing infrastructure problems and could raise equity and financial concerns. Despite that opposition, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also advanced HB 368, increasing fines for unauthorized demolition of historic properties in New Orleans; HB 441, clarifying that Sewerage and Water Board employees remain in city civil service; and HB 257, which would give the elected police chief of Central authority to hire, fire, and discipline police personnel, subject to consultation with the city attorney and a delayed effective date. All of those bills were reported favorably after discussion and, where needed, adoption of amendments.