Transcript Highlights:

• Inouye and her committee, as well as the Committee on Higher Education.
• </c><00:04:02.159><c> is</c> no hoha chair and the committee is no hoha chair and the committee is Angela
• </c> comments from water land committee comments from water land committee seeing<00:15:46.279><c> non
• For this committee, the exception normally is for those like the agencies and people that the committee
• Thank you, committee members, chair.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees first heard SB 1146, which would appropriate funds to the University of Hawaiʻi to develop an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan for debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai Watershed. Testimony was largely supportive from DLNR, a UH student, and a special improvement district representative, while one speaker suggested the work should be coordinated with existing efforts to avoid duplication. Committee discussion focused on the multi-jurisdictional nature of the watershed, existing debris-trap work that captures only about 20 to 30 percent of debris, the role of the university in capstone projects and recommendations, and the relationship to the existing Geni project and other community efforts. Members also asked about costs, tracking progress, and the difference between water-quality improvements and the larger debris problem. The committees then voted to pass SB 1146 with amendments, including blanking out the appropriation and deferring the effective date to July 31, 2050. The motion passed in both committees, with votes recorded in support and no opposition noted during the decision-making. The committees also heard SB 321, which would deem certain fee simple privately owned lands transferred to adjacent property owners or community associations if specified conditions are met. Testimony was in support from several individuals, but members raised concerns about the lack of input from counties and the state, and about how the bill might affect roads already used by the public or maintained by local governments. After discussion, the committees voted to advance SB 321 unamended to the next committees, with the measure adopted in both committees despite one recorded no vote in the Water and Land committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the rules, the matter will be referred to the Committee on Election Laws.
• Report of a committee: The Committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate bill to improve
• The chair hears none, and the rules are suspended.
• Sal DiDomenico, for the committee. Question comes on the acceptance of the report of the committee.
• Its title have been changed by the committee on those in third reading.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the organizational meeting for the Rules Committee. Clearly a really hot ticket.
• I was proud to serve on this committee last session and I'm happy to be back. Thank you.
• This is my 9th year with the Senate, and I was in the Senate Rules Committee in 2023.
• They're on the Senate Rules web page. I think they're also on the what's happening page.
• The committee will be meeting every day at 10:30.

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Calling the Senate Education Committee to order. First order of business: calling the roll.
• Chairman, committee.
• Thank you, committee. Okay. Okay, let's move on to the next order of business.
• committee schedule and work, but we were able to talk briefly.
• The do not pass has passed out of committee. No nays, zero not voting.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 1540, an education savings account bill. Senator Wobbema presented Amendment 040-003, describing mostly clarifying and reorganizing changes, including eligibility language, administrator duties, school participation standards, assessment provisions, and a correction removing a requirement that the department pay for state assessment materials if a parent selected that option. The committee adopted the amendment 4-2, then advanced HB 1540 as amended on a 4-2 vote and sent it to Appropriations, with Senator Wobbema designated as carrier. One senator opposed the bill, arguing it would divert resources from public schools and conflict with the state’s obligation to provide a free appropriate education while districts still face funding needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• She was approved by the Rules Committee on a 5-0 vote.
• She was approved by the Rules Committee on March 25th with a 5-0 vote.
• Rules Committee on March 25th with a 5-0 vote. Respectfully ask for an aye vote.
• He was approved by the Rules Committee on March 25th on a 5-0 vote.
• He was approved by the Rules Committee on March 25th on a 5-0 vote.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:06.320><c> uh</c> committee, but the joint committee uh committee, but the joint committee
• Chairman, committee.
• Chairman, committee. &gt;&gt; Mr. Chairman, committee.
• Chairman and committee members.
• Chairman and committee members.

Bills: SF0025 , SF0027 , SF0043 , SF0066

Committee: Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Keywords: landowner licenses, hunting, wildlife management, quota hunt areas, game and fish commission, game management, hunting regulations, black bear, tracking dogs, wildlife conservation, conservation, contracting, supervisor, funding, districts, hunting licenses, donated licenses, life-threatening illness, vision impairment, nonprofit organizations

Transcript Highlights:

• What's the jurisprudential rule now? Um, basically the same, yes.
• Good evening, Chairman, Madam Vice Chair, and committee members.
• Good afternoon, members of the committee. My name is Shannon Lindsay.
• What is the will of the committee? Okay, Chairman.
• Members of the committee, thank you for allowing me to speak.

Summary: The committee first voluntarily deferred House Bills 460 and 561, then took up House Bill 1101 on workers’ compensation. The sponsor said the bill would define maximum medical improvement, adjust fraud provisions, shorten temporary total disability and supplemental earnings benefit periods, and revise vocational rehabilitation rules; an amendment removed proposed age-based termination language for benefits. Business groups including LABI supported the bill as a way to reduce Louisiana’s comparatively high indemnity costs and align the state with regional norms, while injured-worker advocates and attorneys strongly opposed it, arguing it would cut benefits, shift medical and disability decisions away from treating physicians and judges, broaden fraud too far, and potentially push costs onto public programs. After debate, the committee voted to report HB 1101 with amendments. House Bill 282 was voluntarily deferred. House Bill 293, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to Louisiana employment discrimination protections, drew generally supportive testimony from the sponsor and supporters, with some members raising questions about religious exemptions and federal law. The committee ultimately voted against reporting HB 293 favorably. House Bill 390, providing unpaid leave protections for domestic abuse survivors at larger employers, was presented as a tool for survivors, but the committee split 6-6 on a motion to report it favorably; the tie resulted in the bill being voluntarily deferred. The committee then heard House Bill 456, which would expand workers’ compensation petition requirements and allow employers or payers broader access to file disputed claims and seek discovery. Supporters argued employers currently lack a practical way to obtain records and challenge claims without first cutting off benefits, while opponents said the bill would revive a rejected 2012 approach, increase litigation, and undermine the no-fault workers’ compensation bargain. The discussion centered on whether the bill would preserve benefits while allowing discovery or instead encourage more disputes and penalties. The transcript ends with testimony still underway on HB 456, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:34.399><c> and</c> is the education budget committee and is the education budget committee
• </c> &gt;&gt; Hello, committee. Thank you, Mr. &gt;&gt; Hello, committee.
• Thank you, committee.
• Thank you, committee. committee. committee.
• other rules of the association.

Bills: HB527 , HB563 , HB580 , HB579 , SB190 , HB15 , HB390 , HB527 , HB563 , HB580 , HB579 , SB190 , HB15 , HB390

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: liability, off-roading, parks, participant safety, risk management, SNAP, food assistance, public assistance, income standards, Department of Human Resources, eligibility, HB580, Alabama Healthy Schools Act, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school meals, cafeteria, vending machines, fundraising sales

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:27.199><c> so</c> administrators to enforce the rules. so administrators to enforce the rules
• So, any other amendments, committee? committee? committee?
• </c><01:21:19.360><c> of</c> expertise and that will be by rule of expertise and that will be by rule
• Chair, members of the committee. My &gt;&gt; Mr. Chair, members of the committee.
• Thank you, uh, committee. And uh &gt;&gt; Okay. Thank you, uh, committee.

Bills: SF0035 , SF0090 , SF0072

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: education, cell phones, smart devices, school policy, student conduct, school property, rental fees, youth activities, education policy, Wyoming legislature, teacher licensure, teacher mobility, interstate compact, education compact, licensure reciprocity, reciprocal certification, teacher certification, professional teaching standards board, out-of-state teachers, military spouse

Transcript Highlights:

• We're very fortunate that someone from Arkansas is on that committee.
• Eric Atchison from the ASU system is on that committee. So Arkansas voice.
• Eric Atchison from the ASU system is on that committee.
• I just kind of assume they have their own sets of rules. So.
• Thank you, Senator, and thank you members of the committees.

Summary: The committee first approved the November 3 minutes, then received an extensive update from Arkansas Division of Higher Education and Division of Career and Technical Education officials on LEARNS and ACCESS implementation. Witnesses said the state’s goal is for students to graduate employed, enrolled, or enlisted, and described expanded career pathways, student success plans, merit and distinction diplomas, and school accountability measures tied to pathway completion and tangible credentials. They reported increases in K-12 CTE enrollment and concurrent enrollment, and explained that some secondary career center programs were reduced or eliminated because they no longer aligned with state workforce demand. Members asked detailed questions about how merit/distinction affects school letter grades, how AP, concurrent credit, CTE completers, apprenticeships, and work-based learning fit into the system, and whether homeschool and private school students can access the same opportunities. Officials said multiple pathways can satisfy the requirements, including AP Scholar, concurrent credit, technical certificates, and apprenticeships, and that counselors are being trained to advise students. They also discussed scholarship changes: ACCESS broadened eligibility for the Arkansas Academic Challenge and Governor’s Scholar awards, with diploma of merit or distinction now qualifying students for additional aid, while the Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship itself remained unchanged. Questions were raised about whether homeschool and private school students can meet the new diploma-of-distinction criteria; officials said the intent is to make them eligible if they meet the same standards, and that guidance is being finalized. The discussion also covered workforce scholarships and grants. Officials said the Workforce Challenge was expanded to include vocational-technical schools and increased funding, and that the Division is reworking policy around “professional skills training” to support shorter-term, stackable programs. They reviewed the new federal Workforce Pell Grant, noting its narrow hour and duration limits and the need for programs to meet completion, placement, and earnings thresholds. Members also asked about the state lottery scholarship fund balance and whether more aid should be directed to students; officials said the fund remains healthy and that ACCESS has already increased awards and expanded eligibility, with more implementation data still to come. The final presentation came from the Director of Workforce Connections on a $35.8 million U.S. Department of Labor cooperative agreement for the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund. Arkansas will administer the national fund, which is aimed at expanding advanced manufacturing registered apprenticeships across the country through a pay-for-performance model. Officials said the program will support occupations in aerospace, automotive, biotech, maritime, nuclear, semiconductors, supply chain, and automation, and that applications will open soon. Members asked who can apply and how the money will be distributed; the answer was that registered apprenticeship sponsors—sometimes companies, sometimes colleges, sometimes intermediaries—will apply, with Arkansas setting eligibility criteria, vendor requirements, and outreach efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Rules Committee is called to order. Secretary, please call the roll. Pacheco?
• The Rules Committee is called to order. Secretary, please call the roll. Pacheco? Here. Lackey?
• The Rules Committee is now adjourned. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The Rules Committee was called to order and a roll call established a quorum. The committee then took up a consent agenda, with a motion and second made and the roll called for votes. The consent agenda passed unanimously by the members recorded as voting aye, and the chair left the roll open briefly to capture additional votes. After the roll remained open, additional aye votes were recorded from Flora and Sanchez on the consent calendar. With no further business, the Rules Committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Rules Committee is called to order. Secretary, please call the roll. Pacheco? Here. Lackie?
• And Rules Committee is now adjourned. Motion passes, and Rules Committee is now adjourned.

Summary: The Rules Committee met briefly and opened with repeated greetings before the chair called the meeting to order and asked the secretary to call the roll. A quorum was present. The committee then took up a consent agenda, with a motion and second made to approve it. The secretary called the roll on the consent agenda, and members voted in favor. The motion passed, and no substantive bill discussion or testimony was presented during the meeting. After the vote, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are federal rules that regulate how this information can be shared, and there's state rules on
• There are probably local rules.
• Chair, members of the committee.
• This is not a budget committee, but I will tell you, I'm on the budget committee.
• There's, uh, this is a budget committee.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we waiting for rules? So, Mr. Chair, Senator Hughes, we are, quite frankly, waiting. for rules.
• Chair, members of the committee.
• Chair, members of the committee.
• But I think this committee...
• I mean, because how are they going to know the rules of engagement if the rules aren't out?

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the state rules, we make sure that they're very familiar with the unfair tactics rule, that
• so I can share with the committee.
• committee that might.
• Okay, additional committee discussion.
• Okay, additional committee discussion.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval. Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development. Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines. Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
• We have a three-minute rule in this committee.
• It is a very strict three-minute rule.
• But I would ask the committee to take one more step.
• What is not clear are the rules of engagement.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee first handled housekeeping items, voluntarily deferring HB 63 and HB 622 at the authors’ requests. It then heard HB 131 on post-conviction relief, which would remove the word “inexcusably” from the PCR statute and delay bail eligibility after relief until the state’s appeals are exhausted through the Louisiana Supreme Court. The bill drew support from the Attorney General’s office and district attorneys, with opposition cards from the Southern Poverty Law Center, and it was reported favorably. HB 789, concerning seizure of off-road vehicles used unlawfully on roadways, was amended to direct forfeiture proceeds to the Attorney General when acting as district attorney ad hoc; it was then reported as amended with support from law enforcement and no opposition testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• thank Assemblymember Nguyen who I think is coming for filling in for Assemblymember Coloza on the committee
• to each other, and if you violate those rules, I have the authority to remove you from the hearing.
• Great. floor consent calendar consistent with assembly rules to have it motion for this yes we have a
• Good morning Madam Vice Chair, honorable members of the committee.
• Any comments from the committee? Would you like to close? On behalf of...

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Good morning, chairman, committee Good morning, chairman, committee members.<00:09:11.040><c> My
• There's just a couple of guidelines as we work through committee rules and guidelines: if you've got
• </c> guidelines as we work through committee guidelines as we work through committee rules<00:58:30.079
• </c> committee that have similar experiences. committee that have similar experiences.
• </c><02:55:49.840><c> I'm</c> committee. My name is Holly Stevens. I'm committee.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The language from Judiciary Committee report October 1965, quote, the committee feels that this bill,
• And 60 years later, this committee continues to be a champion and caretaker of this law.
• This committee also keeps the law up-to-date in our rapidly changing world.
• The Senate Judiciary Committee should resist them on a bipartisan basis.
• Now this applies to the last-minute pardons of the January 6th committee.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• There are federal rules that regulate how this information can be shared, and there's state rules on
• There are probably local rules.
• Chair, members of the committee.
• This is not a budget committee, but I will tell you, I'm on the budget committee.
• We're asking the committee to work with advocates and urge the committee to protect...

Summary: The committee first heard a DMV budget presentation on the state-to-state verification system required for Real ID compliance and the Digital Experience Platform (DXP) modernization project. DMV officials said the state-to-state system is a pointer-based exchange used when a person applies for a license in another state, with only limited identifying data shared initially and the full driver history sent only after a qualified request. Members raised concerns about privacy, possible misuse by other states or federal actors, notification to Californians, hacking, and whether California could detect or stop abusive access. DMV said it can monitor requests, see patterns of access, work with AAMVA and legal counsel, and seek to block or challenge misuse; LAO said California is in a difficult position and should consider guardrails rather than opt out. On DXP, DMV said the project is on its revised schedule and budget, occupational licensing is complete, vehicle registration is expected by the end of calendar year 2026, and the full system should be finished by fiscal year 2028-29, with phased rollout and reappropriated funding to keep costs controlled. The committee then heard from the California High-Speed Rail Office of Inspector General on a trailer bill and AB 1608. The Inspector General said current law does not clearly authorize public reports or establish a framework for retaining and disclosing work papers, and the proposed trailer bill would create that framework while also adding authority to hire needed classifications and purchase goods and services. He also said the office needs a clearer statutory definition of “proposed agreements” and notice when the High-Speed Rail Authority is reviewing them, so the office can review contracts and related agreements effectively. LAO raised no concerns with the trailer bill language, and Finance said any amendments would come in the May revision. Members debated the scope of confidentiality in the Inspector General proposal, especially whether reports could be held confidential when they identify weaknesses in fraud controls, security, or other vulnerabilities. The Inspector General said confidentiality would be temporary, tied to articulating the risk, reassessing it every 120 days, and releasing the report once the risk is no longer substantial; he also said the office had already published reports at its discretion and had found at least one procurement violation involving an amendment that added services not in the original contract. Several members pressed for stronger transparency and suggested time limits or broader disclosure, while others argued the bill would improve oversight and make the Inspector General’s authority clearer. No votes were taken during the discussion, and the item was left for further work on the trailer bill and AB 1608 language.