Video & Transcript Research : 'mail voting'
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AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, can I explain my vote?” “Please. Thank you. And thank you for the votes, members.
- How do you vote, sir? I'm considering it right now. Aye. Thank you. How do you vote, sir?
- You don't get to explain your vote today. Just letting you know. I'm just kidding. Are we voting?
- So with that, I vote no. Thank you. Representative Marshall? Mr. Chair, may I explain my vote? No.
- Makes mind my vote? Yes.
Keywords:
forcible entry, detainer, writ of restitution, criminal trespass, judgment enforcement, civil terrorism, disorderly conduct, vandalism, political activism, public order, subversion, government security, criminal records, sealing records, civil rights, expungement, rehabilitation, coerced abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, felony
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 13, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- One neat callout here is that the mailing address is a smart form.
- course, the funding is tied to the county of residence, so it's important that we have the correct mailing
- So one neat call out here is that the mailing address is a smart form.
- So it's important that we have the correct mailing address. You can't we don't get five versions.
- County of residents, so it's important that we have the correct mailing address.
Summary:
The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met to continue reviewing how Family Empowerment Scholarship students are funded through the FEFP and the role of scholarship funding organizations. Staff gave a statutory overview of parent, SFO, and Department of Education responsibilities, including application deadlines, eligibility verification, quarterly payment timing, cross-checks to prevent duplicate funding, and the 99% district FEFP limitation for certain awards. The committee then heard demonstrations from Step Up for Students and AAA Scholarship Foundation showing their parent portals, application workflows, reimbursement systems, school enrollment/invoice processes, and marketplace tools for tuition, tutoring, and approved goods and services.
Step Up reported major growth since HB 1, saying its scholarship population expanded from about 260,000 to more than 440,000 students, with application processing averaging about 10 days. It also highlighted faster tuition, provider, and reimbursement payments, multilingual support in English and Spanish, and resources such as videos and a call center. Members asked about support for Creole speakers, optional Florida ID numbers, student identifiers, marketplace pricing, tutor qualifications, background screening, and how awards differ from funded status. Step Up said it does not currently support Creole, does not do background screenings for tutors, sets no marketplace prices itself, and uses a unique internal student ID separate from the state ID.
AAA demonstrated its revised software for the 2025-26 school year, including an eligibility screener, household and student application steps, messaging with staff, reimbursement requests, and administrative review and payment batching. AAA said the new system is custom-built, more transparent about award value versus available balance, and designed to better handle quarterly funding for UA students. Members questioned AAA and Step Up about student ID numbers, public-school cross-checks, fraud controls, school fee schedules, whether schools must participate, and reimbursement timing. Both organizations said they report quarterly to DOE, receive public-school cross-checks, and recover funds when students return to public school; AAA said its average reimbursement turnaround is about 14 business days, while Step Up said its reimbursement approvals have improved significantly. The committee also requested follow-up information, including one-pagers, data on income levels and demographics, and additional details on forecasting and system costs.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (01/21/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- could request other forms to be mailed to you.
- not I don't want to increase a voting not I don't want to increase a voting age<03:51:09.159>
- present clerk votes present clerk votes yes<04:27:47.239>
representative <04:27:48.199> - <04:29:37.239>
for all just voted for all just voted for it<04:29:39.800>yeah <04:29 - > vote 10 people vote uh vote 10 people vote uh uh<04:31:22.199>
SP <04:31:22.600>co-sponsor
Summary:
The committee received an overview from Chris of the Legislative Budget Assistance Office on how it will estimate unrestricted revenues for the General Fund, Education Trust Fund, Highway Fund, and Fish and Game Fund. He explained that the committee’s work is based on current law, not pending bills, and that the estimates will feed into a House resolution and an amendment to House Bill 1, the operating budget. He also described the broader budget process, including how House and Senate estimates are reconciled, how surplus statements account for revenue changes from enacted bills, and how a committee of conference could resolve differences later in the session. No votes were taken.
Members then asked about why the Education Trust Fund was running below plan. Chris said the shortfall appeared to be driven largely by business taxes, including differences in the BET/BPT split and improved tax-processing systems that better track where business tax payments belong. Representative Orr also asked about tobacco tax collections and out-of-state sales; Chris said tobacco revenue was likely overestimated in 2023 based on COVID-era patterns, with more people smoking at home, and noted that e-cigarette tax revenue goes to the General Fund while cigarette taxes are split between the General Fund and Education Trust Fund. He said he did not have a specific estimate for cross-border sales.
Commissioner Lindsay St. Pierre of the Department of Revenue then began a deeper dive into the department’s role and the taxes it administers. She reviewed the department’s mission, organizational structure, taxpayer services, and the tax policy and legislative analysis staff who prepare fiscal notes and testify on bills. She noted that the department administers about $2.9 billion in revenue across major taxes such as business taxes, meals and rooms, and utility property tax, and that the figures being discussed were preliminary because the annual report had not yet been issued. The discussion was informational only, with no formal action taken.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Mar 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- SO IT'S A GOOD THING FOR PEOPLE IN COMMUNITIES THAT DRIVE MAYBE DOWN TO GET THEIR MAIL, MAYBE THEY DRIVE
- BY OUR VOTE CS FOR SENATE BILL 88 IS REPORTED FAVORABLY.
- Arrington: I WAIVE CLOSE. >> Chair DiCeglie: ROLL CALL VOTE ON SENATE BILL 284. >> Sen.
- BY YOUR VOTE BILL 274 IS REPORTED FAVORABLY.
- DOES ANY SENATOR WISH TO BE RECORDED AS VOTING ON BILLS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE?
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Judiciary, Division A - Room 216, 29 January, 2026; 3:00 PM
Judiciary, Division A
Transcript Highlights:
- The distinction between active and inactive is if the county has sent mail to a voter and that mail has
- The distinction between active and inactive is if the county has sent mail to a voter and that mail has
- As I stated before this committee, I think at 18 years of age, if you can vote, you can go to prison,
- As I stated before this committee, I think at 18 years of age, if you can vote, you can go to prison,
- If Senator Simmons wishes to offer an amendment, you know, I know the body can vote on that at the time
Summary:
The committee met to discuss several bills, beginning with a block motion on Senate Bills 2138, 2697, 2707, 2717, and 2726. Those measures were described as code-section updates involving redrawn Supreme Court districts, youth court reforms, Administrative Office of Courts matters, replacement of the MyKids youth court computer system, and Mississippi opioid settlement commission procedures. The committee agreed to take them up together, and the motion to report them title sufficient and due pass carried without opposition.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 2890, dealing with the judicial operations fund. Members were told the fund no longer has sufficient revenue to cover court operations and requested judicial raises, and the proposed committee substitute would repeal the fund while conforming related code references. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported title sufficient and due pass. Senate Bill 2730, granting immunity to nonprofits and churches that open during declared emergencies, was amended with a reverse repealer and then passed as amended.
Next, Senate Bill 2135 was explained as a change to jury summons procedures so clerks could use the SEMS active/inactive voter designation and summon only active voters, without removing anyone from the voter rolls. The bill drew no opposition and passed, though a reverse repealer was later requested on similar procedural grounds in other bills. Senate Bill 2360 would create a public registry of entities that, though appearing private, are covered by the Mississippi Tort Claims Act; members discussed whether such entities should also be required to identify themselves on websites and written materials, and an amendment to that effect was adopted. A reverse repealer was then added, and the bill passed as amended.
Finally, Senate Bill 2362 was presented as a proposal to create a private cause of action under the Unfair Trade Practices Act, allowing claimants to sue directly while still notifying the Attorney General. The sponsor said the bill would not add extra damages and noted similar laws in other states. The committee discussion was cut off in the transcript before a final vote on that bill is shown.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm happy to mail that to anybody that wants it.
- I'm happy to mail that is on my website.
- And our check and balance is the vote.
- Um, now the vote is on this president is not for another three years, but the vote on Congress is next
- go back to to take that vote. go back to to take that vote.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the rule of law with U.S. Representative Ed Case. Chair Carl Rhodes opened by explaining the purpose of the briefing, noting it was being livestreamed and that public testimony would not be taken in the usual way. He described the rule of law as central to democracy and introduced Case, who was invited to discuss the concept and its relevance to recent federal actions affecting Hawaii.
Case framed the rule of law as a durable system grounded in the Constitution, federal laws, separation of powers, and checks and balances, with each branch of government and the public itself playing a role. He emphasized that Congress makes the laws, the president executes them, and the courts decide whether the Constitution and laws are being followed. He also stressed that elected officials swear to uphold this structure and that the rule of law is distinct from ordinary policy disagreements.
Case then argued that the Trump administration has undermined the rule of law through actions such as dismantling or weakening agencies created and funded by law, withholding appropriated funds, removing inspectors general and other independent officials, ignoring or challenging court orders, weakening the independence of agencies like the Department of Justice and the Federal Reserve, and intimidating dissenting voices, the press, and other opponents. He said these actions have harmed Hawaii and reflect a coordinated effort to concentrate power in the executive branch. He noted that Congress has not been serving as an effective check, while federal courts have been the main remaining check through more than 46 lawsuits, and he identified voters as the ultimate check and balance, briefly correcting the timing of the next midterm election to 2026.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I call for a vote. Anna. Anna, welcome? Yes. Chairman and committee, hi everyone.
- And I urge you to vote no on SB 2330. Thank you.
- Monthly checks are created electronically based on a spreadsheet of our members and then mailed to us
- I urge you respectfully to vote no on this bill, and I can answer any questions.
- I urge you respectfully to vote no on this bill, and I can answer any questions if you have them.
Keywords:
electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce heard Senate Bill 2021 by Senator Johnson, as substituted, on distributed energy resources (DERs). Johnson said the bill was intended to create a regulatory framework for DERs and virtual power plants, address interconnection and registration issues, and prevent regulatory capture as the industry grows. Testimony was split: Texas Electric Cooperatives asked for clarification so co-ops would not be unintentionally excluded from owning or operating DERs; AECT supported the bill as providing needed rules and customer protections; TABA, Texas Solar and Storage Association, Sierra Club, Texas Solar Energy Society, and several others opposed it or raised concerns that it was too utility-centric, imposed red tape, and could burden homeowners and small businesses with registration and interconnection requirements. Johnson repeatedly said the bill was not meant to stop rooftop solar or backup systems and that he was open to specific redlines and further changes. SB 2021 was left pending after testimony.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 2330 by Senator Parker, which would end government payroll deduction for dues to certain public employee organizations, while exempting first responders under Chapters 143 and 147 and making other conforming changes in a committee substitute. Parker argued the bill was about government neutrality, transparency, and employee freedom from coercion, and said organizations can collect dues directly using modern payment methods. Supporters from Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Business Coalition, Freedom Foundation, ABC Texas, and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility said taxpayer-funded payroll systems should not be used to collect dues for private organizations, especially ones involved in political activity. Opponents, including ATPE, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, Texas Public Employees Association, and correctional employees, said payroll deduction is a convenient, secure service that helps professional associations and employee groups, and argued the bill would burden teachers and other public employees.
Several witnesses and senators focused on the bill’s exemptions and whether it treated teachers differently from first responders. Senator Menendez questioned why some public employees were excluded while others were not, and a Houston police union representative said he moved from opposing to supporting the bill after being told the substitute would preserve meet-and-confer deductions under Chapters 143 and 147. Senator Parker closed by saying the bill was not meant to eliminate associations or payroll deduction entirely, only to remove the state as a middleman. SB 2330 was left pending, and the committee then recessed subject to call.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel and Public Retirement (7-15-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:03:47.840>
in state, but then re-register to vote in state, but then re-register to vote - <00:04:20.720>
in had our law to prevent voting in had our law to prevent voting in multiple - I voted for the law that says that people should not be allowed to vote in two states.
- I voted for the law that says that people should not be allowed to vote in two states.
- I not be allowed to vote in two states.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:15
Office of the Secretary of State 00:01:59
Office of the Attorney General 00:12:40
Department of Agriculture 00:22:44, 958, all
Summary:
The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement heard presentations from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Agriculture. Secretary of State Michael Adams said his office had no major new budget or authority requests, but he updated members on voter-roll maintenance, ongoing litigation over a law preventing voting in multiple states, the Safe at Home program for domestic violence survivors, human trafficking outreach, reduced spending, and new anti-fraud measures for business registrations and electronic service of process.
Members then discussed Adams’ remarks, especially his criticism of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. One senator objected that the organization should not be shut out of the legislative process, citing First Amendment concerns. Adams responded that he was not seeking to ban anyone from speaking, but wanted lawmakers to remember the harm he believes the group’s litigation does to election integrity and bipartisan reform. Representative Jackson praised Adams and his staff for their work.
Deputy Attorney General Rob Duncan outlined the office’s work, including criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, body armor grants, administrative hearings, domestic violence and violent crime initiatives, election security, child support services, and the new Office of Data Privacy. He said the child support program transition from CHFS had created budget shortfalls and that the office would seek additional funding next session. In response to questions from Representative Lockett, Duncan said he did not yet have exact cost figures but expected funding needs and noted barriers related to personnel, budgeting, and integration. The committee also heard from Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, who highlighted the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy’s 25th anniversary, the new Office of Economic Development, and the role of Miss Kentucky in promoting agriculture. He said the department would seek recruitment and retention funding, possible staffing for EV station inspections, and continued support to make the agriculture economic development fund permanent.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Going after late fees charged by utilities 3/10/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- that may be at risk of disconnection a minimum of six times through a combination of phone calls, mail
- c> throughout the combination of phone throughout the combination of phone calls,<00:15:19.519>
mail - letters,<00:15:20.560>
and <00:15:20.959>physical <00:15:21.440>site calls, mail - letters, and physical site calls, mail letters, and physical site visits.<00:15:23.040>
Utilities
Summary:
The committee heard House File 3912, as amended, and the author moved that the bill be laid over for consideration in a future omnibus bill. The amendment was adopted without objection. Representative Holland described the bill as an energy affordability measure that would bar utilities from charging certain fees during the cold weather rule for customers above 50% of state median income, prohibit reconnection fees after shutoff for nonpayment, and create a framework for regulating late fees. He argued that late fees are often high, compound monthly, and disproportionately burden low-income households, citing utility debt and disconnection figures and noting that the need for relief is concentrated in greater Minnesota.
Annie Levenson Faulk of the Citizens Utility Board supported the bill, saying reconnection fees and late fees fall on households already struggling to pay for essential service. She said reconnection fees should be treated as part of the cost of doing business and that late fees should be limited to a reasonable approximation of actual carrying costs, with protections for low-income customers. She also said the issue is already being considered in utility rate cases before the Public Utilities Commission, but that legislative action is still appropriate.
Nick Martin of Xcel Energy and Katherine O'Donnell of CenterPoint Energy opposed the bill in its current form while emphasizing their companies’ commitment to affordability and customer assistance. Xcel said the bill would shift reconnection costs to other customers and could undermine a proposed arrears management program funded by late payment charges; Xcel also noted that the PUC is already reviewing these issues in its rate case. CenterPoint said it already offers extensive outreach, payment plans, and assistance programs, does not charge late fees once a customer is on a payment plan, and that its reconnection fee does not fully cover costs. After testimony and brief discussion, the chair noted the helpful information from utilities, the author said he was open to further work on the bill, and the bill was laid over.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Joint Contract Review Committee Mar 5th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Aware sends the package to the individual's home with another package for them to mail it back, and
- <00:17:17.439>
to with a a another package for them to with a a another package for them to mail - 19.039>
it's <00:17:19.360>tested <00:17:20.079>and <00:17:20.400>then mail - it back and so it's tested and then mail it back and so it's tested and then the<00:17:20.799>
department
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- So, I ask for your vote. Thank you, that concludes debate. Clerk, please call the roll.
- Senator Brooks Senator Murdock, Senator Wingard, Senator Brooks, would you like to vote?
- if they submit it electronically, and then the national criminal history with fingerprints and they mail
Keywords:
substance abuse, counseling, assessment fees, mental health, alcohol and drug programs, domestic violence, domestic abuse, assault and battery, assault, battery, strangulation, dangerous weapon, family or household member, intimate partner, pregnant woman, great bodily injury, batterers intervention program, batterers' intervention, anger management, victim safety
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
SB 2133 Conference Committee Apr 3rd, 2025 at 05:30 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- I voted no, by the way. That's why I'm here from the minority. No, by the way.
- I guess my thoughts are if it's, you know, you'd mentioned that the fees to create it and then to mail
- Because, I mean, if we're going to support the bill, and I know not everybody will vote for it, but if
Summary:
The conference committee on Senate Bill 2133 met to discuss the blackout license plate bill after House amendments changed the fee structure. The House explained it had removed the initial $15 fee and reduced the additional fee from $25 to $10, saying that better matched the cost of producing the plates. Senators and representatives debated whether the fee should remain at $25 annually, be set at $15, or keep the House’s lower amount, with members citing production and shipping costs, comparisons to other specialty plates, and how the bill should align with existing plate fees and personalization charges.
The committee also discussed an amendment to allow blackout versions of collector, antique, and pioneer plates. DOT staff said the proposal would affect separate code sections for antique and collector plates and raised questions about printing, costs, and whether owners would need to turn in existing plates or pay duplicate-type fees. Some members supported making the blackout option available consistently across plate types, while others objected to the bill entirely, saying black plates reduce the state’s identity and are unnecessary.
No final agreement was reached on the fee or the collector/antique plate amendment. The committee decided more drafting and cost review were needed and planned to reschedule another meeting. The meeting adjourned without taking a final vote on the conference committee changes.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Hope we'll be able to meet them in the future. vote motion that house file 1479 be laid vote motion that
- neutral this may be my Rochester vote neutral this may be my Rochester vote for<00:26:47.360>
- Seeing none, Chair Davids called for a vote, and the A1 amendment was adopted.
- Hogland in the mail for those folks who received that.
- Hogland in the mail for those folks who received that.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Public Works and Highways (03/14/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- They got back to us by mail, and they say they would like to lapse 126 with no money.
- And then Revenue Administration at line 171, they sent us mail that they want to keep that.
- And then Revenue Administration at line 171, they sent us mail that they want to keep that.
- And then Revenue Administration at line 171, they sent us mail that they want to keep that.
- And then Revenue Administration at line 171, they sent us mail that they want to keep that.
Summary:
The subcommittee met to review the lapse extensions in the back of House Bill 25, which governs capital budget appropriations and bonding. Members were walked through how the bill is structured: section 1 covers general, federal, and other funds; section 2 covers highway fund appropriations; later sections authorize borrowing, restrict spending to the stated purposes, and explain why community colleges and the university system operate through their boards of trustees. The chair also explained that lapse extensions are needed because capital projects can span multiple years, and that appropriations normally expire at the end of the biennium unless extended.
A substantial portion of the discussion focused on how to identify unspent balances and whether they should be extended, repurposed, or allowed to lapse. Members discussed that if a project is complete or an agency confirms it no longer needs the money, the remaining balance can be reused for another project or, if not needed, lapse back. The committee also reviewed the meaning of bill references and chapter numbers, and how to read prior-year appropriations and extensions in the worksheet. One example discussed was a 2023 Department of Administrative Services courthouse generators item, and members noted that some agencies may rely on encumbered balances rather than explicit lapse extensions, though the chair said he prefers including the extension for flexibility.
The committee identified at least one specific change: the Jeffrey Ringe CTE renovation was removed from the governor’s recommended budget because the required local match was not approved, freeing about $18.5 million for possible reuse. Later, the chair noted that lapse extension 49 on the worksheet was no longer needed and could be removed, leaving an unspent balance of $81,500 available for repurposing. The discussion also referenced a Department of Transportation item, Caroline Stratford Freight Rail Improvements, which the agency asked to keep alive through a lapse extension so the funds would not expire on June 30. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight REVISED: 11:15 a.m. - New Start Time
Health and Human Services Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- TJ, Marty, those wishing to vote or change vote, sharers, parent, close, clear the vote.
- All those wishing to vote or change the vote, chairs, pairing, and clothes, clear the vote. 2 A's and
- All those wishing to vote or change their vote, please. Chairs, parent, close, clear the vote.
- All those wishing to vote or change the vote, err, pairing, close to clear the vote.
- Marty, all those wishing to vote or change the vote, cherish parent clothes, declare the vote.
Keywords:
HB3043, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, ODVA, seasonal employees, project labor, pro rata jobs, unclassified service, state personnel law, state employee benefits, paid leave, paid holidays, retirement benefits, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, temporary workers, veterans affairs, Title 72, Oklahoma Personnel Act, budget reporting
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- >> clerk votes yes. Representative Sod. >> clerk votes yes. Representative Sod.
- >> And<01:37:49.040>
votes <01:37:49.440>yes. >> And votes yes. - We are voting Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- Um and papers mailed every single week.
- in Hudson and I want to be able to mail in Hudson and I want to be able to mail it<05:37:32.160>
WY
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences Oct 21st, 2025
Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences
Transcript Highlights:
- Seeing none, the J-LARC staff will conduct a roll call of the votes.
- And we have four votes, so the motion passes. Thank you.
- We have four votes and the motion passes. Thank you. Okay.
- Please have a roll call vote.
- We have five votes and the motion passes. Thank you. Okay.
Summary:
The Citizens Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on October 22, 2025. Members approved the September 22, 2025 meeting minutes unanimously and reviewed a draft 2026 meeting schedule, tentatively setting meetings for May 6, August 4, September 15, and October 20, 2026, without taking a formal vote. The commission then worked through its commissioner comments on tax preference reviews, with Commissioner Forsyth recusing himself from the natural gas for transportation and energy sales to silicon smelters items.
The discussion focused on reconciling endorse/endorse with comment/does not endorse positions into final recommendations. The commission adopted comments for the liquefied natural gas preference, the natural gas for transportation preference, the energy sales to silicon smelters preference, several low-income housing and veterans-related preferences, and other reviewed tax preferences. Several comments emphasized reporting burdens, the need for clearer legislative guidance, and in the veterans’ item, the possibility that low use may reflect limited visibility of the preference. Staff also clarified the reporting requirements for the natural gas transportation preference and the rationale for continuing the LNG preference while asking the legislature to consider a Department of Revenue workgroup report.
All commissioner comment packages were ultimately adopted by roll call votes, with the relevant recusals noted. No members of the public testified in person. The chair invited written testimony by email or mail and thanked staff and members for their work. The next commission meeting was announced for May 6, 2026, at 10 a.m.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Natural Resources and Environment May 6th, 2026
Natural Resources & Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- Do they still—do you have to—is that something you do online or by mail or... ...the court system to
- Are there any members who wish to reconsider the vote that we took earlier?
- I'm going to be probably objecting and voting against this one for that particular purpose.
- This thing was done and the legislature never got a vote on it.
- Representative McCormick, you know, we voted yours out of here.
Summary:
The committee heard a series of natural resources and environmental measures, mostly local property transfers and Wildlife and Fisheries bills. It reported favorable on Senate Bills 229 and 71, which authorize property transfers in Bossier and Lafayette parishes, and on several department bills dealing with fishing and boating rules: SB 203 on possession of catch during multi-day trips, SB 429 on registration of lapsed or “orphan” boats, SB 204 on commercial fishing gear licenses for nonresidents, SB 205 reducing duplicate registration for federally documented boats, SB 213 on titling certain vessels and outboard motors, SB 257 removing Social Security number requirements from certain tags, and HB 662, a substitute bill setting a hierarchy for handling seized sick, injured, or orphan wildlife. The committee also adopted amendments and reported favorable SB 379, a technical cleanup bill tied to the Department of Conservation and Energy reorganization, though an opposition witness warned it could reduce minimum oil and gas royalties and asked for a fiscal note.
Members also advanced several measures aimed at coastal and flood-related concerns. HCR 62, by Rep. Domangue, urges FEMA to review flood maps every five years instead of every ten and to better account for local flood-protection projects; members broadly supported it and discussed the burden of flood insurance in coastal parishes. SB 214 would give the Teche-Vermilion Fresh Water District authority to stop pumping during immediate flood risk events identified by the National Weather Service or GOSEP, and it was reported favorable. SB 274, as amended, requires lead hazard risk assessments and remediation for certain child care and pre-kindergarten facilities, with DEQ and LDH testimony supporting the update. HCR 78 memorializes Congress to pass the American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026, which supporters said would help Louisiana’s seafood industry and access federal loans and grants.
The committee also debated broader policy resolutions. HCR 216, by Rep. Owen, sought to repudiate the Louisiana Climate Action Plan of 2022, but after extensive discussion about its purpose, possible effects on existing projects, and whether the legislature should instead hold a hearing, the resolution was voluntarily deferred. Finally, the committee took up SCR 24 on chronic wasting disease rules, adopted amendments raising the prevalence threshold from 1.5% to 2.5% and adjusting zone and baiting provisions, and continued discussion of the bill’s reset of management rules for deer disease control.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- can be accessed by the public and emergency services when emergency medical attention is needed. ...vote
- If the tax bill was already mailed, the tax assessor will mail a corrected bill.
- If the tax bill has already been paid in full, the assessor will mail a refund to the property owner
- Bill by Senator Zaffirini last time that we did not vote out. It's Senate Bill 2073.
- Oh, I want unanimous consent to show Senator Middleton is voting yes on Senate Bill 2073.
Bills:
SB467, SB325, SB867, SB994, SB1052, SB1237, SB1449, SB1531, SB2063, SB2172, SB2173, SB2520, SB2529, SB2538, SB2541, SJR46, SJR84
Keywords:
SB 467, Texas property tax, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, residence homestead, fire damage, house fire, destroyed home, temporary tax relief, appraisal district, chief appraiser, local taxing unit, tax rollback, tax refund, Tax Code Chapter 11, prorated exemption, homestead improvement, disaster relief, property tax exemption, residential property