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• He wanted to pretend he was a soldier in the Army.

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• We would take, like, five huge boxes of toys over to the Salvation Army to donate.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on March 24 with a quorum present. The committee first voluntarily deferred House Bills 184 and 902. It then considered HB 557 by Rep. DeWitt, which defines long-term care pharmacies in Louisiana law to distinguish them from retail pharmacies and align state terminology with federal requirements. The author and a pharmacy representative testified that long-term care pharmacies serve nursing homes and similar facilities with specialized packaging, delivery, and consultant services. The committee adopted a technical amendment and reported the bill favorably with amendments. The committee next heard HB 584 by Rep. Boyd and Taylor, which addresses the practice of giving foster children garbage bags to move their belongings between placements and instead requires the use of duffel bags or similar luggage. Testimony emphasized the dignity issue for children in foster care and noted that DCFS had already begun transitioning to duffel bags. Members discussed whether the bill needed a fiscal note or dual referral, and DCFS testified that the practice had already been underway for about six months and would not require additional funds. The committee adopted amendments clarifying that the bag should follow the child and reported the bill favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee took up HB 747 by Rep. Miller, which combines the medical psychologist license and certificate of advanced practice, eliminates the separate certificate, lowers fees, and reduces red tape. Supporters from the Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychologists and others were noted, and the committee reported the bill favorably. Throughout the meeting, members also discussed possible future wording changes on HB 584 and briefly recessed at the end of the hearing.

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• My name is Lieutenant Colonel Nate Peterson of the Idaho Army National Guard.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

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• the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the Commanding General of the United States Army

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• >> Ranking Member Nixon: REP GIALLOMBARDO, AS A DAUGHTER OF AN ARMY VETERAN AND YOU FOR BRINGING FORWARD

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• 3354 by Vet or relating to the redesignation of the portion State Highway 11 in Morris County of the Army

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• ONE THING I HAVE LEARNED IS FLORIDA TIME IS FASTER THAN ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TIME. .

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• One thing I have learned is Florida time is faster than Army Corps of Engineers time.

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• Army Corps of Engineers, and they've already begun the design.
• Army Corps of Engineers, and they've already begun the design.
• Army Corps of Engineers, in the project management plan and through the design process, will also keep
• </c><00:30:05.600><c> The</c><00:30:05.760><c> US</c><00:30:06.000><c> Army</c> do is identify those
• The US Army do is identify those risks.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

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• Army Lieutenant Colonel.
• I served 28 years on active duty with the Army Medical Department as a pharmacy officer, 67 Echo.
• I am the recipient of the Bronze Star and the Army Medical Department 9 Alpha proficiency designation
• the Bronze Star I am the recipient of the Bronze Star and<00:08:33.719><c> the</c><00:08:33.840><c> Army
• Medical</c><00:08:35.000><c> Department</c><00:08:35.520><c> 9</c><00:08:35.960><c> Alpha</c> and the Army

Bills: HF3919 , HF1335 , HF3864 , HF3916 , HF3728

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, electronic license, driver's license, digital credential, transportation, data privacy, authentication, license plates, vehicle registration, validation stickers, Minnesota statutes, transportation policy, aeronautics, transponder, aircraft safety

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• uh</c><01:21:22.679><c> ah</c><01:21:23.000><c> hats</c><01:21:23.159><c> the</c><01:21:23.320><c> Army
• </c><01:21:24.239><c> AR</c><01:21:24.719><c> Army</c><01:21:24.920><c> AV</c> all at uh ah hats the
• Army AR Army AV all at uh ah hats the Army AR Army AV training<01:21:25.840><c> site</c><01:21:26.600

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• pop, and regular folks like everybody in the room here writing checks to the Red Cross or Salvation Army
• pop, and regular folks like everybody in the room here writing checks to the Red Cross or Salvation Army
• pop, and regular folks like everybody in the room here writing checks to the Red Cross or Salvation Army
• pop, and regular folks like everybody in the room here writing checks to the Red Cross or Salvation Army
• pop, and regular folks like everybody in the room here writing checks to the Red Cross or Salvation Army

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

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• I'm a disabled Army veteran retiree and the commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for California.
• I'm a disabled Army veteran retiree and the commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for California.

Committee: House Health

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• Immediately the Israeli army showed up. They declared it illegal for Palestinians to protest there.
• Army Special Forces or overseas on deployments, I became familiar with the risks and dangers of professing

Summary: The commission held a public comment hearing as it continued work toward a November 30 statutory deadline for its final report. The co-chairs reviewed logistics for the hybrid format, two-minute testimony limit, respectful conduct, and the plan to alternate between in-person and virtual speakers. The commission approved the minutes from its previous September 8 meeting by motion and vote, with no nays. Much of the testimony focused on how the commission should define antisemitism, especially whether to adopt the IHRA definition and whether it improperly conflates antisemitism with criticism of Israel or Zionism. Many speakers, including Jewish educators, rabbis, academics, students, and legislators, described personal experiences with antisemitism and urged the commission to address hate while protecting free speech, academic freedom, and the ability to criticize Israeli government policy. Several called for the commission to reject or narrow the IHRA definition and instead consider the Jerusalem Declaration or other frameworks that distinguish antisemitism from anti-Zionism. Others emphasized that antisemitism should be addressed alongside racism, Islamophobia, white nationalism, and other forms of bias, and some urged broader anti-bias training in schools. A smaller number of speakers supported stronger action against antisemitism in schools and public institutions, including concerns about antisemitic materials in education and about organizations or events they viewed as promoting hate. A recurring theme was the conflict in Gaza and its impact on the debate: some speakers condemned Israel’s military actions as genocide, apartheid, or colonialism and said criticism of those actions should not be treated as antisemitic, while others defended Israel, rejected genocide claims, and argued that anti-Israel activism can fuel antisemitism. Several speakers also raised concerns about campus discipline, union materials, and state facility rentals, and one speaker asked that state resources not be used by groups they viewed as inciting hate. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the prior minutes and hearing public testimony.

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• helping citizens, and the way the card would work was that the charities, let's just say Salvation Army
• But for sure, the charities, Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, United Way, those for sure.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 12 and considered a wide range of health, social services, and licensing measures. Early in the meeting, the committee reported favorably HCR 98, which asks the Louisiana Department of Health to study whether SNAP recipients should be allowed to use benefits for grocery delivery fees. The author said the proposal would not change SNAP rules directly, but would examine access issues for elderly, disabled, rural, and transportation-limited residents. The committee also advanced SB 273, a hospice patient-protection bill requiring documentation of hydration, nutrition, and care decisions in inpatient licensed facilities where hospice is provided, with LDH oversight and enforcement authority; members discussed how responsibility is shared between facilities and outside hospice providers, and adopted technical amendments. The committee then approved SB 415, creating the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program, a privately funded charitable food-card program intended to let nonprofits distribute food-only cards to people in need. Members and the author discussed whether the cards would be reloadable, which retailers could accept them, and whether prepared foods could be included; LDH said the program could use all SNAP-authorized retailers, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. SB 437, a cleanup bill for judicially referred residential substance abuse treatment facilities, was also reported favorably with amendments after LDH clarified that facilities providing treatment must be licensed, while residences only housing individuals would not be. SB 451, updating newborn hearing screening terminology and reporting requirements, was reported favorably after testimony that the bill would strengthen early detection and follow-up for deaf or hard-of-hearing children. Later, the committee advanced SB 426, which modernizes the addictive disorder regulatory authority and creates a formal peer support specialist licensing pathway. Supporters said the bill would strengthen the behavioral health workforce, improve accountability, and create a progression from peer support to higher credentials; the committee adopted technical and transition amendments and reported the bill favorably with amendments. SB 236, requiring LDH annual reviews and reports on kidney disease treatment services in Medicaid, was also reported favorably with amendments. Additional measures approved included SB 39, allowing provisional licenses for massage therapy graduates; SB 190, which tightens oversight of poor-performing nursing facilities in the CMS Special Focus Facility Program and sets an 18-month improvement timeline; SB 124, allowing hospitals within the same health system to share peer review records without waiving privilege; HR 174, urging study of fenbendazole as a possible cancer treatment; SB 270, allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in health care facilities; SB 359, changing terms for certain Morehouse Parish hospital district commissioners; and HR 194, requesting de-identified school visual acuity screening data for research. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably, several with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• citizens helping citizens, and the way the card would work is that charities, let's just say Salvation Army
• But for sure, the charities, Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, United Way, those for sure.

Bills: HR174 , HR194 , HCR98 , SB39 , SB124 , SB190 , SB236 , SB270 , SB273 , SB359 , SB415 , SB426 , SB437 , SB451

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: fenbendazole, cancer treatment, public health, FDA, clinical trials, patient safety, visual acuity, student health, de-identified data, longitudinal analysis, education policy, SNAP, food stamps, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, grocery delivery, delivery fees, service charges, online grocery, food access, food insecurity

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• And whereas Senator Lindsay served his nation in the United States Army Reserve from 1962 until 1972,
• And whereas Senator Lindsay served his nation in the United States Army Reserve from 1962 until 1972,

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• the good news here for the aquatic resource mitigation fund, that fund is available along with the Army
• the good news here for the aquatic resource mitigation fund, that fund is available along with the Army

Summary: The Joint Fiscal Committee met on March 20, 2026, approved the minutes, and adopted the consent calendar after removing two items for separate discussion: FIS 26048 from the Department of Safety and FIS 26053 from the Department of Environmental Services. The committee then adopted both of those items after brief questioning. Safety explained that a $2 million transfer would reduce its lapse, though it still expected a lapse of just under $4 million. Members, especially Senator Gray, emphasized concern about lapses and the need to track them closely given prior-year shortfalls. On the Environmental Services item, members discussed the Heavy Falls dam removal. The commissioner said the dam is old, not grounded in bedrock, and does not meet current safety standards, so removal was the practical option because replacement funding was unavailable. He said the aquatic resource mitigation fund and Army Corps of Engineers support made the removal feasible, and that the town had been involved in discussions for years. The committee adopted the item. The committee also adopted a Department of Transportation item, with staff noting high snowfall and a roughly 25% vacancy rate but saying contractors and bonus incentives had allowed plowing operations to continue. A Judicial Council item was then adopted, with the director saying it would likely be his last appearance this fiscal year. The committee next reviewed information materials on YDC claims administration, where DOJ staff said current spending would leave about a $10 million buffer into the next fiscal year and described reduced staffing and ongoing claims work; no action was taken. The committee then heard audit presentations for the Liquor Commission and Lottery Commission. The Liquor Commission audit reported seven findings, including a material weakness on reconciliations, issues with NextGen data/reporting, gift and promotional card controls, procurement and leasing practices, and one nonconcurrence on whether certain purchases were exempt from bidding requirements; members discussed whether attorney general review or legislation might be needed. The commission said it had completed a year-end reconciliation and was about 70% reconciled through February. The Lottery Commission audit reported three internal control comments, all concurred with by the lottery, focused on written procedures, filling the controller position, annual risk assessments, disaster recovery testing, user access controls, and training compliance; the lottery said it was hiring to reduce reliance on one employee and had no unresolved findings. The committee took no vote on the audit materials and adjourned after setting the next meeting for April 17 at 11:00 a.m.

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• My first seven were active duty Army, and the next 23, I moved eight times or eight different states,
• as a private practice owner and 12 years of service as a commissioned officer in the United States Army

Bills: HB2340 , HB2155 , HB2531

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: HB 2340, nursing assistants, nurse aide, substance use disorder monitoring program, monitoring program, credentialing, licensure, disciplinary records, enforcement action, public disclosure, privacy, third-party website, stipend program, financial assistance, treatment costs, drug testing, peer support, recovery, rehabilitation, board-approved program

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• If you believe there are, that slipped through the army of attorneys who reviewed this bill, please let
• If you believe there are that slipped through the army of attorneys who reviewed this bill, please let

Summary: The Insurance and Banking Subcommittee met to hear and vote on several bills, with all measures reported favorably. The first major item was PCS for HB 175 on payment stablecoins, which would create a Florida regulatory framework aligned with the federal GENIUS Act so issuers can choose state regulation instead of federal licensing. Members asked extensive questions about how stablecoins differ from other digital assets, whether Florida would need federal approval, and what impact the bill would have on the Office of Financial Regulation; the sponsor and OFR said the state framework would mirror federal standards and that any workload increase was currently indeterminate. The PCS passed unanimously after testimony from OFR and the Florida Blockchain Business Association in support. The committee then approved CS for HB 961, which streamlines electronic signature requirements for salvage titles and certificates of destruction, and HB 1415, a DFS stablecoin pilot program allowing certain stablecoins to be used for licensing and regulatory fees. HB 1415 was amended to remove authority for a Florida coin, limit the pilot to established stablecoins with at least $1 billion market cap, and require secure custody through a public depository or custodial bank. Members discussed how any interest or revenue would be used, with sponsors saying the pilot was still exploratory and intended mainly to cover program costs. Both bills passed favorably. HB 1039, establishing a state cryptocurrency reserve, also passed after a strike-all amendment moved administration of the reserve from the CFO’s office to the State Board of Administration and tightened eligibility to cryptocurrencies with a $100 billion market cap over the prior 12 months. Supporters argued the bill would create a framework for future diversification and investment in established digital assets, while several members raised concerns about volatility, reporting frequency, and the meaning of new terms such as qualified liquidity provider and secure custody solution. The committee also passed CS for HB 951 on penny rounding for cash transactions, with an amendment clarifying cash transaction definitions and treating money orders and gift cards like credit-card transactions for rounding purposes.