Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Fink: Representative Biasuchee: aye. Representative Fink?
• Representative Biasucci? Representative Pink? Aye. Representative Garcia? Aye.
• Representative Hernandez. Representative Marshall. Representative Olson: aye.
• Hernandez representative Marshall representative Olson aye representative Rivero aye representative
• Representative Hernandez? Representative Marshall? Representative Olson?

Committee: House House Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2266, which would change school release-time policy for religious instruction from permissive to mandatory for school districts and charter governing bodies. The sponsor and supporters said the bill protects parental choice, religious liberty, and constitutional release-time programs, while opponents argued it would reduce local control, pull students from instructional time, and expose schools to constitutional and social harms. After public testimony and debate over liability, indoctrination, and academic impact, the committee voted 7-5 to give HB 2266 a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 2193, a cleanup measure related to student directory information and parent organizations. The bill would allow parents of enrolled students or representatives of nonprofit organizations supporting a school to receive directory information unless a parent or eligible student opts out. Supporters from PTO/PTA groups said the change is needed so parent organizations can continue communicating with families and building school community, while members raised concerns about whether the language should be narrowed to avoid political or other misuse of student data. The sponsor said he was open to an amendment, and the committee approved HB 2193 on a 10-1 vote, with one member present. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2075, which would require public school districts to submit superintendent and other top administrator contracts or attestations to ADE and create a searchable online database of compensation details, including salary, benefits, and car allowances. The sponsor described it as a transparency measure, and the committee discussed an amendment to add more specific filing deadlines and the online database requirement. Opponents from school administrators and rural districts argued that superintendent salaries are already public, that the bill should also apply to charter and private schools receiving public funds, and that it could add burdens or distort comparisons across different public-sector labor markets. Supporters said the bill would make total compensation easier to access and reduce public records requests. The sponsor closed by saying the bill would centralize compensation information and simplify disclosure for districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Billings? Here. Present. Representative Carver? Here. Present. Representative Cox?
• Representative Domangue? Here. Representative Cox? Present. Representative Domangue? Here.
• Representative Marcelle? Yes. Present. Representative Moore? Present. Representative Murray?
• Representative Lyons? No. Representative Marcelle? Representative Moore? No. Representative Murray?
• Representative Billings? Yes. Representative Carver. Representative Cox? No. Representative domain?

Bills: HR217 , HB66 , HB204 , HB208 , HB326 , HB472 , HB483 , HB484 , HB793 , HB1051 , HB1080 , HB1087 , HB1111 , HB1215 , SB78 , SB148

Committee: House Municipal

Keywords: rent stabilization, affordable housing, cost burdened, Louisiana housing, housing policy, emergency rental protections, Alexandria, municipal ordinances, administrative adjudication, code enforcement, housing violations, building codes, zoning, nuisance ordinances, vegetation ordinances, sewerage, drainage, licensing, permits, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Tanner? Yes. Representative Larson? Yes. Representative Representative Tanner? Yes.
• Representative Kaler. No. Representative Furman. Representative Levitt. No. Representative McCann.
• Representative Stone. Representative Tanner. Representative Larson. Yes. Representative Rubel.
• Representative Levitt. Yes. Representative McCann. Representative Thompson. Representative Stone.
• Representative Tanner. Representative Larson. No. Representative Rebell.”

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Bauman. >> Present. Representative Bray. >> Present. Representative Brown.
• Representative Freeland. >> Sure. Representative Griffee. Representative Griffee. >> Here.
• Representative Lewis. >> Here. Representative Maddox. Representative Meredith.
• Representative Griffey. Yes. Representative Hampton. Yes. Representative Hart. Representative Imes.
• Representative Lewis. Aye. Representative Maddox. Representative Meredith.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Anaya? Present. Representative Cates? Here. Representative E. Chávez?
• Representative Ferrary? Present. Representative Jones? Present. Representative March? Present.
• Derrick Lente, Representative Wanda Johnson, Representative Lundstrom, Representative Abeyta, and also
• Representative N. Chavez? No. Representative Ferrari? Representative Jones? Representative...
• Representative N. Chávez? No. Representative Ferrary? Representative Jones?

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Woodro. Representative Woodrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Thank you, Representative Leader. Representative Johnson.
• access. >> Representative Joseph. >> Representative Joseph.
• Representative Sucla, Representative Sucla, how do you vote?
• Representative Sucla, Representative Sucla, how do you vote?

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Acomb: I. Representative Bierman: No. Representative Baker: No.
• . >> Representative Novotny, no. >> Representative Olson, no. >> Representative Pinto, aye. >> Representative
• . >> Representative Novotny, no. >> Representative Olson, no. >> Representative Pinto, aye. >> Representative
• . >> Representative Novotny, no. >> Representative Olson, no. >> Representative Pinto, aye. >> Representative
• . representative. representative.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Henry, present. Representative Jackson, present. Representative Jackson, present.
• Representative Knox, present. Representative Lyons, present. Representative Marcel, present.
• Representative Moore, present. Representative Murray, present. Representative Sawyer, present.
• Representative Carver? No. Representative Cox? Yes. Representative Domain? Yes.
• Representative Henry? Yes. Representative Jackson? Yes. Representative Knox? No.

Summary: The committee met on April 15 at 5:13 p.m. with a quorum present and took up several local and municipal bills out of order to accommodate members’ travel. 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 481, dealing with the cost of publishing official proceedings and public notices, drew extensive testimony from the Louisiana Press Association, the Police Jury Association, and committee members. Supporters said a prior agreement intended a 15% to 20% reduction in notice costs, but a calculation error would instead produce roughly a 40% reduction, threatening small newspapers; opponents questioned the process and impact on local governments. The committee ultimately voted 10-5 to send HB 481 to the floor, with members urging further negotiation and possible amendment. HB 573, a major New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board governance bill by Rep. Hilferty, was amended in committee and then supported by Mayor Helena Moreno and several council members as a way to shift more oversight and accountability to the New Orleans City Council. Supporters argued the current structure diffuses responsibility and that local elected officials need more direct authority over operations, contracts, and transparency. Dr. Tracy Washington of the Louisiana Justice Institute opposed the bill, warning that transferring control could worsen financial strain, blur accountability, and raise equity and human-rights concerns for vulnerable residents. Despite the opposition, the committee voted to report HB 573 favorably to the floor. The committee also advanced HB 162, allowing the Jefferson Place/Bocage crime prevention and improvement district to impose a fee after local approval, and HB 368, which raises penalties for unauthorized demolition in New Orleans historic districts to the greater of $50,000 or 15% of assessed value. Both were reported favorably after brief discussion. HB 441, a cleanup bill clarifying that New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board employees remain in city civil service rather than state civil service, was also sent to the floor without objection. Finally, HB 257, concerning the powers and duties of the police chief of the city of Central, was amended to require consultation with the city attorney before discipline or dismissal and to delay effectiveness until January 1, 2027; after debate over due process and the chief’s authority, the committee voted to report it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Henry, present. Representative Jackson, present. Representative Jackson, present.
• Representative Knox, present. Representative Lyons, present. Representative Marcelle, present.
• Representative Moore, present. Representative Murray, present. Representative Sawyer, present.
• Representative Carver? No. Representative Cox? Yes. Representative Domain? Yes.
• Representative Henry? Yes. Representative Jackson? Yes. Representative Knox? No.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative<00:10:12.720><c> Helmer.</c> Representative Helmer. Representative Helmer.
• Representative<00:12:57.560><c> Elkins.</c> Representative Elkins. Representative Elkins.
• Representative Ulrey. >> Yes. >> Representative Ohm. Yes. >> Representative Geissler.
• Representative<01:28:20.200><c> Ulrey.</c> Representative Ulrey. Representative Ulrey.
• Representative<01:30:13.200><c> Ulrey.</c> Representative Ulrey. Representative Ulrey.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Todd.
• Representative Shimizu. So ordered. Representative Shimizu.
• Representative Matsumoto. The ordered. Representative Matsumoto.
• Representative Moria. Madam reading. Representative Moria.
• Representative Ywamoto. Uh thank 100? Representative Ywamoto.

Summary: The House met with 47 members present and 4 excused, approved deferral of the journal reading, and received no messages from the governor. In Senate communications, the chamber received a Senate concurrent resolution and several House bills returned from the Senate with amendments; Representative Todd moved to disagree with the Senate amendments, and that motion carried by voice vote. The main business was adoption of large groups of standing committee reports. The House adopted reports 1662 through 1696, then 1697 through 1714, and later report 1715, with several members noting “no vote” or “with reservations” on specific measures. One extended floor exchange centered on a measure concerning emergency access in West Oahu, where Representative Souza argued for a second access point for Makakilo residents and referenced wildfire evacuation concerns; other members raised points of order under Rule 287, and the Speaker ruled on the debate. The House also suspended the rules to consider certain Senate bills on third reading by consent calendar. On third reading, the House passed Senate bills listed on page 18, including SB 100 and SB 112, with recorded no votes from several members and support with reservations from Representative Iwamoto, who said SB 100 was a home rule issue better handled at the county level. The chamber then heard announcements, including Representative Takayama’s request for donations of new or gently used women’s business attire for the YWCA Dress for Success program. The House adjourned until 12:00 noon Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Bingham. Yeah, Mr. Chairman, Representative Berch, yes.
• Representative Bingham. Okay. Mr. Chairman, Representative Berch.
• Representative Bingham. Mr. Chairman, Representative Barbieri, yes.
• Representative Healy: We do. Thank you, Representative Healy.
• Representative: Follow-up. Representative: Follow-up, Mr. Chairman.

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Austin? Aye. Representative Blackman? Aye. Representative Diaz? Aye.
• Representative Lopez? Aye. Representative Nguyen? Yes. Representative Olson, Mr.
• Representative Volk? Aye. Representative Weninger? Representative Willoughby? Aye.
• Representative? Representative Bolt? Aye. Representative Winneger? Representative Willoughby? Aye.
• Representative Wynn: Representative Olson: Representative Rivero: Aye.

Bills: HB2063 , HB2271 , HB2416 , HB2478 , HB2593 , HB2692 , HB2813 , HB2992 , HB2993 , HB4044

Committees: House Appropriations , House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Keywords: corrections oversight, appropriation, independent office, public safety, funding, firefighters, insurance rates, workers' compensation, firefighter cancer reimbursement, rate deviations, cost analysis, premiums, border security, drug trafficking, human smuggling, law enforcement funding, Arizona, immigration, education reform, K-12

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Au, yes. Representative Representative Au, yes.
• Representative Au. Yes. Representative Representative Au. Yes.
• Representative Beu, yes. Representative Representative Beu, yes.
• Yeah, my representative represents.
• </c> Representative Johnson, no. Represent. Representative Johnson, no. Represent.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three transportation bills. SB 154 would add the Snow Traveler Foundation to the list of charitable organizations authorized to offer multi-use decal plates through the existing Department of Safety program. Senator David Roford said the bill would create a non-tax funding source for snowmobile trail maintenance, especially after flood damage, and Dan Gold of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association said the foundation would accept tax-deductible donations for projects such as upgraded trail signage. He explained that the association’s 96 volunteer clubs maintain about 7,000 miles of trails and that the sign program is costly. No opposition was presented, and the hearing was closed after questions from members about the foundation’s status and fundraising goals. SB 271 would expand eligibility for veteran license plates to include veterans with a general discharge under honorable conditions. The sponsor’s representative said the change would recognize service members who are already eligible for many veterans benefits but are excluded from plates under current law. Supporters included Phil Grizzo, who argued that general discharges often reflect service that was otherwise honorable, and Kevin Grady of the State Veterans Advisory Committee, which said it strongly supported the bill and was also considering broader statutory cleanup to standardize the definition of veteran across state law. Committee members asked whether the change should be limited to plates or applied more broadly, but the sponsor said broader changes would be a separate policy question. The public hearing was then closed. SB 273, titled “Cheryl’s Law,” would update New Hampshire’s move-over requirements for motorists approaching stopped or standing vehicles on the roadside, including stranded vehicles and those with warning signals. Senator Donovan Fenton said the bill was intended to save lives and honor Staff Sergeant Jesse Cheryl and Brigadier General John Pogo, both of whom died in roadside incidents. He said the measure would require drivers to slow down, change lanes if safe, and move over for roadside vehicles, with the intent of education rather than punishment. Committee members asked about enforcement, the lack of a fiscal note, whether the bill applied statewide, and whether the language could be read as weakening the move-over requirement; the sponsor said it applied to all roads, did not change fines, and was meant to clarify and broaden safety obligations. The hearing continued with additional questions, and the sponsor said state police and other safety stakeholders supported the approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Carver? Here. Representative Cox? Here. Representative of Domaine?
• Representative of Jackson? Representative Knox? Here. Representative of Lyon.
• Representative Knox here. Representative Lyons. Representative Marcelle here.
• Representative Moore here. Representative Murray here. Representative Sawyer... Here.
• Okay, thanks, Representative Jackson. Representative Murray? Yes, Representative Newell.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 431, which would require annual training for municipal mayors and related local officials. An amendment was adopted to add municipal retirement systems to the training categories. Representative Carlson and Louisiana Municipal Association President Mayor Ray Bork said the bill was intended to provide at least 16 hours of annual continuing education, with LMA developing and accrediting the curriculum. Members asked about online options, flexibility, and whether there would be penalties; the author said there would be no penalty beyond public reporting on the annual audit. The committee then approved the bill favorably. HB 150, by Representative Borek, would authorize Cameron Parish to establish a locally funded insurance or subsidy program to help residents recover and repopulate after storm damage. Members discussed flood insurance, FEMA Risk Rating 2.0, and whether the program would affect private insurance markets; the author said it was meant as a local subsidy, not a state-funded insurance program. The bill was reported favorably. HB 822, by Representative Newell, would remove nonprofit entities from appointing board members to certain economic development districts if they are not in compliance with Secretary of State filings; members agreed to add a two-year forfeiture period, and the bill was advanced. The committee then heard HB 204, which would require monthly financial reports from certain Baton Rouge-area agencies to the Legislative Auditor. An amendment removed the Council on Aging from the bill. Representatives from CATS and BREC said their financial statements and audits are already posted online, while the author argued the bill would provide more detailed, real-time vendor-level spending information like the Louisiana Checkbook. The Legislative Auditor said the office could receive the records but would likely need redactions and could face added workload; after extended debate, the bill was voluntarily deferred. The committee also approved HB 136 on Harahan classified police hiring, HB 376 extending provisional hire time in fire and police civil service from 60 to 90 days, HB 377 giving the State Civil Service Commission flexibility in setting pay ranges for state examiners, HB 450 clarifying veterans’ points in civil service exams, HB 273 repealing a duplicate local tax-distribution statute, HB 1068 allowing longer exclusive garbage collection and disposal contracts, HB 864 creating a fire limit to prohibit flammable storage under certain state or municipal structures in New Orleans, and HB 444 adding two members to the East Baton Rouge Recreation and Park Commission board with a technical amendment correcting the Senate district member.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Avesia. Representative Austin. Representative Cruz, aye. Representative Austin, aye.
• Representative Cruz? Representative Gillette, aye. Representative Colladin, pass.
• Representative Wen? Representative Powell, aye. Representative Rain? Representative Simichak, aye.
• Representative Taylor, aye. Representative Sosi? Representative Volk, aye. Aye.
• Representative Avatia? Representative Austin? Representative Cruz? Representative Gillette? Aye.

Committee: House House Public Safety & Law Enforcement Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several public safety and corrections measures. SB 1161 would prevent $750,000 appropriated to DPS for Yuma County’s Amberly’s Place Family Advocacy Center from lapsing; testimony emphasized that the bill preserves existing funding for crisis response and victim services. The committee also advanced SB 1215, which clarifies the cancer list tied to the occupational disease presumption for firefighters and peace officers and adds retroactivity to June 30, 2021. SB 1270, aimed at retention for Tier 3 corrections employees, would allow optional employer supplemental contributions to defined contribution accounts at specified service intervals, with an amendment capping annual contributions at $5,000 and requiring employer policies; members discussed retention, vesting, and whether the incentive could simply be taken and left after the waiting period. Both SB 1161 and SB 1215 received due pass recommendations, as did SB 1270 after one no vote and several members noting the need for better retention tools. The committee then considered SB 1400, which authorizes law enforcement wellness and crisis response programs and sets confidentiality rules for information shared in those programs. Supporters said the bill would expand access to peer and professional support while preserving public records and misconduct investigation access, but members raised concerns that the privilege language could be too broad for licensed therapists; the sponsor indicated openness to an amendment, and the bill was advanced with members reserving the right to change their votes if the language is not tightened. SB 1538, as a strike-everything amendment, would require workers’ compensation coverage for PTSD treatment for firefighters and peace officers and could include one course of MDMA treatment if federal approval and DEA rescheduling occur by the stated deadline. Supporters described promising clinical trial results and argued the bill is a conditional authorization, while counties opposed the mandate and raised cost concerns; after debate over whether the bill is permissive or mandatory, the committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and gave the bill a due pass recommendation. The committee also passed SB 1537, which renames the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund as the Public Safety De-escalation and Life Safety Fund and repeals the advisory commission. Supporters said the new name better reflects the fund’s use for de-escalation and less-lethal equipment, while some members opposed the change and preferred the money be used for raises. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1580, which would appropriate funds for fire incident management support hardware and software and, under a chairman’s amendment, redirect money from the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund to additional public safety technology and retention/recruitment purposes; testimony focused on regional data-sharing systems and the need for accountability and clarity on how the funds would be spent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Salahuddin votes aye. Representative Thai? Aye. Representative Thai votes aye.
• Representative Entenman votes aye. Representative Goodman votes aye.
• Representative Burnett votes, aye. Representative Burnett votes, aye. Representative Enstamon.
• Representative Entenman votes aye. Representative Goodman votes aye.
• Representative Taylor votes aye. Representative Farivar votes aye. Representative Walsh votes aye.

Bills: HB2735 , SB5868 , SJM8006

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: family law, constitutional floor, legal standards, child custody, divorce, SB 5868, superior court, judge, judgeship, judicial vacancy, court administration, Skagit County, Yakima County, RCW 2.08.061, Washington courts, county judges, caseload, docket backlog, judicial workload, elected judge

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Church. Representative Church. Thank you, Chairman.
• Representative Scott: Yes. Representative Palmer: Yes. Representative Holtzclaw: Yes.
• Representative Skaug: Yes. Representative Alfieri: Yes. Representative Crane: Yes.
• Representative Boyle: Yes. Representative Dygert: Yes. Representative Mickelsen: Yes.
• Representative Pohanka: Yes. Representative Bingham: Yes. Representative Church: No.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Abeytia, Representative Austin, Representative Biasiucci, aye.
• Representative Kolodin, Representative Márquez, Representative Nguyen, Representative Powell, Representative
• Simacek, Representative Taylor, Representative Tsosie, Representative Volk, Representative Wilmeth.
• Representative Márquez, Representative Nguyen, aye. Representative Powell, here.
• Representative Simacek. Representative Taylor, here. Representative Tsosie.

Bills: HB2207 , HB2225 , HB2602 , HB2641

Committees: House Public Safety & Law Enforcement , House House Public Safety & Law Enforcement Committee of Reference

Keywords: braille, disability access, education funding, state corrections, inclusion, HB 2225, Yavapai County, northern Arizona regional training academy, training academy, public safety training, law enforcement training, police academy, first responder training, capital appropriation, state general fund, state treasurer, lapsing appropriation, section 35-190, capital costs, regional training facility

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Scott. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Representative Crane. Representative Scott.
• Representative Scott. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Representative Mickelson.
• Representative Scott. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Representative Haws.
• Representative Scott. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Representative Haws.
• Representative Palmer. Representative Palmer: Mr.

Committee: House State Affairs