Transcript Highlights:

• So, a significant amount of impact. In summary, AB 1658 makes permanent...
• Over the past decade, construction cost inflation has substantially outpaced general inflation, and current
• Construction cost inflation has substantially outpaced general inflation, and current statutory thresholds
• California is disproportionately feeling these negative impacts.
• California is disproportionately feeling these negative impacts.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Homesteader exemptions are increased annually for inflation.
• The impact of the state is going to be there.
• What's the impact on my community?
• What's the impact on my county's fiscal responsibility?
• ... ...impact of the implementing bill to make it better.

Summary: The Senate took up Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 2F, a proposed constitutional amendment to expand homestead property tax relief, lower the assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and limit county and municipal ad valorem tax revenues to specified uses. Senator Avila presented the measure as a major property tax reform intended to provide relief to homeowners and restrain local government spending, while opponents argued it would shift costs to fees, services, and state appropriations and could harm local budgets, public safety, schools, and other services. Several senators also raised concerns about the ballot language and the lack of a completed fiscal analysis. The chamber considered and rejected multiple amendments. Senator Sharif’s income-based “circuit breaker” amendment failed, as did Senator Smith’s sunset clause amendment and Senator Berman’s amendment to rewrite the ballot statement for greater accuracy. During questioning, Avila said the revised language was meant to preserve flexibility for local governments and that future legislatures could set implementing procedures and, if necessary, prohibit certain local expenditures by general law. He also confirmed that the proposal would not affect refinancing or portability, and said the measure would not prevent local governments from continuing to fund many services such as libraries, parks, animal control, code enforcement, mosquito control, public housing, county health departments, and elections. Debate on final passage was extensive. Supporters described the proposal as overdue relief for homeowners and a way to force local governments to prioritize spending, while critics called it a risky tax shift that could reduce local revenue by billions and force cuts or higher fees. Some senators emphasized concerns about public safety funding, mental health and social services, and the accuracy of the ballot summary; others argued the measure would give voters a chance to decide on property tax reform. After debate, the resolution was rolled over for third reading and the Senate continued discussion, but the transcript provided does not include a final vote on the joint resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• So how would that impact things?
• to know if there have been some issues with regards to either increasing spending on our part or inflation
• The purchasing power of the fund, trying to keep up with inflation, has been a little bit more difficult
• So starting from last year, now you will send in $100 million from that investment income plus inflation
• The forecast for quite a while now has indicated this, so that's going to start to impact things in where

Bills: SJR4 , SJR 4

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: economic stabilization fund, state finance, constitutional amendment, budget management, financial security, term limits, state offices, governor, lieutenant governor, election reform

Transcript Highlights:

• Last session we made a couple of decisions that greatly impact our grocers and made it that much more
• The assessment of impacts in the project analysis must be done in consultation with any impacted taxing
• The assessment of impacts in the project analysis must be done in consultation with any impacted taxing
• If voters in the impacted district approve a property tax levy lid lift, the impacted taxing district
• Sometimes we get into implementation and we come to a better understanding of actual impacts.

Bills: HB2313 , HB2451 , HB2298 , HB2566 , HB2517

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: grocery stores, public ownership, food accessibility, community services, economic development, tax increment financing, local government, municipal finance, public infrastructure, property title protection, land record fraud, county auditors, voluntary program, real estate, procurement, contracting, transparency, financial oversight, municipal permitting, transit projects

Transcript Highlights:

• doesn't impact utilization.
• </c> cost but it doesn't impact utilization. cost but it doesn't impact utilization.
• </c> that the safety and health has impacted that the safety and health has impacted the<00:17:54.080
• </c> could be impact to the lump sum sector. could be impact to the lump sum sector.
• <c> has</c> and inflation does what inflation has and inflation does what inflation has done<01:22:55.040

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:

• also want to highlight that currently we have 404 vacancies, or 24% of our workforce, and that's impacting
• And a little bit of the reason why was inflation, and what I can tell you about our construction costs
• and what I can tell you about inflation and what I can tell you about our<00:42:07.520><c> construction
• but we also talk about about inflation but we also talk about escalation<00:42:17.200><c> so</c><00:
• that we try to put put on 3.7% inflation that we try to put put on our<00:42:38.920><c> projects</c>

Summary: The Public Works and Highways Committee held an orientation meeting focused on introducing members, outlining committee norms, and hearing an overview from the Department of Transportation. Chair David Mills emphasized the committee’s long-standing bipartisan working style, asked members to share contact information for short-notice scheduling, and noted that the committee would need to complete as much work as possible before the building is vacated later in the year. Members introduced themselves and described backgrounds in engineering, construction, planning, local government, military service, education, and business. Several members highlighted prior service on planning boards, school boards, zoning boards, or in transportation-related fields as relevant to the committee’s work. Members repeatedly described the committee as collegial and nonpartisan, with most bills going to the consent calendar. The chair also noted that the committee’s work centers on state infrastructure, including roads, bridges, highways, and buildings. Representative Cluder, the ranking member, and others echoed that the committee is effective because it talks issues through and resolves disagreements collaboratively. One member mentioned a recent trip that reinforced the importance of infrastructure resilience after storms and rebuilding efforts in other states. Department of Transportation officials, led by Assistant Commissioner and Chief Engineer David Rodrig, gave a detailed organizational and operational overview. They described DOT’s structure, mission of “transportation excellence,” and major responsibilities across highways, bridges, rail, transit, aeronautics, maintenance, and administration. Rodrig reported 1,651 permanent positions and 404 vacancies, 2,160 state bridges with 115 on the Red List, 4,600 centerline miles of roadway, 25 public airports, 11 transit systems, and 194 active state-owned rail lines. He also outlined FY 2024 spending, project development activity, highway maintenance operations, fleet and fuel systems, and the distinction between the highway fund and DOT’s budget, including the role of federal funds and the turnpike enterprise fund. No votes were taken and no bills were acted on during this orientation meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an excellent protection against inflation.
• Most of us in this room, I think, have protections against inflation. We can buy realty.
• But the thing about this is, gold is actually a great reflection of the rate of inflation.
• But if inflation” “So I would argue you’re zero sum at that point.
• These rates will have no impact on current loans that exist, or consumers that qualify now will still

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on March 17, 2026, adopted its rules again because they had not been properly posted, and voluntarily deferred several bills before taking up the day’s agenda. The committee then moved through a series of commerce and financial services measures, with members repeatedly noting the bills had been worked on jointly by authors and stakeholders. HB 489, on transfer-on-death securities, was amended to make the transfer requirements mandatory and to remove a liability limitation for registering entities, then reported favorable. HB 545, which narrowed a consumer-loan bill to origination fees only, was amended and reported favorable. HB 555, expanding protections for eligible adults from financial exploitation, was amended with technical changes and an amendment from Rep. Boyd, then reported favorable after testimony from bankers and advocates describing scams targeting seniors and the need for delayed transactions, trusted contacts, and training. HB 797, creating the Bayou Gold Program, was amended to clarify electronic payment platforms and reported favorable after questions about state involvement, insurance, and consumer protections. HB 952, modernizing the consumer loan framework, was amended to a three-tier rate structure and to add ability-to-repay and disaster-relief provisions, then reported favorable. The committee also considered two economic development bills from Rep. Owen. HB 672 would encourage brick manufacturing in Louisiana; after an amendment changed LED’s role from directing a priority industry to allowing support through existing programs and guidance, the bill was reported favorable. Testimony emphasized Louisiana’s clay deposits, limited in-state brick production, and potential benefits for housing costs and jobs. HB 670, on wood pellet manufacturing, received a similar amendment limiting LED to support and guidance rather than mandates, and was also reported favorable. A consultant testified that a proposed North Louisiana pellet facility could generate significant payroll, local spending, and revenue from timber that is currently underused, while LED described the sector as part of the state’s agribusiness and energy strategy and discussed global demand, carbon footprint requirements, and the role of CCUS in attracting large projects. The discussion on HB 670 continued at the end of the transcript, with members probing how the industry works and how Louisiana could benefit from it.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an excellent protection against inflation.
• Most of us in this room, I think, have protections against inflation. We can buy realty.
• But the thing about this is, gold is actually a great reflection of the rate of inflation.
• But if inflation...” “So I would argue you're zero sum at that point.
• These rates will have no impact on current loans that exist, or consumers that qualify now will still

Bills: HB489 , HB545 , HB555 , HB583 , HB670 , HB672 , HB797 , HB814 , HB913 , HB952

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Keywords: transfer on death, TOD, beneficiary designation, investment accounts, brokerage accounts, securities, nonprobate transfer, estate planning, succession, probate, community property, forced heirship, financial advisor, broker-dealer, custodian, transfer agent, banking, wealth transfer, inheritance, Louisiana Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• But secondly, we think the LIHTC model is inefficient, so it's prone to cost inflation.
• But secondly, we think the LIHTC model is inefficient, so it's prone to cost inflation.
• One, the biggest driver in CPI, inflation, affordability, your biggest political issue is rent.
• I just want to share a few examples of the impact that this program has had in this state over the last
• So one of the things I think would also make sense as we’re assessing the economic impact is to find

Committee: House House Rural Economic Development Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee began with short video presentations highlighting historic sites in Prescott, including the Arizona Pioneer Home and the Charlotte Hall Museum/First Territorial Governor’s Mansion, with members discussing the value of showcasing district landmarks and rural history. The committee then took up HB 2804, a bill to create a state rural development and housing tax credit tied to the federal low-income housing tax credit for projects in counties under 800,000 population. Supporters, including the Flagstaff mayor and several affordable-housing developers, said the bill would help finance rural and workforce housing, especially for seniors, veterans, and low-income residents, while opponents from the Arizona Free Enterprise Club argued the program is inefficient, hard to police, and benefits intermediaries more than residents. Members debated the policy at length, but the bill was ultimately passed on a 7-0 vote with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered HB 2388, which would appropriate unspecified funds to the Arizona Commerce Authority to study the economic benefits of small modular reactors and data centers for the state and local governments. The sponsor described it as a study bill to gather information on a topic already drawing significant attention, and a representative from the Libre Initiative supported it as a way to assess workforce and economic opportunities. Members discussed possible amendments, including adding data on utility-rate impacts and other costs, and the sponsor said she was open to that conversation. The bill passed on a 6-1 vote, with one member opposed and others expressing support contingent on possible amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• years with the judges, prosecutors, and just looking forward to serving on this board and having an impact
• years with the judges, prosecutors, and just looking forward to serving on this board and having an impact
• years with the judges, prosecutors, and just looking forward to serving on this board and having an impact
• </c><00:16:03.399><c> my</c> that I care deeply about um impacting my that I care deeply about um impacting
• their overall care and um Health impacts their overall care and um Health um<00:35:45.359><c> and</c

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The joint hearing began with SB 59 on prescription drugs, which drew extensive testimony from insurers, pharmacies, patient advocates, and health organizations. Supporters argued the bill would address PBM practices such as spread pricing, unclear reimbursement, and patient steering, and would help independent pharmacies and lower patient costs by passing rebates through to consumers. Opponents from health plans and PBM-related groups raised concerns, while Walgreens supported the measure and suggested amendments to establish a reimbursement floor. After questions, the committee accepted the Hawaii Pharmacist Association’s proposed amendments, added technical changes and a defective date of December 31, 2050, and voted to pass SB 59 with amendments. The remainder of the hearing focused on a series of nominations and reappointments to health, aging, disability, mental health, juvenile justice, and advisory boards. Nominees and agency representatives generally described their backgrounds and interest in serving, with support testimony emphasizing experience, continuity, and the value of volunteer service. Several nominees highlighted issues such as mental health access, substance abuse treatment, elder services, language access, disability access, and rehabilitation services. The Department of Health, SHPDA, DHS, and other organizations largely testified in support of the nominees. No votes were taken on the nominations during the transcript excerpt, and the chair repeatedly thanked the nominees for their service and testimony. The hearing also included brief procedural remarks about time limits, Zoom testimony, and a possible reconvening date in case of technical difficulties.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> a lot of inflation in the medical area. a lot of inflation in the medical area.
• </c> keeping up with the inflation increases. keeping up with the inflation increases.
• </c><02:55:55.520><c> on</c> not going to touch these, the impact on not going to touch these, the impact
• </c> economic impact economic impact and<03:18:51.359><c> the</c><03:18:51.680><c> 88</c><03:18:52.160
• :19:04.960><c> than</c><03:19:05.200><c> revenue</c> impact is way different than revenue impact is way

Transcript Highlights:

• We suffered the worst inflation in 48 years, but perhaps even in the history of our country.
• the worst inflation in 48 years<01:08:09.240><c> but</c><01:08:09.480><c> perhaps</c><01:08:09.920><
• A major focus of our fight to defeat inflation is rapidly reducing the cost of energy.
• We are opening up many of those plants right now. inflation is rapidly reducing the cost inflation is
• It will have a huge impact to further enhance our national security.

Transcript Highlights:

• He was an admired educator who had a profound and very positive impact on every single child that he
• HE WAS AN ADMIRED EDUCATOR, WHO HAD A PROFOUND AND VERY POSITIVE IMPACT ON EVERY SINGLE CHILD THAT HE
• It is a driver of economic activity that generates $12.9 billion in total economic impact across the
• Golf is an impactful part of New York economically, environmentally, and socially, and it is entirely
• Inflation from tariffs or from rising gas prices worldwide, we can make sure that prices are fair.

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the journal, and took up a series of motions to discharge identical Assembly bills to the Third Reading Calendar, along with committee reports and amendments. The chamber also received an introduction from Senator Gonzalez honoring Maria Raine and her advocacy for guardrails on AI chatbots after the death of her son, and later adopted a Rules Committee report sending several General Business Law bills directly to Third Reading. The resolution calendar was adopted with some exceptions, and the Senate recognized several previously adopted resolutions honoring individuals and observances, including Barnabas McHenry, Arthur Jones Jr., Floyd Todd Peterson III, the Lexington School for the Deaf, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, Apraxia Awareness Month, Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, Prevention Week, Physician Anesthesiologists Week, and Golf Day in New York. The Senate then considered and passed numerous bills, many on consumer protection and public policy topics. Measures included bills on General Business Law, Public Health Law, Correction Law, Environmental Conservation Law, Executive Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Public Officers Law, Not-for-Profit Corporation Law, Public Housing Law, Education Law, Labor Law, and Public Service Law. Several bills were laid aside, including a Public Health Law bill by Senator Fernandez and a Public Service Law bill by Senator Parker. The chamber also passed a concurrent constitutional resolution by Senator Stec proposing an amendment to Article 14. During floor debate, senators explained votes on several measures. Senator Ramos spoke in support of paid sick leave for domestic workers, describing the bill as a long-overdue labor protection for a workforce historically excluded from such rights. Senator Fernandez described her bill as the Manufacturer Disclosure and Transparency Act, aimed at requiring notice and public disclosure of certain pharmaceutical patent settlement agreements to improve transparency and competition in prescription drug pricing. Senator Ryan and Senator Martins supported a bill restricting hidden algorithmic price manipulation online, and Senator May supported a bill limiting excessive rental car fuel charges as part of a broader consumer protection package. The Senate also passed a memorial highway bill naming a portion of Route 19 in LeRoy for Lieutenant Gary A. Scott, with Senator Borrello explaining the veteran’s service and sacrifice.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're simply asking you to help us keep up with inflation.
• As you can see, we've had some consolidation of bills that I think will all have a great impact.
• So how do we know what the fiscal impact of this is?
• Gold is a fantastic hedge against inflation for people.
• Anybody familiar with precious metals knows they are good hedges against inflation.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 350, which would extend the grade levels at Ecole Pointe-au-Chien from fourth through eighth grade. The sponsor and several members emphasized the school’s importance to Terrebonne Parish, French immersion, and school choice. An amendment was adopted making the bill subject to appropriation, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Members then approved House Bill 749, which authorizes the Louisiana Tuition Trust Authority to contract with a program manager for certain savings programs, including ABLE, START, and START K-12, in response to a prior cyber incident and to improve security and customer service. An amendment simplified the bill’s effective-date language so provisions would take effect upon execution of the contract. The bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee also advanced House Bill 979 to increase the survivor benefit for law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty from $250,000 to $350,000. Testimony from the governor’s office said the increase could be covered within existing appropriations and that the amount was consistent with inflation since the benefit was last set. The bill was reported favorably. Later, House Bill 42 creating a phased retirement option for public post-secondary employees in the Teachers’ Retirement System was reported favorably, and House Bill 205 to allow local clerks of court to supplement election commissioner pay by up to $100 per election was also reported favorably after extensive testimony about staffing shortages and stagnant pay. The committee additionally reported favorably House Bill 12 extending survivor benefits to reserve officers killed in the line of duty, and House Bill 324 on judicial salaries, after amending it to remove future COLA provisions and leave only the permanent stipend increase.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there is no, basically no fiscal impact.
• We're simply asking you to help us keep up with inflation.
• So how do we know what the fiscal impact of this is?
• Gold is a fantastic hedge against inflation for people.
• Anybody familiar with precious metals knows they are good hedges against inflation.

Bills: HB12 , HB42 , HB205 , HB222 , HB324 , HB325 , HB350 , HB416 , HB482 , HB610 , HB749 , HB797 , HB807 , HB821 , HB979 , HB992 , HB1193

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: survivor benefits, law enforcement, reserve officer, auxiliary officer, public safety, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, judicial salaries, judges, judiciary compensation, cost of living adjustment, COLA, Louisiana Supreme Court, court of appeal judges, district court judges, city court judges, parish court judges

Transcript Highlights:

• The estimated impact to counties and cities is $1.8 million for one month, and the impact to the road
• :05.599><c> and</c><00:08:05.840><c> cities</c> estimated impact to counties and cities estimated impact
• </c><00:19:43.520><c> Um,</c> impacts of those investments. Um, impacts of those investments.
• </c> individual, it has a significant impact individual, it has a significant impact to<00:21:05.679>
• </c> impact on speeds within the work zone. impact on speeds within the work zone.

Committee: Joint Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• House of Representatives to join me in proclaiming March 10th as Cade's Day, recognizing the lasting impact
• This is an opportunity for the middle class and poor to participate and to hedge against their inflation
• Also, the fact is, if you don't... ...to participate and to hedge against their inflation.
• Other states are doing it, again, for a hedge against inflation and also potential...
• The biggest impact of this treaty was to end the Long Walk of the Navajo, which claimed the lives of

Transcript Highlights:

• This operation impacted several families.
• There's been a real impact here that is harming regular Californians.
• It's a continuing impact.
• Each of us experiences the impacts of this anti-competitive behavior every day.
• And there is a requirement to assess impact on workers.

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took action on a number of them. SB 1234 by Senator Alvarado-Gil would require fentanyl to be included in drug tests ordered by juvenile courts for parents or guardians in dependency cases; there was no opposition, a committee member confirmed it would apply to caregivers rather than children, and the bill was supported for moving forward. SB 1257 by Senator Arreguín would require the Attorney General to publish an annual public report on immigration enforcement incidents at designated safe locations such as schools, hospitals, courthouses, and places of worship; supporters from immigrant advocacy and health groups testified about fear and chilling effects in communities, while questions focused on how data would be collected and concerns were raised about sanctuary policies. SB 1176 by Senator Choi would bar foreign adversary entities from buying California agricultural land; supporters cited national security concerns, but committee members pressed on enforcement, straw buyers, and who would be responsible for identifying prohibited purchasers, and the bill was held on a 2-4 vote after debate. The committee also heard SB 1146 by Senator Gonzalez, which would require clear disclosure when AI-generated or altered images, audio, or video are used in health-related advertisements depicting health care providers. The California Medical Association and California Dental Association supported the bill, describing deepfake health ads as deceptive and harmful; it passed the committee 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 988 by Senator Grayson would regulate auto glass insurance practices by restricting assignment of benefits, requiring claim numbers and itemized estimates, and addressing steering and billing practices; supporters said it would curb fraud and stabilize premiums, while independent glass businesses worried about steering and market concentration. After discussion of consumer choice and small-business impacts, the bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 1288, presented by Senator Grayson on behalf of Senator Laird, would require financial institutions to make a good-faith effort to notify beneficiaries of non-probate assets and would reduce barriers to claiming those assets, especially for nonprofits. Nonprofit witnesses described long delays and burdensome account-opening requirements, while SIFMA and bankers opposed the bill unless amended, citing conflicts with federal and industry obligations and concerns about retroactivity and verification. The bill passed 8-0 to call. The committee also heard SB 941 by Senator Padilla, which would cap commissary markups in private immigration detention facilities at 35% above vendor cost; the Attorney General’s office and immigrant advocates supported it as a response to exploitative pricing and poor conditions, and it passed 8-0 to call. Finally, SB 909 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would raise and index public works contractor fees and penalties and dedicate more penalty revenue to enforcement; labor supporters said stronger funding is needed to address wage theft and backlogs, while contractors opposed the fee and penalty structure as uncapped and costly. The bill was moved forward on a vote and remained on call after committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Especially, can you just kind of talk about the need for Kind of forecast a little bit the impact you
• So, you know, we've designed our permanent trust for to stay with inflation.
• If we can stay roughly at inflation and then distribute our funds out, we're doing it.
• So, the fiscal impact to us is it's sort of opportunity cost. So, we know what contracts we have.
• That would be our direct fiscal impact.

Committee: House A&B Education Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• I go right to clients, right to families, and say, tell me about how these services are impacting your
• And as individuals out there, everybody is dealing with inflation issues.
• And when adjusted for population and inflation, our budgets have grown less than 2% in 20 years.
• The total impact of this legislation is to increase the general fund revenues by...
• This proposed legislation will have no negative impact on the general fund. Mr.