Transcript Highlights:

• Certain resources count as qualified alternative energy resources.
• It was supposed to be an urban center, which we're really excited about in Tri-Cities because we don't
• really have a type of urban center.
• A strong presence of their development and work occurs in central and eastern Washington.
• and creating a business incubator program with Central.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several local government bills. HB 2006 would extend the deadline for certain rural counties that collect a sales and use tax for economic development to designate industrial land banks under the Growth Management Act. Supporters, including the sponsor and Kittitas County representatives, said the bill would help counties identify industrial land for job growth and economic development; Futurewise opposed it, citing concerns about large industrial land banks and impacts to agricultural lands. HB 2244 would let a city that forms a fire protection district after July 1, 2026, keep its levy rate without reducing it by the district’s levy, and would also allow online notice and interlocal contracting for fire services. City and fire officials supported it as a practical tool to fund fire service, while one witness opposed the broader trend of appointed taxing authorities. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 2316, which would limit shrub-step vegetation inside urban growth areas from being treated as wildlife habitat, critical area, or conservation area, and would bar related mitigation or replacement requirements. Tri-Cities officials, builders, housing advocates, and the sponsor argued the bill would reduce delays and costs for housing and development on already designated urban land, while conservation groups, tribal representatives, and some individuals opposed it as a broad rollback of habitat protections and a harmful precedent for ecosystems and wildlife. No vote was taken on the bills during the hearing. HB 2103 would expand public utility contracting authority so cities, utilities, and joint operating agencies could enter “capability” contracts for renewable or non-emitting generation projects, including nuclear, renewable hydrogen, and fusion, and repeal certain price-limit restrictions. Supporters said it would align older contracting law with the Clean Energy Transformation Act and help utilities plan for future power needs; opponents warned it would shift risk to ratepayers and revive concerns tied to the WPPSS nuclear debacle. The committee also heard HB 2388, which would classify pivot-corner solar and agrovoltaic facilities on agricultural land as distributed energy resources and accessory uses; the sponsor and supporters said it would help meet energy needs without harming productive farmland, while Futurewise asked for clarification to avoid unintended loss of agricultural land. The hearing then returned to HB 2103 for additional testimony, with the same basic split between utility and clean-energy supporters and ratepayer or anti-nuclear opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• People in memory care units who counted on him to do that—25 people who lost their money so this guy
• If you pay attention to the news out of central Minnesota, you'll hear about another case we're prosecuting
• it's like folks who see a system and figure out how to exploit it. ...create government as a profit center
• But we have seen it in sober homes, autism centers, and non-emergency medical transportation.
• Whereas if we keep it in the central location of OGM, they felt there would be more consistency and it

Bills: HF3043 , HF2891

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: public safety, illegal remunerations, healthcare fraud, grants, criminal penalties, state law, grants management, state employees training, certification, monitoring grants, accountability, grant fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• center in Dublin.
• It's victim-centered. It's survivor-centered.
• It's victim-centered. It's survivor-centered.
• Glenn Backus, Ella Baker Center supports GTFO. Juan Bacchus, Ella Baker Center, supports GTFO.
• Center, CARECEN, in support.

Summary: The committee began without a quorum and heard several bills in subcommittee format. AB 1546, which would increase penalties for repeat DUI offenders by allowing a third DUI within 10 years to be charged as a wobbler, requiring a fifth DUI to be a felony, and lengthening ignition interlock and license revocation periods, drew strong support from law enforcement and district attorney groups and opposition from public defenders and reform advocates who argued the bill would further criminalize substance use and mental health issues. No vote was taken because there was no quorum at the time. AB 1595, aimed at standardizing post-conviction procedures for wrongful conviction claims and clarifying courts’ authority to consider new evidence, was supported by innocence and public defender organizations and opposed by district attorneys, who said existing habeas law is already clear and that the bill would add complexity and burden courts. AB 292, which would impose mandatory jail time for repeat felony domestic violence offenders within seven years, was supported by sheriffs, prosecutors, probation officers, and local governments, but opposed by domestic violence survivor advocates and public defender groups who warned it would not deter abuse and could criminalize survivors and divert resources from services. AB 1816, allowing courts to extend probation up to one additional year for sex offenders who have not completed required treatment, drew support from probation and law enforcement groups and opposition from public defenders and civil liberties advocates concerned about longer supervision, technical violations, and barriers such as poverty and treatment access; the committee later took a roll call and passed the bill 3-1, with one member not voting, sending it to Appropriations. After quorum was established, the committee also passed AB 1627, which would bar people with misconduct in immigration enforcement from becoming California peace officers, and AB 1927, which would create a misdemeanor for falsely impersonating a bail agent to solicit bail, both on due pass motions to Judiciary/Appropriations as amended. AB 1854, a shield-law measure expanding protections for reproductive and gender-affirming health care providers, patients, and related businesses from out-of-state legal process, was supported by the Attorney General’s office and reproductive rights groups and opposed by anti-abortion and family policy organizations; it was moved on a due pass motion to Judiciary. The committee then heard AB 1872, which would make repeat adult swatting offenses a felony/wobbler and require restitution for property damage, with support from law enforcement, prosecutors, and civil liberties advocates and opposition from public defenders and justice reform groups who argued the bill would not deter conduct and could disproportionately affect people with mental illness or undocumented status. A motion to advance AB 1872 was made, but the transcript cuts off before any final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:16.320><c> and</c> compreh comprehensive health center and compreh comprehensive health center
• It's not just a community health center.
• Uh, not just a community health center.
• </c><00:35:16.160><c> health</c> creating a centralized health creating a centralized health surveillance
• :47:15.280><c> disaster</c> women's rights centered disaster women's rights centered disaster recovery

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on the second anniversary of the Maui wildfires, with Chair Dela Alani framing the discussion around emergency preparedness, recovery, and lessons for future disasters. The main presentation came from researchers involved in the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study, who described the project as a grassroots academic-community partnership that has enrolled more than 2,000 adults and children for health screenings, social assessments, and biomonitoring. They said the study has documented elevated mental and physical health conditions, housing instability, unemployment, barriers to care, and exposure to heavy metals and other toxicants, while also noting some modest improvement in adult mental health and self-rated health compared with the prior year. The presenters emphasized that wildfire impacts remain severe two years later. They reported that about half of adult participants had worsening health since the fires, roughly 40% had direct or frequent fire exposure, and many adults showed chronic disease burdens such as hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory impairment. They also said about half of adult survivors reported depressive symptoms, about a quarter had moderate to severe anxiety, more than 4% had considered suicide in the prior month, and nearly one in four had PTSD. A clinician from the Lahaina Certified Community Behavioral Health Center described the clinic’s no-turn-away model, with case management, therapy, psychiatric evaluation, and medication management for anyone who needs it, and urged lawmakers to fund and expand that approach. The researchers also highlighted environmental findings, saying urine testing of more than 1,200 adults found heavy metal signatures that differed between burn-zone residents and those on the perimeter, with higher levels associated with displacement and ash re-exposure. They said about 20% of participants had higher-than-expected heavy metal levels 6 to 12 months after the fires, and cited a negative association between nickel levels and lung function. They argued for long-term monitoring, better cleanup methods, and a centralized health surveillance system tied to community outreach. No vote or formal committee action was taken during the briefing; the chair said the presentation materials and related reports would be posted for public access, and members were invited to ask questions after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Roberta Roberts, and I'm the Center Director at Tohachi Lake Community Center in Sheep Springs
• They offered and donated $60,000 worth of books to our community center.
• I see familiar faces that came to the center.
• And if you're ever in the area, please don't hesitate to stop by our center.
• Detox center.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• “Are you talking about the economic development center fund here?
• The Human Development Centers are allocated 1,880 budgeted positions.
• We had onboarded 499 staff across the centers, but unfortunately, we have lost 613.
• But the one for the Arkansas Health Center is highly Medicaid funding.
• We've centralized that.

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Summary: The meeting began with a prayer, approval of the prior minutes, and a February 2026 revenue report from Carlos Silva of the Bureau of Legislative Research. He reported gross revenues of $5.36 billion and net collections of $4.5 billion, both above the prior year, and said the updated forecast showed a larger expected surplus than before. Members asked about declines in some tax categories, natural gas severance fees, and possible effects of inflation and international conflict; Silva generally attributed the changes to timing issues, prior tax cuts, refund activity, and price fluctuations, and said he could not speculate on future impacts. The committee then heard and adopted several subcommittee reports, including the Executive Committee, Administrative Rules, Claims Review, Game and Fish State Police, Higher Education, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Occupational Licensing Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and APER filings. Most reports were approved without objection. One budget classification transfer for the Commissioner of State Lands was reviewed and failed. The review report also led to discussion of several contracts, including DHS staffing contracts and a Department of Education security contract, with some items held or separated for individual votes. A major portion of the meeting focused on DHS and state staffing contracts for the Human Development Centers, Arkansas State Hospital, and related facilities. DHS officials said the contracts were on track against seven-year projections, but members expressed concern about heavy reliance on contract labor, vacancy rates, and the need to move workers onto state payrolls. Officials said they were preparing a recruitment and retention plan and described staffing levels, vacancies, and turnover. Members also questioned contract projections and federal-state funding matches, and several urged faster action to reduce contract labor costs. The committee also discussed a Department of Commerce reduction-in-force affecting the Division of Services for the Blind and Employment and Training. Secretary Hugh McDonald said the cuts were driven by funding shortfalls, over-obligation of funds, and federal issues, and that 27 positions would be permanently eliminated while furloughed employees would be recalled. Members raised concerns about service impacts, board appointments, and the division’s fiscal management. The meeting ended after the personnel report was adopted and APER was filed as reviewed, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this mismatch But the core business decisions of those entities are often centralized.
• This table presents the top five industry groupings by count and by tax liability.
• Any industry not listed here generally makes up less than 3% in both count and tax liability.
• 4 to 6. by count and by tax liability.
• I'm a Senior Policy Fellow at the California Budget and Policy Center.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pryor, the Regional Director of the Central Small Business Development Centers.
• Development Center.
• Preet Alawalia with Small Business Development Center for NorCal.
• Berkeley is certainly a center, but there are centers in Southern California as well. Okay.
• CSE also has a quantum computing center, so just a plug for the San Diego region.

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The other is data centers.
• We're struggling with our energy grid to keep these data centers going.
• We're struggling with our energy grid to keep these data centers going.
• Yeah, Central Missouri Electric Co-operative. Okay. Yeah, that's concerning.
• So that’s the Central Electric, Northeast.

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Institutions of higher learning played a central role in ensuring equity of opportunity for students
• So expanding FAFSA and college guidance in high school, community center, and adult education hubs could
• We understand that the state budget is tight, but we hope that we can count on you to ensure that the
• However, discussions that should be central to our academic training are treated as dangerous and even
• Why should that count against me?”

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion held an informational hearing on “Protecting Equity in Higher Education” and emphasized that no bills were being heard. Members and witnesses focused on the effects of recent federal actions on DEI, admissions, financial aid, student loans, international students, and campus equity efforts in Massachusetts. Opening remarks from the co-chairs and the chair of Higher Education highlighted Massachusetts’ investments in free community college, expanded financial aid, and early college programs, while warning that federal policy changes could undermine those gains. Testimony from BU law professor Jonathan Feingold argued that many DEI practices remain legally defensible after Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, and that the decision did not end all race-conscious or equity-oriented efforts. He said the Trump administration’s anti-DEI actions and funding threats were legally suspect and had created confusion and a chilling effect. Bahar Akman-in-Boden of the Hildreth Institute testified that proposed federal cuts to TRIO, Gear Up, Pell Grants, SEOG, work-study, and student loan programs would disproportionately harm low-income, first-generation, Black, Latino, and other underserved students, and urged the state to prepare hold-harmless and advising supports using Fair Share revenue. Commissioner Noe Ortega described Massachusetts’ long history of equity in higher education and said the state has expanded aid, success programs, and early college, but still has work to do on attainment and completion. He said the state responded to SFFA by creating ACARE and continuing to defend equity practices, while also warning that federal disruptions and “dear colleague” letters have created uncertainty. In the second panel, state university leaders and campus officials said federal threats to Pell, DEI grants, Medicaid, and international student policies could affect access, campus operations, and the economy; they stressed that most state university graduates stay in Massachusetts and that institutions are continuing their equity practices despite federal pressure. Roxbury Community College’s president said RCC remains committed to open access and inclusion, noted enrollment growth, and said executive orders do not change existing law or the college’s obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is the librarian across the hall from the voting center? Is she breaking the law?
• I've been a poll site judge for over 30 years, most recently the last four years in Central Count.
• These bills, man, these are ones that every word counts.
• Count Station.
• Watchers are removed from the polls, from central count, from recounts, from ballot boards.

Bills: HB1968 , HB2279 , HB2739 , HB2803 , HB3909 , HB3918 , HB4253 , HB4475 , HB5115 , HB5430

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: election services, contracting, political subdivisions, county elections, election code, voter registration, citizenship status, election law, cancellation, disqualification, Texas Election Code, voter identification, registration, election integrity, identification documents, election, watcher, polling place, removal, Texas Elections Code

Summary: The committee first voted out two previously heard Senate bills without amendment: SB 688, relating to the date of the meeting of presidential electors, and SB 914, relating to authorizing certain cities to change the date of their general election for officers. Both motions passed on 8-0 votes with one member absent. The committee then heard HB 3909, which would change the current prohibition on wireless device use from a 100-foot boundary around a voting station to only inside the room where voting is taking place, with a committee substitute also adding state-prescribed signage. The author and supporters said the change would reduce confusion and make enforcement easier for election workers, while opponents argued the existing 100-foot rule helps prevent electioneering, recording, and possible technical interference with election equipment. The bill was left pending. Members also heard HB 1968, which would repeal a provision that requires counties to provide election services to certain political subdivisions in odd-numbered years but not even-numbered years, making county-provided election services consistent across years. Supporters said it would improve consistency for smaller cities and school districts, while opponents warned it could strain county equipment and staffing during heavy election cycles. The bill was left pending. HB 2279 would require voter registrars to remove a person from the rolls if the person swears under oath during jury service that they are not a U.S. citizen; supporters said this would streamline removal of ineligible voters, while opponents raised concerns about mistaken identity and loss of due process. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 2803, which would require a presiding judge to give a poll watcher a signed statement explaining any removal from service. Supporters said this would improve documentation and accountability, and one witness asked for clarification that improper removal would remain a criminal offense; the author said he would consider a floor amendment and further discussion. The committee also heard HB 4253, which would create a more uniform voter-roll maintenance process based on inactivity, sending confirmation notices to voters who have not voted in the prior 25 months and eventually removing those who do not respond after multiple election cycles. Supporters said it would clean up outdated records and help keep voters registered where they actually live, while opponents argued it could wrongly remove eligible voters who simply do not vote regularly. HB 4253 was left pending as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we all agree that street-level retail is critical for walkable centers, but I think we can also
• But what those centers almost always do have, though, is a shortage of housing.
• That would delay reforms in the central Puget Sound region until 2029 at the earliest.
• My name is Lauren Faye, and I'm here today representing DESC, the Downtown Emergency Service Center.
• This allows us to deliver more effective, comprehensive, and person-centered services in our housing.

Bills: SB6018 , SB6026 , SB6027 , SB6028 , SB5937 , SB5938

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: housing, finance, commission, state funding, affordable housing, residential development, zoning reform, mixed-use zoning, commercial zones, Growth Management Act, GMA, state preemption, local land use, development regulations, ground-floor retail, ground-floor commercial, permit waiver, waiver process, density, urban growth area

Transcript Highlights:

• We have We have 29 technology centers. We serve in the comprehensive high schools.
• He Always count on him to twist your arm to make contributions for FFFA or for just a good human being
• My wife Alison graduated from East Central as well, and currently, my son is a freshman at East Central
• Both his bachelor's and master's degrees are from East Central University. Mr.
• I'm a central guy; he's a southeastern guy, so we'll see how that works out if given the opportunity.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Nineteen fellows hosted across 13 organizations in the Central Valley, Central Coast, and the Inland
• Valley, the Central Coast, and the Inland Empire.
• We are based in the Central Valley.
• Christopher Sanchez is here on behalf of the Central American Resource Center, Karesen, echoing on the
• Christopher Sanchez is here on behalf of the Central American Resource Center, CARECEN, echoing the comments

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't want daycare centers.
• They don't want daycare centers.
• They don't want daycare centers.
• They don't want daycare centers.
• Center.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Data centers can't turn off.
• by data centers.
• Those people pay, and we've got eight data centers, probably the biggest concentration of data centers
• Data centers have really been the only bright spot.
• and Centered.

Bills: HB2515 , HB2343 , HB2301 , HB2272 , HB2367

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: energy facilities, large energy use, regulation, state oversight, infrastructure, water quality, game farms, public health, environmental protection, regulatory oversight, extended producer responsibility, paint waste management, environmental regulations, sustainability, recycling, ski areas, winter sports, terminology update, recreation, regulatory changes

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here— here representing Blood Centers of Texas, which is an affiliation of— blood centers representing
• Obviously, folks rely on you and your fellow blood centers.
• serving Central Texas.
• I think you said it most or at the majority of centers.
• We'd like all blood centers to be helping patients in these situations. Does that make sense?

Bills: SB 53 , SB53 , SB125 , SB315 , SB379 , SB457 , SB541 , SB599 , SB896 , SB921 , SB963 , SB1038 , SB1084 , SB1330 , SB1461

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: voter registration, election procedures, provisional ballot, change of address, residence requirements, mental health, court proceedings, notice requirements, legal filings, electronic documents, autologous blood donation, direct blood donation, blood bank, hospital, Health and Safety Code, physician order, preoperative blood donation, patient blood reserve, transfusion, surgery

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:36.400><c> Services</c> representing our Central Services representing our Central Services
• </c><00:09:47.040><c> Services</c> online our team at Central Services online our team at Central Services
• centers.
• up more centers.
• It was mainly the areas around the voter service centers, an approximation of the voter service center

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Government Operations committees received a biennium budget preview from Keith Regan, Comptroller and Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), who introduced department leadership and described DAGS’ broad responsibilities across accounting, public works, procurement, elections, archives, risk management, and other attached agencies. He emphasized that DAGS supports nearly every state department and cited ongoing workforce challenges, while noting progress in reducing the department-wide vacancy rate from 21% in 2023 to 17.7% in 2024. He also highlighted recruitment efforts, including new salary schedules for engineers and architects, job fairs, internships, and outreach to retiring federal employees. A major focus was modernization of the state’s aging financial systems, especially the 55-year-old FAMIS platform and the Enterprise Financial System (EFS) project. DAGS said it expects to release the RFP for the FAMIS replacement by the end of January and is seeking a second tranche of CIP funding, including $35 million, plus position augmentation and creation of a Business Transformation Office to manage EFS and future modernization work. The department also described major capital projects such as the Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, Wahiawā Civic Center, Kauaʻi Civic Center, and Ahuimanu Community Correctional Center, and reported that Public Works is managing 455 projects statewide valued at more than $2.5 billion. Other budget requests discussed included funding for cemetery operations, with DAGS asking for two positions and $1 million in operating funds to support maintenance of eight cemeteries; a $200 million ceiling increase tied to anticipated insurance proceeds for West Maui fire-related recovery and rebuilding; and several staffing and operating items for district offices and facilities. These included full-year funding for positions in West Hawaiʻi and East Hawaiʻi, support for a small business coordinator at the State Procurement Office, funding for cloud hosting and PeopleSoft licensing, six positions and staff augmentation for the EFS project, electricity costs, and security-related funding. DAGS also noted that two requested reductions totaled $7.9 million, including transferring the security contract to the Department of Law Enforcement and reducing nonrecurring expenses; members discussed whether some security funding should remain with or be moved to DLE, and DAGS said it would not object to that transfer. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I met Bob, and I could always count on Bob for sage advice.
• I didn't always vote with Bob, but I could always count on him to give me both sides of the story.
• Okay, amendments are coming, so we'll return to the count. Okay.
• Okay, amendments are coming, so we'll return to the count.
• But how much the starting center for LSU is being paid through this fund, you would not know.

Bills: SR146 , SCR12 , HB221 , HCR115 , HCR116 , HCR58 , HB1 , HB312 , HB313 , HB314 , HB383 , HB983 , HB1126 , HCR3 , HB2 , HB3 , SCR3 , SB56 , SCR9 , SCR58 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB514 , HCR27 , HCR28 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HCR72 , HCR5 , HCR32 , HCR49 , HCR50 , HCR53 , HCR60 , HCR62 , HCR64 , HCR68 , HCR78 , HCR81 , HCR86 , HCR97 , HCR102 , HCR31 , HCR47 , HB476 , HB481 , HB487 , HB492 , HB549 , HB579 , HB608 , HB621 , HB624 , HB626 , HB632 , HB637 , HB656 , HB722 , HB745 , HB804 , HB818 , HB821 , HB833 , HB864 , HB867 , HB874 , HB893 , HB909 , HB951 , HB968 , HB969 , HB978 , HB979 , HB988 , HB989 , HB1001 , HB1005 , HB1007 , HB1024 , HB1032 , HB1050 , HB1051 , HB1056 , HB1059 , HB1077 , HB1080 , HB1081 , HB1086 , HB1108 , HB1112 , HB1153 , HB1172 , HB1173 , HB1175 , HB1192 , HB1193 , HB1204 , HB1218 , HB1242 , HB1244 , HB1249 , HB1252 , HB1254 , HB42 , HB45 , HB71 , HB79 , HB158 , HB160 , HB169 , HB227 , HB251 , HB289 , HB330 , HB394 , HB410 , HB429 , HB769 , HB971 , HB1017 , HB1234 , HB1235 , HB9 , HB177 , HB181 , HB202 , HB223 , HB225 , HB387 , HB398 , HB457 , HB459 , HB540 , HB591 , HB616 , HB766 , HB775 , HB783 , HB895 , HB906 , HB950 , HB975 , HB1052 , HB1057 , HB1076 , HB1100 , HB1139 , HB1155 , HB1160 , HB1182 , HB1186 , HB1220 , HB1223 , HB1224 , HB1228 , HB1231 , HB1245 , HB1256 , HB17 , HB27 , HB36 , HB41 , HB47 , HB73 , HB126 , HB133 , HB140 , HB159 , HB166 , HB205 , HB211 , HB226 , HB259 , HB271 , HB308 , HB310 , HB324 , HB337 , HB351 , HB399 , HB403 , HB571 , HB712 , HB723 , HB726 , HB740 , HB750 , HB759 , HB812 , HB844 , HB966 , HB1006 , HB1009 , HB1018 , HB1036 , HB1038 , HB1107 , SB29 , SB42 , SB78 , SB208 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB341 , SB379 , SB382 , SB387 , SB401 , SB441 , SB449 , SB487 , HB74 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB468 , HB956 , HB1117 , SB43 , SB149

Keywords: SR146, Senate Resolution 146, Louis Thomas Nelson, Thomas Nelson, condolences, memorial resolution, tribute, obituary, public service, St. Martinville, Cade, St. Martin Parish, police juror, mayor, community center, water system, school bus driver, school board, Louisiana Senate, sympathy

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, a prayer by campus pastor Anthony Brown, and the Pledge of Allegiance. After the journal was read, the chamber took up a series of resolutions and bills, beginning with measures directing studies on mineral servitudes, student non-enrollment determinations, autism services, school nurse orientation, declining school enrollment, behavioral health and homelessness, floodplain map updates, opioid treatment in correctional facilities, oversized vehicle permits, rural economic development, hunting education in schools, and fraud prevention for seniors. Several local and commemorative resolutions were also adopted, including Tangipahoa Parish Fair Day, recognition of Lane Frenchy Boudreau’s military service, and a memorial resolution honoring Bob Bowman. Personal privilege remarks also recognized festival royalty, the Westlake High School baseball team, Dr. E. Joseph Savoy, and 101-year-old Thelma Smith Williams. The Senate concurred in or adopted numerous House concurrent resolutions, often after brief explanations and, in some cases, amendments. These included measures on criminal history background checks for ambulance personnel, autism support services, school nurse orientation, acute care access for individuals with developmental disabilities, child abuse reporting training, physical therapy student loan eligibility, migratory waterfowl research, and a task force on senior fraud prevention. The chamber also adopted resolutions related to seafood competitiveness, bridge backup motors, I-12 improvements, and a Louisiana Energy Protection Act-style climate litigation measure, along with a resolution supporting Preeclampsia Day and a new Woman’s Hospital initiative. The Senate then moved through a long calendar of House bills on third reading and final passage. Bills passed included measures on Safe Haven Law postings in schools, official journal pricing, the Governor’s Task Force on Impaired Driving, the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program, sexual assault survivor rights, intercollegiate athletics revenue-sharing records, renewable energy recycling, school emergency operations plans, the Louisiana FIRST data system, oilfield site restoration fees, inmate programming, automatic reinstatement of suspended driver’s licenses, special vehicle permits, climate-change damages, the Louisiana Center for State Schools, the Sexual Assault Survivor Empowerment Task Force, fire limits, police chief appointment in Folsom, digitized credentials, Sewage and Water Board procurement, behavioral health crisis insurance coverage, the Louisiana Talent Accelerator Office, indigent defender fee thresholds, prestige license plates, public license tag agent fees, highway naming, public defender terminology cleanup, an improvement district in Orleans Parish, a Democratic Party license plate, DWI-related substance definitions, commercial driver’s license rules, and a Shreveport demolition/local property bill. Several measures drew debate, especially HB 608 on athletics revenue-sharing transparency, which passed 32-13 after concerns about public records and taxpayer transparency. The final bill mentioned, HB 1059 on TOPS math requirements, was introduced at the end of the transcript but its disposition was not shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under flood control and conveyance, 32% of our project count are new projects.
• Forty-seven percent of our project count are repair and replacement.
• Dawson County, which is in central Nebraska, that's where my farm's at.
• South Central about the two expansions that are going on.
• I'm the CEO of South Central Regional Water in Bismarck here.

Committee: Joint Water Topics Overview Committee

Keywords: 908, all