Transcript Highlights:

• In Jewish tradition, the command to remember is absolute.
• In Jewish tradition<01:32:15.760> the<01:32:16.000> command<01:32:16.400> to<01:
• 32:16.639> remember<01:32:16.960> is tradition the command to remember is tradition the
• command to remember is absolute.<01:32:18.080> It<01:32:18.400> encompasses<01:32:18.960
• Life is a divine this supreme command.

Keywords: Convene 00:00:00 Senate Message 00:04:59 Orders of the Day 00:06:19 Recess 00:06:38 Reconvene 01:11:12 HB 306 01:11:42 HB 34 01:14:19 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 01:16:25 Rep. Petrie Statements on Budget 01:16:42 Motions, Petitions, and Communications continued 01:23:50 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 01:36:28 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 01:38:52 ConC/Rules Report 01:45:18 Floor Amendments 01:46:21 Adjournment 01:46:32, 958, all

Summary: The House convened on the 14th legislative day after winter weather closures, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 27, 30, 40, and 76 and requested concurrence. The chamber also suspended rules to allow co-sponsorship and vote modifications, and later recessed briefly for caucus and for meetings of the committee on committees and the rules committee. Two bills were taken up and passed on the floor. House Bill 306, relating to criminal trespass, was explained as a workplace-safety measure that would define disruptive or threatening behavior in workplaces and increase penalties for repeat offenses; it passed 83-7. House Bill 34, relating to death benefits, was described as expanding recognized cancers for fire service-related benefits; it passed 92-0. After passage of HB 34, a motion for a clincher was adopted without objection. During announcements, a member from Todd outlined the newly filed branch budget bills and said the executive budget would be a scaled-back, “bare-bones” operational budget focused on restraining spending growth and inviting more public review through budget subcommittees. The House also adopted a citation honoring Notre Dame Academy and Catholic Schools Week, heard an announcement about hearing screenings by the Kentucky Academy of Audiology, and received a lengthy floor speech marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day before adopting House Resolution 30 without objection. At the end of the session, new bills and resolutions were introduced, including measures on lactation consultation, Medicaid waivers, a child tax credit, postsecondary employment, long-term care, court security officers, prisoner monitoring devices, administrative regulations, the state budget, transportation, legislative and judicial appropriations, stalking, and memorial overpasses. The committee on committees referred several bills to standing committees, the rules committee posted House Bills 56, 214, 281, and 366 for the next day, a floor amendment to House Bill 320 was reported, and the House adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Resolution Number 1, Command Terry High School boys Class 6A track and field team for winning
• Senate resolution number one,<00:37:00.960> Command<00:37:01.359> Terry<00:37:01.680>
• > High<00:37:01.920> School<00:37:02.160> boys one, Command Terry High School boys
• The next item is Command/Commander High School boys 6A track and field team state championship.
• The next item is Command/Commander High School boys 6A track and field team state championship.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 20 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Mississippi Senate convened with a quorum present and began the day with an invocation by Dr. Ben Bernett of William Carey University, followed by the pledge and national anthem performed by William Carey students. The chamber then handled routine motions to dispense with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles, and welcomed numerous guests, including youth court judges, medical professionals, and representatives from Women for Progress of Mississippi, which was recognized for its 48th anniversary and its work in civic leadership, education, advocacy, and community empowerment. Angela Stewart spoke about the organization’s founder, Dorothy May Thompson Stewart Samuel, and the group’s mission to promote informed citizenship, strong education, and economic opportunity. The Senate also confirmed Senate Nomination 74, Michael Barry Nelson of Madison, to the Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women for a four-year at-large term beginning July 1, 2025, after Senator Kirby explained that the commission-repeal bill had not yet become law. The chamber then suspended the rules to take up items 2 through 9 in block and adopted a series of resolutions honoring Warren Central High School’s swim team, recognizing the cultural connection between Quebec and Mississippi, commending the Terry High School boys track and field team, expressing support for Beth Israel congregation after an arson attack, recognizing Dr. Charles McLullen’s impact on the SWAC, commemorating Mississippi College’s bicentennial, honoring Alexander and Friends of Mississippi Veterans, and congratulating Brookhaven High School’s football team. All of these items passed by voice vote or use of the morning roll call. Later, senators announced committee meetings and other events, including Finance, Appropriations subcommittees, a Rules Committee meeting, and a government structure meeting. Senator Turner Ford also moved to hold Senate Bill 2017, the “Various Obsolete Commissions Repeal,” on a motion to reconsider. The session ended with the Senate entering recess until 5:00 p.m., with the journal to reflect a return at 10:00 a.m. the following morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, before I invite the next speaker, I'm going to have to say you have forced my hand.
• <01:00:21.000> my unnecessary but like I say you force my unnecessary but like I say you force
• everybody to the table and it forced everybody to the table and it forced<02:08:13.400> the<02
• the utilities not just to forced the utilities not just to collaborate<02:08:15.719> with<02:
• So the commissioners then would be forced to accept that whether they agreed with it or not?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is going to force them to really prioritize their spending and their spending habits.
• I'm sure that, you know, they would be able to perform that task because they perform similar tasks in
• You have a very, very tough task before you. My name is Anthony Deal.
• Counties could be forced to consolidate. Nobody's modeled it.
• This is just being a rush product because we want to do, because we are being forced to do it.

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, the proposed constitutional amendment on property tax relief, which would reduce assessment growth on non-homestead property, expand homestead exemptions, create a new exemption for new homesteaders, and direct counties, cities, and school districts to use property tax revenues for specified core services. Senator Avila presented the measure as the governor’s plan to provide historic relief and argued that local governments should tighten budgets and prioritize core functions. Senators raised concerns about the lack of fiscal scoring, the breadth and ambiguity of the permitted uses, the effect on special districts and local services, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. The committee adopted several amendments, including Avila’s amendment clarifying that ad valorem revenues could be used for county and municipal operations and administration and other expenditures not prohibited by law, and Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal. Other amendments failed, including proposals to allow user fees and non-ad valorem assessments, add a sunset, redirect tourism development taxes, narrow the small-business provision, and change the ballot title to reference local service reductions. Grall’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund requirement was adopted, while the committee also rejected Berman’s title-change amendment and Smith’s sunset and tourism-tax amendments. The committee then returned to the bill as amended for questions, including extended debate over whether the proposal would affect noncitizen residents, the impact on local government finances, and whether local governments would respond with higher fees or special assessments. The meeting ended with the bill still under discussion after the final round of questions, with Avila saying he would continue working with the governor’s office on the language before the next vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is already illegal under Arizona law to use force or threatened force against a peace officer acting
• , and a police force that members of this legislature want to be a secret police force.
• and a police force that members of this legislature want to be a secret police force.
• I'm going to talk to you in words that you understand, being a former commander.
• When you had troops under your command, some of those troops had gone through trauma, they had PTSD,

Bills: HB2109, HB2168, HB2198, HB2226, HB2415, HB2440, HB2665, HB2805, HB2811, HB2825, HB2857, HB2874, HB2966, HB4067, HB4117, HCR2001, HCR2016, HCR2051

Keywords: distracted driving, portable wireless communication devices, motorcycles, traffic safety, civil penalties, public nuisance, nuisance abatement, abatement action, injunction, superior court, attorney general, county attorney, city attorney, board of supervisors, obscenity, obscene materials, adult materials, pornography, schools, parks

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and announced several bills would be held at the sponsors’ request, including HB 4117, HCR 2016, HCR 2051, and HB 2415. It then took up HB 2811, which would expand obstructing governmental operations to include knowingly interfering with a lawful arrest and make that conduct a felony. Supporters, including a county attorney representative, argued the bill closes a loophole and protects officers from third-party interference during arrests, while opponents from criminal justice and civil liberties groups said existing laws already cover the conduct and warned the bill could chill First Amendment activity such as filming police or protesting. The committee debated whether the bill duplicated resisting arrest and hindering prosecution statutes, then passed HB 2811 on a 3-2 vote with one member not voting. The committee next heard HB 2665, which would create a manslaughter offense for an adult who intentionally gives advice or encouragement through a directed communication to a minor to die by suicide, including via social media or text. Representative Carter and family members of suicide victims described the bill as a response to online encouragement and a way to hold people accountable when minors are clearly urged toward suicide. The committee then passed HB 2665 unanimously, 6-0 with one not voting. It also approved HB 2857, allowing the Department of Corrections to store inmate medical records electronically and dispose of paper copies, by a 5-1 vote. The committee then passed HB 2226, which requires courts to ask about veteran status at initial appearance, notify prosecutors, and connect veterans to services and possible treatment court referrals; an amendment shifted the service-notice duty from prosecutors to the court. Supporters said the bill helps identify veterans with PTSD or other needs and can reduce recidivism, and it passed 6-0. HB 2168, which would require county board approval before the Attorney General could bring a public nuisance action in superior court, drew sharp disagreement over the AG’s use of nuisance litigation against businesses such as dairies, industrial plants, and rail projects; supporters framed it as local control and opposition to overreach, while opponents said it would weaken accountability and protect corporate interests. The committee passed HB 2168 on a 3-2 vote with two not voting. Finally, the committee heard HB 2966, which would bar early termination of lifetime probation for dangerous crimes against children and apply that restriction retroactively. Supporters argued it would keep serious child offenders on supervision and protect victims, while opponents, including survivors and defense advocates, said DCAC is a sentencing enhancement rather than a standalone offense, that the bill removes judicial discretion, may raise ex post facto concerns, and could sweep in lower-level online conduct. The bill passed 4-2 with one not voting. The committee then began hearing HCR 2001, a voter referral to end early voting the Friday before Election Day, require government-issued ID for voting, and restrict mail ballot procedures; the sponsor said it would improve election integrity and speed results, while opponents argued it would burden voters and reduce access. The transcript cuts off during testimony and debate on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think we were forced to really truly look at the EV fairness funding for roads.
• And I think we were forced to really truly look at the EV fairness funding for roads.
• And I think we were forced to really truly look at the EV fairness funding for roads.
• And I think we were forced to really truly look at the EV fairness funding for roads.
• We had a really difficult task ahead of us.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• all the states to pass laws. ...to have an option for preemption, forcing all the states to pass laws
• Of course, if we passed a state law that said 21, then even if the city said 18, they would be forced
• If we pass a statute that says 21, that would force those cities to enforce 21, not 18, no matter what
• I have no command or control authority over ICE. I don't know. ...to ICE.
• I have no command or control authority over ICE.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Abbas just noted, if there's no intention for New Hampshire to allow out-of-state jurisdictions to force
• Hampshire to allow outofstate<00:27:17.840> jurisdictions<00:27:19.200> to<00:27:19.919> force
• <00:27:20.480> their outofstate jurisdictions to force their outofstate jurisdictions to force
• you know,<01:06:01.599> we<01:06:01.760> have<01:06:01.839> a<01:06:02.000> command
• <01:06:02.799> command know, we have a command command know, we have a command command structure

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And they debated the talking about 10 Commandments.
• And I don't want to see nobody wearing no 10 Commandments.
• about 10 Commandments. about 10 Commandments.
• <01:38:11.800> I nobody wearing no 10 Commandments. I nobody wearing no 10 Commandments.
• “And then he didn't force his way on any of us, did he?

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their freedom for almost a year, forcing their freedom for almost a year, forcing colonial<00:07
• Fighting for a commander-in-chief we do not elect. I am a limited voting delegate.
• a commander-in-chief we do not<00:09:00.880> elect.
• of forced labor. of forced labor.
• No one should be forced to work under threats, abuse, or intimidation.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our officers and command staff regularly hear from residents and business owners who are concerned by
• own classifications through SBB and can seek a purchasing delegation through DGS, but both of these tasks
• to bicycles and e-bikes, including those that generally apply to all roadway users, which is a big task
• San Diego region, MTS's service, and without a new sustainable funding source, the system would be forced

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Were you forced to come here through human trafficking?
• force.
• It also ensures that teachers can take unpaid FMLA leave for pregnancy or adoption without being forced
• It allows them to seal records for misdemeanor offenses that their traffickers forced them to commit
• SB 2850 by Menendez relates to the task force on Pollinator Health from the Committee on Agriculture

Bills: SB664, SB40, SB9, SJR1, SJR5, SB27, SB207, SB2938, SB1901, SB1227, SB1248, SB912, SB1321, SB2143, SB2145, SB1497, SB1239, SB2180, SB1388, SB1762, SB1662, SB1951, SB1537, SB493, SB378, SB1020, SB1018, SB992, SB958, SB920, SB1350, SCR25, SB687, SB1332, SB2185, SB552, SB664, SB40, SB9, SJR1, SJR5, SB458, SB482, SB927, SB984, SB651, SB1620, SB2124, SB2448, SB841, SB843, SB402, SB2662, SB2053, SB2332, SB2112, SB745, SB1247, SB1789, SB27, SB207, SB2938, SB1901, SB1227, SB1248, SB912, SB1321, SB2143, SB2145, SB1497, SB1239, SB2180, SB1388, SB1762, SB1662, SB1951, SB1537, SB493, SB378, SB1020, SB1018, SB992, SB958, SB920, SB1350, HCR76, HCR127, HCR9, HCR40, HCR118, HR559, HCR59, HCR135, HCR141, HCR46, HCR109, HCR10, SCR25, HB2525, HB142, HB140, HB29, HB451, HB3809, HB3307, HB 1130, HJR1, HB9, SB17, SB260, SB509, SB1506, SB1637, SB2308

Keywords: Texas courts, judicial officers, associate judge, magistrate, master, referee, hearing officer, court administration, Government Code Chapter 54, Government Code Chapter 54A, bail training, Article 17.024, Article 15.17, local administrative judge, State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Office of Court Administration, county courts, criminal justice, criminal jurisprudence, judicial qualifications

Transcript Highlights:

• So, that's something to think about, and when you think about the number of days, and as a commander,
• think about the number of days and<00:08:34.200> as<00:08:34.360> a<00:08:34.440> commander
• > the<00:08:35.440> one<00:08:35.680> thing<00:08:35.919> that and as a commander
• , the one thing that and as a commander, the one thing that always<00:08:36.400> come<00:08:36.640
• So, that's something to think about, and when you think about the number of days, and as a commander,

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection met with a quorum and took up three bills. House Bill 297, sponsored by Rep. Chris Lewis, would make Kentucky State Fair Board police explicitly eligible for inclusion in the Kentucky Law Enforcement Foundation Program Fund and related certification provisions. Testimony explained that the bill is intended to correct a technical gap, noting the officers are already POPS-certified and that Louisville Metro Police Department would provide annual training. The committee reported the bill favorably after a roll call vote. House Bill 364, sponsored by Rep. Steve Bratcher, would provide hazardous duty pay for Kentucky National Guard members called to state active duty for natural disasters or emergencies, limited to the first 72 hours of a declaration. Supporters described the risks faced during the initial response period and said the measure recognizes the time and family sacrifices of part-time Guard members. In response to a question, the sponsor said the fiscal note was undetermined because disaster frequency cannot be predicted, but noted federal reimbursement has covered Guard emergency expenditures in past events. The committee passed the bill favorably. House Bill 436, sponsored by Rep. Wesley, addressed mental health for first responders and was described as a request from search and rescue personnel. The sponsor said the measure had passed the House unanimously in a prior session. Guests from the Kentucky Fire Commission and Kentucky Professional Firefighters were introduced, and the committee reported the bill favorably without opposition. At the end of the meeting, members recorded additional presence and votes, the chair announced Military Kids Day on February 19, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this resolution, and I wish I could command this body, this process could command everybody to get
• <00:50:12.920> wish<00:50:13.200> I<00:50:13.320> could<00:50:13.640> command
• or this body, and I wish I could command or this body, this<00:50:15.320> process<00:50:15.840
• > could<00:50:16.000> command<00:50:16.400> everybody<00:50:16.840> to this
• process could command everybody to this process could command everybody to get<00:50:17.120> engaged

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you end up maybe in a supervisory role or command staff role sooner than you ought to.
• But what this will do, though, is some of these folks that are more senior, some of our senior command
• end up maybe in a supervisory<00:25:42.320> role<00:25:42.520> or<00:25:42.679> Command
• role or Command Staff role maybe<00:25:44.360> sooner<00:25:44.880> than<00:25:45.240>
• leaders and even senior senior command leaders and even senior patrol<00:26:12.159> officers<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• God, this is one of the most difficult commands for us to follow.
• today, there are only 31 hospitals in the entire state that provide labor and delivery services, forcing

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum established, then recognized guests including Arkansas State Police and Game and Fish officers, a doctor of the day, and several nurses in honor of National Nurses Week. Members also granted leave requests and approved dispensing with the reading of the previous day’s journal. The main item of business was House Bill 1001, which would reduce the top individual income tax rate to 3.7 percent and the corporate rate to 4.1 percent. Representative Eaves presented the bill as a continuation of Arkansas’s long-term tax reduction strategy, arguing it would provide broad relief to working families and improve competitiveness. Representative Hudson spoke against it, saying the benefits would be small for many taxpayers and that the state should instead use the revenue for priorities such as postpartum Medicaid, food insecurity, child care, rural hospitals, and agriculture. Representative Ray spoke in favor, emphasizing cumulative tax savings, economic growth, and the state’s recent investments in education, teacher pay, highways, paid maternity leave, and other programs. The House passed HB 1001 by a vote of 79 yeas to 17 nays. Afterward, the chamber adopted a motion to adjourn until 9:30 a.m. the next day. Members announced upcoming committee meetings, including Girl State, Boy State, Joint Budget, and Revenue and Tax, and the Speaker noted the House would return to consider Senate Bill 1 if it clears committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• , sunrise in central Indiana would be delayed until after 9 a.m. during much of the winter months forcing
• Chairman, I move that P.N. 114, nomination of John Manzillio to be the Lieutenant Commander, be favorably

Transcript Highlights:

• farm to market and ranch to market. 142 services to survivors of certain military—Texas military forces
• to the subcommittee on transportation funding. 365 by hope providing for the display of the ten commandments

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, if you start getting up here and distracting her, we have a problem if you two join forces.
• Okay, if you start getting up here and distracting her, we have a problem if you two join forces.
• Okay, if you start getting up here and distracting her, we have a problem if you two join forces.
• Okay, if you start getting up here and distracting her, we have a problem if you two join forces.
• I was a Seabee company commander. Wow, so there was a movie called The Fighting Seabees.

Bills: SJR4, SJR40, SJR81, SCR37, SCR39, SB22, SB32, SB33, SB36, SB38, SB95, SB209, SB249, SB311, SB326, SB365, SB458, SB609, SB660, SB664, SB693, SB732, SB745, SB760, SB762, SB779, SB783, SB785, SB868, SB871, SB883, SB921, SB955, SB993, SB996, SB1008, SB1057, SB1067, SB1151, SB1171, SB1210, SB1255, SB1265, SB1267, SB1271, SB1307, SB1313, SB1316, SB1318, SB1321, SB1332, SB1365, SB1426, SB1470, SB1484, SB1494, SB1559, SB1592, SB1596, SB1598, SB1637, SB1677, SB1706, SB1758, SB1762, SB1786, SB1809, SB1818, SB1822, SB1841, SB1871, SB1967, SB2064, SB2077, SB2112, SB2148, SB2320, SB2406, SB2407, SJR36, SJR81, SJR50, SJR4, SJR40, SJR27, SCR22, SCR12, SCR39, SCR38, SCR37, SB921, SB609, SB660, SB765, SB62, SB666, SB888, SB687, SB847, SB1248, SB504, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB304, SB1023, SB204, SB670, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB1539, SB447, SB1119, SB1505, SB1215, SB1302, SB583, SB673, SB681, SB1172, SB955, SB957, SB541, SB266, SB1415, SB53, SB1352, SB785, SB1450, SB1502, SB1566, SB1062, SB711, SB746, SB1404, SB1448, SB507, SB1026, SB1349, SB1355, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596, SB1403, SB667, SB1059, SB1567, SB310, SB311, SB505, SB1210, SB1470, SB264, SB1358, SB1364, SB1569, SB1376, SB1228, SB519, SB1350, SB462, SB827, SB1585, SB1484, SB1273, SB927, SB1227, SB1229, SB1353, SB1464, SB1709, SB1729, SB1733, SB1744, SB1772, SB1841, SB1008, SB2016, SB1173, SB1163, SB996, SB1370, SB1321, SB1101, SB860, SB993, SB693, SB1537, SB1332, SB1307, SB963, SB493, SB984, SB619, SB1122, SB455, SB522, SB1057, SB1239, SB1254, SB1255, SB1259, SB1341, SB1877, SB1277, SB32, SB732, SB731, SB268, SB1822, SB1589, SB397, SB1058, SB1267, SB2112, SB1930, SB532, SB508, SB292, SB291, SB901, SB1333, SB1436, SB1494, SB964, SB779, SB1378, SB2312, SB1719, SB287, SB2143, SB1245, SB261, SB1247, SB2406, SB2407, SB1882, SB618, SB38, SB393, SB1371, SB1365, SB2243, SB2226, SB2039, SB1919, SB1895, SB1598, SB1493, SB1810, SB1791, SB1706, SB1644, SB1238, SB783, SB458, SB22, SB651, SB897, SB1809, SB1080, SB745, SB826, SB989, SB1320, SB1437, SB2320, SB2289, SB1171, SB664, SB1637, SB2064, SB868, SB1079, SB1243, SB1504, SB1851, SB1879, SB2237, SB1257, SB2034, SB1522, SB883, SB249, SB1318, SB1151, SB596, SB1191, SB226, SB570, SB870, SB991, SB60, SB365, SB1067, SB1786, SB326, SB1401, SB1592, SB1728, SB1265, SB586, SB529, SB217, SB209, SB1923, SB1559, SB1839, SB387, SB1874, SB1872, SB1873, SB1921, SB1883, SB1677, SB95, SB1620, SB1838, SB2024, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB2166, SB871, SB510, SB33, SB2420, SB1860, SB1541, SB1316, SB1314, SB1313, SB1426, SB1398, SB1869, SB1750, SB1871, SB36, SB855, SB1233, SB760, SB2425, SB2037, SB1758, SB1759, SB2365, SB1924, SB762, SB1271, SB1818, SB605, SB1405, SB1762, SB1968, SB1977, SB2077, SB2148, SB2321, SB1967, SB1662, SB1663, SB2124, SB2204, SB1855, SB863, SB37, SJR39, SCR1, SCR27, SCR32, SCR42, SCR6, SB2232, SB819, SB2078, SB2252, SB1962, SB2253, SB825, SB1577, SB1184, SB2018, SB2206, SB1901, SB1030, SB2368, SB1963, SB1960, SB1643, SB1625, SB1299, SB841, SB668, SB584, SB231, SB2411, SB1085, SB2431, SB2231, SB1490, SB530, SB34, SB1261

Keywords: economic stabilization fund, state finance, constitutional amendment, budget management, financial security, emergency powers, legislative authority, governor powers, disaster management, tax exemption, ad valorem, tangible personal property, income production, SCR 37, Senate Concurrent Resolution, Panama Canal, Texas ports, port infrastructure, maritime trade, shipping lanes

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are now forcing people to make a decision.
• Moved on to Montgomery, Alabama, where I went to the Air Force Command and General Staff College and
• Command General Staff College, received my master's, Lifelong public Staff College.
• The board members are supposed to have staggered terms, and through seemingly forced resignations and
• period at SLFPA East, marked by excessive staff turnover, board member resignations, some seemingly forced

Summary: The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee met on May 20, 2026, with a quorum present and no minutes available for approval. The committee first heard HB 181, which would let the legislative auditor review income tax data to verify eligibility for Medicaid and, at LDH’s request, SNAP. The auditor said the work would be limited to internal data testing under sharing agreements and not disclosed to third parties. After questions about privacy and duplication, the bill was reported favorably to the floor without objection. The committee then took up HB 906 on presidential preference primaries and party nominating petitions. The Secretary of State and bill author said the measure would let major parties decide whether unaffiliated voters may participate in their primaries, with 180 days’ notice to the state, and would keep party rules consistent within presidential years so elections can be programmed properly. Several senators raised concerns that the bill would disenfranchise no-party voters and give parties too much control, but supporters said both major parties had approved the approach. The committee voted 4-3 to report the bill favorably. Members also advanced HB 398, which would require the judiciary to use the federal GSA meal per diem rate instead of the current higher state judicial rate; HB 1052, which strengthens confidentiality protections for child abuse investigations handled by child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams; HB 1245, which protects witness criminal history records from unintended public release in clerk of court records; HB 202, which requires state civil service or hiring agencies to notify applicants when a vacancy is filled or they are rejected; HB 540, which requires disclosure of paid digital election advertising; HB 9, designating stuffed shrimp as a Louisiana specialty; HB 1057, extending the validity of absentee-by-mail applications for military voters from one year to two; HB 225, proposing a constitutional amendment to limit governors to two lifetime terms; HB 177, allowing retired court reporters to contract with former public employers; and HB 459, requiring disclosure when campaign materials use AI, with amendments adopted after discussion of First Amendment and campaign finance concerns. The committee also rejected an amendment to HB 1057 that would have expanded Sunday early voting in certain parishes. After the bills, the committee held confirmation hearings for James Kelly and Charles Wilkinson to the Board of Supervisors of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, both of whom described education and workforce development backgrounds and were favorably received.