Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the Senate Rules Committee, I would like to defer at this time, if I may, to my co-sponsor
• past, when we get a new governor, we get a new game commission, as the governor asks for everyone to resign
• Language about when a commissioner dies or resigns or no longer meets the qualifications required for
• We'll defer to our expert just to clarify.

Transcript Highlights:

• But he was forced to resign due to his injury and not be able to pass a test.
• But he was forced to resign due to his injury and not be able to pass a test.
• But he was forced to resign due to his injury and not be able to pass a test.
• But he was forced to resign due to his injury and not be able to pass a test.
• But he was forced to resign due to his injury and not be able to pass a test.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> We received a letter of resignation from a senator for Corle's district, which will appear in the
• We received a letter of resignation from a senator from Orange.
• <00:26:36.960> I<00:26:37.200> will<00:26:37.440> defer<00:26:37.840> to<
• I will defer to the maybe it's one.
• I will defer to the committee<00:26:38.400> of<00:26:38.559> jurisdiction<00:26:39.120>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Continuing on page two, under deferred reports... Thank you.
• Then without objection, we'll defer.
• She did contact me and asked to be deferred, so staff recommends we defer this report.
• All right, we have a motion and a second to defer.
• We have a motion and a second to defer these reports.

Summary: The committee first approved a motion by voice vote, then received updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. For the 2012 reports, staff said five additional 2024 reports had been received since the December meeting, bringing the total to 17 with escrow funds released and 26 still escrowed. For the 2023 delinquent reports, two more had come in, leaving five outstanding; both reports were filed without objection. The committee then focused on Act 709 repayment issues for the town of Daisy. Audit staff said Daisy had made unauthorized payments to a nonprofit and had used restricted street funds for fire-related expenses, and that the town had not yet adopted the required repayment ordinance. Mayor Lisa Cogburn said the council had not approved repayment because members disputed the amount, though she said the town had funds to pay. After discussion about the audit calculations and statutory repayment requirements, the committee adopted a motion requiring 10% repayment of the street fund under the statute and providing that failure to comply would result in withholding turnback funds. The Daisy report was then filed. The committee reviewed numerous additional audit findings from cities, counties, and water departments. Several local officials appeared and described corrective steps, including reconciliation work in Harrison and Carroll County, revenue-code corrections in Izard County, monthly bond-pending reviews in Alexander, fixed-asset documentation and receipt procedures in the town of 56, and bookkeeping/receipt improvements in Ozan and Lee County. Some matters were deferred, including several private water and sewer reports and Green Forest, while others were filed. Reports involving more serious issues were referred to the prosecuting attorney and Attorney General, including Bull Shoals, Lone Oak County, Beaver, Central City, Gravette, Ralston Water Department, Thornton Waterworks, and others. The committee also filed 19 reports with resolved findings and 53 reports with no findings, and adjourned with the next meeting set for February 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then without objection, we'll defer.
• She did contact me and asked to be deferred. So staff recommends we defer this report.
• All right, we have a motion and a second to defer.
• The staff recommends we defer these until we get a proper response. Okay.
• We have a motion and a second to defer these reports.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will say that the, from my understanding, the Navy TJAC had resigned before the beginning of the administration
• the Nevada National Security Site, NNSS, but we really still call it the test site Nevada so I'll defer
• it in my career but I will tell you this that one of the first of those Chiefs Advocates General resigned
• and Army and Navy, Judge Attorney General, and that the incumbents for the Army and Air Force did resign

Keywords: national security, nuclear energy, Department of Defense, military readiness, public commentary, nominations

Summary: The meeting convened with a focus on the scrutiny of various nominations and their implications for national security. Mr. Brandon Williams was nominated as the Undersecretary of Energy for Nuclear Security, drawing attention to the pressing need to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal amid growing threats from other countries. This was echoed in discussions led by committee members who expressed concern over military readiness and the management of military installations, with emphasis on ensuring accountability within the Department of Defense. Public commentary was notably supportive of the nominations, although some concerns were raised regarding the administration's broader strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you know, we were sad to see Representative Joe Petri resign.
• Representative Joe Petri resign.
• A selectman ret uh resigns Sugar Hill.
• <05:39:58.480> I >> I might defer to Representative Frock.
• I >> I might defer to Representative Frock. I don't<05:39:58.718> know.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• budget shortfalls, that will automatically cut all providers even in commercial rates, so you're deferring
• However, out of deference to the sponsor, I'm going to give him the chance to see if there's a way to
• Unfortunately, for elected officials, they don’t have that same opportunity because they can’t theoretically resign
• They don't have to resign their elected office.
• As a result of taking that position, they don't have to resign their elected office in order to do that

Bills: HB2211, HB2229, HB2389, HB2403, HB2445, HB2502, HB2620, HB2813, HB2872, HB2889, HB2960, HB4028, HCR2007

Keywords: contractors, subcontractors, resident preference, public contracts, materials supply, Arizona Revised Statutes, local businesses, pregnancy resource center, pregnancy center, crisis pregnancy center, DHS, Arizona Department of Health Services, state appropriation, general fund, nonprofit grant, women's health, maternal health, reproductive health, abortion funding, pro-life

Summary: The committee first took up HB 2211 only for discussion, not a vote. The strike-everything amendment would make it unprofessional conduct for certain health care licensees to submit an independent dispute resolution offer above 300% of Medicare or 300% of the qualified payment amount. The chair said he wanted more stakeholder meetings and broader consensus before moving the bill. Testimony was split: an ARMA representative opposed the measure, arguing it reflected insurer concerns, QPA data lacked transparency, and licensing discipline was the wrong tool for billing disputes; a Blue Cross Blue Shield representative supported it, saying a small number of private equity-backed providers were driving up surprise-billing costs and abusing the No Surprises Act. No action was taken on HB 2211. The committee then considered HB 4028 on accessory dwelling units. The bill would remove the 1,000-square-foot cap as an absolute limit, change setback rules, bar municipalities from requiring an administrative use permit and certain elevation criteria, and extend the deadline for cities to adopt ADU regulations. Rep. Kyle Powell said the bill was meant to give homeowners more flexibility and help address housing shortages. Supporters framed it as a property-rights and housing issue, while opponents from neighborhood and city groups warned it would allow oversized ADUs, increase density, create safety and parking concerns, and weaken local zoning control. After extensive debate, the committee voted 8-9 with one present, and HB 4028 failed. The committee next passed HB 2620, as amended, by a 17-0 vote with one member not voting. The bill appropriates $300,000 per year for five years to the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services for grants to emergency shelters serving veterans. An amendment removed age and non-congregate-setting limits for eligible shelters. Rep. Blackman said the bill was intended to help homeless veterans, and shelter advocate Nathan Smith supported it, saying targeted resources could help veterans exit homelessness and stay housed. The committee then took up HB 2960, which would create a veterans specialty court grant program. The bill was amended to have the Office of the Courts administer the fund and to allow support for expansion of existing veterans courts. Testimony highlighted the success of the Lake Havasu veterans court and the need for more standardized programs and data collection; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 2960.

Transcript Highlights:

• My attorney, who was the agency's attorney, resigned, so I had to find an attorney.
• My CEO resigned two weeks ago, and Kathy has Kathy has a great background in the finances of the mental
• We've only been at this for 7 months, and I certainly have deferred to the legal team to Have more experience
• And then I've also deferred to our staff that deals with the jails, etc.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate has passed the following measures. 112 Chair moves to defer the reading and referral of bills
• education a sweet 2783 by Garcia of Dallas relating to the participation by certain county employees and deferred
• jurisprudence a chair 141 one by Leo Wilson proposed the Constitution Amendment abolishing the automatic resignation
• Proposing a Constitution Amendment abolishing the automatic resignation of certain municipal, county,

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If I may, I want to defer to Representative Murray to explain the committee, the, uh... ...referred to
• but if the bill were to make it out of committee, just the chairman can give him a little bit of deference
• The board members are supposed to have staggered terms, and through seemingly forced resignations and
• some resignations in protest, we have lost all nine members.
• coincides with a very troubling period at SLFPA East, marked by excessive staff turnover, board member resignations

Bills: HB9, HB177, HB181, HB202, HB225, HB398, HB459, HB540, HB906, HB1052, HB1057, HB1245

Keywords: HB 9, HB9, Act 527, Shreveport, Stuffed Shrimp Capital, state symbol, Louisiana symbols, municipal designation, honorary title, cultural designation, tourism, local pride, seafood, shrimp, stuffed shrimp, cuisine, city branding, Louisiana Revised Statutes 49:170.26, court reporter, official court reporter

Transcript Highlights:

• If I may, I want to defer to Representative Murray to explain the committee, the...
• is, but if the bill were to make it out of committee, the chairman can give him a little bit of deference
• The board members are supposed to have staggered terms, and through seemingly forced resignations and
• some resignations in protest, we have lost all nine members.
• coincides with a very troubling period at SLFPA East, marked by excessive staff turnover, board member resignations

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll defer to you, Madam Chair, if you would like me to go into that.
• He said that's wrong; the public should know if someone's resigned.
• know said that's wrong the public should know if<00:56:03.799> someone's<00:56:04.640> resigned
• > if<00:56:05.920> you<00:56:06.079> look<00:56:06.280> at if someone's resigned
• so if you look at if someone's resigned so if you look at the<00:56:06.599> bill<00:56:07.559

Bills: HF1379, HF1596, HF2260, HF1429

Keywords: nonopioid directive, opioid refusal, opioid-free care, pain management, health care directive, advance directive, patient autonomy, informed consent, substance use disorder, opioid epidemic, prescriber immunity, provider liability, emergency medical services, EMS, health record, Minnesota Department of Health, health care agent, medical power of attorney, Metropolitan Council, Minnesota government data practices

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to defer right now to Representative Carlson. He's go. Thank you.
• And we had a few people that resigned because of it.
• We had a resignation the day the adjutant general made that announcement, someone who didn't want to
• No, sir, we only had one resignation.
• I defer to the committee for questions.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Northwest Louisiana earthquake cluster. Laura Sori of the Department of Conservation and Energy said the agency has inspected Class II injection wells within 12 miles of the earthquakes, found no permit violations, and is requiring monthly reporting of daily injection data. LSU and Tulane researchers explained that the swarm includes about 50 earthquakes detected by USGS since December 2025, including a 4.9 magnitude event on March 5, and that better monitoring is needed because Louisiana has very limited seismic station coverage. Dr. Cynthia Ebinger said her temporary array has detected more small quakes than USGS, that the pattern looks more like a swarm than normal aftershocks, and that the data suggest pressure changes in the subsurface, though no definitive cause was identified. Keith Hall of LSU described how other states responded to suspected induced seismicity with more monitoring, more frequent reporting, injection limits or moratoria, and “traffic light” systems that escalate regulatory responses as seismicity increases. Members asked about depths, fault locations, possible links to injection or fracking, and whether more monitoring and data-sharing should be pursued; several speakers said Louisiana likely needs a denser monitoring network and more structured data collection. A Texas geoscientist, William Berger, also testified that Texas uses large-scale data analysis and AI to study injection-related seismicity and argued for secure sharing of operator data to improve forecasting and risk management. The committee then took testimony on UAV and drone incursions over Barksdale Air Force Base. GOSEP said the incident was logged in WebEOC and the common operating picture, but that Barksdale did not request direct GOSEP resources and that the matter was handled through law enforcement channels. Louisiana State Police and the FBI said they were limited in what they could disclose, but confirmed multiple drone sightings on the morning and evening of March 9 and continued monitoring for several days. State Police said they have created a task force with the Police Chiefs Association, Sheriffs Association, GOSEP, and LSP, and that officers are receiving FBI-related training to help detect and, where authorized, mitigate drones. Members discussed whether the activity was nefarious, what counts as an incursion, and the need for better public education about drone restrictions near military and critical infrastructure sites. No formal action was taken, but members said the issue will continue to be tracked alongside pending legislation. Finally, the committee received a one-year update on the merger of GOSEP with the Louisiana National Guard and Military Department. Major General Thomas Freelieu and Brigadier General Jason Maffus said the merger has reduced GOSEP from seven divisions to three, shifted administrative functions to the Military Department, and produced about $10.5 million in first-year cost avoidance. They said the agency has modernized its common operating picture, returned staff to in-person work, and continued statewide preparedness exercises. Freelieu highlighted Guard missions including cyber expansion, the new Air National Guard cyber squadron at Jackson Barracks, modernization of the 159th Fighter Wing, and ongoing support for homeland security missions in New Orleans and Washington, D.C. Maffus said GOSEP’s core mission remains emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, and that the merger is intended to make state support to parishes faster and more efficient.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've reduced our deferred maintenance by 75%.
• Scott, you nor resigned considering his beliefs about women, higher education in careers.
• I'm glad he resigned.
• I've never seen a campus was so much deferred maintenance, entire dormitories, entire office buildings

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Bills: S2500, S2502, S2504, S7028, S2506, S2508, S2510, S2512, S2514, S2516, S2518, S0482, S0678, S0984, S1016, S1074, S1706, S7030

Keywords: budget, appropriation, education funding, healthcare, environmental protection, infrastructure, local government, Appropriations Act, funding, education, rural development, economic assistance, collective bargaining, state employees, labor relations, impasse resolution, negotiations, retirement, elected officials, Deferred Retirement Option Program

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2026-2027 budget, SPB 2500, with chairs outlining major spending in K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Highlights included a $115 billion overall budget, pay raises for state employees and public safety workers, major K-12 funding increases and enrollment supplements, higher education workforce and nursing investments, expanded Medicaid/KidCare and behavioral health funding, corrections and law enforcement operational funding, transportation and housing investments, and significant environmental and water quality spending. Members asked about civic education funding, declining enrollment, professor retention, APD waiver waitlists, cultural grant allocations, and other line items. Public testimony also addressed HIV/AIDS drug assistance funding and prison air conditioning. SPB 2500 was adopted as a committee bill after amendment consideration and a roll call vote. The committee then took up implementing and related budget bills, including SPB 2502 (implementing the General Appropriations Act), SPB 2504 (state employee bargaining placeholder), SB 7028 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and related retirement changes), SPB 2506 (fuel tax distributions), SPB 2508 (state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge), SPB 2510 (termination of an unused court trust fund), SPB 2512 (new judgeships), SPB 2514 (K-12 conforming changes), SPB 2516 (higher education conforming changes), and SPB 2518 (health conforming changes). Most were explained as technical or conforming measures tied to the budget, and all were reported favorably as committee bills, with SB 7028 amended to direct a portion of increased contributions to disability and line-of-duty death benefits in the FRS investment plan. The committee also heard and passed several member bills, including CS for SB 1074 on rounding rules for cash transactions in a world without pennies, CS for SB 678 restoring the alcohol loss deduction framework for distributors, and SB 964 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention. SB 964 drew the most discussion, with questions about the one-year death-benefit window, the separate $25,000 cancer diagnosis payment, and whether the bill could create gaps in coverage for firefighters diagnosed or dying just outside the new time limits. Firefighter representatives testified in support, saying the bill would provide clearer protections for members and families. All of these measures were reported favorably.

Bills: SB1303, SB1343, SB1435, SB1438, SB1444, SB1641, SB1765, SB1916, SB2067

Keywords: workers' compensation, workers comp, Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Commission, Administrative Workers' Compensation Act, self-insurance guaranty fund, multiple injury trust fund, physician advisory committee, advisory council on workers' compensation, workers' compensation court, insurance, employer liability, self-insured employer, fund transfer, records transfer, agency reorganization, statutory cleanup, technical corrections, Title 85A, SB1343, Vision Plan Contractual Requirements Act

Transcript Highlights:

• from the success that Dallas County has had in encouraging their employees to sign ... ...up for deferred
• will allow county commissioner courts to elect to implement automatic employee participation in a deferred
• This will allow counties to enroll new employees in deferred compensation plans. ...ensuring that more
• Pairing this with a deferred compensation plan can truly change lives.
• Deferred Compensation Plan about seven years ago.

Bills: HB245, HB700, HB2783, HB3526, HB3900, HB4061, HB4124, HB4166, HB4395, HB4534, HB4609, HB4641, HB4736, HB4738, HB4739, HB4945, HB5015, HJR175, HB245

Keywords: military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees, payroll deductions, retirement plans, fiscal transparency, local government, bond issuance

Bills: HB245, HB245, HB700, HB2783, HB3526, HB3900, HB4061, HB4124, HB4166, HB4395, HB4534, HB4609, HB4641, HB4736, HB4738, HB4739, HB4945, HB5015, HJR175

Keywords: property tax, delinquent taxes, ad valorem, penalties, interest cap, military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees

Transcript Highlights:

• On August 29th, the director of student services resigned.
• On September 8th, the superintendent resigned.
• On August 29th, the director of student services resigned.
• On September 8th, the superintendent resigned.
• <01:08:57.040> And deferring maintenance? And deferring maintenance?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all