Transcript Highlights:

• Dressing, dressing as the opposite sex, taking hormones, having surgical procedures, nothing ever changes
• I know because I had an abortion procedure, and I have serious regrets because Just as the pill, I was
• No accurate numbers are available due to the procedure being performed by women typically in their home
• After my daughter was born, I had a retained placenta and I needed a D&C, a procedure that is constantly
• What should have been a heartbreaking but straightforward medical procedure to prevent infection and

Bills: HB7 , SB 8

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• It depends on what the procedure is, what the training is, especially the physician, what the training
• It depends on what the procedure is, what the training is, especially the physician, what the training
• It depends on what the procedure is, what the training is, especially the physician, what the training
• So, um, the recovery from the anesthesia is worse than the stem cell procedure itself.
• </c> than the stem cell procedure itself. than the stem cell procedure itself.

Bills: HB0003 , HB0117 , HB0041

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: pregnancy centers, abortion, pro-life, healthcare, women's rights, state regulation, civil rights, freedom of speech, informed consent, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, law enforcement, death benefits, retirement, survivor support, public safety, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, the existing language allows the local legislative body to set the procedures to override a cap
• body<00:15:45.040><c> to</c><00:15:45.279><c> set</c><00:15:45.519><c> the</c><00:15:45.959><c> procedures
• to override a body to set the procedures to override a cap.<00:15:48.240><c> And</c><00:15:48.480><c
• It is designed to make the procedure for absentee ballots consistent with House Bill 1569, which was
• </c><00:33:27.120><c> for</c> it is designed to make the procedure for it is designed to make the procedure

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• responsibility for regulating the practice of law, including the promulgation of statewide rules of procedure
• :17.479><c> of</c> the promulgation of Statewide rules of the promulgation of Statewide rules of procedure
• and practice for all courts of procedure and practice for all courts of the<00:05:20.880><c> state</
• Justice Black, in his decision in the Gideon case, stated that we place great emphasis on procedural
• </c> we place great emphasis on procedural we place great emphasis on procedural and<00:48:09.000><c>

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Although the bill partially aligns with the ruling, HPD already has established procedures in place that
• I'm going to just add one clarification, though, which is that under the Hawaii Rules of Penal Procedure
• </c> establish comprehensive procedural establish comprehensive procedural Protections<02:24:34.560><
• I agree that we need some reform in our prison population and the procedures.
• uh there's a mixed bag of um procedures uh there's a mixed bag of um testimony<02:45:01.640><c> and<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committees heard HB 756 HD1, a measure on flavored tobacco products. Supporters included the Attorney General, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, youth advocates, public health groups, and Kaiser Permanente. They argued flavored tobacco and menthol are used to attract and addict young people, cited rising youth and young adult vaping rates, and pointed to public health harms and evidence from other states that flavor restrictions reduced e-cigarette sales. The Attorney General requested oral amendments to correct a statutory reference, repeal a county preemption provision so counties could enact stricter flavor bans, and restore appropriations, positions, and the original effective date. Opponents, including retail and wholesale businesses, argued the bill would hurt small businesses and state tax revenue, push sales to the black market, and remove a harm-reduction option for adult smokers; they urged stronger enforcement instead of a ban. After testimony, the committees took up amendments and recommendations. The chair proposed correcting the statutory citation to HRS 26-38, adopting a Department of Health amendment on disposal of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids as hazardous waste, and noting the appropriations, FTE, and effective date in the committee report. Members then voted to pass HB 756 HD1 with amendments in both committees, with the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee recording one member as supporting with reservations. The transcript then moved to HB 806, relating to fireworks, which would appropriate funds for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct sting operations on Oʻahu to enforce fireworks laws. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying undercover enforcement is costly and additional funding is needed. A community testifier also supported stronger enforcement, citing illegal aerial fireworks, noise, and impacts on pets and kupuna. No final vote on HB 806 was shown in the excerpt. The Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee also heard HB 438, which would create a Due Process in Immigration Proceedings Program to provide legal representation in immigration court for income-qualified individuals. Support came from civil rights, legal aid, ACLU, and law school clinic representatives, who said counsel is needed to ensure due process and fair access to justice, especially because immigration proceedings can lead to deportation and family separation. Opposition testifiers argued taxpayer-funded counsel for people in immigration proceedings is inappropriate, unlawful, or unfair to citizens and legal residents. One law school representative suggested a technical amendment to broaden language about training and education. The excerpt ends before a final vote on HB 438 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> you Davis for doing that that commission you Davis for doing that that commission report<00:06:15.800
• </c> properties and um that that commission properties and um that that commission did<00:28:17.240><
• </c> um uh constituencies on that commission um uh constituencies on that commission which<00:28:24.760
• We took that up again, and those first two commissions I chaired; the third commission came last year
• first two commissions I chaired third<00:32:46.720><c> commission</c><00:32:47.200><c> came</c><00:32

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just curious if that's a standard operating procedure or not. ...the presentation and so it wasn't
• I'm just curious if that's a standard operating procedure or not.

Committee: House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce

Summary: The committee met with roll call attendance and took up two bills. First was Senate Bill 315 with Senate Amendment 1, which would allow the Division of Small Business to add state funding to existing federal small business programs, including the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. There was brief public support from one in-person commenter, no virtual comment, and the committee voted to release the bill, though it did not yet have enough signatures for immediate release and was left open for absent members to sign. The second item was Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319, a women’s health insurance mandate requiring coverage for medically necessary menopause and perimenopause diagnostic and treatment services, including FDA-approved hormone replacement therapy, pelvic floor therapy, and related care. Representative Smith presented the bill as a response to gaps in menopause care and insurance coverage, and Department of Insurance witness Kennedy Cook explained the religious exemption as applying to certain religious employers and blanket health policies. Committee members asked about the scope of that exemption, and some expressed concern about religious carveouts, while others praised the bill as important women’s health legislation. During public comment, one speaker supported the bill but warned that expanding mandatory health benefits can raise insurance costs. The Department of Insurance then testified in support, saying the bill would align Delaware with other states, many insurers already comply, and the department did not expect a meaningful premium impact. The committee voted to release Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319 from committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• talking about an audit might cost $15,000, but this also says or the option was an agreed upon procedures
• So, it seems like that agreed upon procedures engagement might have provided Them some relief from, say

Bills: SB2130 , SB2135

Committee: Senate Local and County Government

Keywords: municipal finance, audit exemption, biennial reporting, local government, transparency, county purchasing, purchase card, government accountability, emergency expenditures, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On to procedural motions, Madam Majority Leader, you are recognized for your procedural motions.

Summary: The Assembly met for a floor session marked largely by ceremonial and procedural business. After a quorum call, the body opened with Valentine’s Day remarks, a prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by guest introductions recognizing California YMCA Youth and Government participants from several delegations, including Glendora High School, Crenshaw YMCA, Wilmington YMCA, and Mid Valley YMCA. On the daily file, most items were passed, retained, or continued without controversy. The only recorded vote was on the consent calendar, which included Senate Concurrent Resolution 107 honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; it was adopted 63-0. The chamber also approved a request to allow certain members to speak on adjournments in memory. Several members then offered adjournment tributes: Assembly Member Gibson honored James Armstrong, a veteran and community leader in Carson and Watts; Assembly Member Rubio remembered actor-comedian Thomas Kent Carter (TK Carter); and Assembly Member Boerner honored Dave Hodges, founder of the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach. The Assembly then announced there would be no session on President’s Day, with the next floor session scheduled for Tuesday, February 17 at 1 p.m., and adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• On to procedural motions, Madam Majority Leader, you are recognized for your procedural motions.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it reduces healthcare costs by decreasing reliance on opioids. imaging and unnecessary procedures
• And also, the folks that do perform this procedure in the state, the rate of complications is less than

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we also know that we have really clear procedures for how to handle voter records that are already
• ><c> for</c><00:35:46.520><c> how</c><00:35:46.640><c> to</c><00:35:46.800><c> handle</c> clear procedures
• for how to handle clear procedures for how to handle voter<00:35:48.680><c> records</c><00:35:49.920
• If an individual cannot be verified through those procedures, they're challenged, and the statute is
• If an individual cannot be verified through those procedures, they're challenged, and the statute is

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HF 2526 and received a walkthrough of the DE1 amendment from nonpartisan staff. The amendment revised the bill’s gift and ethics provisions by defining local government and public safety officer, narrowing covered mental health or wellness services to those provided by a qualified mental health professional and tied to recovery from a traumatic event, excluding luxury services or events as determined by the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, and allowing local governments to adopt additional gift restrictions. It also added a bribery-related provision for gifts made with intent to influence a public safety officer. Members noted the language had been worked on by Representatives Duran, Vernig, and Freiberg, and the DE1 was adopted unanimously. HF 2526, as amended, then passed to the floor on a voice vote. The committee then turned to HF 3722, which would remove deceased voters from the state voter registration system. The bill author argued that deceased voters should not remain on the rolls and that removing them would clean up the voter list. Secretary of State staff testified in opposition, saying deceased voters are already kept in a separate deceased status, not on active rolls, and that retaining the record helps flag suspicious activity and preserves voter history in case of administrative error. A second testifier described a real case in which a deceased voter’s retained record helped election officials identify and investigate a fraudulent ballot. After discussion, the committee tabled HF 3722. Finally, the committee heard HF 3723, which would require additional verification for absentee ballot applications and permanent absentee voters. Supporters said the bill would help ensure ballots are not sent to people who have died or moved out of state. Secretary of State staff opposed the bill, saying most voters are already verified at registration, that the proposed checks would duplicate existing procedures, and that additional verification could create delays or false rejections. A testifier also objected to the bill’s effective date, saying it would take effect only days after absentee voting begins. The sponsor argued that voters remain on the permanent list indefinitely and that periodic verification is needed because people move or die; the committee did not reach a final vote in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, our rules in New Hampshire allow the judges to waive many procedures, which creates inconsistent
• And they're going to be things like, uh, what procedurally the posture of the case is, what's been done
• ><00:25:03.919><c> like</c><00:25:04.559><c> uh</c><00:25:04.799><c> what</c><00:25:05.120><c> procedurally
• </c> to be things like uh what procedurally to be things like uh what procedurally what<00:25:06.080>
• It was one of my favorite shows because it actually did do a pretty good job tracking criminal procedure

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met without a quorum and discussed how to proceed with its family court review work. The chair said preliminary, unofficial reports could be circulated and voted on by email, and noted that next year the work might continue as a full committee rather than a subcommittee. Members also discussed carrying unresolved issues into next year, including the long-standing “one judge, one case” concept. Later, the committee received additional materials from a member who could not attend, including a packet on state-funded transcript requests and background information on how different states structure family court systems. A major presentation focused on improving New Hampshire family court pre-trial and mediation practices. The presenters said current rules give judges broad discretion, which can lead to inconsistent discovery, evidence, and timelines, especially for self-represented parties. They raised concerns about uneven mediator training and oversight, lack of uniform domestic violence screening, and unclear information for families about their rights and how to exit mediation. They recommended standardized pre-trial case management orders, clearer plain-language deadlines, mandatory domestic violence screening, stronger mediator certification and continuing education, a mentorship program, an independent oversight board, and a pilot program in a few counties before any statewide rollout. Members and presenters also discussed existing court forms and practices, including mediation agreements, mediator preparation forms, first appearances, and the use of Zoom for mediation. One participant argued that mediation can work better when parties are better prepared and when cases are not sent too early, and suggested that neutral case evaluation is another useful alternative dispute resolution tool. The discussion also touched on the need for better educational materials for pro se litigants, with one member describing efforts to create a more accessible guide for people going to court. No votes were taken, and the session ended with plans to continue reviewing materials and refine recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• lines 5 through 7, particularly lines 6 and 7, except when done as part of a recognized medical procedure
• , do we need to specify that that medical procedure needs to be performed by a licensed medical person
• needs to be performed by a procedure needs to be performed by a licensed<01:27:03.920><c> medical</c
• </c> Not a recognized medical procedure. >> Does that help? >> Okay. Yeah, just—sorry.
• And so, um, I would offer an amendment to say as part of a recognized medical procedure performed by

Bills: HB0008 , HB0009

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: stalking, minors, felony, protection orders, criminal penalties, grooming, sexual offenses, child protection, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• different public schools that we have in higher education have different criteria and different procedures
• universities compete for students, and if you offer a particular benefit and you have policies and procedures
• universities compete for students and if you offer a particular benefit and you have policies and procedures
• Colleges and universities had to review and update their admissions procedures following the 2023 Supreme
• Colleges and universities had to review and update their admissions procedures following the 2023 Supreme

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Higher Education

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Higher Education held its first hearing and heard testimony on a wide range of bills, including hunger-free campuses, FAFSA completion, early college/college-in-high-school programs, banning legacy preferences, AP credit consistency, and tuition equity for the Stockbridge School of Agriculture. Committee leaders opened by outlining the hearing process and noting the three-minute testimony limit. Legislators and advocates generally framed the bills as equity and access measures aimed at improving college affordability, student success, and workforce development. Representative Vargas testified for H. 1466 and H. 1467, arguing that hunger-free campus should be codified because many public college and community college students face food insecurity, and that FAFSA completion should be improved through individualized outreach and an opt-out or completion requirement. Senator Lovely, the Greater Boston Food Bank, and other advocates supported the hunger-free campus bill, citing data that 44% of public university and community college students experienced food insecurity in 2023 and that food insecurity harms graduation rates. Femi Stoltz and Shanti Lopez Toro backed the FAFSA bill, saying many students miss out on Pell grants and need direct support; they pointed to state examples such as Louisiana and to recent state action requiring FAFSA awareness. Committee members asked about the federal FAFSA rollout, regional equity in food access, and the need for long-term funding and data collection. A large panel supported H. 1455 on college and high school/early college, including former Chair Roy, the Massachusetts Alliance for Early College, a student graduate, MBAE, and Tripp Jones. They described early college as a proven model that helps low-income and first-generation students, improves degree attainment, and supports workforce needs; witnesses said the goal is to scale from about 9,000 students and 55 partnerships toward 22,000 to 25,000 students by 2030, with possible future growth beyond that. Members raised questions about funding, public-private partnerships, parental involvement, faculty development, and whether the bill should include data review and more standardized policies across institutions. Representative Garcia also testified for H. 1432 on AP credit, saying students should receive consistent credit for AP scores of 3, 4, or 5. Senator Edwards and James Murphy testified for the legacy preference ban, arguing it is unfair and rooted in exclusionary history; they said some states have already banned legacy preferences in public and private institutions. Finally, UMass Dean Michael Fox, alumnus Dan Mayer, and student Jake Rasmussen supported S. 920 to include Stockbridge associate degree programs in MassEducate, saying tuition equity would help enrollment and support Massachusetts agriculture and green-industry jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the Board of Podiatry, with a detailed application outlining scope, communication, and review procedures
• c> review</c> outlining scope communication and review outlining scope communication and review procedures
• > A</c><00:03:14.239><c> podiatrist</c><00:03:14.879><c> may</c><00:03:15.120><c> supervise</c> procedures
• A podiatrist may supervise procedures.
• or a patient that arise if a procedure or a patient were<00:09:16.560><c> to</c><00:09:16.720><c> become

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services heard Senate Bill 18, a bill described by the sponsor and podiatry witnesses as a modernization of Kentucky’s podiatry laws. The bill would recognize and regulate podiatric assistants, podiatric residents, and supervising podiatrists; allow podiatrists to supervise physician assistants in podiatry practices with approval from the relevant licensing boards; require new podiatrists licensed after January 1, 2027 to complete at least two years of residency; and extend disciplinary authority to the new categories. Witnesses said the measure would improve access to foot and ankle care, especially in rural areas, without expanding scope of practice. The Kentucky Medical Association was said to be neutral after working on the language with the sponsors. Committee members raised concerns about the meaning of “supervision,” whether it required direct or indirect oversight, and whether the bill could broaden billing or coding privileges. Dr. Roberts said supervision could mean direct supervision or indirect supervision, including being available by telephone, and noted the bill mirrors language used in allopathic PA supervision. He also said the bill would not change office staff billing roles and that podiatric assistants would not bill separately. Several senators said they supported moving the bill forward but remained concerned about workforce, cost, and scope creep. The committee adopted a committee substitute, then voted on the bill. The motion passed unanimously with favorable expression. After the vote, the committee moved on to a presentation on outpatient pediatric therapies, where providers described Medicaid reimbursement pressures, workforce turnover, and long waiting lists for children’s therapy services, but no action was taken on that presentation in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• entrance or entrances will have screening and will provide additional guidance on weapon screening procedures
• entrance or entrances will have screening and will provide additional guidance on weapon screening procedures
• entrance or entrances will have screening and will provide additional guidance on weapon screening procedures
• entrance or entrances will have screening and will provide additional guidance on weapon screening procedures
• </c> systems and then additional procedures systems and then additional procedures or<00:12:14.079><c

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They attest that they will comply with all our human rights procedures, all the non-discrimination procedures
• 00:07:38.199><c> our</c><00:07:38.520><c> human</c><00:07:38.879><c> rights</c><00:07:39.280><c> procedures
• </c><00:07:39.879><c> all</c> with all our human rights procedures all with all our human rights procedures
• all the<00:07:40.400><c> non-discrimination</c><00:07:41.400><c> procedures</c><00:07:41.960><c> all
• </c><00:07:42.160><c> of</c> the non-discrimination procedures all of the non-discrimination procedures

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee first took up a nongermane amendment to House Bill 71 that would require state vendors, through contract language, to comply with the New Hampshire Patient Bill of Rights. Representative Edwards said the amendment was revised after feedback from the hospital association and DHHS, applies only to new contracts or amendments, and includes a repeal date of November 30, 2026 so it would function only for the current budget cycle. John Williams of Legislative Affairs said the changes reflected work with DHHS procurement staff and with hospital stakeholders, including the removal of the term "addenda" in favor of "amendment" and clarification on prospective application. The committee did not vote on the amendment at that time, noting it would be attached later to HB 71. The committee then moved into executive session and acted on several bills. HB 67, which converts a pilot program for accessible voting machines in local elections into a permanent program, was amended to remove a $100,000 appropriation and adjust dates; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed unanimously, 25-0, and the bill was suggested for the consent calendar. HB 111, extending the Right-to-Know Ombudsman position, was retained and slated to be incorporated into HB 2 after a unanimous 25-0 vote, with the ombudsman noting the office could expire July 1 if the budget were delayed. HB 164, creating a process for a publicly accessible website for local records retention and access, was also retained for HB 2 by a 25-0 vote because it carries an appropriation. HB 216 was retained for further work because the committee could not get reliable cost information from the retirement system or the Labor Department; members said the fiscal note looked alarming, though the committee believed the actual cost might be near zero. HB 282, which raises the biennium cap on critical injury benefits for first responders from $500,000 to $1 million without increasing any individual benefit, was voted ought to pass 25-0 and will require a report. HB 619, dealing with solid waste issues and a possible self-funding accounting unit, was retained for HB 2 by a 25-0 vote. HB 650, an annual dedicated-funds cleanup bill that also caps a robotics fund at $1 million, passed ought to pass 25-0 and was placed on consent. Finally, HB 129, defining "evidence-based" in public education, was retained 25-0 while members continued working on language, and HB 133, concerning new resident driver’s license transfer requirements and DMV notices, drew a split policy discussion: the minority raised constitutional, administrative, and fiscal concerns, while the majority moved to retain it for HB 2 consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• that consortium has allowed for the sharing of best practices, training, and implementation of procedures
• of procedures to identify sepsis<00:30:15.039><c> early</c><00:30:15.399><c> and</c><00:30:15.559><c
• :04.640><c> your</c> that's your diagnosis codes it's your that's your diagnosis codes it's your procedure
• <00:54:05.359><c> codes</c><00:54:06.280><c> it's</c><00:54:06.520><c> demographic</c> procedure codes
• it's demographic procedure codes it's demographic information<00:54:07.799><c> on</c><00:54:07.960><

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call 00:16 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations 25:49 Discussion of Hospital Rate Improvement Plan 58:50 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee began by reviewing a large slate of administrative regulations and explaining that it does not approve regulations but can find them deficient and send them back for further work. Members then asked questions on several items, including EMS reciprocity, dental hygienist licensure, and interpreter licensure. The EMS board explained that reciprocity would extend to applicants from any state, not just contiguous states, because the underlying statute had been amended. On the dental regulation, staff said the changes mainly clarified licensure requirements, reinstatement fees, and that dental hygienists administering local anesthetic must do so under direct dentist supervision. The most extended discussion involved the Board of Interpreters for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The board chair said the main concern was that the EIPA is an educational specialty assessment, not a nationally recognized certification, yet the regulation would allow it to support full licensure. Members discussed whether that could let educational interpreters work outside their intended scope and whether a separate educational license or statutory change would be more appropriate. The board said it did not think the regulation could be fixed further at this point and suggested a statute could create a narrower educational interpreter license. After discussion, the committee voted to defer both related interpreter regulations, 201 KAR 39:030 and the companion regulation, for further work. The committee then took up two community mental health regulations, 907 KAR 1:044 and 907 KAR 5:005, which had been found deficient in Administrative Regulations. Department for Medicaid Services staff said the rules would expand and rename the mental health associate role as a behavioral health associate, making the role available in many more facilities, but would also require additional coursework or progress toward licensure. Some members and providers raised access-to-care concerns, especially for rural areas and unlicensed staff already working in the field. Staff said the proposal had been revised through work with CMHCs and licensing boards, but the committee ultimately voted to defer both regulations as well. After finishing the regulation review, the committee heard a presentation from the Kentucky Hospital Association on the ATRIP hospital rate improvement program. Hospital representatives said ATRIP is a Medicaid state-directed payment program funded through a provider tax and federal matching dollars, allowing hospitals to receive payments tied to quality measures. They reported improvements including lower Medicaid readmissions, high sepsis screening rates, reduced infections and opioid prescribing, expanded postpartum depression and suicide screening, and training for more than 1,000 people. They said the program has helped hospitals invest in staffing and quality improvement and warned that without it, many hospitals would face severe financial strain.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill, this new law, gives a device, a procedure where a court can consider applications for that
• I would like to, I always forget the procedural, the proper way of orchestrating this, but I would like
• So, I guess procedurally, right, so with there being a motion to adopt, a second to adopt, I'll start

Summary: The Louisiana Public Defender Oversight Board met on June 18, 2026, established a quorum, and adopted the agenda. Public comment took up most of the meeting, with numerous district defenders and chief defenders speaking in support of State Public Defender Remy Starns. Speakers from several districts said the system is more unified, communication with the state office has improved, and local offices feel better supported than in the past. Several also credited Starns with visiting districts, helping with local issues, and improving coordination on capital and non-capital work. One speaker, Richard Thompson, emphasized Starns’ background and training under Sam Dalton, and another noted that a recent staffing decision in St. John the Baptist Parish ultimately proved beneficial for mentorship and resource sharing. Starns then gave his state public defender report. He said the system has improved over the last seven years and argued that public defense still needs a stable, renewable funding source comparable to other parts of the criminal justice system. He discussed legislative changes affecting public defense, including a cleanup bill, a law eliminating filing fees for writs and appeals, and a new procedure related to expert-fee claims after a recent Louisiana Supreme Court decision. He also described ongoing efforts to integrate capital and post-conviction work into district offices, expand the laws/writs program, and use local and state resources more efficiently. He thanked the board, the Public Defenders Association, and the late Mike Ginnart, whom he praised for his leadership and service. The board then considered and adopted proposed bylaws. Members discussed the need for a vice chair and a secretary, the role of special committees, and whether committee meetings should be public and limited to less than a quorum. The bylaws were adopted with the understanding that a committee would review and refine them later; volunteers were named for that committee. The board then elected a vice chair and designated the Office of the Public Defender, with staff assistance, as secretary for recordkeeping. Finally, the board heard a presentation on the strategic plan, which was described as largely unchanged from FY25 except for updates to reflect current law, accessibility requirements, training, compliance, and communication goals. The strategic plan was adopted by resolution, and the meeting adjourned.