Transcript Highlights:

• No, sir.
• So I thought I was going last no, no, no, I'm a joker.
• No, yes.
• No matter.
• There's no pass go no collect $100.

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I see no questions. I see no questions. Oh, see, it's not coming up, Senator Boudreaux.
• Is anybody from Blue Cross Blue Shield here? Man, that's telling, isn't it?
• was no impact.
• No, no, no, it's good. Thank you all for being at the table.
• All right, we'll take HB 220, no, 145 first. No, 145 first.

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on May 18, 2026, with eight members present and began by noting the state’s projected REC budget deficit and the need to consider fiscal impacts carefully. The committee first advanced HB 12, which extends the $250,000 surviving spouse benefit to reserve officers killed in the line of duty. Members noted the bill is prospective and that it draws from the same capped fund as other related bills, but it was reported favorable without opposition. The committee also adopted an amendment and reported HB 874 favorable as amended; the bill allows colleges, technical schools, the Louisiana Bar Association, and additional credentials to be added to LA Wallet, with the amendment changing mandatory language to permissive language. HB 951 was then reported favorable, creating an employer-facing workforce unit within Louisiana Works, to be funded through repurposed state and federal funds and existing staff, with a floor amendment expected to rename the unit. The committee also reported HB 979 favorable with amendments after reducing the proposed increase in survivor benefits because members learned several bills were drawing from the same $5 million fund, and HB 1193 favorable as amended, after striking a section that would have extended IDIQ authority to supply contracts for CPR. The committee then heard HB 909, which would require commercial payers to cover behavioral health crisis services. Representative Spell and LDH officials said the measure is intended to support crisis response centers and steer patients away from emergency rooms when appropriate, and they testified that it should be cost-neutral or absorbed within existing funding. Despite concerns raised by Senator Andrews about premiums, the bill was reported favorable after discussion of its potential savings and a possible pilot in Acadiana. HB 222, requiring Medicaid to cover dental procedures when needed to complete another medically covered procedure, was also reported favorable; LDH said it would absorb the cost within its existing budget and draw down federal matching funds. HB 291, which prevents health plans from penalizing hospitals when an out-of-network physician is involved in an otherwise covered hospital service, generated extensive debate over a disputed fiscal note and the No Surprises Act. OGB officials said any network “leakage” could cost the plan money, while supporters argued the policy is preventative and that the fiscal estimates were speculative. The committee adopted amendment 3941 to exempt OGB from the bill, then reported HB 291 favorable as amended. Later, the committee took up HB 145, which expands the authority of the law enforcement and firefighter survivor benefit board to cover extraordinary medical and dental expenses. Because members learned it also draws from the same fund as HB 12 and HB 979, an amendment reduced the amount from $50,000 to $25,000, and the bill was reported favorable as amended. HB 430, a local bill for Lafayette to continue paying health insurance costs for surviving families of fallen officers until Medicare eligibility, was reported favorable. Finally, HB 821, which establishes the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools within the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement Administration and transfers related duties from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, was introduced and discussed as a move with a one-time general fund expenditure already included in HB 1. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, there was no one signed up on the blue sheet, and online there were five in support and
• The blue sheet—both people on the blue sheet spoke, so technically no one on the blue sheet spoke.
• one on the sheet spoke so technically no one on the blue<01:31:38.800><c> sheet</c><01:31:39.800><c>
• With that, no one else signed up to speak on the blue sheet.
• ><c> no</c> no representative Gilmore no no representative Gilmore no representative representative representative

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Election Law Committee held an orientation and then opened a public hearing on House Bill 67-FN-A, which would make permanent the use of accessible voting machines in local elections and provide funding for additional systems. The chair outlined committee procedures, noting a heavy workload of roughly 70 to 80 bills, mostly Tuesday meetings, likely time limits on testimony, and a default of executive session unless a bill is specifically noticed. Members and staff were introduced, and the Secretary of State’s office described its election-related responsibilities, including voter registration, cybersecurity, ballot-counting equipment, and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) program. Secretary of State David Scanlan and Deputy Secretary Aon Hennessy explained the current pilot program created by last year’s law, which requires accessible voting systems for local elections and allows the state to share machines with municipalities during the first half of 2025. They said the office has made hardware available, but towns have raised concerns about the speed of implementation and the cost of programming each election, especially for towns with multiple ballot questions. Scanlan said the state is also vetting longer-term options, including devices that could remain in polling places year-round, and suggested the committee consider delaying the bill’s effective date to January 1, 2026 to better align with implementation needs. Hennessy said the current state devices are older and complicated to reset for each election, and estimated programming costs could be about $600 for a small single-election ballot and much higher for towns with multiple elections. Supporters of the bill emphasized the importance of accessible voting for people with disabilities. Representative Robert Wy said the measure builds on 2024 law and would move the pilot into a permanent agreement, citing ADA concerns and prior testimony about discriminatory voting experiences. Fred Forier, a legally blind voter from Exeter, testified that accessible voting systems allow him to vote privately and independently and urged support for the bill. Committee members asked about the gap if the pilot ends before a permanent system is in place and about the cost range for programming. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee moved on after public testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> further</c><00:12:11.600><c> reading</c> there is no objection, further reading there is no objection
• c><00:40:22.480><c> workforce</c><00:40:22.960><c> home</c> put $2 million into workforce home put $2
• So if it's and blue states alike.
• And the roadblock to that is the culture of no: no, we can't have any change; no, that would be bad;
• And the roadblock to that is the culture of no: no, we can't have any change; no, that would be bad;

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So moving on to Cycle 2, we were on 1.5, now moving on to Cycle 2, the consumer products we are currently
• So moving on to cycle 2, so we were on 1.5, now moving on to cycle 2, the consumer products we are currently
• No, absolutely.
• No, no. The load growth continues to accelerate after 2030.
• Well, no big deal, no question. No, it's a great question.

Summary: The committee held a work session covering PFAS regulation and impacts, no-cost allowance allocation for emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries (EITEs), and regional resource adequacy and data center load growth. Senator Victoria Hunt was welcomed as a new member. The Department of Ecology reviewed Washington’s Safer Products for Washington PFAS work, including completed restrictions on PFAS in outdoor furniture, carpets, rugs, stain/water-resistant treatments, and newer rules adopted in November restricting PFAS in most apparel, cleaning products, and automotive washes, with reporting requirements for some other products such as cookware and firefighting gear. Ecology also described Cycle 2 PFAS reviews now underway, including artificial turf and paints, and answered questions about compliance, online sales, sell-through periods, and how Washington’s approach differs from broader bans in states like Maine and Minnesota. The Department of Ecology also presented on PFAS in biosolids, describing a 2024 sampling study, limitations in testing methods, and a 2025 statutory amendment requiring additional sampling between 2027 and 2028 and a report to the legislature in 2029. The Department of Health then updated the committee on PFAS in drinking water, reporting that most Group A public water systems have completed sampling, that 317 sources and 188 systems are expected to exceed new contaminant levels, and that treatment costs for public systems are estimated at about $970 million, leaving a large funding gap; members also asked about private wells, health effects, bathing exposure, and home filters. The Board of Health’s new state action levels are being aligned with federal MCLs, and the department said it expects to continue monitoring and notification under state rules. Ecology also briefed the committee on no-cost allowance allocations to EITEs under the Climate Commitment Act, explaining the leakage-mitigation rationale, the current allocation schedule through 2034, and a forthcoming report on policy options for 2035-2050; members asked about industry barriers, competitiveness, and whether facilities might leave the state. Finally, E3 presented a regional resource adequacy study showing rising load, retirements outpacing additions, limited winter reliability value from wind, solar, and batteries, and a projected shortfall beginning in 2026 that could grow to about 9,000 MW by 2030 if planned projects are not built. The presentation emphasized winter cold-weather events, hydro variability, the importance of permitting and transmission, and longer-term options including nuclear, geothermal, hydrogen, carbon capture, and long-duration storage. EPRI then introduced its DC Flex initiative, which is studying how data centers can provide flexible load through workload shifting, cooling optimization, and on-site backup or bridging resources to reduce grid stress and protect ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, sir.
• No legitimate justification for diluting what exists right now. 4-2.
• No legitimate justification for diluting what exists right now. 4-2.
• There's no red, there's no white blood, no black blood, no yellow blood.
• No backup, no cover. SB 407.

Bills: SB116 , SB121 , SB130 , SB407

Committee: Senate Senate & Governmental Affairs

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Louisiana, 2020 census, elections, precincts, voting, election, political representation, 2026 precincts, demographics, Louisiana congressional map, U.S. House, election districts, precinct shapefiles, Voting Districts, VTD, 2020 Census, 2026 Precinct Shapefiles, apportionment

Transcript Highlights:

• And I didn’t know what role you all play in... the blue-green algae.
• They used data that no one can replicate.
• I saw no calculations, nothing that could corroborate that ranking.
• The blue one was the final plan that we settled upon.
• The blue big band there is what we actually observed this past year.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met to hear presentations on Lake Okeechobee from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the South Florida Water Management District, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. FWC described the lake as a major recreation, water supply, and habitat resource, and outlined its habitat management plan, including control of invasive plants, prescribed fire, and restoration of native vegetation. The agency said low water levels have helped submerged aquatic vegetation recover, with gains in 2025 exceeding 24,000 acres and meeting its target, while torpedo grass and floating invasive plants remain active management priorities. Senators asked about bass fishing trends and blue-green algae; FWC said water levels are the main driver of fishery health and that it was not seeing current water-quality impacts on bass, though algal blooms can affect habitat and wildlife. The South Florida Water Management District focused on nutrient pollution, lake ecology, and restoration projects across the watershed. Director Drew Bartlett said the district’s work is aimed at reducing harmful discharges, improving water quality, and moving more water south to the Everglades through storage and treatment projects, including the EAA Reservoir, C-43 and C-44 reservoirs, aquifer storage and recovery, and wetland treatment areas. He said the state and federal governments have invested about $9 billion in restoration, roughly split 50-50, and that the EAA Reservoir is now targeted for completion in 2029. He also said Lake Okeechobee BMAP participation is around 92% and that recent data show phosphorus and nitrogen loading declines, though the lake remains impaired and eutrophic. An industry witness from Associated Industries of Florida said the BMAP and agricultural best management practices are producing measurable improvements and urged continued funding for water storage and treatment. The Army Corps of Engineers then explained LOSOM and Lake Recovery operations, saying the new operating approach balances flood control, water supply, navigation, ecology, and estuary protection. Colonel Brandon Bowman said Lake Recovery was implemented in late 2024 to bring the lake below 12 feet long enough to help submerged vegetation rebound, and reported that the lake met both recovery metrics, with water levels low enough to support a major increase in SAV from about 4,000 acres to 28,000 acres in 2025. He also noted benefits such as improved water clarity and more Okeechobee gourd plants, but acknowledged drawbacks including reduced navigation and some impacts to wading birds and snail kites. Senators pressed the Corps on the C-44 reservoir’s sloughing issue; Bowman said repairs are underway, the problem is geological rather than a safety failure, and the Corps expects to award a contract by 2027 and complete work by 2030. The committee did not take any substantive vote on the presentations and adjourned after Senator Smith moved to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• To 2 minutes each.
• Thank you, and Superintendent, you can have 2 minutes too if you'd like.
• And figure 2 on page 2 has the annual percentage increases in compensation you all have enacted in the
• In column 3, we included a 2nd cost estimate, and this number assumes that no district and no charter
• No, they're not covered. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:25.240><c> portions</c> issues uh no portions issues uh no portions um<00:10:28.360><c> no
• </c><00:10:30.200><c> be</c><00:10:30.360><c> elected</c> um no no portions uh would be elected um no
• no representative roach no McDonald no representative roach no representative<00:21:07.520><c> Vern</
• Representative Acomb: No. Representative Coulter: No. Representative Davis: No.
• Representative Acomb: No. Representative Coulter: No. Representative Davis: No.

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• How, without no DNA, no recognition of what this means?
• We had no... were they going to be 2 feet down?
• </c><00:08:09.479><c> DNA</c><00:08:10.000><c> no</c> you say that how without no DNA no you say that
• /c> that we had no were they going to be 2 that we had no were they going to be 2 feet<00:10:05.279><
• </c><01:30:30.040><c> and</c> opposed say no no the motion passes and opposed say no no the motion passes

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chris Blackshear: No worry. I've been called a lot worse, Mr. Chairman.
• no real issue,<00:07:25.680><c> right?
• This is no new money coming out of the general fund.
• This is no new money coming out of the general fund.
• &gt;&gt; No,<00:11:12.880><c> sir.</c> &gt;&gt; No, sir. &gt;&gt; No, sir.

Bills: HB304 , HB285 , HB312 , HB311 , SB60 , HB304 , HB285 , HB312 , HB311 , SB60

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: impoundment, driver licenses, vehicle redemption, local identification cards, law enforcement, HB285, TJ's Law, traffic infraction, traffic ticket, uniform traffic ticket and complaint, minor driver, juvenile driver, parent notification, guardian notification, emergency contact, citing agency, traffic citation, driver safety, youth safety, Alabama traffic law

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:07:25.079><c> sheet</c> was no one signed up on the blue sheet was no one signed up on the blue
• Seeing none, the blue sheet—both people on the blue sheet spoke, so technically no one on the blue sheet
• spoke so technically no one on the blue<01:31:38.800><c> sheet</c><01:31:39.800><c> um</c><01:31:40.280
• With that, no one else signed up to speak on the blue sheet.
• ><c> no</c> no representative Gilmore no no representative Gilmore no representative representative representative

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I see no more questions.
• No, not me. Okay, no, okay. Mr. Haney volunteered you.
• But when an employee is no longer... ...on that active employee, but when an employee is no longer employed
• Yeah, we have no more questions. Now, Mr.
• Just so you all know, for example, Blue Cross Blue Shield and all the other blue states in the South

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on May 12 with a quorum present and first took up Senate Bill 341, which would expand the Louisiana churches and nonprofit religious organizations self-insured fund from property-only coverage to broader commercial coverage, including liability, contents, wind and hail, and loss-of-use protections. The sponsor and Department of Insurance said the bill was the product of agreement among the parties and was intended to help churches and nonprofits, including smaller congregations, obtain affordable coverage. After adopting technical amendments, the committee reported SB 341 as amended without objection. The committee then considered Senate Bill 509 on bank-owned life insurance (BOLI), which would clarify insurable interest and allow exchanges of underperforming policies. The sponsor, industry representatives, and the Department of Insurance discussed how banks use these policies for employee benefit funding, the role of 1035 exchanges, consent requirements, and concerns about federal tax issues and state insurable-interest language. Because the parties were still working toward a solution, the committee adopted a technical amendment but voluntarily deferred SB 509 until the following week. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 464 on coverage for severe obesity treatment, which would create a framework for partially implementing the bariatric surgery mandate based on available appropriations. The sponsor and the Department of Insurance said the bill would let the state cover a proportional share of expected surgeries if only part of the required funding is provided. The committee reported SB 464 favorably without objection, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I see no more questions.
• No, not me. Okay, no, okay. Mr. Haney volunteered you.
• But when an employee is no longer... ...on that active employee, but when an employee is no longer employed
• Yeah, we have no more questions. Now, Mr.
• Just so you all know, for example, Blue Cross Blue Shield and all the other blue states in the South

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They carry no certification, no licensure, no oversight in this state. Some states do.
• say no no matter<01:20:38.080><c> what.
• I'm with Blue Cross Blue Shield Dykstra.
• </c> no cost share. no cost share.
• </c> no fiscal note. no fiscal note.

Committee: Joint Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Clerk will report the resolution: House Resolution No. 328, commending the Blue Ridge Volunteer Fire
• The House adopted House Resolution No. 328, commending the Blue Ridge Volunteer Fire Company, Incorporated
• There's no more waiting. There's no more waiting, no more excuses. The time to act is right now.
• Eyes 2, nose 97. Eyes 2, nose 97. The Senate substitute is rejected.
• Ayes, 99, no zero. House 99, no zero. The Senate amendment is adopted.

Keywords: March 10, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would ask the body today to be a no on House Bill 2, simply for two reasons.
• on House Bill 2.
• Okay, I would ask the body today to be a no on House Bill 2, simply for two reasons.
• on House Bill 2.
• Okay, I would ask the body today to be a no on House Bill 2, simply for two reasons.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal, and numerous introductions of visiting groups and guests, including schoolchildren, Republican women’s organizations, county commissioners, and family members of legislators. Members also suspended House Rule 98 to allow baseball apparel in celebration of opening day, with the motion passing 118-22. The chamber then took up the state budget bills. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2002, covering elementary and secondary education and child care, drew the most debate. Supporters said it maintained record funding for the foundation formula, transportation, and early childhood programs, while critics argued it still fell short of fully funding the formula and underfunded child care subsidies by about $51 million. After extended debate over statutory obligations, school funding, and child care policy, the bill passed 85-70. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2003, the higher education and workforce development budget, also prompted substantial debate over a proposed shift to an FTE-based funding model for colleges and universities. Supporters called it a fairer, more equitable system that follows students and encourages efficiency, while opponents warned it would sharply reduce funding for some institutions, including community colleges and regional universities. The bill passed 83-66. The House then passed House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2004, covering revenue and transportation, 91-50, despite objections over a public transit cut and constitutional concerns raised about MoDOT appropriations. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2005, the Office of Administration and employee benefits budget, passed overwhelmingly after members discussed state worker compensation, deferred compensation, and benefits funding. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2006, covering agriculture, natural resources, and conservation, passed 133-17 after members highlighted restored funding for agriculture business development and food insecurity grants, while others criticized cuts to natural resources and parks funding. The chamber then moved on to House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2007, covering economic development, commerce and insurance, and labor and industrial relations, with the budget chair introducing the bill and outlining its major departmental appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a pretty close relationship with Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico, and so working with some
• Cross Blue Shield about this and see what their take on it was.
• No, it's fine. No, so... Wrong. I do have questions, but hopefully they'll be brief answers.
• Cross Blue Shield partnership as well.
• No questions, Madam Chair. This is a great overview.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• solution and no action and no one taking leadership.
• solution and no action and no one taking leadership.
• Fees, increased Tier 2 fee. What is the Tier 2 fee? Mr.
• Chair, the Tier 2 fee is the fee that accompanies Tier 2 reporting.
• No, there's no chromium there. Okay.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• No. Representative Girola? Yes. Representative Henry? No. Representative Murphy? No.
• No. Representative Santa Cortez? No. Representative Small? Yes. Vice Chair, Senator Yorna? Yes.
• And there is not a $2 million attachment to it.
• No. Representative Murphy? No. Representative Montoya? Reluctantly, no. Thank you.
• Reluctantly, no. Representative Seneca Cortez? No. Representative Small? Yes. Vice Chair Sereniana?

Summary: The committee first handled House Memorial 20, which was revised by committee substitute to broaden a proposed study group from renewable energy infrastructure to energy infrastructure more generally. The substitute added the Department of Indian Affairs and allowed the secretary of EMNRD to invite relevant federal agencies. Members generally supported the change, and the memorial received a do pass on a roll call vote. The main policy debate centered on House Bill 311, the Virtual Power Plant Act. The bill would require utilities and public utilities to develop virtual power plant programs that aggregate distributed energy resources such as batteries, smart thermostats, EV charging, and other devices to provide grid services. Supporters argued it would improve reliability, lower peak demand, and reduce long-term costs, while opponents, especially PNM, warned about feasibility, cybersecurity, third-party aggregator risks, cost recovery limits, and possible rate impacts. Committee members pressed the sponsor and expert on customer participation, third-party regulation, opt-in/opt-out protections, equity for low-income customers, and whether solar-only customers could participate. After extensive discussion, the bill passed 6-5. The committee then heard House Bill 329, which would create the Energy, Affordability, and Grid Reliability Council, a Blue Ribbon-style commission administratively attached to the PRC and funded with a $2 million appropriation. Supporters said it would bring together experts to study affordability, grid reliability, and modernization and produce recommendations for future action. Critics questioned the cost, overlap with the earlier memorial, the governor-appointed structure, and whether another task force was needed. The bill passed 7-4. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 309, which clarifies that energy storage property is valued under the special property tax method used for other electric generation, transmission, and distribution assets. Supporters from the storage and clean power industries said the change would reduce uncertainty and encourage investment. The transcript cuts off before the committee’s final action on HB 309.