Transcript Highlights:

• So trees that were even, you know, pulp and paper trees, smaller trees, were seen as a deterrent and,
• forest and measure and look at the trees forest and measure and look at the trees that<00:22:37.280
• when the tree is cut. when the tree is cut. >> That's<00:25:45.279> correct.
• ,<00:35:12.880> that money off of off of those trees, that money off of off of those trees
• you're when you're harvesting the trees you're when you're harvesting the trees you<00:36:56.560

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call and approval of the prior minutes, including a requested correction to Thomas Han’s statement about a Granite State Division of the Society of American Foresters subcommittee studying the timber yield tax and current use forest land tax assessment formula. The correction was adopted, and the minutes were then approved as amended. The main agenda item was a hearing of landowners on forest taxation and carbon credits. Several scheduled speakers canceled, so the committee received a letter from Ross Karen, a Coos County landowner and forester, who opposed carbon credit sales because of “leakage” and argued that diverse local markets and productive forests are better than carbon sales. Aean Kelly of White Mountain Lumber and the Randolph Town Forest also testified, saying many Coos County landowners and forest managers have declined carbon credit offers because they do not fit New Hampshire’s working-forest tradition. He argued that carbon agreements should be treated on a level playing field with traditional harvesting and that, if they are to be encouraged, they should face a fiscal adjustment comparable to the timber tax. Kelly also gave a detailed history of the timber tax, explaining that it was created in 1948 to replace uneven local property taxation on standing timber, discourage clearcutting, and stabilize the tax base while preserving working forests. He said the tax was intended to be collected when timber is harvested, not to stop logging, and that a later commission found the 10% rate roughly matched the revenue towns lost. In response to questions, he said pre-1948 assessments varied widely by town and tax collector, and that carbon projects today are already being valued by sophisticated models, so he believes carbon should be included in the assessment system. He also said short-term carbon agreements may simply monetize existing forest value, while 100-year agreements raise enforceability concerns. No votes or other formal actions were taken beyond approving the amended minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• and take the trees. and take the trees.
• c> necessarily want to plant new trees necessarily want to plant new trees in<00:37:00.440> their<
• , and then you actually have to monitor those trees.
• You got to cap pine trees so the deer don't eat the tops. Very labor intensive.
• So, what role does the tree nursery then play in the reforestation challenge?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And at one time, we produced cottonwood trees.
• If you like wild turkeys, you got to have cottonwood trees—that's where they live, is in cottonwood trees
• We put them in the ground, and they just grow right along and become trees—big, nice roost trees for
• I don't want to call them little tree process.
• Anyhow, the tree reforestation that will be, those trees will be reforested, ready, I think you said

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, it will cost us $3,000 per tree to cut them down and dispose of them.
• Our palm tree expert has said, “Give up the fight and cut them down.”
• They were supposed to remove 600 trees on Oʻahu and 300 on Kauaʻi.
• Was that already done, because the trees were dead?
• million contract the remov of the trees million contract the remov of the trees had<00:36:37.280

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1232, which would create a three-year wastewater technology testing pilot program at the University of Hawaiʻi Water Resources Research Center and coordinate testing with state and county agencies. The Department of Health, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and University of Hawaiʻi representatives supported the bill, saying it would help certify new wastewater technologies, lower costs for cesspool conversions, and provide data to the Department of Health. Testifiers said the prior testing effort ended after the departure of Dr. Roger Babcock, and that the new program would use National Sanitation Foundation standards, graduate students, and local wastewater facilities such as Wahiawa. Committee members asked about the $750,000 total cost, the scope of existing research, prior test sites, and whether the program would be tied to individuals or a permanent program. One member raised concerns about the fairness and data basis for sewer conversion decisions in local communities, and the University said it would follow national standards and share results openly. The committee then took up Senate Bill 686, relating to a short-term management initiative for coconut rhinoceros beetle response and related appropriations. The Department of Agriculture and the University of Hawaiʻi testified in support, while a county representative and other advocates urged broader statewide coverage, including Kauaʻi, and asked that appropriated funds be usable on any island. Testimony emphasized the need for immediate action, outreach, tree-trimmer training, canopy treatments, K-9 inspections, container fumigation, and biocontrol research. A member summarized the bill’s funding components, including amounts for training, residential palm treatments, response teams, inspections, fumigation, and research, and noted the importance of directing money toward on-the-ground response. Committee questions focused on how much funding remained available, how the agencies would coordinate with DOA, whether the department was prepared to manage all the bill’s functions, and how infestations were being communicated to the public. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 657, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaiʻi School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology’s Center for Climate Resilient Development. The Department of Land and Natural Resources testified in strong support, and the Department of Health also supported the measure, noting that it relies on the center’s data to inform decisions and recommendations on projects. The discussion on this item was brief in the portion provided, with no vote or final action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:35.120> You'll reforestation, tree planting. You'll reforestation, tree planting.
• look at the tree, you look at tree look at the tree, you look at tree rings,<00:38:50.960> every
• and you're planting trees.
• and you're planting trees.
• <01:14:49.040> and uh that's captured in in in a tree and uh that's captured in in in a tree

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductions, approval of the March 6 minutes as amended to add an attendee list, and a brief overview of the day’s agenda. The committee heard two presentations from carbon project developers, with the first from Dylan Jenkins of Finite Carbon. He described Finite Carbon’s work in improved forest management projects, its role in developing carbon methodologies and protocols, and its experience with projects in New England, Appalachia, Alaska, and Canada. He also outlined the difference between compliance and voluntary carbon markets, the role of registries and intermediaries, and the types of buyers in the market, including large corporate buyers and long-term off-take partners. A major focus of the presentation was how forest carbon projects are structured and how credits are monetized. Jenkins distinguished between removals and reductions, explaining that removals come from new forest growth while reductions are tied more closely to baseline assumptions and standing stock. He said improved forest management projects can generate both types of credits, and that removals generally command higher prices because they are easier for buyers to understand and verify. He also emphasized that carbon project commercialization can occur before, during, or after credit issuance, and that landowners may be paid through a variety of structures, including leases, advance fees, per-unit payments, or off-take agreements. Jenkins then addressed the committee’s tax-related questions, saying House Bill 123 appeared intended to treat carbon credit sales similarly to timber sales for local tax purposes. He argued that carbon credits are a forest product and that taxing them can be reasonable in principle, but he stressed that lawmakers should distinguish between commoditization and commercialization when deciding what event to tax. He noted that credits may be created but never sold, and that in some programs landowners retain timber and carbon rights while in others the developer has deeper control over those rights. In response to questions, he said the industry uses protocols, verification, and third-party oversight to address baseline and quality concerns, but acknowledged that baseline setting remains a major point of debate in the market.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reforestation and enhancements—that's planting trees on the forest.
• Andrews Nursery—that is a pine tree nursery that we manage in Chiefland, Florida—and we sell pine trees
• It's really cool what you can do with trees.
• But trees make diapers. And I would hate to see that shut down completely. But trees make diapers.
• It's really cool what you can do with trees.

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee met with a quorum and heard two Department of Agriculture presentations. First, the Director of Rural and Family Lands described the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, which buys development rights through perpetual conservation easements on private agricultural land to preserve farming, wildlife habitat, water resources, and open space while keeping land taxable and avoiding state maintenance costs. He said the program has expanded rapidly since 2023 through streamlined applications, templates, and an online portal, increasing acreage protected from about 66,000 acres through 2022 to more than 210,000 acres, with a higher share in the Florida wildlife corridor. He also said review times were reduced by more than 85 days and that projects under $5 million can move faster under statutory authority. The department is seeking $200 million in nonrecurring funding on top of $100 million recurring, citing 203 existing projects and 224 new applications totaling nearly $2 billion in estimated need. Members asked about the scientific ranking process, South Florida participation, project prioritization, maintenance responsibilities, and whether landowners can exit the program; staff said land remains privately owned, easements are in perpetuity, and partnerships and cost-sharing are prioritized. The committee then heard from the Florida Forest Service director, who outlined the agency’s dual mission of wildfire response and land management. He said the service responds to roughly 2,200 to 2,500 wildfires annually, manages 38 state forests and one ranch totaling more than 1.1 million acres, and receives about 15 million visitors each year. He highlighted the impact of Senate Bill 1638 gaming compact funds, which provided $32 million for land management, recreation, equipment, roads, invasive species control, habitat restoration, prescribed burning, reforestation, and staffing support. He said Florida leads the nation in prescribed fire, with 277,818 acres burned on state forests last year and 2.47 million acres burned statewide, and noted ongoing restoration work such as Picayune Strand. He also described challenges including aging equipment, deferred maintenance, contractor availability, and timber market instability caused by hurricanes and mill closures, and suggested longer-term funding and a higher capital asset allowance. Members discussed timber markets, public communication and marketing, recreation fees, and coordination with other agencies and FDOT. The meeting ended with the chair noting that next week’s meeting would report out agency conversations and budget recommendations, and the committee rose.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE ALSO HAVE A CRAFT PROGRAM BEING FULLY FUNDED TO HELP PLANT TREES.
• IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE FRUIT AND TREE NUTS AND CITRUS IS QUITE CLOSE. IN THIRD AND FOURTH.
• SOMETHING LIKE A CITRUS TREE IN THE PRODUCTION LOSS ESTIMATE WE ARE COUNTING FELL OFF THE TREE.
• WE ARE NOT COUNTING THE VALUE TREE FELL DOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
• ADDITIONAL COST FOR TREE DEBRIS REMOVAL. LOSSES INCURRED ON ACTIVE RESEARCH PRODUCT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Creator, show us a vision of a tree whose leaves are for the healing of nations.
• May that tree take root here, bearing fruit in the hearts and work of these servants.
• a<00:01:14.960> vision<00:01:15.200> of<00:01:15.320> a<00:01:15.439> tree
• <00:01:15.720> whose Creator show us a vision of a tree whose Creator show us a vision of
• a tree whose leaves<00:01:16.280> are<00:01:16.400> for<00:01:16.560> the<00:01:

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House convened with prayer by Reverend Justin Grim of the St. Paul area and the Pledge of Allegiance, then the clerk called the roll and announced a quorum was present. The House approved the Journal of the previous day without objection and adopted the reports of standing committees and divisions. During the order of business, the chief clerk reported House Files 194 through 309 for first reading. The House also took up non-controversial motions, which prevailed without objection. No bill debate or substantive policy testimony occurred in this segment. In announcements, Representative Nisa moved that when the House adjourns it do so until 3:30 p.m. Monday, January 27, 2025. The motion prevailed, and the House adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:02.560> outreach trees, enhanced outreach trees, enhanced outreach efforts,<00:04:05.519
• In my district, we like trees. Christmas trees, to be specific.
• We are home to the largest Christmas tree farm in the state.
• Everyone knows that trees need water, especially in the first year or two after planting.
• If you like Christmas trees, vote green. The clerk will take the roll on the amendment.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• A utility fire is caused by trees falling from outside the right-of-way.
• And we were told that 40 to 60 trees per acre is a healthy forest. And we've seen that.
• We have in some instances over a thousand trees on one acre.
• Now, not full-grown trees, that's mature trees and then saplings.
• Like maybe you missed that tree and that's the tree that caused the fire, but it's still substantial

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We breed new varieties of wheat, berries, tree fruit, and several other products to fight diseases and
• I was talking to a commissioner in the tree fruit industry, and I was told that the bulk of the cost
• Now, what we did for apples is a subset of tree fruit production.
• So we actually had a tree fruit operation that grew some cherries, some pears, and apples.
• Tree fruit, 30% of our apples, 20% of our cherries. But in addition to that, Washington...

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held an interim work session focused on Washington agriculture’s viability, workforce, and competitiveness. Director Derek Sanderson of the Washington State Department of Agriculture and WSU Dean Raj Kosla described the size and diversity of the state’s farm sector, declining farm numbers, major export markets, and pressures from labor costs, low commodity prices, trade barriers, drought, regulatory burdens, and pests and disease. Kosla emphasized WSU’s land-grant role in education, research, and extension, including precision agriculture, broadband needs in rural areas, and the need for state support to help producers adopt new technologies and train the next generation of agricultural workers. Members asked about retaining farmland, increasing workforce capacity, and the role of precision agriculture. Kosla said precision agriculture can help address labor shortages and water scarcity, but adoption is limited by cost and rural broadband gaps. He explained precision agriculture as tailoring inputs to the right place, time, amount, and manner, and said WSU is working on low-cost sensor technologies and other innovations. Members also asked about how widely precision agriculture is used and whether it improves farm bottom lines; Kosla said adoption varies by tool and that he would follow up with more data. The committee then heard from Dr. Randy Fortenberry of WSU’s Impact Center on an agricultural competitiveness study and the effects of tariffs and trade. He reported that Washington’s competitiveness has generally declined relative to peer states in dairy, grapes, hops, apples, and wheat, with potatoes as the main bright spot. Surveyed producers said a substantial share of revenue is tied to regulatory compliance, with labor-related costs a major driver, and small diversified farms reported land access, capital, and profitability as bigger barriers than regulation. On trade, Fortenberry said Washington agriculture is highly export-dependent and vulnerable to retaliation, citing past losses in wheat, apples, pulses, and cherries when tariffs disrupted markets, while noting current uncertainty around China and India. The committee asked follow-up questions about compliance time, peer-state comparisons, and regulatory burdens; no votes were taken, and the department said it plans an interim report by the end of the year and a final report by June 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• But you just sense that, you know, I know that tree is a problem, and I never dealt with the tree because
• If that tree falls on the house, you have to pay out. Sure.
• They love that tree, the dogs, and certainly won't get rid of their dogs.
• just really old trees, and they're all starting to fall down.
• I think we're focusing on trees because they're simple.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first reviewed its schedule, noting that 13 bills were being executed the next day and that additional subcommittee work would be scheduled around Town Meeting Day and the following session days. The chair explained that the committee would not meet on Town Meeting Day, would handle the remaining bills on the next available subcommittee day, and would continue any unfinished items later in the month. The committee then took up House Bill 774, which concerned Medicare-related coverage issues. Members discussed the bill’s purpose and the differences between Medicare standard and Medicare Advantage, with one member saying the proposal was informative but did not offer a workable solution. The committee also moved to inexpedient to legislate on House Bill 185, and the motion passed on a 6-0 vote. House Bill 241, relating to alternatives to opioids, was retained for further work. Members said the bill raised concerns about insurers effectively practicing medicine and about the lack of evidence on the efficacy of some alternative treatments, while also noting that chiropractic coverage mandates already exist in statute. The committee voted to retain the bill, with the motion passing 6-0. The most extended discussion was on House Bill 648, which would expand insurance coverage for glucose monitoring. Testimony and committee comments focused on whether coverage should be tied to insulin use or instead to a physician’s medical judgment, the role of continuous glucose monitoring for people with type 2 diabetes who are not on insulin, and the potential cost impact. An insurance department fiscal analyst said the original $22-per-member estimate was based on the unamended bill and that the amended version would require updated analysis; members agreed to retain the bill to narrow the eligible population and revisit the language later.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just a statement, but I know when I come down here to Cimarron County, we can't grow trees; it's
• , cut them, and use them for Christmas trees.
• I saw you know they do those historical pictures from Oklahoma City, and they had a 60-foot cedar tree
• there Oklahoma City's official tree back in the 60s, yeah.
• when you used to do the same thing as I did years ago, it takes a lot of water for those dead cut trees

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kelly Tree Maryland program to include stewardship in addition to planting native trees and shrubs.
• trees and shrubs as a program purpose. trees and shrubs as a program purpose.
• of heaven, including by prohibiting a person from: number one, selling listed invasive trees or trees
• of heaven; number two, planting listed invasive trees or trees of heaven; and number three, allowing
• trees of heaven or other listed invasive trees to grow on the person's property as specified.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, April 9, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first outlined its plan to clear pending concurrence items, focusing on Senate bills with House amendments and not taking up unamended House bills. Members then approved several motions not to concur with House amendments, including Senate Bills 514, 626, and 866, with the clerk reading the formal Senate messages in each case. The chamber also addressed an excused-vote question, with the presiding officer explaining that excused votes do not count as missed votes. The Senate then concurred in House amendments and passed a series of Senate bills, including SB 11 on campaign finance reporting and the Fair Campaign Financing Fund, SB 164 on the Pamela J. Kelly Tree Maryland program, SB 266 on local regulation of invasive trees, SB 509 on workforce Pell Grant implementation, SB 553 reestablishing the lithium-ion battery safety commission, SB 581 on statewide technology master plan reporting, SB 670 on polling-place authority, SB 848 on municipal election reporting, and SB 940 on water quality testing. Most of these House amendments were described as technical, clarifying, or conforming changes, and each bill received the required constitutional majority on final passage. The chamber also took up House Bill 862, a rail safety bill requiring certain freight trains to have crews of at least two under specified interstate conditions. After questions from the minority leader about the bill’s trigger conditions and effect on an Eastern Shore rail line, a senator explained support for the measure and the bill passed with 33 affirmative votes. Additional special-order House bills passed as well, including HB 497 on protective order durations, HB 552 establishing a commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children, and HB 573 on fair housing and discriminatory effect standards. Later, the Senate continued with more concurrence items from Finance, including SB 22 on Department of Disabilities housing programs, SB 412 on forensic review boards and community forensic aftercare, SB 413 on morticians and funeral directors board operations, SB 496 on Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment, SB 555 on dementia services and brain health resources, and SB 579 on no-cost preventive cancer screening for retired volunteer firefighters. These bills were generally amended in the House with clarifying or conforming changes, and the Senate adopted the amendments and passed the bills by constitutional majority.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, it includes $5,000 for trees at Bemidji State.
• it took down 200 of their most, uh, mature trees at Bemidji State University.
• So, you know, if we can put in 200 trees for $5,000, I'll do that any day.
• Let's plant some trees. Let's vote green.
• Let's plant some<00:15:36.280> trees.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first took up a resolution commemorating Peace Officer Memorial Day and Police Week in Minnesota. Members read a series of “whereas” clauses honoring fallen peace officers, including the addition of three names to the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Honor Roll, and recognizing the service of the state’s more than 10,000 peace officers. The resolution was adopted without objection. The chamber then moved to conference committee reports and calendar actions, including a Rules and Legislative Administration report placing several bills on the calendar for the next day. The main substantive item was the conference committee report on House File 4252, the higher education finance and policy bill. Supporters said the bill included $3 million for identity verification systems to combat enrollment fraud or “ghost students,” $2.7 million to cover a shortfall in the Fostering Independence grant program for foster youth, and $5,000 for tree replacement at Bemidji State University. They also noted the bill did not address the larger state grant shortfall, which several members described as a structural problem. During debate, supporters emphasized the need to stop enrollment fraud and protect foster students’ access to higher education, while also praising the conference committee process and public deliberations. Opponents criticized the bill for failing to fix the state grant deficit and argued that Minnesota students were not being prioritized. After discussion, the House adopted the conference committee report, gave the bill its third reading, and then repassed House File 4252 as amended by conference by a vote of 101 yeas to 33 nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• die off markets you have uh the uh tree die off markets you have uh the problem<01:01:00.359> you
• The spruce budworm is knocking down balsam trees and spruce trees.
• They pinned every elm tree or ash tree that showed symptoms, and there's hundreds of them in that one
• <01:08:11.599> or they they pinned every uh elm tree or they they pinned every uh elm tree
• facilities to burn these um waste trees facilities to burn these um waste trees is<01:08:56.560>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And we like to call this Melissa Hortman's trees.
• <00:41:10.760> and in a fund that was to provide trees and in a fund that was to provide trees
• Melissa Hortman's trees. Melissa Hortman's trees.
• ,<00:41:25.800> which taking money from Hortman trees, which taking money from Hortman trees
• , ask Melissa, um she'd prefer the trees, ask Melissa, um she'd prefer the trees, but<00:41:39.600

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't raise the rent every time a tree falls.
• We don't raise the rent every time a tree falls.
• The last trees to be taken care of were trees that were controlled by neighboring property owners and
• last trees to be taken care of or trees last trees to be taken care of or trees that<01:13:25.480
• there's something wrong with their tree there's something wrong with their tree not<01:13:39.520

Bills: HF1143, HF1548, HF1340, HF2549, HF2559, HF1673, HF2740, HF2507, HF2461, HF2381, HF2695

Keywords: education funding, unemployment aid, special education, Minnesota statutes, appropriations, housing, redevelopment, local government, trust funds, community development, HF1340, housing infrastructure bonds, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, affordable housing, supportive housing, permanent housing, adaptive reuse, area median income, AMI

Transcript Highlights:

• It's called the craft program, but we have studied and researched how do we have a tree that would be
• And so we believe that, with all the research that has been done, we are close to having a tree.
• And we may have that tree. And then let's talk about the downsides of...
• We believe we may have a tree that would be more resistant to greening.
• So it grows a beautiful tree and beautiful fruit.

Summary: The committee received an overview from Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, including staffing, licensing, forestry, law enforcement, and consumer services. He emphasized agriculture as a major economic driver and a national security issue, arguing that Florida should protect farmland, aquifer recharge areas, and the wildlife corridor through the Rural and Family Lands program. He said the program is cost-effective because the state buys development rights rather than land outright, keeps land on local tax rolls, and helps preserve farmland in perpetuity. He also highlighted the Fresh From Florida marketing program, increased social media reach, and the department’s efforts to reduce vacancies and improve pay and efficiency. Members asked about nutrient management, citrus disease, housing, disaster recovery, wildfire prevention, interdiction stations, and concealed carry permitting. Simpson said SB 1000 and updated best management practice manuals, informed by University of Florida research, are helping agriculture use less water and fertilizer, and he described citrus greening as having devastated the industry while noting research, replanting programs, and CUPS as possible paths to recovery. On housing, he argued that allowing H-2A farmworker housing on farms would ease pressure on the broader housing market, and on disasters he described a zero-interest loan program for farmers affected by hurricanes and other events. He also detailed wildfire preparedness improvements, including upgraded helicopters, dozers, drones, and prescribed burns. The commissioner said ag interdiction stations are catching stolen semis, drugs, human trafficking, and other illegal activity, and that the department wants more technology, including X-ray scanning, to inspect more trucks. He also discussed concealed carry administration, saying the department cleared a large backlog and that constitutional carry reduced but did not eliminate permit demand because permits still provide reciprocity and other benefits. Members generally praised the department’s work, expressed support for rural land protection, Fresh From Florida, water-quality improvements, and foreign-interference concerns, and the meeting ended with no formal votes or other committee action beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are always a variety of issues on Dollar Tree locations. Yes.
• There are always a variety of issues on Dollar Tree locations. Yes.
• On average, Dollar Trees. Again, I am not speaking about the other dollar stores, Dollar Tree.
• There are plenty of Dollar Trees. This is under your umbrella, correct? Dollar Tree? Correct.
• And I have seen one person working in one of your Dollar Tree stores.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first disposed of several measures without debate, including deferrals of House Bill 460, House Bill 561, Senate Bill 322, and another deferred Senate measure, before taking up House Bill 819 by Chairman Cruz. HB 819 would replace Louisiana’s current workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule with ODG by MCG, a private evidence-based guideline system used in other states. Cruz and Troy Prevo argued ODG is more comprehensive, updated more frequently, and could reduce claim duration, medical costs, and premium rates; Dr. Jason Picard said Louisiana already uses ODG as a secondary reference for gaps in the state schedule and that the bill would not change appeals or variance procedures. Opponents, including injured-worker advocates Joseph Jola St. and Robin Crumholt, argued Louisiana’s current guidelines are working, that ODG is more cost-cutting and insurer-driven, and that the bill could increase denials and delay care. Members discussed amendments to add a two-year sunset, allow tacit approval when treatment follows the schedule, require payment within 30 days, and raise the carrier’s burden to challenge care; the committee adopted the amendments and then reported HB 819 favorably by a 7-6 vote. The committee then began Senate Bill 409 by Senator Myers, the Louisiana Living Donor Leave Protection Act. The bill would provide paid leave protections for living organ donors, set eligibility and verification procedures, and prohibit forfeiture of leave in certain circumstances for private employers. Myers said the measure is intended to remove job and paycheck barriers for people willing to donate organs and to support better transplant outcomes. Technical amendments were adopted at the start of the presentation, and the bill was introduced for further discussion.