Transcript Highlights:

• It says Zachary Public Cemetery, but it's a private cemetery.
• As the representative said, it's a private cemetery that is known as the Zachary Public Cemetery.
• As the representative said, it's a private cemetery that is known as the Zachary Public Cemetery.
• Public funds could not be used for private... but cemetery? Because it's a private cemetery.
• This all... yeah, the bill says all... yep, the bill says that the cemetery is to maintain cemetery to

Summary: The House Municipal Committee met and first advanced HB 990 by Rep. Lyons, which would extend existing lien/privilege authority for unpaid utility service charges and user fees to parishes, sewerage districts, and waterworks districts, including Jefferson Parish. Lyons explained it was intended to address master-metered multifamily properties and align Jefferson Parish with other parishes. After questions about tenant impacts and administrative burden, the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then heard HB 1087 by Rep. Adams, authorizing the City of Zachary to use inmate labor to cut grass at a private cemetery known as the Zachary Public Cemetery. Members raised concerns about using unpaid prison labor on private property, whether the cemetery was abandoned, and whether the bill should be narrowed. The author and city representative explained the city already contracts with DCI for inmate work and that the bill was meant to clarify legality. The motion to advance was withdrawn, and the bill was voluntarily deferred to a later meeting for further work. Several other bills were advanced, including HB 893 by Rep. Knox on the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, HB 1007 creating the Foeberg Nouveau-Marine Improvement District in Orleans Parish, and HB 1153 by Rep. Coates establishing a clearer local burn-ban framework with amendments on notice, lifting bans, and penalties. The committee also considered HB 1215 by Rep. Baham on the disposition of removed historical statues and monuments; after amendments and extensive questions about costs, coordination with the lieutenant governor’s office, and local zoning authority, the bill was voluntarily deferred. Later, HB 362 and HB 484 by Rep. Newell were handled, with HB 362 advanced and HB 484 deferred after confusion over a proposed amendment to the New Orleans Regional Business Park board. Several other bills and resolutions were announced as deferred or not heard, and the committee adjourned after scheduling a larger agenda for the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s a cemetery in the middle of Zachary.
• It says Zachary Public Cemetery, but it’s a private cemetery.
• As the representative said, it’s a private cemetery that is known as the Zachary Public Cemetery.
• Public funds could not be used for private cemeteries. Because it’s a private cemetery.
• Because it’s a private cemetery. That is it.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Municipal Committee met at 12:09 p.m. with a quorum present and heard several local government bills. HB 990 by Rep. Lyons, supported by Jefferson Parish, would extend lien/privilege authority for unpaid sewerage and water service charges to Jefferson Parish, including issues involving multifamily properties with master meters. After questions about tenant impacts and administrative burden, the committee reported the bill favorably with no objection. HB 1087 by Rep. Adams, authorizing the City of Zachary to use certain inmates to cut grass in a private cemetery, drew significant concern from members about using unpaid prison labor on private property, the lack of clear ownership/contact with the cemetery board, and whether the property should instead be acquired or otherwise addressed. After discussion, the author withdrew the motion and the committee voluntarily deferred the bill to a later meeting. HB 893 by Rep. Knox, concerning the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, and HB 1007, creating the Foeberg Nouveau-Marine Improvement District in New Orleans Parish, were both reported favorably without objection. HB 1153 by Rep. Coates would allow parishes and municipalities to declare and enforce burn bans. The committee adopted amendments clarifying publication, lifting bans when risk subsides, and adjusting penalties, and then reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 1215 by Rep. Baham, dealing with the disposition of removed historical statues and monuments through the Lieutenant Governor’s Office of State Parks, was amended to require coordination rather than imposing costs solely on local governments, but members raised concerns about fiscal impact, local zoning authority, and the need for the lieutenant governor’s staff; the bill was voluntarily deferred for two weeks. HB 362 by Rep. Newell creating the Regency Park Townhomes Crime Prevention and Security District was reported favorably, while HB 484 on the New Orleans Regional Business Park was deferred after confusion over a proposed amendment and board appointment changes. Several other bills and resolutions were also deferred, and the committee adjourned after announcing the next agenda would include the deferred items.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they're not really trying to establish a private cemetery.
• Not really trying to establish a private cemetery.
• There would still be public cemeteries.
• Cemetery, as well as a lot of farms and ranches.
• There would still be public cemeteries.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. Substitute House Bill 2158 would authorize remote notarization of tangible records and remote oaths/affirmations, with record-retention requirements and no fiscal impact; the prime sponsor and staff described it as an access-to-justice measure, and the bill drew strong support in signed-in testimony. Substitute House Bill 2239 would create a framework for family burial grounds on private land, including setbacks, notice, recording, local regulation authority, and grandfathering of existing sites; supporters said it would help rural families and some tribal members bury loved ones on family land, while WSDOT raised a technical concern about the setback from rights-of-way. Substitute House Bill 2178 would reconcile statutes with court rules on malicious mischief aggregation, infraction deadlines, payment plans, and treasurer handling of certain funds; the sponsor and AOC described it as a technical cleanup with no fiscal impact, and it was supported by AOC. The committee then heard Engrossed House Bill 2445, which would tighten probate procedures to curb “probates for profit” by extending the time to petition, narrowing who qualifies as a suitable personal representative, changing venue, adding notice and reporting requirements, and regulating agreements with transferees for value and heir-finding firms. The sponsor, Attorney General’s Office, and Northwest Justice Project said the bill would protect grieving families from predatory actors, while some probate attorneys warned it could sweep too broadly and affect legitimate heir-finding services; the sponsor said he was open to further discussion and written recommendations. Substitute House Bill 2543 would update county clerk fees to match new appellate court rules and modernize outdated references such as CDs; county clerks and county officials supported it as a technical, cost-recovery measure. Finally, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2165 would create a standalone gross misdemeanor for false identification as a peace officer, replacing part of the criminal impersonation statute and adding prohibitions on badges, vehicles, and attire that mimic law enforcement, with exceptions for lawful, artistic, and inherited items. The sponsor, the governor’s office, and a city representative supported it as a public-safety and trust measure, citing impersonation incidents and protections for immigrant communities. The committee also began hearing Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2532 on nitrous oxide, which would make it a gross misdemeanor to sell or distribute nitrous oxide canisters for personal use while exempting medical, veterinary, dental, food, industrial, and automotive uses; members questioned how the law would be enforced and whether additional controlled-substance treatment would be needed. No votes were taken during the hearing excerpts provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the board voted to assume control of the cemetery district in June of last year.
• And I would just add that for cemetery districts specifically, the board, here with me today.
• 10 districts, cemetery districts in my county, and all of them have, have.
• cemetery districts specifically, the board appoints them; they're not elected.
• So I also have a family member in, I think it's Smith Mountain Cemetery.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard a full agenda of bills covering port procurement, housing litigation, special district audits, cemetery district governance, county discretionary funding transparency, labor standards in density bonus projects, transit planning, and homeowner code enforcement. SB 983 would let the Port of San Diego use job order contracting for smaller repair and maintenance work; supporters said it would speed repairs and reduce costs, while opponents raised concerns about construction definitions and project labor agreement language. SB 1256 sought to limit repeated litigation against the Harmony Grove Village South housing project; supporters framed it as a response to duplicative lawsuits delaying housing, while opponents argued it could weaken wildfire and subdivision-map review. SB 992 would make permanent and expand a small special district audit flexibility, and SB 1115 would give Tulare County a narrower way to remove dysfunctional cemetery district trustees rather than taking over the district entirely. Both drew support from county and district representatives, with CSDA opposing SB 1115 but continuing talks on amendments. The committee also considered SB 1193, which would impose transparency and conflict-of-interest guardrails on Alameda County discretionary funding. The author and supporters said the bill responds to grand jury findings and would require clearer public reporting and board approval, while Alameda County argued it already has strong public processes and that the bill is overly restrictive. SB 1383 would clarify that density bonus projects cannot use incentives and concessions to waive locally adopted labor standards; labor groups supported it as protecting worker safety and wages, while housing interests were not present in opposition during the hearing. SB 1361 would prevent local governments from undermining planned transit projects to avoid SB 79 density requirements; LA Metro and labor supported it as protecting transit investment, and the Bay Area Council withdrew opposition. SB 1272, the CASH Act, would give homeowners more time to cure certain non-safety code violations tied to prior owners’ work, with counties and code enforcement groups opposing the introduced version but saying they were working on amendments. Several bills were voted out of committee, many on amended or consent motions, with some remaining on call before later final votes were recorded. SB 983, SB 992, SB 1115, SB 1193, SB 1256, SB 1383, SB 1361, and SB 1272 all ultimately received committee approval, while the consent calendar bills SB 1187 and SB 1388 were also adopted. The chair repeatedly noted ongoing negotiations on several measures, especially SB 983, SB 1193, and SB 1272, and members emphasized wildfire safety, transparency, and labor protections as key issues during debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, House Bill 1479, Abandoned Historic Cemetery by Representative Driskell.
• cemetery in Tampa Representative Driskell: and sadly the land where Zion Cemetery was knowingly sold
• The rediscovery of Zion sparked dozens of stories statewide discovering abandoned cemeteries.
• What happens when there's credible evidence that abandoned cemeteries exist?
• Second, if it's determined that a cemetery exists on the land, the cemetery shall be included in the

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 500,000 and the veteran cemeteries 500,000 and the veteran cemeteries starting<00:31:58.000><c>
• Thank you. located in Eagle Ben, Minnesota at located in Eagle Ben, Minnesota at Hilltop<00:56:32.400
• We are looking to appropriate some money for a national veterans cemetery that is located in Fargo, North
• </c><01:01:20.960><c> in</c> cemetery uh that is yes located in cemetery uh that is yes located in Fargo
• Cemetery in Billings, Montana.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, we're in three extremely different locations: we have the cemetery in Gallup, we have Fort
• Pettigrew to address the cemetery question specifically.
• part of them, any city cemetery or county cemetery does have a veterans section.
• That Carlsbad Cemetery, the Taos Cemetery encompasses even Texas regions when they bring that on board
• a completely state-funded cemetery, not a VA-funded reimbursed cemetery like the other three are, which

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and each of these locations fully met the requirements of the section.
• property tax exemption, which must be signed by the owner at a given cemetery.
• So we've got cemeteries, clearly cemeteries, and there's no identifiable owner in some cases.
• And I might add, in my community, there's an old historical cemetery, as we call it, Negro Cemetery,
• Located in Corpus Christi, Texas, we serve a much broader expanse than just the city proper.

Bills: HB511, HB972, HB 1035, HB2481, HB2723, HB2742, HB2894, HB2962, HB3077, HB3093, HB3307, HB3684, HJR67, HJR72

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, caregiver exemption, Medicaid, long-term services, tax relief, assisted living, housing support, property tax exemption, caregiver support, residence homestead, tax exemption, unpaid caregiver, state tax code, property tax, caregiver, waiting list, intellectual disability, developmental disability, ad valorem tax, family support

Transcript Highlights:

• According to wildfire scientists and public safety experts, the community of Harmony Grove, located in
• So the board voted to assume control of the cemetery district in June of last year.
• to entrust the barrel of their loved ones in the cemetery district.
• cemetery districts specifically, the board appoints them; they're not elected.
• So I also have a family member in, I think it's Smith Mountain Cemetery.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If it is a private cemetery, it is provided for.
• up cemeteries and locating these.
• Would this money be available as a grant for a cemetery organization that is restoring that cemetery
• Those private and public cemeteries that are not in veteran cemeteries don't have a resource for doing
• Of course, cemeteries. We exist to try to keep veterans out of those cemeteries.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several veterans- and military-related bills. Representatives Boykin and Irwin presented House Bills 2771 and 1993, which would extend Servicemembers Civil Relief Act-style protections to Missouri National Guard members called to state emergency duty. They said the bills would protect service members from eviction, lease issues, debt collection, and certain civil court actions while they are on duty, and noted Missouri is one of only two states without this statutory protection. Committee members and witnesses from the Missouri National Guard Association and the Guard itself supported the bills, saying they would clarify existing protections and better match the longer and more frequent state activations Guard members now face. No opposition was offered. The committee then heard House Bill 1869 from Representative Roberts, which would create a grant fund administered by the Missouri Veterans Commission to help repair and reset damaged veteran grave markers in private and public cemeteries. Roberts said the bill was prompted by a constituent whose family headstone had been disrupted by tree roots and natural causes. Members asked whether the program could also cover vandalism, cemetery organizations, or graves on private property, and whether grants would go directly to families or cemeteries. The Veterans Commission director supported the goal but warned the program would require funding, staffing, and a separate account, and said the commission is already stretched thin. Several members echoed concerns about underfunding but expressed support for honoring veterans’ graves. The final informational testimony came from Retrieving Freedom, a service-dog organization based in Missouri, and Compass Health’s firearm suicide prevention grant team. Retrieving Freedom described its two-year training program for service dogs that assist veterans and children with autism, emphasizing PTSD support, mobility help, and autism safety tasks such as tethering and alerting caregivers. Committee members asked about dog selection, accreditation, and service-dog fraud; the witnesses said they follow Assistance Dogs International standards and support stronger penalties for impersonation. Compass Health then described its firearm suicide prevention work, focusing on community education, family involvement, and practical conversations about safe firearm access rather than confiscation. The hearing ended after these informational presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we heard from the National Cemetery Administration.
• So we heard from the National Cemetery Administration.
• So the way this Cemetery Administration.
• </c> service, and burial in state cemeteries service, and burial in state cemeteries are<00:14:28.640
• </c> again to the state veterans cemeteries again to the state veterans cemeteries account. account.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I wanted to highlight on page 5, our cemeteries, NMDVS, our state cemeteries.
• To run it appropriately as a state cemetery.
• Those are our cemeteries and memorials.
• Why one location for one facility? Mr.
• The cemetery is critically important.

Transcript Highlights:

• The notary must identify the remotely located individual, confirm that the record that is before the
• , and so what I would hear is somebody who, Cemetery, as well as a lot of farms and ranches.
• And they're not really trying to establish a private cemetery.
• Not really trying to establish a private cemetery.
• There would still be public cemeteries.

Bills: HB2543

Keywords: county clerk, fees, local government, administrative costs, revenue generation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and a public cemetery, which was given... ...of the state veterans cemetery and a public cemetery, which
• We would be, the state veteran cemetery would be sharing the 283 acres with a public cemetery.
• So this cemetery is coming.
• There's the development of the local cemetery and the development of the state cemetery.
• up as well from the cemetery?

Summary: The hearing focused on the long-delayed Southern California Veterans Cemetery project at Gypsum Canyon in Anaheim, with opening remarks from Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, Senator Tom Umberg, and Assemblymember Avelino Valencia emphasizing the project’s importance to Orange County veterans and families. Anaheim city leaders, including the mayor pro tem and council members, voiced strong support and described the city’s role in planning, utilities, and final approvals. Quirk-Silva reviewed the project history, including prior legislation, county and state funding commitments, and the recent federal determination that the site meets VA criteria for a state veterans cemetery. The first panel, representing the veterans community, included the American Legion, American Gold Star Mothers, and Valor. They argued that Orange County—home to a large veteran population—still lacks a local veterans cemetery, forcing families to travel long distances to Riverside or elsewhere. Testimony stressed the emotional and practical burden on aging veterans and grieving families, and called for immediate action and possession of the property. Some speakers were sharply critical of CalVet and the pace of the process, saying veterans have waited too long and that the project should move forward without further delay. The second panel, from Orange County, described the county’s and cemetery district’s support and the unique opportunity to develop a shared site for a public cemetery and a separate state veterans cemetery. County officials said the county has dedicated land and funding, and that shared infrastructure—roads, utilities, grading, and access—could reduce costs substantially if the two projects are coordinated. They also said the county is ready to transfer the property to CalVet when appropriate and that the project has already cleared major local approvals and litigation. The final panel from DGS and CalVet explained the state’s feasibility study and current planning work. DGS said the 2023 study estimated the state’s portion of phase one at about $126 million, largely driven by site work and grading, though that estimate may change as assumptions are updated. CalVet said it is working with DGS and the county on a revised concept plan to lower costs and refine the timeline, and that legislative budget action will be needed to authorize spending from the Southern California Veterans Cemetery fund. No formal vote was taken; the hearing was informational, and the main action was continued coordination among the state, county, city, and veterans groups, with public comment at the end overwhelmingly urging faster construction.

Transcript Highlights:

• In my district, we've got a small cemetery in one of our rural towns that is a Perpetual Care Cemetery
• cemetery property in perpetual care cemeteries, they put a certain amount for the care and maintenance
• of the cemetery, not for capital improvements.
• And so there may be cemeteries out there, perpetual cemeteries, but then looks at those funds could still
• Perpetual care means maintain, repair, and care for the cemetery. including roads on cemetery property

Bills: HB886, HB1514, HB2434, HB2688, HB2802, HB3161, HB3221, HB4029, HB4339, HB4591, HB4774, HB4802, HB4853, HB5627, SB1737

Keywords: retirement, supplemental payment, benefits, Employees Retirement System, eligible annuitants, legislation, annuity, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age, DROP program, actuarial studies, pension benefits, municipal retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• up cemeteries and locating these.
• Would this money be available as a grant for a cemetery organization that is restoring that cemetery
• Those private and public cemeteries that are not veteran cemeteries...” “As exists today.
• Those private and public cemeteries that are not veteran cemeteries don't have a resource for doing this
• Of course, cemeteries. We exist to try to keep veterans out of those cemeteries.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bills 1993 and 2771, both sponsored by Reps. Irwin and Boykin, which would extend Servicemembers Civil Relief Act-style protections to Missouri National Guard members when they are called to state emergency duty. The sponsors and supporting witnesses said the bills would help Guard members with issues like eviction, lease termination, debt collection, and civil court proceedings while they are serving, and would align state law with federal protections already available to active-duty service members. Committee members generally expressed support, noting the financial strain on Guard members and their civilian employers, and witnesses from the Missouri National Guard Association and the Guard itself said the bills would provide clarity and stability. No opposition was presented, and the hearing ended without a vote in the transcript. The committee then heard House Bill 1869, which would create a grant program administered by the Missouri Veterans Commission to help repair and reset damaged veteran grave markers in private and public cemeteries when the damage is caused by natural events. Rep. Roberts explained the bill was prompted by a constituent’s experience with a deteriorated headstone, and members asked about eligibility, whether the money would go to families or cemeteries, and whether vandalism or non-cemetery graves would be covered. The sponsor said the bill was aimed at natural causes and family-member applications, though he was open to suggestions for expansion. The Veterans Commission director supported the concept but warned the agency lacked funding and staffing to take on another program without additional appropriations; members also raised broader concerns about underfunding the commission. No formal action or vote was taken in the transcript. After the bill hearings, the committee received informational testimony from Retrieving Freedom, a Missouri-based service dog organization, and from Compass Health on firearm suicide prevention. Retrieving Freedom described its training of service dogs for veterans and children with autism, including demonstrations of tasks such as grounding, retrieving items, and helping with mobility, and said it had a waiting list but was expanding its work in Missouri. Compass Health discussed its firearm suicide prevention grant work, emphasizing community-based education and conversations about safe access to lethal means rather than confiscation. These presentations were informational only and did not involve committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Each of these locations fully met the requirements of the section.
• Section 7-11035 of the Health and Safety Code exempts nonprofit cemeteries from public taxation.
• a given cemetery.
• So we've got cemeteries, clearly cemeteries, and There's no. Identifiable owner in some cases.
• Delmar College is obviously located in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Bills: SB3225, HCR53, HCR57, HCR101, HB1878, HB1481, SCR40, SCR59, SCR114, SCR197, SCR198, SR30, SR107, SR185, SR186

Keywords: statutory revision, Hawaii Revised Statutes, clarification, obsolete provisions, legal accuracy, University of Hawaii, Board of Regents, associate degree, degree audit, reverse transfer, credit audit, student completion, credential attainment, community college transfer, four-year campus, higher education, postsecondary attainment, workforce development, student retention, graduation pathways

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got a small cemetery in one of our towns, rural towns that, uh, is a perpetual care cemetery.
• Whenever families purchase cemetery property in perpetual care cemeteries, they put a certain amount
• And unlike other properties, I mean, a cemetery is forever.
• So, yeah, yeah, yes, and so I'm, I'm, there may be, uh, cemeteries out there, perpetual cemeteries, but
• , including roads on cemetery property.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> by the National uh Cemetery by the National uh Cemetery Administration.<00:16:13.440><c> So,</c>
• would then have to use a federal cemetery.
• </c> offered by the National Cemetery offered by the National Cemetery Administration's<00:22:56.720>
• </c> is to place and locate uh a submarine. is to place and locate uh a submarine.
• </c> the race to secure things and locate the race to secure things and locate things<00:35:41.440><c

Keywords: 1183, house