Transcript Highlights:

• But generally speaking, when we're dealing with a bill with multiple preemptions, the League of Cities
• We generally focus on policies rather than taking positions on specific projects. Okay.
• I'm generally a strong believer in local control.
• I generally oppose any kind of preemption, but I think that housing in particular is a regional issue
• Is there a general consensus on how small a residence should be allowed to be in the state of Florida

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered a series of bills, many focused on local government authority, land use, housing, and public notice requirements. Several measures were reported favorably, including SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention, SB 1612 requiring local governments to accept electronic payments, SB 936 on temporary door locking devices, SB 962 on affordable housing protections for farms, SB 218 on land use regulations in hurricane-affected counties, SB 1020 on regulation of chickee huts, and SB 1434 on infill redevelopment of environmentally challenged properties. SB 1180 on community development district recall elections was amended to narrow and clarify the recall process and to add provisions on synthetic turf and compact urban mixed-use districts before being reported favorably. SB 380 on legal notices was also amended and reported favorably despite significant opposition from the Florida Press Association, Common Cause, and others who argued it would further fragment public notice access; supporters said it would modernize publication options and save money. Testimony on the bills was mixed. Supporters of the housing and redevelopment measures argued they would increase attainable housing, streamline approvals, and make better use of underutilized or contaminated land, while local government groups and advocacy organizations warned about overdevelopment, reduced public input, infrastructure strain, and conflicts with comprehensive planning. On SB 1444, which combined preemptions related to religious gatherings, private clubs, and certain permitting requirements, supporters framed it as protecting religious freedom and limiting local micromanagement, while the League of Cities and the Florida Association of Counties opposed it as overly broad and unclear; the bill nevertheless passed favorably after debate. SB 218 was presented as restoring normal land-use authority in counties unaffected by hurricanes while preserving protections in damaged areas, and SB 984 was described as clarifying firefighter cancer benefits and health coverage rules; both passed without controversy. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 948, a strike-all on local government land development regulations and orders that would create a statewide framework for starter homes and lot-split rules within urban growth areas. Supporters said it would expand housing supply and reduce regulatory delays, while opponents said it would override local zoning, weaken infrastructure and environmental protections, and apply too broadly. The bill drew support from housing advocates and some local officials, but opposition from the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties, and others. The transcript ends with SB 948 still under consideration, with testimony continuing and no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• They figure that the entity could generate up to $500 million.
• We have the student experience in homelessness grant that the legislature has generously funded.
• And generally, that's just a capacity of what we have available.
• We are lucky this generation is coming behind us. They have agency and they have a lot of guts.
• explore, potentially save some dollars because they won't have to take general education again.

Bills: SB6209 , SB6217 , SB6227 , SB6235

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Keywords: financial aid, higher education, private institutions, student awards, affordability, Washington college grant, postsecondary education, nondegree programs, educational access, data collection, parenting students, education, support services, academic performance, college athletics, private equity, sovereign wealth funds, student athletes, financial agreements, 904

Transcript Highlights:

• The Attorney General is tasked with enforcement of the bill and may bring civil action.
• It's very generous of you. We appreciate you being here.
• Let me start by saying we’re going to hear from folks who are opposed to this concept in general.
• As a mom of two kids, I want to find In general, I get it.
• And great, we have a supportive Attorney General now.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2112, which would require commercial entities, including some social media companies, to use age verification before allowing access to websites where more than one-third of the material is sexual content harmful to minors. Staff explained that the bill would require reasonable age verification methods, prohibit retention of identifying information, exempt bona fide news and public-interest sites, and authorize the Attorney General to enforce the law through civil penalties. The bill would also require warning notices on landing pages and advertisements, with content to be developed by the Department of Health. Prime sponsor Representative Mari Leavitt said the bill is intended to protect children from harmful online sexual content and argued that parental controls are not sufficient. She cited pediatric and public-health concerns, said the bill is modeled on laws upheld elsewhere, and emphasized that the measure is aimed at commercial entities rather than school-based sharing or general adult access. Supportive testimony from parents, clinicians, and advocates described early exposure to pornography, mental health harms, and the need to place responsibility on platforms rather than families alone. Opposition testimony focused on privacy, free speech, enforcement, and scope. Several witnesses argued that age verification systems create data-security risks even if data is not retained, that the bill’s definitions and one-third threshold are vague and could sweep in LGBTQ, health, educational, or artistic content, and that enforcement would be difficult against out-of-state websites. Some opponents said the law would push users to less-compliant sites and would not effectively protect children. A technology industry witness said the bill is narrow and comparable to carding for alcohol or tobacco, while a Free Speech Coalition representative said the law is ineffective in practice and offered to discuss amendments. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• To establish sufficient knowledge, a veterinarian must generally have physically examined the animal
• Veterinary medicine is no different than human medicine in our ability to generate workforce from all
• What is going on, and how fast do I have to get in, and what, in general, are my options?
• My daughter, Caitlin Cushing, is general counsel for our group.
• My daughter, Caitlin Cushing is General Counsel for our group.

Bills: HB1904 , HB2106 , HB2211 , HB2247 , HB2329 , HB2339

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: animal welfare, cats, declawing, animal rights, pet care, healthcare, contract modifications, provider notifications, insurance carriers, health facilities, HB 2211, medically tailored meals, medical nutrition therapy, medical assistance, Medicaid, Health Care Authority, Department of Social and Health Services, nutrition support, chronic disease, dietary accommodations

Transcript Highlights:

• But generally, it's not because of the way you might fill out your ballot itself, right?
• But generally, it's not because of the way you might fill out your ballot itself, right?
• Vice Chair Stearns: Yeah, I think tribes generally have a pretty good track record of working things
• You know, generally, if this action might destroy, you know, say, an incredibly sacred site, it would
• This cuts across Washington State's general residency requirement. ...state constitution's general residency

Bills: HB2210 , HB2123 , HB2206 , HB2281 , HB2411

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: local representation, fair elections, government accountability, voter rights, transparency, foreign nationals, elections, Washington state, voter participation, government oversight, voting rights, uniform standards, overseas voting, civilian voting, state legislation, tribal relations, government, state policy, sovereignty, federalism

Transcript Highlights:

• Stronger effects happen for low-income and first-generation college students.
• Or they can also achieve a certificate of general studies, which is achieving basically 30 hours that
• partially satisfy the General Education Core.
• The speaker said that was what they were curious about, because many families are first-generation and
• They added that the lottery has been generating more than it has been spending.

Summary: The committee approved the November 3 minutes and then received an extensive presentation from Arkansas education and workforce officials on how the LEARNS and ACCESS Acts are affecting career and technical education, concurrent enrollment, and postsecondary readiness. Officials said the state’s goal is for students to leave high school employed, enrolled, or enlisted, and reported increases in K-12 CTE enrollment from about 161,000 to 171,000 students and concurrent CTE enrollment from about 12,000 to 16,000. They also described the new success-ready pathways, merit and distinction designations, and how those measures tie into school accountability and graduation outcomes. The discussion then turned to scholarships and grants. Officials explained that ACCESS expanded concurrent credit support, increased funding per credit hour, and broadened eligibility for the Arkansas Academic Challenge and Governor’s Scholar programs by adding diploma-of-merit and diploma-of-distinction pathways. They said the Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship itself did not change, but the non-distinguished Governor’s Scholar award now includes diploma of distinction as an additional eligibility route. Members raised concerns about how these requirements apply to private school and homeschool students, and officials said the intent is to ensure those students can qualify if they meet the same standards, though some implementation details are still being worked out. Questions also focused on whether students who explore multiple pathways could be penalized in school letter grades; officials said the system allows multiple ways to earn credit, including AP, IB, concurrent credit, technical certificates, and apprenticeships. Officials also reviewed workforce scholarships and short-term training funding. They said the state is developing policy for the Workforce Challenge and related professional skills training to set an 80-hour minimum and tiered funding, and they discussed the new federal Workforce Pell rules, which they said are very narrow and will likely apply to only a small number of Arkansas programs unless providers repackage training into stackable, credit-bearing pathways. Members asked for lists of eliminated programs, apprenticeships, and data on scholarship recipients, and staff said they could provide those. The committee also heard from Cody Waites on a $35.8 million U.S. Department of Labor cooperative agreement for the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund, which Arkansas will administer nationally. He said the grant will support advanced manufacturing apprenticeships, use a pay-for-performance model, and be distributed to sponsors after apprentices are employed for 90 days, with applications opening January 28 and the state expecting to keep administrative costs under 8-9%.

Transcript Highlights:

• Generally speaking, all areas require some level of federal guidance, additional federal guidance to
• But what they found is that most able-bodied adults in Medicaid in most states generally already work
• We also encourage you to recognize funding affordable child care as a revenue generating solution that
• Decimate home care and child care, impacting the state's general fund, and severely limiting Medi-Cal
• Californians and pursue revenue generating solutions to address future state budget shortfalls.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024, visitors spent $157 billion here in California, generating $12.7 billion in state and local
• Californians took 118 million trips, and leisure trips generated $29 billion.
• It generates 160,000 people over four days.
• We create 131,000 jobs and generate $4.2 billion in tax revenue.
• We create 131,000 jobs and generate $4.2 billion in tax revenue.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism held an informational hearing on the state of California tourism amid declining international visitation and broader economic and political headwinds. Visit California CEO Caroline Betetta said the industry remains a major economic driver, with 2024 visitor spending of $157 billion, 1.2 million jobs supported, and $12.7 billion in state and local tax revenue, but warned that 2025 forecasts show the first post-pandemic decline in visitation, driven largely by a projected 9.2% drop in international travel. She cited concerns about the strong dollar, visa wait times, border and immigration rhetoric, and a proposed federal visa integrity fee, while emphasizing Visit California’s marketing campaigns and the importance of upcoming mega-events like the World Cup and 2028 Olympics. A second panel of destination leaders described local impacts and strategies. Visit Sacramento’s Mike Testa said the city has diversified beyond conventions into music festivals, sports, and food events, but noted that international apprehension is affecting events like Terra Madre Americas and that California should do more to incentivize major festivals to stay in-state. Santa Monica Travel and Tourism’s Lauren Salisbury said the city is seeing lower international visitation, especially from Canada, Australia, and Europe, and that wildfire coverage and later federal troop presence in Los Angeles hurt local sentiment and caused cancellations. Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau’s Rhonda Salisbury reported steep drops in international visitation to the gateway region, ongoing concerns about wildfire, reservations, insurance costs, and park access, and praised a new federal requirement for quarterly meetings between national parks and gateway communities. San Diego Tourism Authority COO Carrie Verbeck-Cappich said tourism is the region’s second-largest sector, but 2025 is softer than 2024, with spending down despite modest visitation growth. She pointed to weaker Canadian and Asian travel, government-related meeting cancellations, and the need for more support to bid on and host major events; she also highlighted border-crossing delays, insufficient federal staffing at ports of entry, and the Tijuana River sewage crisis as major regional issues. Committee members discussed the effects of federal rhetoric, infrastructure, and cross-border conditions on tourism, and several witnesses urged continued support for Visit California, Brand USA, event incentives, and efforts to present California as welcoming and open. Public comment then opened, beginning with testimony from the California Attractions and Parks Association.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we will now go to our the opioid settlement update, the Attorney General overview Julia Meade, and
• I'm General Counsel for the New Mexico Department of Justice.
• And those Julie Meade: are generally the distributor settlements.
• And I would say that all the settlements have general terms around what the Julie Meade: settlement monies
• When the share of the surtax is set to 55%, then $2.06 goes to the HCAF and $1.69 goes to the general

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Good evening, Eric Maron, Deputy General Counsel of the agency.
• I forget the bill number from last time that generated the blue bonnet instructional materials.
• We can empower you to break cycles of poverty built over generations and create stability and generational
• There is a generation that we're teaching today that did not grow up the way that we did.
• I think it's really important for our society and for this next generation.

Bills: SB205 , SB582 , SB625 , SB1884 , SB1903 , SB2600 , SB2617 , SB2751 , SB111 , SB3061 , SB1908

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Keywords: fetal development, health curriculum, public schools, middle school health education, grade 7, grade 8, State Board of Education, school health advisory council, Texas Education Code, pregnancy, reproductive health, infertility, birth defects, prenatal development, unborn child, trimester, medically accurate instruction, age-appropriate instruction, drug and alcohol effects, lead exposure

Transcript Highlights:

• , Williamson, and Hayes, to sign 285. 7(g) agreements with ICE or face lawsuits from the Attorney General
• I'm a fifth generation Austinite, and my family's been here... ...for 175 years.
• I'm the General Counsel for the National League of United Latin American Citizens, LULAC.
• Lastly, we're concerned with granting the Attorney General enforcement authority.
• General Manager, leaders, incredible background, and her care for the community in this industry.

Bills: HB1320 , HB2012 , HB2293 , HB2655 , HB3174 , HB4108 , HB4661 , HB4799 , HB5534 , HB5580

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, funding, state budget, public safety, child welfare, county boards, membership, local governance, public welfare, government service, social services, Texas Family Code, regulation, vendors, solicitors, roadside sales, county authority, Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors

Transcript Highlights:

• I do want to thank our Attorney General, Assemblymember Bonta, for taking swift legal action against
• We've been very, very generous with time for public comment and would like to be able to hear everybody's
• DSH proposes $2.8 million in the General Fund for the preliminary plans phase.
• Rental assistance will be funded with a combination of general funds and federal funds.
• I just wanted to clarify if there's going to be a public comment for general issues.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The individual unit would be a modification to the general permit to add those.
• So this is, again, this bill allows for these units to go through a general permit process.
• The bill allows these systems to be permitted through the general permit process.
• The second thing we Roxanna Blood Gruver: have a concern with is this concept of general permit.
• And so to have a general permit that says as long as you check off boxes within 30 days, you can begin

Transcript Highlights:

• However, since opinions by the Secretary of State and the Attorney General lack the force of law, House
• And Newsom vetoed the California legislature's attempt to institute ranked-choice voting for general
• Um, this has been based off of a 2003 Attorney General opinion.
• Certainly in that runoff election, in the general, the candidate who received the most votes in the general
• Okay, so in general, I like this bill.

Bills: HB376 , HB817 , HB 1297 , HB1478 , HB1661 , HB1783

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: HB 817, Texas Election Code, majority vote, majority threshold, ranked-choice voting, preferential voting, instant runoff voting, vote reassignment, ballot ranking, election administration, public office election, Election Code Section 2.0215, runoff elections, plurality vs majority, voting systems, education reform, budget allocation, teacher retention, student performance, accountability measures

Transcript Highlights:

• flexibility on how the boundaries of the property can be modified with the consent of owners and generally
• He's a licensed general contractor with over 35 years' experience.
• My entire career since 1994, when I became a general contractor, has circled around this.
• Our general area of operation has been Palm Beach down to Monroe County.
• In this committee, our experience, we have never been contracted by a general contractor.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on condominiums, focusing on recent statutory changes, building safety, reserve studies, inspections, insurance, and related enforcement issues. Pete Dunbar, speaking for the Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, reviewed the evolution of Florida’s condominium law and recommended several refinements, including allowing boards to levy special assessments and borrow for post-inspection repairs, easing termination when repair costs exceed value, clarifying treatment of nonresidential condominiums, strengthening recall procedures, clarifying reserve and inspection standards, addressing conflicts of interest, improving electronic participation, and cleaning up notice and disclosure requirements. He also suggested revising insurance provisions so a third coverage option could be used more effectively. Ron Liseca and engineer Mr. Noguera explained the milestone inspection and Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SERS) process, emphasizing that milestone inspections assess structural deterioration while SERS estimates long-term repair and reserve funding needs. They described the 25- and 30-year inspection timelines, the lack of a central statewide database, and the practical challenges of finding qualified professionals and educating associations. Secretary Melanie Griffin said DBPR oversees 27,750 condominium associations, has increased outreach and complaint resolution, and has seen a 39% increase in complaints this fiscal year. She reported that about 11,270 associations self-reported buildings three stories or higher, and that as of early February DBPR had received 4,096 SERS completion submissions after follow-up outreach, with a median reported SERS cost of $6,000, though she cautioned that much of the optional data is unreliable. Emilio Rodriguez, a contractor, stressed the cost and capacity challenges facing associations and contractors, warning that some projects are delayed by board disputes, legal challenges, and a shortage of qualified labor, which can lead to higher assessments and repeated repairs. Members asked about enforcement, insurance availability, coastal deterioration, sinking and foundation issues, and private provider conflicts of interest. Witnesses generally supported more uniform standards, better local and state coordination, and possible tighter oversight of private providers, while cautioning against frequent statutory changes that could add confusion. In closing discussion, members highlighted the burden on older residents and fixed-income owners, the need to keep communities habitable, and the importance of clearer allocation of assessments and stronger board accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• That, too, generates more enthusiasm.
• And then the two constitutional amendments, of course, that were on the ballot generated more turnout
• That, too, generates more enthusiasm.
• And then the two constitutional amendments, of course, that were on the ballot generated more turnout
• Whether it be a primary election or a general election.

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from several county supervisors of elections and the Florida Supervisors of Elections Association on the 2024 election cycle and priorities for the 2025 session. They described very high turnout in the presidential election, major operational planning needs, and the heavy reliance on seasonal workers, list maintenance, ballot-on-demand systems, and secure chain-of-custody procedures. They also discussed the impact of recent legislative changes on voter-roll maintenance, including inactive voter removal, and said Florida’s election administration has improved to what they called a “platinum standard.” The supervisors outlined several legislative requests: allowing more than one non-government “wild card” early voting site to improve access and emergency flexibility; requiring newly naturalized citizens to update driver’s license information so voter records match DHSMV data; exempting home addresses of certain election workers and ballot transporters from public records to improve safety and recruitment; restoring a checkbox on vote-by-mail return envelopes so voters can stay on the vote-by-mail list for the next cycle; aligning base salaries for supervisors, property appraisers, and clerks with other constitutional officers; and reducing ballot length by removing precinct committee races from the ballot. They also said they expect a committee bill to carry some of these proposals. Members questioned the panel about ballot transport security, signature verification, vote-by-mail expiration, public records transparency, and the petition process for constitutional amendments. The supervisors said ballots are transported under detailed county plans with tamper-evident seals, chain-of-custody logs, trained workers, and in some cases two-person transport teams. On petitions, they said the process is labor-intensive and expensive, that fraud has occurred in some cases, and that they favor reforms such as requiring more personal identifying information and having initiative sponsors mail petitions to voters rather than making supervisors handle the mailing. They also said signature mismatches can be cured within 72 hours after Election Day and that voters are notified when possible. After the supervisors’ presentation, the committee also heard brief public testimony from Kathleen Griffiths, who urged adoption of commercial-style risk management standards in election systems and referenced several election-related bills her group supports.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> General Brian Swell, and the DC bar. General Brian Swell, and the DC bar.
• Instead, generation after generation, we have chosen the harder path to keep the conversation going,
• ,</c> time and generation, time and generation, may<09:20:56.880><c> perform</c><09:20:57.360><c> something
• We want to This is the next generation.
• Those didn't waste generated by Doge.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The 150 regulations are general standards for long-term care facilities.
• The general thought is it has two out of three.
• And that's where a lot of the confusion comes in for the general public.
• Yeah, generally the nursing home portion of it would be able to bill Medicare, be able to access the
• So I think that the reason that the Attorney General is asked for input on what ALR consumer regulations

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Continuing Care Retirement Communities met for its third meeting, focused on regulations, oversight, and enforcement. Staff and agency presenters reviewed the current framework: the Executive Office of Aging and Independence explained that assisted living regulations generally do not apply to CCRCs unless an assisted living component markets itself separately, and that CCRCs must submit marketing materials, contracts, and disclosure statements for public posting. The Attorney General’s office described Chapter 93A consumer protection standards and noted it is working on draft assisted living-specific regulations. DPH outlined its oversight of licensed nursing facilities associated with some CCRCs, including routine surveys, complaint investigations, and enforcement tools such as admissions freezes, fines, receivership, and license actions, along with federal CMS sanctions for certified facilities. Commission members and presenters then discussed gaps and ambiguities in how CCRCs are defined and regulated, especially whether communities without on-site skilled nursing should still be treated as CCRCs, how assisted living-like services within CCRCs are classified, and whether residents have enough clarity about the services they are buying. A major theme was disclosure: members raised concerns about entrance fees, refund timing and conditions, whether skilled nursing is on-site or provided by contract, and how residents can compare communities. Several participants suggested more standardized disclosure and possibly broader consumer protection rules, while others cautioned that overly rigid requirements could affect community finances and development. The commission also explored enforcement and resident protections. Some members argued that independent living residents are already covered by landlord-tenant law and that existing complaint systems and community education may be sufficient, while others said residents in supported or assisted settings within CCRCs should have clearer access to ombudsman services and oversight. The discussion turned to closure and ownership transfer, with members citing recent national examples of sales and bankruptcies that changed resident terms. DPH explained its closure process for licensed nursing facilities, and members noted that Chapter 197 of 2024 adds oversight for facility transfers and financial disclosures. The meeting ended with logistics for the next session at Brookhaven at Lexington on June 2, a public hearing on June 16, and a request to circulate the hearing notice broadly to residents and stakeholder organizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Adequacy, reliability, and distribution of unrestricted general government aid.
• I'm proud to be able to close us off with our amendment on unrestricted general government aid.
• To the gentleman from Winchester and to General Lady from Somerville, thank you for your many years of
• Things like increasing unrestricted general government aid and also looking at how we distribute it in
• Things like increasing unrestricted general government aid and also looking at how we distribute it in

Summary: The Senate continued debate on the FY27 state budget, with several distinguished introductions and a series of amendment actions. Early amendments from Senator Collins on restoring DCF social worker funding and educator pay were withdrawn without objection. The Chair then sustained a point of order that a group of tax-related amendments, including proposals on teacher tax relief, tips, overtime, estate tax, and income tax rates, were out of order because they would create money bills that must originate in the House; the Senate voted 35-4 to uphold that ruling. Senator Tarr’s gas tax suspension amendment and several other amendments were defeated, while Senator Fattman’s amendment extending domestic violence leave protections to contract employees was adopted unanimously, 39-0. The Senate also adopted Senator Fernandes’ amendment creating a commission to study the adequacy, reliability, and distribution of unrestricted general government aid (UGA), after debate focused on inequities in local aid distribution and the need for a modern formula. The chamber then took up House No. 5375, the Chapter 90 municipal roads and bridges bill, and passed it to be engrossed. Additional amendments were considered on the budget, including a community programming amendment and a Senate Ways and Means amendment, both adopted, after which the Ways and Means amendment as amended was adopted and the underlying budget was ordered to a third reading. The Senate also handled several procedural matters, including concurrence in a House referral for a bill on poverty-related legislation and ordering a sick leave bank bill for Carla Johnson to a third reading. After extensive closing remarks from the Ways and Means chair, minority leader, and others praising the collaborative budget process and highlighting investments in local aid, education, public safety, and other priorities, the Senate voted on final passage of House No. 5501, the FY27 appropriations bill. The roll call showed 40-0 in favor, and the bill was passed to be engrossed. The Senate then adopted an order to reconvene the following Tuesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned in memory of Trooper Kevin Thomas Traynor.

Transcript Highlights:

• The oil and gas industry supports over 306,000 jobs and generates 25% of our state's economy.
• Proposed law retains present law generally, but provides that after conviction—well, that claritin's
• The Attorney General is in complete support.
• Natalie Labord, Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General, my colleagues both covered it, but again, we
• Again, Larry Freeman, Chief Deputy Attorney General, and I'm going to defer to the chairwoman for her

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on March 25, 2026, and first voluntarily deferred HB 884. The committee then took up HB 806, which strengthens Louisiana’s hit-and-run laws by adding rapid notification procedures through law enforcement systems and clarifying investigative protocols. Vice Chair LaFleur and several family members of hit-and-run victims testified in strong support, describing the bill as a needed accountability and public-safety measure; it was adopted as amended and reported favorably. The committee also heard HB 143, which raises the per diem paid to sheriffs for housing state inmates in parish jails from $26.39 to $29.39 to match current appropriations practice. Sheriffs and committee members emphasized that local jails are underfunded and provide important programming and cost savings to the state; the bill was reported favorably. The committee next approved several local or criminal justice measures. HB 93, which places the Lincoln Parish jury commission under the clerk or deputy clerk, was reported favorably without opposition. HB 166, which removes Vermilion Parish from the Acadiana Regional Juvenile Justice District, drew discussion about regional juvenile detention funding and representation, with members noting similar concerns from other parishes; it was reported favorably. HB 429, which adds theft or unauthorized entry of critical infrastructure as a predicate crime for terrorism and expands protections for energy facilities, received support from industry groups and law enforcement, with one opposition card filed; it was amended and reported favorably. HB 231, creating the crime of intentional evasion of service of process for certain court orders, especially protective orders, was also amended and reported favorably after testimony from the sponsor and support from domestic violence and women’s advocacy groups. The committee then advanced a package of bills by Chairwoman Villio aimed at protecting minors and addressing impaired driving. HB 58 and its companion constitutional amendment HB 51 would restrict post-conviction bail for offenders convicted of aggravated offenses against minors; the Attorney General’s office and law enforcement groups supported the measures, while the Southern Poverty Law Center opposed them, and both measures were reported favorably. HB 69 would make it a misdemeanor to tamper with or circumvent court-ordered ignition interlock requirements while on probation or otherwise required by law, and HB 82 would increase penalties for repeat DWI offenders with prior serious injury or death-related convictions; both were supported by prosecutors, police, sheriffs, and MADD, amended where needed, and reported favorably. The committee adjourned after completing action on the listed bills.