Transcript Highlights:

• And so representatives of the members of the committee...
• They repeal the provision of law that provides that the superintendent of police of New Orleans executes
• of the act.
• Chairman, Charlton McGinley, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.
• There's a doctor in New Orleans that my department has worked with that has a lot of good information

Bills: HB302 , HB371 , HB597 , HB1097 , HB1190 , SB34 , SB164 , SB208 , SB232 , SB317 , SB357 , SB421 , SB510

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: legal representation, attorney general, elected officials, defense, legislative acts, judicial review, judiciary, election, judges, 19th Judicial District Court, East Baton Rouge, precincts, coroner, retention, body, mortuary, investigation, missing persons, Amber Alert, Endangered Missing Child Advisory

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Human Services relating to' and by amending the title to conform.
• Department of Human Services relating to' and by amending the title to conform.
• sexual abuse, it is substantiated by the Department of Human Services.
• Senator Bell's 1213 is a request from the Department of Corrections.
• of land.

Bills: SB2030 , SB1926 , SB2170 , SB2151 , SB2166 , SB1213 , SB1381 , SB1824 , SB1876 , SB1728 , SB1582 , SB1286 , SB1386 , SB1708 , SB1618

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: expungement, record sealing, criminal records, clean slate, automatic expungement, expedited expungement, criminal history, OSBI, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, deferred judgment, delayed sentence, pardon, pardon and parole board, law enforcement records, sealed records, arrest records, conviction records, reclassification of felony to misdemeanor, reentry, second chance

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this is one of them. So this is one of my favorite moments of session so far.
• So, Letitia Mear, I'm the director of the Financial Investigations Department at Blue Cross and Blue
• We're a nonprofit organization that works with the Department of Corrections and other stakeholders to
• It's a State Police Department bill that targets updating our law governing the handling of criminal
• Department of Health, reported to the health and welfare committees of both the Louisiana Senate and

Bills: HB343 , HB378 , HB394 , HB396 , HB426 , HB439 , HB491 , HB523 , HB622 , HB676 , HB772 , HB1025 , HB1038

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: parole eligibility, juvenile offenders, rehabilitation, first-time offenders, reentry programs, substance abuse treatment, education programs, emergency responders, law enforcement, obstructing traffic, public safety, penalties, parole, criminal justice, release extension, prison reform, autopsy, criminal evidence, photographs, court proceedings

Transcript Highlights:

• The case may be closed by the Department of Family and Protective Services or the investigation may continue
• Well, even in the parts that are not under It says the department shall forward a copy of the, so much
• of the department sorry what is that definition for you all an intake is when Um, someone calls our hotline
• Okay, so right here it says the department shall on recipient receipt of a report suspected abuse or
• Our intake is generated out of a receipt of a report.

Bills: HB741 , HB 1199 , HB2070 , HB2402 , HB2542 , HB2665 , HB2789 , HB3096 , HB3396 , HB3595 , HB3747 , HB4116 , HB4127

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• out-of-network services, but they are required to notify the department when they obtain that.
• We need to ensure that the department has those records so that we can have a clear continuity of care
• Right now, that's in. consistent with the Notice of Significant Event statute, where the department is
• HMR, Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.
• Currently parents who are investigated by the Department of Family and Protective Services are placed

Bills: HB741 , HB 1199 , HB2070 , HB2402 , HB2542 , HB2665 , HB2789 , HB3096 , HB3396 , HB3595 , HB3747 , HB4116 , HB4127

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• the people of Alabama.
• Be it resolved by the Senate of the Legislature of Alabama, that immediately upon the adoption of this
• Be it resolved by the Senate of the Legislature of Alabama that, immediately upon the adoption of this
• of education and the state department of education and this<00:40:06.640><c> would</c><00:40:06.880>
• I can’t think of anyone better to serve and inspire and lead our children in this state of Alabama in

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. Early procedural motions were adopted without objection, including excusing absent senators, dispensing with the prior journal, and allowing bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The Senate then took up several confirmation reports from the Committee on Confirmations, unanimously confirming Ralph Foster, Andre Harrison, Katie Randall, Donna Jones, and Reetta McCannan to the State Textbook Committee for Social Studies. The chamber also received a favorable report on Senate Bill 174 from the Transportation and Energy Committee, and later adopted a special order calendar from the Rules Committee. On the floor, the Senate passed a series of measures, including SB 104, which requires training for members of certain boards, commissions, and councils under the sunset law but was amended to exclude county and municipal boards; HB 59, a cleanup bill concerning the Certified Public Accountants Board; SB 8, authorizing the Emergency Management Agency to spend public funds on public information; SB 66, changing University of Monavalo board terms and related requirements, with an amendment protecting certain trustees appointed before January 1, 2027; SB 168, codifying limits on a reading technique and emphasizing the science of reading; SB 149, creating a temporary teaching certificate pathway for qualified military veterans; SB 46, adding a special driver’s license designation for individuals with invisible disabilities; and SB 90, addressing seafood dealer licenses and support for domestic seafood producers. Local bills including SB 175 and HB 84, HB 200, HB 201, HB 184, HB 203, HB 204, HB 205, HB 133, HB 134, HB 193, and HB 112 also advanced or passed, with several county-specific measures receiving BR adoption, final passage, and in one case certification. Near the end of the meeting, leadership and members discussed severe weather and contingency plans for the coming week. Budget hearings scheduled for Monday were canceled and moved to Thursday, with the Senate planning to meet Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. if weather permits, or Wednesday if necessary. The Senate also received several House messages referring local bills to committee. The session adjourned after a motion to adjourn until Tuesday, January 27 at 3:00 p.m., with the journal left open to receive House messages.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise today in support of H.R. 788, the Department of Energy and SBA Research Act.
• when trying to do business with the Department of Energy.
• So I want to begin with a story of a few young men in the state of Alabama.
• SO I WANT TO BEGIN WITH A STORY OF A FEW YOUNG MEN IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.
• Department of Defense and the President of the United States.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gunner Guy, on behalf of the Department of Ag and Industries.
• I'm Mandy Spears with the Alabama Department of Corrections. Today we have one renewal.
• </c><00:12:22.080><c> of</c> In that meeting, a Department of In that meeting, a Department of Corrections
• </c><00:12:35.440><c> of</c> going to hold every Department of going to hold every Department of Corrections
• </c> in the Black Belt of Alabama. Mr. in the Black Belt of Alabama. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, Senate Bill 1295 allows the director of the Arizona Department of Corrections
• The bill also outlines process requirements and requires the Department of Corrections to notify the
• the Arizona Department of Public Safety and their answers.
• As some of you know, I spent nearly 25 years with the Maricopa County Adult Probation Department, where
• At the height of the terms used, hospitals had both trauma centers and psych departments.

Bills: SB1067 , SB1234 , SB1285 , SB1295 , SB1392 , SB1413 , SB1436 , SB1470 , SB1476 , SB1489 , SB1512 , SB1535 , SB1540 , SB1556 , SB1568 , SB1569 , SB1570 , SB1573 , SB1585 , SB1609 , SB1627 , SB1634 , SB1635 , SB1644 , SB1647 , SB1648 , SB1650 , SB1653 , SB1654 , SB1655 , SB1656 , SB1657 , SB1658 , SB1661 , SB1662 , SB1664 , SB1666 , SB1667 , SB1669 , SB1709 , SB1720 , SB1723 , SB1725 , SB1743 , SB1746 , SB1748 , SB1755 , SB1786 , SB1820 , SB1822 , SB1829 , SCR1027 , SCR1040 , SCR1048

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: tax lien, property tax lien, real property tax lien, foreclosure, right of redemption, redeem, excess proceeds, county abatement lien, abatement lien, lien priority, assessment lien, easement, county treasurer, certificate of purchase, tax delinquency, delinquent property taxes, property owner equity, judgment foreclosure, title report, Arizona Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• State of Alabama that sits on the Gulf of Mexico.
• We send a lot of money to the... Alabama. We send a lot of money to the state of Alabama.
• So Alabama named Gulf of Mexico, right?
• the prettiest parts of Alabama.
• Ranger Michael Hicks from the Alabama Department of Conservation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill would allow the Department of Environmental Protection, or any other agency of similar latitude
• I'm thinking of the transportation sublimit imposed.
• And a lot of them have a hard time getting to work and keeping a job because of transportation challenges
• A few of the bills before you are priority bills on transportation, two of which the ZEV Coalition has
• of all transportation infrastructure.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Summary: The committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy heard testimony on several transportation and clean-fuel bills. Supporters of H. 3535 argued for delaying or pausing enforcement of Massachusetts’ zero-emission vehicle sales mandate, saying the current ACC2 timeline is unrealistic given low ZEV sales, limited charging infrastructure, dealer inventory concerns, and potential economic impacts on dealerships, consumers, and tax revenue. Opponents of that approach, including automakers and clean transportation advocates, said the state should stay on course with electrification and that the mandate is necessary to meet climate goals. The committee also heard support for H. 3570/S. 2326 to update vehicle emission standards for municipal and utility fleets, with municipal utility representatives saying current electric truck technology, charging access, and costs make the rules impractical for critical public services. A major portion of the hearing focused on S. 2246, the Freedom to Move Act, which would require MassDOT and regional planning agencies to set vehicle miles traveled reduction goals and align transportation spending with climate targets. Supporters said the bill would better coordinate transportation planning, encourage transit, biking, and walking, and help Massachusetts meet emissions goals while saving money and improving public health. Some committee members raised concerns that the bill could duplicate existing transportation climate mandates and could disadvantage rural residents who must drive long distances; witnesses responded that the bill is meant to add coordination and flexibility, not impose a one-size-fits-all solution. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3448, which would set deadlines to electrify school buses and public fleets and create programs for private fleet electrification. Advocates said fleet electrification is a practical way to cut emissions, improve air quality, and save money over time, especially for schoolchildren exposed to diesel exhaust. Several witnesses also supported low-carbon fuel standard bills H. 3576 and S. 2251, arguing they would reduce fuel carbon intensity and generate revenue for charging and clean-fuel investments. Others, including a coalition opposed to private jet expansion, objected to the bills’ treatment of sustainable aviation fuel, saying it is not scalable, is expensive, and could create land-use and food-supply tradeoffs. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the hearing excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> of</c><00:46:12.720><c> Alabama</c><00:46:13.119><c> that</c> of the Legislature of Alabama that
• </c> you've made on the state of Alabama. you've made on the state of Alabama.
• </c> state of Alabama. And we love you, sir. state of Alabama. And we love you, sir.
• of the state of Alabama.
• of the state of Alabama.

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, confirmed a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. The chamber then received House messages referring House Bill 614 on supplemental appropriations and House Bill 224 on the distribution and use of tax funds to the Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee. Committee reports followed on several bills, including favorable reports for House Bills 169, 542, 593, and 13, with HB 542 amended in committee. The Senate also referred Senator Orr’s proposed rules change to the Rules Committee. A series of resolutions were taken up and adopted, including Senate Resolution 109 creating the Alabama Boating Safety Task Force, Senate Joint Resolutions 102 and 103, House Joint Resolutions 237, 215, 216, 218, and 235, Senate Joint Resolution 88 supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s nuclear life cycle innovation effort, Senate Joint Resolution 93 creating a rural EMS and volunteer fire department study commission, Senate Joint Resolution 94 commending Exchange Club of Tuscaloosa Officer of the Year honorees, and Senate Joint Resolution 110 commending William Riley Hawkins Jr. on his retirement from AARP Alabama. The Senate also recognized several guests in the gallery, including local school superintendents and a student visitor. The chamber then moved through local legislation, adopting BRs and passing numerous local bills and constitutional amendments, including measures for Mobile, Prichard, Class 2 municipalities, Mingo County, Talladega County, Perry County, Wilcox County, Clay County, Washington County, and Madison County. Senate Bill 376 on Mobile County and Senate Bill 379 on Madison County were both passed and transmitted. Most local bills passed on unanimous or near-unanimous votes using the previous roll. The Senate also adopted Special Order Calendar Resolution 111, setting a special order calendar for the 27th legislative day that prioritized a long list of appropriations, education, retirement, dam safety, and higher education bills. On that calendar, House Bills 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 565, and Senate Bill 380 were taken up. HB 235’s committee substitute was tabled, a floor substitute was adopted restoring funding to the McQuain Center and removing some arts grants, and the bill passed. HB 236 passed after a language amendment. HB 237 passed as the Education Opportunities Reserve Fund bill. HB 238 passed after a floor substitute that shifted arts grants, added Voices for Alabama’s Children, adjusted RAISE Act weights, and increased funding for poverty, special education, and gifted students, along with a small amendment. HB 239 passed as the public education employee pay raise bill, with a substitute adding a retiree bonus and members discussing that the bonus would also be carried through SB 380. HB 240, HB 241, HB 242, and HB 565 all passed. SB 380 on the teachers retirement system received committee amendments and was being advanced as the vehicle for the retiree bonus, with Senator Orr explaining the bonus would be about $33 million and based on $1 per month of service for eligible retirees with at least 10 years of service.

Transcript Highlights:

• Working in coordination with the Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, NOAA
• systemic dismantling of the department of<07:48:36.798><c> education.
• the closure of the Department of Education.
• 49.440><c> created</c><07:49:49.840><c> by</c> Department of Education was created by Department of Education
• ><c> Education</c> month, the Department of Education month, the Department of Education announced<07

Transcript Highlights:

• Andrew Killshaw, Commissioner of the Office of Multimodal Commerce. Commissioner Killshaw?
• Andrew Killshaw, Commissioner of the Office of Multimodal Commerce. Good morning. You may proceed.
• That's a project cost of $3.4 million, of which $2,853,000 is requested from the Port Priority Program
• That's 273, a BCR of 273?
• And a BCR of 98? Yes, sir. Okay.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works met to receive public testimony and act on port priority applications for inclusion in the FY 2027-2028 Port Priority Construction and Development Priority Programs. After a roll call showing 18 members present, the committee adopted the March 9, 2026 minutes without objection. Commissioner Andrew Killshaw of the Office of Multimodal Commerce explained the Port Priority Program criteria and presented two applications from the Avoyelles Harbor and Terminal District: a $3.4 million building addition and infrastructure project requesting $2.853 million in state funds, and a $1.5 million Workforce Training Center redevelopment requesting $1.287 million. He said the projects were projected to create 265 jobs and generate substantial state benefits, with very high benefit-cost ratios. Members expressed support for the projects and for strengthening the port program overall. Chairman Boriak moved to approve the applications, and Senator Carter and others discussed the need to increase investment in ports and develop a statewide strategic plan to better compete for federal dollars. DOTD Multimodal Commerce staff, including Molly Bergoin, testified that the program has more than $200 million in backlog, that annual Transportation Trust Fund financing has made it difficult to reduce, and that the department hopes to clear 10 to 12 low-balance projects this year. They also said the request cap had been increased to $7 million per project this year and up to $21 million going forward, and that most projects are proceeding under reimbursement agreements because construction costs have risen sharply. After discussion, the committee voted without objection to accept the port priority applications received through March 1, 2026, for the FY 2027-2028 program. The committee then adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• I saw a report from the Center of Immigration Studies that said that 61% of households headed by illegal
• shoulder the burden of this cost.
• sort of thing?
• Are you aware of the current population in the state of Oklahoma?
• of that.

Bills: HB2947 , HB2964 , HB3143 , HB3144 , HB3342 , HB3344 , HB3519 , HB3522 , HB3530 , HB3645 , HB3647 , HB3834 , HB4300 , HB4422 , HB4423

Committee: House Health and Human Services Oversight

Keywords: behavioral health, Medicaid expansion, clinical interns, mental health services, licensing requirements, medical records, patient rights, privacy, fees, healthcare access, legal claims, medical marijuana, license transfer, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, moratorium, business regulation, commercial grower licenses, licensing restrictions, agriculture, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida's Department of Law Enforcement will go last because they're providing members of the House with
• Florida's Department of Law Enforcement will go last because they're providing members of the House with
• I believe this will be part of the Department of Corrections budget request as well.
• It comes through us and is paid to the Department of Corrections for facilitating all of our IT needs
• He's the chief legal officer of this state and the head of the Department of Legal Affairs.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Summary: The committee met to hear fiscal year 2026-2027 legislative budget requests from several justice-related agencies. The Florida Commission on Offender Review requested funding for investigator and revocation staff salary increases to address turnover, plus nonrecurring funds for Wi-Fi, seven vehicles, technology support, and commissioner salary adjustments. The State Courts Administrator presented a broad judicial branch request focused on trial court case-management technology, additional case managers, trust fund authority for child support hearing officers, courthouse furnishings, district court flexibility in staffing, a future courthouse for the Sixth District Court of Appeal, Supreme Court elevator replacement, POM accounting implementation support, judicial security liaison positions tied to the Florida Fusion Center, expanded senior management service authority, and judicial salary adjustments. The Office of the Attorney General outlined pay and operating requests for consumer protection, citizen services, ethics, crime compensation, victim services, vehicle replacement, IT and cybersecurity, lease and operating costs, and PALM-related expenses, while several senators questioned the office about outside counsel contracts, contingency-fee arrangements, transparency, and the use of private law firms. The Department of Corrections made the largest presentation, describing severe staffing shortages, high turnover, rising inmate populations, increased assaults, and heavy overtime use. Secretary Ricky Dixon said the agency’s request was driven by constitutional and public safety needs and included funding for operations, security equipment, inflationary costs, vehicle replacement, offender information system modernization, technology restoration, inmate health services, drug and food cost increases, staffing pilots, maintenance, security infrastructure, Florida PALM, recruitment and retention, and $56 million for new correctional housing units. Members asked about inmate labor, prison safety, overtime, vehicle breakdowns, and whether more National Guard support was needed; Dixon said the agency needed more staffing and pay competitiveness rather than a long-term military presence. A correctional officers’ union representative also urged support for pay raises, citing low pay and staffing concerns. No votes were taken on the budget requests. The chair allowed extended questioning, especially for the Department of Corrections, but noted time constraints and asked agencies to return in a later committee meeting, including FDLE, which was deferred because of a House site visit.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas Day at the State Capitol.
• Welcome the members of the Alabama Cushota Tribe to their state capitol.
• Senates of both the historic Muskogee and numerous other tribes of the Creek Confederacy, Alabama. of
• In 1853, at the suggestion of Sam Houston, the Alabama Chiefs... got together at the home of Samuel Rowe
• For the relief of the Alabama Indians.

Bills: SJR1 , SB9 , SB40 , SJR36 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB9 , SB40

Transcript Highlights:

• of illegally disposed of scrap tires.
• all of that.
• It says the Commission of the Department of Public Safety may not implement or enforce any of these provisions
• On behalf of the town of poetry and on behalf of yourself and that you are against the bill.
• I do know of a friend of mine who lives in the mud just right outside of town.

Bills: HB5057 , HB4519 , HB5033 , HB3997 , HB 1237 , HB1904 , HB4400 , HB 1227

Committee: House Environmental Regulation

Keywords: solid waste management, exclusive contracts, public agency, contract amendment, notification requirements, Texas Health and Safety Code, Texas Emissions Reduction Plan, TERP, air quality, emissions reduction, clean fleet, alternative fuel, natural gas vehicles, hydrogen fuel, hydrogen infrastructure, diesel replacement, fleet grants, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, clean school buses

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1904, which would classify intentionally released helium balloons as litter and create criminal penalties for balloon releases. The author and supportive witnesses argued that balloon releases harm wildlife, livestock, waterways, and infrastructure, and that the bill would close a loophole in current litter law. Several members questioned whether criminal penalties were appropriate, and the author said he was willing to work toward civil penalties and fines instead. No vote was taken, and HB 1904 was left pending. The committee then took up several pending bills and reported them favorably to the full House, including HB 3249, HB 3866, HB 4112, HB 1768, HB 1499, HB 573, and HB 464. These measures dealt with topics such as TCEQ contested-case procedures, outdoor storage containers, high-level radioactive waste, concrete plant permitting and grants, unannounced concrete batch plant inspections, and a scrap tire grant program. Most were adopted with substitutes and passed on recorded votes, generally with unanimous or near-unanimous support. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 3997, which would create expedited permitting timelines for LNG facilities and related wastewater permits. Industry witnesses said the bill would provide certainty for multibillion-dollar projects without eliminating public participation, while environmental groups opposed parts of the bill that they said could limit contested-case participation and be unrealistic for SOAH timelines. TCEQ staff described the current wastewater permitting process and said some of the bill’s timing provisions could be workable, especially with an expedited fee. The bill was left pending after the author said he would continue working on committee substitute language. The committee also heard HB 1237 on extending the renewal window for expired TCEQ occupational water licenses, and HB 4519, a TERP consolidation bill that would combine several clean transportation grant programs into fewer programs. HB 1237 was left pending without testimony, while HB 4519 drew broad support from environmental and industry witnesses who favored simplifying the program, though some asked for stronger emphasis on particulate matter and hydrogen funding. The committee withdrew the substitute on HB 4519 and left it pending. Finally, HB 5033, which would eliminate the motor vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance program if federal authority changes, drew opposition from environmental and inspection-industry witnesses who warned it would weaken air-quality protections and could remove an important enforcement tool. The author said the bill was intended as a trigger mechanism and would be refined, and HB 5033 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1227 on municipal solid-waste franchise fees and private-provider access; the author said he would bring a substitute after hearing concerns from cities, and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a bridge with partnerships with the Florida Department of Education.
• Silliver talked about, it's a one-man show in a lot of our departments.
• They'd cobbled together a bunch of PDFs from various departments.
• The largest employer in Holmes County is the Department of Corrections.
• It is established by the Department of Revenue. It is prescribed to us.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee met to discuss the needs of rural school districts and the role of Florida’s three regional education consortia: the Panhandle Area Education Consortium, Northeast Florida Educational Consortium, and Heartland Educational Consortium. Executive directors and several rural superintendents described the consortia as member-led organizations that provide shared services, professional learning, leadership development, grant support, cooperative purchasing, risk management, IT/cybersecurity help, and back-office assistance that small districts could not afford to provide on their own. They emphasized that rural districts are often very small, have limited staff, and must still meet the same state reporting and compliance requirements as large urban systems. Testimony focused heavily on teacher recruitment and retention, alternative certification, and the difficulty of staffing specialized roles such as CFOs, MIS directors, IT staff, and content-area teachers. Superintendents said many new hires are career changers or alternatively certified teachers who need consortium-supported training, and several argued for more flexibility in funding so districts can raise salaries and compete with neighboring districts and nearby states. Members also asked about the impact of declining enrollment, homeschooling, and voucher-related school choice; superintendents said those trends are reducing FTE and creating budget instability, while also requiring districts to right-size staff and programs. Several speakers described the financial strain on rural districts, including rising insurance costs, transportation costs, and the challenge of forecasting budgets when enrollment changes after the school year begins. One superintendent recounted major hurricane damage and said consortium risk-management support was essential to recovery. Others said the consortia help districts pool resources for property and health insurance, payroll, student data systems, and procurement, and that this shared approach saves money and improves services. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, members of Transportation.
• I'm joined today by Secretary Glenn LaD, but essentially the Department of Transportation is trying to
• So again, another tool for the Department of Transportation as we surface dollars into the funds both
• Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of Motor Vehicles.
• But, like, even in the bill, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, The Department of Public

Bills: HB309 , HB487 , HB503 , HB590 , HB606 , HB679 , HB693 , HB695 , HB707 , HB720 , HB728 , HB733 , HB746 , HB777 , HB846 , HB849 , HB856 , HB868 , HB873 , HB875

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 16 with a quorum present and first deferred three local bills at the sponsor’s request: HB 590, HB 679, and HB 873. The committee then advanced HB 503, which cleans up prior local language for Golden Meadow by removing a reference to electric golf carts and updating the definition of utility terrain vehicles; the technical amendment set was adopted and the bill was reported with amendments. HB 720, dealing with tacit dedication of roads and preserving historic public access to waterways and related access points, was reported favorably after members agreed to continue working on the amendment language before floor debate. The committee spent substantial time on HB 309, which originally made it a crime to walk in a crosswalk while looking at a cell phone. After amendments converted the proposal to a $25 civil fine and added a rebuttable presumption of liability for damages, members from both parties raised concerns about enforceability, tourism and urban pedestrian patterns, free-will and overreach arguments, and the lack of data tying the conduct specifically to crosswalk crashes. The author argued the measure was intended to promote situational awareness and reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities, but after opposition testimony the bill was voluntarily deferred. Members then reported HB 856, which expands DOTD’s use of indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity construction contracting and adds the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, after technical amendments clarified the contracts are for construction-phase work. HB 487, increasing penalties for drivers who use shoulders or turning lanes to bypass red lights, was reported with a technical correction after police support testimony. HB 846, prohibiting license plate coverings or films that obscure plates, was reported favorably after law enforcement support and discussion of clear frames versus obscuring covers. HB 733 and HB 875, both tied to OMV fee and lapse-of-insurance recommendations from the Legislative Auditor, were reported with amendments adjusting grace periods and offense timing. The committee also took up HB 695 on consensual non-commercial towing permits. After extensive questioning about whether the bill applied to multiple vehicles, interstate travel, OMV implementation, and the practicality of an honor-system QR code permit, the sponsor agreed to amend the bill to cover multiple vehicles and then voluntarily defer it for further work with OMV and State Police. HB 777, requiring a driver’s license renewal knowledge exam, was amended at the department’s request and then voluntarily deferred for further review. HB 868, prompted by a fatal trailer accident involving a farmer’s wife, would require trailers to meet safety-chain and braking standards consistent with manufacturer specifications or federal standards; after concerns from members and the Agriculture Commissioner about impacts on older farm equipment, the bill was reported with amendments. Finally, HB 707 moved the LPG Commission’s marketing functions to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry and was reported with a technical amendment, HB 693 on legislative district highway signs was voluntarily deferred after amendments, and HB 746 on local oversized trucking permits opened a broader discussion about parish-by-parish permit disparities, with the sponsor proposing a one-year moratorium on new local standards while stakeholders work toward a more uniform system.