Transcript Highlights:

• I'm appointing Senator Sundareshan to the Committee on Public Safety to temporarily replace Senator Gabaldón
• I'm appointing Senator QVee to the Committee on Health and Human Services to temporarily replace Senator
• insurance, dental practice prohibition; HB 2380, school districts board meetings expenditures; HB 2389, replacement
• insurance dental practice prohibition HB 2380 school districts board meetings expenditures HB 2389 replacement

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, electronic roll call, and several guest introductions, including recognition of Health Workforce Wellbeing Day of Awareness, the Doctor of the Day, educators visiting the Capitol, and student guests. The President also made temporary committee appointments for the day and announced the day’s calendar of bills and committee referrals. The chamber then took up third-reading votes on several measures. Senate Bill 1014, relating to health insurance, passed 17-9. Senate Bill 1016, on employment practices and religious exemptions, also passed 17-9 after debate about workplace safety and public health. Senate Bill 1050, concerning state parks and veteran access, passed 19-9, with supporters citing benefits for disabled and retired veterans and opponents warning about impacts on park fees. Senate Bill 1054, relating to referendum power and emergency measures, passed 16-10 amid debate over local emergency authority. Senate Bill 1177, relating to public monies and health care services, passed 17-9 after sharp partisan debate over transgender-related medical restrictions. Senate Bill 1194, also on health care services and vaccination-related medical decisions, passed 17-9. Senate Bill 1398, relating to AHCCCS, passed 17-9. Senate Bill 1751, relating to capital punishment, passed 16-9. The Senate also passed SCR 1049, a concurrent resolution proposing a constitutional amendment on capital punishment, by a 16-9 vote. Throughout the floor debate, members offered explanations of vote focused on public health, religious liberty, veterans’ benefits, emergency powers, transgender rights, vaccination policy, and the death penalty. The Senate then announced a Health and Human Services Committee meeting for the following day and adjourned until Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It simply replaces line 220 with 221.
• Represent simply<00:12:20.079><c> replaces</c><00:12:20.480><c> line</c><00:12:20.880><c> 220</c><00:
• </c><00:12:23.360><c> Uh</c><00:12:23.600><c> you've</c> simply replaces line 220 221.
• Uh you've simply replaces line 220 221.

Bills: HB530, HB559, SB317, HB568, HB530, HB559, SB317, HB568

Keywords: tax exemption, Kidz Eatz, sales tax, non-profit, local government, loitering, mask mandate, public safety, school policy, college regulations, law enforcement, Alabama Innovation Corporation, board of directors, staggered terms, economic development, entrepreneurship, voting rights, restoration, pardons, Parole Board

Transcript Highlights:

• They had to replace that actually took the copper out. system we have system we have pretty<00:02:50.080
• They had<00:03:03.040><c> to</c><00:03:03.200><c> replace</c> that<00:03:07.519><c> actually</c> took
• Replace line 230 on page 9 with the following: A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, 4, A1.
• Replace line 230 on page 9 with the following: A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, 4, A1.

Bills: SB277, HB395, HB482, SB251, HB513

Keywords: decentralized nonprofit association, unincorporated nonprofit association, blockchain, distributed ledger technology, smart contract, digital asset, crypto, web3, DAO, decentralized autonomous organization, nonprofit governance, digital membership, consensus mechanism, ledger, Alabama nonprofit law, entity formation, liability protection, service of process, real property, winding up

Transcript Highlights:

• homeowner wants to make an investment in their home and reduce the risk of wildfire, they would probably replace
• We see shake roofs, and I'm not in a wildland interface area, but typically when people replace them,
• they're not replacing with shake because most local building codes don't allow that anymore.
• But a question: is it just for replacement?

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm appointing Senator Finchem to the Committee on Rules to temporarily replace Senator Peterson for
• I'm appointing Senator Angus to the Committee on Rules to temporarily replace Senator Farnsworth for
• And I'm appointing Senator Shope to temporarily replace... ...February 23, 2026, and I'm appointing Senator
• Shope to temporarily replace Senator Farnsworth as chairman of the Committee on Rules for Monday, February

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Chairman, the amendment replaces lines 82 and 83 on page three with the following: a franchise agreement
• Uh<00:09:52.320><c> amendment</c><00:09:53.040><c> uh</c><00:09:53.440><c> replaces</c><00:09:54.000>
• line</c><00:09:54.399><c> 82</c><00:09:54.800><c> and</c><00:09:55.040><c> 83</c> Uh amendment uh replaces
• line 82 and 83 Uh amendment uh replaces line 82 and 83 on<00:09:55.519><c> page</c><00:09:55.839><c>

Bills: HB418, SB138, SB215, HB418, SB138, SB215

Keywords: financial services, banking, insurance, debanking, social credit score, ESG, environmental, social, and governance, diversity, equity, and inclusion, DEI, religious freedom, free speech, viewpoint discrimination, political discrimination, firearms, gun industry, ammunition, fossil fuels, oil and gas, mining, timber

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, everybody should have it in front of them, but what it does, it replaces line 37 on page two with
• :16.720><c> it</c> in front of them, but what it does, it in front of them, but what it does, it replaces
• 05:18.400><c> page</c><00:05:18.800><c> two</c><00:05:19.680><c> uh</c><00:05:19.759><c> with</c> replaces
• line 37 on page two uh with replaces line 37 on page two uh with following<00:05:20.960><c> uh</c><00

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This replaces lines 169 through 172 on page seven with the following.
• </c><00:04:38.320><c> This</c><00:04:38.680><c> replaces</c> original omnibus bill.
• This replaces original omnibus bill.
• This replaces lines<00:04:39.560><c> 169</c><00:04:40.480><c> through</c><00:04:40.640><c> 172</c><00

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mental Health Association of Louisiana is currently in statute as a member of this board, and we’re replacing
• Again, the outdated name of the Louisiana Medical Society is being replaced with the accurate name of
• Again, the outdated name of the Louisiana Medical Society is being replaced with the accurate name of
• Louisiana Medical Society is being replaced with the accurate name of the Louisiana State Medical Society
• They don't replace the radiologist. They extend the radiologist's reach.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 6, 2026, with five members present. After adopting the April 28 minutes, the committee heard a brief presentation on the new Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Program, which is intended to bring together health care, business, policy, and education leaders to study Louisiana health challenges and build a network for action. Members expressed support for the program and its potential value to health policy work. The committee then advanced several bills, often with technical or substantive amendments. SB 57, a nutrition-labeling bill, was amended to push its effective date to December 31, 2028 and reported as amended. HB 62 increased the membership of the Louisiana Women’s Policy and Research Commission to 27 members and was reported as amended. HB 193 updated membership rules for the sickle cell commission foundations so long-serving executive directors would not have to reapply repeatedly, and it was reported as amended. HB 815 would allow financial institutions to receive death certificates to help families manage accounts after a death; it was reported favorably after a question about state-licensed banks. SB 405 was substantially revised to codify LDH’s new Ascend nursing-facility quality initiative, including statewide quality oversight goals, stakeholder involvement, reporting requirements, and tools such as dashboards and surveys; after reconsidering prior action and adopting the new amendment, the bill was reported as amended. The committee also approved HB 222, which provides Medicaid dental coverage when needed for another covered medical procedure, and HB 420, which requires background checks for all DCFS employees with access to sensitive information. HB 475 requires verbal consent when AI is used to record or transcribe a medical visit and was reported favorably after a technical question. HB 246 updated membership of the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board and the council on grandparents raising grandchildren, including replacing an inactive coalition seat with the state police superintendent or designee. HB 486 would enter Louisiana into the psychology inter-jurisdictional compact to expand access to mental health care, and HB 574 updated outdated board names on the Mental Health Advisory Services Board; both were reported favorably. Later, the committee reported HB 949, which creates a licensure framework for radiologist assistants to help address imaging workforce shortages, especially in rural areas, and HB 584, which requires foster children to be provided luggage instead of trash bags for their belongings and restores “rights” language in the Foster Youth Bill of Rights. The committee also reported HB 1214, restructuring certain LDH facilities into a single system under the secretary’s office; HB 1092, a technical renaming/terminology cleanup bill; and HB 203, which adds members to the uterine fibroids commission. Throughout the meeting, members and witnesses emphasized access to care, workforce shortages, child welfare, and quality improvement, and the committee repeatedly adopted amendments and reported the bills favorably or as amended before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mental Health Association of Louisiana is currently in statute as a member of this board, and we're replacing
• Again, the outdated name of the Louisiana Medical Society is being replaced with the accurate name of
• Again, the outdated name of the Louisiana Medical Society is being replaced with the accurate name of
• It's a very Louisiana Medical Society is being replaced with the accurate name of the Louisiana State
• They don't replace the radiologist. They extend the radiologist's reach.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 6, 2026, with five members present and adopted the April 28 minutes. The committee first heard a presentation on the new Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Program, a leadership and networking initiative focused on Louisiana health care challenges such as workforce shortages, rural access, chronic disease, and the economic impact of health care. Speakers described it as a cross-sector program intended to build informed leaders and support collaboration with health systems, insurers, providers, LDH, and the Louisiana Hospital Association. The committee then moved through a series of bills, generally adopting amendments and reporting measures favorably. SB 57, a nutrition/labeling bill, was amended to delay the effective date for the labeling provision until December 31, 2028, and was reported as amended. HB 62 increased membership of the Louisiana Women’s Policy and Research Commission and was reported as amended, and HB 193 adjusted membership rules for the Sickle Cell Commission foundations and was also reported as amended. HB 815 would allow financial institutions to receive death certificates to help close accounts and avoid problems with automatic payments and federal benefit clawbacks; it was reported favorably. SB 405, which had been heard earlier, was reworked to codify LDH’s new Ascend nursing home quality initiative, including short- and long-term quality oversight goals, stakeholder involvement, internal expertise, and reporting requirements; after reconsidering prior amendments, the committee adopted the new amendment and reported the bill as amended. The committee also advanced several health and human services bills. HB 222 would allow Medicaid dental coverage when needed to clear a patient for another covered medical procedure, and it was reported as amended after LDH said the cost could be absorbed. HB 420 expanded DCFS background-check requirements to cover staff with access to sensitive records, and HB 475 required verbal consent before AI is used to record or transcribe a medical visit; both were reported favorably. HB 246 updated membership of the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board and the council for grandparents raising grandchildren, including replacing an inactive coalition seat with the state police, and was reported as amended. HB 486 joined Louisiana to the psychology interjurisdictional compact to expand access to psychologists through telepsychology and temporary practice across state lines, and HB 574 updated outdated board names in the Mental Health Advisory Services Board statute; both were reported favorably. Later, the committee heard HB 949, which would create a licensure framework for radiologist assistants to help address radiologist shortages and improve imaging access, especially in rural areas. Testimony emphasized that RAs work under radiologist supervision and would extend capacity without replacing physicians; the bill was reported favorably. HB 584 required foster children to be provided luggage or similar items instead of trash bags when moving placements, and also corrected language in the Foster Youth Bill of Rights from “privileges” back to “rights” while extending the bill’s applicability to children from birth to age 18; it was reported as amended. The committee also reported HB 1214, which restructures certain LDH state facilities into a more unified system, and HB 1092, a technical renaming/terminology cleanup bill, both favorably. Finally, HB 203 added members from Christus Health System and Xavier University’s College of Medicine to the uterine fibroids commission and was reported favorably before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• She then asked for clarification on whether the bill would replace the current rural health care tax
• Representative Jones asked whether the bill would replace what is already in place, the rural health
• would update the name from the rural health care tax credit to the health care tax credit and would replace
• Would this bill replace what is already in place the rural health care tax credit?
• Thank you. ...and would replace the current legislation. Thank you, Representative.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• impose a one-size-fits-all cumbersome standard that would, in the name of empowering parents, actually replace
• impose a one-size-fits-all cumbersome standard that would, in the name of empowering parents, actually replace
• </c><00:20:42.480><c> parents'</c><00:20:42.880><c> own</c> parents actually replace parents' own parents
• actually replace parents' own decision-m<00:20:44.240><c> with</c><00:20:44.799><c> the</c><00:20:45.039
• So I think a valid point made by one of the speakers is this isn't and should never replace parental

Bills: HB69, HB114, HB161

Keywords: firearms, possession, Class 1 municipalities, criminal penalties, federal law, stolen firearms, prohibited persons, HB114, Alabama Sunset Law, sunset bill, Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama, dental board, dental licensing, dentist regulation, professional licensing, occupational licensing, healthcare regulation, licensure board, state agency continuation, agency sunset review

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, on line five, replace line 93 on page four following. And that should be the last amendment.
• I have my first amendment, starting on line 16, replace line 16 on page one of the following.
• Well, replace line 16 on page one. The Um, well replace line 16 on page one.
• Replace line 16 on page one, the following: peace officer...
• So do you put that in to replace what was scratched out with the line? Well, it's related.

Bills: HB202, HB42, HB146, HB492, HB285, HB7, HB454, HB42, HB7

Keywords: law enforcement, immunity, civil liability, use of force, recruitment, bail reform, cash deposit, judicial discretion, criminal justice, Alabama law, youthful offender, capital murder, public safety, victims' rights, juvenile offenders, delinquent acts, juvenile court, nonfelony offenses, water safety offenses, HB285

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one is to seek and remove the term “sexual performance” from our criminal code and replace
• And so the term has been abandoned, as I mentioned, by some jurisdictions and replaced by the term child
• pornography or, more recently, by child sexually and replaced by the term child pornography, or more
• When one looks at the criminal statutes to replace the term “sexual performance,” it poses some challenges
• because those phrases are not a perfect, easy replacement.

Bills: HCR3028

Keywords: human trafficking, victim services, re-entry programs, legislative study, public safety, mental health, law enforcement, 908, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard and acted on several measures related to human trafficking, criminal procedure, and child protection. It first took up House Concurrent Resolution 3028, which would direct a legislative study of human trafficking victim services and re-entry programs. The sponsor and supporters emphasized helping victims rebuild basic life and workforce skills and better understanding existing services; YouthWorks and the North Dakota Catholic Conference described current programs and the trauma victims face. The committee discussed overlap with other interim studies, then voted unanimously to give the resolution a due pass, with Senator Braunberger designated to carry it. The committee then considered House Bill 1263, concerning sealing criminal records, and moved it forward without changing the House version after members noted the House had removed presumption language and reduced the waiting period. That bill also received a due pass recommendation. Next, House Bill 1226, which revises the state’s mask law for public places, drew testimony from the sponsor and an expert witness who argued that masking to conceal identity during group criminal conduct undermines public safety and law enforcement. Members debated the House-added requirement that law enforcement request unmasking; the committee adopted an amendment to remove that language, then passed the bill as amended, with Senator Luick to carry it. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1410, a study resolution on criminal conduct against children, including child sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and the use of artificial intelligence in exploitation crimes. Supporters from the Child Sexual Assault Prevention Task Force, YouthWorks, and the Children’s Advocacy Centers of North Dakota said the study would help update outdated terminology, review AI-related issues, and improve investigation and prosecution tools. The committee approved the resolution with a due pass recommendation, and Senator Cory was assigned to carry it. The committee also received a brief report that, in a quick review, there were 82 active studies introduced, including 10 shall studies and 35 shall-consider studies, with limited overlap identified beyond the trafficking-related measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• committed individuals in the Minnesota sex offender program petition for a reduction in custody, and replace
• ><00:08:20.919><c> custody</c><00:08:21.639><c> and</c><00:08:22.280><c> um</c><00:08:22.720><c> replaces
• </c> reduction in custody and um replaces reduction in custody and um replaces this<00:08:23.479><c>
• updating terminology by deleting the terms emotional disturbance and severe emotional disturbance and replacing
• for children's mental health, and also deleting the term out-of-home placement where necessary and replacing

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill replaces public securities with some state-backed options. These funds are then repaid.
• That replaces that layer of funding, that billion dollars, with a guaranteed financing structure from
• It removes the catastrophe bonds, replacing them with this. Yes, yes.
• Obviously, that wouldn't fund an entire roof replacement.
• Replacing the roof.

Bills: HB778, HB 1266, HB1576, HB2213, HB2517, HB2518, HB2841, HB3306, HB3320, HB3388, HB3508, HB3520, HB3689

Keywords: credentialing, healthcare, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, managed care, hurricane, windstorm, loss mitigation, grants, insurance discounts, property retrofitting, insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, board composition, coastal counties, property insurance, taxation, Texas FAIR Plan Association, premium taxes, maintenance taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• So yes, this is the program that replaced that.
• </c> this is the program that that replaced this is the program that that replaced that.<00:41:29.359
• Is it getting rid of part one, or replacing part one, or replacing two as inserted by section one?
• And that first part replaces the section Roman numeral 2.
• was a replace all after section two was a replace all after section two of<02:15:06.800><c> the</c><02

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It replaces the entire bill with the paragraph that says any person charged with a felony offense or
• it removes the reference to Sam's Town Hotel and Casino, Shreveport, by Bally's Corporation, and replaces
• And then on page 1, line 13, it is removing all of the be it resolved paragraphs to replace them with
• And then on page one, line 13, it's removing all of the be it resolved paragraphs to replace them with
• a single piece. all of the, be it resolved paragraphs, to replace them with a single paragraph that

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of criminal justice measures, with several bills and resolutions reported favorably and others rejected or deferred. Representative Baham’s HB 255, as substituted, would enhance penalties for certain felony or rioting offenses committed while wearing a mask to evade identification, with exceptions for religious, motorcycle, and medical coverings; it was reported favorably after opposition from the ACLU and support from law enforcement groups. His HB 378, as amended, narrowed a vehicle-obstruction offense to first responders and was also reported favorably. HB 1090, increasing penalties for arson of a religious building, was reported favorably with support from the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops. HR 272, requesting a study of parental discipline, abuse allegations, and juvenile delinquency, was reported favorably after sponsor testimony about confusion over current law. HB 479, the “Fiscal Truth and Sentencing Act,” sought quarterly reporting on incarceration costs and sentencing impacts; despite support from the ACLU and opposition from clerks of court over an unfunded mandate, it failed on a 4-7 roll call. HR 278, asking the Attorney General to review electronic monitoring laws and make recommendations, was reported favorably after testimony from advocates and supporters of tighter oversight. HR 273, creating a task force to study work-release programs, was also reported favorably, while SB 278 was voluntarily deferred. The committee also considered several high-profile social policy measures. HB 261, by Representative Boyd, would create an exception to abortion restrictions for rape and certain sex offenses; the hearing featured extensive emotional testimony from survivors, clergy, and legislators on both sides, but the bill was rejected on a 2-10 vote. HCR 100, as amended, urged the Gaming Control Board to ensure due diligence in proposed casino acquisitions with attention to economic development, job creation, and community benefit; the amendment resolved industry concerns and the resolution was reported favorably. SB 448, concerning the Office of the State Public Defender, was amended to add procedures for expert-witness funding disputes, sealed contradictory hearings, and interlocutory review, then reported favorably. SB 135, which would redirect sports wagering revenue away from a capped sports fund and toward early childhood seats, drew opposition from university-related interests but no motion was made. Finally, HB 778 on kratom was presented as a narrower approach that would ban synthetic and semi-synthetic kratom while allowing regulated natural products; testimony included concerns about harm, business impacts, and claimed benefits for pain management and PTSD, and the discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• million in project costs and approximately 12 months of delay on the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center replacement
• It does not replace city staff or eliminate public jobs.
• It's HVAC systems that need replacing before they fail.
• It's HVAC systems that need replacing before they fail.
• It's ADA ramp upgrades that need to be on. that need replacing before they fail.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is to replace our 40-year-old accounting system.
• This is to replace our 40-year-old accounting system.
• One, a sales tax exemption on replacement server equipment for data centers.
• One, a sales tax exemption on replacement server equipment for data centers.
• One, a sales tax exemption on replacement server equipment for data centers.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee opened with committee guidelines for the 2026 session, including limits on testimony, amendment deadlines, confidentiality expectations, and professionalism rules. Chair Ormsby also reviewed housekeeping for the public hearing, noting the meeting was recorded and live streamed, and that testimony would be limited to one minute because of the large number of sign-ups. The committee then began its work session on Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental operating budget, presented by OFM Director Katie Chapman, who outlined the state’s fiscal pressures: higher caseloads in major programs, a revenue forecast decline of about $390 million, federal policy changes tied to H.R. 1, inflation, and a relatively small ending fund balance. She said the governor’s budget solves about a $2.3 billion shortfall through nearly $800 million in spending reductions, revenue shifts, fund transfers, use of about $1 billion from the Budget Stabilization Account, and some tax preference changes, while also making targeted investments in areas such as child welfare, behavioral health, wildfire response, housing, and IT modernization. Chapman also explained that the proposal does not fully balance over the four-year outlook under the state’s statutory assumptions, but said the governor relied on the budget-balance law’s exception tied to BSA use and low employment growth. A question from Rep. Connors about credit ratings was answered with the view that the impact is difficult to predict and that Washington’s strong pension funding and balanced-budget framework remain positives. The public hearing drew testimony from state officials and many advocates, most of whom opposed specific cuts or fund shifts in the governor’s proposal. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs objected to proposed sweeps from the corporations and charities fund and the library archives account, citing prior cuts, layoffs, cyberattack-related costs, and the need to upgrade aging systems. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove urged restoration of wildfire prevention funding, saying the proposed amount was still $30 million short of the commitment in House Bill 1168 and that underfunding would increase suppression costs and risk to communities. Many education witnesses opposed reductions to Working Connections Child Care, transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, Running Start, and higher education across-the-board cuts, arguing they would harm access, equity, and workforce development. Higher education leaders from community colleges, the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and Evergreen State College described staffing cuts, program reductions, and pressure on student services, while K-12 groups and OSPI said the budget would deepen existing funding gaps. A large portion of testimony focused on human services, health, housing, and civil legal aid. Child welfare and youth-serving organizations supported some targeted investments but opposed cuts to child care, child welfare network administration, and youth programs; advocates for foster youth, homeless youth, and mentoring programs asked for continued or increased funding. Health care and long-term care providers warned that proposed Medicaid and rate changes would reduce access for seniors, people with disabilities, and safety-net patients, while Planned Parenthood and abortion access advocates urged full restoration of the Abortion Access Project and related reimbursements. Housing and legal aid witnesses backed the governor’s proposed right-to-counsel funding but asked for more support, and homelessness advocates sought contingency funding for federal housing programs. Crime victim and domestic violence service providers repeatedly said the proposed $12 million was far short of the roughly $21.38 million needed to avoid service cuts and closures. Other testimony addressed the Climate Commitment Account shift for the Working Families Tax Credit, with environmental advocates opposing the diversion of CCA dollars and workforce advocates supporting the governor’s economic security and employment programs. No votes or formal committee action were taken during the hearing portion described in the transcript.