Transcript Highlights:

• Led by Senator Truenow: I pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for
• It defines key terms like handheld manner, hands-free accessory, and wireless communication device, and

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Transportation Committee met and considered a series of bills, beginning with SB 266, which would exempt sales and use tax on electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft sold from manufacturers to operators. Senator Harold said the measure is intended to help Florida attract an advanced air mobility industry and create jobs. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying the definition of EVTOL aircraft and excluding drones, then reported the bill favorably. SB 350, by Senator DeSigley, was also reported favorably after a minor amendment; it allows local governments to permit vehicles to travel slowly on flooded streets without being treated as unlawfully impeding traffic. Supporters from the Florida PBA and Florida League of Cities waived in support. The committee next approved SB 706, designating part of U.S. 92/Gandy Boulevard as the Senator James A. Sebesta Memorial Highway. SB 628, Lucy’s Law, was heard with extensive emotional testimony from Lucy Fernandez’s parents and others. The bill strengthens boating safety by increasing penalties for reckless boating, requiring boating safety education after certain violations, and aligning some boating penalties more closely with motor vehicle laws. A substitute amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 872, dealing with county and municipal price controls for the removal and storage of electric vehicles, was also amended and reported favorably after testimony from towing industry representatives about the added costs and storage constraints posed by damaged EVs; the Florida Insurance Council spoke in opposition. The committee then approved SB 650, which expands hazardous walking condition criteria for elementary school students to include walkways along freeways, ramps, and interchanges, regardless of speed limit. SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, generated substantial testimony from safety advocates and families affected by distracted driving; it would rename Florida’s texting law as a hands-free driving law and prohibit handheld use of wireless devices while driving. The committee also passed SB 994, increasing driver education requirements for standard and learner’s licenses, and SB 662, designating a portion of West Beaver Street in Duval County as Harry Frisch Street. Several senators recorded affirmative votes on bills after the roll calls, and the meeting adjourned after all listed measures were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:40.400><c> um</c><00:23:40.559><c> infrastructure</c><00:23:41.200><c> facilities</c> accessory
• um infrastructure facilities accessory um infrastructure facilities to<00:23:41.760><c> help</c><00:
• Hi, my name is Sergeant Leon from the Honolulu Police Department’s vice gambling unit.
• </c> Police Department's vice gambling unit. Police Department's vice gambling unit.
• </c> and information across the United and information across the United States.<02:52:02.479><c> Um<

Bills: HB2118 , HB2473

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to permitting and economic development. On HB 2603, relating to permits, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it supported the measure with comments. Committee discussion focused on the fact that the state’s facilitated permit process appears to have been rarely or never used, the need to identify specific projects that would use it, and whether DBEDT would need dedicated staffing to administer it. DBEDT said it had found no projects under the current process, had no capacity to run the program as structured, and estimated it would need about 7 to 9 FTEs, including permitting, coordination, data, systems, and possibly legal support. The chair suggested exploring a staff assignment and comparing the concept to federal FAST-41-style expedited permitting. On HB 2140, relating to essential permitting positions, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development again supported the bill with comments. Testimony and questioning centered on a pilot program to help counties pay competitively for permitting staff. A DBEDT representative said the issue of competitive pay affected both county and state permitting offices and that the bill was intended as a temporary pilot, though a more permanent solution would be preferable. When asked how counties would fund the salary support, the witness said that was not yet discussed with the counties and agreed to follow up. The committee also noted the bill applies to participating counties. On HB 2598, relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the State Procurement Office and HTDC offered comments, and the Department of the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns. The AG said the bill’s residency-based certification requirements, when tied to procurement, could implicate the dormant Commerce Clause, and that the required 1% contribution tied to state contracts raised unconstitutional-conditions concerns. In questioning, the AG characterized these as legal risks rather than automatic lawsuits. The committee did not take a vote. The committee then heard HB 2141, relating to state enterprise zones. Taxation, DBEDT, HCDA, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, and HTDC testified in support, while the Tax Foundation noted the program was intended to help economically depressed areas create jobs. HTDC said the bill would help preserve the Maui Research and Technology Center’s enterprise-zone status after rezoning. Committee discussion focused on whether the enterprise zone program is being used effectively, how the bill might attract businesses to areas where the state is investing, and whether the program’s labor requirements are too burdensome for new businesses. DBEDT explained that the program requires a 10% workforce increase in the first year, which must be sustained, and said it promotes the program through county coordinators and in-person outreach. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a junior from Mountain View Los Angeles Union High School District in Mountain View.
• Do you have a recommendation on whether that should be a junior second semester to their senior year
• My name is Andrea Zavala, a junior from Beaumont High School, Assembly District 40.
• My name is Ria Manoge, and I'm a junior at Chino Hills High School in the Chino Valley Unified School
• Hi, I'm Bryn Jones and I also attend Piedmont High School as a junior. Hi, I'm Arjun Probram.

Summary: The Senate and Assembly Education Committees held their annual joint hearing with the California Association of Student Councils and SABLE, where student delegates presented policy ideas developed over two days. Committee members repeatedly praised student voice and noted that several past student proposals had become law. The hearing began with opening remarks from legislators and student organizers, who emphasized the importance of civic participation and the value of hearing directly from students. The chair also reviewed hearing rules and explained that the panels would be treated as peers in a formal policy discussion. The first panel proposed an annual civic engagement day for grades 7-12, with flexible activities such as mock elections, civic fairs, Socratic seminars, and public comment practice. Members asked about costs, grade-level flexibility, voter registration, and how the proposal would fit within existing curriculum time. The second panel proposed amending Education Code Section 35012 to require at least one student board member in every unified and high school district, with expanded training and motion rights. Legislators supported the concept but raised technical concerns about fiscal impact, the need for odd-numbered boards, the scope of motioning authority, and whether districts would need reimbursement if the mandate became statewide. A third panel proposed adding middle school financial literacy instruction by embedding it into existing classes, with curriculum and teacher training developed over time by state agencies. Members questioned how it would fit into adopted materials and whether the state should wait until the new high school financial literacy course is fully implemented before designing middle school instruction. The fourth panel proposed expanding restorative justice by creating a CDE task force and authorizing PPS-certified staff to use restorative justice training materials in discipline processes. Senators discussed prior legislation, confidentiality concerns in closed-session hearings, and the fiscal cost of a state task force, while expressing support for stronger restorative practices. The final panel proposed more active mental health education through short, twice-semester classroom sessions for grades 7-12 focused on coping skills, time management, and awareness of resources. Assemblymember Castillo and Senator Cortese questioned whether teachers and counselors could effectively deliver the program, whether it would duplicate or overburden existing efforts, and whether wellness centers or student-led awareness efforts might be more effective. Committee members generally agreed the topic was important but were skeptical that another curriculum mandate was the best solution, and no votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a junior from Mountain View Los Angeles Union High School District in Mountain View.
• Do you have a recommendation on whether that should be a junior second semester to their senior year
• , a junior from Beaumont High School, Assembly District 47, and Senate District 23.
• My name is Ria Manoge, and I'm a junior at Chino Hills High School in the Chino Valley Unified School
• Hi, I'm Bryn Jones and I also attend Piedmont High School as a junior. Hi, I'm Arjun Probram.

Summary: The annual joint Senate and Assembly Education Committee hearing featured student proposals from the California Association of Student Councils and SABLE, with opening remarks from legislators emphasizing student voice and the value of hearing youth ideas. Committee members noted the hearing was being streamed and that they would review the testimony even though some members could not attend because of fog-related travel issues. The first panel proposed an annual civic engagement day for grades 7-12, with flexible school-led activities such as discussions, mock elections, and voter registration-related events. Members generally praised the idea but raised concerns about costs, instructional time tradeoffs, how to evaluate effectiveness, and whether the proposal should better connect to existing civics standards and local curriculum. The second panel proposed amending Education Code Section 35012 to require at least one student board member in every unified and high school district, with added training and the right to make motions. Legislators supported student representation in principle but questioned whether the proposal should require one or two student members to avoid board tie issues, why some districts do not already have student trustees, and how the mandate would be funded if it became a state requirement. They also raised technical concerns about the scope of motioning power and the fiscal impact of converting a voluntary local practice into a statewide mandate. Later panels proposed adding middle school financial literacy instruction, expanding restorative justice practices, and creating more structured mental health education time. On financial literacy, students suggested integrating finance into existing middle school classes and teacher training over time; members worried about curriculum overload and suggested aligning the idea with the already-approved high school finance course. On restorative justice, students proposed a CDE task force and training for PPS-certified staff; legislators discussed prior related bills, confidentiality concerns in discipline hearings, and the likely cost of a state task force. On mental health, students proposed short, twice-semester classroom sessions focused on coping skills and awareness of resources, but members questioned whether such brief lessons could be effective and suggested that wellness centers, student-led awareness, and outside referrals might be more practical. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with encouragement for students to refine their proposals and follow up with legislators.

Transcript Highlights:

• dwellings like apartment buildings by both United States Census workers and candidates for office.
• </c><01:00:11.359><c> dwellings</c><01:00:11.760><c> like</c><01:00:11.920><c> apartment</c> to multi-unit
• dwellings like apartment to multi-unit dwellings like apartment buildings<01:00:12.720><c> by</c><01
• </c> buildings by both United States Census buildings by both United States Census workers<01:00:14.799
• Uh, so item one on that document is the access to multi-unit dwellings that I just discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I recall in junior high school dropping off my books at home before going out to meet my friends.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands
• We have a group of guests from Modesto Junior College joining us today from the gallery.
• Brian Sanders, the Modesto Junior College President.
• Brian Sanders, the Modesto Junior College President, and the entire Modesto Junior College family for

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:21.919><c> States-based</c> So too is it when United States-based So too is it when United
• In fact, 99% of the beer we sell in the United States is made in the United States.
• </c> Basketball tournaments, the United Basketball tournaments, the United States<00:58:16.840><c> Olympic
• <01:04:27.600><c> 37</c><01:04:28.400><c> community</c> Juniors Hockey, we held 37 community Juniors
• World Juniors hockey, the focus was St. World Juniors hockey, the focus was St.

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• May your light guide our decisions, your favor rest upon our work, and your peace dwell within us.
• Representative in advance, please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America
• The Senate version instead charges one flat rate per unit of gas.
• The Senate version instead charges one flat rate per unit of gas that increases over time.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the journal and the prayer for the record. The clerk read gubernatorial messages calling the legislature into a third special session and describing the call around House Bill 381, a major natural gas project bill addressing property taxes, municipal taxes, AGDC, reporting requirements, contract approval, an alternative volumetric tax, municipal impact grants, and related provisions. Messages from the Senate reported passage of a Senate-amended version of HB 381 and transmission of Senate Concurrent Resolution 203 to suspend certain rules related to the bill. The House introduced HCR 301 and HCR 302. HCR 301, which suspends rules on carryover of bills into a special session, passed 40-0. The House then took up the Senate amendments to HB 381. The Majority Leader outlined the Senate changes, including new school funding provisions, reorganization and oversight of AGDC funds, a public project dashboard, stricter bond approval requirements, a heating fuel assistance fund, changes to the alternative volumetric tax structure and distribution of revenues, a permanent rather than sunsetted tax break, new deadlines tied to final investment decision and construction, and a new graduated income tax on certain pass-through entities. He urged members to vote no on concurrence, and the House rejected concurrence 12-28. Because the House did not concur, the Speaker appointed a conference committee on HB 381 consisting of Representative Schrage, the Majority Leader, Representative Edgmon, and Representative Ruffridge. HCR 302, authorizing the House and Senate to recess for more than three days, passed 40-0 after members stated the recess was intended to allow conference negotiations to continue and that the body would return on a time certain. The House also received two governor-request bills, HB 3001 and HB 3002, both referred to the Finance Committee. The House then excused several members for specified absences and adjourned until July 1 at 10:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• United your resolve, united your hearts, may your spirits be at one that you may long together dwell
• Please remain standing and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands
• God bless the United States of America. Thank you for watching. Thank you. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• my grandkids and talked to them about their time at school, I said, what do you think about this junior
• Growing up as a Jewish kid in a predominantly Catholic neighborhood, and given that I attended a junior
• The United States obviously has many states in it that are doing some sort of United States obviously
• Currently, we have the Idaho tennis state champion on our roster coming out of junior tennis.
• Coming out of junior tennis, she was ranked number one in Idaho, number four in the six Intermountain

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Our first measure today is SP 2071 relating to housing, which clarifies that the dwelling units eligible
• It increases the time period that the sales price of the dwelling units under the rent-to-own program
• SP 2071 relating to housing clarifies that the dwelling units eligible for the rent-to-own program shall
• It increases the time period that the sales price of the dwelling units under the rent-to-own program
• </c> United. It bypasses it entirely. United. It bypasses it entirely.

Bills: SB2045 , SB2354

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committees first took up SB 2071 on rent-to-own housing. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC and Hawaii Realtors, but Sierra Club of Hawaii and others opposed the bill unless it was amended to exclude ceded lands from the 99-year lease provision. Members discussed the scope of ceded versus non-ceded lands and whether an inventory exists. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including HHFDC’s proposal to make the fixed-price period flexible by tying it to an option period and Sierra Club’s language limiting the program to non-ceded state or county land. They then heard SB 2191 on limited profit housing associations. HHFDC supported the measure, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Office of the Auditor urged caution about tax exclusions and asked for clearer, more targeted limits and measurable outcomes. The committees adopted amendments to add a statement of purpose, include measurable metrics, apply the tax provisions to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and delay the effective date to allow for administrative changes. SB 2191 was recommended for passage with amendments. The committees also considered SB 2197, which would have replaced the five-year fixed-price period in rent-to-own housing with an option period set by HHFDC, but deferred it indefinitely because its issues were addressed in SB 2071. SB 2180 on deposits of public funds drew comments from the Hawaii Bankers Association questioning definitions and noting banks are already subject to Community Reinvestment Act requirements; decision-making was deferred to the next day in the CPN committee and to a later date for the housing committee. Finally, SB 2210 on housing discrimination received support from disability advocates and the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, which asked for one additional investigator; the committees passed it with amendments adding a blank appropriation for one full-time position and planned to notify Ways and Means for possible re-referral.

Transcript Highlights:

• We heard from Springfield No One Leaves, City Life/Vida Urbana, as well as Lynn United for Change, which
• I'm the executive director of Lynn United for Change, a grassroots organization here in Lynn that works
• I'm executive director of Lynn United for Change, a grassroots organization here in Lynn that works with
• So they're all accessories.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on several bills focused on consumer debt, mortgage regulation, credit unions, and foreclosure prevention. The Attorney General’s Office strongly supported the Debt Collection Fairness Act (S. 735/H. 1275), saying it would curb abusive debt collection, prevent stale claims, limit civil arrest warrants, modernize wage garnishment rules, and reduce judgment interest rates. Senator Eldridge and legal aid advocates echoed that support, while the Massachusetts Bankers Association and the Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers Association supported bills on credit union mission/competition, consumer privacy in mortgage applications, subprime loan definitions, UCC updates, and protections for vulnerable adults, but opposed foreclosure mediation proposals and several credit union expansion measures, arguing they would distort competition and add unnecessary burdens. A large portion of the hearing focused on foreclosure prevention bills (S. 765/H. 1090), with testimony from homeowners, housing organizers, and legal advocates describing predatory lending, confusing servicing practices, health harms, and displacement caused by foreclosure. Supporters said a statewide pre-foreclosure mediation program would give borrowers and lenders a chance to reach alternatives such as loan modifications or repayment plans, and cited local experience in Lynn where mediation reportedly produced high rates of foreclosure alternatives. Opponents from the banking industry argued Massachusetts already has strong foreclosure protections and that a new mandatory process could delay resolution without added benefit, though they also noted a 2024 pilot should be evaluated first. The committee also heard strong support for H. 1282/S. 684, which would update the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code. State Street and a bankruptcy attorney said the changes are needed to keep commercial law current with electronic transactions, tokenized assets, and blockchain technology, and to maintain competitiveness with other states. The hearing concluded after public testimony, with no bill votes taken during the session; the chair thanked speakers and the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• they also prepare for... ...their futures and apply, especially to Texas public colleges in their junior
• By your junior year, you need to prepare for an application for a program scope. Sure, on it.
• By the time they get to their junior or senior year, they understand and have a better outlook on life
• And there's not much time to make a dent one way or the other by the time you're a junior, right?
• I think Senate Bill 2430, in 2019, a congressional report concluded that the United States...

Bills: SB750 , SB2995 , SB1716 , SB2430 , SB203 , SB1679 , SB2683 , SB1414

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
• Senator Peter Junior is recognized to use the full floor mic. Thank you, Mr. President.
• And Taiwan will just work with Oklahoma and work with the United States. Thank you.
• I currently am a junior at Dale High School, and after high school, I plan to do four years in the United
• I'm a junior at Westmore High School, and I'm paging for Senator Weaver.

Bills: HB3767 , HB3934 , HB4199 , HB4336 , HB2947 , HB3834 , HB4302 , HB4095 , HB3287 , HB3649 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB2059 , HB3647 , HB3986 , HB3548 , HB3661 , HB4346 , HB3075 , HB4273 , HB3391 , HB4128 , HB3557 , HB3239 , HB3982 , HB2123 , HB2979 , HB2997 , HB3148 , HB4108 , HB4143 , HB4266 , HB2053 , HB4058 , SR30

Keywords: controlled dangerous substances, controlled substances, drug scheduling, Schedule I, Schedule IV, anti-drug diversion, drug diversion, synthetic opioids, fentanyl analogs, designer drugs, synthetic cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine analogs, opioids, hallucinogens, depressants, pharmacy regulation, narcotics control, Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, DEA scheduling

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
• Um, I am in the elder abuse and exploitation unit at the attorney general's office, and because this
• I wouldn't... other parts of the statute aren't capitalized. >> It's not... >> Kevin, lawyers dwell in
• </c> &gt;&gt; Kevin law lawyers dwell in small detail.
• &gt;&gt; Kevin law lawyers dwell in small detail.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Park in the tune of about 11,000 dwelling units that do not include any commercial retail.
• But in terms of long-term development, the 11,000 dwelling units we were talking about—that's roughly
• I lived in Jamaica for five years and worked throughout the United States.
• So if we look at that, basically the United States has been flat for, call it, 30 years.
• Yes, um, so in the United States, primarily in Texas, in San Antonio.

Transcript Highlights:

• I recall in junior high school dropping off my books at home before going out to meet my friends.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands
• We have a group of guests from Modesto Junior College joining us today from the gallery.
• Brian Sanders from the Modesto Junior College President.
• Brian Sanders, the Modesto Junior College President, and the entire Modesto Junior College family for

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, offered a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and then took up a long third-reading file with several guest introductions and ceremonial resolutions. Early floor action included AB 713, allowing undocumented students equal access to campus jobs at UC, CSU, and community colleges, and AB 1049, streamlining California Food Assistance Program applications for low-income immigrant families; both passed. The body also defeated an amendment to AB 1421, a bill to begin studying a statewide mileage-based road user charge, before passing the measure. AB 1171, modernizing part-time community college faculty health insurance access, also passed with strong support. The Assembly then approved a series of policy bills on animals, domestic violence, telehealth for autism services, forestry, false lien filings, tianeptine restrictions, housing, common interest development fee transparency, prison sexual abuse accountability, PBM reporting, foster youth benefits protections, illegal dumping and abandoned RV removal, condo financing/liquidated damages, public contracting, pension-related study language, climate resiliency research funding, and a disposable vape reduction measure. Most passed with broad margins; AB 762 on vapor inhalation devices drew the most debate, with supporters emphasizing landfill fires and public health and opponents warning about revenue losses and illicit-market growth, but it still passed. AB 1406 on condo development financing drew extensive discussion about housing affordability and consumer protections before passing. The chamber also adopted three resolutions: ACR 120 declaring January 2026 Positive Parenting Awareness Month, ACR 121 designating January 2026 National Mentoring Month, and ACR 122 designating Anesthesiologist Week. Later, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments on AB 1485, extending welfare-tax exemption treatment to federally recognized tribes holding land for conservation, and adopted the consent calendar, which included several additional bills and SCR 6. The session ended with adjournment until February 2, 2016, after which several members recorded vote changes from the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Craig honorably served in the United States Marine Corps, Whereas Dr.
• They have been recognized by the Air Force Junior ROTC headquarters as an outstanding unit during every
• Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Cricket Oak High School Junior ROTC.
• We've been in a unit for 20 years, and there's no divisions in drill.
• We've been in a unit for 20 years, and there's no divisions in drill.

Bills: HB1675 , HB3242 , HB1739 , HB3320 , HB3047 , HB4434 , HJR1089 , HB4432 , HB3718 , HB3705 , SR43 , HB1933 , HB4248 , SB1847 , SB1778 , HJR1086 , HB3001 , HB3002 , HB3003 , HB3004 , HB3005 , HB3007 , HB3008 , HB1590 , HB1242 , HB3818 , HB4305 , HB1979 , HB1225 , HB3931 , HB4454 , HB3849 , HB1746 , HB3720 , HB4275 , HB4300 , HB3586 , HB2268 , HB3755 , HB4117 , HB4294 , HB3650 , HB4298 , HB3270 , HB3145 , HB3056

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and pledges, and recognized several visiting groups and honorees, including students from Wesleyan Christian School, Claremore Day participants, and a tribute to Dr. J. Craig for his Marine Corps service, chiropractic career, and aid to first responders after the Oklahoma City bombing. The chamber also welcomed a Cricket Oak High School AFJROTC unit and the Lincoln Christian wrestling team, both recognized for recent achievements. The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 43 commemorating the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing and honoring victims, survivors, and first responders. The Senate took up House Bill 1933, first rescinding prior action and then adopting a floor amendment to correct a drafting error and shift a penalty provision; the bill then passed 47-0. House Bill 4248, which would require purchasers of hemp beverages to be 21 and treat them similarly to beer for age purposes, passed 45-0 after brief discussion about whether it had medical implications. The Senate also adopted House amendments to Senate Bill 1847, described as a compassion bill that would have saved the state money, and passed it 35-11 before later approving it as an emergency measure with 43 ayes. The chamber next adopted House amendments to Senate Bill 1778, a major literacy bill adding early intervention, teacher training, and optional early ELA testing for second graders, along with good-cause exemptions; it passed 43-2 and then as an emergency measure. The Senate also passed House Joint Resolution 1086, approving rules from several agencies, by 42-4. Finally, the Senate advanced and passed a series of sunset-extension bills for boards and councils, including the Child Death Review Board, county government training commission, Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Board of Examiners in Optometry, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, several environmental advisory councils, and the Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence, with most later receiving emergency passage. The Senate concluded with announcements of upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until April 25, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Both of the units are structured basically in the same format in that each unit oversees a compliance
• And then lastly, each unit has a market conduct unit.
• Both of the units are structured basically in the same format in that each unit oversees a compliance
• And then lastly, each unit has a market conduct unit.
• <c> is</c> conduct unit the market conduct unit is conduct unit the market conduct unit is responsible

Summary: The meeting began with introductory remarks for new and returning members of the House Commerce Committee, led by Chairman John Hunt. Members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds, and several noted the committee’s bipartisan, collegial tone. Hunt explained the committee’s structure and traditions, including the division into three subcommittees: banking and business, consumer protection, and liquor commission matters, with insurance now handled as a single area. He also reviewed basic hearing procedures, including decorum, questions for information only, and the committee’s practice of moving bills through subcommittees before full committee executive sessions. The committee then heard an overview from the New Hampshire Insurance Department, led by Commissioner DJ Bettencourt and staff. The department described its mission as promoting a safe and competitive insurance marketplace and emphasized consumer protection, market competition, and affordability. Officials outlined the department’s responsibilities, including licensing insurers, producers, adjusters, and TPAs; reviewing insurance forms; regulating companies and market conduct; overseeing financial solvency; and investigating insurance fraud. They also noted that the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers, collects premium taxes and fees for the state, and returned more than $2.7 million to companies in fiscal year 2024 due to underspending. The presentation also covered the broader regulatory framework for insurance, including the role of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in promoting uniform standards across states and territories. Officials said New Hampshire licenses about 1,200 insurance companies and roughly 245,000 producers and adjusters, and that the department’s financial examinations are part of an accreditation system used nationwide. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the session was primarily organizational and informational, with the insurance department presentation beginning the committee’s substantive work for the term.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a junior now. Your junior. Is this your first year at Leesville? Yes, sir. Okay.
• My question is through the junior year.
• So his junior year, he finishes, but it's before the senior year starts.
• My question is through the junior year.
• So his junior year, he finishes, but it's before the senior year.

Summary: The special legislative study committee met with seven members present, adopted the minutes from prior meetings, and heard public testimony from Terrell Butler and his father about a transfer-eligibility dispute affecting Terrell’s ability to play varsity sports after moving from Anacoco High School to Leesville High School in the same parish. They described the move as family-driven and in the student’s best interest, but said he was ruled ineligible for varsity athletics for a year despite strong grades and a positive adjustment to the new school. Several members responded that the current transfer rules can unfairly punish students for adult decisions and that the case illustrated broader concerns about student-athlete eligibility and consistency in enforcement. The committee then discussed and adopted factual findings about the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA), with members criticizing inconsistent enforcement, lack of transparency, limited accountability, and the association’s absence from prior meetings. Members noted that LHSAA has previously argued in court that it is a private corporation, which limits the legislature’s direct authority. Despite that, the committee adopted three recommendations: a structured transfer-eligibility process allowing one one-time transfer through junior year; making the House and Senate representatives on the LHSAA executive committee voting members; and adding a governor-appointed voting member to the executive committee. The Speaker Pro Tem then presented broader policy options. The committee adopted a “Tier 2” recommendation calling for high school athletics to be managed through a cooperative endeavor agreement between the Louisiana Department of Education/BESE and a nonprofit administering organization, with legislative oversight, public-records compliance subject to privacy exceptions, audit authority, and the ability for nonpublic schools to opt in. The committee also included a “Tier 1” concept for a new state-run sanctioned athletics office under BESE, but only as a discussion item for future consideration, not as a committee recommendation. Staff was authorized to incorporate the adopted findings, recommendations, meeting details, technical corrections, and to send the final report to the House and Senate education committees and LHSAA. The meeting ended with members thanking the chair, staff, and one another, and then adjourning.