Transcript Highlights:

• I will now ascertain the presence of a quorum. Senator Feingold.
• That was April 27th of this year.
• And so this had come from some of our discussions.
• I'm just kind of living.
• I think this is a lot of great could come out of this.

Summary: The meeting began with quorum being established and the group approving the minutes from the April 27 public hearing and the April 7 working group meeting. Both sets of minutes were accepted by roll call vote without objection. The chair then moved to the main agenda items, which focused on final recommendations from subcommittees related to youth sports policy. The working group reviewed and adopted a health and safety protocol recommendation from the children’s subcommittee. The updated language broadened the earlier concussion-focused proposal to authorize the state to establish protocols for injuries and health risks generally, including weather-related issues such as heat and stroke, and it was noted that this could also cover emergency action planning. The recommendation was approved by roll call vote and accepted into the full working group’s final set of recommendations. The group then considered two recommendations from the parents, money, and sports/facilities subcommittee. The first would prohibit facilities or organizations from banning parents or family members from recording youth sports events, responding to concerns about private streaming restrictions. The second would direct the state agency overseeing youth sports to work across state government on a grant program offering low- or zero-interest capital funding for organizations or facilities that meet youth sports access benchmarks. Both recommendations were discussed as promoting family access and equitable participation, and both were adopted by roll call vote. After a brief public comment period in which no one testified, members were told the subcommittees did not expect further work before the next meeting, when the full group would discuss the final report and could still consider feedback. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, which passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the bill.
• , and accessibility of services; traits of high-quality support coordination; best practices; areas of
• , and accessibility of services; traits of high-quality support coordination; best practices; areas of
• Can you give us a, of course, we've had a lot of conversation over the funding formulas and things of
• We've had a lot of criticism of access and SNAP and a whole variety of issues there.

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I have the privilege of working alongside many of you for a number of years, and I continue to appreciate
• I have the privilege of working alongside many of you for a number of years, and I continue to appreciate
• Can you give us a, of course, we've had a lot of conversation over the funding formulas and things of
• We've had a lot of criticism of ACCESS and SNAP, and a whole variety of issues there.
• Senator Garcia moves to recommend confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered three bills and a confirmation. On SB 1600, as amended, the sponsor explained that the original child welfare language was replaced with a strike-all requiring the Office of Insurance Regulation to work with DCF and community-based care lead agencies to study liability insurance coverage and availability, report findings to the Legislature by January 1, 2027, and allow penalties for failure to provide requested information. The committee adopted the amendment and amendment to the amendment, heard supportive testimony from child welfare advocates, and reported the committee substitute favorably. The committee also heard CS/SB 556, which would allow students with disabilities to satisfy a physical education graduation requirement through participation in Special Olympics, and clarify that two years of marching band participation can satisfy PE and fine arts credit. Special Olympics Florida, parents, and other supporters testified in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. On SB 794, the sponsor described requirements for background screening of employees in residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities, plus a review of waiver support coordination quality, workforce needs, geographic service gaps, and related recommendations due in 2027. The committee adopted a conforming amendment and reported the bill. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Hatch outlined DCF’s recent work on child welfare, behavioral health, peer support, and technology improvements, and answered questions about child welfare system challenges, funding formulas, opioid settlement dollars, and interoperability of agency systems. After public comment, the committee voted to recommend her confirmation favorably, with Chair Graal voting no. The meeting ended with a request to record one senator’s vote on SB 1600 and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tell me about the process of what kind of timing we're looking at. Director O'Connell.
• of purpose in its support have some false statements in them.
• all of these folks...
• Being part of all of these events, Legacy has taught me that I am a valuable member of my community and
• If you saw the list of options that was given to us, this was one of them on that list of options.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• So at the current moment of time, they don't do. A lot of courts don't do that.
• Now, again, we have a lot of courts, a lot of places.
• of money for the duration of an underlying lawsuit.
• the cost of service that any of us receive in our rates.
• of damages.

Committees: House Insurance , House Insurance and Banking

Transcript Highlights:

• It's that time of day for points of personal privilege.
• of anything.
• I thought that was real interesting.
• Quaker gets 90% of their oats from Canada because they can raise the kind of oats that they need.
• But he's got the answers for all of us.

Transcript Highlights:

• ON OGS OUR DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES BY BANKING INSURANCE.
• SENATORS AT THIS BILL SAVES REPEALED PUBLIC EXEMPTION CERTAIN INFORMATION HELD BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL
• THE EXEMPTION IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION AND MAY SUBJECT INDIVIDUALS FOR FINANCIAL
• AMERICA 250 AND CELEBRATION OF THE 250th ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
• TAKING OF.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then lastly, the salary equalization of the assessors will have no financial impact to the state
• Page three of the digest gives an overview of all...
• Page three of the digest gives an overview of all.
• I mean, it's part of our job. It's part of their job.
• I think it's a due process challenge in a lot of cases because of the expense of getting a transcript

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on May 13, 2026, and reported several bills favorable. HB 27 was approved after testimony that it would delete a constitutional sentence requiring debt payments to be applied to the oldest outstanding amortization, giving retirement boards more flexibility to pay off the most advantageous debt. HB 143 was supported by the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association and local law enforcement representatives to raise the statutory per diem for housing state inmates in local facilities from $26.39 to match the current $29.39 rate already being paid in practice. HB 205 drew extensive testimony from clerks of court and election officials who said election commissioners have not had a pay increase in 19 years and are struggling to staff precincts, especially under the new closed party primary system; the bill would let local governing bodies enhance commissioner pay as a stopgap, and it was reported favorable despite concerns that it does not fully solve the staffing problem. The committee also approved HB 308, which would require state stadium and arena facilities to accept cash for smaller transactions or provide a kiosk to convert cash to a prepaid card without extra fee. HB 417 was reported favorable to increase the cap on the hazardous waste site cleanup fund from $6 million to $8 million and tie it to inflation; DEQ staff explained the fund helps pay for Superfund matches and cleanup of abandoned or bankrupt hazardous waste sites, and the increase would not affect the state general fund. HB 12, supported by the Louisiana Assessor Association, would provide 5% annual salary equalization increases for assessors through 2029, with local opt-in and no state general fund impact; members discussed the recurring pay parity issue with clerks of court and the possibility of a study resolution to address future adjustments more systematically, and the bill was reported favorable. Representative Kerner announced HB 311 would be deferred after concerns it could amount to a tax increase. HB 1129, supported by the Louisiana Auctioneers Association, was amended to clarify that the state’s movable-property auctions include internet auctions and to give Louisiana auctioneers preference to bid on those contracts; it was then reported favorable. HB 562, which would update transcript fees for the 19th Judicial District Court, prompted concerns about higher costs for litigants and due process implications, and the committee agreed to defer it to the next meeting for further discussion. The meeting ended with adjournment after brief recognition of visiting cattle industry representatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, of course, the last thing I think this is something that the department would be interested
• And then, of course, the last thing I think this is something that the department would be interested
• And then, of course, the last thing I think this is something that the department would be interested
• And then, of course, the last thing I think this is something that the department would be interested
• And then, of course, the last thing I think this is something that the department would be interested

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Of<05:34:08.400><c> course.</c> &gt;&gt; Of course. &gt;&gt; Of course.
• of paper of<05:47:13.040><c> minutes</c> of minutes of minutes and<05:47:15.440><c> approved</c><05:
• And I of of the people of New Hampshire.
• </c><06:44:03.520><c> of</c><06:44:03.920><c> another</c> six of one half dozen of of another six of
• of of their municipality, boundaries of of their municipality, then<06:44:19.600><c> the</c><06:44:20.080

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Surplus statement, you know, SL, SN, uh, snapshot of the Governor's recommended budget, and I've built
• you know SL SN uh Surplus statement you know SL SN uh snapshot<02:35:58.200><c> of</c><02:35:58.880>
• various</c> the number of positions of the various the number of positions of the various types<02:47
• of pages of their whatever thousands of pages of their budget<02:51:45.239><c> yep</c><02:51:45.880>
• cost of collections is recognized on the Highway Fund surplus statement.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education. Department of Education testimony said the bill’s definition would conflict with the federal definition and be unusually restrictive, potentially affecting curriculum, educator training, and many existing state requirements. The department said it could force a broad overhaul of school programs and create a need for at least one new state position, with local districts likely facing significant unbudgeted costs. Members raised concerns about impacts on federal pass-through funding, curriculum materials, and whether the bill was workable at all. Several members said the proposal would be too costly and difficult to implement, especially during a tight budget cycle. Representative Papovich moved to retain HB 129, and the motion passed 7-0. Members who supported retention said they wanted to set the bill aside because of the scale of the concerns, while also stating they did not support the bill as written. The committee then opened HB 133, dealing with DMV follow-up on residency and licensing issues tied to voting and other interactions. Department of Safety/DMV officials said the bill would require a $40,000 technology update plus a full-time position to handle manual correspondence and review of possible matches, and that postage was not included in the fiscal note. They said the bill’s 60-day residency trigger is vague, that the DMV would be acting outside its normal role by investigating status after the fact, and that the measure could create privacy and operational problems. Members questioned whether the bill would effectively force people to buy a driver’s license to vote, whether non-driver and voter ID options would avoid that concern, and whether the Secretary of State rather than DMV would be the more appropriate agency to handle any follow-up.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Education to be considered based on the definition of a School of Hope.
• So why would we ever entertain the idea of funneling any more of that capital money out of our public
• You know, I was a part of the creation of one of the first charter schools in Florida.
• The funds must be accounted for in a charter school's monthly or quarterly financial statement, and should
• And there's a couple of changes to the Schools of Hope.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. CS/HB 1267, by Rep. Boussada, would require school districts to allow Schools of Hope to use vacant or surplus facilities or co-locate in schools with capacity, with non-instructional services handled through a pro rata agreement and a performance-based agreement requiring Schools of Hope to meet expectations within five years. Supporters argued it would better use underfilled public schools and help students in the bottom 10% of schools statewide; opponents raised concerns about local control, funding, and the effect on public schools. The bill passed 13-2. The committee also heard CS/HB 1115, by Rep. Valdes, which would require sharing certain discretionary sales surtax revenues with eligible charter schools based on enrollment, create a standardized charter school monitoring tool, and align Schools of Hope sponsoring-entity rules with charter school processes. Supporters said it would improve consistency and accountability; critics questioned fiscal impacts and district flexibility. That bill passed 13-2. The final bill, CS/HB 1213, by Rep. Alvarez, would create a K-12 School Route Optimization Pilot Program using five counties to test AI-assisted analysis of school bus routes and walking conditions, with the goal of improving child safety for students who currently walk long distances. Members discussed hazardous conditions, possible use of safe-school transportation funds, and the bill’s lack of fiscal impact. Public testimony included support from education and parent groups. The bill passed unanimously, 15-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, members of the committee. Nathan White, chief financial officer.
• </c> to give you sort of a a broad picture of to give you sort of a a broad picture of what<00:05:51.440
• </c> some of their duties is now outside of some of their duties is now outside of the<00:17:26.799><
• </c> of the closing of Laconia State School. of the closing of Laconia State School.
• </c> problem of disparity of plans and waste. problem of disparity of plans and waste.

Summary: The committee met after recess to hear a Department of Health and Human Services overview of its contract structure, with CFO Nathan White explaining that DHS currently has 969 active agreements spanning service contracts, grants, data-sharing agreements, use-of-premises agreements, and MOUs. He said contracts are budgeted across multiple class lines and accounting units, often braided with federal funds, which makes the system complex; he also noted that the department’s top spending list was limited to 18 items rather than 20 and included both individual contracts and grouped regional/provider contracts. White emphasized that many contracts support direct services to residents, while others support departmental operations such as software support and staffing. Commissioner Hardy said the listed contracts are essential to serving vulnerable populations and supporting required administrative infrastructure, and she stressed that the department tries to work with providers and families rather than impose changes on them. In response to questions about area agencies and developmental disability services, DHS officials said the agencies’ duties are spelled out in contract and statute, including family support services, billing-related functions, and services tied to the state’s community-based system; they said some billing duties have already been moved outside the contract. They also explained that the department rejected a previously discussed two-tier waiver concept after stakeholder feedback in October 2023 and instead shifted to rate-based work, including CIS assessments, to better align payment with individual need. Members also raised concerns about possible waste, sole-source contracting, and subcontracting. Hardy said she had not seen specific evidence of waste beyond a whistleblower call mentioned by a member, but acknowledged that inefficient execution can occur in government and said the department is trying to improve management. On procurement, she said sole-source contracts require her approval and that competitive procurement is the default when possible. White added that subcontracting is allowed only with written state permission under the standard P-37 terms, and subcontractors must meet the same obligations as the prime contractor. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> members of the committee University of members of the committee University of Hoy<00:33:52.880><
• </c> monitoring of of these um Appropriations monitoring of of these um Appropriations to<01:05:27.279
• And if you think of that energy as a factor of the cost of energy today, it's about a 30 to 4 million
• </c><01:16:54.600><c> business</c> course of the history of the business course of the history of the
• that have tried to take advantage of this tax credit and then some of the numbers within some of the

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, we remove penalties and 50% of the interest owed in order to get people to comply for some
• It's in the surplus adjustment area of the surplus statement.
• Uh, Nathan White, chief financial officer of the Department of Health and Human Services.
• c> the</c><06:41:11.360><c> Department</c><06:41:11.600><c> of</c> financial officer of the Department
• of financial officer of the Department of Health<06:41:11.920><c> and</c><06:41:12.080><c> Human</c>

Summary: The committee of conference on HB 1 and HB 2 reviewed comparison documents and worked through a long list of House and Senate positions, agreeing on some technical or already-enacted items while setting aside others for later discussion. Early on, members agreed to delete a House Bill 2 section tied to a bill already passed into law, and a representative explained a technical amendment to the EFA provisions clarifying enrollment-cap repeal language and compulsory attendance rules for EFA students. That amendment was discussed but a vote was postponed because not all members were present. The committee also noted that the overall EFA budget numbers had already been settled separately. Several items were either agreed to or held for further negotiation. Members agreed to delete sections already covered by other enacted bills, including BTLA-related language, and to accept a technical amendment changing "municipalities" to "political subdivisions" in a section affecting funding eligibility. They also agreed on some items involving workers’ compensation second injuries, certain pilot-program language, and some sections related to state loan repayment and other technical corrections. In contrast, they set aside or disputed items involving site evaluation, lottery-related provisions, opioid abatement, the Commission on Aging, Granite Advantage premium costs, renewable energy/offshore wind funding, special education funding, and several education trust fund and unique-fund provisions. The committee spent substantial time on policy disputes. The House side argued against keeping money in dedicated Fish and Game funds rather than increasing the main Fish and Game fund, while the Senate side defended its approach and raised concerns about fee impacts, including one tied to the fishing license. The members also discussed a housing appeals board proposal, with one member suggesting a possible compromise that would preserve some function while shifting duties and possibly sunsetting the arrangement later; the contracts for the positions were noted as running through June 30, 2028 and June 30, 2029. Another extended discussion concerned the child advocate records-access section, which one side wanted removed as policy that should go through the normal bill process, while another member asked to hold it and suggested a possible middle-ground, time-limited approach. Later, the committee agreed to remove sections already handled in other bills, including House sections 254 and 255, and discussed but did not resolve disputes over liquor licensing functions, cannabis-related language, cost containment, special education, and several fee and fund provisions. The Senate explained its position on the governor’s commission language, saying opioid abatement trust funds could not be used for that purpose and that the commission should continue to be funded through 5% of gross liquor profits; it also described renaming the body the Commission on Addiction Treatment and Prevention and expanding its scope to include problem gambling. The meeting ended with several major items still open for later negotiation.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said that statement does not accurately reflect the scope of professional engineering licensure and
• He said the statement does not accurately reflect the scope of professional engineering licensure and
• focused on yes of course that they're<01:15:49.840><c> interested</c><01:15:50.239><c> in</c><01:15:
• > lot</c><01:15:53.880><c> of</c> their their interest same as a lot of their their interest same as
• The National Society of Professional Engineers has put out a position statement that they revised as

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• There are many provisions of interest to the city of Minneapolis in these bills, such as MSA funding
• of brevity I would like to just interest of brevity I would like to just say<01:04:57.920><c> that</
• The financial cost of ending service is staggering.
• The financial cost of ending decades.
• The financial cost of ending service<01:07:03.039><c> is</c><01:07:03.280><c> staggering.

Transcript Highlights:

• the electricity on the backs of the rest of us.
• Our costs are going to increase even more because of the rising... ...because of the rising number of
• I do respect a lot of the elements of this bill.
• So all of you, you know, just figure the interest rate or the investor rate for that piece of land or
• Third reading of bills. Third reading of bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• the electricity on the backs of the rest of us.
• of everything, we believe that the expense of all of this is causing our seniors and people who are
• I do respect a lot of the elements of this bill.
• So all of you, you know, just figure the interest rate or the investor rate for that piece of land or
• Third reading of bills. Third reading of bills.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal and received House messages and first-read bills. The chamber moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a range of measures on solar energy, public safety, insurance, health care, agriculture, gaming, education, child welfare, and real property. Several bills were retained on calendar, while many others were advanced with committee amendments and floor amendments. On Calendar 2, SB 1419 on solar energy inspection contractors drew the most debate. A floor amendment by Sen. Sundareshan sought to require utilities to protect ratepayers from costs associated with large energy users such as data centers; supporters argued it would help keep electricity affordable, while opponents called it a hostile amendment. After a division vote, the amendment failed 12-15, and SB 1419 was reported do pass as amended. SB 1498 (DPS appropriation) and SB 1502 (unlawful flight/reckless endangerment) also advanced. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, but a later attempt to add the failed Sundareshan amendment to the report on SB 1419 was defeated 13-14. On Calendar 1, the Senate advanced SB 1165, SB 1206, SB 1212, SB 1215, SB 1290, SB 1291, and SB 1347, mostly with committee amendments. SB 1178 on naturopathic physicians and prescription drug pricing saw a contested Sears floor amendment aimed at stopping price gouging on essential generic drugs; supporters said it would lower drug costs, while the sponsor objected that it was not germane. The amendment failed, and the bill passed as amended. SB 1186 on document retention and donations also drew a Sundareshan amendment on transparency and implementation; it failed, and the bill passed as amended. SB 1286 on veterinary visits and electronic prescriptions advanced after a proposed Kavanagh floor amendment was defeated on division. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and moved on to additional calendars. On Calendar 4, the chamber passed SB 1004 on ESA students and interscholastic activities, SB 1116 on AHCCCS access/behavioral health, SB 1162 on health care institution licensing complaints, SB 1179 on developmental disability/health monitoring, SB 1475 on school district governing boards and eligibility, SB 1821 on DCS training and child placement, and SCR 1012. A request to hold SB 1475 for a reinstatement process was rejected. The Senate also took up an additional Committee of the Whole for SB 1077, SB 1479, and SB 1566; SB 1077 advanced with a Payne floor amendment, SB 1479 advanced with a Carroll amendment classifying certain forged real-property recordings as a class five felony, and SB 1566 began consideration with a Petersen amendment to remove part of a prior amendment. Throughout, the chamber repeatedly adopted committee reports and advanced the bills for further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• It took seven solid years for us to be financially independent after his year of treatment.
• put together a package based on member interest and a lot of things.
• :56:41.800><c> lot</c><00:56:42.120><c> of</c><00:56:42.240><c> interests,</c><00:56:43.120><c> which
• </c><00:56:43.320><c> isn't</c> their um a lot of interests, which isn't their um a lot of interests,
• </c> not in the best interest of the not in the best interest of the individual<01:25:40.800><c> and<

Bills: HF3843 , HF3597 , HF4003 , HF3167 , HF4193

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy