Transcript Highlights:

• implementation an amendment requiring implementation an amendment requiring the<03:58:43.199>
• for not taking the breath lier test for not taking the breath lier test that's<04:18:46.119>
• enrollees cost sharing requirements enrollees cost sharing requirements accepted<05:06:09.600>
• <05:08:30.080> when supplies and laboratory tests when supplies and laboratory tests when
• Madam President, this bill requires health insurance coverage for biomarker testing and requires the

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also requirements for schools, districts, and charter schools that are working on performance
• And then throughout the revised 460, there are requirements for the department or the superintendent
• So now we will be evaluated on a test that has nothing to do with what we're teaching?
• Steve Canavero: No, it's not required.
• a tested grade or subject.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that a federal requirement that you have to update that?
• Is that a federal requirement that you have to update that?
• And then it did still require the report... ...making recommendations and then did still require the
• One is we don't have the authority to require a permit.
• But we have agreed with OMB that our zoning requirements, that would include like our parking requirements

Summary: The committee began with roll call, introductions of a new fiscal analyst and a new member, and approval of the March 19 minutes. The first major presentation was from the Office of Management and Budget on the state’s general fund and special fund status through May. OMB reported general fund revenues were running below the legislative forecast by about $76 million, driven largely by weaker individual income tax and sales tax collections, though the projected ending balance remained positive and above the budgeted level. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap and would transfer excess earnings to the general fund, and the legacy fund balance continued to grow. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing revenue variability. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analyses, followed by discussion of a bill draft for the fixed-route city transportation network study. The draft would create a $15 million general fund grant program with a formula-based distribution to eligible fixed-route transit cities, intended to support operating and capital needs and help match federal transit funds. Transit officials from Minot and Fargo testified in support, explaining local fare and match structures and the difficulty of replacing aging buses and securing federal matching dollars. Several members questioned whether the program should be limited to the current four cities or broadened to future eligible urban areas, and whether local funding sources should be explored further. The committee did not finalize the bill draft at that point and planned to continue discussion at a later meeting. The committee also approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to approval of a bi-state authority with South Dakota, after staff explained that no agreements had ever been implemented and the provision appeared outdated. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried. Later, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site presented updates on uncrewed aircraft systems initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and efforts to build a revenue model for Vantis. Test site officials said FAA approval had been secured for the radar data program, replacement of noncompliant drones was underway, and future revenue could come from state and external users once pricing and intellectual property arrangements are finalized. Members asked about Chinese-made drones, supply chain issues, automation, and how the system would manage beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and a reentry housing study. Officials said the proposed facility would relocate the minimum-security prison to the penitentiary campus, reduce costs from an earlier estimate, and provide more beds and programming space, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and opening around 2031. They also described staffing needs, the planned move of women to the New England facility, and possible expansion of men’s housing there. The parole and probation chief described a reentry housing task force studying housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with a goal of developing data-driven recommendations for subsidies and support services; a representative from Protection and Advocacy closed by expressing general support for fixed-route and paratransit funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Wipin, members, as amended by the Commerce Committee, House Bill 2244 provides requirements relating
• and requires certain local expenditure measures to make certain disclosures.
• and requires certain local expenditure measures to make certain disclosures.
• There's a couple of them that we haven't required because that's kind of not great to require veterans
• But effectively, we're not requiring veterans to come up with the money for that.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting was a caucus-style run-through of many bills and resolutions across Appropriations, Commerce, Education, Federalism/Military Affairs/Elections, Government, Health and Human Services, Judiciary, ENRU, Public Safety, and Rural Economic Development. Measures discussed included housing and HOA rules, school policy and funding, health care licensing and records timelines, public safety and corrections funding, election and campaign rules, water and environmental policy, and several criminal justice and juvenile justice changes. Many items were described as being on third-read consent or consent calendars, with staff often noting that no questions were raised and no sponsor was present. Several bills drew sponsor explanation or member discussion. In education, members reviewed bills on teacher strikes, school safety, math placement, student outcomes, free school meals, parent permission for clubs, and school bond ballot disclosures. In health, bills covered prior authorization data reporting, nursing board rules and complaint procedures, pharmacist testing/treatment authority, opioid antagonist expiration dates, board continuations, and a constitutional amendment on refusing medical mandates. In government and public safety, members discussed DCS legal representation, inmate medical records, public safety parity funding, sheriff authority, border support funding, and a resolution supporting county sheriffs. In commerce and housing, bills addressed condominium and HOA authority, shade structures, pet restrictions, insurance certificates, apprenticeship definitions, automatic renewal contracts, and a state housing affordability district. There was notable discussion on House Bill 4044, which would create a Public Safety Parity Fund for DPS and DOC salaries using interest from the state rainy day fund and other revenue sources. The sponsor argued it would provide a reliable way to fund public safety pay, while others objected that it would consume interest needed to preserve the fund’s value and that a general fund appropriation would be more appropriate. The bill prompted extended back-and-forth, with some members supporting the concept and others saying it was fiscally irresponsible. Another point of discussion came on House Bill 2775, where staff noted a possible misprint in the bill history, and on House Bill 467, where staff clarified that the inactive voter list changes related to e-poll book status categories. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, and the meeting appears to have been a review of measures before floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• To comply with the requirements outlined in this chapter and any related rules adopted by the Department
• Takes the state assessments or other normed reference tests.
• On 22, ensure the tests are provided to the department from the school again. And the department.
• Is that a requirement now to start tracking, or? No, it's not necessarily a requirement.
• I mean, our schools are going to be required to give the data.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 1540, an education savings account bill. Senator Wobbema presented Amendment 040-003, describing mostly clarifying and reorganizing changes, including eligibility language, administrator duties, school participation standards, assessment provisions, and a correction removing a requirement that the department pay for state assessment materials if a parent selected that option. The committee adopted the amendment 4-2, then advanced HB 1540 as amended on a 4-2 vote and sent it to Appropriations, with Senator Wobbema designated as carrier. One senator opposed the bill, arguing it would divert resources from public schools and conflict with the state’s obligation to provide a free appropriate education while districts still face funding needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• It can require reprogramming of their local case maintenance systems, and it can also require operational
• It can require reprogramming of their local case maintenance systems, and it can also require operational
• We must also strive to provide the testing that assists most in solving cases.
• Our alcohol testing program ensures the alcohol testing instruments used across the state by our law
• more attention to specific details and types of testing.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to continue its review of performance measurement in the criminal justice system. The first presentation, from State Courts Administrator Eric McClure, described how the court system uses multiple data sources to track filings, dispositions, clearance rates, workload, and support services, and how those data inform judge need, budget requests, resource allocation, and court administration. He also discussed ongoing efforts to improve case-level reporting, the use of case management systems in trial and appellate courts, and performance efforts in problem-solving courts and civil case management. McClure noted that the legislature provides dedicated funding for problem-solving courts and for medication-assisted treatment, and that the courts are required to report outcomes and monitor compliance with contract requirements. Melanie Brown-Whor of the Florida Behavioral Health Association then reviewed the medication-assisted treatment program funded through the courts budget. She said the program combines medication with counseling and behavioral supports, serves people involved in or at risk of criminal justice involvement, and has expanded over time to include additional medications and more counties. She reported improved engagement and retention, with more than 10,000 people screened over five years, about 9,200 receiving medication, and over 6,600 successfully discharged. Senators asked about racial and ethnic demographics, hospital referrals, and how services are delivered; Brown-Whor explained that local community providers deliver treatment under contract and that the program is working to improve data reporting and consistency. The Department of Law Enforcement then presented on investigations, forensics, and criminal justice information services. Deputy Commissioner Vaden Pollard outlined FDLE’s strategic plan and major investigative priorities, including cybercrime, targeted violence, crimes against children, mutual aid, and the SAFE fentanyl eradication program. He said SAFE has led to major seizures, arrests, and a reported decline in fentanyl deaths. Director Jason Bundy described FDLE’s forensic laboratory operations, DNA and rapid DNA capabilities, cold case and missing persons work, and the staffing and turnaround-time challenges tied to complex evidence testing. Director Lucy Saunders reviewed FDLE’s criminal history, biometric, incident-based crime reporting, and criminal justice transparency systems, noting that Florida is still transitioning agencies from summary reporting to incident-based reporting. The committee raised questions about Rapid DNA deployment, cold case coordination, and the slow pace of NIBRS/FIBRS adoption. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS, STATE REQUIREMENTS AND ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS.
• BEFORE A TOOL IS USED, BEFORE IT IS DEPLOYED IT MUST BE TESTED PRE-DEPLOYMENT TESTING TO MAKE SURE THE
• THE PRE-DEPLOYMENT TESTING IS SO IMPORTANT.
• WE WILL SEE THOSE REQUIREMENTS COME ONLINE IN JANUARY.
• A LOT OF REALLY POSITIVE REQUIREMENTS IN TERMS OF DATA REPORTING, IN TERMS OF REQUIRING INSURERS TO GET

Transcript Highlights:

• This establishes a patient protection requirement for hospice patients.
• This establishes a patient protection requirement for hospice patients.
• We're going to try to test pilot this for the first year.
• Test pilot this for the first year.
• testing about who qualifies?

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 12 and considered a wide range of health, social services, and licensing measures. Early in the meeting, the committee reported favorably HCR 98, which asks the Louisiana Department of Health to study whether SNAP recipients should be allowed to use benefits for grocery delivery fees. The author said the proposal would not change SNAP rules directly, but would examine access issues for elderly, disabled, rural, and transportation-limited residents. The committee also advanced SB 273, a hospice patient-protection bill requiring documentation of hydration, nutrition, and care decisions in inpatient licensed facilities where hospice is provided, with LDH oversight and enforcement authority; members discussed how responsibility is shared between facilities and outside hospice providers, and adopted technical amendments. The committee then approved SB 415, creating the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program, a privately funded charitable food-card program intended to let nonprofits distribute food-only cards to people in need. Members and the author discussed whether the cards would be reloadable, which retailers could accept them, and whether prepared foods could be included; LDH said the program could use all SNAP-authorized retailers, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. SB 437, a cleanup bill for judicially referred residential substance abuse treatment facilities, was also reported favorably with amendments after LDH clarified that facilities providing treatment must be licensed, while residences only housing individuals would not be. SB 451, updating newborn hearing screening terminology and reporting requirements, was reported favorably after testimony that the bill would strengthen early detection and follow-up for deaf or hard-of-hearing children. Later, the committee advanced SB 426, which modernizes the addictive disorder regulatory authority and creates a formal peer support specialist licensing pathway. Supporters said the bill would strengthen the behavioral health workforce, improve accountability, and create a progression from peer support to higher credentials; the committee adopted technical and transition amendments and reported the bill favorably with amendments. SB 236, requiring LDH annual reviews and reports on kidney disease treatment services in Medicaid, was also reported favorably with amendments. Additional measures approved included SB 39, allowing provisional licenses for massage therapy graduates; SB 190, which tightens oversight of poor-performing nursing facilities in the CMS Special Focus Facility Program and sets an 18-month improvement timeline; SB 124, allowing hospitals within the same health system to share peer review records without waiving privilege; HR 174, urging study of fenbendazole as a possible cancer treatment; SB 270, allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in health care facilities; SB 359, changing terms for certain Morehouse Parish hospital district commissioners; and HR 194, requesting de-identified school visual acuity screening data for research. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably, several with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does it require that warrants to be issued for first or second-degree misdemeanors?
• The testing of arrests teases in this circumstance is not consistent.
• The test is already done.
• Well, before that requirement became requirement, you as a legislature did a great job of funding elect
• We have to take what our requirements are and we have to design and build to those requirements and I

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you require assistance in registering or testifying, please contact committee staff.
• On C, the mandate also includes new contractual or administrative requirements, and I think there's some
• that when a baby's born, they have a hearing test.
• So if we mandate a new test and you already performed that test, then we already know what those costs
• some of it, you know, as we've discussed here, you know, we're also looking for ways if there's a test

Bills: HB138

Keywords: voter registration, application rejection, transparency, election integrity, state law

Transcript Highlights:

• One of these teachers has five tested math preps.
• He's taken three STAR tests this spring, and they were very stressful for him.
• If I do well on this test... and I assumed that had to be inaccurate.
• We make it work, but it definitely requires sacrifice in order to do so.
• Why are we looking at, frankly, sunsetting that test, that certification?

Bills: HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As was previously testified, DHS did do a study regarding keys using a surface testing method.
• I would just say this about the XRF testing method: not only is it not the method used in the study,
• method as a surface-sensitive test, meaning it only analyzes the surface content of an object.
• method uh not this about the xrf testing method uh not only<00:32:05.440> is<00:32:05.559>
• sensitive test meaning it only surface sensitive test meaning it only analyzes<00:32:26.200> the

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 737, which would amend Minnesota’s lead- and cadmium-related product restrictions and was re-referred to the Committee on Environment, Finance and Policy. Representative Bjorn Olson said the bill was prompted by a constituent who could no longer make cadmium-based art supplies in Minnesota, and he argued the law unintentionally swept in professional art materials that are used safely and are important to Western art culture. The committee first adopted the author’s A2 amendment, which broadened the bill to include additional exemptions beyond paint and pastels, including certain pens, mechanical pencils, and vehicle keys/key fobs. Testimony in support came from Darren Reenie of Wet Paint Artist Materials and Framing, who said artist paint and related supplies account for a significant share of sales and that the ban threatens independent art supply businesses and artists’ access to essential pigments. Josh Fiser of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation supported the key and key fob exemption, saying the current law is overly broad, exposure risk is minimal, and Minnesota should align with California and European Union standards. Bill Morgan of the Arts and Creative Materials Institute and Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association also supported the amendment, arguing there was little scientific basis for including pens, mechanical pencils, and professional artist materials, and citing prior reviews in the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the European Union. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, through Assistant Commissioner Kirk Kadelka, opposed broad exemptions and emphasized that no amount of lead is safe for children. He said the law was based on evidence from consumer products associated with elevated blood lead levels and argued that safer alternatives exist for many of the items in the amendment, including pens, mechanical pencils, and some key components. He also raised concerns about exposure during production and disposal. Committee members questioned the scope of the exemptions and whether the industry had workable alternatives. The A2 amendment was adopted, and the bill was then advanced for further consideration and re-referred as noted by the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• The financed-by test is one of the changes that occurred through HR 1.
• HR 1 reduced this financed-by test to 25%.
• ,<00:19:26.240> then income and the rent requirements, then income and the rent requirements
• not meet the requirements for that 15-year<00:19:43.120> period.
• under federal law, the financed by test under federal law, the financed by test was<00:25:09.840

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . requirements. requirements.
• part ignored the requirements. part ignored the requirements.
• involvement requirements. involvement requirements.
• >> Yes, we're looking at revising the test and adopting a revised test that will better meet this requirement
• uh evidence of pass rates on on tests uh evidence of pass rates on on tests where<01:39:24.400><

Bills: HB0076, HB0102, HB0115

Keywords: annexation, landowner rights, municipal law, city planning, property, local government, artificial intelligence, synthetic sexual material, child protection, self-harm, criminal liability, cardiac emergency, defibrillator, school safety, training, public health, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The lab tests for what?
• retrain or retain all of its required retrain or retain all of its required employees<01:14:15.920
• But then you have two other categories: one says require maintenance; the other says maintenance required
• tests and blood tests different rabies tests and blood tests that<01:57:13.239> they<01:57:13.400
• any kind of utility they do require any kind of utility they do require maintenance<02:40:56.960

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard budget testimony first from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Director Tommy Johnson outlined short-term goals to reduce overcrowding, improve living and working conditions, fill vacancies, expand mental health services, and update the correctional master plan. He said the department is still dealing with severe overcrowding at facilities such as OCCC and HCCC, with 947 people at OCCC against a design capacity of 628, and noted 938 inmates are currently housed on the mainland because of temporary repairs at Halawa. He also reported progress on staffing, saying the correctional officer vacancy rate has dropped from 34.3% to 24% through expanded recruitment. The department’s major budget request was $30 million for planning and design for a new Old Triple C project, along with other requests for re-entry services, identification documents, security systems, radios, sink-toilet modules, and trauma-informed care. Members asked about the timing and scope of the OCCC project, courtroom space in new facilities, and the department’s plan to use the funding to improve re-entry and reduce recidivism. The committee then heard from the Department of Law Enforcement on a wide range of priorities. The department described requests to expand agricultural crime enforcement, traffic enforcement, illegal fireworks enforcement, and facilities such as a police building at the DKI airport, a state training center, and new police facilities in central and Leeward Oahu. It also discussed a major IT request for a statewide law enforcement and critical infrastructure notification platform, plus funding for grants management, the Wahiawa Civic Center and court complex, the prescription monitoring program, narcotics enforcement operations, and the narcotics lab. A significant portion of the discussion focused on a proposed traffic enforcement program for commercial vehicle inspections, speeding, and DUI enforcement, which the department said would be funded with federal dollars and would operate concurrently with county police. Committee members questioned whether the effort duplicated county jurisdiction and how the program would be trained and staffed. Members also pressed the department on salary disparities for deputy sheriffs and related vacancies, and the department said the administration was working on a supplemental agreement and placeholder funding to address the issue. Additional discussion covered agricultural crime staffing, the Silver Alert program, and expansion of the forensic lab to handle explosives, firearms, and related evidence. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the meeting moved from the corrections presentation to the law enforcement budget review with questions and answers throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, we're giving you the test answers. You don't believe me? You know what? Put down that pencil.
• Oh, good luck with your driver's test. So don't litter. Do it for me.
• Oh, good luck with your driver's test. Now, can you put me down, please?
• That video, of course, is geared for individuals who are about to take their driver's tests.
• I'm sorry to test over there. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The Louisiana Commission on Civic Education met with quorum, approved the minutes from its previous meeting, and took several action items related to the Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LIAC). The commission unanimously approved the 2026-27 LIAC membership slate after reviewing recommendations from the selection committee, and it also approved the council’s budget and mileage reimbursement guidelines, noting the only change was an updated IRS mileage rate. Members thanked the legislature for continuing to fund LIAC after earlier years when it relied on outside donations. The meeting featured presentations on civic education resources and America 250 programming. Brandon Burris, representing the Lieutenant Governor’s office, highlighted Louisiana state parks, the Checkout Louisiana library backpack programs for parks and museums, Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s anti-litter campaign, and Homework Louisiana. Liam Julian of the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute discussed national civics education trends, teacher discomfort with controversial topics, and the institute’s teacher training, student camps, debate programs, and civics app. Louisiana Public Broadcasting’s Katie Stark and Nancy Torren presented America 250-related materials, including a PBS Kids feature on a Louisiana child and LPB’s “Louisiana’s Hidden History” videos and teacher resources on Bernardo de Galvez and Spanish Louisiana. LIAC members then reported on their work, including school safety efforts, digital service-hour tracking, AP self-study access, minor work permits, AI-generated harassment concerns, and local civic engagement projects. Peggy Cotonia of the Louisiana Center for Law and Civic Education reported 87 Law Day presentations and 287 total Law Day and Constitution Day presentations reaching about 9,400 students, along with updates on awards and a shortened but still free summer institute for teachers. Barry Irwin reported that legislation to clean up outdated commission membership and quorum language had passed the House and been heard in Senate Education, moving toward final passage. The commission adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires a certain test done by a certain group.
• a certain test done by a certain group.
• It requires a certain test done compact.
• It requires a certain test done by<00:28:51.679> a<00:28:52.080> certain<00:28:52.320><
• collects the fees and does that testing. collects the fees and does that testing.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We can't be layering on more requirements after more requirements.
• Teachers are already very worried that the state will require a math-amira test.
• Obviously, my concern is that SB 29 will require an additional test for young children.
• requirements before we mandate more tests.
• requirements before we mandate more tests.

Bills: SB29, SB64

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• That plant Requires $4.2 billion in our latest estimate for funding.
• There are you guys are doing the same type of testing.
• Um, before being treated, tested, and then discharged.
• And our, our, our requirements for building standards, if you will, or the requirements for water standards
• We do about $3 million worth of testing.

Transcript Highlights:

• adding and xylazine test test strips and adding and xylazine test test strips and adding the<04:35
• fentanyl test strips or xylazine test fentanyl test strips or xylazine test strips<04:46:21.798>
• new test strip was available the tested new test strip was available the tested for<04:47:27.120
• then<04:52:31.240> do test with the test strips and then do test with the test strips
• <04:52:39.440> strip can test it do they bring a test strip can test it do they bring a test

Keywords: 1189, house, all