Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:57.200><c> school</c> operations of the school or school operations of the school or school sponsored
• of two hours<01:49:18.720><c> every</c><01:49:19.080><c> year.
• hours, I want to get your impression, um, Holly, on the thought of maybe setting aside the number of
• </c><02:06:50.400><c> get</c> specific number of hours, I want to get specific number of hours, I want
• the actual amount of So the change of the actual amount of hours<02:15:30.920><c> um</c><02:15:31.080

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• hour of 10:22<01:31:23.840><c> a.m.
• </c><01:31:30.560><c> of</c> leader listed on the hour of leader listed on the hour of &gt;&gt; 10:22
• </c> special orders at the hour of 10:22. special orders at the hour of 10:22.
• Dozens of hours, thousands of dollars of investment to prove your innocence.
• and dozens of hours, thousands of dozens and dozens of hours, thousands of dollars<02:25:40.000><c>

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I salute the flag of the state of New Mexico, of perfect friendship among a united culture. Mr.
• Antonio Jaramillo, Director of Operations and Maintenance.
• Or a majority of the members of a board of regents may seek removal of a member.
• the Constitution of New Mexico to establish the fiduciary duties of members of Boards of Regents of
• the members of a Board of Regents may seek removal of a member.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> immediate life safety to the operation immediate life safety to the operation of<00:58:07.040><c
• They saved me almost $2,000 in hours of driving back and forth from Meredith to Nshawa.
• :07:04.400><c> of</c><01:07:04.640><c> driving</c><01:07:05.280><c> back</c> almost $2,000 in hours of
• That takes two hours on average out of your day. Obviously more if you get in a car accident.
• That takes two hours on average out of your day. Obviously more if you get in a car accident.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• establishing the operating status of a pipeline, maintaining procedures recommended for each operating
• Pipeline owners often temporarily cease operations of sections or entire pipelines with the intent of
• And it says instead of the pipeline operator being responsible in perpetuity for any contamination, the
• And it says instead of the pipeline operator being responsible in perpetuity for any contamination, the
• I say very narrow because, as you can see in the bill, it's just for the first 400 hours of peaking at

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and hours of their time working on this bill.
• Pharmacy, which is owned by one of the major members of The Alliance of... major members of The Alliance
• it is made up of... ...on the plan, 54% of it is made up of script costs.
• I'm a former president of APA. Most of the members of the independent...
• Most of the members of the independent crowd are 99% of members of APA.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaking of vessel preservation work, under current operations with that current schedule you saw in
• How many vessels should Washington State Ferries operate with? How many of those will be new?
• He said maintenance operations is one of the five strategic priorities for the agency.
• year COLAs that many of our employees get so that as an operating program, colas that many of our employees
• Some of our folks live for winter operations.

Summary: The committee received a detailed staff presentation on Washington State Ferries’ capital needs, current fleet status, and long-range funding outlook. Staff described the current service pattern, ridership recovery since the pandemic, the aging fleet, and the state’s plan to add three new hybrid-electric Olympic-class vessels under the 2025 budget, with delivery expected around 2030-2032. Members also heard that the fleet is operating with no reserve vessel, that preservation time is below the desired level, and that terminal electrification and vessel conversion plans face timing, cost, and procurement risks. Questions focused on ridership trends, biofuel supply, design-risk allocation in vessel contracts, sequencing of terminal electrification with new vessel delivery, and the cost and feasibility of restoring international Sidney service, which would require a SOLAS-certified vessel. Staff then outlined ferry capital funding, saying recent spending and programmed needs are far above regular ferry-specific revenues and that the system relies on a mix of dedicated accounts, transportation package money, federal grants, and transfers. They said the near-term budget is balanced through 2027-29, but the longer-term capital outlook shows a shortfall of roughly $250 million to $300 million per biennium, with broader unmet needs much higher. The presentation estimated costs for future vessels, life extensions, terminal electrification, and additional Jumbo Mark II conversions, and noted that the current enacted plan does not fully fund fleet replacement, full electrification, or life extension of older vessels. Members asked for follow-up information on terminal seismic/environmental issues, contract options for additional vessels, and the timing and cost of alternative vessel designs. The committee then shifted to WSDOT maintenance and preservation. Pascoe Focktich described maintenance operations, including winter response, guardrail repair, facilities, equipment, and the effects of underfunding and inflation. He said most of the maintenance budget is fixed cost and labor, that material prices have risen sharply, and that many facilities are in poor condition with asbestos issues and deferred upkeep. He also noted growing guardrail damage, increasing pavement claims, and the burden of maintaining aging bridges and facilities. Members asked about prior planning for these needs, the role of asbestos, and whether more proactive sequencing could help budget decisions. Troy Suing then presented the highway preservation program, saying WSDOT is in the early stages of critical failure and has stretched preservation dollars as far as possible. He explained the distinction between pavement, bridge, and other highway asset preservation, said the department is largely reactive, and estimated that delaying work can make it three to five times more expensive later. He said about 40% of roadways are currently due or overdue for preservation, bridge conditions are nearing the federal poor-bridge threshold, and the department’s 10-year preservation need is about $8 billion. Members asked about the cost of deferring work, whether the department could do more if funded, how priorities are set, and whether other states face similar problems. Finally, Evan Grimm and Mike Fay briefed the committee on bridge strikes by overheight vehicles. They described recent incidents on I-90 near Cle Elum and SR 410 near White River, the damage and closures caused, and possible countermeasures such as public outreach, improved trip-planning tools, and a pilot warning system with sensors and flashing beacons. Fay explained the state’s financial recovery process for third-party damage, saying WSDOT recovers roughly $20 million per biennium and about 78% to 80% of billed damages, with money going to the motor vehicle fund. Members asked about prevention, insurance recovery, and whether the state uses claim data to inform future design or safety changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we operate solely off of personal donations and fundraisers.
• The rise of independently operated charter schools and small school districts...
• The rise of independently operated charter schools and small school districts that employ one nurse was
• The rise of independently operated charter schools and small school districts, The rise of independently
• in terms of just protection of data.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee heard a personal privilege update on HB 1227, which Representative DeWitt said would return next week as a proposed HCR for a two-year study of the three-doctor panel after discussions with Dr. Nia Colotta. Better Louisiana also presented its new Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Program, describing it as a data-driven leadership initiative focused on health care workforce, rural access, chronic disease, and other system issues; members discussed whether the program could also help generate policy research, including on managed care organizations. The committee then considered SB 427 on anatomical gifts. After adopting technical amendments, Senator Presley and Dr. Jeff White explained that the bill would strengthen organ donation law by creating a decision registry that records both yes and no choices, clarifying the legal effect of refusal, and codifying ethical principles such as the dead donor rule. Questions focused on organ viability, registry procedures, minors, and a Monroe case involving a disputed donor designation. Supporters included LOPA and the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 946, dealing with hospital price transparency and compliance with federal pricing rules, drew extensive testimony. Representative Landry and a witness from Patient Rights Advocate described it as a consumer transparency measure, but the Louisiana Hospital Association opposed the bill’s state-level enforcement and debt-collection provisions. Landry offered an amendment removing the debt-collection and affirmative-defense language, but after debate the substitute failed on a 5-6 vote and the bill was voluntarily deferred. The committee also reported favorably on SB 109, which revises membership qualifications for the Louisiana Emergency Medical Services Commission; SCR 20, urging federal flexibility on Medicaid redetermination for elderly and disabled beneficiaries; SB 216, allowing coroners to rely on licensed practical nurses for medical pronouncements of death; and SB 45, exempting certain gratuitous hospice houses from licensure, with testimony from hospice house operators and supporters. Finally, HCR 71 by Representative Chasson sought an LDH study of how Louisiana’s law and guidance on pregnancy-related emergency medications is working in hospitals, urgent care, and retail settings. Supporters said providers are hesitant to use medications such as misoprostol because of stigma and uncertainty, while opponents from Louisiana Right to Life argued the resolution was unnecessary and could create controversy. The discussion centered on whether the study should be narrowed or made more objective, but no final action on the resolution was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's enough to cover the operations of public safety services, but little else.
• Maybe we need to reduce the size of our city operations by 53%.
• Maybe we need to reduce the size of our city operations by 53%.
• hours, park operating hours, programs that you offer, and maybe you can't offer those anymore.
• In terms of enterprise operations, you run it like a business.

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes heard first from city representatives through the Florida League of Cities, who argued that property taxes are a stable local revenue source that funds core services such as police, fire, parks, public works, and stormwater work. Casey Cook emphasized that cities are optional governments with widely different tax bases and service levels, that exemptions shift the burden to fewer taxpayers, and that transparency already exists through TRIM notices, public budgets, and local hearings. Sarah Campbell of Fernandina Beach, T. Michael Stavris of Winter Haven, and Stephen O’Kee of Port St. Lucie described their budget processes, the share of general-fund revenue coming from property taxes, reserve policies, debt and capital planning, and the impact of inflation, minimum wage increases, and personnel costs. They all said local governments need predictable revenue and that any property tax changes would require careful consideration of replacement funding or service reductions. Members questioned the city panel about whether homebuyers are clearly informed about city versus county taxes and services, the role of HOAs, how many lobbyists cities employ, reserve levels, average salaries, and whether utility revenues are used only for utility purposes. The panel said TRIM notices, realtor listings, and city websites provide tax information; HOAs generally do not provide emergency services; lobbyists help local governments track Tallahassee legislation; reserves vary by city and fund; and utility revenues are generally restricted, though some cities use limited transfers. Members also asked about revenue replacement if ad valorem taxes were reduced or eliminated, and the panel said options would likely include user fees, service cuts, or other local revenue shifts. The chair also asked about public safety consolidation, and the response was that such decisions are local and may shift costs rather than create true savings. The committee then heard from county representatives after an overview by the Florida Association of Counties’ Davin Suggs, who framed counties as shared partners with the state and emphasized the gap between rising market values and the shrinking share of taxable value after exemptions and assessment limits. He said counties face a mismatch between revenue based on taxable value and expenses driven by real-world costs, and noted that most counties either held millage steady or lowered it without reaching rollback rates. He also highlighted that property taxes are only one part of county revenue, with charges for services and intergovernmental revenue often larger in some counties, and that public safety at the county level includes more than law enforcement, such as EMS, emergency management, inspections, and corrections. Deborah Manzo of Okeechobee County described a fiscally constrained rural county with limited staff, a county-supported airport, heavy reliance on property taxes for the general fund, and major cost pressures from inflation, insurance, retirement, and state and federal mandates. She said the county lowered millage slightly over recent years but still depends on multiple revenue sources and special assessments, and she flagged Medicaid, medical examiner costs, and possible firefighter workweek changes as significant concerns. Bay County Administrator Mark McQueen said his county’s budget is shaped by Hurricane Michael recovery, non-discretionary obligations, and rapid growth; he described ongoing FEMA reimbursement delays, substantial borrowing to cover disaster costs, and continuing interest expenses while the county waits for reimbursement. The county panel was still in progress when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• obligations or for the operation of the hospital.
• obligations or for the operation of the hospital.
• “An hour and 45 minutes of nothing but Supreme Court cases that go through the entire history.
• “Yes, careless operation of a motor vehicle.” “Okay, thank you.
• in careless operation of a motor vehicle, this amendment simply... ...and adding in careless operation

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also requires notice of the date, hour, place, subject of their meetings. before the meeting convenes
• laying out what are some substantial way over the skis operations. you know, points of faculty senates
• I know I'm dragging you into other subject matter, but these general... concepts of just how operations
• Florida, it had, and they only had have three hours of civics, where we effectively have 12, and they
• President and Chief Operating Officer of Ponce Bank in New York City and a UTEP graduate.

Bills: SB37 , SB1489 , SB452 , SB724 , SB1067 , SB1741 , SB1273

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: higher education, curriculum review, governing board, faculty council, ombudsman, faculty governance, decision-making, transparency, public meetings, department head, employment approval, public institutions, institutional oversight, education, funding, accountability, state budget, school performance, employment, Texas legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, I grew up in Tulare in the heart of California's dairy industry, and my family operated
• There are many people who assist in the behind-the-scenes operations of the Assembly, and Mukhtar is
• This was a lot of work over many hours, and I appreciate that partnership.
• after night, hour after hour Portion of the budget, who spent night after night, hour after hour hearing
• And so I would just say to the members, thank you to those of you that spent hours on this budget, to

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a largely procedural session with several unanimous-consent motions, guest introductions, and budget-related trailer bills. Members also adopted resolutions recognizing June as Dairy Month and June 2026 as Electronic Dance Music Month, and later approved H.R. 88 commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Guest introductions highlighted the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Kappa League, Assembly staff member Mukhtar Ali, and Jennifer Levy, who is advocating against drunk driving after the death of her son. On the floor, the Assembly considered a series of Senate budget trailer bills presented by Assembly Member Gabriel. SB 170 reorganizes housing and homelessness agencies; SB 171 makes labor-related cleanup changes; SB 172 addresses general government, broadband, and NextGen 9-1-1; SB 174 extends remote court hearings and related court provisions; SB 177 advances options related to Medi-Cal and employer contributions; SB 180 extends the California Competes tax credit and conforms tax treatment for certain savings accounts; SB 169 covers transportation and DMV-related provisions; SB 168 creates a zero-emission vehicle incentive program and other clean-energy changes; SB 166 implements natural resources and environmental protection budget items; SB 165 extends the skilled nursing facility financing framework; SB 163 updates developmental services; and SB 135 funds higher education initiatives, including community college enrollment and Cal Grant changes. Most of these measures passed with bipartisan support, though several drew opposition over concerns about bureaucracy, fees, oversight, or policy direction. The Assembly also passed SB 719, which updates vehicle-related protections for domestic violence survivors, SB 97, an urgency bill making clarifying changes to digital financial asset law, SB 1350, which supports hydrogen and clean energy development, and SB 1344, which aims to reduce meritless lawsuits delaying affordable and supportive housing projects. AB 182, which sets the order for proposition numbers on the November ballot, was approved despite criticism that it manipulates the ballot numbering process. Votes on the measures were recorded, with many passing on strong margins and several transmitted immediately to the Senate or Governor as noted in the proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• not having the full-time number of hours, they ultimately had to lose their TOPS award.
• Currently, however, TOPS is only for full-time students, which is, of course, anything above 12 hours
• It would be, however, the cost would be based on the credit hours, of course. Okay.
• a lot of money to the state of Louisiana.
• A lot of discretion is left to the DAs in terms of how they budget and the extent of this program.

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Finance Committee met on May 27, 2026, with six members present and took up a series of House bills, most of them dealing with education funding, criminal justice staffing, transportation, health care access, and economic development. HB 325 was reported favorably after testimony that it would expand TOPS eligibility by allowing dual-enrollment credits to satisfy eligibility criteria and by making part-time students eligible for TOPS Tech, with supporters saying the program has been underused and the change would help working students. HB 719 was amended and reported favorably to increase assistant district attorney positions in various judicial districts; the Louisiana District Attorneys Association said the changes were based on workload data and local input, and members discussed the need to coordinate any expansion with public defender funding. The committee also reported HB 749 favorably, which would move Louisiana’s 529 savings accounts to a more secure online platform after a cyber incident, and HB 1028 favorably, which concerns transportation reimbursement for providers and was described as already subject to appropriation. Several bills focused on food access and local economic development. HB 1222, the Grocery Initiative Act, was reported favorably to let LED use existing grant resources to map food deserts and develop a program, with members noting it could return for funding later if needed. HB 1194 was amended and reported favorably to define food deserts and direct the LSU AgCenter and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to identify and map them, with authors emphasizing it was a study and not a government-run grocery program. HB 755, which would create IDIQ contracting for architects and engineers on smaller state projects, was reported favorably with no fiscal impact. HB 823, a local diversion pilot for Orleans Parish, was also reported favorably after the fiscal note was revised to remove state impact and reflect only local costs. The committee spent substantial time on HB 488, a proposal from Plaquemines Parish to use severance-tax revenue to help buy out a private toll concession on the parish’s bridge. The author and local officials described severe toll burdens, economic harm to local businesses, and what they called an unfair contract, but members noted the bill was not funded and ultimately deferred it without a motion. HB 797, the Bayou Gold/Louisiana Sound Money Act, was amended to make implementation subject to appropriation and then reported favorably. The committee also took up HB 198, which would raise Medicaid reimbursement for ambulatory surgery centers for certain outpatient procedures; after extensive discussion about fiscal notes, access to care, and potential long-term savings, the bill was amended to narrow its scope and make implementation subject to appropriation, then reported favorably as amended. The meeting ended with the chair noting it would be the committee’s last meeting and asking members to spread the word.

Transcript Highlights:

• The two largest ones, I would say, being the regulation of what we call wage and hour law.
• As it relates to sort of wage and hour types of cases, we have a team of inspectors overseen by a division
• So the chart runs from 90 dB over 8 hours all the way to 114 dB for a span of about 15 minutes.
• So the chart runs from 90 dB over 8 hours all the way to 114 dB for a span of about 15 minutes.
• The chart runs from 90 dB over 8 hours all the way to 114 dB for a span of about 15 minutes.

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No, I'm not aware of a class of employees. Okay.
• And just to give you an idea of some of the tactics that are being used, one of the most successful..
• taking of some of the bears.
• taking of some of the bears.
• of some of the bears.

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The House and Governmental Affairs Committee met on April 14 with a quorum and heard several recommitted public-records and government-transparency bills, along with one local audit bill and one campaign-solicitation bill. HB 55 by Rep. Villio would prohibit intentional public disclosure of juror identifying information and create a public records exception; after adopting technical amendments, the committee reported it favorably as amended. HB 608 by Rep. Chassion would make documents tied to intercollegiate athletics revenue-sharing programs confidential; supporters said it protects student-athletes and institutional competitiveness, while the Louisiana Press Association argued it would shield public money and reduce transparency. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote of 9-3. HB 1045 by Rep. LaCombe would raise the audit threshold for certain local auditees in a limited parish-specific application, with an amendment tying annual audits to entities in Pointe Coupee Parish above a revised revenue level and indexing the threshold to CPI. Committee members and local-government groups said the change would reduce unnecessary audit costs for small water and special districts while preserving oversight; it was reported favorably as amended. HB 1035 by Rep. Beham would add penalties for exploitative campaign fundraising aimed at elderly people; supporters described scam-like tactics and recurring withdrawals, while some members questioned how it would be enforced and whether existing fraud laws already covered the conduct. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably by a 7-5 vote. HB 1049 by Rep. Owen would tighten open-meetings requirements by improving notice posting, minutes, and training expectations for those presiding over public bodies. Supporters said it would help volunteers and small boards comply with the law, while the Police Jury Association raised cost and staffing concerns for thousands of local entities; the bill was reported favorably. HB 1177 by Rep. Zerang would create a public-records exemption for personal information related to hunting and fishing lottery licenses, prompted by concerns that lottery winners could be harassed by animal-rights activists; it was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, two other bills were deferred at the sponsors’ request, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> added volume of of tobac of tobacco added volume of of tobac of tobacco sales<00:19:26.000><c> because
• in operational budgets after a couple of years due to reductions in salt purchases. optional um uh initiatives
• up to 40% savings in [clears throat] of up to 40% savings in operational<02:46:11.439><c> budgets</c
• </c> operational budgets um after a couple of operational budgets um after a couple of years<02:46:13.520
• of gaming facilities and operators that are by law to be tightly licensed and supervised by uh which

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm from Mont Vernon, and I'm the owner and operator of Empress Farm.
• It's a small operator of Empress Farm.
• I'm from Mont Vernon, and I'm the owner and operator of Empress Farm.
• still small operator, the large operator still that's<04:06:45.199><c> 3%</c><04:06:45.680><c> of</c
• The immediate example I can think of is Steve Dupri, who operates the Comfort Inn, but also operates

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on hours and business and those kinds of things.
• to your explanation of pocketing the money, I asked one of the operators for no names on this thing,
• ><c> operators</c><03:34:57.560><c> uh</c> I asked um one of the operators uh I asked um one of the operators
• , but on $10 an hour, on $11 an hour, on $12 an hour, based on the cost of living in the state of New
• hour now, somebody making $11 an hour now, in our nursing homes, the people who are taking care of our

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So their salaries and wages, operating grants, and some of their other special line items, and you can
• So their salaries and wages, operating grants, and some of their other special line items, and you can
• It's largely from grants and a lot of federal grants, as well as, of course, the salaries and operating
• First, the fund is a durable economic development tool with more than three decades of operating history
• I'm not going to list all of that off because you're able to kind of, a lot of it's kind of self-explanatory

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget and current program activities for the 2027-29 biennium. Legislative Council staff first walked through a new “blue sheet” summary explaining what is included in Commerce’s base budget, with emphasis on salaries, operating costs, and especially grant authority funded largely by federal dollars. Members asked about how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff noted that some programs, such as LIHEAP and UAS-related work, involve interagency collaboration and federal budget authority that may not match exact cash received. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilke then presented on grant administration, the department’s transparency page, and several grant programs, including Destination Development and Automate ND. Members questioned how many entities apply for grants, what criteria are used, whether return on investment is tracked, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce must follow state procurement law or instead administer grants using its own “best practices” process; the commissioner said the department’s approach was based on legal guidance and competitive grantmaking, while some legislators argued the process should more closely reflect legislative intent. The department also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, child care loans, and workforce initiatives. Commerce described Development Fund investments, including examples of successful projects and a child care loan program that has supported 43 active businesses serving 3,754 children. Staff also outlined a new non-primary-sector lending framework and said a workforce and housing sub-cabinet are working on more coordinated statewide strategies. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell presented a broad workforce-system assessment, a new shared vision, and task forces focused on simplifying entry, improving warm handoffs, and building a public dashboard of shared metrics; members discussed higher education alignment, career pathways, and the need for better handoffs from schools to employers. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting ended with plans to continue these budget discussions in June, including the Attorney General budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• the</c><00:15:07.040><c> university</c> of these components of the university of these components of
• room much more precise that operating room much more precise that type<00:36:55.680><c> of</c><00:36
• </c> type of thing. type of thing.
• </c> of AI? of AI?
• And then of of that type of capital for?

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all