Transcript Highlights:

• This growth has grown to be a $2.1 billion economic engine with over 16,000 people in its workforce.
• with over 16,000 people economic engine with over 16,000 people [clears throat]<00:30:34.320><c> in<
• It invests in cleaning up polluted sites and the redevelopment of our business centers, our downtowns
• But the It invests in cleaning up polluted sites It invests in cleaning up polluted sites and<00:41:32.520
• </c> And then you got to get the engineers And then you got to get the engineers in. in. in.

Transcript Highlights:

• so I'm going to open the public hearing first on HB 2426, Improving Efficiency and Appeals to the Pollution
• House Bill 2426 relates to improving efficiency and appeals to the Pollution Control Hearings Board,
• It is sort of a choose-your-own-adventure story for the Pollution Control Hearings Board.
• The Growth Management Board has a more cyclical schedule than the Pollution Control Hearings Board, so
• The Growth Management Board has a more cyclical schedule than the Pollution Control Hearings Board so

Summary: The committee first waived the five-day notice rule for several House bills, then took up public hearings on HB 2426, HB 1742, HB 2215, HB 2575, HB 1903, and HB 2606. HB 2426 would allow the Pollution Control Hearings Board, with party consent and board approval, to hear permit appeals in alternative smaller compositions to improve efficiency; the sponsor and supporters from Greater Grays Harbor and FutureWise said it would speed up reviews without harming environmental protections, while the bill was described as cost-neutral. HB 1742 would create a Center for Environmentally Sustainable Urban Design at Ecology to promote sustainable building and design competitions; the sponsor emphasized regenerative, biophilic design and a proposed showcase project, and the bill was presented as budget-neutral through outside funding, though the fiscal note was still pending. HB 2215 would tighten Climate Commitment Act compliance for certain newer fuel suppliers by lowering the emissions threshold for post-2023 suppliers, exempt lubricants, and add procurement and transparency requirements. The sponsor said the bill targets “paper distributors” and loopholes used to avoid coverage; Ecology supported closing the loophole but raised concerns about reporting thresholds, implementation, staffing, and rulemaking. Testimony was mixed: the propane association and Washington Oil Marketers Association were concerned about the two-tier threshold and urged stronger upstream enforcement instead, while Climate Solutions and Washington Conservation Action supported the bill as a way to prevent gaming and strengthen climate policy. HB 2575 would reduce several environmental and energy reporting obligations, including less frequent utility reporting under the Energy Independence Act and state energy strategy updates; Commerce and the sponsor said the changes would reduce duplicative reporting and save money, while preserving core protections and oversight. HB 1903 would establish a statewide low-income energy assistance program in the Department of Commerce, phased in by 2027, to supplement existing utility programs and target households with the greatest energy burden. The sponsor and many advocates described the bill as an affordability measure to address a large unmet need, while community action agencies, utilities, and rural representatives supported the goal but asked for clearer language on voluntary utility participation, funding sources, allocation formulas, and how the program would interact with existing utility and weatherization efforts. Several speakers stressed that the program should not replace local assistance and should be designed to avoid shifting costs onto ratepayers. HB 2606 would update the Office of Privacy and Data Protection’s duties and reporting requirements, including adding review of agency AI projects and aligning the office’s work with JLARC recommendations; the chief privacy officer testified in support, explaining that the bill would formalize AI risk review, human oversight, and existing privacy/security review processes, with no fiscal impact. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This pollution is invisible, but it's still getting into our bodies.
• Of course, we share the concerns over microfiber pollution.
• Of course, we share the concerns over microfiber pollution.
• , and also put more water pollution into the water and harm marine life.
• We want to address plastic pollution.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several waste and recycling bills. House Bill 2212 would require microfiber filters on commercial and industrial washing machines, with Ecology authorized to consider residential machine rules later if cost thresholds are met. Supporters, including the sponsor, students, environmental advocates, and scientists, said washing machines are a major source of microplastics and that filtration is a practical way to reduce pollution before it reaches waterways and human bodies. Opponents, including appliance manufacturers, laundromat operators, business groups, and Ecology staff, raised concerns about technical feasibility, worker safety, cost, and the lack of third-party certification for commercial systems. Ecology said the science is emerging and the proposal would create new agency work and costs. No vote was taken. House Bill 2233 would tighten the state’s carry-out bag laws by banning reusable film plastic bags, raising the paper bag pass-through charge to 20 cents, and extending certain requirements to manufacturers, distributors, and third-party sales platforms, while preserving protections for food assistance cardholders. Supporters argued the current thicker-bag approach has not reduced plastic waste, that plastic bags contribute to litter and microplastics, and that a stronger ban would better protect waterways and wildlife. Opponents from grocery, retail, hospitality, paper, and business groups argued the bill would raise consumer costs, create checkout and food-safety problems, and add operational complexity; some also said the state should wait to see the effects of the recent fee increase. Several local government and environmental witnesses supported the bill. No final action was taken. House Bill 1420 would establish an extended producer responsibility program for textiles and apparel, requiring producers to form a producer responsibility organization to manage collection, reuse, repair, recycling, and related infrastructure. The sponsor described the bill as a response to textile waste, overconsumption, and landfill impacts, and said the proposal had been refined through extensive stakeholder work. Supporters from environmental groups, local governments, Ecology, counties, Goodwill, and circular-economy organizations said textiles are a growing waste stream and that producer responsibility could improve collection, reduce dumping, and support repair and reuse. Opponents from business, retail, hospitality, apparel, and medical-device groups raised concerns about complexity, consumer and compliance costs, governance, supply-chain reporting, and possible unintended coverage of uniforms or medical products. The hearing also included a State Board of Health health impact review noting likely increased awareness and collection but limited evidence on large-scale reuse and recycling outcomes. No vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• average, companies in high-tech sectors have real incentives to stay here as the lines between engineering
• When you lose that middle, you lose an engine of inclusive growth.
• Roughly 60% of EVs sold in China are cheaper than their internal combustion engine counterparts, 60%.
• They have made the transition from combustion engine to EV, but it would have been great if the state
• That means advancing climate goals, raising job quality, lowering consumer costs, and reducing pollution

Transcript Highlights:

• And deal with all the engines and everything else going cross country, is that correct?
• Army Corps of Engineers.
• Army Corps of Engineers, including for dredging or other maritime operations outside its boundaries.
• This bill addresses the US Army Corps of Engineers on federally authorized projects.
• I represent myself as a locomotive engineer.

Bills: HB341 , HB791 , HB1564 , HB1695 , HB1722 , HB1729 , HB1772 , HB2003 , HB2954 , HB2989 , HB3084 , HB3134 , HB3135 , HB3309 , HB3611 , HB3679 , HB3727 , HB3832

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates

Transcript Highlights:

• So that office staffs architects, engineers, project management, so every construction project that is
• Architects Engineers project management so<00:44:18.760><c> every</c><00:44:19.000><c> construction<
• This is the oil fund, hazardous waste fund, and oil pollution control fund.
• The monitoring network is used to monitor for certain pollutants that EPA has requirements on.
• Army Corps of Engineers.

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented an overview of its budget and operations, emphasizing that it is the lowest-spending agency in state government and that its general fund allocation has declined since 2019. Commissioner Arling House explained that DAS also handles back-office functions for several administratively attached boards, which has affected staffing and spending comparisons. He said the department’s current general fund spending is roughly split between retiree health and other operations, and that the presentation was based on adjusted authorized spending rather than the original budget figures. A major portion of the meeting focused on retiree health benefits and the long-term effort to control costs. Deputy Commissioner Cassie Keane described how the state moved from a projected deficit in retiree health to savings through a series of changes, including higher premium contributions, co-pay adjustments, and shifting Medicare retirees into Medicare Advantage arrangements to capture federal reimbursement. She said the state has about 12,500 retirees and spouses on the plan, with roughly 10,906 Medicare retirees and 1,580 non-Medicare retirees, and that the savings have depended heavily on federal funding and procurement decisions. She also noted that Medicare retirees pay Part B premiums and that the state has grandfathered older retirees from some premium contributions. Members asked about what the expenditures cover, why the state offers retiree health instead of simply giving retirees a payment to buy coverage themselves, and whether out-of-pocket costs changed under Medicare Advantage. Keane said the plan covers actual health claims or insurance premiums, that co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket limits remain in place, and that the state has no authority to change benefit details without legislative action. She explained that retiree health is a long-standing employee benefit that wraps around Medicare and is not collectively bargained in the usual sense, though its eligibility rules and cost-sharing have been tightened over time to better target the benefit to long-term state service. The discussion also covered vendor performance problems. Keane said Anthem recently won the contract back from Aetna, but its pharmacy subsidiary, Caroline, caused serious service disruptions. DAS responded by withholding payments, assessing more than $2 million in performance guarantees, and hiring a third-party auditor to review the pharmacy processes. The current contract runs through the end of calendar year 2026, and officials said they are watching federal Medicare Advantage reimbursement changes closely because future savings are uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• the appointment of Tanya Pacheco Warner, PhD, as a member of the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution
• And so, for example, before AB 617 in South Fresno, it was sort of an inconvenient fact how polluted
• It was sort of an inconvenient fact how polluted that place was in comparison to the rest of Fresno.
• The ongoing pollution burden of these communities.
• Events that are making our pollution worse. What we see are emergency department visits.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• the appointment of Tanya Pacheco Warner, PhD, as a member of the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution
• And so, for example, before AB 617 in South Fresno, it was sort of an inconvenient fact how polluted
• It was sort of an inconvenient fact how polluted that place was in comparison to the rest of Fresno.
• The ongoing pollution burden of these communities.
• worse, what we see are emergency department... ...events that are making our pollution worse.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened with a quorum and first took up several governor’s appointments not required to appear. It approved Paulette Brown Hines, PhD, to the California Transportation Committee, Christopher Clark and Maggie Hallahan to the Board of State and Community Corrections and Boating and Waterways Commission respectively, Kent Sasaki to the Building Standards Commission, and Danielle N. Munoz to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, with one appointment receiving a 3-1 vote and the others passing unanimously or 5-0. The committee also approved a reference of bills to committees by a 5-0 vote. The committee then heard Tanya Pacheco Warner, PhD, for reappointment to the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District Board. She described her public health background, her family’s experience with asthma, and her work on agricultural burning phase-outs and AB 617 community efforts. Members questioned her about the cumulative economic impact of air rules on Valley agriculture, mobile-source emission strategies, the FARMER tractor replacement program, collaboration with fellow board members, and how to communicate climate and air-quality risks to the public. After public comment, her appointment was approved 4-0 and sent to the full Senate. Next, the committee considered three reappointments to the California Horse Racing Board: Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, and Thomas Hudnut, J.D. The nominees emphasized horse and rider safety reforms, reduced equine fatalities, the impact of Golden Gate Fields’ closure on Northern California racing, and the need for new revenue sources and possible legislative support to strengthen purses and keep the industry viable. Senators pressed them on safety, HISA relations, gambling-related revenue options, and the decline of racing in the North. Public witnesses from the racing industry supported the nominees, and all three appointments were approved 3-0. Finally, the committee heard Julie Lee and Ann Patterson, J.D., for the Delta Stewardship Council. Both stressed the Delta’s importance to statewide water reliability, ecosystem health, and climate adaptation, and highlighted the council’s science program, performance metrics, and community engagement efforts. Senators asked about the co-equal goals, the role of science and social science in building trust, the council’s future mission, and how to communicate climate impacts such as sea-level rise and salinity intrusion. The hearing continued into discussion of balancing water supply and ecosystem protection, with the members framing the Delta as a statewide system requiring coordinated management.

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, yes, at CAFOs, there is a point pollution source, a pipe that we can see.
• I also want to point out that non-point water pollution is such a complex area that other states that
• is dilution is the solution to pollution.
• The Department of Natural Resources has never written a permit for non-point agriculture pollution.
• So this bill will not increase or decrease non-point pollution.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by a vote of 126-2. Members then observed a moment of silence for former Representative Barney Fisher, who was remembered for his Marine Corps service, business career, and House service from 2005 to 2013. The chamber also welcomed several guest groups, including Southern Boone third graders, Lake of the Ozarks Day visitors, and guests connected to autism awareness and other local interests. The House then took up several third-reading bills. Senate Bill 907, the “Act Against Abusive Website Access Litigation,” was amended and passed 148-0; supporters said it would curb predatory ADA website lawsuits and give businesses 90 days to fix problems before suit, while still preserving access rights. House Joint Resolution 159, which would modernize investment authority for the state treasurer and potentially generate about $15 million annually, passed 100-34 after debate over investment safeguards and whether it was too broad. House Bill 2741, requiring CDL holders and applicants to be able to read and speak English sufficiently for safety-related tasks and imposing penalties on operators and carriers, passed 104-22 amid concerns about subjectivity and immigration impacts. The House also passed House Bill 2474, adding progressive design-build as an optional project delivery method for local governments, by 141-5; House Bill 3076, a Department of Natural Resources cleanup bill exempting agricultural non-point sources from water permitting, by 102-41 after sharp debate over environmental protections; House Bill 2436, revising animal abuse/neglect and impoundment procedures, by 88-54; House Bill 2576, a naming/recognition bill, by 140-3; and House Bill 3175, “Mason’s Law,” allowing health-condition information to be shared with law enforcement during traffic stops, by 147-0. The chamber then announced upcoming committee work and adjourned until 4 p.m. Monday, April 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The study also found that The pollution burden is not shared equally.
• Assembly Bill 2674 by Assembly Member Schiavo, an act relating to air pollution.
• He answered the call to serve, enlisting in the Army Air Forces and becoming an aerial engineer and a

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer reflecting on Hiroshima and the dangers of nuclear war, and then proceeded through a long daily and concurrence file. Early floor action included SB 259 on protecting vote-by-mail ballots from interference, which drew debate over election security and mail voting access; the bill ultimately passed with a 54-vote urgency threshold and was transmitted immediately. The chamber also approved SB 1090 on temporary Altadena housing-density relief after the Eaton Fire, SB 1168 on data centers paying utility infrastructure costs, SB 1111 on AI digital replicas, SB 811 on metal shredding regulation, and SB 1078 on gift card cash redemption rules, among others. The concurrence file included many mostly technical or policy-focused Senate amendments. Members concurred in amendments on bills covering pupil safety, municipal utility districts, state employees, housing, professions, local district governance, school communication rules, environmental review of coal terminals, landfill data transparency, criminal procedure, public post-secondary access for undocumented students, workforce development, recovery housing, Native American student data reporting, overdose response in schools, and more. Several measures drew brief opposition or split votes, including AB 40 on coal terminal review, AB 2227 on farm labor contractor protections, and AB 2015 on map apps and local streets. The most extensive debate came on AB 2, the social media platform liability bill, where supporters described harms to children from addictive design, fentanyl sales, cyberbullying, and exploitation, while framing the bill as a response to platform negligence and recent settlements. The Assembly also took up AB 2313 on gas service replacement and home electrification, with sharp disagreement over consumer choice, affordability, and decarbonization. In addition to legislation, the body paused for an adjournment in memory of Jose Luis Rocha and recognized Brenda Thibodeau Harris for her long service to the Legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the very first... thing we did is come up with a work plan, hired a contractor, Jacobs Engineering
• So, they completed the gap analysis for us in June, Jacobs Engineering. shows a couple of the monitoring
• fire department and responding to different things, brownfields investigations, and the Corps of Engineers
• We've coordinated with the state engineers, you know, because of potential water impacts, we've coordinated
• You know, there's some of the money going to engineering firms to help do the sampling and things like

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• However, it is important that as we provide related pollution.
• Sylvia Solis Shaw, here on behalf of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
• Good evening, Kevin Schiave, on behalf of the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association,
• Good evening, Kevin Schiave, on behalf of the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association,
• There's information that we provide to the community about types of pollutants in their area, what's

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• The Last Plastic Straw, Plastic Pollution Coalition. My name is Kai Klossom, by the way.
• The Last Plastic Straw, Plastic Pollution Coalition. My name is Kai Klossom, by the way.
• With me today testifying is Matthew Kremens with the International Union of Operating Engineers.
• Matt Kremens here on behalf of the California, Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers.
• Shane Gussman, on behalf of the Engineers and Scientists of California, in support.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Good evening, Kevin Schiave, on behalf of the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association,
• , but not yet in the program, start the planning process. overburdened with pollution, but not yet in
• There's information that we provide to the community about types of pollutants in their area, what's
• producing those pollutants, what the health risks are, and opportunities that we have to reduce those
• I, I have two acknowledgments I want to make is to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution District and

Summary: The committee heard a series of Senate bills on environmental, climate, recycling, wildfire, outdoor access, and clean transportation policy. SB 958 would clarify CEQA treatment of impacts tied solely to increased building height, and SB 1230 would increase penalties and create CalRecycle support tools for repeat commercial illegal dumping. SB 1341 would revise how processing fees are calculated for bag-in-a-box wine under California’s recycling program. All three measures received due-pass recommendations to Appropriations, with roll calls showing majority support and the bills left open for absent members. Members then took up SB 1300, which would create a more permanent legislative role in California’s international climate cooperation and establish a climate secretariat at UC; SB 1370, which would codify and streamline wildfire fuel-reduction permitting with added safeguards, geographic and size limits, and pesticide-related amendments; and SB 1260/1268, which would codify the Outdoors for All initiative and the Deputy Secretary for Access position at the Natural Resources Agency. Each drew support from environmental, utility, business, and local-government witnesses, while SB 1370 also drew opposition from environmental and advocacy groups concerned about reduced CEQA review and herbicide use. The committee discussed amendments at length, especially on SB 1370, and all three measures advanced with due-pass recommendations. The committee also heard SB 1213, the Clean Truck Transparency Act, requiring baseline pricing disclosure for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission trucks tied to state incentives and directing agencies to explore alternative financing. Support came from clean-air, business, and environmental groups, and the trucking/manufacturing opposition moved to neutral after amendments; the bill advanced on a due-pass vote. Finally, SB 1075, the Clean Air Promise, sought to strengthen AB 617 implementation and clarify community emission reduction planning, but it generated substantial opposition from air districts, business groups, and others over enforceability, funding, and the distinction between formal SERPs and community L-SERPs. The author described additional pending amendments to narrow L-SERP provisions, and the bill also received a due-pass recommendation to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• New gas leads to more pollution and more health and safety risks.
• That is still clean, renewable, non-combusting, non-polluting energy that protects climate, community
• Gas utilities frequently target EJ communities for highly polluting, dangerous, and costly gas system
• Dangerous, polluting projects like this one are disproportionately sited in our communities because,
• It emits health-harming pollution.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of late-file energy bills, with much of the discussion focused on battery storage siting, gas system expansion, propane consumer protections, gas workforce safety, and a Taunton home-rule petition on water rates for manufactured housing communities. Representative Sweeney urged support for H. 4689 and H. 4690, which would impose a moratorium and setback requirements for lithium battery storage facilities, citing fire risk, proximity to homes, and environmental concerns. Several local officials and residents from Oakham, Tewksbury, and other communities described proposed battery projects near homes, schools, wetlands, and conservation land, while industry and clean-energy advocates argued the bills would effectively block storage development and conflict with state energy goals and existing fire-safety standards. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2290/H. 3547, a bill to prevent gas expansion near environmental justice communities, from environmental justice advocates, municipal officials, and clean-energy groups. Testimony emphasized rising gas bills, the cost of new pipelines, methane and health impacts, and the need to avoid locking in long-term gas infrastructure costs. Witnesses also discussed related bills on gas workforce safety, gas shut-off valves, and gas meter replacement plans, with labor representatives supporting safety-focused measures and opposing changes they said would weaken inspections, while consumer and environmental advocates argued that some utility replacement practices are unnecessarily expensive and should be reined in to reduce ratepayer costs. Other testimony included support for H. 3518 on propane gas ratepayer protections, with the witness arguing for clearer contract terms and website price disclosure, and support for S. 2652, which would authorize Taunton to create a separate water billing rate for manufactured housing communities because residents there are effectively paying higher water costs through rent due to a single master meter. No committee votes or final actions were taken during the hearing, and members mostly asked brief clarifying questions or made no comment after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Conventional treatment methods often fail to effectively remove certain pollutants such as heavy metals
• The inadequately treated wastewater can be a significant source of pollution that contributes to decline
• This preemptive state mandate is not the solution to our state's plastic pollution crisis, especially
• This plastic pollution is for public health, and for coastal communities.
• Local governments want action on plastic pollution. This bill does not do that.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met with a quorum present and considered a series of environmental, water, waste, boating, and land-use bills. SB 834 on recreational fishing vessel licenses was briefly explained as aligning licensure rules for freshwater and saltwater captains and was reported favorably. SB 1208 on service lateral assessment and rehabilitation would require periodic CCTV inspections, a seven-year assessment cycle, and a long-term public database for sewer laterals; county representatives opposed it over private-property and cost concerns, but the bill was reported favorably. SB 978 on advanced wastewater treatments, as amended, would require DEP reports and a long-term prioritization plan for upgrading large wastewater facilities to advanced treatment; the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee then took up SB 1822 on auxiliary containers, which would preempt local regulation of certain packaging and define the term in statute. The sponsor argued it would reduce a patchwork of local rules and help businesses, while opponents from environmental groups, local advocates, and some local governments warned it would weaken plastic and foam restrictions, including in parks and coastal communities. Despite substantial opposition and several senators expressing concern, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 384 on notice for annexation of state-owned lands, after a technical amendment requiring written or email notice to legislative delegations, and reported it favorably. SB 1008 on waste incineration would bar new ash-producing incinerators or waste-to-energy facilities within a half-mile of residential, commercial, or school property. The sponsor said the bill was aimed at preventing another fire-related incident like the Doral plant and clarified it was intended to apply only to new facilities, not existing ones; waste-to-energy and county representatives opposed it as too restrictive, while several senators sought clarifying changes. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute amendment to CS for SB 594 on port channel and turning basin buffer zones, reducing the proposed anchoring setback from 5,000 feet to 2,500 feet and allowing ports to create buffer zones after public hearings and rulemaking; the bill was then reported favorably. Finally, SB 830 on lost or abandoned property, aimed at streamlining removal of migrant vessels that pose navigational and environmental hazards, was reported favorably after brief support testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• He wants to attend the Air Force Academy to study aerospace engineering.
• He wants to attend the Air Force Academy to study aerospace engineering.
• ...and their possible contamination, this would allow that they go in to restore that to prevent pollution

Bills: SB1543 , HB1933 , HJR1088 , HJR1090 , HJR1091 , HJR1092 , HJR1093 , HJR1095 , SB1859 , HB2988 , HB3016 , SB237 , SB2065 , HB3418 , HCR1027 , SB1641 , SB1589 , SB44 , SB563 , SB1403 , HB1979 , HB3075 , SB2045 , SB1653 , SB1655 , SB2030 , HB2951 , SB2028 , SB2071 , SB206 , SB1849 , HB3755 , SB1509 , SB1314 , SB1561 , SB1217 , SB1618 , HJR1096 , HJR1099 , HJR1100

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including Veteran of the Week Colonel Stanley L. Evans, Oklahoma City Young Professionals, state contest winners for America’s 250th anniversary, and a long series of page introductions. The chamber then moved into floor action on a large number of measures, many of them Senate bills and House joint resolutions dealing with administrative rules and agency oversight, public safety, education, health, agriculture, business, and tax policy. Among the major bills discussed were SB 1543 on aggregating multiple DUI charges within one year into a single felony case, HB 1933 on nitrous oxide violations, SB 1859 creating an OSBI Cybercrimes and Fraud Unit, SB 237 on ad valorem tax NAICS code changes, SB 2065 designating pollinator-related state symbols, SB 44 extending nonprofit sales tax exemptions to contractors, SB 2030 updating automated expungement procedures, SB 2045 expanding the Grow Your Own education program, and several water and agriculture measures including SB 1509, SB 1314, and SB 2071. Members also considered multiple joint resolutions approving permanent administrative rules for education, energy and agriculture, business and commerce, health agencies, and building code rules, with Kendricks explaining that some major rules were separated out for transparency and, in one case, a cost mitigation agreement had been reached. Testimony and debate were generally brief and focused on clarifying amendments. Several authors explained that amendments were added to address constitutionality, remove outdated or incorrect language, or reflect negotiated changes with agencies and stakeholders. Notable discussion included concerns about forum shopping in SB 1543, questions about the scope of the Grow Your Own program in SB 2045, and clarification that SB 1618’s pretrial report language had been changed to a public safety report agreed to by sheriffs and district attorneys. The House adopted numerous amendments without objection and passed the bills by wide margins, including some unanimous or near-unanimous votes, while a few measures drew more opposition, such as SB 1403, SB 1509, SB 2071, and SB 1618. The House also adopted HCR 1027 setting sine die adjournment for Thursday, May 14, and adjourned until the next day, May 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal plan could bring another 1.9 million gallons to pollute our coast.
• It's applied across multiple provisions without a clear scientific or engineering basis.
• It's applied across multiple provisions without a clear scientific or engineering basis.

Committee: House Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• The enact in adequately treated wastewater can be a significant source of pollution that contributes
• This preemptive state mandate is not the solution to our state's plastic pollution crisis, especially
• Pollution controls would cost hundreds of millions of millions of dollars.
• Local governments want action on plastic pollution. This bill does not do that.
• And yet here I am not, you know, using myself as an example, I am polluting and I'm bringing something

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill uses taxpayer money to support a foreign industry that makes it easier for them to pollute
• In Gloucester, the air pollution and noise pollution is devastating.
• In Louisiana alone, this company was fined $3.2 million for pollution violations in 2022.
• Canadians paying the health costs associated with increased exposure to industrial pollution.
• There were still penalties for permitting and pollution issues at that plant. Okay.

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee met on May 13 with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes. The committee then heard and advanced a series of House bills, many of them described as modernization or consumer-protection measures. HB 555, as amended, expands the definition of financial exploitation under the Protection of Eligible Adults from Financial Exploitation Act, adds training and transaction-delay provisions for financial institutions, and was reported favorably after technical and substantive amendments. HB 1166 creates a disclosure form for vacant residential property transactions and was also reported favorably. HB 267, which changes how candidates for the Louisiana Board of Home Inspectors are submitted to the governor, and HB 1195, which updates rules and penalties for athletic contests, exhibitions, and sports-agent/NIL regulation, were each moved favorably without objection. The committee also advanced several licensing and regulatory bills. HB 917 modernizes life safety and property protection licensing by reducing burdens on some employees and moving to a three-year license cycle; it was reported favorably. HB 1230 overhauls Louisiana’s money transmission laws, replacing older statutes with a new framework for digital payments and stronger consumer protections; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill was reported as amended. HB 1103, described as opening Louisiana for business in certain commerce areas, was reported favorably. HB 478 requires utility bills to clearly label and reimburse overcharges within 90 days and was reported favorably. HB 1096 gives electric cooperatives an opt-out from a prior law allowing boards to amend bylaws without member approval, and HB 921 modernizes private security licensing while restoring penalties for unlicensed activity; both were reported favorably, with HB 921 amended. HB 548 adds CPA licensure pathways to help address shortages, especially in rural areas, and was also reported favorably. Several bills drew more extensive discussion. HB 670 would promote wood pellet manufacturing and related workforce development; supporters argued it could create jobs and help manage timber waste, while an opponent warned about pollution, environmental violations, and the risks of biomass facilities. Committee members raised concerns about permitting and environmental oversight, but the bill was ultimately reported favorably, with discussion of possible follow-up with DEQ. HB 259, dealing with BEAD broadband projects, extends notice requirements before excavation, requires coordination with utility operators, and addresses damage reimbursement; an amendment was adopted and the bill was reported as amended. HB 848 clarifies repair obligations for ATV and golf cart sellers, aiming to ensure consumers have meaningful repair access and to level the playing field between small dealers and big-box retailers; it was reported favorably after questions about enforcement and service requirements. The committee also heard HB 672 and HB 670 as economic-development measures tied to brick manufacturing and wood pellets, respectively, and both were moved favorably. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced that remaining bills would be carried over to the following week, and the committee adjourned.