Transcript Highlights:

• Peter Robbins Brown, Louisiana Progress Action, here presenting on behalf of Representative Landry, who
• I'm the director of policy at the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center.
• I'm the legal director of Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center.
• This legislation would create a state-sanctioned program allowing a small group of private vendors to
• This legislation would create a state-sanctioned program allowing a small group of private vendors to

Bills: HCR66, HB387, HB617, HB797, HB950, HB975, HB1186, HB1222, HB1223, HB1228, HB1256

Keywords: economic development, rural communities, infrastructure, workforce training, Louisiana Economic Development, engineering, land surveying, construction, state fire marshal, plan review, hidden fees, junk fees, drip pricing, price transparency, mandatory fees, surcharges, consumer protection, unfair trade practices, advertising disclosures, total price

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee met on April 20, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then heard a series of bills and resolutions. It first advanced H. CR 66, which directs Louisiana Economic Development, working with the Governor’s Office of Rural Development, to study rural parish economic assets, infrastructure, workforce, and development opportunities. The committee also moved HB 387, a clarification allowing the fire marshal to review architectural and engineering plans equally, and HB 1223, which seeks to promote clinical trials in Louisiana by having LED market the state’s research capacity and by adjusting internal review board procedures. HB 1228, a cleanup bill for hearing aid dealers that updates definitions, contracts, testing periods, licensing, and related requirements, was also reported favorably, as was HB 950, which would create an elderly consumer perception program through the Office of Elderly Affairs to help seniors recognize scams and fraud. The committee spent the most time on HB 617, a broad “hidden fees” consumer transparency bill. The author and supporters said it would require mandatory fees to be included in upfront pricing so consumers can make informed choices, while opponents from grocery, restaurant, hotel, housing, retail, and business groups argued the bill was vague, overly broad, and likely to create compliance burdens and litigation risk. Housing advocates objected to the bill’s housing exemption, warning it could weaken renters’ ability to bring claims over undisclosed fees. After extensive debate over variable pricing, sales taxes, enforcement, and the scope of the bill, Senator Morris moved to defer HB 617, and the committee agreed without objection. The committee also heard HB 797, which would create a “Bayou Gold” certification program for certain gold vendors and transactional gold products. The sponsor said the program would encourage vendors to keep gold insured, segregated, and closer to Louisiana consumers, with the Treasury administering the certification through participant fees. Several senators and an outside witness raised concerns that the state seal could be mistaken for an endorsement, could create liability or consumer confusion, and would favor a narrow set of vendors. Despite opposition, the committee reported HB 797 favorably, with members noting it still had to go to Finance. Later, the committee advanced HB 1186, which would create a more uniform statewide building code and licensing system for inspectors, add disciplinary authority, and impose a small permit fee to support the program, and HB 1222, which would let LED develop a grocery initiative to address food deserts and food insecurity. The meeting concluded with the committee hearing HB 1256 on abandoned digital assets, which would require dormant digital assets to be held in original form for three years so owners can reclaim them.

Transcript Highlights:

• An eligible plaintiff may bring a cause of action against another person or provider who knowingly violates
• of IBAT.
• And I've passed laws on behalf of the independent bankers of the state of Texas.
• We've kind of grown over the course of time.
• We see legislation passed with exemptions, and we're in a marketplace. some of these legislative actions

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• To all of you and to the Houston delegation, we are taking a series of unprecedented actions to make
• Combined, all of these actions will fully make ...
• these 15 large generators are made whole through the actions that I discussed. series of rate reductions
• And so, you know, each of these actions I think helps to rebuild trust.
• after the concerns of of the people of Texas.

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• The PUC can only prohibit interconnection if harm caused by the construction and interconnection of the
• The PUC can only prohibit interconnection if harm caused by the construction and interconnection of the
• So, since actions speak louder than words, let me talk about the actions now to re-earn the trust of
• Combined, all of these actions will fully make our customers whole for the cost of the 15 large generators
• Combined, all of these actions will fully make our customers whole for the cost of the 15 large generators

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first took up several pending and uncontested bills. It favorably reported SB 1405, SB 1762, SB 1977, SB 2077, SB 2148, and SB 1968, and also moved SB 2321 to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard SB 819, which would change how the Public Utility Commission reviews proposed utility-scale solar and related interconnection projects. The committee substitute would shift the default so interconnection is allowed unless the PUC affirmatively prohibits it within 180 days, limit denial to cases where harm substantially outweighs benefits, remove public meeting requirements, retain setback and financial assurance provisions, add optional application materials such as national security and environmental information, and restore local control over county tax abatements. The substitute was adopted and SB 819 was favorably reported to the full Senate on a 7-3 vote. The committee then took up SB 231, focused on CenterPoint’s use of large emergency generators after Hurricane Beryl. Senator King explained that the original bill was intended to prevent customers from being charged for non-mobile generators that were leased at great cost and did not match the bill’s emergency-response purpose. CenterPoint’s Jason Ryan apologized for the company’s communication failures and said the company would make customers whole through a combination of rate reductions, foregone storm-cost recovery, and a donation of the 15 large generators to ERCOT for about two years to address a San Antonio-area reliability issue, with the company absorbing the associated costs. PUC Executive Director Connie Corona said the commission could enforce the agreement through its contested-case process. Public testimony included consumer and reliability advocates, one of whom argued utility-scale microgrids should be preserved as a policy option. SB 231 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 986, which would create an alternative process for routine Public Information Act requests so local governments can make initial redactions without sending every routine exception to the Attorney General, while preserving an appeal path and training requirements. Supporters said it would reduce backlog and speed access to records; opponents argued it would shift the burden to requesters and encourage delay. The AG’s office testified that the process could improve efficiency and still fit within current timelines if used promptly. SB 986 was left pending. Finally, SB 584 was briefly laid out to require consumer reporting agencies that buy data from others to ensure the information complies with Texas law on excluded items such as bankruptcies, judgments, and tax liens, and SB 600 was heard on heir property. SB 600’s substitute would strengthen notice, require an attorney ad litem, add an heir’s bill of rights, allow settlement conferences, and require fair-market-value sales protections; supporters said it would curb predatory partition practices, while opponents warned some provisions could burden or diminish minority heirs’ property rights. SB 584 and SB 600 were left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now I'd like to say it in Spanish, if it's okay with all of you.
• It's okay with all of you.
• So the amendment, which has a lot of similarities to the bill as it is sitting in front of us right now
• Justin Senior is speaking in information, Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida.
• I'm the CEO of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida.

Bills: S0760, S1012, S1536, S1582, S1792

Keywords: pretrial release, bond conditions, violations of release conditions, violent crimes, victim safety, public safety, warrantless arrest, probable cause, pretrial detention, first appearance hearing, law enforcement immunity, domestic violence, stalking, battery, aggravated assault, robbery, kidnapping, sexual battery, murder, manslaughter

Summary: The Criminal and Civil Justice Committee met with a quorum present and began with a notice that the committee would not present its budget that day, explaining that the budget rollout would be coordinated with House partners and Senate notice requirements, with the next opportunity expected the following week. The committee then moved to legislation, starting with CS for SB 760 by Senator McLean, the Victim Safety and Pre-Trial Release Act, which would address willful violations of court-ordered no-contact conditions for defendants on pretrial release for serious violent crimes. The bill had support from the Florida Sheriffs Association, received no debate, and was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee next considered SB 1536 by Senator Pizzo on digital voyeurism, described as expanding the reasonable expectation of privacy to include a privately fenced yard. The transcript shows the chair moved on before questions or a vote were taken on that bill. The committee then took up CS for SB 102 by Senator Yarbrough on inmate services, first adopting a leave-filed amendment that revised provisions on inmate welfare trust funds, Medicaid supplemental reimbursement participation, emergency transport reimbursement, and negotiated rates for certain community health care providers, including telehealth and secure-unit care. Justin Senior of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida testified in information, saying the amendment was a major positive move, and the amended bill was then reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted that two agenda items were being temporarily postponed: CS for SB 1582 on statewide data sharing of secondhand dealer and pawnbroker transactions and SB 1792 on public records for pawnbroker transactions. No further business was raised, and the committee adjourned after a motion by Senator Simon.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we've heard numerous complaints from various areas of increased 911 calls, of drug use, of crime
• And we've heard numerous complaints from various areas of increased 911 calls, of drug use, of crime
• So there's a lot of unintended consequences and a lot of things that may have...
• Many of them are seniors. Many of them have other challenges.
• of certain activities.

Bills: HB2664

Keywords: HB 2664, unlawful detainer, eviction notice, landlord-tenant, tenant rights, service of process, certified mail, notice by mail, notice posting, possession action, vacate notice, Washington RCW 59.12, housing law, rental housing, forcible entry and detainer, proof of service, property possession, occupants, lodging house, hotel guest

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:19.200><c> of</c> public schools are engaged in actions of public schools are engaged in actions
• times through no actions of their own, through no decision of their own, deserve to be educated.
• times through no actions of their own, through no decision of their own, deserve to be educated.
• </c><00:47:34.400><c> has</c> leading cause of death for teens has leading cause of death for teens has
• </c> private school from hiring some sort of private school from hiring some sort of safety<01:31:48.960

Bills: HF3409, HF3487, HF3401

Keywords: immigration status, undocumented students, immigrant rights, K-12 education, public school enrollment, Plyler v. Doe, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, law enforcement access, ICE, immigration enforcement, civil lawsuit, private right of action, injunctive relief, mandamus, student records, directory information, parental engagement, equal access to education

Bills: SB2, SB3, SB5, SB 9, SB10, SB14, SB16, SB18, SB34, SB6, SB7, SB8, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB15, SB 17, SB 4

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, impact fees, water conservation, reuse projects, builders, developers, local government, real property theft, real property fraud, criminal offenses, restitution

Transcript Highlights:

• , private company, or any of that, that can happen.
• basis and publicized the filing of the action.
• This is about corporations whose irresponsible actions ruin the lives of entire communities.
• Attorney General publicized the filing of the nuisance action.
• It has to be also on our side, or the side of the victim of her actions, has to be proven in court.

Bills: HB2167, HB2168, HB2169, HB2171, HB2790, HB2905, HCM2005

Keywords: attorney general, nuisance action, consumer fraud, damages, civil penalty, public nuisance, nuisance abatement, abatement action, injunction, superior court, county attorney, city attorney, board of supervisors, obscenity, obscene materials, adult materials, pornography, schools, parks, residential district

Transcript Highlights:

• of resources.
• It kind of touches on every aspect of the department.
• it's burglary of a vehicle, if that's That's in the same criminal episode of when they did that, of
• Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the disappearance, ensures that actions are taken swiftly
• In Texas, this offense can include a wide host of actions, including a damage of property.

Bills: HB214, HB626, HB647, HB658, HB668, HB674, HB908, HB214

Keywords: firearm acquisition, gun smuggling, criminal offenses, ammunition, terrorism, public safety, Texas criminal procedure, federal law enforcement, state arrest authority, search and seizure, felony offenses, federal air marshal, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Defense police, military police, Homeland Security, Public Safety, veterans affairs, federal officers, joint law enforcement authority

Transcript Highlights:

• right of action.
• So I'm hoping that you're not taking away the consumer's private right of action because if, assuming
• Again, I would certainly like to see a private right of action for somebody because I know taking my
• Amendments 1 through 3 amend the definition of private inspector to provide for persons either contracted
• The private inspectors and the third-party inspectors are one of the areas that causes us much concern

Bills: HB471, HB798, HB947, HB1140, HB1186, HB1195, HB1222

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, consumer protection, automated decision systems, data privacy, broadband, cable service, price increase, notification, digital assets, abandonment, custodian, escheatment, blockchain, cryptocurrency, unclaimed property, state treasurer, telecommunications, spoofing, call authentication

Transcript Highlights:

• Now I'd like to say it in Spanish, if it's okay with all of you.
• It's okay with all of you.
• So the amendment, which has a lot of similarities to the bill as it is sitting in front of us right now
• I'm the CEO of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida.
• I'm the CEO of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida.

Bills: S0760, S1012, S1536, S1582, S1792

Keywords: pretrial release, bond conditions, violations of release conditions, violent crimes, victim safety, public safety, warrantless arrest, probable cause, pretrial detention, first appearance hearing, law enforcement immunity, domestic violence, stalking, battery, aggravated assault, robbery, kidnapping, sexual battery, murder, manslaughter

Summary: The Criminal and Civil Justice Committee met with a quorum present and began by announcing that the committee would not present its budget that day, explaining that the budget rollout would be coordinated with House partners and public notice requirements, with the next opportunity expected the following week. The committee then moved to bills on the agenda. CS/SB 760 by Senator McLean, the Victim Safety and Pre-Trial Release Act, was presented as a narrowly focused measure addressing willful violations of court-ordered no-contact conditions by defendants on pretrial release for serious violent crimes. There was no debate, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 1536 by Senator Pizzo on digital voyeurism, described as expanding the reasonable expectation of privacy to include a privately fenced yard; the bill was taken up and closed without recorded debate, and the transcript indicates it was reported favorably. The committee then took up CS/SB 102 by Senator Yarbrough on inmate services. A leave-filed amendment was adopted without objection. The amendment codified certain correctional-facility fee practices, removed a Medicaid participation condition tied to treating inmates, kept emergency transport reimbursement at Medicaid allowable rates, and changed hospital emergency medical services reimbursement to no more than 110 percent of the Medicare allowable rate, while allowing higher negotiated rates in certain arrangements, including secure units, correctional facilities, or telehealth. Justin Senior of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida spoke in information and said the amendment was a positive move, though he still had questions to discuss. The amended bill then passed favorably. Two additional pawnbroker-related bills, CS/SB 1582 and SB 1792, were temporarily postponed, and the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the causes enumerated in Paragraph A of Section 24 of this article, the legislature shall provide
• the presiding officer of the House that votes to initiate the action.
• It says in Article 10, Section 25, for the causes enumerated in Paragraph A of Section 24 of this article
• And there is no provision for the cause of action, the rationale, the reason.
• If one agency—make sure that one agency's actions do not conflict with the policies or actions of another

Bills: HR9, HB709, HB1011, HB1057, HB1186, HB1245, HB1247, SB49, SB425, SB479

Keywords: human rights, individual liberties, Magna Carta, constitutionalism, free speech, Uniform Construction Code, building code, construction code, inspector licensing, building inspectors, plans examiners, public inspector, private inspector, private inspector company, building official, code enforcement, Louisiana Uniform Construction Code Commission, state fire marshal, International Building Code, International Residential Code

Transcript Highlights:

• And your bill creates new criminal penalties as well as a civil cause of action?
• alleged violations, but also there is an individual cause of action, too.
• Kind of.
• Kind of.
• not liable. ...base of knowledge as a therapist, that you are not liable for the action you take.

Bills: S0560, S0590, S0778, S1010

Keywords: child welfare, psychotropic medication, Department of Children and Families, community-based care, liability insurance, forensic services, defendants, mental health, judicial system, defense, legal definitions, minors, healthcare, parental rights, criminal penalties, civil action, sex-reassignment, investigations, economic damages

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered four bills. SB 590, by Sen. Bradley, would toll the statute of limitations for failure to report suspected child abuse by mandatory reporters until the offense is known to law enforcement; an amendment clarified retroactive application for offenses not already time-barred by the bill’s effective date. Sen. Bradley said the bill is intended to ensure accountability in institutional abuse cases and not to change the reasonable-suspicion reporting standard. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard SB 778, by Sen. Simon, which would update the definition of forensic client so certain individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism whose charges were dismissed for incompetency can be housed with other Chapter 916 residents, reducing duplicative staffing and space needs at the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Barney Bishop appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably without amendment. SB 560, by Sen. Garcia, would streamline procedures for psychotropic medication prescriptions for children in DCF custody, reduce duplicative background checks and reporting, and simplify consent documentation. Amendments removed language allowing licensed clinical social workers and marriage and family therapists to serve as evaluators and narrowed changes to the Road to Independence Program’s postsecondary education services and supports, extending eligibility ages from 18 to 26 while keeping the five-year cap. Senators discussed the fiscal impact and funding blend for the education stipend. The committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably. The committee then took up SB 1010, by Sen. Yarbrough, which adds criminal and civil enforcement for violations involving sex-reassignment prescriptions or procedures for minors and related parental-rights provisions. An amendment clarified that the civil action authority applies to minors and that damages benefit the affected minor. Public testimony was heavily divided, with supporters saying the bill enforces existing protections and opponents warning it would chill care, counseling, and school-based support for transgender youth. Senators Harrell, Sharief, and Rouson raised concerns about vagueness, standing, and impacts on teachers and health professionals; Sharief voted no, while the bill was still reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the main of the plan year.
• This bill would introduce more prior authorization in Minnesota than the number one cause of physician
• </c> Board of Pharmacy. Board of Pharmacy.
• Uh one of the state of Minnesota.
• </c> many of them are here today, and many of many of them are here today, and many of them<01:40:16.480

Bills: HF4712, HF4801, HF3756, HF4860, HF4931, HF4289, HF4460

Keywords: residential pools, swimming classes, certification, private business, health safety, health care, prior authorization, managed care, medical assistance, mental health, substance use treatment, chronic conditions, health insurance, insulin, healthcare access, pharmacy regulations, patient assistance, affordable medication, healthcare, pharmacy

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the questions that we had throughout the rest of the LAMRD, and to give kind of some real-world
• One of the questions that we had throughout the rest of the LAMRD, and to give kind of some real-world
• Branches both approve of any action taken under this law, and it will help them kind of expand the toolkit
• of the bill.
• This is exactly the kind of action the public wants to see from the legislature: legislation that doesn't

Bills: HB2304, HB2664

Keywords: condominium, housing, warranty, property rights, construction, HB 2664, unlawful detainer, eviction notice, landlord-tenant, tenant rights, service of process, certified mail, notice by mail, notice posting, possession action, vacate notice, Washington RCW 59.12, housing law, rental housing, forcible entry and detainer

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:10.800><c> of</c> several years we are members of of several years we are members of of several
• </c> end of the day so that continuity of end of the day so that continuity of care<00:10:39.839><c>
• It shows programs in the state that Minnesota supports family child care with a number of the actions
• It shows programs in the state that Minnesota supports family child care with a number of the actions
• and I have kind of discussed um privately<01:18:57.199><c> is</c><01:18:57.360><c> just</c><01:18:57.560

Bills: HF656, HF655, HF633

Keywords: child care, childcare, day care, daycare, licensing, variance, licensed capacity, capacity limit, staff qualifications, staffing, child care center, family child care, provider flexibility, Minnesota career lattice, Department of Children Youth and Families, DCYF, licensing rules, enrollment, indoor space, professional development

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> state of Minnesota. state of Minnesota.
• </c> cost estimates of some of the mandates cost estimates of some of the mandates that<00:38:03.720>
• of report.
• My name is Taysir Elhindi, and I'm a member of the National Action Network and the president of the Minnesota
• </c> official piece of business ahead of us. official piece of business ahead of us.

Bills: HF4502, HF3388, HF4106, HF400, HF4138, HF4118, HF4203

Keywords: trusted contact, financial exploitation, elder abuse, elder financial abuse, fraud prevention, financial institution, banking, credit union, broker-dealer, account security, dormant account, consumer protection, scam, suspicious activity, protective services, law enforcement reporting, Minnesota Statutes chapter 45A, HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members, Senate Bill 72 relates to the regulation of private passenger vehicle rental companies
• One of them is a map of the United States.
• In particular because of again the spendthrift ways, uh, profligate ways of our, of our national government
• , of the various entities that he has, um, A recognition of, of the transformation of, of currency into
• Those prudent decisions off of now we, we would regardless of how, how the size is and the number of

Bills: SB 21, SB 72, SB 140, SB 262, SB 370, SB 372, SB 495, SB 627, SB 703, SB 764, SB 842

Keywords: cryptocurrency, bitcoin, investment reserve, economic resilience, financial security, vehicle rental, damage waiver, consumer rights, business regulations, refund policy, telephone solicitation, telemarketing, text message marketing, SMS marketing, robotext, spam text, consumer protection, deceptive trade practices, DTPA, Business & Commerce Code

Transcript Highlights:

• I was here, and many of my friends because they were... ...many of my friends because they were afraid
• Does any other member of the... ...T.
• In the context of that statute, it sets out the statutory requirements of people who can sell vaping
• one of the committee to ask any one of the individuals a question if they would like to do so.
• the Court of Civil Appeals and out of the Supreme Court.

Bills: SB210, SB225, HB280, HB287, HB94, HB88, SB157, HB7, HB8, HB42

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, blood tests, DUI, law enforcement, traffic offenses, chemical analysis, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability