Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm certainly interested in anyone's thoughts on that sort of avenue. Thank you.
• And I'm certainly interested in anyone's thoughts on that sort of avenue.
• And I'm certainly interested in anyone's thoughts on that sort of avenue.
• And to the degree that the people who are interested, and there is a substantial group of people who
• And to the degree that the people who are interested, and there is a substantial group of people who

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• to profit off of the people of Minnesota.
• The current structure of the Minnesota paid leave law presents significant operational and financial
• the financial impact of the Minnesota paid leave on Clay County for the past 20 years.
• Provide our smallest businesses with some relief from the financial impact and operational impacts of
• </c><00:53:05.920><c> intense</c> phase of about a month of intense phase of about a month of intense

Bills: HF1976

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

Transcript Highlights:

• My heart aches for families who make statements of suicide.
• Families who make statements of suicide.
• That is not—you're reading a very specific part of one statement.
• You're reading a very specific part of one statement.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics, their statement on it is the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends

Transcript Highlights:

• I find it interesting that you refuse to answer questions that acknowledge the existence of people who
• I find it interesting that you refuse to answer questions that acknowledge the existence of people who
• of</c> victimization at the hands of of of victimization at the hands of of of anyone<00:30:38.760><
• that case, and in the interest of the taxpayers of Minnesota, settling that lawsuit for $500,000.
• </c><00:35:48.520><c> of</c> that case um and uh in the interest of that case um and uh in the interest

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It aligns definitions, best value criteria, conflict-of-interest protections, and procurement authority
• I think there’s a lot of interesting conversations being discussed here.
• The timing of the regulations is very interesting, in that you brought this bill forward last year while
• So if that is something you’re interested in doing at the next stage, should this bill pass out of the
• We find ourselves in this position not because of a lack of effort, but because of a lack of planning

Summary: The hearing opened with several procedural announcements and then took up AB 2148, which would prohibit artificial intelligence from replacing education workers. The author and supporters from the California Federation of Teachers and California School Employees Association argued the bill was a modest first step to protect human educators, students’ social-emotional development, and teacher agency in classroom technology decisions. Public support came from labor and education groups, while some school administrator and county office representatives said they were moving to neutral or awaiting the printed amendments. The committee discussed teacher shortages and the role of AI as a supplement rather than a replacement, then passed AB 2148 as amended to Higher Education on a 5-0 vote. The committee then heard AB 2202, which would create a Closing the Achievement Gap Commission to advise the State Board of Education. The author and sponsors said the commission would improve coordination between state and local education leaders and help the state better support local efforts to close achievement gaps. Support came from CSBA, CFT, charter schools, and many district leaders. Members raised questions about early childhood representation on the commission, and the author said he would discuss that with the sponsor. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. The consent calendar, including AB 1569, AB 2071, AB 2206, AB 2298, AB 2467, AB 2580, AB 2652, and AB 2726, was also approved. AB 2555 was then heard as a special order bill to reform English learner reclassification. The author said the current system is outdated, inconsistent, and too subjective, and proposed a more automatic, transparent process with stronger parent involvement and post-reclassification monitoring. Testimony in support emphasized personal experiences of delayed reclassification and the need to recognize biliteracy; there was no opposition. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations on a 6-0 vote. The committee also approved AB 1860, which would extend design-build authority to county offices of education while preserving prevailing wage, apprenticeship, and skilled workforce requirements; opposition from county superintendent and facilities groups was removed after amendments, and the bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations. Later, the committee passed AB 2514, which would create a State of Achievement Gap Dashboard to track state-level progress in closing achievement gaps, and AB 2149, which would require the Legislative Analyst’s Office to publicly assess the state’s progress and recommend actions. Both bills were presented as part of a broader package to improve state accountability for student outcomes, and both passed as amended to Appropriations on 7-0 votes. Finally, AB 2490 was heard, proposing to allow longer-term substitute assignments with added training, mentorship, and parent notification to address teacher shortages and classroom instability. Supporters said it would reduce “subchurn” and help maintain continuity, especially in special education; opponents, including CTA, Public Advocates, and CTC staff, argued the bill was unnecessary given existing rulemaking and could create legal and training concerns. The transcript cuts off during committee discussion of AB 2490, so no final vote is shown for that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what happened was that at one point the interest rates were so low that lots of schools wanted to
• rates were so low that lots the interest rates were so low that lots of<01:18:01.440><c> schools</c>
• of the funding of provide a small part of the funding of that<01:18:55.920><c> project</c> that project
• </c><02:46:00.640><c> of</c> individual who is the recipient of of individual who is the recipient of
• Representative Papovich. >> In the interest of saving time, because it's 12:43 and I believe we have

Summary: The subcommittee took up several school building aid bills. HB 295, which would make school building aid program funds non-lapsing, drew debate over whether the program is effective and whether funds should be allowed to carry forward. Supporters argued the program is underfunded and that even small leftover amounts should remain available for building aid; opponents said non-lapsing funds limit future budget flexibility and that the program creates winners and losers. The committee voted 4-3 to recommend HB 295 inexpedient to legislate (ITL). The committee then considered HB 366, which would increase school building aid for eligible projects and include retroactive funding for projects completed in the past. The motion to ITL was supported on the grounds that retroactive payments would be unfair to districts still waiting in line and that the legislature should focus on future projects. Supporters of the bill said the increase was modest and that districts that built during a prior moratorium on aid were left with long-term fiscal burdens. The committee again voted 4-3 to recommend ITL. The discussion also broadened into special education funding and a retained bill, HB 742, concerning catastrophic special education aid and the source of funding. Members debated whether the education trust fund should cover the aid and whether the committee should act now or wait for a separate commission studying special education costs. Several members emphasized that special education costs are rising, that more data is needed on student identification and funding formulas, and that the commission’s report may provide better guidance. The chair said the subcommittee’s recommendations would go to the full committee, and the next meeting was expected to be rescheduled from November 4 to later that week because of election-related conflicts.

Transcript Highlights:

• God of peace, we pray for unity in this place. Unity of purpose.
• State of Florida, Department of State.
• I, Cord Byrd, Secretary of State of the State of Florida, do hereby certify that the following candidate
• But that's the design of our form of government and the role of our Senate.
• How many times have each of us heard, 'We do too much of this' or 'too little of that'?

Summary: The Florida Senate convened for the opening of the 2026 regular session with prayer, presentation of colors by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance led by children in the chamber, and a performance of the national anthem by the FAMU Marching 100. Newly elected Senator Ralph Massullo was certified and sworn into office by Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz, and several current and former state officials and senators were recognized in the chamber. The Senate then adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 1466 to convene in joint session with the House to receive the Governor’s message, waived the rules to immediately certify the resolution to the House, and notified the House and Governor that the Senate was ready to proceed with the 2026 regular session. In remarks, Senate leadership and the President discussed priorities including rural Florida, agriculture, citrus recovery, food insecurity, affordability, tax relief, balanced budgets, and the importance of deliberation and checks and balances. The President also highlighted recent and planned initiatives such as the Farmers Feeding Florida program, rural health care investment, and property tax relief, while emphasizing faith, service, and cooperation in the chamber. Senator Gates announced that 52 executive appointments would be taken up the following day. The session concluded with a benediction by Senator Massullo and adjournment until the next scheduled meeting, with the Senate set to meet later in joint session with the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• State of Florida, Department of State: I, Cord Bird, Secretary of State of the State of Florida, do hereby
• States and of the State of Florida, that I am duly qualified to hold office under the Constitution of
• But that's the design of our form of government and the role of our Senate.
• The design of our form of government and the role of our Senate.
• How many times have each of us heard, 'We do too much of this' or 'too little of that'?

Summary: The Senate convened for opening day of the 2026 regular session with prayer, presentation of colors by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a performance of the national anthem by the FAMU Marching 100. The chamber then administered the oath of office to newly elected Senator Ralph E. Misullo, Jr. of District 11, and welcomed a number of special guests, including statewide elected officials, Supreme Court justices, and former Senate leaders and members. The Senate adopted SCR 1466, which authorized the House and Senate to meet in joint session to receive a message from the Governor, and waived rules to immediately transmit the resolution to the House. The Rules Chair also moved that the Secretary notify the House and Governor that the Senate was convened and ready to begin the 2026 regular session. No substantive legislation was debated; the session was largely ceremonial and organizational. In remarks, the Senate President reflected on the role of the Senate, the need for balance, deliberation, and checks and balances, and highlighted priorities such as rural Florida, citrus recovery, farmers feeding Florida, rural health care, affordability, low taxes, property tax relief, and fiscal restraint. He also emphasized faith, service, and cooperation. At the end of the session, Senator Gates announced that 52 executive appointments would be considered the next day, and the Senate adjourned until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, with committee meetings and other business to follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• God of peace, we pray for unity in this place. Unity of purpose.
• State of Florida, Department of State: I, Cord Bird, Secretary of State of the State of Florida, do hereby
• States and of the State of Florida, that I am duly qualified to hold office under the Constitution of
• But that's the design of our form of government and the role of our Senate.
• How many times have each of us heard, 'We do too much of this' or 'too little of that'?

Transcript Highlights:

• For all of these reasons, I ask that we be given time to work with all of the interested parties, perhaps
• the purpose of interconnection and approval is. >> May follow. >> Um, interesting point.
• Uh, if mostly I would echo what a number of people have said, which is that I'm really interested in
• Uh, if mostly I would echo what a number of people have said, which is that I'm really interested in
• Uh, if mostly I would echo what a number of people have said, which is that I'm really interested in

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we try to balance the interest of parties to really have time to digest the lengthy evidence that
• So that is more of a statement for you.
• That's probably more of a statement than a question.
• First, on behalf of the Port of Long Beach...
• I'm interested in the topic. Talk to me more about it outside of the session. Excellent. Will do.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that you are aware of my my interest in the medical program.
• And keep it out of the hands of kids, keep it out of the hands of 8,000 dispensaries or publications
• Is that a fair statement and we also recognize that our state budget is built on dealing with a lot of
• That's an interesting perspective. push back and see how that feels to you, we regulate all kinds of
• It's an interesting argument to me because everything between death and today is filled with a lot of

Bills: SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB9 , SB42 , SB15 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SCR1

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:19:49.520><c> and</c><02:19:49.840><c> their</c> interest of crime victims and their interest
• > the</c> the interests of the defendant, the the interests of the defendant, the prosecution,<02:27:
• the whole community and not for the private interest or emolument of one man, family or class of men
• </c><02:57:46.160><c> of</c> for the private interest or imalment of for the private interest or imalment
• </c> statements to be much needed reminder of statements to be much needed reminder of why<03:17:58.960

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> extension of uh the the uh amount of extension of uh the the uh amount of time<00:02:10.000><c>
• </c> inserts uh board of uh board of public inserts uh board of uh board of public defense<00:14:48.399
• abatement status if it is in the interest of public safety.
• Uh, but the language, as Chairman indicated, was the product of a lot of discussion among a variety of
• Uh, but the language, as Chairman indicated, was the product of a lot of discussion among a variety of

Transcript Highlights:

• , 100% of the capital development costs, 100% of the operating costs, and 100% of purchasing of the actual
• of some of the big ones.
• Based on our analysis and review of the state's financial system, it looks like about $5 million was
• We have detail if any of you are interested in how it breaks down by division, but you can see we're
• So we do have, and many of these folks are coming from the field, but their interest is in and a lot

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• of of septic tanks.
• What we think of is we think of a bright flamingos, we think of the sun and all of these wonderful things
• In the interest of timing because we have such a long agenda.
• Number one, it removes the statement about the necessity of phosphate mining.
• Brad issued a widely circulated statement on FWC letterhead in advance of the 2024 election.

Transcript Highlights:

• , or divisions for the purposes of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership.
• The problem statement, as I see it, is that a lot of cities, including my own, require frontage upgrades
• of this bill.
• So I think that there's certainly support for some of the tenants of the bill and revisiting some of
• And each of these serve a public good, but together they can add hundreds of thousands of dollars to

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee heard several land use and infrastructure bills. SB 5633 on subdivision of land drew the most discussion: staff described a broad rewrite that would move many subdivision decisions from legislative bodies to administrative personnel, limit or eliminate public hearings for preliminary plats, require notice to nearby landowners, set completeness and 100-day decision timelines, and streamline concurrent review of related permits. Builders, Realtors, and some cities supported the bill as a long-overdue modernization that could reduce delays and housing costs, while county and city representatives raised concerns about eliminating public hearings, implementation details, and local accountability. The committee also heard SB 6274 on street standards and frontage improvements, which would require jurisdictions to identify infrastructure barriers to infill and middle housing and periodically review street and frontage standards; supporters said frontage mandates can make housing infeasible, while local government witnesses warned about conflicts with safety, ADA, and transportation goals. SB 6309 on high-capacity transit permits would let Sound Transit apply for permits before acquiring property and before some land use decisions, and would allow certain development agreements and subdivision exemptions to speed transit delivery; Sound Transit and city representatives supported it, and the committee waived the five-day notice rule to hear it. The committee also took testimony on SB 6279, which would incorporate the wildland-urban interface code into the state building code after statewide wildfire maps are completed and require state and local coordination on defensible space and local amendments. Supporters framed it as needed wildfire resilience planning, while opponents from counties, builders, environmental groups, and local officials argued the bill was premature, too rigid, and potentially inconsistent with environmental laws, local conditions, and insurance realities; several asked for more local flexibility, clearer map processes, and changes to the timing and scope of adoption. SB 6291 would extend from two to four years the period during which local health jurisdiction staff may inspect on-site wastewater systems under supervision before certification; public health officials supported it as a workforce and training fix, saying the current timeline is too short and costly. The committee also heard SB 5903, SB 6016, SB 5820, SB 6132, and SB 6189 in executive session, adopted substitutes on some bills, and advanced SB 6016, SB 5820, SB 6132, and SB 6189 out of committee by due-pass votes, with SB 6016 receiving a substitute and a member noting support but remaining concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you aware of that? I am not. Okay. They all come out of the same fund.
• Of a Better Louisiana.
• Concurrently to my discovery of this, LDH is also very, very interested in creating a more robust yet
• I would suggest to you that shows sort of the lunacy of the projections.
• So the doctor gets more money as part of that, which I think is part of the conversation and kind of

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on May 18, 2026, with eight members present and began by noting the state’s projected REC budget deficit and the need to consider fiscal impacts carefully. The committee first advanced HB 12, which extends the $250,000 surviving spouse benefit to reserve officers killed in the line of duty. Members noted the bill is prospective and that it draws from the same capped fund as other related bills, but it was reported favorable without opposition. The committee also adopted an amendment and reported HB 874 favorable as amended; the bill allows colleges, technical schools, the Louisiana Bar Association, and additional credentials to be added to LA Wallet, with the amendment changing mandatory language to permissive language. HB 951 was then reported favorable, creating an employer-facing workforce unit within Louisiana Works, to be funded through repurposed state and federal funds and existing staff, with a floor amendment expected to rename the unit. The committee also reported HB 979 favorable with amendments after reducing the proposed increase in survivor benefits because members learned several bills were drawing from the same $5 million fund, and HB 1193 favorable as amended, after striking a section that would have extended IDIQ authority to supply contracts for CPR. The committee then heard HB 909, which would require commercial payers to cover behavioral health crisis services. Representative Spell and LDH officials said the measure is intended to support crisis response centers and steer patients away from emergency rooms when appropriate, and they testified that it should be cost-neutral or absorbed within existing funding. Despite concerns raised by Senator Andrews about premiums, the bill was reported favorable after discussion of its potential savings and a possible pilot in Acadiana. HB 222, requiring Medicaid to cover dental procedures when needed to complete another medically covered procedure, was also reported favorable; LDH said it would absorb the cost within its existing budget and draw down federal matching funds. HB 291, which prevents health plans from penalizing hospitals when an out-of-network physician is involved in an otherwise covered hospital service, generated extensive debate over a disputed fiscal note and the No Surprises Act. OGB officials said any network “leakage” could cost the plan money, while supporters argued the policy is preventative and that the fiscal estimates were speculative. The committee adopted amendment 3941 to exempt OGB from the bill, then reported HB 291 favorable as amended. Later, the committee took up HB 145, which expands the authority of the law enforcement and firefighter survivor benefit board to cover extraordinary medical and dental expenses. Because members learned it also draws from the same fund as HB 12 and HB 979, an amendment reduced the amount from $50,000 to $25,000, and the bill was reported favorable as amended. HB 430, a local bill for Lafayette to continue paying health insurance costs for surviving families of fallen officers until Medicare eligibility, was reported favorable. Finally, HB 821, which establishes the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools within the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement Administration and transfers related duties from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, was introduced and discussed as a move with a one-time general fund expenditure already included in HB 1. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• all of that.
• I'm talking about the president of LSU, of UL, of Louisiana Tech.
• That's kind of a rough son of it.
• the location of the precinct's polling place serves as the polling place of another precinct. ...of the
• I had no idea you were interested in carrying some of our bills. Yes, ma'am.

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The House and Governmental Affairs Committee met on April 23 and advanced several bills dealing with judicial vacancies, travel reimbursement, election administration, public records, and board transparency. Senate Bill 397 by Chairman Reese was reported favorably without objection; it allows the Supreme Court to reappoint a retiring judge on an ad hoc basis to finish cases or provide urgent coverage, while not changing other laws that prevent a judge from returning to the same seat after retiring or resigning. House Bill 398 by Representative Zerang was reported as amended after the committee adopted a new amendment removing lodging from the bill, leaving only meal reimbursement limits tied to the federal GSA rate. House Bill 1201 by Representative Ilk was also reported favorably; it would create per diem pay for legislators doing legislative business outside session and raise statewide elected officials’ salaries using a formula tied to university president pay. The committee deferred Senate Bill 41, which would have extended the deadline for public bodies to publish open-meeting minutes from 20 to 45 days, after the author said he wanted more time to work with opponents. Senate Bill 289 by Senator Abraham, which would have created public-records exceptions for certain university searches, research, and donor information, drew substantial questioning and testimony from the press and members; after amendments narrowed the scope, the committee ultimately held the bill for further work rather than voting it out. Senate Bill 47 by Senator Mizell, as amended, was reported favorably; it requires public boards and commissions to provide contact information, including at least two contacts, a mailing address, email addresses, a website if available, and a phone number, without requiring public funds for member phones. On election-related bills, Senate Bill 248 by Chairman Miller was reported favorably as amended. It allows precincts with fewer than 20 eligible voters to be consolidated with another precinct at the same polling place when both use the same ballot, with Secretary of State Landry saying it would preserve voter privacy, reduce costs, and be seamless for voters. Senate Bill 210 by Senator Klein-Peter was also reported favorably; it increases the number of election commissioners allowed in closed party primaries to match staffing needs created by the new system. Senate Bill 106 by Senator Klein-Peter, which makes certain crime-scene photos, audio/video recordings, and digital images nonpublic except by court order or clerk access, was reported favorably after a roll-call vote of 8 yeas and 2 nays. House Bill 906 by Representative Billings was reported favorably as amended; the amendments let party state central committees decide whether unaffiliated voters may participate in party primaries, require notice to the Department of State, and make participation rules consistent across the party’s related races, with an effective date of January 1, 2027. The committee also deferred Senate Bills 218 and 220 to the following week before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And lot of care to get out of her chair.
• to be the collage of all of that.
• of all of<00:07:22.800><c> that.
• </c> of the problem with all that kind of of the problem with all that kind of money<00:09:39.840><c>
• But that's because we've been kind of tied to how much we could do it, because that was just interest