Transcript Highlights:

• 48:21.359> familial<00:48:22.000> status adding a definition of familial status adding
• So, it would just be adding MDE as a recipient as well.
• So, it would just be adding authorizers.
• We added a similar amendment to website.
• So adding a reference back to the speak.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Those producing ads will need more specificity.
• What if the ad also features human actors in the foreground, who are the primary focus of the ad?
• Would such an ad be outside the scope of the disclosure requirement?
• You know, for me, I'd like to know if it's an AI ad.
• We do ads for campaigns, and at the end of the ads, we say it real quickly: 'Paid for by Tina McKinner

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism heard several bills focused on California’s creative economy, sports development, and cultural preservation. SB 226 by Senator Cabaldon would clarify that infrastructure revitalization financing districts may be used for entertainment and sports facilities, with testimony from West Sacramento officials emphasizing that the tool would rely only on project-generated city tax increment and would not affect school districts, counties, or the General Fund. Members discussed the relationship between IRFDs and EIFDs and the distinction between infrastructure financing and direct subsidy of private sports teams or stadiums. SB 865 by Senator Ashby proposed support for destination music festivals, citing the economic impact of events such as Aftershock and Golden Sky in Sacramento and similar festivals elsewhere in the state. Supporters from Visit Sacramento and Danny Wimmer Presents said festivals generate substantial jobs, tax revenue, and tourism spending while promoters bear the financial risk. Several committee members and public witnesses supported the bill as a way to sustain the creative economy, local businesses, and opportunities for artists. The bill passed the committee on a unanimous vote and was sent to Appropriations. SB 1050 by Senator Ashby would require disclosures when synthetic performers are used in advertisements, including audio ads, to inform consumers and protect human performers from displacement. SAG-AFTRA and voice actor advocates argued that consumers deserve to know when an ad uses AI-generated likenesses or voices, while TechNet, the Motion Picture Association, broadcasters, and other industry groups opposed unless amended, raising concerns about overbreadth, audio-only implementation, private enforcement, and the need for clearer exemptions and definitions. Members generally supported the bill’s goal but noted technical issues to refine; it passed unanimously to Judiciary. SB 1073 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would create a voluntary tax checkoff to support the South Los Angeles Black Cultural District. Supporters described the district’s historic and cultural significance and framed the measure as a way to help preserve Black cultural assets amid limited public funding. Members discussed how the checkoff would appear on tax forms statewide, its voluntary nature, and whether it could serve as a model for other districts. The bill also passed unanimously to Appropriations, and the committee later adopted the consent calendar unanimously as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, um, in adding these extra steps and these extra barriers for people to exercise a right that
• And so, um, in adding these extra steps and these extra barriers for people to exercise a right that
• And so, um, in adding these extra steps and these extra barriers for people to exercise a right that
• Um, and we have added some additional funding to local counties.
• can improve election security by adding can improve election security by adding that<00:08:53.600

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• essentially locates women who are searching online for information about abortions, presents them an ad
• essentially locates women who are searching online for information about abortions, presents them an ad
• All these dollars... ...requests because nobody's making them do this, but present them an ad.
• And then we're adding this fee on, which... ...the national average.
• expense, ...appropriation of $11 million, because it's an added expense, that they're going to take

Bills: SB206, SB640, SB667, SB1344, SB1380, SB1423, SB1425, SB1436, SB1484, SB1500, SB1502, SB1503, SB1557, SB1562, SB1572, SB1644, SB1645, SB1794, SB1796, SB1806, SB1849, SB1984, SB2007, SB2074

Keywords: SB206, emergency medical services, EMS, ambulance, 911 response, emergency response, essential services, federal funding, grant funding, public health, health care facility, municipality, county, ambulance service district, tribal entity, public entity, contract ambulance service, Oklahoma, 63 O.S. 2021 Section 1-2502, emergency clause

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 53, the House added to this to make sure that there was two years of a... 47, you may want to check
• Line 53, the House added to this to make sure that there was two years of a Line 53, the House added
• to make sure that microgrids that kind of are... ...modernization grant fund, and they're adding to
• Scenario 4 is we cut the Senate ads by $75 million.
• , if you adopt the Senate adds, you're adding money to, is reforming that system to address these gaps

Bills: SB152, SB145, SB190, HB247

Keywords: telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion, rural internet, broadband infrastructure, eligible telecommunications carrier, ETC, tribal consent

Transcript Highlights:

• The petition filing process and how that would work for the ad hoc committees and what the limitations
• So the ad hoc committees, the way it would work is each operator will have its own committee that will
• Do you mean of the ad hoc that's overseeing each of those, not the MTC board, correct?
• You only get one complaint per year, and then that's when you end up in the ad hoc process.
• You only get one complaint per year, and then that's when you end up in the ad hoc process.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard SB 63 by Senator Wiener, as amended and coauthored by Senator Arreguín, a Bay Area transit funding measure intended to avert major service cuts at BART, Muni, Caltrain, and AC Transit. The authors said the region faces a fiscal cliff and that without new revenue, BART could collapse and other systems could face severe reductions. They described the bill as the product of extensive negotiations among the five Bay Area counties and transit operators, with San Mateo and Santa Clara counties opting in during the process. Much of the discussion focused on accountability and governance. Supporters said the bill includes some of the strongest oversight provisions in recent memory, including a third-party efficiency review and ad hoc adjudication committees that can withhold a portion of funding if operators fail to correct problems. Assembly Member Papin and Assembly Member Lackey argued the measure amounts to a taxpayer bailout with insufficient representation and too much control left to MTC, while the authors responded that the bill gives affected counties direct complaint and enforcement authority and that MTC must follow the ad hoc committees’ recommendations. Several members asked about complaint procedures, withholding thresholds, opt-in/opt-out issues, and whether the funding would return to the source counties if withheld. Testimony in support came from SPUR, Caltrain, MTC, the Bay Area Council, BART, SamTrans, VTA, San Francisco MTA, transit coalitions, environmental groups, local governments, and labor. Supporters emphasized the risk of severe service cuts, the importance of preserving recent investments such as Caltrain electrification, and the need for regional self-help. There was no registered opposition witness, though some members spoke against the bill. The committee ultimately voted 11-5 to pass SB 63 as amended to the floor, with the committee amendments also removing urgency language.

Transcript Highlights:

• What they did in the House Transportation Committee is they also added a new paragraph, which is quite
• What they did in the House Transportation Committee is they also added a new paragraph, which is quite
• What they did in the House Transportation Committee is they also added a new paragraph, which is quite
• What they did in the House Transportation Committee is they also added a new paragraph, which is quite
• So every year we're adding another required year for titling.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Roop added that he does not have a whole lot more to add.
• Roop added that he does not have a whole lot more to add.
• Roop added that he does not have a whole lot more to add.
• Roop added that he does not have a whole lot more to add.
• Roop added that he does not have a whole lot more to add.

Bills: HF4470, HF2418, HF3417, HF3365, HF3463

Keywords: HF4470, Melissa Hortman, memorial, statue, memorial garden, State Office Building, Capitol Mall Design Framework, capital investment, appropriation, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Department of Administration, public art, commemorative monument, landscaping, artist selection, family consultation, Minnesota legislature, state building site, capital appropriation, political subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, thank you for your willingness to be added on as a co-author.
• So I'd like to be added as a co-author, if you'll have me.
• Calderon would also like to be added as a co-author and may close.
• So I like to be added as a co-author to, if you'll have me.
• Calder would also like to be added as a co-author and may close.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 249, which would require youth-specific coordinated entry assessments for homeless services. The author and supporters from Larkin Street Youth Services and the California Coalition for Youth argued that current vulnerability tools are adult-focused and can disadvantage young people; the bill was described as a developmentally appropriate fix to better connect youth to housing and prevention services. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0 to Human Services. Members then heard AB 239 and AB 1206. AB 239 would create a state-led disaster housing task force, a state disaster housing coordinator, and regular legislative reporting to speed recovery after disasters; it passed 7-0 to Emergency Management. AB 1206 would let local agencies pre-approve plans for single-family and small multifamily homes of up to 10 units to reduce permitting delays and costs; the League of California Cities opposed it unless amended, citing local variation and staffing concerns, but the author and supporters said it would preserve local control and help speed housing production. The bill passed 9-0 to Local Government. The committee also took up AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s home purchase assistance funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. Supporters framed it as reparative justice and a way to address longstanding racial disparities in homeownership, while Pacific Legal Foundation argued it likely violated constitutional limits on race-based government action and urged a race-neutral approach. After discussion about reparations criteria and the bill’s intent, it passed 6-0 to Judiciary. The consent calendar, including AB 480, AB 726, and AB 1154, was approved 8-0. Later, AB 282 was heard to allow housing providers to prefer applicants who participate in rental assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, despite existing source-of-income discrimination law. Supporters said it would help voucher holders find units and improve affordable housing operations; no opposition testified, and the bill passed 6-1 to Judiciary. AB 1229 followed, restructuring the adult reentry grant program to focus on permanent housing for people leaving prison by moving administration to HCD and using regional administrators; supporters emphasized the link between housing stability and reduced recidivism, and the bill passed 7-0 to Public Safety. The committee then approved AB 670, which would let local governments count preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element goals and require better demolition reporting, and AB 750, which would strengthen oversight and reporting for homeless shelters after a prior reporting law saw very low compliance. AB 670 passed 8-0 to Local Government, and AB 750 was presented with testimony from a shelter resident describing abuse and lack of accountability in shelters.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a provision that we added to this on the floor in the Senate.
• Up until now, the Assembly has added new libraries to this law on an individual basis, county by county
• year, with Senate Bill 1023, 29 public libraries in 42 counties across the state are asking to be added
• As I mentioned, the existing law and the law we're wanting to be added to does not automatically provide
• It's not going to happen this year for sure if we are added to the law.

Summary: The Committee on Local Government held a public hearing on Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1023, sponsored by Senator Justin Brown. Brown explained that the bill would expand existing authority for certain public library districts to seek voter approval for a sales tax, with property tax reductions tied to the sales tax in some cases. He noted special provisions for Cass and Johnson counties, where the sales tax rate would be capped at 0.33% and would replace real and personal property taxes, and also described a separate provision allowing circuit courts to collect a civil case filing surcharge of up to $15 for law library maintenance. Library representatives and supporters testified in favor. They argued that libraries rely heavily on property tax revenue, that the bill would let local voters choose a more diversified funding mix, and that it would help libraries respond to growth and facility needs. Witnesses from Scenic Regional Library, St. Charles City-County Library, Marshall Public Library, the Missouri Library Association, and the Kansas City Public Library described local circumstances, including St. Charles County’s three-year phase-out and rollback requirement, Marshall’s voter-approved sales tax and concerns about county reclassification, and Kansas City’s request for fiscal-year flexibility. Committee members raised questions about the fairness of shifting library funding to sales tax, especially for nonresidents, and one member objected to the tone of the senator’s questioning during the hearing. No one testified in opposition, and the chair closed the public hearing. The committee announced it planned to executive the bill on Monday, with notice to follow. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2021, additional efforts were made to modernize public notice by adding other newspapers to the mix
• And indeed, since the bill was passed, our members report that such ads are being placed in papers, and
• we believe they remain the best, the most centralized place to run the ads.
• And we've had recent surveys that show the public by a large majority believes the ads should be placed
• They can now carry the ads as well as private websites they designate.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and considered three bills. Senate Bill 292, by Senator Ruson, created a public records exemption for the personal information of appellate court clerks and their families. Senator Gaetz opposed the measure, arguing against public records exemptions and favoring prosecution of threats instead, while the State Court System appeared in support. The bill passed 8-1 and was reported favorably. The committee then heard CS for Senate Bill 62, by Senator Arrington, presented by Leader Berman. The bill would create an enforceable requirement related to candidate party affiliation qualifications and allow a qualified candidate or political party in the same race to challenge noncompliance. There was no opposition or debate, and the committee approved the bill unanimously, 10-0. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 380, by Senator Trumbull, which would expand options for posting legal notices online by clerks, tax collectors, municipalities, and certain constitutional officers, and the committee adopted an amendment clarifying special governmental agencies and setting a two-week online posting standard. The Florida Press Association, local newspaper representatives, and others opposed the bill, warning it would fragment public notice and reduce transparency, while Senator Trumbull and Senator Gaetz emphasized cost savings and the ability of constitutional officers to use their own websites. The amended bill passed 10-0 and was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe in the conference draft you took out or added in some language allowing the AG to enforce as
• <00:08:35.200> in<00:08:35.280> some or you you added in some or you you added in some
• And the Senate added language for condominiums two stories or below, to ensure that those structures
• Uh and<00:17:22.679> the<00:17:22.760> Senate<00:17:23.040> added<00:17:23.360><
• c> language<00:17:23.800> for<00:17:24.640> uh and the Senate added language for uh

Bills: SB2876, SB3253, SB2125, SB2781, HB549, HB1768, SB2053, SB2494, SB2851, SB3073, HB1678, HB1721, HB2475, HB2246, HB1667, HB1516, SB2532, SB3131, SB3154, HB2297, HB1737, SB2143, SB2398, SB2623, HB1740, HB1920, HB1682, SB2153, SB3140, HB1515, SB2835, HB2282, SB3083, SB2031, SB2519, SB2667, SB2140, SB2544, SB2069, SB2697, SB874, SB2043, SB888, SB2721, HB2152, HB1334, HB2385, HB1643, HB2314, HB1688, HB1692, SB2568, SB2983, SB2108, SB3136, HB1959, SB3156, HB1511, HB1753, HB1824, HB2137, HB1810, HB2279, HB2309, HB1548, HB2078, HB2293, SB3262, SB2169, SB2607, SB2964, SB3255, HB2576, HB1481, HB1864, HB1550, SB2818, SB3067, SB2061, HB1728, HB1881, HB2361, HB2395, HB1823, SB2050, SB2397, SB2175, SB2852, SB847, SB3001

Keywords: natural hair braiding, hair braiding, braids, braider, braiding license, cosmetology, barbering, barber board, Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, registration, licensure exemption, sanitation training, health and safety, hair extensions, cornrows, twists, locks, protective hairstyles, beauty industry, occupational licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• It would raise more than 300 million in revenues by taxing digital ads.
• /c><00:04:35.560> With<00:04:35.720> the<00:04:35.840> large by taxing digital ads
• With the large by taxing digital ads.
• than two-thirds and TikTok capture more than two-thirds of<00:05:00.600> all<00:05:00.919> ad
• of all ad revenues. of all ad revenues.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a press-style discussion in support of House File 4343, which would end Minnesota’s sales tax exemption for digital advertising services and physical advertising space such as billboards. Supporters said the bill would raise more than $300 million in revenue and allow the state sales tax rate to be reduced, while also modernizing the tax code to reflect a digital, service-based economy. Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota argued the current sales tax base is outdated, too narrow, and unfairly shifts burden onto Minnesota businesses, workers, and property taxpayers. Representative Lislegard said the bill would help fund schools, health care, infrastructure, child care, and local government, and framed it as a response to structural budget gaps and rising property taxes. She said large corporations are not paying their fair share and that the state should cut exemptions rather than reduce public services. Several speakers from labor, education, health care, and the arts backed the proposal, including a working parent who cited high child care costs, an AFSCME representative from Hennepin County Medical Center who said the revenue is needed to support the safety-net hospital, a musician who said streaming and ad-driven platforms profit from artists’ labor, and an educator who criticized social media companies’ impact on youth. The speakers repeatedly argued that major tech and advertising companies such as Meta, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, TikTok, and Spotify should contribute more to public services, while ordinary Minnesotans already pay too much. Representative White closed by acknowledging the bill faces a difficult path but said supporters would keep fighting for it. No vote or formal committee action was taken in the portion provided, and the event ended with one question from the audience.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE HAVE ADDED DIFFERENT TREATMENT LEVELS. WE TALK ABOUT SUSPENDED AERATION.
• YOU HAVE SOME MANUFACTURERS THAT HAVE GONE AND ADDED ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS.
• THEY ACTUALLY INCENTIVIZED AND HAD A HALF PENNY TAX ADDED.
• THEY'VE ADDED THE SUBMERGED MEDIA WITH THE PREPARATORY CARBON SOURCE. >> Sen.
• THEY WENT THROUGH THE PE TESTING ON THE TANKS AND ADDED TO THE LIST.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We ask today for your support in adding PDCD to the newborn screen panel.
• By adding PDCD to the Massachusetts newborn screen, we can take a significant...
• At restaurants, a typical child-sized fountain soda has 40 grams of added sugar, and an average fast
• No new scope of practice is added under this legislation.
• It's a business model built on addiction dressed up in social media ads.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on a wide range of bills focused on children’s health, tobacco control, newborn screening, pediatric cancer, palliative care, and professional licensure. Early testimony highlighted Senate bills to expand newborn screening for pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency, lysosomal storage disorders, and congenital CMV, with families and clinicians describing severe diagnostic delays, missed treatment windows, and the benefits of early detection. Speakers also supported a bill to improve pediatric cancer research through a dedicated trust fund, and a bill to extend pediatric palliative care services to age 22, with parents and providers emphasizing continuity of care for seriously ill young people. Several witnesses gave personal accounts in support of the newborn screening measures. Families described children who endured years of misdiagnosis before receiving diagnoses such as Gaucher disease, Fabry disease, Pompe disease, Niemann-Pick disease, and CMV, often after irreversible damage had already occurred. Medical and advocacy witnesses said Massachusetts already collects some of the relevant screening data and argued that results should be reported to families, while others urged the committee to add conditions to the state panel because effective treatments already exist. The committee also heard support for a bill to establish a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder program and training for providers. On tobacco and youth health, testimony supported bills to ban internet tobacco sales, strengthen youth protections, and reduce lung cancer deaths through point-of-sale information and quit-line access. A student testified about easily purchasing flavored nicotine products online without meaningful age verification, and public health advocates backed measures to keep tobacco out of children’s environments. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to ensure parents have access to their children’s medical records through age 16, with exceptions for sensitive services already protected by law. The committee additionally took testimony on an optometry licensure bill, where ophthalmologists opposed language they said could broaden scope of practice and allow optometrists to use the title “optometric physician,” while optometry educators and students supported the bill as a modernization measure with no scope expansion. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair repeatedly reminded speakers of time limits and noted that written testimony could be submitted for additional comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• There will be one investigator added to the OIG team.
• It wasn't adding more staff.
• It wasn't adding more staff.
• It wasn't adding more staff.
• that was made about um potential adding that was made about um potential adding staff<01:00:16.240

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• What will be added to their premiums when we include these extra mandates? I I love all that.
• What will be added to the consumer?
• What will be added to their<00:10:39.040> premiums<00:10:39.920> when<00:10:40.160>
• But, you know, we're adding another, in my opinion, hefty obligation to this in the fiscal note.
• But, you know, we're we're<00:12:32.959> adding<00:12:33.279> another<00:12:33.680>

Bills: SB9, HB400, SB9, HB400

Keywords: Alabama Athletic Commission, Attorney General, criminal penalties, unarmed combat, regulation, boxing, mixed martial arts, civil fines, dental insurance, benefit rollover, healthcare, insurance policy, annual maximum, smoking ban, vaping, public health, indoor air quality, clean air, ambulance services, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• So, he asked that we look at adding that language, and we did that.
• And that's why we added it right next to the vehicle measure. Follow that.
• We added that just in because I'm not a techie.
• So, I added that just in case they did that.
• No, it's adding the word tablet. I want them to have access.

Bills: SB1226, SB1456, SB1462, SB1463, SB1980, SB1479, SB1608, SB1923, HB2979, HB2980, HB3662, HB4107, HB3082, HB2997, HB3083, HB3055, HB2951

Keywords: motor vehicle, accident, notification, liability, civil action, gender neutral, SB1456, Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence, sunset extension, sunset law, breath alcohol testing, DUI, DWI, drunk driving, drug testing, chemical testing, field sobriety, roadside screening, blood test, saliva test

Transcript Highlights:

• We think some amendments are excellent, but one amendment that was added is going to be in conflict with
• is is going to be in conflict was added is is going to be in conflict with<00:03:43.040> our<
• But I did want to highlight that we are strongly requesting that you consider adding a representative
• <00:04:30.680> a<00:04:30.880> representative you consider um adding a representative
• you consider um adding a representative from<00:04:31.680> hap<00:04:32.080> to<00:04:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard several resolutions focused on health care access, Medicaid services, and regulatory reform. SR 6 urged the Director of Health to create a working group on health insurance reform to reduce prior authorization delays; testimony was generally supportive, with DHS, SHIPA, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, the Hawaii Medical Association, and HMSA all offering comments or support. SHIPA said House Bill 250 would provide a better mechanism for the same goal, but the committee still moved forward with the resolution. SR 7 asked DHS Med-QUEST to cover behavioral health services for children in school-based settings, and SR 9 sought a program to incentivize community care foster family homes to accept people eligible under the Medicaid IDD waiver program. DHS supported the intent of both measures but raised concerns about regulatory limits. Testifiers on SR 9, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, argued the state should be more creative in expanding residential capacity, especially on the neighbor islands, while the chair questioned whether the barriers were state administrative rules or federal requirements. The committee also heard SC 14/SR 10 on a sunrise analysis for lactation consultant licensure. Supporters said lactation services can improve health outcomes and save costs, and that Medicaid coverage remains limited. After discussion, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations: SR 6 and SC 14/SR 10 were passed with technical, non-substantive amendments; SR 7 was deferred; and SR 9 was deferred for further work. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not adding or taking away any of the abilities that are currently there.
• We're really not adding or changing anything out of the ordinary to any authorities or anything that
• Representative Knox, that's not what the added language does.
• Representative Knox, that's not what the added language does.
• The added language in this statute requires, at the Louisiana Center for Children's Rights, the added

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on May 12 and took up a series of bills, mostly on juvenile justice, gaming-related background checks, bail/electronic bonds, and corrections policy. Early in the meeting, the committee reported favorably SB 258 on juvenile traffic violations, SB 321 on electronic bonds, SB 134 on limiting certain child sexual abuse material offenses for juveniles under 17 in specific circumstances, HB 75 on promotional play for racetracks as amended, and SB 422 on unsupervised probation for certain fourth-offense impaired driving cases. Later, the committee also advanced SB 440 on the Renaissance District board membership, SB 393 on explosives regulation, SB 487 on charitable gaming rental arrangements, SB 339 and SB 288 on criminal background check procedures in the gaming and related regulatory systems, and SB 325 on excluding certain persons from sports wagering. A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 201, which would change juvenile homicide sentencing procedures, including first- and second-degree murder cases, and how reviewing courts consider parole eligibility and prior death sentences converted to life. Supporters said the bill aligns sentencing with existing Supreme Court precedent and gives courts clearer guidance; opponents from children’s rights and civil liberties groups argued it weakens the “rarest and uncommon” safeguard for juvenile life-without-parole sentences and could expand harsh sentencing beyond constitutional limits. After debate and testimony, the committee adopted an amendment and reported SB 201 favorably by a 7-3 vote, with Representatives Adams, Knox, Moore, and others voting no. The committee also heard SB 523 on clemency and sentencing considerations for defendants who are victims of domestic abuse, human trafficking, or sexual assault. Survivors’ advocates and domestic violence organizations supported the bill’s overall purpose but objected to the mandatory pre-sentence investigation language, warning it could introduce biased information and harm survivors; the Board of Pardons and Parole said its staff and trauma-informed victim assistance coordinators are trained to handle these cases. The committee adopted an amendment narrowing the bill and then reported SB 523 favorably. Finally, SB 320 on DNA detection and crime lab reporting was advanced without opposition, and SB 470 on pregnant women in custody passed after testimony from the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association and discussion of pregnancy testing, bonding options, and prohibiting shackling during delivery and postpartum periods.