Transcript Highlights:

• The president of Louisiana Tech as some other members requested.
• The president of Nicholls State, as some others requested.
• The president of Louisiana Tech as some other members requested.
• The president of Nichols State, as some others requested.
• This bill was requested by the Tax Assessors Association.

Bills: SB524 , SR108 , SR109 , SCR56 , SCR57 , SCR12 , HB227 , HB398 , HB689 , HB897 , HB1029 , HB1107 , HB1217 , HB221 , HCR58 , HB136 , SB162 , SB382 , SCR33 , SCR30 , SB112 , SB194 , SB307 , SB341 , SB346 , SB363 , SB495 , SB503 , SB507 , SB509 , SB513 , SB408 , SB131 , SB145 , SB333 , SB464 , SB466 , SB500 , SB283 , SB338 , SB488 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB228 , SB246 , SB249 , SB268 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB312 , SB319 , SB323 , SB369 , SB431 , SB474 , SB484 , SB490 , SB492 , SB501 , HCR14 , HB537 , HB652 , HB653 , HB661 , HB726 , HB756 , HB851 , HB964 , HB966 , HB34 , HB35 , HB48 , HB474 , HB553 , HB758 , HB852 , HB10 , HB16 , HB36 , HB44 , HB46 , HB52 , HB61 , HB78 , HB98 , HB102 , HB124 , HB126 , HB131 , HB135 , HB141 , HB142 , HB164 , HB170 , HB171 , HB179 , HB194 , HB231 , HB245 , HB280 , HB292 , HB294 , HB297 , HB305 , HB336 , HB337 , HB351 , HB436 , HB594 , HB789 , HB956 , HB957 , HB995 , HB1040 , HB50 , HB117 , HB120 , HB122 , HB139 , HB148 , HB149 , HB185 , HB199 , HB247 , HB271 , HB286 , HB301 , HB358 , HB359 , HB384 , HB413 , HB428 , HB450 , HB462 , HB547 , HB613 , HB631 , HB657 , HB669 , HB675 , HB680 , HB691 , HB712 , HB716 , HB720 , HB723 , HB727 , HB728 , HB735 , HB747 , HB759 , HB825 , HB842 , HB845 , HB846 , HB903 , HB904 , HB907 , HB923 , HB929 , HB941 , HB962 , HB965 , HB1036 , HB287 , HB370 , HB515 , HB521 , HB570 , HB1200 , HB29 , HB39 , HB58 , HB67 , HB73 , HB76 , HB77 , HB82 , HB112 , HB121 , HB125 , HB132 , HB134 , HB151 , HB154 , HB155 , HB161 , HB166 , HB187 , HB191 , HB207 , HB211 , HB224 , HB238 , HB241 , HB242 , HB250 , HB260 , HB265 , HB275 , HB300 , HB320 , HB338 , HB339 , HB349 , HB379 , HB399 , HB427 , HB463 , HB464 , HB468 , HB545 , HB550 , HB551 , HB565 , HB588 , HB639 , HB725 , HB782 , HB805 , HB808 , HB834 , HB847 , HB853 , HB858 , HB861 , HB883 , HB916 , HB937 , HB977 , HB1012 , HB1027 , HB1044 , HB1054 , HB1071 , HB1091 , HB1117 , HB119 , HB129 , HB677 , HB850 , SB68 , SB149

Keywords: Jump Start, career and technical education, CTE, career diploma, career pathways, workforce development, high school diploma, career major, individual career and academic plan, ICAP, individual graduation plan, IGP, work-based learning, apprenticeship, internship, dual enrollment, articulation agreement, transfer credit, rural schools, rural LEA

Transcript Highlights:

• We kind of missed within our budget.
• First, I respectfully request a roll call on this. A roll call has been requested.
• And, Madam Speaker, I would like to request a roll call as well. A roll call has been requested.
• And, Madam Speaker, I would like to request a roll call as well. A roll call has been requested.
• </c> impact, we're passing a two-year budget impact, we're passing a two-year budget right<01:59:57.280

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• bill requires the Florida Center for Cybersecurity to submit to the Executive Office of Policy and Budget
• In many cases, people may have to request them from other states, pay processing and administrative fees
• The amendment deletes outdated language regarding treatment of spoiled ballots at the request of the
• And if we need to accommodate for those dollars in that budget, we will be able to.
• And like I said, we still have time, so I will be very nice while we're still doing budget.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:57:19.040><c> but</c> amendments that we're requesting but amendments that we're requesting but
• requests related to this... >> I’m guessing we would submit budget requests related to this bill, uh
• requests as part of the legislative budget process. >> I’m sorry.
• requests as part of the legislative budget process.
• Thank you, Chair. >> Request denied.

Bills: HB1881 , HB2218 , HB1956 , HB2151 , HB1845 , HB1844 , HB2103 , HB2424 , HB1650 , HB376 , HB2599 , HB1861

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: land use, ropeway, transportation, state regulation, government exemption, DLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, public lands, public trust resources, community co-management, co-management agreement, community-based organization, Native Hawaiian, malama aina, ahupuaa, subsistence, cultural resources, religious practices

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 10, 2026, with Chair Mark Hashem outlining strict testimony rules and noting a time constraint because of later hearings and floor session obligations. The committee then took up several bills, hearing mostly supportive testimony on HB 1881 relating to land use, HB 2218 relating to DLNR/community management, and HB 1956 relating to freshwater waves, while HB 1845 relating to the Land Use Commission drew legal concerns and opposition. HB 2151 relating to building materials had no substantive testimony presented in the excerpt, and the committee moved through it quickly. On HB 1881, testimony focused on protecting North Shore lands from overdevelopment. A supporter described the area as valuable precisely because it remains largely undeveloped, and a member asked whether the bill’s restrictions on “finculars” would affect existing or future private residential installations; the response suggested the bill was aimed at future commercial uses and that grandfathering or personal-use exceptions might be possible, but the exact wording would need legal refinement. HB 2218 received broad support from OHA, DLNR, Kua, Sierra Club, Hui Maka Aana, the Honlay Initiative, and others, who said the measure would expand community-based co-management across DLNR divisions, build on existing park partnerships, and produce real benefits such as better stewardship, safer access, local jobs, and stronger community trust. Members asked about the bill’s five-year review structure, how multiple community groups would be handled, and whether the model could apply to ocean or nearshore areas; DLNR said the board would retain authority, agreements would be non-exclusive and subject to review, and the department was still working through how the approach would function across different divisions and marine settings. For HB 1956, the Attorney General offered technical comments, urging clearer definitions of “residing” and “freshwater way,” clearer timing for citations and arrests, and more explicit procedural safeguards and agency roles. On HB 1845, the Attorney General and Land Use Commission raised concerns that the bill could conflict with constitutional protections for important agricultural lands and could not be reconciled with existing voting requirements; the LUC also said commissioners cannot vote by proxy under sunshine law and warned that the bill could allow too few commissioners to approve major boundary changes. Members questioned how the bill would work in counties without designated important agricultural lands, and the LUC explained that Kauai is the only county to have completed the IAL process, while the broader statutory process remains county-driven and has been the subject of litigation. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I have the honor to announce that the House has acceded to the request of the Senate for the
• President, and I would request a roll call. Roll call requested, roll call granted.
• President, despite Senator Ibler's request, I'm not going to read the list of the many, many notaries
• President, despite Senator Ibler's<00:17:50.800><c> request,</c><00:17:51.320><c> I'm</c><00:17:51.440
• ><c> not</c><00:17:51.720><c> going</c><00:17:51.840><c> to</c><00:17:52.000><c> read</c> Ibler's request

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be virtually impossible to get a court order even if a concerned parent knew of the request.
• We all know the current concern of the budget, and this is simply untenable.
• We all know the current concern of the budget, and this is simply untenable.
• During my custody battle in Ada County in 2025, I requested court records on my own case.
• I was able to receive the audio transcript, but when I later requested the written transcript, when I

Summary: The House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee approved the minutes from March 11, 2026, then took up House Bill 803 on execution procedures. The bill would extend confidentiality protections for people involved in firing squad executions to match those already used for lethal injection, with supporters saying it protects state employees from doxxing and is consistent with recent court rulings. Some members objected that the bill reduces transparency and removes even limited administrative review, but the committee passed it on a roll call vote, 11-2, with Representatives Matthias and Rubel voting no. The committee then heard House Bill 857, which would give both parents equal access to a minor child’s records, including medical, educational, child care, law enforcement, and court records, unless a court order restricts access with written findings that the restriction is necessary to prevent substantial harm to the child. The sponsor said the bill clarifies parental rights and helps schools and providers know when records must be released, while opponents argued it could expose parents and children to danger, create a high burden for courts, and reduce privacy protections. After testimony from family law attorneys, a court representative, and parents, the committee sent the bill to General Orders unanimously. House Bill 859, also from Representative Scott, would require restoration of parenting time when a parent loses time due to abuse allegations that are later found unsubstantiated or insufficient, and would require courts to order make-up time and report willful interference to prosecutors. Supporters said it would deter false allegations and restore time wrongfully lost, while opponents said existing family law rules already provide make-up time, the bill would burden courts, and the reporting requirement would compromise judicial neutrality. The committee rejected a motion to hold the bill and instead passed a motion to hold it in committee by a 7-5 roll call vote. The committee then quickly passed Senate Bill 1308, a cleanup bill related to mediator information, and Senate Bill 1293, which clarifies that crime victims compensation is not a public benefit under last session’s public benefits law. Both were sent to the floor with due pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we add, upon written requests, the records A records custodian shall provide the copies within 14
• We all know the current concern of the budget, and We all know the current concern of the budget, and
• Chance that this such a request might happen. Absolutely.
• During my custody battle in Ada County in 2025, I requested court records on my own case.
• I was able to receive the audio transcript, but when I later requested the written transcript, when I

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , but of a person previously enrolled in CPP to file a notification request with DHS and be informed
• B4 establishes a process for a staff member of a jail to request an accommodation, exempting the staff
• This one establishes a process for staff members to request accommodation.
• And then, if budget allowed with DOC, they could increase that based on the CPI.
• And again, everything is based on budget.

Bills: HB2510 , SGA9305

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: community custody, probation, Department of Corrections, DOC supervision, Washington criminal law, sentencing, felony supervision, risk assessment, sex offense, serious violent offense, domestic violence, repetitive domestic violence, failure to register, sex offender registration, dangerous mentally ill offender, indeterminate sentence, parole, conditional commutation, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I would like to submit for the record a list of 22 unanswered requests for information that
• I have... done specific requests for access to that information.
• , numerous requests for information and accountability?
• Have you ever made unwanted requests for sexual favors or committed any verbal or physical harassment
• As you're aware, the VA faced significant questions around its budget last year with many issues.

Committee: Senate Senate Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: veterans affairs, VA modernization, employee layoffs, mental health, suicide prevention, transparency, senate committee, bipartisan support, oversight

Summary: The meeting involved detailed discussions on various veterans' issues, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amidst a backdrop of significant staffing changes. Members expressed deep concerns over the recent layoffs of over 1,000 VA employees, emphasizing the crucial nature of these positions in the context of mental health support for veterans, particularly amid rising suicide rates. Senators articulated the need for transparency and effective communication between the VA and Congress to avoid further breakdowns in services. The session also spotlighted the ongoing modernization of VA systems and the urgent need to streamline processes to benefit veterans effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:47.400><c> to</c> occasional renewal of the request to occasional renewal of the request to
• </c><00:54:20.000><c> is</c><00:54:20.240><c> 1.79</c> that budget is 1.79 that budget is 1.79 billion
• And so we shouldn't be surprised that the Southwest line is over budget.
• And a month later, after session ended, we're like, whoops, $600 million over budget.
• And what are the drivers of some of our budget? So I don't think it's about that.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, we have a roll call requested. Miss Stankvich is going to take the roll.
• I would like to request a roll call. Thank you. Roll call requested.
• </c><00:59:29.839><c> Roll</c> request a roll call. Thank you. Roll request a roll call. Thank you.
• Roll calls<00:59:30.480><c> requested.
• Any other conversation calls requested.

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> to</c> million to budget relief and 392 to million to budget relief and 392 to enhancements.<00:
• I am not a card-carrying Sierra Club the budget. the budget.
• The state budget the last 2 years.
• There's no doubt this is energy, rather than sending it to the general budget to plug a budget hole.'
• budget to plug<01:44:13.080><c> a</c><01:44:13.120><c> budget</c><01:44:13.560><c> hole.

Keywords: House streaming session for Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The program received over $1 billion in requests and only had $250 million in state funds to serve the
• We're operating extremely tight budgets. We cannot sustain this.
• So I think it's a critical... ...neither of which may have factored into their budgets.
• And so the budget and policy center, their recent statistics were that providers are only getting paid
• We are also a member of the ECE Budget Coalition.

Summary: The hearing focused first on how wildfires and other disasters affect child care providers, families, and early education infrastructure. State officials from the Department of Social Services and Department of Education described disaster response and preparedness efforts, including shelter coordination, licensing outreach, emergency waivers, distribution of supplies, and the statewide child care disaster plan. Testimony from providers and advocates emphasized major gaps in recovery funding, insurance coverage, rebuilding support, mental health services, and coordination with local rebuild plans. Several witnesses urged more dedicated disaster-recovery funding for child care facilities and suggested statutory changes, including allowing greater flexibility for rebuilding costs and requiring early childhood programs to be included in local disaster planning. The second panel addressed immigration enforcement and its impact on child care. Advocates from the Children's Partnership, Every Child California, and CHIRLA said enforcement activity is causing families to keep children home, disrupting continuity of care, reducing enrollment, and creating fear and trauma for children and providers. They argued that immigrant and mixed-status families need clearer protections, privacy safeguards, legal support, trauma-informed guidance, and safe-haven policies for child care settings. Speakers also stressed that the child care workforce is heavily immigrant and that recent state laws such as AB 49 and AB 495 will require funding, training, and technical assistance to implement effectively. Public commenters, including child care providers, described personal experiences with fire damage, displacement, permit delays, lost income, and the emotional toll of serving families during crises. Others described how immigration enforcement has made parents afraid to attend events, drop off children, or remain connected to providers. Committee members repeatedly noted that child care is often overlooked in emergencies and asked state officials how child care systems are being integrated into disaster planning and how local and state agencies can better coordinate. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• you combine the objective and subjective, we're looking at a request of between 120 and 164 warrants
• ... ...we're looking at a request of between 120 and 164 warrants statewide.
• And is there a request today to increase that amount? All right.
• Request is increased to $60,000, which would make it more competitive? I think that you would see.
• But our request would be to approve, as demonstrated in the formula and in the subjective need, the requested

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Governor’s Advisory and Review Commission on Assistant District Attorneys met to consider whether additional state-funded assistant district attorney positions should be approved. Louisiana District Attorneys Association Executive Director Zach Daniels presented a report proposing a formula that combines objective factors such as population, violent and sex crime caseloads, civil body representation, and courthouse coverage with subjective input from district attorneys about local needs. He said the combined approach supported a statewide request of 120 to 164 additional assistant district attorney positions, with the commission focusing on the higher end of that range in the report packet. Several district attorneys described staffing shortages and funding pressures in their districts. Colin Sims of the 22nd Judicial District said fast growth in St. Tammany, a long period without added warrants, and recent funding cuts had left his office under strain, especially with felony and sex crime caseloads. Hillar Moore of East Baton Rouge said his office was significantly understaffed, could not fill all existing warrants because of salary and benefit costs, and was asking for 25 positions instead of the formula’s 23 due to a homicide backlog and difficulty recruiting lawyers at current pay levels. James Stewart of Caddo Parish said his office was losing attorneys to higher-paying public offices, handling a heavy homicide and felony trial load, and needed both more warrants and higher salaries to remain competitive. Commission members asked about split warrants and recruitment challenges. Moore said split warrants were not a major issue for his office, while Sims said his office had no split warrants. Daniels said the association wanted the commission to approve the requested positions and continue working with the legislature on funding. The commission then adopted a motion to recommend 164 additional assistant district attorney positions, with members noting that the recommendation would not remove legislative discretion. The meeting then adjourned unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• you combine the objective and subjective, we're looking at a request of between 120 and 164 warrants
• ... ...we're looking at a request of between 120 and 164 warrants statewide.
• And is there a request today to increase that amount? All right.
• Request is increased to $60,000, which would make it more competitive?
• But our request would be to approve, as demonstrated in the formula and in the subjective need, the requested

Summary: The Governor’s Advisory and Review Commission on Assistant District Attorneys met to consider whether additional state-funded assistant district attorney positions should be approved. Louisiana District Attorneys’ Association Executive Director Zach Daniels presented a report proposing a more objective formula for allocating warrants, based on factors such as population, violent and sex crime caseloads, civil body representation, and courthouse logistics, while also incorporating subjective input from district attorneys about local needs. He said the combined approach suggested a statewide need of between 120 and 164 additional warrants, and emphasized that Louisiana’s crime rates and office workloads justify more staffing. Several district attorneys testified in support of additional positions and higher warrant funding. Colin Sims of the 22nd Judicial District said St. Tammany has grown rapidly, has not received an additional warrant in nearly 20 years, and faces major funding cuts and heavy felony and sex-crime caseloads. Hillar Moore of East Baton Rouge said his office is significantly understaffed, has lost many lawyers to higher-paying public-sector jobs, and needs more assistants and a higher warrant amount to remain competitive; he asked for 25 additional positions and an increase in the warrant value from $50,000 to $60,000. James Stewart of the First Judicial District described similar recruitment and retention problems, high homicide and felony trial volumes, and rising office costs. Commission members asked about split warrants and whether offices still use them; the district attorneys said the practice is limited or not used in their offices, and that statewide usage was unclear. After discussion, a motion was made and seconded to approve the recommendation for 164 additional assistant district attorney positions, based on the chart in the packet. The commission voted unanimously in favor, then adjourned. The action was described as a recommendation for legislative consideration rather than a final funding decision.

Transcript Highlights:

• packet, is on water supply analysis in the headwaters of the Snake, as well as looking at the water budget
• packet, is on water supply analysis in the headwaters of the Snake, as well as looking at the water budget
• packet, is on water supply analysis in the headwaters of the Snake, as well as looking at the water budget
• One housekeeping thing here, actually, we have a number of bills here, and at the request of the sponsor
• One housekeeping thing here, actually, we have a number of bills here, and at the request of the sponsor

Summary: The committee began with presentations from the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association and the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute (IWRI). Eric Wyseth of IOGA described the association’s history, its more than 400 members, and the industry’s economic impact, saying outfitting and guiding generates about $891 million annually, supports over 7,500 jobs, and largely benefits rural Idaho. He also raised concerns about Fish and Game allocation changes, the importance of keeping public lands in public hands, and the ongoing FERC relicensing process for Hells Canyon Dam, where outfitters want daytime minimum flows maintained for jet boating. Dr. Kendra Kaiser of IWRI outlined the institute’s water research priorities and funding process, including a 32-member advisory committee, more than $500,000 distributed to university projects, and work on statewide issues such as water scarcity, recharge and water quality, snowpack data, flood mapping, monitoring gaps, East Snake Plain reach gains, and Lake Pend Oreille management. Director Matt Weaver praised IWRI’s renewed role as a neutral, applied-science partner for water management. The committee then set aside several code cleanup bills at the sponsor’s request. House Bill 569, sponsored by Representative Sauter, was introduced to expand recreational water skiing rules to allow driver-and-skier operation on public waters under specified equipment, age, and time restrictions; it was moved and passed to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Senate Bill 1222, presented by Representative Pickett, was described as a follow-up to last year’s domestic water exemption law, clarifying the definition of a subdivision as five lots and making the changes prospective beginning July 1, 2025. Testimony from the Idaho Water Users Association supported the bill, and it was also sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation after questions about domestic use, irrigation limits, and enforcement. Finally, Representative Boyle presented Senate Joint Memorial 108, which urges federal officials to address concerns that livestock producers on BLM and Forest Service allotments are discouraged from filing depredation claims for wolf or grizzly bear losses because of threats to their permits or grazing terms. The memorial was supported by a Farm Bureau letter in the packet. The committee moved it to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• And fifth, instead of utilities deciding when it is to their financial advantage to request a favorable
• consider any excessive compensation of utility company executive officials in reviewing a rate change request
• Do you have any suggestions on a percentage basis of overall budget or monthly costs or budgeting percentage
• I mean, is it a percentage of what your overall household budget is? So, thank you.

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and considered four bills, all of which were reported favorably. SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives was presented as a negotiated “glitch bill” to narrow statutory language so co-ops can choose generation and power purchases based on cost and reliability without exposure to lawsuits aimed at banning fuel sources; it was supported by the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association and passed without debate. SB 364 on public accountancy was described as a modernization and licensure-efficiency bill to increase the supply of CPAs; an amendment correcting a drafting error and restoring automatic mobility language was adopted without objection, and the bill as amended was reported favorably. A public comment on the bill was briefly redirected after it appeared to address a different subject. The committee then took up SB 200 on utilities, which addresses solar decommissioning and storm protection plans. Chair Bradley said the bill would authorize counties to require decommissioning plans for utility-scale solar facilities at the end of their useful life, direct DEP to develop best management practices, and require the Public Service Commission to consider whether storm protection plan costs are reasonable relative to expected customer benefits. County and consumer groups spoke in support, and the Small County Coalition said the bill was a needed step that did not restrict solar development; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 126 on the Florida Public Service Commission, which was presented as a reform and “glitch” bill and amended to add CPA and financial analyst expertise, require stronger PSC order explanations, tighten intervention requirements, cap returns on equity at the national average for comparable utilities, set periodic ROE review schedules, and require affordability to be considered in rate-related proceedings. The PSC staff deputy executive director answered extensive questions about storm hardening, cost recovery, risk, and affordability. Several members and public speakers supported the bill’s goals but raised concerns about the affordability standard, the ROE cap, and comparisons to other states; others said the bill would improve transparency and accountability. The amendment was adopted, and CS for SB 126 was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• there's no currently in the budget there's no funding<00:09:32.800><c> for</c><00:09:32.959><c> the<
• . uh when I'm budget would would work. uh when I'm talking<00:10:17.680><c> about</c><00:10:17.920><c
• </c><01:18:53.120><c> department,</c> governor, state budget department, governor, state budget department
• </c> already in the LSO budget. already in the LSO budget.
• </c> request his presence for that. request his presence for that.

Bills: HB0150

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: Wyoming business council, economic development, task force, evaluation, policy reform, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The two-year period is very helpful for budgeting purposes.
• The two-year period is very helpful for budgeting purposes.
• So, I think that's most of the covered in 310. that budget cycle, then it allows us the that budget cycle
• </c><01:10:31.440><c> to</c> very important note was the request to very important note was the request
• So, we do the receiving the request.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then the next question would be, was there a total budget?
• I don't have a total budget number for them, but the fiscal note didn't quite have that.
• We are in the budget crisis of a lifetime. The headline today: this is today's paper.
• Judge Sidney Cates has said he is present and will provide information if requested.
• Judge Kimia Holmes is present and will provide information if requested.

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up House Bill 911 by Rep. McMakin, which proposes a major restructuring of Orleans Parish courts into a single judicial district with one clerk of court and a consolidated system, while keeping current judges in place through the end of the year and allowing them to run in scheduled elections. The committee first adopted a three-minute debate rule, then later rejected a motion to suspend it. The bill was then amended with a large set of mostly technical changes, and the amendments were adopted without objection. Supporters argued the bill would modernize Orleans’ court structure, reduce duplication, and align Orleans with other judicial districts. They cited Supreme Court data, prior studies, declining population and caseloads, and the state’s direct funding of Orleans criminal court as reasons to consolidate and reduce judgeships. Opponents, including local legislators and attorneys, said Orleans is not comparable to other parishes because of complex litigation, multiple-defendant criminal cases, jury-trial volume, tourism-related cases, and the need for specialized dockets. They also criticized the process as rushed and said local judges, legislators, and practitioners were not adequately involved. Testimony from ACLU and defense-side witnesses emphasized that case counts are not uniform across parishes and that Orleans has a high number of jury trials and a large workload per judge. They warned that eliminating judgeships could increase delays and create transition costs, while supporters countered that other districts manage similar or heavier work with fewer judges. White-card witnesses from Orleans Civil District Court, including Judge Kernan Reese, Judge Sidney Cates, and Clerk Chelsea Richard Napoleon, testified that Orleans handles complex and time-sensitive matters, that the clerk’s office relies on self-generated funds, and that the bill’s funding and office references contain inaccuracies. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.