Transcript Highlights:

• We will be starting the Senate Local Government Committee today now.
• to perform these functions.
• that our governance, South County Fire, incorporated when we formed the RFA.
• Death investigation is not a political function.
• Death investigation is not a political function.

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee heard briefings and public testimony on several bills. SB 6064 would let qualifying regional fire protection districts or authorities take over administration and enforcement of the International Fire Code within their boundaries, with notice to counties and equivalent jobs for displaced workers; supporters said it would improve consistency and local control, while counties, fire marshals, and builders opposed it as unnecessary and likely to add permitting complexity and delay. SB 6101 would require county coroners to be appointed rather than elected, while preserving appointed medical examiners in larger counties; the sponsor cited the Yakima County coroner controversy as the reason for the bill, and opponents argued it would reduce voter accountability and could increase costs, though some supporters said appointment would professionalize death investigations and improve consistency. SB 6077 would extend from 21 to 28 business days the deadline for assessors and taxpayers to exchange valuation evidence before property tax appeal hearings, with supporters saying the change would give taxpayers a fairer chance to respond and opponents saying the bill should also address long delays in scheduling hearings themselves. The committee also heard SB 5820, which would repeal Clark County-specific Growth Management Act authority allowing freight rail-dependent uses on certain resource lands adjacent to a short-line railroad. The sponsor and supporters said the 2017 law was a poorly written special exemption that threatens agricultural and resource lands and should be repealed; opponents, including the railroad operator, business groups, and local officials, argued the rail overlay supports economic development, jobs, and low-emission freight movement and that the county should retain local control. Testimony on SB 5820 also raised concerns about safety, land-use conflicts, and the meaning of “adjacent,” with some witnesses saying the land is currently underused and others saying it is needed for future industrial and rail-served development. Finally, the committee heard SB 6013, an agency-request bill updating ski-area terminology and safety provisions to include aerial tramways, toes, and conveyors in the state’s ski lift regulations. State Parks supported the measure as a technical update to align safety inspections, insurance requirements, and rider conduct rules with current equipment terminology. The transcript ended before any vote or executive action was taken on these bills, and the chair noted some previously scheduled executive session items were moved to a later date.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> provisions of the bill that that govern provisions of the bill that that govern when<00:10:55.200
• </c> that that system is functioning. that that system is functioning.
• There's no reason for government seller.
• I worry I tell them you functioning.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Government, Labor, and Elections. &gt;&gt; Government, Labor, and Elections.

Transcript Highlights:

• So to me, he or she has refused that lawful order while they’re conducting a lawful government function
• Warned him that you are conducting a government function. You've asked him or her to move.
• function.
• .they're doing a lawful government operation.
• I don't want the effort for government officials—legislators who are supposed to govern—when there are

Bills: HB403 , HB224

Committee: House Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: criminal enterprise, database, law enforcement, data privacy, criminal justice, HB224, Alabama, obstructing governmental operations, first responder, emergency responder, police, firefighter, EMT, paramedic, public safety, harassment, interference with emergency personnel, crime, Class A misdemeanor, emergency scene

Transcript Highlights:

• These allocations are a function of changes that have been made in 2017.
• </c><00:32:04.600><c> providing</c> local units of government providing local units of government providing
• government in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• </c><00:46:04.680><c> um</c> apply to the federal government um apply to the federal government um there's
• </c><00:51:16.280><c> the</c> office and administrative functions the office and administrative functions

Transcript Highlights:

• This is about empowering local governments and not directing them.
• This is about empowering local governments and not directing them.
• Local governments can extend that period by ordinance.
• Tammany Parish government for 11 years before I came here.
• We also work with the federal government and the state government to properly distribute funds entrusted

Committees: House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture & Rural Development , House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development

Summary: The committee took up several agriculture-related bills and heard testimony on each. HB 715 by Representative Dezotel would require aerial applicators using public airports or landing fields to carry radios and transponders for safety; after a technical amendment was adopted, the bill was reported favorably. HB 663 by Vice Chairman Travis Johnson would update the board makeup of the Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District by removing certain ex officio members and reducing the board from 24 to 23; amendments were adopted and the bill was reported favorably. HB 717 by Representative Schamberhorn would increase and clarify labeling requirements for cell-cultured food products, including a larger, more visible font size; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably with support from committee members and witnesses. The committee also considered HB 834 by Representative McMahon, a local-control bill on animal shelters and stray animals. A large amendment package of 23 amendments was adopted, revising hold periods, ownership transfer rules, local government discretion, liability protections, and the role of nonprofit or designated shelters. Testimony from the author, Police Jury Association representatives, and Michelle Hall emphasized that the bill is intended to fix a legal gap so shelters can transfer ownership to adopters, while preserving local control and limiting liability for good-faith actions. The bill was reported favorably with amendments. The committee then heard from Louisiana 4-H and FFA student leaders, who described how those programs developed leadership, public speaking, and agricultural career goals. Members responded with personal reflections and praise for the programs’ impact on rural youth and future agricultural leadership. Finally, the committee took up sunset review legislation: SB 349 to recreate the Department of Agriculture and Forestry was reported favorably, and SB 350, a technical change to the Louisiana Soybean Association/soybean board structure, was also reported favorably. Commissioner Mike Strain then began a lengthy presentation on the department’s functions, programs, boards, and commissions, but no further action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• affect the functionality of society as a whole.
• Protecting business-critical state systems ensures the government can function during an incident; protecting
• critical ensures the government can function during an incident; protecting critical infrastructure
• These governance bodies do more than provide oversight.
• Thank you for that government efficiency.

Bills: HB2579

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: public media, digital equity, funding, media access, communication technology

Transcript Highlights:

• governance of condominiums.
• </c> them by state government. them by state government.
• </c> functions that the legislature gives us. functions that the legislature gives us.
• :30.560><c> very</c><01:26:31.360><c> very</c> that licensing function is very very that licensing function
• ><c> the</c><02:22:14.319><c> criminal</c> technically a function of the criminal technically a function

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:43:27.585><c> [laughter]</c> governments [laughter] governments [laughter] that<00:43:28.280><c>
• </c> engage with functional support services. engage with functional support services.
• </c><04:12:59.160><c> Functional</c> I didn't underline it. Functional I didn't underline it.
• </c> functional support services paid for. functional support services paid for.
• . government. government.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Because, you know, if it's a non-functioning thing, I understand.
• It's not, it doesn't mean that the entity is not functioning.
• Like, we have too much stuff in state government. It needs to be pushed to the locals.
• Amendment 3, I love Much stuff in state government needs to be pushed to the locals.
• To improve local government in the greater New Orleans area.

Bills: SB348 , SB444 , SB485 , SB517 , HB87 , HB115 , HB162 , HB362 , HB368 , HB377 , HB431 , HB441 , HB466 , HB664 , HB741 , HB822 , HB990 , HB1243

Committee: Senate Municipal

Summary: The committee on local and municipal affairs met on May 7, 2026, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then took up a series of local bills. HB 362 creating the Regency Park Towns Townhomes Crime Prevention and Security District in Orleans Parish was reported favorably without objection. HB 822, dealing with nonprofit entities that hold appointments on boards and commissions while not in good standing with the Secretary of State, drew questions about whether it targeted a specific entity and about how long an entity should be out of good standing; the committee adopted an amendment changing the trigger to three consecutive years and then reported the bill as amended. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1243, which would give the Orleans Parish City Council more authority over the Sewer and Water Board. The sponsor, Council President J.P. Morrell, and Representative Hilfordy argued the bill would move New Orleans toward a more local, responsive public-works model and help address long-standing dysfunction. The Bureau of Governmental Research testified that it supported increased local control but urged a formal study or transition plan so the city would document the future governance structure. Despite those concerns, the committee adopted an amendment clarifying ownership of assets and then reported HB 1243 as amended. The committee also handled several St. George bills and other local measures. SB 348, allowing third-party administrative support for motor vehicle enforcement, and SB 444, granting expropriation authority for certain public projects, were reported favorably. SB 485, transferring insurance premium tax authority to the City of St. George, was initially amended but then reconsidered; the amendment was stripped and the bill was reported favorably. HB 990, concerning Jefferson Parish and unpaid water/sewer bills on multifamily properties, HB 466 on West Feliciana Parish property-tax rebates, HB 664 raising parish ordinance fines, HB 87 increasing per diem for a Livingston Parish gas utility district board, HB 115 abolishing the police chief for the Village of Edgefield, HB 741 creating emergency housing vouchers for human trafficking survivors, HB 377 removing civil-service pay restrictions for state examiners, HB 162 updating a crime prevention district fee, HB 368 raising fines for improper demolition of historic properties, and HB 441 returning Sewer and Water Board employees to city civil service were all reported favorably, most without objection. HB 431, requiring mayors to complete 16 hours of annual training, was amended to add continuing legal education and national conferences and then reported as amended. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• It leads to a loss of quality of life and independent function that places an immense burden on families
• When you receive government money to perform research, you have to wonder what the incentive is.
• government.
• Then they lose their body functions and they become just a shell.
• State Government Relations for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

Bills: SB5 , SJR3 , SB 5 , SJR 3

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:56:16.560><c> Support</c><01:56:16.960><c> Services</c><01:56:17.840><c> functional</c> functional
• Support Services functional functional Support Services functional support<01:56:18.679><c> services
• </c> Pilgrim where um in a quote functional Pilgrim where um in a quote functional services<02:24:09.520
• <02:24:15.720><c> we're</c><02:24:16.000><c> an</c> functioning we're an functioning we're an emergency
• </c> a subgovernment entity we we're governed a subgovernment entity we we're governed by<02:32:50.479

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> say there's also a bunch of functions say there's also a bunch of functions that<00:19:12.120><c
• </c> a federal government a federal government behaves<00:30:47.039><c> and</c><00:30:47.200><c> that's
• Reliability is something that is governed not only by our work but is governed by federal work through
• not only by our work but is is governed not only by our work but is governed<00:54:26.160><c> by</c>
• </c><01:05:13.680><c> that</c> grants to the federal government that grants to the federal government

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• Governments may weaponize currency like the CBDC.
• So why is it important for Arizona to offer gold and silver as legal tender and functional money?
• Because gold and silver are not currently useful as functional money, the IRS views it as a collectible
• I want to just speak a little bit about how this works functionally.
• It makes gold and silver functional currency because the debit card is used.

Committee: House House Regulatory Oversight Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Regulatory Oversight heard two bills related to Arizona bullion and gold-backed transactions. HB 2123 would establish an Arizona bullion depository under the State Treasurer, allow third-party administration and electronic payment systems, require insurance for deposits, and recognize gold and silver as legal tender. Representative Lisa Fink presented the bill as a way to provide an optional, inflation-resistant payment method and to make gold and silver more accessible to ordinary Arizonans; a witness from the Transactional Gold and Silver Project described the depository as a fully allocated, insured warehouse system tied to a debit card and said the model had been used in other states. The committee voted 4-0 with one present to give HB 2123 a do pass recommendation. The committee then considered HB 2140, which would allow state and local governments to use the Arizona bullion depository, permit the State Treasurer to place up to 10% of state monies in bullion there, and require rulemaking by the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions. Representative Fink again argued that holding some bullion could diversify state assets and reduce counterparty risk, citing Utah’s treasurer and broader central bank gold accumulation. A member asked about the bill’s rulemaking language and the sponsor said she was open to discussing changes with the State Treasurer. With no public testimony, the committee voted 4-0 with one present to recommend HB 2140 do pass, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, it is an operation by the government called U.S.
• And we can recognize when the government is clearly overreaching.
• I believe personal accountability is essential on every level, including within government.
• </c> been uh in and out of state government been uh in and out of state government since<00:29:42.640
• </c> state government. state government. uh<00:29:54.480><c> he</c><00:29:54.799><c> joined</c><00:29

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Um, Tom Johnson, Director of Government Um, Tom Johnson, Director of Government Relations<00:03:
• </c> Johnson, uh, director of government Johnson, uh, director of government relations<00:03:43.840><
• So this was really a partnership across state government, local government, and private industry to make
• </c><00:42:34.000><c> The</c> and function to be understood. The and function to be understood.
• </c> entered information, and functionality entered information, and functionality gaps<00:46:57.680>

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• In furtherance of that mission, we support a broad range of functions, ranging from those that you might
• So, in addition to those core functions that we talked about, just a moment.
• So those would be the new functions as part of the trailer bill language.
• We have not dropped any of those functions at the Department of Food and Agriculture.
• It's completely out of scale to the rest of state government and to equivalent appeals boards.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a series of Department of Food and Agriculture budget proposals, beginning with ongoing funding and trailer bill language for the Farm to School program and related climate-smart agriculture work. CDFA described the program’s goals of linking California producers with schools, expanding access to local and nutritious food, and supporting underserved farmers through technical assistance and outreach. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposal as presented because of the state’s budget condition and suggested that some activities might instead be supported through Proposition 98. Members questioned whether the program is reaching the schools and communities with the greatest need, how grants are scored, and whether the proposal’s goals are measurable enough to justify ongoing funding. The item was held open. The committee also discussed CDFA’s climate bond expenditure plan, which would allocate remaining Proposition 4 funds to existing programs such as SWEEP, Healthy Soils, urban agriculture, fairground emergency response upgrades, and invasive species work, as well as new or developing programs including year-round certified farmers markets, mobile farmers markets, regional farm equipment sharing, and tribal food sovereignty. CDFA said the funds would be released in stages based on program readiness, with audits and performance metrics tied to each program. The LAO found the plan reasonable and consistent with bond requirements. Members asked about audit responsibility, performance tracking, and whether the bond programs should be front-loaded or spread over a longer period. A third CDFA item addressed the elimination of vacant positions under prior budget reductions. CDFA and the Department of Finance explained that the positions were selected because they had been vacant for long periods or were hard to fill, and that departments identified the positions based on their own operational knowledge. The LAO supported retaining the special-fund positions and suggested the General Fund positions be weighed on their merits. Members raised concerns about the impact on core functions such as audits, investigations, milk marketing, and grape pricing reports, and asked for follow-up on how the department determined which positions could be removed. The committee then heard a CDFA IT proposal to add funding and four positions for information technology operations; the LAO had no concerns, and members discussed cybersecurity, legacy systems, and future risks such as AI and quantum threats. The committee took public comment and then voted to approve items 9 through 13, which included CDFA dog importation certificates, livestock carcass disposal, Gambling Control Commission IT support and tribal grant funding, and an ABC district office relocation. The hearing then moved to the Department of Cannabis Control, which presented a request to strengthen enforcement against the illicit cannabis market by adding a North State field office in Redding and three non-sworn support positions. DCC said the illicit market remains far larger than the legal market, with a large backlog of cases and significant public safety and environmental concerns. Finance supported the targeted expansion, the LAO had no comment, and members asked about regional coverage, officer safety, and whether a larger, more transformational enforcement effort might be warranted in the future.

Transcript Highlights:

• The largest general-purpose state aid to local governments is the city local government aid program,
• The largest general-purpose state aid to local governments is the city local government aid program,
• within this relationship between the state government and local units of government.
• within this relationship between the state government and local units of government.
• </c><00:47:47.839><c> and</c> funding between local governments and funding between local governments

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• , self-... ...for county power, it undermines bottom-up self-governance.
• And then you look at government.
• And so government is totally going the wrong direction.
• Yeah, I mean, that's not typically a function that's undertaken by utilities.
• State government assembled in one place.

Committee: Senate Senate Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first considered SB 1825, which would shift the precinct committeeman vacancy application and nomination process from county party chairs to legislative district chairs where established, and require applicants to submit to the authorized chair within five days. Supporters said the change would streamline appointments, reduce bottlenecks in large counties, and strengthen grassroots, bottom-up party organization. County supervisors’ association staff said they had no objection to the district-chair process but raised concern that the five-day deadline for boards to act was too short. The committee adopted a do pass recommendation on SB 1825, with members noting the five-day issue should be worked out later. The committee then heard SB 1566, as amended, which targets malicious delays by municipalities, counties, the state, or state agencies in licensing and permit decisions, with a civil penalty and Attorney General enforcement. The amendment narrowed the bill to statutory licensing timeframes for single-family residential construction and clarified definitions and certificate-of-occupancy authority. The sponsor and home builders argued the bill would deter intentional delays that add to housing costs, while questions focused on how malice would be proven and whether the language was too broad. The committee adopted the amendment and gave SB 1566 a do pass as amended recommendation. Next, SB 1571, as amended, would bar monopoly utilities from passing marketing, sponsorship, community relations, and similar costs through to ratepayers, require annual reporting and attestation, and define the covered utilities. Supporters said ratepayers should not fund utility advertising or sponsorships, especially amid rising rates, while opponents from municipal and public-power utilities warned the language could sweep too broadly and interfere with legitimate customer communications, especially for smaller not-for-profit systems. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and gave the bill a do pass as amended recommendation. The committee also advanced SB 1501, expanding Administrative Rules Oversight Committee review to include whether agency actions exceed statutory authority, and SB 1805, requiring county recorders to verify the notary status on quitclaim deeds before recording them; both received do pass recommendations despite some concerns about scope and administrative burden.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because, you know, if it's a non-functioning thing, I understand.
• It's not, it doesn't mean that the entity is not functioning.
• Like, we have too much stuff in state government. It needs to be pushed to the locals.
• To improve local government in the greater New Orleans area.
• George has gone from being a transitional entity into actually being a functioning city.

Bills: SB348 , SB444 , SB485 , SB517 , HB87 , HB115 , HB162 , HB362 , HB368 , HB377 , HB431 , HB441 , HB466 , HB664 , HB741 , HB822 , HB990 , HB1243

Committee: Senate Municipal

Summary: The committee on Local and Municipal Affairs met on May 7, 2026 and approved the prior meeting minutes before taking up a series of local bills. Early action included HB 362, creating the Regency Park Towns Townhomes Crime Prevention and Security District in Orleans Parish, which was reported favorably. HB 822, dealing with nonprofit entities that hold appointments on boards and commissions while not in good standing with the Secretary of State, drew discussion about how long an entity must be out of compliance and whether notice should be required; the committee adopted an amendment changing the threshold to three consecutive years and then reported the bill as amended. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1243, which would shift more authority over the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board to the Orleans Parish City Council. Supporters, including Representative Hilfriddy and Council President J.P. Morrell, argued the current structure is dysfunctional and unresponsive, and that local elected officials need authority to act more quickly. The Bureau of Governmental Research testified without taking a position on the bill itself but urged a formal transition plan or study committee so the city would have a clear governance path. Despite that concern, the committee adopted an amendment clarifying asset ownership and then reported HB 1243 as amended. The committee also handled several St. George bills. SB 348, allowing local law enforcement to contract for administrative support related to motor vehicle enforcement, was reported favorably. SB 444, granting St. George expropriation authority for certain public infrastructure projects, was also reported favorably. SB 485, concerning the city’s authority over insurance premium taxes, initially had amendments adopted but was then reconsidered; the amendments were stripped and the bill was reported favorably in its original form. HB 431, requiring mayors to complete annual continuing education, was amended to clarify approved training and then reported favorably. Other measures reported favorably included HB 990 on Jefferson Parish master water meters, HB 466 on West Feliciana Parish tax rebates tied to a data center project, HB 664 raising the maximum fine for parish ordinance violations, HB 87 increasing per diem for a Livingston Parish gas utility district board, HB 115 abolishing the police chief position in Edgefield, HB 741 creating emergency housing vouchers for human trafficking survivors, HB 377 removing civil service pay-plan restrictions for state examiners, HB 162 allowing a fee increase for the Jefferson Place/Bocage Crime Prevention District, HB 368 increasing fines for improper demolition of historic properties in New Orleans, and HB 441 returning New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board employees to city civil service. The committee adjourned after reporting the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal government pays 51.16% on most Medicaid expenditures.
• The federal government pays 51.16% on most Medicaid expenditures.
• </c> government pays 51.1 6% we pay 48. government pays 51.1 6% we pay 48. 84%<00:21:43.000><c> for</
• It will be governed by an executive board and a CEO, but the functions will remain the same.
• I come from a county government background.

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy