Transcript Highlights:

• Our entire focus is on getting people on payment plans, getting them legal, getting their licenses back
• Spending on the local level, so that's probably not a viable place to go, and the hard answer would be
• The parking enforcement on our campuses use automated license plate reader systems to manage parking.
• The parking enforcement on our campuses use automated license plate reader systems to manage parking.
• On a personal level, we heard statements such as, 'I don't know what data is being collected, who has

Summary: On January 20, 2026, the committee held public hearings on House Bill 2102, House Bill 2161, and House Bill 2332. HB 2102 would sharply limit legal financial obligations by prohibiting courts from imposing costs unless specifically authorized by statute, repealing many fees and interest on restitution, and making eliminated debts unenforceable and satisfied. The sponsor and supporters argued that LFOs are harmful, inconsistently applied, and create uncollectable debt that burdens indigent defendants and hinders reentry. Opponents, including local government and collections representatives, warned the bill would shift costs to cities and counties, reduce accountability tools, and could cost local jurisdictions millions. No vote was taken. HB 2161 would expand the Attorney General’s authority to issue civil investigative demands for possible violations involving civil rights, labor standards, jail standards, immigration-related restrictions, and police use-of-force laws. Supporters from the Attorney General’s office, labor groups, and civil rights advocates said the bill would make investigations faster and more effective, especially in wage theft and discrimination cases, while not changing substantive enforcement authority. Opponents from law enforcement, cities, and business groups argued the bill was overbroad, lacked sufficient standards, and could create due process, confidentiality, and separation-of-powers concerns. Members asked about safeguards, and staff and the AGO described court challenge procedures and internal review standards. No action was taken. HB 2332 would regulate automated license plate readers used by state and local agencies, generally limiting use to specified law enforcement, parking, toll, and transportation purposes, restricting sharing and retention, and prohibiting uses tied to immigration enforcement or protected health care. The sponsor and privacy, immigrant-rights, and reproductive-rights advocates said the bill was needed to prevent misuse of sensitive location data and to close loopholes that could allow out-of-state or federal access. Law enforcement, cities, vendors, and some business and campus representatives supported privacy guardrails but said the 72-hour retention limit, warrant requirements, and other restrictions were too strict and could hinder investigations, victim recovery, and parking enforcement. The hearing ended with testimony still underway and no vote or final action reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• Name one, if you can name one that the Corps ever built, the large one.
• Hold on one second. All right, there is a motion. Hold on one second.
• Coast Guard-licensed captain on Toledo Bend who, on one of his charter fishing trips, the boat capsized
• And the federal government is already taking on the burden of not only issuing the license, but making
• And the federal government is already taking on the burden of not only issuing the license, but making

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• Licensed physicians and nurses must complete a one-time board-approved continuing education course on
• An ALF must obtain a memory care services license if the ALF serves one or more memory care residents
• We have one on the amendment.
• If needed, I know you're on standby. It's 138% of the federal poverty level. Thank you.
• How do you answer what we are doing here on the state level when it's already been found by court to

Bills: S0036 , S0864 , S0268 , S0844 , S0514 , S1404 , S0914 , S1758

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Keywords: nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, uterine fibroids, public records, health privacy, epidemiology, medical information, emergency department, physicians, privacy, personal information, sickle cell disease, sickle cell anemia, pain management, controlled substances, prescribing education, continuing medical education

Summary: The committee first considered SB 268, a public records bill for emergency physicians. A strike-all amendment narrowed and clarified the exemption, and the sponsor said it was intended to protect current emergency department physicians and eligible family members who submit a written request. Emergency physician Dr. Sean Patterson and several health care organizations supported the bill, citing threats, harassment, and safety concerns tied to mandatory reporting and patient encounters. The committee adopted the amendment and reported SB 268 favorably as a committee substitute. The committee then heard SB 514, creating the Doula Support for Healthy Births Pilot Program in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties for pregnant and postpartum women, with priority for those affected by substance use disorder. Members discussed how the Department of Health would implement the pilot, collect data, and work with existing maternal health partners. An amendment changed the funding source to specific appropriations in the General Appropriations Act. Supporters said doula care can improve maternal and infant outcomes and help address Florida’s maternal health crisis. The bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 36, on use of professional nursing titles, drew extensive debate over whether nurses with doctoral degrees should be able to use the title “doctor” in clinical and advertising settings while clearly identifying themselves as nurses. The sponsor said the bill was about transparency and patient clarity, while several senators raised concerns that patients could confuse DNPs with physicians. Supporters from nursing groups said the bill protects earned credentials and does not expand scope of practice. The committee adopted an amendment aligning the bill with the House version and reported SB 36 favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also reported favorably SB 864, creating a public records exemption for uterine fibroid research data; SB 844, requiring continuing education on sickle cell disease care management for certain health professionals; SB 1404, revising memory care licensing for assisted living facilities; and SB 914, clarifying dry needling authority for occupational therapists. Finally, the committee took up SB 1758, a broad public assistance bill affecting Medicaid and SNAP. The sponsor described reforms including stronger fraud enforcement, a Medicaid work requirement for certain able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral health services through a waiver, pharmacy program changes, and SNAP fraud reduction measures. Members questioned the work requirement, implementation costs, eligibility verification, and due process concerns, while the sponsor said the bill would require federal approval and legislative review before implementation. Three amendments were adopted to adjust drug list update timing, expand public testimony on the high-cost drug list, and require faster prior authorization responses with a temporary supply in emergencies. The transcript cuts off before the final disposition of SB 1758.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state level to be uh investigated on the state level to be uh investigated on the state level and
• on them or don't have a physical license on them or don't have a physical license on them or if they
• the on the on got them check offs on the on the on got them check offs on the on the on their license
• driver's license for six month months on driver's license for six month months on driver's license for
• that level we're we're we're not even on that level we're we're we're not even on that level yeah but

Bills: HCR 21 , HCR 22 , HCR 23 , HCR 24 , HCR 25 , HCR 26 , HCR 27 , HCR 31 , HCR 41 , HCR 42 , HCR 43 , HCR 44 , HCR 45 , HCR 52 , HCR 53 , HCR 66 , HCR 67 , HCR 73 , HR 8 , HR 10 , HR 13 , HR 20 , HR 21 , HR 50 , HR 59 , HR 61 , HR 71 , HR 74 , HR 79 , HR 84 , HR 86 , HR 90 , HR 91 , HR 102 , HR 103 , HR 107 , HR 113 , HR 125 , HR 126 , HR 132 , HR 142 , HR 145 , HR 149 , HR 150 , HR 152 , HR 167 , HR 179 , HR 181 , HR 183 , HR 186 , HR 192 , HR 196 , HR 199 , HR 207 , HR 211 , HR 212 , HR 213 , HR 216 , HR 249 , HR 256 , HR 259 , HR 261 , HR 263 , HR 272 , HR 281 , HR 285 , HR 294 , HR 295 , HR 300 , HR 305 , HR 311 , HR 313 , HR 315 , HR 316 , HR 323 , HR 331 , HR 339 , HR 340 , HR 346 , HR 349 , HR 352 , HR 357 , HR 358 , HR 360 , HR 363 , HR 374 , HR 377 , HCR 20 , HCR 28 , HCR 30 , HCR 32 , HCR 49 , HR 14 , HR 15 , HR 19 , HR 23 , HR 24 , HR 25 , HR 26 , HR 27 , HR 29 , HR 47 , HR 48 , HR 55 , HR 56 , HR 66 , HR 85 , HR 92 , HR 93 , HR 95 , HR 96 , HR 140 , HR 155 , HR 164 , HR 204 , HR 241 , HR 242 , HR 250 , HR 253 , HR 260 , HR 262 , HR 265 , HR 279 , HR 310 , HR 312 , HR 328 , HR 332 , HR 359 , HR 362 , HR 367

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 11 bills on the agenda, with four of them on our proposed consent calendar.
• On behalf of U.C.
• On November 1st, 2022, Trevor was placed on Remicade...
• Correction on SB 944: the vote is 8-0, and it's on call. So we are now on file item 11, SB 1049.
• So Perez is not voting on the rest of these. Okay, so which one?

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health heard several health-related bills, with extensive public testimony and multiple roll-call votes. SB 895, by Senator Wiener, would create the California Foundation for Science and Health Research and place a bond measure on the November 2026 ballot to support science and health research in California amid federal funding cuts. The author and UC researchers argued the measure would protect jobs, public health, and the state’s research leadership; many universities, labor groups, and patient advocates testified in support, and there was no opposition. The committee members praised the bill, and it passed 6-0 to the Committee on Natural Resources and Water. SB 944, also by Senator Wiener, would make acupuncture a permanent Medi-Cal benefit regardless of federal matching funds. Supporters, including acupuncturists, patients, community organizations, and health access advocates, described acupuncture as effective, low-cost, and culturally important care; there was no opposition. The committee discussed access for API communities and Medi-Cal patients, and the bill passed 6-0 to the Committee on Appropriations. SB 987, by Senator Wiener, would create a California Health Access Fund to capture state savings if federal Medicaid changes cause Medi-Cal enrollment losses, with the goal of redirecting those savings to care for affected patients and providers. Support came from disability, consumer, family physician, emergency physician, psychiatric, medical, and safety-net hospital groups. Committee members discussed prioritizing indigent care, prevention, and other vulnerable populations if savings materialize. The bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations. SB 964, by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, would limit prior authorization barriers by allowing certain dose or frequency adjustments for covered medications without repeated authorization, up to two clinically appropriate changes. The bill was supported by a Crohn’s and colitis patient and sponsor testimony describing delays in care, while health plans and insurers opposed it over safety, FDA-labeling, and cost concerns. Committee members raised questions about off-label use and clinical standards, but the author said the bill was intended to reduce delays and avoid emergency care; it passed 11-0 to Appropriations. SB 1099, by Senator Reyes, would clarify local governments’ authority to provide state and local public benefits to all residents under PRWORA-related exemptions, to reduce legal uncertainty for local safety-net programs. County counsel and city attorney representatives said the bill would preserve local flexibility to provide services such as health care, shelter, crisis response, and food distribution without unnecessary eligibility barriers; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 11-0 to the Committee on Human Services. SB 1033, by Senator Padilla, would require manufacturers of protein products to test for heavy metals and disclose results. Supporters cited Consumer Reports findings of lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury in protein powders and beverages, while opponents asked for narrower scope and raised concerns about naturally occurring metals and over-warning consumers. The committee discussed narrowing the bill and the need for transparency, and it passed 11-0 to the Committee on Environmental Quality. Finally, SB 1049, by Senator Weber-Pearson, would give providers a fair opportunity to correct certain claim errors after a health plan action, rather than being barred by original filing deadlines. An OBGYN testified that a missing diagnostic code led to large clawbacks and delayed payments despite appropriate care; the bill was presented as a limited fix for honest mistakes. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 1049, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:26.559><c> Uh</c><00:26:27.520><c> licensed</c> on their enrollment size.
• Uh licensed on their enrollment size.
• And so, I have again the proposal on the table to cap that down to the minstate level.
• And so, I have again the proposal on the table to cap that down to the minstate level.
• And so, I have again the proposal on the table to cap that down to the Minnesota State level.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• The program focuses on individuals with low-level repeat offenses where the underlying issue is often
• A designation on their driver's license advertises a criminal conviction far beyond the intended scope
• Today, we've already heard or will be... ...a person's license and not on the date of conviction.
• With new amendments, AB 1685 will still bring offenders one step closer to license suspension, keeping
• And so there are payment arrangements on an individual level for every single one of those participants

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, one of our exceptional items we're asking for is the funding for licenses.
• Based on our need, we have the acute level and we have the low level with case management. but we don't
• Item 6 is unit maintenance and those are things that are on the unit level.
• Um, and, and really have a different level of need, but one of the main levels of need that we're seeing
• So even if you look at maybe what would be on its face a low level committing offense.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Transcript Highlights:

• Mitsy Higa, who is one of our licensing specialists.
• to their license and they renew it as on to their license and they renew it as well<00:33:43.000><c>
• </c><00:35:03.040><c> of</c> licenses but permits as well and one of licenses but permits as well and
• I'm one of those people who are still licensed but not actually in the classroom.
• I'm one of those example I'm licensed I'm one of those people<01:12:39.400><c> who</c><01:12:39.520>

Transcript Highlights:

• time number one and number two in terms of prison population on low-level offenses?
• ...number two in terms of prison population on low-level offenses. Were you aware of that?
• I was aware that we were very high on low-level prison offenses.
• We were able to track down people that commit crimes because of the presence of a license plate on their
• I would say if the law says that you have to have a license plate and you put one on there that doesn't

Bills: HB4125 , HB2951 , HB3082 , HB4142 , HB4106 , HB1752 , HB3268

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The Public Safety Committee met to consider several executive nominations and a series of bills. The committee advanced Joel Franks to the Polygraph Examiner Board, Julie Pittman to a full term on the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control Commission, and Justin Ferris to serve as Director of Corrections. Each nominee was introduced by a sponsoring senator, gave brief remarks, and was advanced on unanimous or near-unanimous roll calls. On legislation, the committee passed House Bill 4125, which would restore certain rights to nonviolent felons after completion of sentence and includes an expungement component; members focused heavily on whether the language could unintentionally allow firearm possession by people still on probation or deferred sentences, and the author said he would work with staff on clarifying language. House Bill 2951, as amended, renamed a correctional facility after Chief James Smith; House Bill 3082 barred sex offenders from serving as firefighters; and House Bill 4142 expanded the crime involving unlawful use of bombs or explosives to include conspiracy. All three advanced with little opposition. The committee also passed House Bill 4106, which lowers the grand larceny threshold by $100 and adds an escalator for repeated thefts, though the author struck the title to continue working with the Attorney General’s office on retail theft issues. Members debated whether the change conflicted with the voter-approved theft threshold and whether it would meaningfully deter crime. House Bill 1752 exempted the Attorney General’s Office and the District Attorneys Council from the OMES vehicle requisition process and passed unanimously. House Bill 3268 made knowingly displaying a false or fictitious license plate a felony; members questioned its scope, including whether it could affect temporary tags or other situations, and it passed on a 5-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we issue, depending on what category, there could be any range of number of licenses we issue.
• It could, but one residential structure does not require all of the licensing.
• It could, but one residential structure does not require all of the licensing.
• So they have different levels, if I may, SRO level one, which is about a week... ...long.
• So that is the level one that they must complete within, I believe, their first year of hiring.

Committee: All ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• So then this year, there were five kids kidnapped in Texas, and they picked them up on a license plate
• So it's a license plate reader. So license plate data goes on there.
• So, we're holding on to license plate information for 30 days.
• He's going to take off the shield he has on his license plate. I saw he's got it on his truck.
• And I see that in magistrate court, but I guess on the district court level.

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we'll move on to the next item on the agenda.
• You want your light on, your mic on, huh? Oh, you want your light on? Your mic on, huh?
• Okay, we have one or two. Come on up. So please introduce yourself, and you'll have one minute.
• Just one quick question going back on that same line.
• Right on time. Good job. Give me a good one.

Committee: Joint Business and Labor Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Based on my qualifications and years of teaching experience, I was granted an HTSB standard license.
• Based on my qualifications and years of teaching experience, I was granted an HTSB standard license.
• When we go to licensing conferences around the country, one of the biggest concerns is regarding this
• one subject and one grade level at a time, making their work more convenient than ELL teachers.
• one subject and one grade level at a time, making their work more convenient than ELL teachers.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 627, which concerns Department of Education school safety funding and staffing. DOE said the bill would restore two positions and related funding that had been removed from the governor’s budget: a targeted violence prevention and threat assessment program manager and a security technology manager. DOE described ongoing work on school vulnerability assessments, fire suppression measures, security camera research, panic buttons, and active shooter prevention training. Testifiers from DOE, the Department of Law Enforcement, fire services, HSTA, and an individual witness all supported the bill, with the individual citing a past school shooting experience as a reason to increase school resource officers and safety measures. Members asked about the positions’ duties, how the request differed from existing security funding, and the status of active shooter training; DOE said it would provide more information on training statistics. The committee then took up HB 249, relating to Executive Office on Early Learning family child interaction learning programs. The Early Learning Board, EOEL, Commit to Kids, Early Childhood Action Strategies, Partners in Development Foundation, and others testified in support. EOEL said it currently spends about $800,000 annually on FCI program contracts and supports expanding state funding for FCIL programs, including infant and early childhood mental health, if the appropriation covers the broader scope. Testifiers emphasized that FCIL programs are trauma-informed, evidence-based, and help families and children, with one provider sharing a long-term example of a parent and child benefiting from the program. Members asked how many programs are supported, whether FCIL exists on all islands, and whether the request was in the governor’s budget; EOEL said the expansion was requested by the office but not included in the governor’s budget. HB 429, concerning pre-K expansion, drew broad support from the Lieutenant Governor, EOEL, HSTA, and community groups. Supporters said the Ready Keiki initiative has already opened more than 50 classrooms and would add another 50 over the next two years, including Hawaiian immersion classrooms. EOEL said it currently administers 72 public pre-K classrooms across 74 campuses and that the bill’s funding was included in the governor’s budget request. Testimony stressed kindergarten readiness, affordability for working families, equity across islands, and inclusion classrooms. Members asked about national quality benchmarks, with EOEL stating Hawaii meets 10 of 10 benchmarks and that only five states had done so at the time referenced. The Lieutenant Governor also described construction and delivery efforts, including refurbishing existing classrooms, modular options, possible use of state buildings, and even collaboration with libraries to expand child care access. Finally, the committee heard HB 439 on J-1 teacher licensure. DOE supported the bill, while the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board opposed it, arguing licensure standards are not place-based and should remain rigorous and uniform for all educators. The Attorney General’s office offered technical comments, including replacing “educators” with “teacher” and clarifying the bill’s language on issuance and renewal conditions. Several organizations and individuals testified in support, including school, cultural, business, and educator groups. One witness, a teacher from the Philippines, said J-1 educators are highly qualified and described the rigor of teacher preparation in the Philippines. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then because there's not actually a cap on licenses, there's just criteria in who's eligible for
• So I think it does provide a way, and we don't have a cap on licenses, right?
• If you want to be the one who owns the machine, there's a higher level of burden on you, right?
• level playing field with the casinos on what's being paid into the state for taxation?
• That is a financial burden on them, but there may be some stores that don't have liquor licenses that

Transcript Highlights:

• One example that comes to mind recently was one of our own employees, a 94-year-old grandmother.
• One example that comes to mind recently was one of our own employees, a 94-year-old grandmother.
• one I think it targets specifically different areas based on the need.
• </c><00:19:24.080><c> I</c> conversational level but with this one I conversational level but with this
• The staff who happened to be related could stay on, but the ones who happen to fall into one of those

Bills: HF729 , HF728

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: human services, provider enrollment, medical assistance, healthcare, housing stabilization, substance use disorder, vulnerable adults, fraud prevention, respite care, children, licensed settings, home and community-based services

Transcript Highlights:

• And we issue, depending on what category, there could be any range of number of licenses we issue.
• And one other question.
• It could, but one residential structure does not require all of the licensing.
• So they have different levels, if I may: SRO Level One, which is about a week long.
• So that is the Level One that they must complete within, I believe, their first year of hiring.

Committee: All ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee first reviewed the Division of Environmental Quality’s asbestos abatement program. DEQ officials explained that the program licenses asbestos-related workers and businesses, including contractors, workers, inspectors, planners/designers, consultants, air monitors, and training providers, under federal and state requirements. Members asked about asbestos use today, grant funding for removal, inspections funded by fees and fines, complaint handling, enforcement authority, and health risks. DEQ said some asbestos-containing products are still manufactured, grants have not been issued in over six years due to funding constraints, inspectors investigate complaints and can issue civil penalties or other enforcement actions, and exposure can cause asbestosis and mesothelioma. The report was accepted without objection. The committee then heard from the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. Officials described the agency’s standards and training divisions, three basic academies, advanced training, and jail standards training. Members asked about recruitment, academy capacity, training costs, and curriculum changes. The commission said recruitment and retention are improving, basic academy enrollment is around 700 per year with capacity for about 725 to 750, training costs counties nothing because the state funds it, and basic training is being expanded from 528 hours to 705 hours with more practical instruction based on input from chiefs and sheriffs. Questions also covered detention officer training, school resource officer training, and whether other agencies are subject to the same standards. Officials said detention officers receive separate training, school resource officers have standalone training approved by the commission, and other law enforcement divisions such as the Department of Agriculture are held to the same standards. They also noted a Veterans to Law Enforcement program that allows eligible veterans to attend the academy without first being hired by an agency, with GI Bill support. The report was accepted without objection, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we want to impose a tax on level two and level three retail charging stations.
• </c><00:26:26.559><c> take</c><00:26:26.799><c> you</c> charge on a level three where take you charge
• on a level three where take you couple<00:26:28.080><c> of</c><00:26:28.320><c> two</c><00:26:28.480
• how low you are with the depending on how low you are with the level<00:26:30.799><c> two.
• There's one the search charge<00:47:13.680><c> on</c><00:47:14.000><c> the</c><00:47:14.640><c> license

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• In my college days, I rode a moped, and I had a California license plate right on there that I paid for
• In my college days, I rode a moped, and I had a California license plate right on there that I paid for
• This is the same number of points... ...results in a person having two points on their license.
• To understand our challenges, JCCNC and JBA together conducted a survey on the foreign driver's license
• On average, the process takes 20 to 30 hours and around two months to obtain the license.

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why I love you on the committee. So how many companies have applied for this license?
• And on this bill, are those licenses or licensees concentrated in any specific market?
• That puts an hourly requirement on the blow-dry technician license.
• I give you money, and you put me on the road with no license, no certification at all.
• One, you do also need a license to cut a flower, and I want to make sure that you know that.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on May 11, 2026, with a quorum present and took up a series of Senate bills, a resolution, and one House bill. The committee reported favorably Senate Bill 79 to recreate Louisiana Economic Development, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 to establish the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, Senate Bill 375 on firefighting foam with amendments clarifying use in declared emergencies, Senate Bill 398 moving manufactured and modular housing oversight under the Contractors Licensing Board with technical and substantive amendments, Senate Bill 163 on virtual currency business licensing with an amendment providing for federal preemption if Congress enacts a national licensing regime, and Senate Bill 287 on virtual currency kiosks with consumer-protection provisions and technical amendments. The committee also reported favorably House Resolution 197, as amended, urging the Public Service Commission to study distributed energy generation and storage resources with LSU involvement, and Senate Bill 54, which would allow estheticians to blow-dry hair after certain services; that bill drew extensive testimony from supporters and opponents in the cosmetology and aesthetics industries before being reported favorably. Several bills prompted detailed discussion and testimony. On Senate Bill 398, the sponsor and Contractors Licensing Board representatives said the change would improve enforcement and consumer safety for manufactured-home installation, especially tie-downs, leveling, and foundation blocking, while not affecting HUD-regulated construction. On the virtual currency bills, OFI said it currently licenses 37 virtual currency businesses with 33 pending applications, and supporters described the kiosk bill as a response to fraud complaints by requiring clearer disclosures, refund procedures, live customer support, and reporting to OFI. For House Resolution 197, the sponsor, PSC officials, and energy stakeholders said the study would examine the value of distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar and battery storage, in light of rising demand and grid reliability concerns; PSC staff and LSU energy experts described the study as focused on market value and avoided-cost benefits. House Bill 744, which would have shifted regulation of certain New Orleans utilities from the city council to the PSC, generated discussion about constitutional history, rate impacts, and utility consolidation. PSC officials and the sponsor said the current city-council regulation is a constitutional exception dating back to 1921, and they argued that PSC regulation could reduce costs and simplify oversight, but the sponsor ultimately moved to defer the bill rather than force a floor fight, and the committee agreed. The committee then began consideration of Senate Bill 386, the Louisiana Data Privacy Act, adopting technical amendments and then a larger amendment package that revised definitions and compliance provisions; the transcript ends while that bill’s amendment process is still underway, with no final action shown in the excerpt.