Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we've tried a couple of times with this bill to create the Department of Public Safety and Corrections
• I was looking at the bill earlier, and I believe it was set at providing for this equipment for departments
• I was looking at the bill earlier, and I believe it was set at providing for this equipment for departments
• Okay, so there's no certain size limit, department size limit. Great. I love your bill.
• chatted about this opportunity to create the Watershed Restoration and Conservation Fund in the state treasury

Bills: SB143 , SB367 , SB388 , SB398

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: bulletproof vests, body armor, peace officers, law enforcement funding, police equipment, officer safety, local police, sheriff's office, municipal police, parish law enforcement, grant fund, special fund, Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, criminal justice, protective gear, NIJ standards, USMCA, small agencies, public safety, Act 739

Transcript Highlights:

• This board will be established in the Department of Veteran Affairs.
• The board includes officials or designees from the Department of Veteran Affairs, Louisiana Department
• I know about the Department of Health and Fire Marshal.
• The Department of Health on this. To which segment of the Department of Health is this allocated?
• I got this from the department or revenue, right?

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on April 27 and first took up House Bill 175 and its companion House Bill 165, both dealing with lottery proceeds for veterans. HB 175 was amended to create a Veterans Service Grant Board within the Department of Veterans Affairs and direct $500,000 annually from Louisiana Lottery net proceeds into a Veterans Service Grant Fund, with unused money returned to the lottery proceeds fund that supports the MFP. Supporters, including the bill sponsor, The Boot Louisiana, LDVA Secretary Charlton McGinley, and Bastion Veterans Organization, argued the grants would help veteran services, workforce placement, mental health, housing, entrepreneurship, and retention of veterans in Louisiana. Members raised concerns about drawing from lottery proceeds that traditionally support education, but the committee adopted amendments and reported HB 175 favorably as amended. HB 165, the constitutional amendment companion, was also amended for technical and ballot-language changes and then reported favorably as amended for voter consideration. The committee then considered House Bill 457, which would authorize the Louisiana Department of Health and the State Fire Marshal to set minimum housing standards for homeless shelters, group homes, and halfway homes. The sponsor said the bill responded to a state auditor recommendation and to unsafe conditions in some facilities; he also explained an amendment changing the Fire Marshal’s duties from mandatory to permissive to reduce fiscal impact and allow agencies flexibility. Some members questioned whether local standards already existed and how enforcement and funding would work, while others supported the need for statewide minimum standards for human housing. The committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 457 favorably as amended. House Bill 488, by Representative Brough, sought to create a Belle Chasse Bridge Merit-Based Special Fund using recurring severance tax revenues from Plaquemines Parish to help buy out the Belle Chasse toll bridge and end what the sponsor described as excessive tolls and fees. He and several local witnesses, including business owners, a YMCA representative, and a parish council member, testified that the tolling arrangement had harmed access, businesses, and quality of life. The committee adopted a technical amendment clarifying the revenue source and then reported HB 488 favorably as amended. House Bill 566, which would prohibit state funds from supporting net-zero greenhouse gas initiatives tied to the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan, drew significant debate over whether it would interfere with agency funding and economic development efforts; the sponsor argued the plan lacked legislative approval and should be repudiated, while members urged caution and suggested hearing from affected agencies. The sponsor agreed to consider deferring the bill, and the committee did not advance it at that time. House Bill 603, a constitutional amendment authorizing investment of state funds in digital assets and precious metals, was discussed as a way to hedge inflation and preserve value; members asked about limits and safeguards, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then began hearing House Bill 763, a transparency measure creating a public database for settlement agreements involving state agencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• from the Department of Public ...
• Department of Planning and Permitting has submitted testimony in opposition.
• of Public Ci's auna from the Department of Public Ci's uh<00:03:18.879><c> Department</c><00:03:19.200
• </c> County Commission or County department County Commission or County department also<00:42:29.119>
• </c><00:59:38.559><c> and</c> that were raised by the Departments and that were raised by the Departments

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The joint hearing began with SB 133 on energy, which drew opposition testimony from James Abraham, who said the bill was unnecessary because the Public Utilities Commission had already opened a proceeding to investigate wheeling, including intergovernmental wheeling, and should be allowed to finish its collaborative process. The committees then moved to SB 161 on county permitting and inspection, where several agencies submitted written comments or opposition, while the Grassroots Institute and HCDA-related testimony supported the measure. Members raised concerns about accountability and whether state agencies would report back on projects approved under any permitting exemption, and witnesses suggested annual reporting or amendment language to address that issue. The hearing then turned to SB 232 and SB 588, both related to renewable energy permitting. Testimony on SB 232 was largely supportive, but Rocky Mold of the Hawaii Solar Energy Association said SB 232 was an older version of a bill and that SB 588 was the preferred, updated measure. Members discussed whether the bill should be limited to residential or behind-the-meter customer-sited systems rather than utility-scale projects, and Mold clarified that the proposal was intended for customer-sited systems, not utility-scale facilities. For SB 588, the Department of Land and Natural Resources warned that state or county laws inconsistent with the National Flood Insurance Program could jeopardize flood insurance eligibility and related federal assistance, while Mold argued the bill’s FEMA floodway exemption was needed to avoid blocking solar installations on existing structures. The chair expressed concern about risking federal funding and questioned whether the exemption could be narrowed without defeating the bill’s purpose. SB 412, also on renewable energy, received supportive testimony from the State Energy Office and others. Members questioned whether a single coordinating entity should compile agency assessments, and Mark Glick said the Energy Office could take on that role if given the duty and sufficient staff. The committee then discussed SB 635 on energy efficiency, which would require state agencies to use energy-efficient lighting. Mark Glick testified that much of the work was already underway through benchmarking and related contracts, and a DAGS representative said the state was already assessing 590 buildings over 10,000 square feet, with results expected around 2027. Members suggested amending the bill to require annual status reports so the committees could track progress and avoid duplication. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• What the bill does: AB 801 requires the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation to examine
• We are seeing assets under management finally dropping down from the department, which is a concerning
• We are seeing assets under management finally dropping down from the department, which is a concerning
• We are seeing assets under management finally dropping down from the department, which is a concerning
• I know that it can be a little bit of a challenge, right, in terms of what is the right department or

Committee: Senate Banking and Financial Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no labor and delivery department and never was in the VA.
• There are others, but it's like, is the sheriff's department or the police department coming to your
• It's either you've got the sheriff's department, you've got your local law enforcement, or you've got
• According to the US Treasury Department, check fraud has surged by 385% since the COVID-19 pandemic,
• The US Treasury Department, there has been a 385% increase in check fraud since the COVID-19 pandemic

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1079 by Representative Tosh and Senator Wallace: An act for the Department of Corrections,
• House Bill 1028 by Joint Budget: An act for the Department of Commerce, State Bank Department, and State
• Securities Department appropriation for the 2006–2007 fiscal year.
• House Bill 1056 by Joint Budget: An act for the Department of Education, Martin Luther King Jr.
• Department of Education, Martin Luther King Jr.

Transcript Highlights:

• My ID was my picture and my signature, and the fact that I worked at the Department of Health and Human
• My ID was my picture and my signature, and the fact that I worked at the Department of Health and Human
• </c> the fact that I worked at the Department the fact that I worked at the Department of<00:27:49.960
• Did she depart? She left. Okay. I had a question. Last up is Mackenzie Taylor.
• which is the general funds in treasury which is the general funds in this<04:45:26.160><c> case</c><

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a tool that is being utilized by economic development departments across the state because it
• I think is really needed in the state is to fill the gap between what the Economic Development Department
• any venture fund, is that the ones that do make a successful company will pay back to the state treasury
• The money would stay in the Treasury until such time as it is approved.
• The Economic Development Department was the premier sponsor, as well as New Mexico Partnership.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• with reasonable available safeguards and allows both the person requesting the services and the department
• remain at least 500 feet from child care facilities and K-12 public or private schools before the Department
• hotlines, and I think it just makes sense that these folks have the ability to reach out to the Department
• As a reminder, the bill requires the Department of Corrections to supervise an individual, regardless
• The fiscal note was received, and the Department of Corrections assumes that there would be a total of

Bills: HB2510 , SGA9305

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: community custody, probation, Department of Corrections, DOC supervision, Washington criminal law, sentencing, felony supervision, risk assessment, sex offense, serious violent offense, domestic violence, repetitive domestic violence, failure to register, sex offender registration, dangerous mentally ill offender, indeterminate sentence, parole, conditional commutation, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor

Transcript Highlights:

• Debt owed to the department is collected after statutory deductions occur for any new funds deposited
• Debt owed to the department is collected after statutory deductions occur for any new funds deposited
• The Department of Corrections estimates some potential new indeterminate costs, soon to be greater than
• The department may issue warrants for Typically, a portion of their sentence is either served through
• House Bill 2510 requires the Department of Corrections to supervise an individual, regardless of their

Bills: HB2510

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: community custody, probation, Department of Corrections, DOC supervision, Washington criminal law, sentencing, felony supervision, risk assessment, sex offense, serious violent offense, domestic violence, repetitive domestic violence, failure to register, sex offender registration, dangerous mentally ill offender, indeterminate sentence, parole, conditional commutation, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor

Transcript Highlights:

• Wave in support, and we have Alex Cronin with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
• With that, we are going to take up tab number four, SB 1510 on the Department of Environmental Okay.
• This particular bill is from the Department of Environmental Protection to make that agency a little
• This will make rulemaking a little bit more efficient and effective and allow the department... ...to
• Next, we have Alex Cronin, representing the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, waving in

Bills: S0912 , S1196 , S1422 , S1510 , S7034

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: battery collection, battery stewardship, environment, recycling, hazardous waste, waste management, regulation, environmental protection, facilities, hazardous materials, coral reefs, natural resource, climate change, coastal flooding, solar facilities, wastewater treatment, nutrient reduction, land conservation, water conservation, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met and first took up CS/SB 1422, as amended, which focused on coral reef protection and surface waters. The strike-all amendment redesignated coral reefs as critical natural infrastructure, emphasized their role in disaster mitigation and climate resilience, and was described as helping streamline permitting and access to federal restoration funding. Audubon Florida waived in support, and the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered SPB 7034, a rule ratification related to DEP’s minimum flows and levels recovery strategy for the Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers and Priority Springs. Senators questioned the rule’s effects on consumptive use, funding, and whether utilities or taxpayers would bear costs. Several speakers from the Florida Springs Council and local river advocates opposed the rule, arguing it delays restoration and relies too heavily on a single long-term wastewater reuse project, while DEP and utility representatives supported it. The committee approved the bill as a committee bill and reported it favorably, with Senator Smith voting no. Next, the committee heard CS/SB 1510, which made changes to DEP-related programs including springs basin management action plans, septic system requirements, resilience cost-share eligibility, permitting procedures, and land acquisition governance. A late-filed strike-all removed biosolids provisions and other items, and the main public concern centered on a 60-day delay before B-MAP changes take effect, which opponents said could delay springs restoration and allow conventional septic systems to be installed before new restrictions apply. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed CS/SB 1196, which restricts new ash-producing incinerators and waste-to-energy facilities within two miles of certain federally authorized water impoundment areas, after debate over impacts on local waste disposal options and environmental protections; and CS/SB 912, the Safe Battery Collection and Recovery Act, which creates a producer stewardship framework for battery collection and recycling, with support from industry and recycling groups citing battery fires and growing waste-stream concerns. Finally, the committee recommended confirmation of Gary Jennings to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and then adjourned.

Bills: HSB505 , HF2055 , HF2036

Committee: Joint Health and Human Services

Keywords: foster care, licensure, training requirements, child welfare, military service, epinephrine, anaphylaxis, school health, medication administration, healthcare, self-administration, respiratory distress, HF 2036, foster parent confidentiality, residential address, address redaction, biological parent, privacy, confidentiality, caseworker

Transcript Highlights:

• It gives the Parks and Wildlife Department the authority it needs to manage the Process responsibly.
• The program, a function of the law enforcement division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, is
• Only if the Department determines the proposed structure will materially harm wildlife, harm wildlife
• You’ve got to convince the department that you don't pose a threat, and the department will make that
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Bills: HB3129 , HB3251 , HB3556 , HB3724 , HB3887

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: construction, wildlife impact, height restrictions, national wildlife refuge, environmental regulations, HB 3887, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Parks and Wildlife Code, performance bond, payment bond, contractor bonding, public works, construction contracts, public building, procurement, bid security, subcontractors, suppliers, contractor payment protection, project completion

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it sounds if request to the department maybe the department can just explain what the purpose is
• can</c><00:03:35.799><c> just</c> department maybe the department can just department maybe the department
• </c><00:09:18.440><c> to</c> that it would allow the department to that it would allow the department
• </c><00:16:24.160><c> and</c> at the request of the department and at the request of the department and
• </c><00:24:09.400><c> to</c> here that is allowing the department to here that is allowing the department

Bills: HF11

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: Minnesota Paid Leave, paid family and medical leave, family leave, medical leave, implementation delay, premium collection, employer premiums, state payroll tax, workforce, labor, benefits administration, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer notice, seasonal employees, private plans, actuarial study, outreach and education, employee rights, reinstatement

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Evan Row, Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
• One of the benefits of having both programs report into the same Department of Employment and Economic
• of Employment Economic at the Department of Employment Economic Development<00:03:50.120><c> thank</
• </c><00:05:03.000><c> the</c><00:05:03.120><c> Department</c> into the same Department the Department
• into the same Department the Department of<00:05:03.479><c> Employment</c><00:05:03.840><c> and</c><

Bills: HF11

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: Minnesota Paid Leave, paid family and medical leave, family leave, medical leave, implementation delay, premium collection, employer premiums, state payroll tax, workforce, labor, benefits administration, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer notice, seasonal employees, private plans, actuarial study, outreach and education, employee rights, reinstatement

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> shooting</c> Department investigating after shooting Department investigating after shooting in<
• </c><03:37:07.439><c> of</c> administration of the Department of administration of the Department of
• > Secretary</c><04:55:51.280><c> did</c> So, while the Treasury Secretary did So, while the Treasury
• It directs the Treasury to fixes it.
• And that's why this year the President rightly ordered the Treasury Department to stop wasting hard-earned

Bills: HR1181 , HR139 , HB6556 , HB3074

Keywords: Arab American, heritage, cultural recognition, National Arab American Heritage Month, diversity, community contributions, social justice, education, Iran, nuclear, sanctions, JCPOA, global security, U.N. Security Council, weapons proliferation

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, kind of at the last minute, I got a message from Senator West that the Kentucky Department of Education
• He interned at the Treasury here in Frankfurt during the summer, brought this bill to me, and has worked
• <00:03:13.120><c> interned</c><00:03:13.680><c> at</c><00:03:13.840><c> the</c><00:03:13.920><c> Treasury
• He interned at the Treasury here though.
• He interned at the Treasury here in<00:03:14.720><c> Frankfurt</c><00:03:15.200><c> during</c><00:03:

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Education met with a quorum and took up several education bills near the end of session. House Bill 342, which would require a financial literacy course for Kentucky high school students, was presented by Rep. Michael Meredith and student advocate Patrick Reovi. Meredith explained that a committee substitute addressed Kentucky Department of Education concerns by making the course a required elective anywhere in high school rather than limiting it to junior or senior year, and by retaining flexibility on credit options. Reovi testified in support, arguing that many students lack basic financial knowledge and should graduate prepared to handle budgeting, credit, debt, and student loans. The substitute was adopted, and HB 342 passed the committee 10-0. The committee then heard House Bill 480, a teacher workload and bureaucracy reduction measure. Rep. Shane Baker described the bill as the product of a working group with educators and administrators and said it was intended to reduce redundant requirements and let teachers focus more on students. He said the bill would lengthen the evaluation cycle from every three years to every five, streamline professional development requirements, update continuous school improvement plan filing rules, and limit new reporting mandates. A committee substitute removed the CSIP provisions after discussion with KDE, and members noted concerns about implementation and federal funding implications for mentor training language. The substitute was adopted and HB 480 passed unanimously. House Bill 190, relating to advanced education opportunities, was presented by Rep. Robert Duvall. He said the bill would require districts to adopt policies on advanced coursework and accelerated learning for grades 4 through 12, with local flexibility. He also explained that the House committee substitute changed several provisions from mandatory to permissive, including automatic enrollment for students scoring distinguished and parent opt-out language. The bill passed unanimously. House Bill 430, on school bus safety training, was presented by Reps. Mike Clines and Emily Callaway, who said it would reduce regulations, improve bus safety, and fix regulatory issues arising from prior legislation allowing nine-passenger vans for school transportation. A committee substitute was adopted, the bill passed unanimously, and a title amendment was also adopted. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 208 on technology and public schools. Rep. Josh Bray, Rep. James Tipton, and Nick Spencer of the Family Foundation of Kentucky supported a policy requiring districts to prohibit student cell phone use during instructional time, with exceptions for disabilities, teacher-directed educational use, or incentives. They argued the bill would improve academic performance, reduce bullying and mental health problems, and limit social media access during school. The transcript cuts off during testimony on HB 208, before any committee action on the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We just send it back to Treasury, U.S. Treasury.
• Treasury just gave us guidance on closing out the program.
• were selected for non-gas facilities, landowners would have someone to call and someone from a department
• Nicolás Maduro is defined as an adversary, but also making sure that those operating with certain Treasury
• provide relative to precast concrete pilings, to provide for definitions, to require compliance with Department

Bills: HB1163 , HB1168 , HR252 , HR253 , HCR103 , HCR108 , SB80 , SB131 , SB251 , SB254 , SB279 , SB384 , SB414 , SB468 , SB469 , SB496

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

Keywords: fireworks, retail sales, fire safety, legislation, holiday celebrations, construction standards, precast concrete, DOTD, building regulations, minimum requirements, public projects, private projects, consumer protection, credit card fees, cash transactions, rounding practices, transparency, low-income, economic impact, residential construction

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> will work, as hard as our department will work, as hard as our department will<00:30:51.120><c>
• </c> behalf of the Department of Education. behalf of the Department of Education.
• <c> our</c><00:50:52.160><c> written</c> The department stands on our written The department stands on
• Um, Hawaii Department of Taxation with comments. >> Good afternoon. Department of Taxation.
• 49:47.280><c> envir</c><01:49:47.760><c> uh</c> Department of Health um envir uh Department of Health

Bills: HB1183 , HB1656 , HB1658 , HB1661 , HB1663 , HB1664 , HB1859 , HB2116 , HB2271 , HB2276 , HB2335 , HB2360 , HB2387 , HB2472 , HB1805 , HB2469 , HB1815 , HB1860 , HB2117 , HB2118 , HB2437 , HB2438 , HB2604 , HB1590 , HB2156 , HB2268

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: retirement, pension, law enforcement, public safety, Hawaii Revised Statutes, indebtedness, salary recovery, employee compensation, deductions, financial management, collective bargaining, employee relations, impasse procedures, arbitration, public employment, HB1661, cafeteria plan, Section 125, Internal Revenue Code, flexible spending account

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to solely focus my remarks on the active efforts part of the bill that would ensure the department
• What this bill would do is require the Texas Department of Insurance to create a standardized form that
• The Florida Surgeon General, at the Florida Department of Health website, says that he can't recommend
• The FDA pushed back through Department of Justice lawyers and said, "Judge, we don't have enough staff
• The Department of Justice lawyers said, "Judge, we don't have enough staff at the FDA to release this

Bills: HB18 , HB37 , HB116 , HB18 , HB37 , HB 116 , HB388 , HB879 , HB913 , HB 1151 , HB2216 , HB2358 , HB2809 , SB577 , SB1590 , SB1782 , SB1887 , SB2744

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Summary: The committee first reopened testimony on House Bill 2216, which would strengthen child welfare requirements by expanding “active efforts” to help families avoid removal and support reunification, while also raising standards related to removals and terminations. Supporters from child welfare and family defense groups said the bill would better protect families and align Texas more closely with ICWA-style principles, but several warned it would require significant new funding, staffing, and community services such as mental health care, housing, child care, and substance use treatment. The committee then left HB 2216 pending. The committee next heard Senate Bill 1782, aimed at boarding and group homes. Senator Miles said the bill closes enforcement gaps left by prior law by requiring retention of background-check records and creating misdemeanor penalties for failing to conduct or keep them, or for knowingly hiring people with serious convictions. Harris County sheriff’s investigators testified in support, describing illegal boarding homes, operators who evade permits and background checks, and exploitation of vulnerable residents; the bill was left pending. The committee also took up Senate Bill 481 on emergency preparedness for nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, adopted a new committee substitute that softened some requirements and removed the fiscal note, and left the bill pending. The committee then heard House Bill 388, which would require the Texas Department of Insurance to create a single standardized coordination-of-benefits form for dual health plans to reduce errors and surprise bills; it was left pending. Senate Bill 1590 would move paternity registry searches for adoptions to an electronic process with a 10-day target, and House Bill 2809 would track child suicide attempts in managing conservatorship and require related reporting and parental notice; both were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1887, which would prohibit administering mRNA-containing products for immunization for 10 years, with exceptions for cancer and genetic disorders. Supporters argued the bill was needed for safety, informed consent, and medical freedom, while opponents from the medical, research, and public health communities said mRNA vaccines are well-studied, save lives, and that the bill would harm access, research, and Texas’s biotech economy. The bill remained under discussion as testimony concluded.