Transcript Highlights:

• The law as set up is there really two tracks for the red flag law.
• Uh so the red flag law for due process.
• <01:43:39.280> Um officers for the red flag petitions.
• Um officers for the red flag petitions.
• um has faced threats and she has a red um has faced threats and she has a red flag<01:55:48.400>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this contributor is now the box that's red and blue, and the red is corresponding with their sharing
• So County A in red is a metro county, and the red box is the contributor located in that county.
• <00:50:09.160> is that's red and blue and the red is that's red and blue and the red is corresponding
• <00:50:56.079> the Metro County and the red box is the Metro County and the red box is the contributor
• So, that's why you see some red dots in County B.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under Red Clay, for the AI DuPont High School renovation, an add of $9,308,603.
• And then, for Red Clay Cab Calloway School of the Arts renovations, there's an add of $14,506,635.
• And then for the Red Clay H.B. DuPont Middle School renovation, an add of $8,310,491.
• Turning to the last page, there is an add to Red Clay for Marbrook Elementary, $637,798.
• Next new section for the Red Clay School District Bus Depot on page 49.

Summary: The committee met to finalize the FY27 bond bill, beginning with a roll call and a detailed review of updated appropriation amounts. The Comptroller General walked through major changes across agencies, including additions for OMB, the Department of State, DNREC, Agriculture, Education, and Transportation, and explained the funding sources that would cover the total $1.256 billion package. Members then debated several large items, especially the $110 million appropriation for the Diamond State Port Corporation, the $35 million Legislative Hall addition, the $20 million Community Reinvestment Fund, and the $30 million land and building acquisition line. Questions focused on the port project’s costs, expected jobs, return on investment, and whether the state would face future commitments; Secretary of State Charney Patitofunded Chances and other officials testified that the port expansion would create construction and permanent jobs and support long-term economic growth, while some members remained skeptical and objected to the process and spending priorities. The committee also discussed school construction funding, with officials explaining that additional money would forward-fund projects already in the pipeline and help districts that had been turned down for certificates of necessity. Other items reviewed included funding for park improvements, marina acquisition, the Plummer Center demolition and transfer, the Pyle Center sewer project, the Site Readiness Fund, affordable housing, the Arts Endowment Fund, an unclaimed property task force, and various transportation and community transportation projects. Several members raised concerns about county distribution, minority-party involvement in negotiations, and the scale of certain appropriations, but the majority defended the package as statewide investment and economic development. The committee then voted on the Section 1 addendum and a series of new and replacement epilogue sections, including provisions for the port project, Legislative Hall minor capital improvements, land acquisition, affordable housing, the Community Reinvestment Fund, downtown development districts, the Rite Aid demolition, the Site Readiness Fund, school construction formula review, and enhanced school capital funding. Most motions carried, with a few recorded no votes or abstentions on the main addendum. The meeting concluded with a motion authorizing technical corrections by the Comptroller General’s office, followed by closing remarks thanking staff and members for their work and noting that this was likely the final bond committee meeting for some participants before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• "And as we've been looking at the development of the fraud and looking for the red flags, one of the
• 16.240> of<00:08:16.360> the<00:08:16.480> things<00:08:16.880> that the red
• flags, one of the things that the red flags, one of the things that came<00:08:17.560> to<00:
• ><00:19:42.960> seeing<00:19:43.240> these<00:19:43.560> same<00:19:43.880> red
• problems and seeing these same red problems and seeing these same red flags,<00:19:44.600> these

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee debated whether to issue a subpoena to Representative Ilhan Omar for documents and communications related to the Feeding Our Future investigation and the federal U.S. v. Aimee Bock trial exhibits. The chair argued that Omar’s office had been named in trial exhibits, that prior requests for testimony and documents had gone unanswered, and that the committee needed the materials to understand the role of the Meals Act and related communications in creating conditions for fraud. Supporters said the request was part of a broader effort to examine Minnesota’s larger fraud problems and to obtain records they believed were relevant and public despite a court protective order; opponents questioned the timing, the committee’s need for the information, and the precedent of subpoenaing a sitting member of Congress, while also arguing federal authorities could pursue any wrongdoing themselves. Members discussed whether the committee had first requested the materials in April 2026 or earlier, whether the documents could be obtained directly from the court or the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and how the information would be used given that the committee was nearing the end of its work. The chair said staff had tried PACER and the federal court, but that the exhibits themselves were under a protective order binding the parties, not the legislature or Omar. Critics said the subpoena was unnecessary and politically motivated; supporters said it was needed for transparency and accountability in the Feeding Our Future probe and related fraud patterns. A roll call was taken on the motion to issue the subpoena. The committee voted 5-3 in favor, but the chair noted that Minnesota law required a two-thirds vote, so the motion failed and the subpoena was not issued. The chair said she would continue trying to contact Representative Omar’s office and hoped for a response.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, uh, even red states like Texas and Florida are on board with banning or regulating AI's use
• And I think that because red states, purple states, blue states are seeing children be harmed.
• states like Texas and know, uh, even red states like Texas and Florida<00:03:05.680> are<00:03
• <00:03:40.159> states,<00:03:40.480> purple I think that because red states, purple
• I think that because red states, purple states,<00:03:41.040> blue<00:03:41.280> states

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senator Erin Maye Quade discussed her package of bipartisan AI-regulation bills, saying consumer-facing AI is largely unregulated and has already caused harm to children, adults, the environment, consumer prices, and privacy. She argued the federal government has not acted, so states are stepping in, and said the issue is drawing support across party lines because the harms are affecting red, purple, and blue states alike. She described a bill aimed at AI chatbots and children, citing reports of self-harm, suicide, disordered eating, harmful behavior, and other unsafe interactions. She said chatbots are designed to maximize engagement, avoid friction, and keep conversations going, which can be especially dangerous for developing brains and can lead to explicit or boundary-pushing content without human oversight. Maye Quade also outlined bills to bar health insurers from using AI in review, evaluation, determination, or appeals processes, saying insurers already deny claims too aggressively and AI speeds up denials. Another bill would prohibit AI-driven surveillance pricing, which she said allows companies to use personal data to charge different customers different prices for the same product. A final bill would require notice when people are interacting with AI and provide access to a human, which she said is important for both routine customer service and high-stakes situations like medical appointments. She acknowledged possible court challenges but said coordinated state action could effectively create a national framework if Congress continues to do nothing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in conclusion, I just want to emphasize that this bill is a red herring intended to distract us from
• this<00:08:36.800> bill<00:08:37.039> is<00:08:37.279> a<00:08:37.440> red
• emphasize that this bill is a red emphasize that this bill is a red herring<00:08:38.719> intended
• Members, I ask that you vote green, and if you vote red, I ask what you will go back to your communities
• ask<00:20:47.679> what<00:20:47.919> you<00:20:48.080> will and if you vote red

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• give the body a heads up that Tuesday, March 3rd, is Read Across America Day, and Clifford the Big Red
• That, repeat, the big red dog will be making an appearance in the Senate of Maryland.
• <00:19:11.760> will<00:19:12.000> be<00:19:12.240> making Clifford the Big Red
• Dog will be making Clifford the Big Red Dog will be making an<00:19:12.960> appearance<00:19:
• /c><00:19:16.720> dog<00:19:17.039> will<00:19:17.280> be That repeat, the big red

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, February 27, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate met on Friday, February 27, with an invocation by Reverend Howard Travers and several guest introductions, including family members, defense organization leaders, a South Asian Herald editor, Eagleton Institute fellows, and physicians from Johns Hopkins. The chamber journalized the prayer, confirmed a quorum, and then moved into bill introductions, House messages, and committee reports. Several measures were advanced without objection, including Senate Bill 338 to extend a work group report deadline on transfer of retirement system member services, Senate Bill 448 authorizing Carroll County public facilities bonds up to $27 million, Senate Bill 453 clarifying that the Arabian horse race associated with Preakness can be run at Laurel Park, Senate Bill 614 allowing Dorchester County detention officers to join the correctional officers retirement system if the county opts in, and Senate Bill 724 making a technical emergency adjustment to cost-of-living calculations for retirees because October CPI data was unavailable during a government shutdown. Each of those bills received favorable committee reports and was ordered printed for third reading after no objections or amendments were offered. Two bills were postponed for later consideration: Senate Bill 538 on Baltimore City raffles tied to organizations affiliated with professional baseball and football teams was special ordered to Wednesday of the following week, and Senate Bill 108 on water resources and wetlands enforcement was special ordered to March 3 while members worked on possible amendments. Senate Bill 56 on the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center and third-party data sharing was also special ordered to the following Wednesday because committee discussion was ongoing. House Bill 6 and House Bill 372 were received and referred to the appropriate standing committees. The Senate also took up Executive Nominations Committee Report No. 3 and, after no nominations were separated out, confirmed the executive nominations by a vote of 41 in the affirmative. Later, the chamber heard a personal privilege statement from a Montgomery County senator about Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald schools in Maryland, highlighting preservation efforts and an upcoming Scrabble tournament fundraiser at a Rosenwald school. The Senate then confirmed a quorum, and the Majority Leader moved that the Senate stand in recess until Monday, March 2 at 8:00 p.m., which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• You just press the little person on the microphone; it'll light up red.
• I'm representative of the Red Mesa. Mesa Veterans Organization.
• Up at Red Mesa, it is a unique area.
• Well, actually I would speak more to Red Valley and even in that area too because I have...
• We've even had to piggyback off of Red Mesa to get on that border so Arizona could come out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vote red. Thank you. Is there any discussion, Representative Brandenberg. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• So anyways, I'd like a red vote. Thank you. So anyways, I'd like a red vote. Thank you.
• So anyways, I'd like a red vote. Thank you. Representative Fraley. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• I hope you'll vote red. Representative Pyle: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr.
• So I hope maybe some red votes might join me.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The North Dakota House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then received a gubernatorial veto message on Senate Bill 2261. The governor vetoed the bill creating a prison industries workforce development tax credit, citing dormant Commerce Clause concerns and arguing the tax credit would create an unfair market advantage and not meaningfully help Rough Rider Industries. The House agreed to place SB 2261 on the next day’s calendar for a possible veto override. The chamber also re-referred Senate Bill 2159 to the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and appointed a conference committee for Senate Bill 2133 after the Senate refused to concur with House amendments. The House then took up a series of Senate amendments and final passage votes on several bills. It concurred in amendments and passed House Bill 1140 naming the Specialist John P. Fettig, Iraq Bridge; House Bill 1241 allowing funeral home vehicles to display flashing purple lights and clarifying emergency vehicle lamp rules; House Bill 1316 imposing additional penalties for repeated violations of temporary restricted licenses; House Bill 1127 expanding Department of Financial Institutions authority and data security provisions; House Bill 1564 on Indian child welfare; House Bill 1167 requiring AI disclosure statements in political communications; House Bill 1170 on state employee annual leave; House Bill 1447 regulating virtual currency kiosks; House Bill 1278 creating a cash management board for state treasury funds; House Bill 1024, the deficiency appropriation bill; House Bill 1205 on newborn safety devices; House Bill 1204 expanding false-information rules for political ads to text messages and telephone calls; House Bill 1001, the governor’s budget; House Bill 1206 increasing penalties for DUI offenses involving a minor; House Bill 1088 on insurance penalties and restitution; and House Bill 1515 on motor vehicle warranty work compensation. Most passed with strong margins, though HB 1170 and HB 1024 drew notable opposition, and HB 1447 and HB 1204 also had several nays. The most extended debate came on Senate Concurrent Resolution 4008, which proposed a constitutional amendment to change legislative term limits from the current structure to four four-year terms and repeal a constitutional restriction on proposing such changes. Supporters argued the measure would preserve institutional knowledge, allow voters to reconsider the 2022 term-limit decision, and let the public decide on the ballot. Opponents said the people had already spoken, the measure was confusing or unnecessary, and it could distract from other ballot issues. After reconsideration was granted, the House passed SCR 4008 by a vote of 53 yeas to 39 nays. The session ended with announcements, committee meeting notices, and adjournment until April 3, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• to industry, according To Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr., they have approved beet root red
• It took the federal Food and Drug Administration a decade ago; they said you can't use Red Dye 3, you
• >> Happily. >> The sponsor yields. >> Well, it is a red day in red state, red dye day and red state day

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Imam Tahir Kukaj of the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center, who offered remarks about gratitude, diversity, and support for Kosovo’s independence. The Journal was approved, and the chamber then took up several previously adopted resolutions, including Resolution 1516 commemorating the 18th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence and Resolution 1317 honoring the Stillwater Girls Varsity Soccer Team and Head Coach Christine Ihnatolya for winning the NYSPHSAA Class C state championship. Both resolutions were adopted, and the sponsors were authorized to seek additional co-sponsors. The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed a series of bills, including measures on environmental conservation, education, public health, civil service, penal law, public service, labor, and a retroactive real property tax exemption for the Silver Lake Foundation. Most bills passed with broad support, though several drew recorded no votes from a small group of senators. Senator Fahy explained her vote on a bill renaming an OASAS scholarship in honor of Father Peter Young, emphasizing his work on addiction, incarceration, and homelessness. Two items drew extended debate. On Calendar 141, Senator Walczyk appealed the chair’s ruling that an amendment to a public service bill was nongermane; the Senate voted 21 to overrule the chair, so the ruling stood, and the bill then passed 52-6. On Calendar 213, Senators Kavanagh and Borrello debated a food-safety bill concerning disclosure of certain food ingredients and chemicals; supporters said it would improve transparency and protect children’s health, while opponents argued federal action was already underway and a national standard would be preferable. After the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar, it passed 56-2. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, February 9 at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days as legislative days.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Red Oaks Phase 2 project. The governor's bill and this is the Red Oaks Phase 2 project.
• Some of you may be familiar with Red Oaks Phase 1.
• Oaks neighborhood, or what is the cost for the Red Oaks neighborhood and what will be remaining for
• Oaks neighborhood or what is for the Red Oaks neighborhood or what is the<01:09:54.920> cost<
• 01:09:56.120> neighborhood the cost for the Red Oaks neighborhood the cost for the Red Oaks neighborhood

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• To see those kind of numbers escalate, there should have been red flags all over for people, for Walz
• To see those kind of numbers escalate, there should have been red flags all over for people, for Walz
• To see those kind of numbers escalate, there should have been red flags all over for people, for Walz
• To see those kind of numbers escalate, there should have been red flags all over for people, for Walz
• To see those kind of numbers escalate, there should have been red flags all over for people, for Walz

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee Chair Kristen Robbins opened the meeting by explaining that the committee’s majority report had been released after the minority declined to file a minority report, though the minority later issued a statement. She said the report reflects two years of work aimed at exposing fraud, strengthening internal controls, and creating a whistleblower portal, mnfraud.com, which will remain open during the interim to receive and review tips. Robbins and several Republican members described the report as documenting how fraud in Minnesota began with earlier CCAP-related schemes and then expanded into Feeding Our Future and other programs, including housing stabilization, autism services, sober homes, adult day care, assisted living, non-emergency medical transportation, and interpretive services. They argued that fraud was enabled by weak oversight, a culture of inaction, and retaliation against whistleblowers, and said the report includes findings and recommendations for future reforms. Members also highlighted bipartisan bills already passed to strengthen whistleblower protections, internal controls, and fraud reporting. Representative Pam Altendorf and others praised the report and said it exposed widespread misuse of public funds, citing housing stabilization and autism services as examples of programs with rapidly growing costs and weak oversight. Representative Isaac Schultz said the committee had uncovered “industrial-scale” fraud and that the state had failed to hold agencies accountable. He and Robbins said the new Office of Inspector General, created by legislation passed this session and set to begin in January, will have broad authority to investigate public dollars and, later, police powers; they also noted a salary-setting provision for the office would be added to a state government bill. The members said the next governor will need to change the culture of state agencies and enforce accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's so high that the index that folks have to track is just at the red level, which is 151 to 200, says
• level which is 151 this just at the red level which is 151 to<00:17:24.160> 200<00:17:24.720>
• /c><00:25:44.960> a<00:25:45.279> bill<00:25:45.520> that should vote green or red
• on a bill that should vote green or red on a bill that is<00:25:45.919> more<00:25:46.080>
• Vote<00:26:08.880> red<00:26:09.120> or<00:26:09.279> green,<00:26:09.760> you

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:53:23.520> defect a house draft one and redef red defect a house draft one and redef red
• work on a house bill so we do want to work on a house draft<00:54:44.880> one<00:54:45.520> red
• defect the date to July 1 draft one red defect the date to July 1 3000<00:54:48.680> make<00:
• <00:55:55.680> defect<00:55:55.960> the<00:55:56.400> to a house draft one and red
• defect the to a house draft one and red defect the to July<00:55:56.839> 1<00:55:57.200> 3000

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of animals that may be maintained within foxhound training enclosures, possession and transport of red
• fox and coyotes, fencing to maintain red fox and coyotes within foxhound training enclosures, size of
• of animals that may be maintained within foxhound training enclosures, possession and transport of red
• fox and coyotes, fencing to maintain red fox and coyotes within foxhound training enclosures, size of
• fox and coyotes, fencing to maintain red fox and coyotes within foxhound training enclosures, size of

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met on February 10 with a quorum present, approved the minutes, and then reviewed a long agenda of agency regulations, most of which were accompanied by staff-suggested amendments for drafting conformity under KRS Chapter 13A. The Department of Financial Institutions’ 808 KAR 9:10, the Secretary of State’s 030 KAR 2:11, the Office of the Attorney General’s 04 KAR 5:10, the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology’s emergency 201 KAR 17:120, the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ 301 KAR 2:41, the Department for Environmental Protection’s 401 KAR 47:110 and 48:320, the State Police regulations 502 KAR 1:012 and 1:121, the Department for Public Health’s 902 KAR 4:15, the Department for Medicaid Services’ 907 KAR 1:15, and the Department for Community Based Services’ 921 KAR 1:400 were all discussed and, where applicable, staff amendments were approved without objection. The Workplace Standards emergency regulation 803 KAR 2:320E was also presented without amendment, and the Department of Insurance’s 806 KAR 9:360 was taken up but ultimately deferred at the agency’s request. Several regulations drew brief substantive discussion. The Fish and Wildlife rule on foxhound training enclosures was explained as expanding both commercial and non-commercial provisions for training with dogs involving red fox and coyotes, with enclosure standards intended to protect wildlife inside and outside the facilities. The environmental protection rules were tied to House Bill 478 and addressed permit-by-rule timelines, reporting, and operating standards for certain construction and demolition debris landfills, including sites up to two acres; members asked whether these facilities were private or municipal, and staff said they were a mix, often tied to private demolition contractors or single projects. The State Police fee increase for hazardous materials endorsements was described as reflecting a federal TSA fee change, and the witness estimated the new fee at about $23. The most extended debate concerned the Board of Education’s 704 KAR 3:535 on full-time virtual and remote learning programs. The agency amendment would cap enrollment in such programs at 10% above a district’s prior-year in-person enrollment, while also clarifying accountability, staffing, and monitoring requirements. Education officials said the cap was intended to address concerns about district capacity and student performance, and they cited Cloverport as an example of a district with high virtual participation and participation-rate issues. Members expressed concern that the amendment was too open-ended for regulation and suggested the issue might be better addressed in statute; no motion was made to adopt the agency amendment, so the regulation was left to proceed to the committee of jurisdiction. The Department of Insurance also discussed implementation of Senate Bill 188, saying it had received more than 3,000 complaints since the law took effect and was still working through enforcement and complaint processing before asking to defer its PBM licensing regulation.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whether our hometown color is red, blue, or purple, this bill is a reflection of what Minnesotans
• And whether our hometown<00:01:50.079> color<00:01:50.320> is<00:01:50.479> red,
• <00:01:50.720> blue<00:01:50.880> or<00:01:51.119> purple, hometown color is red
• , blue or purple, hometown color is red, blue or purple, this<00:01:51.759> bill<00:01:51.920>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2254, which would create a $400 “baby bonus” child tax credit for families in the taxable year of a child’s birth. Representative Hansen presented the bill as a targeted investment in newborns and young families, citing research on the long-term benefits of income support in early childhood and estimating that about 25,000 children could benefit. She also emphasized the bill’s bipartisan support and thanked the many co-authors and testifiers, including a first-time witness. No substantive questions or debate followed the presentation. The chair noted there was no discussion, and Representative Hansen renewed her motion to lay the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2025 tax bill. The committee agreed, and House File 2254 was laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• A red vote says you're going against the ruling of the president.
• Members, a red vote supports the effort to stop fraud in our state.
• I would like to ask everyone for a red vote.
• Please vote red.
• When I took everyone for a red vote.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, pledge, and roll call, confirmed a quorum, and then moved through routine business including first reading and referral of Senate File 5019 to the Health and Human Services Committee, along with referral of Senate resolutions 73 to 75 to Rules and Administration. Senator Westrom’s motion to withdraw Senate File 3893 from Finance, give it a second reading, and place it on general orders was adopted. The chamber then took up House File 3556, which renames Minnesota’s Community Solar Garden Program as the Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden Program. Senator Hoffman presented the bill as a tribute to Speaker Melissa Hortman’s role in creating and advancing community solar in Minnesota, with Senator Marty and others supporting the recognition. The bill was read a third time and passed on final passage by a vote of 59-7, with the title agreed to. Senate File 1251 followed, a bipartisan bill to remove the June 2026 sunset on crossbow use during archery season and make the allowance permanent. Senator Pa and supporters cited a DNR study showing no negative impact on deer or turkey populations and argued the change would improve participation among women, youth, and older hunters. An A3 technical amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 67-0. The Senate then considered Senate File 3868, a bill to ban cryptocurrency kiosks in Minnesota due to fraud concerns. The author and supporters described widespread scams targeting seniors and others, citing losses in Minnesota and national fraud data. An A2 amendment requiring lawful-presence verification for foreign remittance transfers was ruled not germane, and the chair’s ruling was upheld on a 34-33 appeal. Debate then began on an A3 amendment related to cash transfers through airports, with members arguing over germaneness and the scope of the fraud-prevention bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• is if you commit a crime and you're a trans woman under this bill, you would be put into the male wing
• is if you commit a crime and you're a trans woman under this bill, you would be put into the male wing
• <01:21:01.440> into<01:21:01.760> the<01:21:02.560> male<01:21:02.960> wing
• ,<01:21:03.440> you you would be put into the male wing, you you would be put into the male
• wing, you would<01:21:03.760> be<01:21:03.840> raped,<01:21:04.239> then<01:21:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are some of the red-flag behaviors that we train our nurses on.
• At our hospital, we have a red dot policy.
• The red dot policy is for anybody who would like to talk privately to a health care provider.
• They stick this red sticker on the bottom of the urine cup, okay?
• You know, from the red dot to, you know, let me move you to the x-ray now.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The first meeting of the Human Trafficking and Emergency Department Task Force focused on implementing Act 267 of 2025, which created the body to develop a statewide human trafficking protocol to be incorporated into regional sexual assault response plans. Chair Rep. Kelly Hennessy Dickerson and Office of Human Trafficking Prevention Director Mary Kate Andrepont outlined the task force’s goal of producing a practical, transferable protocol for hospitals and emergency departments across Louisiana, with help from Heal Trafficking. Members and presenters repeatedly emphasized that the protocol should be trauma-informed, survivor-centered, multidisciplinary, and adaptable to different regions and health systems. Hospital, SANE, and advocacy presenters described current practices and gaps. Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport’s Operation Rahab and FMOLHS’s policies highlighted staff education, badge buddies, private screening, reporting pathways, and coordination with the National Human Trafficking Hotline, law enforcement, DCFS, and local advocates. SANE nurses and forensic staff stressed that most trafficking victims pass through emergency departments and that subtle behavioral indicators, rapport-building, and broad staff education are critical. LaFASA described statewide sexual assault advocacy services, emphasizing 24-hour crisis response, legal support, and the role of advocates in helping survivors understand options and regain control. Child and youth trafficking specialists from DCFS-contracted programs, including Unbound Now and BCFS/Common Thread, explained Louisiana’s Act 662 response for minors, which routes reports into coordinated advocacy and care coordination. They said their teams respond statewide within 90 minutes, provide crisis support, and work with CACs, hospitals, and law enforcement. Members raised concerns about major service gaps, especially for adults, transportation, safe housing, and specialized placements for survivors with disabilities. Presenters also noted that male survivor housing remains limited, though Eden Centers now offers some beds. The task force also reviewed a needs assessment showing many hospitals lack mandatory trafficking training, screening practices, written protocols, and confidence in identifying victims. Members discussed expanding education beyond ED staff to residents, nursing schools, student health, mental health, housekeeping, maintenance, and law enforcement. No formal votes were taken, but the chair said the survey results and testimony would be used to draft a protocol before the next meeting, with a final draft to follow after further review and feedback.

Transcript Highlights:

• Red cards are for opposition. White cards are for informational purposes only.
• Red cards are for opposition. White cards are for informational purposes only.
• We do have one red card. Luke Williamson from LAJ is present and waves.
• Now it looks like we got some red cards. Looks like they're going to warm up a little bit.
• All right, continued red cards. Mr. Sonier wants to come back up and chat with us again.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Insurance met on May 6, 2026, and first reported HB 1241 favorably. That bill, by Chairman Furman, requires insurers to check with DCFS before paying certain insurance settlements to determine whether the recipient owes delinquent child support, and to withhold and remit arrears if found. DCFS explained that Louisiana already has intercepts and other collection tools, but no current mechanism for insurance settlements. Senators raised concerns about notice to obligors and about liability if insurers fail to withhold, but the bill was advanced without objection. The committee then heard HB 870, which would require health insurers and PBMs to cover lower-cost generic or biosimilar drugs when available and to use utilization management no more restrictively on those drugs. Supporters said the bill would improve access and lower patient costs by using wholesale acquisition cost as the comparison point. Opponents, including Louisiana Blue and the AFL-CIO, argued that WAC ignores rebates and net cost, could force plans to cover higher-cost biosimilars first, and could increase premiums and disrupt ERISA and fully insured plan design. The committee adopted a technical amendment set and then a second amendment set that added notice and reporting requirements tied to net cost calculations, and HB 870 was reported favorably as amended. Several other bills were moved with little or no opposition. HB 1176, concerning Medicare Advantage coverage for integrative cancer treatments such as cold cap therapy, cryotherapy, and acupuncture, was amended to change the effective date and then reported favorably. HB 1196, dealing with colorectal cancer screening follow-up colonoscopies, was also amended and reported favorably. HB 1162, a consumer protection bill requiring DOI to verify that a contractor named on a first-party property damage check is licensed in Louisiana, was amended and reported favorably. HB 826, which modernizes insurance referral rules to allow referrals by email or website address, was reported favorably. The committee also heard HB 1151 on insurer investment limits and solvency protections, and HB 1236 on pharmacy reimbursement and copay maximizer programs; both drew substantial testimony and concern, especially over retroactivity, PBM cost allocation, and whether copay maximizers shift costs to patients, but the transcript cuts off before final action on HB 1236.