Video & Transcript : 'drowsy driving' :
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LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture Apr 27th, 2026
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- They drive down the highway. It's flying everywhere.
- So this is kind of just to drive home the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program.
- They can go on the farm, they can drive the tractor, they can drive the crawfish boat, they can mechanic
- They can go on the farm, they can drive the tractor, they can drive the crawfish boat, they can mechanic
- They can go on the farm, they can drive the tractor, they can drive the crawfish boat, they can mechanic
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 23, which would create an Agricultural-based National Security Priorities Task Force to study issues such as Chinese drones, farmland ownership, and other technology-related concerns that could affect farmers and national security. Senator Kathy Stewart said the goal was to avoid unintended consequences in legislation and to bring agriculture stakeholders together. The resolution was moved favorably with no objections.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 502 on sugarcane bagasse storage. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the American Sugar Cane League, said the bill would clarify that bagasse is an agricultural byproduct and would protect storage practices that comply with department best practices from local ordinances. Several residents from St. Martin Parish testified in opposition, saying a large bagasse pile near their homes was out of compliance, created dust and odors, and caused health and property-value concerns. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably with no objections.
House Bill 512, by Representative Schamerhorn, would prohibit the manufacturing and sale of cell-cultured food products in Louisiana while allowing university research to continue. An amendment was adopted to make the bill effective only if certain federal court rulings allow such a ban. The sponsor and Commissioner Strain argued the issue is still scientifically uncertain and that the state should avoid costly litigation; the bill was reported favorably with amendments after no objections.
House Bill 1194, the Healthy Food Retail Act, was amended to shift food-desert research and mapping duties to the LSU AgCenter, while the financing authority would continue handling grants and related funding mechanisms. Supporters said the bill would improve data on food deserts and help target grocery access in underserved urban and rural areas; some members raised concerns about government subsidies and long-term dependence, but the sponsor and Commissioner Strain said the program is intended as infrastructure support to launch stores, not ongoing operating aid. After debate, the bill was reported favorably with amendments by a 10-3 roll call vote. The committee also reported favorably House Concurrent Resolution 65, which urges federal action to reclassify crawfish-industry job duties as agricultural labor for H-2A purposes; testimony emphasized labor shortages, the impact on crawfish and rice producers, and the need for more legal guest workers. The meeting ended with a brief informational handout on direct marketing and custom slaughter plants and adjournment.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture Apr 27th, 2026
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- They drive down the highway. It's flying everywhere.
- So this is kind of just to drive home the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program.
- They can go on the farm, they can drive the tractor, they can drive the crawfish boat, they can mechanic
- They can go on the farm, they can drive the tractor, they can drive the crawfish boat, they can mechanic
- They can go on the farm, they can drive the tractor, they can drive the crawfish boat, they can mechanic
Committees:
House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development , House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture & Rural Development
Keywords:
crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2A program, seasonal workforce, Louisiana economy, Healthy Food Retail Act, food access, food deserts, economic opportunity, public health, Louisiana agriculture, community development, fresh food, agriculture, national security, food production, supply chain, security task force, farm labor, Chinese investments
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So the person who was driving the car was actually an attorney, and when he looked that up, he was able
- So my dad taught me how to drive. He spent most of the hours with me.
- We spent much of our driving on the dirt roads in the foothills outside of Middleton.
- So my dad taught me how to drive. He spent most of the hours with me.
- We spent much of our driving on the dirt roads in the foothills, outside of Middleton.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:20:59.080><c> If</c> well, you're driving up overall cost.
- If well, you're driving up overall cost.
- /c><00:25:20.360><c> our</c><00:25:20.640><c> ER</c><00:25:20.960><c> doctors</c><00:25:21.520><c> drive
- </c><00:25:21.880><c> from</c> in Selma, our ER doctors drive from in Selma, our ER doctors drive from
- </c><00:25:56.360><c> to</c><00:25:56.560><c> Montgomery</c><00:25:57.880><c> or</c> people driving to
Committee:
Senate Healthcare
Keywords:
HB128, Alabama Board of Nursing, Sunset Law, sunset review, nursing board, nurse licensure, registered nurse, RN, licensed practical nurse, LPN, advanced practice nursing, certified registered nurse anesthetist, CRNA, consumer member, board appointments, congressional districts, geographic representation, nursing regulation, nursing education programs, licensure compact
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Where does it drive the efficiencies? I think it really drives efficiencies in being...
- That drive the efficiencies?
- Do we think that's what ought to drive it versus value?
- We have people who will drive 60, 70 miles one way for a good job.
- We have people who will drive 60, 70 miles one way for a good job.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- But to raise the capital that drives job creation, paying wages, and economic impact, particularly in
- Our mission is to drive economic impact.
- growth, investment, and entrepreneurship that enhances the state's competitiveness and ultimately drives
- They can close a financing gap, create supply, but not drive or create demand.
- The state's economy drives innovation and fosters a healthy and prosperous economic climate.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- He said the agency covers a lot of territory and drives extensively, and that vehicle acquisition costs
- He said some troopers are still driving the same cars they were driving years ago, so getting more new
- If you drive the rest of the country, if you've even been to other countries, it becomes very evident
- contributor to fatalities, and so we're really trying to focus in on statewide initiatives that can drive
- If you drive the rest of the country, if you've even been to other countries, it becomes very evident
Summary:
The committee met to hear the Governor’s proposed budget for the Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development silo and to consider one bill. The Governor’s Office outlined a $117.4 billion state budget, including $18.3 billion for the TED area, with major allocations for the Department of Transportation, Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, State, Military Affairs, Emergency Management, and the Florida State Guard. Agency heads then presented their priorities, including housing and disaster recovery funds at Commerce; pay, vehicles, aviation, and data systems at Highway Safety; facility modernization, recruitment, retention, and maintenance at Military Affairs; election audit, conservation lab, and historic preservation funding at State; transportation, aviation, seaport, and safety investments at DOT; and emergency response, flood mitigation, grant systems, and alerting at Emergency Management. Members asked questions about Visit Florida’s private match, FHP’s role in immigration enforcement and body cameras, National Guard deployment tempo and staffing, State Guard staffing and facilities, arts grant rules, rail funding, and the number of detainees at the Everglades detention site.
Several notable positions were expressed during questioning. Visit Florida said it met and exceeded its private match requirement and described the match as important to ensuring value from public dollars. The Highway Patrol said its aviation assets have been used more heavily in immigration enforcement and that in-vehicle camera systems were a higher priority than body cameras at present. The National Guard and State Guard both emphasized heavy operational demands, readiness needs, and the importance of additional funding for facilities, personnel, and equipment. The Department of State said its audit funding would help counties move to automated post-election audits and that its arts grant rule changes were intended to create more consistent scoring rather than reduce access.
The committee then took up CS/SB 48 on accessory dwelling units. The bill requires local governments to allow property owners to voluntarily create ADUs, preserves homestead treatment for the primary residence portion, limits parking restrictions, and extends density bonus incentives to housing for military families receiving basic housing allowance. An amendment was adopted removing reusable tenant screening reports and clarifying that compliant ADUs are allowed by right without a separate hearing or permit. Testimony from the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the bill, especially the long-term rental requirement, as a tool to help workforce housing. The committee reported the bill favorably by a roll call vote, and then adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House/Senate DFL Media Availability 12/4/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- that are closing roads,<00:02:09.520><c> killing</c><00:02:09.920><c> jobs,</c><00:02:10.879><c> driving
- </c><00:02:11.200><c> upheating</c> roads, killing jobs, driving upheating roads, killing jobs, driving
- You know, as I was driving in today, I heard Speaker Damuth say on the radio, and I heard her repeat
- You know, as I was driving in thrive.
- You know, as I was driving in today,<00:06:30.080><c> I</c><00:06:30.240><c> heard</c><00:06:30.639><
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-15 (4:30PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The school bus driver, an employee of the Pasco County School Board, failed to drive safely, leading
- Senators, this amendment enhances penalties related to the Florida ban on texting while driving law.
- The amendment changes texting while driving from a non-moving violation to a moving violation, including
- And I am going to very soon have a young man driving or with a learner's license, and any... ...going
- to very soon have a young man driving or with a learner's license, and anything that helps keep him
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery introductions, including family members, university guests, local officials, and student groups. The chamber then moved to special order bills, beginning with two Open Government Sunset Review measures: SB 7010, preserving a public records exemption for certain Department of Financial Services receiver information, and SB 7008, preserving confidentiality for financial technology sandbox application records. Both bills passed unanimously after brief explanations and no amendments.
The Senate also passed SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings for terrorism victims, SB 910 on veterans benefits assistance, SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands, SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems, and SB 700, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill. SB 832 drew debate over a possible lawsuit and created a narrow strict-liability defense for landowners who survey and record notice of former phosphate property. SB 700 generated the most extended debate, especially over a provision removing fluoride from public water systems and related amendments on public health, local control, and study requirements; several fluoride-related amendments failed, while a technical amendment passed. The bill also included provisions on agricultural regulation, labeling, drones, lending, charities, housing for agricultural workers, and youth programs.
The Senate then approved several claims bills, including relief for Darlene Angerville and J.R., Eric Miles Jr. and Jennifer Miles, and Marcus Button, all involving catastrophic injuries and settlements paid by the relevant public entities. SB 994 on driver’s license education requirements passed after an amendment that increased penalties for texting while driving and added a distracted-driving education component. SB 1718, preserving a public records exemption for minors seeking an abortion without parental consent or notification, also passed unanimously. Several other bills were temporarily postponed.
At the end of the session, the Rules Chair moved to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House, retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and move CS for SB 7016 back to second reading; all motions were adopted. The Senate then adjourned until Wednesday, April 16, at 2:00 p.m. or upon the call of the President.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Mar 12th, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- For the purposes of driving, I need glasses to read up close, but I don't need them. to drive.
- I'm legally not required to drive with these glasses. Like I said, I turned that form in, nothing.
- It's not legal to drive at this time and that would be on, if you were in an accident, it would be on
- It is as unsafe for drivers to drive with.
- . need glasses, and you're not driving with glasses.
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
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- And this is what my good friend's son was driving when somebody hit him from And this is what my good
- friend's son was driving when somebody hit him from behind and took his life.
- Someone's tried to drive a piece of equipment and get over as far as he could without dropping into the
- And you're probably not going to be able to make the swing at the drive-through at McDonald's with it
- And you're probably not going to be able to make the swing at the drive-through at McDonald's with it
Committee:
House Transportation and Defense
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Tax Reform Feb 5th, 2026
Special Committee on Tax Reform
Transcript Highlights:
- I mentioned, at least by my calculations, if we started at 85, take another 15% off as soon as you drive
- setoff at the beginning, you could just say it's going to depreciate 20% of its value the moment you drive
- setoff at the beginning, you could just say it's going to depreciate 20% of its value the moment you drive
- But it says percent depreciation instead of what it may be worth as soon as you drive it off.”
- “So if it’s 15 percent, as soon as it’s 85 percent of MSRP, as soon as you drive it off the lot, is what
Committee:
House Special Committee on Tax Reform
Summary:
The Special Committee on Tax Reform met in executive session and first took up House Bill 3035, which concerned vehicle valuation for tax purposes. The chair offered an amendment to start the depreciation schedule at 85% of MSRP before applying the bill’s existing depreciation table. Members discussed whether the two-step approach would be confusing, whether it effectively created a larger initial reduction, and whether the language would be implemented correctly in the database used by assessors. The sponsor said he agreed with the change and that the goal was a predictable, standardized depreciation schedule. Some members supported the amendment as an improvement, while Vice Chair Simmons said she still had concerns and would vote present. The committee adopted the amendment, rolled it into a committee substitute, and then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 3035 do pass by a 5-2 vote with 2 present.
The committee then considered House Bill 2945, which was described as redefining capital gains and related terms in ways that could affect a range of assets and transactions. Representative Strickler raised concerns about the bill’s breadth and the lack of a fiscal note for the redefinition, warning that the revenue impact could be significant and uncertain. Representative Simmons argued the bill would let Missourians keep more of their money and supported reducing tax burdens. Representative Butz responded that the legislature had already been cutting taxes through income tax reductions, Social Security exemptions, capital gains changes, and SALT-related relief, and urged the committee to let those changes work through the system before making more adjustments. The committee then voted HB 2945 do pass by a 5-3 vote.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Mar 10th, 2026
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- We're also grateful for the introduction of the DRIVE Act.
- We're also grateful for the introduction of the DRIVE Act, the DRIVE Initiative, and fully support this
- Any—you can't see who's driving in the car. You can't see the passengers in the car.
- Yes, and we want them to be driving legally. Are we tracking any of that information?
- And he should be driving that train someday and maybe to the Cape. So thank you.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Higher Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- They train nurses, engineers, teachers, technicians that drive our industries forward.
- , drive that economic growth for our state, and the impacts go beyond...
- And as you know, my administration's had a real focus on how do we drive down energy costs?
- And the reason for that is because they drive affordability on our campus.
- As I was driving here today, I was stuck behind a couple of school buses.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Higher Education
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Higher Education held its second public hearing of the 194th General Court on capital investments in higher education, focusing primarily on H.54, the Bright Act, along with H.1426/S.949 on green and healthy public colleges and universities and deferred maintenance, and H.1424 on capital investment in Gateway Cities. Chairs and administration officials framed the hearing as a response to aging campus infrastructure, climate goals, workforce needs, and federal pressures on higher education, and explained that testimony would be taken from pre-registered speakers in person and virtually.
University of Massachusetts leaders strongly supported the Bright Act, describing large deferred maintenance backlogs, aging buildings, and the need to decarbonize campuses while modernizing research and teaching facilities. UMass officials said the bill would help keep tuition and fees lower by reducing the need for campuses to finance capital work themselves, and argued that the investments would improve competitiveness, support research, and create construction jobs. Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Secretary of Education Tuttweiler, and Secretary of Administration and Finance Gorzkowicz also backed the bill, saying it would leverage Fair Share surtax revenues for a proposed $2.5 billion in campus investments plus additional targeted grants, and that it would support affordability, economic growth, and climate resilience.
Committee members asked about the balance between deferred maintenance and decarbonization, the role of grant programs versus direct spending, the impact on tuition and fees, and how the plan would help campuses respond to federal cuts such as NIH and NSF funding. Administration officials said the proposal was designed to be phased in quickly, with some projects ready to start immediately and others taking longer, and that the grant programs would be structured to include all campuses equitably. They also said the plan would build on an existing financing model similar to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and could help campuses avoid future tuition increases tied to capital costs.
Additional testimony came from MassBay Community College, where President David Podell and recent nursing graduate Deanna Cavazos described the benefits of a new Framingham campus building and said community colleges need modern labs, better planning capacity, and deferred maintenance support to serve the enrollment growth from MassReconnect and MassEducate. State university leaders, including President Mary Grant, President Linda Thompson, and President John Keenan, said their campuses face outdated classrooms, insufficient electrical capacity, and aging facilities, and urged passage of the Bright Act as a long-overdue investment in student success and workforce preparation.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Mar 3rd, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- So I'll start with a brief overview of what's driving electric rate and bill increases.
- So I'll start with a brief overview of what's driving electric rate and bill increases.
- So that is really kind of the driving factor.
- That’s the driving principle behind how we procure.
- We want them to be making choices that are going to drive better outcomes for customers.
Committee:
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications held an oversight hearing focused on electric rates, utility regulation, affordability, wildfire costs, and the California Public Utilities Commission’s role. Chair and members framed the discussion around the challenge of transitioning to a cleaner grid while maintaining reliability and keeping bills affordable. The hearing also served as the annual update from the CPUC and the Public Advocates Office, with testimony from Professor Severin Borenstein and CPUC President-designate Alice Reynolds.
Borenstein gave a primer on utility regulation, explaining that generation is largely deregulated while transmission and distribution remain regulated, and that most rate-setting follows cost-of-service regulation. He emphasized that the hardest issue is setting the allowed return on equity: too high can raise bills and encourage capital-heavy spending, while too low can deter investment and harm reliability. He argued there is no silver bullet, said performance-based regulation and price caps have limits, and suggested some costs now charged through electric bills—such as climate programs, low-income subsidies, and wildfire-related public policy costs—might more appropriately be paid through the state budget.
Reynolds described the CPUC’s oversight role, saying the commission reviews utility spending through general rate cases, balancing accounts, and other proceedings, and that affordability is addressed through front-end scrutiny, post-spend accountability, and legislative direction. She highlighted wildfire mitigation as a major driver of rate increases, noted recent progress on clean energy procurement and battery storage, and said the CPUC is working on return-on-equity decisions, FERC advocacy on transmission costs, and implementation of SB 254 and other statutes. Members pressed on a range of issues, including wildfire securitization, load growth from EVs and data centers, gas-system stranded assets, balancing accounts, and a water-service dispute in Keene involving Union Pacific. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with several follow-up commitments from the CPUC to provide data and updates.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Mar 3rd, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- So I'll start with a brief overview of what's driving electric rate and bill increases.
- So that is really kind of the driving factor.”
- That’s the driving principle behind how we procure.”
- We want them to be making choices that are going to drive better outcomes for customers.
- ' return when the utilities drive decreased payments to victims and increasing energy rates.
Committee:
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 26, 2026 - 08:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- I wasn't even aware that their graduates know how to drive.
- But you're recognized to explain House Bill 953, commercial driving schools.
- Listen, I want to be clear that I do not support illegal driving, commercial driving schools, and we
- Like, does that driving school have an appeal right? Shutting down their business?
- Like, does that driving school have an appeal right, or is there any due process for the driving school
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and took up a long agenda of bills, many of them amended. Early action included PCS for CS for HB 639, which would expand an existing Fraternal Order of Police specialty license plate to all Floridians, tighten specialty plate rules for future applicants, require financial projections and reporting, and create several new specialty plates. After questions about Florida nexus requirements and a successful amendment adding a Florida Film Legacy plate, the bill was reported favorably 26-0. PCS for CS for HB 1169, limiting local governments’ use of excess building-code enforcement funds for construction of the code-enforcement building, also passed unanimously after testimony from the Florida Home Builders Association.
The committee then approved HB 139, expanding whistleblower protections for state, local, and contract employees who file ethics complaints, with support from the Florida Commission on Ethics. PCS for HB 273, which would make special districts eligible for certain state and federal grants and direct pay options, passed 24-1 after testimony from both supporters and opponents. Members also approved CS for HB 1087, a public-records exemption for certain stablecoin issuer information, and CS for HB 1085, updating the local government cybersecurity grant program by moving it to Cyber Florida at USF, adding a sunset, and limiting consecutive awards.
Several environmental and local-government transparency measures drew extended debate. CS for CS for HB 1417, a broad environmental bill, was amended to remove several provisions, retain others on the Environmental Regulation Commission, springs, solar facilities, Indian River Lagoon septic deadlines, and coastal resiliency partnerships, and then passed 24-0 amid mixed testimony from DEP, water management districts, and environmental advocates. CS for HB 1457, creating a framework for regional stormwater management systems and water quality enhancement areas, passed 24-0 after discussion of port impacts. CS for HB 1329, requiring local budgets to be posted earlier, retained longer, and made searchable, and adding a 10% budget-cutting exercise, passed 17-6 after strong opposition from local-government groups who argued it would be costly and duplicative. The committee also approved CS for HB 4091 creating a special district for stormwater and flood control in Sarasota and Manatee counties, and then took up CS for HB 995, a major overhaul of Public Employees Relations Commission and union-related procedures, including registration, dues disclosure, election rules, leave-time limits, and expedited bargaining over legislatively appropriated salary increases; that bill was still under questioning when the transcript ended.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Sometimes they're referred to as gene drive or other innovations.
- And I mentioned in the previous panel work with genetically modified organisms and gene drive.
- Gene drive.
- The gene drive is something they haven't worked... ...GMO flies that they currently have.
- That's that aspect of driving that into your herd.
Summary:
The joint hearing focused on preparedness for the New World screwworm threat and brought together the House Committees on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism and Agriculture and Livestock. USDA officials, Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, and Texas Animal Health Commission leadership described the pest as a serious risk to livestock, wildlife, rural economies, and beef prices, and emphasized coordination among federal, state, industry, and Mexican partners. Witnesses repeatedly stressed that Texas is currently seeing no confirmed U.S. detections, but that recent confirmed cases in northern Mexico, including Nuevo León, remain a concern because of their proximity to the border.
USDA testimony outlined current surveillance and response efforts, including more than 120 screw worm-specific traps along the Texas border and neighboring states, thousands of additional dual-purpose traps, wildlife inspections, weekly coordination with Mexico’s Senasica, and a new USDA New World Screwworm Directorate. Officials said the existing Panama sterile fly facility is maxed out at about 100 million flies per week, while a dispersal facility in Tampico is helping move flies farther north in Mexico. They also described plans for a retrofitted sterile fly facility in Metapa, Mexico, expected to come online in 2026, and a new domestic production facility at Moore Air Base, with phase one targeted for late 2026 or early 2027 and phase two adding substantially more capacity later.
Members pressed USDA on timelines, production capacity, the reliability of Mexican reporting, the risk from wildlife, and whether modular or mobile facilities could be deployed faster. USDA said it is also exploring innovative technologies, including a genetically engineered sterile male fly, but that such tools still require EPA review and field validation. Commissioner Miller highlighted Texas biosecurity efforts, five permanent inspection stations, cooperation with FDA and EPA on treatments such as Exzolt, and other pest issues affecting Texas agriculture. He also noted research into fly bait and private-sector efforts to speed sterile fly production.
Texas Animal Health Commission officials described extensive state preparedness work, including weekly coordination calls, field response trainings, outreach to producers and veterinarians, and a Texas Screwworm Response Team. They said Texas has trained more than 100 inspectors and other personnel, with additional trainings planned, and that the state is expanding its cattle fever tick rider program. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing; the main action was the exchange of testimony and questions about readiness, surveillance, and facility timelines.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 18th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Advanced driving assistance systems are an ubiquitous feature in California.
- This bill simply requires the operators of automated driving systems to provide reports to the state
- Advanced driving assistance systems are an ubiquitous feature in California.
- If you're at home, and in the morning, you can no longer drive your car as a human being.
- This bill simply requires the operators of automated driving systems to provide reports to the state
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and several ceremonial presentations. Members welcomed Jack and Jill of America’s Far West Region and a large education bus trip from Senate District 15. The body also adopted SCR 151 designating May 2026 as ACL Injury Awareness Month, SR 105 declaring May as National Tennis Month, SCR 175 recognizing Behavioral Health Awareness Month, SCR 176 designating May as Small Business Month, and SCR 178 recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month. These resolutions drew broad support, with many senators speaking to the health, civic, economic, and cultural themes in the measures, as well as concerns about anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and solidarity across communities.
The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointees unanimously: Siva Gunda to the California Energy Commission, Tony Sertich as Executive Director of the California Housing and Finance Agency, and Craig Snellings to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. In addition, the chamber approved a motion to suspend Joint Rule 62(a) so the Committee on Local Government could hear AB 1768, after debate over the procedure and a roll call vote.
On legislation, the Senate passed a series of bills on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including SB 922 on local cost recovery for street damage from public service operations, SB 932 on litigation transparency, SB 1311 on updates to consumer affairs boards and licensing rules, SB 1143 on access to forensic interview recordings in child abuse cases, SB 1307 on clearing forged real estate documents, SB 1177 on high-speed rail reporting, SB 971 on community networks for older adults, SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1228 on existing outdoor advertising displays in former redevelopment areas, SB 997 on lien authority for a groundwater sustainability agency, SB 1115 on public cemetery district governance, SB 1088 on advance care planning forms, SB 1242 on family participation in CARE Court, SB 1364 on parental rights in rape-related custody cases, SB 993 on protecting mental health professionals’ identifying information, SB 1094 on prescription drug biosimilar use, SB 1117 on ADU fee calculations, SB 1244 on broker compensation disclosures for public agency health plans, SB 1315 on automated driving system software update reporting, and SB 1398 on recognizing Green Globes as an equivalent state building certification. Earlier, a motion by Senator Strickland to withdraw SB 1035 from committee failed on a 22-22 vote.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Transportation, Highways and Public Works Mar 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I have a lot of my constituents drive to East Baton Rouge, and they're doing these roundabouts.
- I have a lot of my constituents drive to East Baton Rouge, and they're doing these roundabouts.
- Some people in my district went to AARP defensive driving. It's out there, but it's not enough.
- , I have been cited, or if my license is suspended, I'm cited for driving under suspension.
- Riley for going to be driving another 30 years. I don't know if we'll be on the road, but anyway.
Summary:
The House Transportation Committee met on March 23 with a quorum and received an update from OMV leadership. Director Brian Adams and Commissioner Keith Neal said the agency has improved morale, staffing, and efficiencies, is operating in the black, and expects to begin testing the driver’s license portion of its modernization project in September. They also said the agency is working on customer service and technology upgrades.
The committee then considered several OMV-related bills. HB 781, creating a fleet vehicle registration program, was amended to delay implementation until the OMV system is ready and was reported with amendments. HB 712, which waives OMV fees for driver’s licenses and state IDs for eligible homeless persons, drew extensive testimony for and against; supporters said it would remove a barrier to employment, housing, and identification, while opponents raised concerns about eligibility, fraud, and policy scope. The committee adopted amendments clarifying the waiver and verification requirements, and the bill passed on a roll call vote.
HB 372, requiring OMV education on roundabouts, was discussed but voluntarily deferred in favor of a House concurrent resolution approach. HB 746, dealing with oversized trucking permits, was amended to preserve existing permits while imposing a one-year moratorium on new local permit requirements and was reported with amendments. HB 732, allowing temporary waiver of certain OMV-related debts for people in special circumstances such as hospice, was amended and reported favorably. HB 722, providing automatic reinstatement of driver’s licenses after payment of fees and fines except for DUI-related suspensions, was amended and reported with amendments. HB 593, raising the maximum service fee for certain OMV field offices, was amended to exclude Shreveport and reported 9-5. HB 613, adding a citizenship indicator to Louisiana driver’s licenses and IDs, was heavily debated over its purpose and implications but was reported 8-5. Finally, HB 582, reducing reinstatement fees for insurance lapses, was reported favorably, and HB 762, which would block referral of certain OMV debts to the Office of Debt Recovery, was taken up with testimony emphasizing the burden of added collection fees.