Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 1098, members, the purpose of this legislation is a narrowly tailored limitation of liability for FAA-licensed
• One of the main things in this piece of legislation is it applies only to entities that hold a valid FAA
• One of the main things in this piece of legislation is it applies only to entities that hold a valid FAA

Bills: HB375, HB986, HB1098, SCR35, SB97, SB123, SB466

Keywords: liability, regional transit, streetcars, trolley cars, motor vehicles, HB986, vehicular homicide, child support, surviving child, minor child, parent killed in crash, criminal restitution, family law, Louisiana child support schedule, R.S. 9:315.48, R.S. 14:32.1, victim compensation, traffic fatality, wrongful death, sentencing enhancement

Summary: The House Civil Law Committee met on May 11, 2026, and reported several measures favorably. Senate Bill 466 by Sen. Seabaugh was approved without objection; it bars foreign adversaries from using expropriation authority in Louisiana and creates a narrow expropriation category for very large aerospace/LED-related projects on at least 20,000 contiguous acres with no residential structures. House Bill 986 by Rep. Kerner was also reported favorably; it requires child support payments in cases where a parent is convicted of vehicular homicide, with the stated purpose of helping children who lose a parent in such cases. The committee then considered two constitutional amendments by Sen. Morris. Senate Bill 123 would require the governor to certify a legislative removal of certain judges for cause; an amendment changed the ballot language to refer to removal for malfeasance, gross misconduct, or incompetence, and the committee adopted the 6.8A report and reported the measure favorably after a roll-call vote of 8-1. Senate Bill 97 would require prosecutorial consent for a defendant to waive a jury trial, except in capital cases; after adopting an amendment clarifying that capital cases are excluded, the committee heard opposition from the Louisiana Citizens Advocacy Group, which argued that jury-trial waiver should remain a defendant’s right. The bill was reported favorably on a 5-1 vote. The committee also reported favorably Senate Concurrent Resolution 35, which asks the Louisiana State Law Institute to study remote online notarization for authentic acts, with support testimony from the Louisiana Bankers Association emphasizing rural access and modernization of notary services. Finally, House Bill 1098 by Chairman McFarland, a narrowly tailored limitation of liability for FAA-licensed aerospace entities, was reported favorably without objection. House Bill 375 by Rep. Freeman was voluntarily deferred, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <04:31:45.080> regulations<04:31:46.040> for unlawfully against FAA regulations for
• okay or otherwise regulated by the FAA okay or otherwise regulated by the FAA so<04:35:51.119>
• notification of what the fa FAA notification of what the fa FAA regulations<04:37:22.600> are
• clue whatsoever what the f FAA clue whatsoever what the f FAA regulations<04:37:35.840> are
• So I do believe that when you buy a drone, the basic FAA warning is in the box.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Representative Blackman, I'm uncertain to compare with the FAA.
• Madam Representative Blackman, I'm uncertain to compare with the FAA regulations in the bill.
• I'm not sure if it conflicts with FAA regulations. Okay. That's where I was getting at. All right.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting was a Republican caucus review of several Senate and House bills, with staff summarizing committee amendments and members indicating whether sponsors concurred with Senate changes. Topics included electronic monitoring in residential rooms (SB 1041), dental school complaint forwarding and licensure exemptions (SB 1168), revitalization district contracts (SB 1189), timeshare salesperson licensing (SB 1274), veterinary telehealth prescribing (SB 1286), insurance zero-estimated-exposure policies (SB 1428), advanced air mobility funds for border security (SB 1457), death benefits for law enforcement pilots (SB 1503), ATV definitions (SB 1519), pet and fowl restrictions in planned communities (SB 1582), and pharmacist independent testing/treatment authority (SB 1713). The caucus also reviewed education-related measures on school district self-insurance procurement (SB 1497) and a strike-everything amendment to SB 1118 that instead allowed duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes in historic areas if compatible with surrounding character. The group then considered several blue-sheet House bills. HB 2120 made technical changes to align property-tax disability language with updated statute; the sponsor concurred. HB 2174 changed terminology from advisory organization to modeling and data organization and required model filing; the sponsor concurred. HB 2203 directed ADE to review statutory reporting requirements and report recommendations to the legislature; the sponsor concurred. HB 2383’s Senate amendment simply designated a 2014 trampoline court law as “TIE’s law,” with the sponsor concurring. HB 2877 was amended into an alternative education pathway for certified veterinary technicians, and HB 2875 adjusted municipal and county drone restrictions near airports, expanding the relevant airport buffer and preserving some local authority. Additional bills discussed included HB 2428 on voluntary county emissions-reduction credit permits, HB 2176 on DHS health care institution complaint investigations, and HB 2050 on radiologic technology standards and radiologist assistant supervision. Members discussed that HB 2050’s Senate changes narrowed some supervision provisions to rural counties and critical access hospitals, prompting questions about the scope. Finally, HB 2010 on digital goods refunds was amended to shorten the refund window from 10 years to five years, but a sponsor said the amendment contained a drafting error and refused concurrence, meaning a conference committee would be needed. The caucus then concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• She said one concern is that 300 FAA workers were laid off today, and she asked about the $54 million
• The speaker said the funding is written into law, not dependent on executive orders, and that the FAA
• She said one concern is that 300 FAA workers were laid off today, and she asked about the $54 million
• The FAA airport district office has been transparent and expects that funding to come along as well.
• The FAA airport district office has been transparent and expects that funding to come along as well.

Bills: HF198, HF269, HF185, HF303, HF305, HF189

Keywords: HF198, shared time pupils, shared-time enrollment, nonpublic school, private school, public school, career and technical education, CTE, secondary credit, school funding, state aid, education finance, Minnesota Statutes 126C.01, compulsory attendance, school district, education policy, HF269, Spicer, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment

Transcript Highlights:

• So you have, so the express preemption clause in the FAA legislation, it says anything that regulates
• I would say that this is not really changing the law, providing an additional step, but the FAA, the
• Approvals, their licenses from the FAA.
• I get it, because the aerospace flight entity is probably the one who holds that license from the FAA
• I would comment that some of your comments were and amendments actually aren't needed because the FAA

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some licensed police officers fly under what's called a certificate of authorization through the FAA.
• <00:45:44.680> does pilot has his license from the FAA does pilot has his license from the
• FAA does training<00:45:45.320> and<00:45:45.640> actually<00:45:45.960> does<00
• So, it's sort of an exception the FAA.
• FAA. FAA. Representative<00:46:40.840> Burton. Representative Burton. Representative Burton.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And Aaliyah worked with it in a way to make sure we weren't stepping on preemptive issues with the FAA
• preemptive<00:15:17.839> issues<00:15:18.160> with<00:15:18.399> the<00:15:18.560> FAA
• <00:15:19.279> and<00:15:19.519> their preemptive issues with the FAA and their preemptive
• issues with the FAA and their jurisdiction<00:15:20.880> over<00:15:21.279> this<00:15

Bills: SB86, SB196, SB228, SB231, HB73, HB407, HB435, SB86, SB196, SB228, SB231, HB73, HB407, HB435

Keywords: independent contractors, portable benefits, employee benefits, tax deductions, employment relationship, education, high school, community college, dual enrollment, secondary credit, Move on When Ready, financial services, discrimination, social credit score, religious freedom, transparency, consumer rights, Alabama, wastewater management, public service commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Administration, the FAA.
• The FAA works 24-7 to provide the safest flight experience across the country, and after the January
• no resign even though we have a shortage he then tapped Elon Musk to lead the efforts to remake the FAA
• the largest private space company SpaceX which is regulated oh a theme here which is regulated by the FAA
• Just this fall, the FAA proposed $633,000 in fines to SpaceX.

Keywords: fiscal responsibility, government waste, foreign aid, funding resolution, legislative oversight

Summary: The committee meeting addressed government spending and foreign aid, with a particular emphasis on perceived wasteful expenditures. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing a funding resolution for the committee, which received unanimous support from the members present. The chair noted a quorum at the beginning of the meeting, signaling that the committee was ready to conduct its business. Discussions highlighted ongoing debates concerning fiscal responsibility and the necessity of legislative oversight, notably regarding foreign aid allocations and their implications for domestic fiscal health.

Transcript Highlights:

• , it also has broad industry support, and I just wanted to make clear that the framework is for all FAA-approved
• governments, it also has broad industry support, and just wanted to make clear that the framework is for all FAA
• So currently, I believe there are five or six companies that have FAA approval...
• So currently, I believe there are five or six companies that have FAA approval for beyond visual line-of-sight

Bills: HB2051, HB2324, HB2439, HB2457, HB2686, HB2837, HB2875, HB2953

Keywords: AHCCCS, lactation care, breastfeeding, health services, healthcare access, HB2324, fire code, fire marshal, state fire marshal, municipalities, cities and towns, county-owned buildings, county buildings, intergovernmental agreement, IGA, fire inspection, occupancy certificate, building inventory, local government, county government

Summary: The Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency approved the March 11, 2026 minutes and then heard several bills. HB 2686, a patient-protection measure for outpatient surgical facilities, would require surgeons to file and update a call-coverage plan for hospital complications; the sponsor said it would improve continuity of care and reduce emergency room confusion, and the committee recommended it do pass. HB 2051 would require AHCCCS contractors, subject to CMS approval, to cover breastfeeding and lactation services in multiple settings; supporters described it as a maternal and infant health measure, AHCCCS was neutral and noted a projected state cost of about $1.8 million, and the bill received a do-pass recommendation on a 6-0 vote with one member not voting. The committee also approved HB 2837, which requires compensation disclosure for testimony or written comments in municipal zoning matters and requires certain municipal board members or hearing officers to disclose and recuse for recent conflicts involving entities they served; the sponsor framed it as a transparency and conflict-of-interest bill, and it passed 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2875, concerning commercial drone delivery systems, was amended to allow local regulation of drone facilities near medium and large hub airports within a 2.5-mile buffer and to require consultation with airports; Zipline and industry groups supported the measure as providing regulatory clarity, and the committee adopted the amendment and recommended the bill do pass. HB 2324 would let cities with their own fire codes, through an intergovernmental agreement, have city fire inspectors enforce those codes on county-owned buildings in city limits when state enforcement is burdensome; county and fire officials said it would resolve jurisdictional confusion, and the bill passed 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2439 would exempt single-user public or semi-public cold plunges from ADEQ spa rules, and an amendment removed ADEQ rulemaking authority; county health representatives said the change would reduce confusion, but one member raised public-health concerns, and the amended bill passed 4-2 with one not voting. HB 2457 would allow utilities to bypass the certificate of environmental compatibility process for new plants co-located with large electricity users after notice and a public comment session; the Sierra Club opposed it as reducing public review, while supporters said it preserved some local input and improved efficiency, and it passed 4-2 with one not voting. Finally, HB 2953 would cap certain nondisciplinary and civil penalties imposed by the Board of Pharmacy at $25,000 and allow lower penalties based on prior activity; a supporter said it matched limits used in other regulatory contexts, and the committee recommended it do pass unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• FAAs to pay for that registration fee. Is that what I'm understanding?
• It is an FAA statement, essentially that the specific area has been...
• So do I go get that FAA... Lonoke County. Yes.
• So then is it possible that a project could start without FAA approval?
• It is not ripe for an application until there has been FAA review. Okay.

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a long agenda of agency rule changes, beginning with housekeeping on the order of business and then taking up rules from multiple state agencies. Early items included Department of Energy and Environment rules on landfill post-closure trust fund spending thresholds and liquefied petroleum gas standards, DFA’s odometer disclosure rule allowing electronic signatures and disclosures, and several Department of Health rules covering ionizing radiation, mobile home and recreational parks, lead-based paint, counseling licensure, hearing instrument dispensers, athletic training, dental specialties and compacts, nursing, pharmacy, physician assistants, medical compacts, speech-language pathology and audiology, radiologic technology, massage therapy, community health workers, doula certification, and cosmetology/body art. Most of these were described as technical updates, conformity with recent acts, federal standards, or compact participation, and nearly all were approved without objection after brief questions and, in many cases, no public comment. The committee also reviewed Department of Labor and Licensing rules on minimum wage/independent contractor standards, boiler rules, motor vehicle commission requirements for ATV/LSV dealers, professional wrestling regulation, appraiser qualifications, and military recruiting and retention programs. Testimony generally emphasized that the rules implemented recent legislation, updated fees or licensing standards, or streamlined existing processes. Members asked a few questions about fee structures, the rationale for regulating professional wrestling, and how the National Guard’s public-private partnership and incentive programs would work; the department said the recruiting incentives would be funded from existing appropriations and were intended to improve retention and force strength. These rules were also approved without objection. The most extensive discussion came on the Department of Education’s Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program rule. The department said the revisions, based on Act 920 of 2025, were intended to add guardrails, clarify allowable expenses, and speed approval of core educational purchases. Changes included defining core educational expenses, limiting certain sports-related spending, adding an intentional misuse standard, restricting phone purchases except for disability-related needs, setting a $1,000 threshold for additional review of technology purchases, capping carryover funds at $8,500, and creating a reconsideration process for denied expenses. Members raised concerns about safeguards, appeals, sports equipment, provider credentialing, rural vendor access, and whether the department would be flexible or overly restrictive. The department said it would review every request, provide written explanations for denials, allow appeals up to the State Board, and refer suspected fraud to prosecutors if necessary. After hearing from 13 members of the public, the committee continued to discuss the rule, but the transcript ends before any final vote on the EFA rule is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state match for the FAA projects was added, and as a result the federal portion is added, which is
• The state match for the FAA projects was added, and as a result the federal portion is added, which is
• state<00:39:52.160> match<00:39:52.560> for<00:39:52.800> the<00:39:53.040> FAA
• <00:39:53.920> projects<00:39:54.400> and<00:39:54.640> as State match for the FAA
• Um, but in terms of other agencies like the FAA grants and things like that, I don't know that those

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It means you do not have to go to Oklahoma City, where the FAA runs their program, to take the test or
• It means you do not have to go to Oklahoma City, where the FAA runs their program, to take the test or
• ><00:18:42.160> practice<00:18:42.480> from<00:18:42.640> the<00:18:42.799> FAA
• <00:18:43.200> is<00:18:43.360> 10 ratio best practice from the FAA is 10 ratio best
• practice from the FAA is 10 to1.<00:18:44.240> So<00:18:44.480> as<00:18:44.720> we

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met to begin hearing budget requests from Kentucky universities. Eastern Kentucky University President David McFaden highlighted EKU’s enrollment growth, its large population of Pell-eligible and first-generation students, and its role in producing graduates for Kentucky’s workforce, especially in health care, public safety, manufacturing, engineering, and aviation. He said EKU is seeking support for a Center for Health Innovation, including a doctor of osteopathic medicine program, with a $50 million accreditation escrow and startup funding that would be returned to the state after accreditation. He also described EKU’s health programs, which have strong pass rates and high in-state employment outcomes, and said the university wants continued asset preservation funding, inflationary operating support, and other recurring budget items. McFaden also outlined EKU’s aviation request, including $10 million for new aircraft and support for an enhanced air traffic control program created in response to a legislative study. He said the program would enroll cohorts of about 30 students, likely attract out-of-state students, and require a $5 million startup investment plus $1.5 million in annual recurring support. He added that EKU’s lab school is seeking a revised funding model tied to enrollment rather than a flat mandated amount. Committee members asked follow-up questions about the medical school escrow, aircraft needs, and program capacity, and McFaden clarified that the escrow would remain intact until accreditation and then be returned to the general fund. Kentucky State University President Kakpo then reviewed prior capital support that helped repair a dorm and several leaking roofs, and said the university is still addressing campus infrastructure problems. He said KSU’s main request is a new health sciences building to house its growing nursing program and language program, along with $40 million for additional dorm renovations and a carve-out for its aquaculture program. Kakpo said the aquaculture PhD proposal would be federally funded and could bring in more revenue, while the new building would help relieve overcrowding and support KSU’s research role. In response to questions, he said KSU’s campus housing capacity would be about 1,334 beds if all dorms were repaired, and that the university is rotating students through renovated buildings while trying to keep them on campus. Committee members also raised safety concerns about the December campus shooting at KSU. Kakpo said the incident was isolated, expressed sympathy for the families affected, and said the university has reviewed campus procedures, added police and security positions, and is strengthening safety processes. The meeting did not include any votes or formal actions; it was a budget presentation and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, aerobatic boxes are delineated spaces that are registered with the FAA for use in practice for air
• registered on a one-off basis, but some are long-term boxes that have a standing designation with the FAA
• The FAA has rules about drones and about height restrictions around airports, but these do not apply
• 3722 limits the height of structures within 5 miles of a long-term aerobatic box registered with the FAA
• These buffers are larger than civilian FAA aerobatic boxes, especially near military operating areas

Transcript Highlights:

• light of Secretary Duffy's decision to invite representatives from external organizations to visit the FAA
• The FAA is still using paper printouts and floppy disks to manage air traffic. Mr.
• I also asked him about the relationship between Elon Musk and the FAA and just to tell me as a lawyer
• demand for launch time, he clearly didn't like it when he was denied it. and then demanded that the FAA

Keywords: Committee, Transportation, aviation safety, confirmation, Lieutenant Commander, Deputy Secretary, Bradbury, Hafensteiner, aircraft incidents

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation convened to consider the promotion of Coast Guard Lieutenant Samuel Hafensteiner to Lieutenant Commander and the nomination of Stephen Bradbury as Deputy Secretary of Transportation. The meeting highlighted ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety, especially in light of recent aircraft incidents. Members discussed the critical need for knowledgeable leadership within the Department of Transportation to address these safety challenges effectively. Mr. Bradbury's background as a former General Counsel of the Department was presented as a strong asset for the role he seeks.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before a project begins, does there have to be approval from, let's say, the FAA?
• Does there have to be FAA approval before a project can actually begin anywhere in the state? Yes.
• If it's their land that they are leasing, then is it possible that a project could start without FAA
• It is not ripe for an application until there has been FAA review.
• Are crop dusters regulated under the FAA? That is not a question that I have an answer for you on.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That certification process can take up to two years going through the FAA, but our Congressional Delegation
• and Governor Green and members of this Legislature have been working with the FAA to expedite as much
• Yes, and I would say I cannot give a time frame because FAA doesn't give us time frames, but we're hopeful
• <00:40:37.040> time<00:40:37.200> frame<00:40:37.440> because<00:40:37.720> FAA
• cannot give a time frame because FAA cannot give a time frame because FAA doesn't<00:40:38.319><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 540, which would make the most recent state building codes supersede county codes beginning in 2028 and limit county changes without State Building Code Council approval. Grassroot Institute testified in support, while IBEW Local 1260 strongly opposed the bill as written, warning it could let counties weaken state minimum standards and create problems for fire code and sprinkler requirements. Members discussed the need for consistency in building codes and the impact of the State Building Code Council’s status, and the chair said the measure would be deferred indefinitely. The committee also heard SB 626 on disaster preparedness, which would prohibit planting large trees along evacuation routes and require HEMA to identify and remove obstructive trees. Testimony included comments from DLNR, HEMA, and others, with HEMA opposing the measure. The chair said more coordination was needed between DLNR and HEMA and deferred the bill. SB 692, regulating retail and wholesale spray paint sales and assigning jurisdiction to the Department of Law Enforcement, drew opposition from the Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi, which said the bill would impose costly storage and reporting burdens on small retailers and raise identity-theft concerns. The committee deferred that measure as well. In a separate decision-making segment, the committee considered SB 9 on fireworks and recommended passage with amendments. The amendments narrowed or removed several sections, increased certain penalties from $500 to $1,000, adjusted forfeiture allocations, accepted an Attorney General amendment, added an appropriation for community safety education programs, and changed the effective date to July 1, 2077. The motion to pass with amendments was adopted by a vote of 2-1. Later, in a joint hearing, SB 1102 on the aircraft rescue firefighting unit drew support from DOT but opposition from the Hawaiʻi Firefighters Association, which asked that the bill be held. SB 41, establishing Hawaiʻi Disaster Drill Day on August 8, received support from HEMA and a public testifier. SB 1570, addressing Molokaʻi air service disruptions and a possible runway expansion, drew strong public support from Molokaʻi residents and service providers, while the Attorney General raised separation-of-powers concerns about the emergency declaration language and DOT noted the high cost and feasibility issues of runway expansion.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill takes an incredibly important step toward moving California into compliance with an FAA requirement
• . ...toward moving California into compliance with an FAA requirement that all sales tax revenues derived
• This is a longstanding rule that the FAA honestly did not seek to enforce for the better part of 30 years
• We think it is appropriate, first, to take urgent action on this matter because the FAA is threatening

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill takes an incredibly important step toward moving California into compliance with an FAA requirement
• This bill takes an incredibly important step toward moving California into compliance with an FAA requirement
• This is a longstanding rule that the FAA honestly did not seek to enforce for the better part of 30 years
• We think that it is appropriate to, number one, take urgent action on this matter because the FAA is

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee held a final hearing on a series of Senate bills, with the chair explaining the committee’s suspense-file process and then taking up measures in regular order and later from suspense. SB 1329 on solar property tax assessment drew the most extensive testimony: the author and industry supporters said it would create statewide assessment standards, exclude intangibles, and provide certainty for solar development, while county assessors and county representatives opposed it as a statutory formula that would undercut fair market value and reduce local revenue. The bill was sent to suspense during the first portion of the hearing and later passed suspense 5-2 after amendments. SB 661, dealing with airport funding and aviation fuel tax revenues, also generated support from airport and local government representatives but opposition from airlines over the proposed distribution formula; it was referred to suspense and later passed 7-0 with amendments. SB 1172, which places guardrails on tax-sharing agreements, was supported by local governments and retailers; after the author accepted committee amendments, opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 4-2 to the floor. SB 9-1-1, a wildfire safety measure using the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report to notify fire agencies about defensible-space compliance, was supported by fire chiefs and wildfire-safety advocates but opposed by assessors; it passed 5-2 to Appropriations. SB 1408, authorizing Contra Costa County to place a transportation sales tax on the ballot, passed 4-2 to the floor. SB 1072, the housing omnibus bill, passed 7-0, and SB 1424, expanding a sales tax exemption for zero-emission vehicle fueling equipment, was held in committee after support from hydrogen and electric transportation advocates and no opposition. In suspense-file action, the committee also passed SB 1435, SB 288, SB 296, SB 420, SB 881, SB 888, SB 1053, SB 1406, and SB 1407, while SB 353 and SB 1249 were held. The chair closed by thanking members, staff, stakeholders, and a retiring consultant, and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2332, the substitute, also... ...also aligns state law with FAA federal regulation, specifically
• FAA FAR Part 91.403, which mandates that the owner-operator of an aircraft is the primary responsible
• I think it's in alignment, obviously, as you just heard, with federal regulations from the FAA, and I

Bills: SB2199, SB2200, SB2201, SB2949, SB2332

Keywords: overweight vehicle, vehicle weight limits, hazardous materials, hazmat, cargo tank, fuel transport, trucking, commercial vehicle, Transportation Code, criminal penalty, second-degree felony, loading violation, truck weight, axle weight, gross weight, public safety, commercial carrier, Texas, commercial truck, truck route

Transcript Highlights:

• Although the FAA and FBI have jurisdiction to investigate these crimes, we need to give our state and
• Statistics from the FAA show that lasing is on the rise, with about 12,800 reports in 2024 nationwide
• Statistics from the FAA show that Lazing is on the rise with about 12,800 reports 2024 nationwide.
• The FAA cited that these lasers are getting cheaper. Thank you.
• The FAA cited that these lasers are getting cheaper and more powerful over time.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing covered a wide range of Judiciary Committee bills, with much of the testimony focused on criminal justice, public safety, and civil asset forfeiture reform. Several lawmakers and advocates supported bills to increase penalties or create new offenses related to assaults on sports officials, assaults on transit workers, reckless discharge of firearms, fires and explosives, pill press machines, and drug-induced homicide. Testifiers described rising harassment and violence against youth sports officials and transit workers, as well as the fentanyl overdose crisis and the need for stronger tools to prosecute dealers whose conduct leads to death. Supporters of the sports-official and transit-worker bills emphasized declining referee availability and repeated assaults on commuter rail and MBTA workers. District attorneys also backed bills on reckless firearm discharge and fires/explosives, saying current law does not adequately address dangerous conduct that endangers bystanders. The committee also heard testimony on several proposals related to youth diversion and prison mitigation. Supporters of the youth court justice fund bill said youth courts are peer-led diversion programs with strong compliance and low recidivism, and argued for a stable funding source rather than annual earmarks. A representative from Bridgewater supported a prison mitigation fund for municipalities that host state prisons, saying the costs of public safety and emergency services are not fully covered. On gun policy, testimony split between supporters of a bill to ban in-state manufacture of assault-style rifles for civilian sale and opponents or skeptics of other firearm-related measures, including a bill on collateralizing firearms and a bill to increase penalties for drug trafficking combined with illegal firearm offenses. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to civil asset forfeiture reform. Advocates from the ACLU, CPCS, the Boston Bar Association, the Institute for Justice, and others supported bills to increase the burden of proof, improve transparency and reporting, require counsel, and limit or eliminate the current practice of directing forfeiture proceeds to law enforcement. They argued the current system creates perverse incentives, lacks adequate due process, and is insufficiently transparent. District Attorney Paul Tucker defended current forfeiture practices, saying his office has reporting and oversight, uses the funds for investigations and community programs, and warned that reducing forfeiture revenue would hinder crime fighting. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; the chairs repeatedly thanked witnesses and indicated the bills would remain under consideration.