Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, Vice Chair Wakai for the vote. Chair votes aye. >> I vote yes.
• Seeing none, Vice Chair Wakai for the vote. Chair votes aye. >> I vote yes. Senator Fukunaga?
• Seeing none, Vice Chair Wakai for the vote. Chair votes aye. >> I vote yes. Senator Fukunaga?
• Seeing none, Vice Chair Wakai for the vote. Chair votes aye. >> I vote yes.
• </c> &gt;&gt; I vote yes. Senator Fugani. &gt;&gt; I vote yes. Senator Fugani.

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of economic development, tourism, and tax measures. SB 2411 drew broad support from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, the University of Hawaiʻi, the Chamber of Commerce, and Retail Merchants, with one technical amendment suggested to change a partnership term from six to seven years. Members asked about implementation and annual costs, and the department said it would follow up with cost information. HB 2583 HD1, relating to economic development and a loan loss program, also received support, but DBED noted the state already has the CBED loan program and suggested the proposal could be placed under that existing framework rather than creating a new program. HB 1612, based on business revitalization task force recommendations, was supported by DBED and several business and advocacy groups, including the Small Business Regulatory Review Board and Grassroot Institute. Testimony emphasized improving Hawaii’s business climate and using a ranking/reporting tool to measure progress, while one senator questioned whether the bill would simply fund another study instead of direct improvements. HB 1613, relating to HTDC, was supported by HTDC, the Chamber of Commerce, and startup and industry representatives who said a permanent marketing/branding specialist would help attract tech talent, founders, and investors; a member asked why the position was not in the budget, and HTDC said federal NIST funding uncertainty affected the request. HB 1614, also on economic development, was supported by HTDC and business groups, and members discussed whether the state was missing federal funds due to lack of matching dollars; HTDC said it was difficult to know, but matching funds could help leverage more federal grants. The committee then took up HB 2590 on taxation for creative industries. The Motion Picture Association and Hawaii Film Alliance strongly supported the bill, saying it would correct GET treatment for payroll service companies, restore motion picture and TV production as manufacturing, and repeal a 2022 provision affecting qualified expenses; the Department of Taxation said it would provide revenue-impact information later. Finally, HB 1950 HD1 on the transient accommodations tax drew strong support from DBED, HTA, the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, hotel and resort groups, and others, who argued for a dedicated tourism marketing fund and said the state needs more stable, long-term marketing investment. The Tax Foundation opposed the special fund approach, arguing it would reduce legislative flexibility. Members pressed witnesses on the appropriate percentage for the fund, with HTA suggesting 10% to 12% of TAT collections, and the discussion focused on how marketing spending relates to visitor spending, tax revenue, and long-term tourism competitiveness.

Transcript Highlights:

• I voted for that bill.
• I look forward to voting for it. I will take your vote for it, Senator.
• Just double-check your vote, but Patsy, thank you. Any objections?
• So I will be voting no on this bill.
• I’m going to vote no on this, but I want to keep working on this.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a House message announcing passage of HB 4 on public school accountability and assessment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, adopted SR 520 honoring Rosser Coke-Newton Sr. for his biography of former Governor Richard Coke, and adopted SR 518 recognizing Texas Moral Injury Awareness Day, with remarks focused on the impact of moral injury on veterans and first responders. The Senate later adopted SR 395 honoring the ninth class of Governor William P. Clements, Jr. Scholars, and several other resolutions were adopted by voice vote, including college savings awareness recognition and other member-sponsored recognitions. The body then took up several bills and resolutions on the floor. HB 3307, allowing online continuing education for arbitrators in property tax appeals, passed unanimously after suspension of the rules and the three-day rule. HB 913, renaming and reorganizing certain state hospitals, and HB 2970, governing the Gulf Coast Protection District and coastal barrier design, also passed unanimously. HJR 1 and HB 9 advanced a proposed constitutional amendment and statutory change to raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000; both measures passed, with HJR 1 receiving one no vote and HB 9 passing unanimously after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed HB 1151, which limits child removals and termination of parental rights based solely on parental medical treatment decisions, and HB 116, which revises grounds for involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship by removing the “O grounds” and requiring support from financially able parents whose rights were terminated. HB 1899 lowered the age for pyrotechnic operator licenses and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18. SB 1285, as amended, passed to protect bats by prohibiting entombment while preserving removal options from unoccupied spaces, and SB 2847 passed to promote innovations in core curriculum for faster bachelor’s degrees. On criminal justice, SJR 87, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring denial of bail for certain repeat violent felony offenders, passed after two floor amendments clarifying due process and representation language; Senator Eckhardt spoke against it on final passage, arguing it lacked judicial discretion and a clear-and-convincing standard. SB 3073, requiring magistrates to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings, also passed. Later, SB 128, requiring hospitals to report suspected child abuse-related information to HHSC, advanced on a divided vote, and SB 2619 and SB 2972 passed on public school accountability and expressive activities at public colleges, respectively, with Senator Eckhardt opposing SB 2972 as too restrictive on campus protest rights. The chamber also heard extended debate on HB 21, targeting “traveling” housing finance corporations and their use of tax exemptions for apartment projects, with supporters arguing it curbs abuse of the tax code and critics warning about unintended effects on affordable housing; the discussion continued with questions but no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our quorum is established, so if you want to vote it out, we can vote. That's up to y'all, sir.
• So you want to vote it out? We can vote. That's up to y'all, sir.
• You want to vote it out?
• You want to vote it out?
• Hearing none, public testimony is closed, so we'll vote this out. So we'll vote this out.

Bills: SB552 , SB1099 , SB1124 , SB1208 , SB1372 , SB1506 , SB1667 , SB1804 , SB1806 , SB1870 , SB1936 , SB1937 , SB2180 , SB2405 , SB2569 , SB2570 , SB1646

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: community supervision, criminal justice, illegal alien, deferred adjudication, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, SB 1099, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense

Summary: The committee heard a series of criminal justice bills, beginning with SB 1870 and SB 1727, both of which were adopted as committee substitutes and reported favorably to the full Senate. SB 1870 would bar local governments from adopting policies that decriminalize controlled substances or direct officials not to enforce state drug laws, with civil penalties enforced by the Attorney General for violations. SB 1727 was described as a technical change to make the draft a formal Legislative Council version of a TDCJ-related assault bill; both bills were also sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then took up SB 2405, the major Sunset bill for TDCJ, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, Windham School District, and the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee. Senator Parker explained that the bill continues and modernizes those agencies, requires a 10-year facilities and staffing plan, expands rehabilitation and reentry programming, improves parole-board consistency and training, and codifies various cleanup and inspector general recommendations. Sunset staff and agency witnesses discussed the bill’s data-sharing, program coordination, and projected savings from reducing delays in parole-voted programming; public witnesses generally supported the post-secondary education and reentry provisions, while some urged stronger statutory direction for Windham and more reform to medically recommended intensive supervision. The bill was left pending. SB 1804, SB 1099, SB 2569, and SB 2570 were also heard. SB 1804 would allow restitution for tattoo removal for human trafficking survivors and remove the age restriction so adult survivors can qualify; it was reported favorably and sent to the local calendar. SB 1099 would increase penalties for certain felony offenses when committed by a person determined to be unlawfully present in the country; immigration and civil rights witnesses opposed it as overbroad and difficult to administer, but it was reported favorably. SB 2569 would modernize unmanned aircraft reporting by requiring law enforcement agencies to post reports on public websites; it passed unanimously and was sent to the local calendar. SB 2570 would create a defense to prosecution for peace officers and correctional guards using less-lethal force weapons within the scope of their training; law enforcement witnesses supported it, civil rights and prosecutor witnesses raised concerns that it was too broad and could weaken existing use-of-force standards, and the bill was left pending for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• out and um I committee has already voted out and um I committee has already voted out and um I think
• to call a to be voted on today, I want to call a roll call vote because it's not a fee, roll call vote
• Um, then we have a request for roll call vote. Clerk, please call for roll call vote.
• I mean, we can vote it out of wait. I mean, we can vote it out of wait.
• We do myself without having to vote. We do myself without having to vote.

Bills: SB199 , HB142 , SB86 , HB152 , HB297 , SB1 , SB1

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: parental leave, state employees, local education agencies, adoption, work-life balance, family support, portable benefits, portable benefit account, independent contractor, gig worker, 1099 worker, freelancer, app-based worker, rideshare, delivery driver, worker benefits, health insurance, retirement benefits, life insurance, income replacement insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• We urge you to </font> <font color="aaaaaa">vote in favor of SB 1528.
• We urge you to </font> <font color="aaaaaa">vote in favor of SB 1528.
• And by your Vote SB </font> <font color="aaaaaa">yes, senator, now. By com.
• And by your Vote SB </font> <font color="aaaaaa">1464, is reported favorably.
• And by your Vote </font> <font color="aaaaaa">>> Chair right?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• vote for that."
• vote for that.
• You can't vote on me.
• You can't vote on me.
• You can't vote on me.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move the House Concurrent Resolution 52 be voted due pass.
• What we're going to do is we'll vote on the Celebration.
• And so with that, I'll open it up for any discussion prior to hearing the voting on the bill.
• I move the House Concurrent Resolution 52 be voted due pass.
• By your vote of 11 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Concurrent Resolution 52 due pass.

Committee: House Special Committee on Tourism

Summary: The Special Committee on Tourism met in executive session with a quorum present and first took up House Concurrent Resolution 52, which concerns Missouri’s participation in America’s 250th birthday celebration. After a brief procedural discussion about whether the resolution could go to consent, the committee voted 11-0 to give HCR 52 a do pass recommendation. The committee then opened a public hearing on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1000, sponsored by Sen. Brad Hudson. Hudson said the bill would reestablish the tourism supplemental revenue fund in statute after it was inadvertently sunset, and he described the measure as a continuation of previously discussed policy that had already passed the House companion committee unanimously. Members from both parties voiced support for tourism as an important statewide economic driver and asked for continued advocacy to move the bill through the process. During questioning and comments, members discussed the importance of tourism funding for regions across Missouri, including Branson, the lake area, St. Charles, Texas County, and the 138th District. The chair emphasized that the bill should move cleanly and quickly, noting tourism’s major economic impact. No witnesses testified in opposition or for informational purposes, and the hearing on SB 1000 concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Declare the vote. Declare the vote. 6 A, 1 N.A.
• Close the queue and declare the vote.
• Declare the vote: nine yeas, one nay.
• Declare the vote. Close the queue. Declare the vote: nine yeas, one nay.
• Declare the vote: eight yeas, two nays.

Summary: The committee considered several Senate bills related to religious freedom, agriculture, tourism, wildlife, research and development, public safety, and economic development. SB 1307, presented by Rep. Lepak, would align state statutes with recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings by removing language that could bar religious organizations from receiving taxpayer funds in certain programs; it passed 6-1. SB 985, presented by Rep. Newton for Rep. Piper, would require ODAF to operate the Oklahoma Local Foods for Schools program through a revolving fund to help local producers supply schools; it passed unanimously. SB 1405 would allow taxpayers to donate part of their refund to the Wildlife Diversity Program, and SB 1530 would create a research and development ecosystem to better connect universities, businesses, and industry; both advanced after brief discussion, with SB 1405 passing 9-1 and SB 1530 passing 8-2. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 248, which would create a guardrailed fund for proceeds from the sale of certain Department of Tourism land so the money could only be used for deferred maintenance rather than general expenses. The author said the bill was intended to help address roughly $191 million to $200 million in deferred maintenance and emphasized that the measure did not target any specific state park for sale. Members asked about who would oversee property sales, whether legislative oversight existed, how the proceeds would be prioritized, and whether the bill would affect CLO-related acreage rules; the author said Tourism’s board would still handle decisions, CLO rights of first refusal would remain where applicable, and the bill would not impose acreage requirements on Tourism land. SB 248 passed 9-1. The committee also amended and advanced SB 1319, with Rep. Sneed explaining an amendment that changed mandatory language to permissive language so a city or county may, rather than shall, acquire property. He described the bill as a public safety measure creating a revolving fund, and it passed 9-0 after the amendment was adopted. Finally, SB 1919, presented by Rep. Townley, would increase the Tourism Development Act inducement cap from $30 million to $60 million for qualifying projects; after brief discussion it passed 6-3. The chair then adjourned the meeting and said no meeting was anticipated the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Anybody can hear this great committee vote however you want to vote.
• I now move that House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2123 be voted do pass.
• Committee, by your vote of nine ayes, zero noes, and three present, you have voted House Committee Substitute
• Representative Haley, I now move that House Bill 1627 be voted do pass.
• By your vote of 12 ayes, zero noes, you have voted House Bill 1627 do pass.

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development met in executive session and first took up House Bill 123, a higher education funding reform bill. Representative Black, the bill sponsor, explained a committee substitute that lowered the proposed scholarship benefit from full tuition to $5,000 per semester or the lesser of tuition, tied the scholarships to qualified higher education funding, and clarified that institutions must continue existing scholarship programs for top ACT/SAT students. He also said the substitute revised the performance-funding model to better reflect workforce needs, institutional outcomes, and higher education community feedback, while lowering the fiscal note. Committee members asked about how the model would treat two-year versus four-year institutions, whether funding would be assigned individually or through a block approach, and whether the bill would prevent future funding reductions. The sponsor said the model uses different factors for two-year and four-year schools, would generally operate more like the current two-year funding approach, and would initially guarantee institutions at least the prior year’s funding unless all institutions are reduced proportionally. Some members expressed concern that this could limit legislative appropriations flexibility, while others said the proportional-reduction language preserved that power. The substitute was adopted, and House Committee Substitute for House Bill 123 was voted do pass by a roll call of 9 ayes, 0 noes, and 3 present. The committee then voted House Bill 1627 do pass without discussion, passing it by a roll call of 12 ayes and 0 noes. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And by your vote, SM 1714 is reported favorably. Thank you very much.
• Yes, and by your vote, SB 1656 is reported favorably.
• By your vote, SM 1186 is reported favorably.
• By your vote, C.S. for SB 1602 is reported favorably. All right.
• By your vote, C.S. for SB 1604 is reported favorably. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and took up several measures. The committee first heard SM 1714, urging Congress to pass the federal No Tax Dollars for Terrorist Act to prevent U.S. funds from benefiting the Taliban; after brief explanation and no testimony or debate, it was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 1512 on Space Florida, which expands certain sales and use tax exemptions for qualifying tangible personal property and allows Space Florida to bypass competitive bidding for certain purchases when state funds are not used; support was noted from Space Florida and the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 1656, designating the SS American Victory as Florida’s flagship, with discussion focused on the ship’s World War II and later service, museum role, and lack of known fiscal impact; it too was reported favorably. The committee next approved SM 1186, which urges Congress and the National Guard Bureau to increase the Florida National Guard’s force structure, with the sponsor citing Florida’s population, emergency history, and outdated allocation levels; one senator voiced support and the memorial was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 1602, creating the Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program in selected counties to help landlords house veterans through vacancy relief and risk mitigation trust funds; two amendments were adopted, including technical and clarifying changes, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Finally, SB 1604 created the related vacancy relief and risk mitigation trust funds within the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to support the pilot program; one technical amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably as amended. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have five voting members in attendance. We have a quorum. Thank you so much.
• Okay, seeing none, the staff will conduct a roll call of the votes.
• This is a vote to approve the August 6th, 2025, Citizen Commission meeting minutes.
• Yeah, these comment forms are distributed to the voting members of the commission only.
• an action item presented to the voting members only.

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Summary: The Citizens Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on September 22, 2025, confirmed a quorum, and unanimously approved the August 6, 2025 meeting minutes. The main business of the meeting was public testimony on the 2025 tax preference reviews, with Commissioner Forsyth recusing himself for the first witness, Joey Halverson of Tote Maritime Alaska, who testified in support of the tax preference for natural gas as a transportation fuel. He argued that LNG has enabled major emissions reductions, supported infrastructure at the Port of Tacoma, and should continue to receive tax preferences to encourage further clean maritime fuel adoption. The second witness, Michelle Preston of Habitat for Humanity of Washington State, testified in support of the tax preference for low-income homeownership developers. She said the preference helps Habitat affiliates advance homeownership and sustain operations, but noted that reporting has been inconsistent across independent affiliates and that JLARC’s metrics may not fully capture the program’s benefits. Commissioners asked questions about affiliate accounting, the distinction between benefits to nonprofits versus homebuyers, and whether the reporting/renewal period should be shorter than the current seven years; Preston said the preference benefits the nonprofit developer, not the homebuyer, and suggested shorter renewal periods might improve compliance and awareness. JLARC staff then outlined the process for the commission’s upcoming comments on the 2025 tax preference reviews. Commissioners will receive a web-based comment form, with responses due September 30, the chair will compile consolidated comments, and those materials will be distributed for the October 21, 2025 meeting. The chair noted that only voting members will complete the comment forms, though individual members may also submit minority reports. The meeting ended with a reminder that written testimony could still be submitted to JLARC and that the next commission meeting is scheduled for October 21, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• I like to know what I'm getting ready to vote on. I think you'll like this bill.
• I guess you need to take your vote on the substitute, but you want to explain?
• Senator Conly, should I vote for this? Yes, Surplus Conly, should I vote for this?
• I got a question or comment by Senator Smith before we take that vote. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I...
• That vote, thank you Mr. Chair.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Congress voted for them. immediately. Congress voted for them.
• You are likely to face a vote of 218 more persons who would vote to have you impeached.'
• </c> the House of Representatives for a vote. the House of Representatives for a vote.
• </c> and bringing these articles to a vote. and bringing these articles to a vote.
• The fact is that vote yesterday.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, December 12, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that House Bill 1915 be voted due pass. Is there any discussion or questions?
• The act of voting this out is just to kind of show that, in essence.
• And I think voting this out today really just says, okay, these stakeholders have worked together and
• I now move that the House Committee substitute for House Bill 1915 be voted due pass.
• By your vote of 17 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Committee substitute for House Bill 1915

Committee: House Economic Development

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is a record vote required by the Constitution? The Clerk will ring the bell. Mr. Harris voting aye.
• Hunter voting aye. It's Fairly voting aye. Mr. Reynolds voting aye. Have all members voted?
• Have all members voted? 117 ayes and 14 nays.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to vote it out of their water.
• The way the law reads now, you are not allowed to vote it out. You can vote it in.
• So I vote yes.
• So if you vote yes, his bill is going to be referred to Civil Law. A vote no, it will not.
• Got to get 70 votes. That's right. Got to get 70 votes. That's right. In both chambers.

Bills: HR267 , HCR105 , HCR107 , HCR110 , HCR113 , HCR114 , SB4 , SB52 , SB57 , SB145 , SB152 , SB194 , SB237 , SB333 , SB433 , SB483 , SCR37

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: diabetes, amputation, amputations, diabetic foot ulcer, peripheral artery disease, PAD, wound care, podiatry, vascular disease, endocrinology, limb salvage, health policy, public health, healthcare costs, insurance coverage, Louisiana Department of Health, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana Center for Health Innovation, patient education, screening

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I would ask for a green vote. Thank you, Representative Kunesh-Podein.
• Uh, members, I would request a yes vote. Thank you, Chair Fraser.
• </c> would request a yes vote. would request a yes vote.
• </c> to vote. to vote.
• I will not be voting for this bill.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I'm going to vote four. >> Further discussion. >> Okay.
• </c> vote no. vote no.
• So, I'm not going to vote for it, but let's call the roll on House Bill 70.
• Uh, Pierre, please call the roll. >> This is a roll call vote on House Bill 39.
• I'd ask for an I vote the on the floor.

Bills: HB0108 , HB0039 , HB0091 , HB0070

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: audit, transparency, government reporting, accountability, public access, firearm rights, restoration of rights, criminal justice, felony convictions, Wyoming law, artificial intelligence, social scoring, biometric data, privacy rights, government regulation, foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws

Transcript Highlights:

• Nine yays, eight nays, one not voting.
• for it. just can't vote for it.
• </c> Nine yays, eight nays, one not voting. Nine yays, eight nays, one not voting.
• And thank you very nays, one not voting.
• We have a time to the vote here.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 206, which requires public schools to adopt policies limiting student cell phone use. Supporters argued that cell phones and personal devices contribute to student mental health problems, bullying, distraction, and disruptive behavior, and said teachers and administrators want a clear statewide rule rather than having to enforce policies themselves. Opponents raised concerns about local control, the breadth of the term “personal communication device,” and whether the bill would interfere with instructional uses of devices, especially in schools that rely on bring-your-own-device or have limited access to school-issued laptops. Members debated Amendment 2249H, which added an exception for teacher-led instruction and clarified that superintendent-approved exceptions could still apply for medical, disability, or language-proficiency needs. After discussion about whether the amendment was too restrictive or too broad, the committee adopted the amendment on a 9-8 vote, with one member not voting. The committee then voted 9-8, with one not voting, to recommend Senate Bill 206 ought to pass as amended. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 96, concerning mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents. The sponsor offered Amendment 2199H to replace language that would have required referral to DCYF whenever an educator withheld information due to concern about possible abuse at home. The amendment instead allows a district to withhold information if a reasonably prudent person would believe disclosure would result in abuse, abandonment, or neglect, and requires the decision to be documented in the student record. The amendment was discussed as a narrower, more workable safeguard, and the committee was still in discussion on the bill at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was properly noticed and advertised, and it does allow for the residents in that area to vote on the
• And this is an organization that relies upon Senator Miller public votes to fund itself.
• The votes speak for themselves.
• I garnered more votes than any other elected official in the last municipal cycle.
• So this will be a motion to reconsider the vote? Ask for...

Bills: SB348 , SB444 , SB485 , SB517 , HB87 , HB115 , HB162 , HB362 , HB368 , HB377 , HB431 , HB441 , HB466 , HB664 , HB741 , HB822 , HB990 , HB1243

Committee: Senate Municipal

Keywords: motor vehicles, enforcement, administrative support, law enforcement, private service provider, regulatory compliance, expropriation, public purpose, property rights, compensation, city governance, St. George, insurance premium tax, city of St. George, municipal authority, local taxation, East Baton Rouge Parish, economic development, Baton Rouge North, commissioners

Summary: The committee on local and municipal affairs met on May 7, 2026, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then took up a series of local bills. HB 362 creating the Regency Park Towns Townhomes Crime Prevention and Security District in Orleans Parish was reported favorably without objection. HB 822, dealing with nonprofit entities that hold appointments on boards and commissions while not in good standing with the Secretary of State, drew questions about whether it targeted a specific entity and about how long an entity should be out of good standing; the committee adopted an amendment changing the trigger to three consecutive years and then reported the bill as amended. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1243, which would give the Orleans Parish City Council more authority over the Sewer and Water Board. The sponsor, Council President J.P. Morrell, and Representative Hilfordy argued the bill would move New Orleans toward a more local, responsive public-works model and help address long-standing dysfunction. The Bureau of Governmental Research testified that it supported increased local control but urged a formal study or transition plan so the city would document the future governance structure. Despite those concerns, the committee adopted an amendment clarifying ownership of assets and then reported HB 1243 as amended. The committee also handled several St. George bills and other local measures. SB 348, allowing third-party administrative support for motor vehicle enforcement, and SB 444, granting expropriation authority for certain public projects, were reported favorably. SB 485, transferring insurance premium tax authority to the City of St. George, was initially amended but then reconsidered; the amendment was stripped and the bill was reported favorably. HB 990, concerning Jefferson Parish and unpaid water/sewer bills on multifamily properties, HB 466 on West Feliciana Parish property-tax rebates, HB 664 raising parish ordinance fines, HB 87 increasing per diem for a Livingston Parish gas utility district board, HB 115 abolishing the police chief for the Village of Edgefield, HB 741 creating emergency housing vouchers for human trafficking survivors, HB 377 removing civil-service pay restrictions for state examiners, HB 162 updating a crime prevention district fee, HB 368 raising fines for improper demolition of historic properties, and HB 441 returning Sewer and Water Board employees to city civil service were all reported favorably, most without objection. HB 431, requiring mayors to complete 16 hours of annual training, was amended to add continuing legal education and national conferences and then reported as amended. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.