Transcript Highlights:

• more projects, wanting to do better at investing in maintenance and preservation for our existing highway
• funding bill, the two tax bills I just mentioned, the bond bill you mentioned, Jerry, and another highway
• We heard a lot about the Trump cuts and the federal cuts to Medicaid and Medicare and how those were
• They're just blaming Trump.
• So as long as they have a red herring that they can keep throwing... ...they're just blaming Trump.

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders held a media availability on day 59 of the session focused mainly on the House-passed income tax proposal, the pending operating and transportation budgets, and several late-session tax and policy bills. Republicans said the income tax was a major, rushed change to the tax code, argued it was unconstitutional under existing state precedent, and criticized Democrats for blocking referendum options and for what they described as a tax-first approach to affordability and budgeting. They also said the budget conference process was likely to produce another deficit and warned of future tax increases if spending is not restrained. On transportation, Republicans discussed a bond bill needed to support the transportation budget and noted it requires a three-fifths vote in the House, which Democrats could reach on their own. They said they generally support maintenance and preservation but are skeptical of bonding for those purposes. They also identified other bills likely to move at the end of session, including a data center tax, a wholesale pharmaceutical tax, a K-12 funding bill, a highway construction bill, a direct electric vehicle sales bill, and an electric transmission bill. Republicans repeatedly framed the income tax as a “millionaires tax” that could later expand to more taxpayers, and said the 24-hour floor debate was intended to slow the process and force daylight scrutiny. They also criticized the use of Climate Commitment Act funds in the budget, saying the money should be returned to taxpayers or used for transportation or other public needs rather than special interests. In closing, Stokesbary said House Republicans had defeated a majority of Senate bills sent to the House and had helped stop several major Democratic priorities, including an agriculture unionization bill and other tax and regulatory measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Californians. ...transportation, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, basic needs of Californians that Donald
• Trump and his cronies have been cutting, and we need to do what we can to help people and to not let

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bill, which, among many other things, cut funding for public transportation, because apparently when Donald
• Trump is not auctioning off the White House to UFC and to Paramount, he's focused on cutting access

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the June 8–11, 2026 journals, and adopted floor amendments. It also referred several bills to Rules and approved motions affecting Budget and Fiscal Review Committee procedure, including second-reading treatment for budget measures and suspension of Joint Rule 62A to allow budget hearings on short notice. Both motions passed on roll call after some protest votes. The chamber then considered several appointments to the Delta Stewardship Council and the Board of State and Community Corrections. Senators discussed the Delta, water policy, and the proposed Delta Tunnel, but the confirmations of Julie Lee, Ann Patterson, and Sheriff Christopher Clark all passed. The Senate also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 17, authored by Senator Choi, honoring Republic of Korea veterans who served alongside U.S. troops in Vietnam and urging Congress and the President to clarify that states may extend burial and memorial benefits in state veterans’ cemeteries. The main floor debate centered on Assembly Bill 109, the 2026 Budget Act. Supporters highlighted a $355.9 billion budget with $253 billion General Fund spending, $36.5 billion in reserves, a reduced structural deficit, and investments in child care, Medi-Cal, hospitals, housing, IHSS, education, transit, and other services. Opponents criticized the budget as relying on future tax increases, leaving a structural deficit, and failing to do enough on affordability, public safety, Prop. 36, unemployment insurance debt, and gas prices. After extensive debate, AB 109 passed 28–9, and the Senate later approved a consent calendar of six Assembly bills. The session ended with adjournments in memory of Hajan Lee, Doris Fisher, and James Leslie Barbie, and the Senate adjourned until June 18, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill, which, among many other things, cut funding for public transportation, because apparently when Donald
• Trump is not auctioning off the White House to UFC and to Paramount, he's focused on cutting access

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• not all in this body will like this, but his show until one week was a six-foot cutout of President Donald
• Trump.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> system. again, both the trunk highway system. again, both the trunk highway system,<00:52:55.920
• ,</c> system, the county state aid highways, system, the county state aid highways, and<00:52:57.599>
• It only focuses on the state highway system, the trunk highway system.
• When you take the trunk highway system, our county state aid highways, as well as our municipal state
• ><c> trunk</c><00:58:14.799><c> highway</c> highway system, the trunk highway highway system, the trunk

Keywords: 1183, house

Bills: SJR18 , SCR9 , SCR13 , SB10 , SB14 , SB19 , SB263 , SB412 , SB441 , SB523 , SB569 , SB687 , SB688 , SB707 , SB766 , SB914 , SB971 , SB1006 , SB1066 , SJR36 , SJR18 , SCR9 , SCR13 , SCR25 , SB565 , SB372 , SB495 , SB842 , SB971 , SB1066 , SB765 , SB523 , SB62 , SB19 , SB18 , SB666 , SB688 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB706 , SB847 , SB290 , SB766 , SB11 , SB10 , SB13 , SB263 , SB412 , SB441 , SB569 , SB914 , SB1248 , SB740 , SB14 , SB1006 , SB504 , SB917 , SB925 , SB388 , SB1902 , SB1121 , SB995 , SB857 , SB305 , SB296 , SB284 , SB35 , SB6 , SB815 , SB3 , SB1281 , SB1379 , SB1300 , SB1497 , SB1499 , SB1498 , SB1451 , SB263 , SB523 , SB569 , SB688 , SB766 , SB914 , SB971 , SB1066 , SR215 , SR245 , SR247 , SR258 , SCR9 , SJR56 , SJR63 , SJR64 , SJR69 , SJR70 , SJR71 , SCR30 , SCR31 , SCR32 , SCR33 , SB1701 , SB1702 , SB1703 , SB1704 , SB1705 , SB1706 , SB1707 , SB1708 , SB1709 , SB1710 , SB1711 , SB1712 , SB1713 , SB1714 , SB1715 , SB1716 , SB1717 , SB1718 , SB1719 , SB1720 , SB1721 , SB1722 , SB1723 , SB1724 , SB1725 , SB1726 , SB1727 , SB1728 , SB1729 , SB1730 , SB1731 , SB1732 , SB1733 , SB1734 , SB1735 , SB1736 , SB1737 , SB1738 , SB1739 , SB1740 , SB1741 , SB1742 , SB1743 , SB1744 , SB1745 , SB1746 , SB1747 , SB1748 , SB1749 , SB1750 , SB1751 , SB1752 , SB1753 , SB1754 , SB1755 , SB1756 , SB1757 , SB1758 , SB1759 , SB1760 , SB1761 , SB1762 , SB1763 , SB1764 , SB1765 , SB1766 , SB1767 , SB1768 , SB1769 , SB1770 , SB1771 , SB1772 , SB1773 , SB1774 , SB1775 , SB1776 , SB1777 , SB1778 , SB1779 , SB1781 , SB1782 , SB1783 , SB1784 , SB1785 , SB1786 , SB1787 , SB1788 , SB1789 , SB1790 , SB1791 , SB1792 , SB1793 , SB1794 , SB1795 , SB1796 , SB1797 , SB1798 , SB1799 , SB1800 , SB1801 , SB1802 , SB1803 , SB1804 , SB1805 , SB1806 , SB1807 , SB1808 , SB1809 , SB1810 , SB1811 , SB1812 , SB1813 , SB1814 , SB1815 , SB1816 , SB1817 , SB1818 , SB1819 , SB1820 , SB1821 , SB1822 , SB1823 , SB1824 , SB1825 , SB1826 , SB1827 , SB1828 , SB1829 , SB1830 , SB1831 , SB1832 , SB1833 , SB1834 , SB1835 , SB1836 , SB1837 , SB1838 , SB1839 , SB1840 , SB1841 , SB1842 , SB1843 , SB1844 , SB1845 , SB1846 , SB1847 , SB1848 , SB1849 , SB1850 , SB2188 , SB2230 , SB2312 , SB2345 , SJR56 , SJR63 , SJR64 , SJR69 , SJR70 , SJR71 , SCR30 , SCR31 , SCR32 , SCR33 , SB1701 , SB1702 , SB1703 , SB1704 , SB1705 , SB1706 , SB1707 , SB1708 , SB1709 , SB1710 , SB1711 , SB1712 , SB1713 , SB1714 , SB1715 , SB1716 , SB1717 , SB1718 , SB1719 , SB1720 , SB1721 , SB1722 , SB1723 , SB1724 , SB1725 , SB1726 , SB1727 , SB1728 , SB1729 , SB1730 , SB1731 , SB1732 , SB1733 , SB1734 , SB1735 , SB1736 , SB1737 , SB1738 , SB1739 , SB1740 , SB1741 , SB1742 , SB1743 , SB1744 , SB1745 , SB1746 , SB1747 , SB1748 , SB1749 , SB1750 , SB1751 , SB1752 , SB1753 , SB1754 , SB1755 , SB1756 , SB1757 , SB1758 , SB1759 , SB1760 , SB1761 , SB1762 , SB1763 , SB1764 , SB1765 , SB1766 , SB1767 , SB1768 , SB1769 , SB1770 , SB1771 , SB1772 , SB1773 , SB1774 , SB1775 , SB1776 , SB1777 , SB1778 , SB1779 , SB1781 , SB1782 , SB1783 , SB1784 , SB1785 , SB1786 , SB1787 , SB1788 , SB1789 , SB1790 , SB1791 , SB1792 , SB1793 , SB1794 , SB1795 , SB1796 , SB1797 , SB1798 , SB1799 , SB1800 , SB1801 , SB1802 , SB1803 , SB1804 , SB1805 , SB1806 , SB1807 , SB1808 , SB1809 , SB1810 , SB1811 , SB1812 , SB1813 , SB1814 , SB1815 , SB1816 , SB1817 , SB1818 , SB1819 , SB1820 , SB1821 , SB1822 , SB1823 , SB1824 , SB1825 , SB1826 , SB1827 , SB1828 , SB1829 , SB1830 , SB1831 , SB1832 , SB1833 , SB1834 , SB1835 , SB1836 , SB1837 , SB1838 , SB1839 , SB1840 , SB1841 , SB1842 , SB1843 , SB1844 , SB1845 , SB1846 , SB1847 , SB1848 , SB1849 , SB1850 , SB2188 , SB2230 , SB2312 , SB2345

Keywords: capital gains, taxation, constitutional amendment, state revenue, individual investment, Supreme Court, judicial independence, Keep Nine, checks and balances, water rights, treaty compliance, Rio Grande, agriculture, drought, international water, Texas water supply, education, Ten Commandments, public schools, religious display

Transcript Highlights:

• Since President Trump started his legal war in Iran, the cost of gas and diesel has cost Americans more
• And on that score, I will note that since we introduced this bill, President Trump himself has accused
• And on that score, I will note that since we introduced this bill, President Trump himself has accused
• other day... ...told actually that Adam Schiff, our senator, just the other day has now called on Donald
• Trump to stick to his promise to investigate price gouging.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, though no final votes were taken because a quorum had not yet been established. SB 493 by Senator Becker would add war or armed conflict to California’s price-gouging emergency triggers, with the author and supporters arguing it would protect consumers from gas-price spikes tied to international conflict. Opponents, including business and housing groups, warned the bill could over-trigger emergency powers and create broad, ongoing price controls. The chair indicated support for an aye-as-amended recommendation once quorum was reached. SB 1056 by Senator Grayson would require protective orders for disclosure of sexually explicit material involving adult victims in specified criminal cases. Denise Huskins-Quinn and Aaron Quinn testified in support, describing how sensitive evidence in their case was copied and handled without adequate safeguards; supporters said the bill would extend privacy protections similar to those already used for child sexual abuse material. Criminal defense attorneys supported the goal but raised concerns about notice procedures and how the bill would apply when material is in the public domain. The chair said the bill filled a gap in existing law and would receive an aye recommendation. SB 1208 by Senator Grayson would let law enforcement seize and return crypto assets used in scams and fraud to victims. The Attorney General’s office and law enforcement groups supported the bill as a tool to recover losses from transnational crypto fraud, while the ACLU and public defenders argued it lowered the burden of proof, raised constitutional concerns, and could be misused against unbanked or low-level defendants. The chair nevertheless said the bill aligned with existing law for stolen property and would be recommended aye. SB 874 by Senator Weber-Pearson would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including requiring background checks for employees of providers and convening a stakeholder workgroup; it drew support from the California Association for Behavior Analysis and no opposition was heard. Later, SB 1266 by Senator Stern would change how the value of stolen copper and related infrastructure damage is calculated, aiming to address copper theft and its costs to cities and utilities. Supporters said the bill would better capture the real harm from thefts that disrupt streetlights, telecom, and emergency services, while opponents argued it would inflate charges, turn many misdemeanors into felonies, and increase court and incarceration costs. The author said he would continue discussions and accept the amendments. Senator Cervantes presented SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County sheriff and coroner offices and create an independent medical examiner; supporters cited in-custody death concerns and conflicts of interest, while opponents said the problem was not unique to Riverside and that the bill would override local control. Cervantes also presented SB 1418 to extend ballot-custody protections to other election records and equipment after a Riverside County ballot seizure, with support from the Attorney General’s office. Finally, Senator Blakespear began presenting SB 936 on nitrous oxide misuse, describing public health, impaired-driving, and disposal concerns, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• continued day-to-day maintenance of our highways.
• continued day-to-day maintenance of our highways.
• continued day-to-day maintenance of our highways.
• continued day-to-day maintenance of our highways.
• </c><01:16:04.320><c> saying</c> Electoral College went to Trump saying Electoral College went to Trump

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:26:05.760><c> crosses</c><02:26:06.080><c> a</c><02:26:06.319><c> public</c><02:26:07.520><c> highway
• </c><02:26:08.080><c> or</c><02:26:08.399><c> public</c> that crosses a public highway or public that
• crosses a public highway or public roadway<02:26:10.080><c> would</c><02:26:10.800><c> disqualify</c
• Trump sought blanket authority to command the National Guard, he made that order apply to every state
• But when Donald Trump sought blanket authority to command the National Guard, he made that order apply

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But if President Trump has his way, that could all change.
• That's right, President Trump wants the United States Postal Service running our elections.
• If President Trump has his way, that could all change.
• That's right, President Trump wants the United States Postal Service running our elections.
• Nevertheless, Trump and his minions have continued their all-out assault on our democracy.

Summary: The Assembly met in session after a quorum call and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a ceremonial observance for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Members from multiple caucuses spoke in support of House Resolution 107, which designates May as AAPI Heritage Month, emphasizing the community’s contributions, resilience, and the need to confront discrimination and hate. The resolution was adopted, and the chamber then recognized 13 honorees for the 2026 AAPI Heritage Month celebration, highlighting leaders in education, business, labor, media, cultural preservation, and public service. After guest introductions, the Assembly took up a series of bills. Measures discussed included HOA reserve funding for common interest developments (AB 2050), professional review requirements for lawsuits against design professionals (AB 2106), direct home delivery of enteral formula (AB 1794), expanded CalWORKs-related support for student parents (AB 1829), longer insurance moratoriums for wildfire survivors (AB 2038), election cybersecurity (AB 2281), medical privacy protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care (AB 2448), water district board compensation (AB 2568), county public contract change-order authority (AB 1658), and several other education, health, and licensing bills. Most measures passed with broad support; AB 2050 passed 44-6, AB 2038 passed 45-8, AB 2448 passed 49-13, and AB 1658 passed 61-2, while several others passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The Assembly also adopted AJR 29, a resolution opposing a federal executive order affecting vote-by-mail and affirming California’s mail voting system. The resolution prompted extended debate over election integrity, voter access, and federal versus state authority, with supporters arguing mail voting is secure and accessible and opponents calling for stronger voter list maintenance and verification. The resolution passed 47-13. In addition, ACR 141 and ACR 123 were adopted by voice vote after co-author roll calls, and the chamber continued or passed on numerous other file items as it worked through the daily file.

Transcript Highlights:

• Donald-Antonowitz, Department of Pesticity Regulation, in support of the bill.
• of mass deportations to reactivate the Los Angeles Rapid Response Network in 2017 during the first Trump
• But the threats of mass deportations during the first Trump administration mostly remained just that:
• During this last Trump administration, I had to reactivate the rapid response network in November of

Committee: House Public Employment and Retirement

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, we have to acknowledge, of course, we are in dire budget situations because of the Trump
• mentioned, the CalFresh $400 million roughly, how much new spending are we now incurring because of the Trump
• Donald Trump and his executive branch continue to illegally withhold billions owed to Californians from

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also increases penalties for disorderly conduct and obstructing a highway when the offense is committed
• What they do not have the right to do is organize groups to block highways, attack officers, destroy
• the bill, to label everyday Americans as terrorists for expressing political views critical of the Trump
• On March 7, 1965, on their march from Selma to Montgomery, 600 people blocked a highway on their trek
• When criminal groups control highways, when businesses are extorted, when families leave afraid of who

Committee: House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard several bills on criminal justice, public safety, and family law. HB 2047 would elevate trespass after service of a writ of restitution from third-degree to first-degree criminal trespass; the sponsor and a constables association representative said the current misdemeanor penalty is too low and discourages law enforcement response when former tenants refuse to leave. The bill passed with a do pass recommendation on a 6-2 vote. HB 2136, which creates offenses for civil terrorism and subversion, expands racketeering predicates, and increases penalties for certain coordinated disorderly conduct and highway obstruction, drew extensive debate. Supporters said it targets coordinated intimidation and violent disruption, while opponents from the ACLU, immigrant advocacy groups, and others argued it would criminalize protest and speech. The committee approved it 6-3 after a long exchange over whether it would apply to events like January 6th and Arizona protest incidents. HB 2970, a jurisdictional clarification for fraudulent schemes and artifices, would allow Arizona to prosecute even if not every act occurred in the state. The sponsor said it would help local law enforcement pursue mortgage fraud and similar cases that are currently referred elsewhere, while an opposition witness said existing law already covers the conduct and warned of forum shopping. The bill received a do pass recommendation on a 6-3 vote. HB 2411 would make it a class 2 felony to knowingly administer abortion-inducing drugs to a pregnant woman without her knowledge or consent and with intent to cause an abortion. Supporters framed it as a protection against coercion and reproductive abuse; opponents said the conduct is already criminalized and warned of unintended effects on access to care. It also passed 6-3. The committee also approved HB 2198, which would allow immediate sealing of petty offense records after sentence completion, with supporters calling it a cleanup measure to extend record-sealing relief to minor offenses. HB 2966, which would bar early termination of probation for dangerous crimes against children, prompted emotional testimony from a parent of an autistic son convicted in a child pornography case, along with opposition from attorneys and advocates who raised ex post facto, juvenile justice, and probation-resource concerns. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said the bill could raise constitutional and workload issues but might be amendable; the committee ultimately passed it 6-3. The final bill discussed, HB 2662, would tighten expert-evidence standards in parenting-time cases involving alleged domestic violence or abuse, requiring recognized expertise and empirically validated methods while excluding polygraphs and similar techniques; the sponsor described it as a narrow evidentiary safeguard for child-related custody disputes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, one way that I agree with Donald Trump is that I think we really need to have universal access to
• Um, one way that I agree with Donald Trump is that I think we really need to have universal access to
• I appreciate all of your work and um yeah, let's support Donald Trump's executive order and get IVF into
• your work and um yeah, let's let's of your work and um yeah, let's let's support<00:41:57.760><c> Donald
• c><00:41:58.079><c> Trump's</c><00:41:58.640><c> executive</c><00:41:59.119><c> order</c> support Donald

Bills: HF1758 , HF4437 , HF4353

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: infertility, health insurance, fertility preservation, medical assistance, MinnesotaCare, prediction markets, sports betting, online wagering, event contracts, election betting, political betting, sportsbook, gambling regulation, lawful gambling license, Gambling Control Board, unauthorized gaming, esports betting, financial technology, payment processor, advertising restrictions

Transcript Highlights:

• With sincere appreciation, Donald J.
• With sincere<00:16:24.160><c> appreciation,</c><00:16:24.880><c> Donald</c><00:16:25.199><c> J.
• </c><00:16:25.440><c> Bushard,</c> sincere appreciation, Donald J.
• Bushard, sincere appreciation, Donald J.
• And that's why I'm going to ask President Trump and Governor AOT to join Governor Hokll and the Prime

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Give President Trump and all our leaders and our military wisdom and strategies from heaven in this urgent
• bill saves from repeal the public record exemptions for information received by the Department of Highway
• By Senator Massullo, Senate Bill 488, a bill to be entitled an act relating to the Department of Highway
• Representative Eskamani, if we could ask, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is the
• By Senator Massullo, Senate Bill 488, a bill to be entitled an act relating to the Department of Highway

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Lee County Judge John Carlin, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Cody Popple of the FSU Police Department for his actions during the April campus shooting. The Speaker also outlined the final week of session, noting the chamber had passed 253 House bills and 149 Senate bills to date, with budget negotiations still unresolved and the 2026-27 budget not expected to be completed that week. The special order report was adopted, setting the day’s calendar and debate times. The chamber then took up several Senate bills, mostly technical or open-government sunset review measures, and passed them with little or no opposition: SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on Florida statutes; SB 7006, SB 7014, SB 7002, SB 7012, SB 7024, SB 7016, SB 7026, SB 7008, SB 7000, and SB 7004 on public-records or meeting exemptions; and SB 7022 on public records related to exams. Members asked questions on a few of these bills, especially the exam-records bill and the military and gaming-related exemptions, but the measures generally advanced without amendment. Votes ranged from unanimous to modest opposition, with SB 7026 passing 106-3 and SB 7022 passing 101-8. The most substantial debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the emergency preparedness and response trust fund in the Executive Office of the Governor. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment to let the fund expire, arguing the money had been misused and that the Legislature should retain control over spending; several members supported her position, while others said the fund is needed for rapid disaster response. A strike-all amendment from Rep. Griffiths was adopted instead, adding accountability provisions and expanding the fund to cover man-made emergencies as well as natural disasters. The bill then passed 82-25. The House also passed CS/CS/SB 302 on coastal resiliency, CS/CS/SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, CS/SB 474 on military affairs, and SB 488 on Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issues, with SB 488 still under amendment debate when the transcript ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are additional concerns that I have, as a physician, given the weakening by the Trump administration
• He said that since taking office, Donald Trump has made it his mission to terrorize immigrant communities
• He said Trump knows he cannot achieve his full detention and deportation agenda with existing staffing
• Since Trump took office, he said, there has been a rapid rise in the number of 287(g) agreements across

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on several public safety bills, with testimony first on S.2681, Colby’s Law, which would establish safety standards for BMX and motocross tracks. Supporters, including the family of a child killed at a track, argued the bill is needed because some tracks lack basic protections such as barriers, emergency plans, on-site medical staff, and adequate track maintenance. A motocross track representative opposed the bill as overregulation that could impose major costs and argued existing safety efforts and voluntary safety committees are preferable. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on S.2680, which would expand emergency preparedness requirements around aging nuclear power plants and nuclear waste sites from a 10-mile to a 50-mile radius. Supporters from Cape Cod Downwinders, Massachusetts Peace Action, physicians, and other advocates said current law is outdated and insufficient, citing risks from radioactive waste storage, limited federal oversight, and the need for broader evacuation and emergency planning. Testifiers urged the bill’s passage, and no action was taken. A major portion of the hearing focused on the Protect Act, H.5158, dealing with limits on cooperation between state/local agencies and federal civil immigration enforcement. Sheriffs testified about how ICE detainers and notification requests work in practice, emphasizing discretion, public safety, and the difference between sentenced prisoners and pretrial detainees. Supporters from labor, education, and health care groups said immigrant communities are living in fear and asked for stronger protections, including bans on 287(g) agreements and clearer limits on ICE activity in schools, hospitals, and other sensitive locations. The hearing also included testimony on H.4697 regarding training and certification of constables and civil deputy sheriffs, with the Hampshire County sheriff saying sheriffs are already working with POST and MPTC on training standards and that the bill may be duplicative.

Transcript Highlights:

• Arc, Ashley McGrinnles with The Arc of Louisiana, Adam Haddock with McNeely Family Services, and Donald
• So the Trump administration originally back in 2019, and then again last year, was pushing for federal
• the Patients' Rights Organization, that is run by a woman, Linda Fisher, who works closely with the Trump
• It was done toward the end of the first Trump administration, survived the Biden administration, and
• now in the second Trump administration, they're actually really going after this even harder.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee first heard and favorably reported SB 255, which expands eligibility for psychosocial rehabilitation services by adding health sciences and therapeutic recreation degrees to the list of acceptable educational backgrounds. Supporters said the change would help address workforce shortages and improve access in rural areas. SB 314 was then reported favorably; it cleans up prior law so a limited scope certified social worker license can still be used for community psychiatric support and treatment services even if the application is filed after the CSW license has expired, rather than being barred by a timing restriction. The committee next took up several bills by Chairman McMath. SB 26, which repeals facility need review requirements for opioid treatment programs, was reported favorably after members and witnesses said Louisiana has too few OTPs and that removing the review would improve access, especially in rural areas. SB 29, requiring review and reporting of a child’s immunization records in certain unexpected death autopsies, was reported favorably despite questions about whether the bill should refer more broadly to medical records; supporters said the data could help evaluate vaccine-related concerns, while opponents raised concerns about singling out immunizations. SB 30, dealing with telehealth for obesity/weight management, was amended and reported favorably; the committee adopted technical amendments and a conceptual amendment replacing “metabolic condition” with “weight management services,” while witnesses debated patient safety, board authority, and whether the bill should limit agencies’ ability to restrict telehealth in the future. The committee also reported favorably SB 219, which creates an Office of Health and Nutrition within LDH. Supporters from the department, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Pennington Biomedical said the office would strengthen coordination on nutrition, physical activity, and brain health, and cited high Alzheimer’s costs and prevalence in Louisiana. SB 222, which streamlines Medicaid behavioral health administrative requirements and expands telehealth for psychosocial rehabilitation, was reported favorably with amendments after supporters described workforce and rural access barriers. SB 195, the “Danny’s Dose EMS Treatment Act,” was reported favorably; it would allow EMS personnel to administer a patient’s own prescribed time-critical medication in emergencies, and testimony from a parent and physician described life-threatening delays under current practice. The committee also adopted SCR 2, updating hospital architectural standards to the most recent Facility Guidelines Institute edition, and SCR 22, requesting a more detailed legislative auditor report on opioid settlement expenditures; members said they wanted clearer outcome data and planned to refine the language before floor debate. Finally, HB 1093 on naturopathic medicine was introduced and heavily amended, with the bill shifted under LSBME oversight and a large set of changes discussed, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are additional concerns that I have, as a physician, given the weakening by the Trump administration
• So since taking office, Donald Trump has made it his mission to terrorize immigrant communities across
• Despite the massive infusion of money into ICE, Trump knows that he cannot achieve his full detention
• Since Trump took office, we've seen a rapid rise in the number of 287(g) agreements across the country

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Summary: The hearing covered several public safety bills and related testimony. On S. 2681, “Colby’s Law,” which would establish safety standards for BMX/motocross tracks, the committee heard emotional testimony from the family of a teen killed at a track and from advocates who said minimum standards are needed for barriers, medical staff, emergency planning, insurance, and oversight. A track owner and rider also testified that safety is important but argued the bill was incomplete and should better distinguish between BMX and motocross and include more specific equipment and weather-related rules. On S. 2680, a bill to expand emergency planning around aging nuclear plants and high-level nuclear waste sites, supporters from Cape Cod, medical groups, and anti-nuclear organizations urged a 50-mile emergency planning radius and stronger state preparedness, citing risks from long-term waste storage and inadequate federal oversight. The committee also heard testimony on a Barnstable home rule petition to allow certain emergency response vehicles to use red lights, with the town supporting the change to improve response times on the water. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on H. 5158, the Protect Act, which would limit state and local cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement. County sheriffs testified about how ICE notifications and detainers work in practice, distinguishing between criminal warrants and civil immigration requests to notify, and describing their discretion when people are released on bail or at the end of a sentence. Sheriffs said they generally notify ICE when requested, especially in cases involving serious charges, but emphasized the need to balance public safety, victim notification, and due process. Committee members pressed them on the impact of ICE pickups at courthouses and jails, and several lawmakers and witnesses argued that pretrial detainees taken by ICE can disrupt prosecutions and deny victims their day in court. Supporters of the Protect Act included labor, education, health care, and immigrant advocacy groups. They said immigrants and mixed-status families are living in fear of routine interactions with police, schools, courts, and hospitals, and urged the committee to ban 287(g) agreements, prohibit law enforcement from asking about immigration status or providing operational assistance to ICE, and add stronger protections for sensitive locations such as schools and health care facilities. Medical witnesses described patients and families avoiding care because of ICE presence, and educators said students are missing school out of fear. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and indicated it would continue receiving written testimony before taking action later.