Transcript Highlights:

• We've been paying attention.
• For example, Cushing is still paying out of the LOM. They're paying a lot of ad valorem.
• They're already paying.
• A lot of folks pay sales taxes, and they also pay income taxes, so it to me, it seems to be the same
• We are saying you pay gross production. We do not have to pay out of a LOM.

Bills: SB1287, SB1983, SB1796, SB1806, SB1558, SB2135, SB483, SB1198, SB1265, SB2154, SB2139, SB1552, SB2118, SB1775, SB259, SB1344, SB1380, SB2007, SB1572, SB2074, SB1423, SB1425, SB1502, SB1503, SB1833, SB1561, SB1555, SB2044, SB1749, SB904, SB1565, SB1500, SB667, SB1484, SB1562, SB1644, HR1045, SB227, SB1627, SB1475, SB1966, SB2049, SB1531, SB80, SB1734, SB1630, SB1894, SB1975, SB1432, SB1437, SB1812, SB346, SB710, SB1489, SB1614, SB2045, SB1250, SB1304, SB1501, SB1946, SB592, SB65, SB1257, SB444, SB640, SB2178, SB1242, SB1642

Keywords: abstraction, licensing, Oklahoma Abstractors Board, criminal background, good moral character, SB1983, foster care, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, child welfare, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions

Transcript Highlights:

• These kids were severely underweight, severely underweight.
• These kids were severely underweight, severely underweight.
• It was easy to pay for their lunches because they had reduced lunches.
• Taxpayers are paying for very generous personal and vacation leave.
• rare that performance-based pay doesn't get awarded.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It sounds like consumers pay either way. Is that right?
• I appreciate the author's advocacy for several years.
• Publicly owned utilities do not pay the same taxes. They do not pay shareholders.
• They do not pay the same management salaries.
• We would be paying the non-bypassable charge. Okay, but would you be paying into the wildfire fund?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will say several. I in front of me. I will say several.
• Uh, they don't pay Social Security tax. They don't pay Medicare tax.
• They're not paying into Social Security and why are they not paying into Medicare?
• they're paying in to the paid leave. they're paying in to the paid leave.
• why are they not paying not pay then why are they not paying into<00:58:40.240> social<00:58:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• already a quarter of renters are paying already a quarter of renters are paying more<00:10:13.880
• severe cost burden.
• Severe cost burden means you're paying more than 50% of your income for housing.
• Severe cost burden means you're paying more than 50% of your income for housing.
• Severe cost burden means you're paying more than 50% of your income for housing.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've got several in the queue. Really quick, I have a question.
• Severe mental health issues in the home, right?
• We do pay for those beds.
• We pay $320 a day for those in the secure setting.
• We pay $320 a day for those in the secure setting.

Summary: The Senate and House Joint Committee on Children and Youth met to approve prior minutes, confirm Representative Mary Bentley to the Child Maltreatment Investigations Oversight Committee, and receive several presentations. The Arkansas Infant and Child Death Review team reported on unexpected child deaths in Arkansas, saying its 2023 review covered 148 of 170 non-natural deaths, with the remainder unavailable due to criminal investigations or missing records. Of the reviewed deaths, 69 were accidents, 14 suicides, 18 homicides, and 47 undetermined, and members discussed how the report’s recommendations could be used by agencies and nonprofits for prevention work and grant applications. Committee members also asked about age breakdowns and how the data could be shared without identifying individual cases. The committee then took up HCR 1010 and a broader discussion of juvenile justice reform. Representative Shepard said the resolution was intended to confront data on juvenile incarceration and system outcomes. Senator Missy Irvin, judges Troy Braswell and Kathy Hess, and AOC Juvenile Division Director Burke Steen described the state’s long-running reform efforts, including the SAVRY risk assessment, diversion programs, and efforts to keep more youth in their communities. They said the reforms have reduced delinquency filings, DYS commitments, and revocations, while increasing diversions, but also emphasized ongoing gaps in mental health, substance abuse, and school-based supports. Members raised concerns about school data sharing, behavioral health access, and how to better identify youth with disabilities or trauma earlier. Judge Braswell and others stressed that many youth in the system have significant trauma, family instability, or unmet treatment needs, and that judges need individualized information to make decisions. Several members discussed the role of schools, the school safety dashboard, and the need for stronger community providers, especially in rural areas. The committee then heard from DYS Director Michael Crump, who provided data on commitments, facility use, demographics, offense levels, length of stay, education outcomes, recidivism, dual DCFS/DYS custody, and costs. He said commitments rose after the pandemic and then began to decline, while secure and detention costs increased with the need for more beds; he also noted that most youth in custody have behavioral health needs and that DYS works closely with DCFS, courts, and providers. No final action was taken on HCR 1010 during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, we're raising fees for Louisianians to pay a non-state entity.
• I do know for me personally, I am more than willing to pay the convenience fee.
• Yes, there are several. Yes, there are several.
• Okay, so you say several.
• So proceeds would go to several of them or just to the...? To this one.

Bills: SB309, SB457, SB513, HB148, HB149, HB358, HB384, HB428, HB487, HB593, HB613, HB657, HB675, HB712, HB716, HB720, HB723, HB728, HB732, HB845, HB846, HB965

Keywords: driving school, driver education, prelicensing course, motor vehicles, Department of Public Safety, Office of Motor Vehicles, third-party tester, third-party examiner, private driving instructor, license application, consumer protection, course pricing, tuition regulation, administrative rules, transportation committee, construction, management, project delivery, public contracts, legislative approval

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on April 22, 2026, with a quorum present and heard several transportation-related bills, many involving license plates, toll exemptions, and administrative changes. The committee first advanced HB 988 by Rep. Bagley, which changes the fee distribution for current and retired legislators’ special prestige license plates so the proceeds support repairs at the Pentagon/first LSU building rather than going to the state. It then heard HB 1001 by Rep. Marcel, designating a portion of U.S. Highway 190 as the Jesse Jackson Memorial Highway; the bill was supported with remarks honoring Jackson’s civil rights legacy, and the committee observed a moment of silence before reporting it favorably without objection. The committee next considered HB 989 by Rep. Boyer, which updates and clarifies fees charged by public license tag agents. Rep. Phelps offered an amendment to exempt Shreveport from the fee increase, but it failed on a roll call vote, and the bill was then reported favorably by a 13-2 vote. HB 1192, also by Rep. Boyer, creating a Louisiana Dental Hygienist Association specialty license plate, was amended to remove a restriction limiting issuance to association members and then passed favorably without objection. HB 1032 by Rep. Wiley, which clarifies the substances referenced in DUI-related motor vehicle statutes, received technical amendments and was reported favorably without objection. The committee also advanced HB 748 by Rep. Brough, exempting Louisiana school board-owned and leased vehicles from tolls on bridges and highways, including the Bell Chasse toll bridge area, after testimony from Plaquemines Parish school officials and the district attorney describing toll costs and operational burdens; the bill was amended to include leased vehicles and then reported favorably without objection. HB 1108 by Rep. Omade creating a homeschool pride specialty plate was also reported favorably without objection after discussion of the plate design and proceeds going to Homeschool Louisiana. Finally, HB 1081 by Chairman Wright, restructuring the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission under the Office of Multimodal Commerce and DOTD for administrative support, was amended at the request of the Governor’s Office and reported favorably without objection. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to education and examination requirements, many licensees must pay...
• Too many Californians pay for dental coverage they cannot effectively use.
• In most cases, patients would have to pay the costs up front. policies.
• Too many Californians pay for dental coverage. sponsor AB 1629.
• Too many Californians pay for dental coverage they cannot effectively use.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Even today, since the committee, we have continued to do what we've done for the last several months.
• We've done for the last several months, and we've agreed to some other amendments.
• There are several amendments. This way. There are several amendments.
• We've put in prompt pay law in... of what? We've put in prompt pay law in this bill.
• We're now back to the bill with several amendments. Representative Shye... Okay.

Bills: HB441

Keywords: speech-language pathology, licensure, clinical supervision, educational qualifications, healthcare assistant, sessions, 2025-R, 1, 219

Transcript Highlights:

• We've done for the last several months, and we've agreed to some other amendments.
• There are several amendments. This way. There are several amendments.
• law, and you don't see that... prompt pay law, and you don't see that in the other Farm Bureau plans
• We've put in prompt pay law in We've put in prompt pay law in this bill.
• We're now back to the bill with several amendments. Representative Shyrie. Okay.

Bills: HB445, HB477, SB274, HB441

Keywords: hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, THC, delta-8, delta-9, delta-10, consumable hemp products, psychoactive cannabinoids, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, ABC Board, Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, retail hemp sales, wholesale hemp distribution, hemp tax, excise tax, age verification, underage sales, product testing, certificate of analysis

Transcript Highlights:

• And what LRAP does is essentially pay their interest or the minimum payments—some pay interest, some
• pay minimum payments—for 10 years until the loans are forgiven.
• year, Launched several years ago in my first year, or at the end of my first year of my deanship.
• We're able to pay them a competitive wage.
• Snohomish County, they're paying $125 an hour to try to find attorneys for parents.

Summary: The work session began with a discussion of expanding opportunities in the legal profession, especially in response to shortages of lawyers in rural Washington and in public service roles. Washington State Bar Executive Director Tara Nevitt described a slowly growing but aging attorney population, noted that younger attorneys have declined, and outlined efforts such as supervised practice pathways to bar admission, reduced admission-by-motion experience requirements, expanded law clerk capacity, rural job fairs and grants, and a pilot program allowing innovative legal service delivery models. Members asked about bar passage score changes, loan repayment assistance, and the former Limited License Legal Technician program; Nevitt said the bar is monitoring other states and remains in dialogue with the court about paraprofessional licensing. Law school representatives from UW, Seattle University, and Gonzaga emphasized public service pipelines, financial barriers, and rural legal deserts, citing LRAPs, scholarships, stipends, clinics, and hybrid or regional programs designed to recruit and retain students in Washington. Seattle U highlighted its FlexJD and hybrid hub partnerships in underserved areas, while Gonzaga and UW reported substantial shares of graduates entering public service, though most still cluster in urban regions. The committee also heard from the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and the Office of Public Defense, both of which described severe recruitment and retention problems in rural counties, with vacancies, low applicant pools, and the need for higher salaries, housing help, internships, and loan support. The Office of Public Defense said its internship and fellowship program, created by SB 5780, has already placed interns in rural counties and produced some commitments to return after graduation. The Washington State Bar’s law clerk program was also presented as a pathway that helps people train locally and remain in their communities, including by supporting succession for aging solo practitioners. The committee then shifted to family law and guardianship issues. On Title 26 guardian ad litem practice, presenters from Northwest Justice Project and private family law practice said GALs can play an important role but that training, oversight, and consistency remain major concerns, especially in domestic violence cases. They described problems such as inadequate training, bias, inconsistent recommendations, high fees, and lack of accountability, and suggested stronger, standardized training, more use of mental health professionals for custody evaluations, and better oversight mechanisms. Members asked about county practices, including rotation systems for GAL appointments and whether King County’s family court assessors provide a useful model. The discussion then moved to minor guardianships under the Uniform Guardianship Act. A Superior Court judge said the 2021 changes increased the need for court visitors and appointed counsel, but courts are struggling to find qualified attorneys and visitors, especially in rural areas. A former commissioner said most of the bill under discussion was technical cleanup to align prior amendments, though it would add some fiscal burdens. Administrative Office of the Courts staff reported that the statewide reimbursement program for UGA implementation has repeatedly run out of money earlier each year, with minor guardianship costs making up most of the expense. The Office of Public Guardianship then described rapid growth in demand for adult guardianship and less restrictive alternatives, noting that referrals and caseloads have risen sharply, but that the office is constrained by a shortage of certified professional guardians and low compensation levels. Finally, the committee began an update on Blake implementation from the Office of Civil Legal Aid, which funds civil legal services related to the decision, before the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• But also creates some new deductions, largely for seniors, overtime pay, tips, and auto loan interest
• Most notably, currently the program is providing 4.2 billion dollars in the current year to help pay
• more they will be paying per month.
• So in that regard, some folks will be paying more.
• It also will sever one of the few trusted pathways to stability for their families.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we've got several dozen, at least I'm hoping for several dozen more sponsors or co-sponsors to
• And so this simply unmasks all of that to say, if we're going to be paying for care, we want to pay for
• If we're going to be paying for care, we want to pay for all of it, and that's it.
• Several speakers have said this.
• A request spread over several agencies.

Bills: S0006, S0026, S0206, S0532, S0576, S1012, S1110, S1178, S1192, S1758, S1760, S7046, S7048

Keywords: child welfare, negligence, settlement, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, special education, exceptional student education, ESE, teacher preparation, educator certification, micro-credential, loan forgiveness, student loan repayment

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met and considered a large agenda of bills, reporting several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and the estate of Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, which was approved for $3.8 million. The committee also passed a cybersecurity internships bill creating a Department of Commerce program with Cyber Florida, and SB 532, which lets clerks of court retain the full amount of certain excess revenue and clarifies foreclosure-sale procedures. Veterans housing measures, CS for CS for SB 1602 and SB 1604, were approved to create a pilot program and a related trust fund for vacancy relief and risk mitigation for veteran housing. The committee also favorably reported SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics, with emotional testimony from a student and family describing the high cost and importance of activity-specific prosthetics. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 1012 after adopting an amendment that removed inmate emergency and specialty medical service compensation provisions while retaining changes to the contractor-operated institutions inmate welfare trust fund. Another bill, CS for CS for SB 1614, was narrowed by a delete-all amendment to focus on limiting the use of excess fees for new building construction by local governments. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate, with some support testimony submitted in writing or waived. The most extensive discussion centered on CS for CS for SB 17, a major Medicaid and public assistance overhaul. The bill would create a Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid Oversight, allow the Legislature to retain its own actuary, tighten Medicaid program oversight, update encounter-data reporting, set performance standards for managed care plans, revise pharmacy benefit manager rules, and require DCF to implement SNAP fraud-reduction and payment-accuracy reforms, including photo IDs on EBT cards and updated work requirements. It also would direct agencies to seek federal waivers for Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied adults and expanded behavioral health services. After lengthy questioning and testimony, the committee adopted amendments adding a transitional medical benefits glide path for people who gain employment and later lose Medicaid eligibility, and exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would improve accountability, reduce fraud, and save money, while opponents warned it would create administrative burdens, increase paperwork, and cause eligible people to lose coverage or food assistance. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Commission has issued several decisions relating to the confidentiality of the TNC data, finding
• This represents a shift toward public access to data. which is on par with several other jurisdictions
• It's the fastest way to make a little money quickly, right, when you need to pay a bill next week, is
• years ago to acquire several… over $10 million in funding.
• you pay for this ride?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Several years ago, that rollback tax period was dropped down to 3 years.
• While a veteran with a 100% VA disability rating pays 0% in property tax.
• Um, but he still has to pay property tax on that.
• I know there's been several proposals over time to allow people to pay in payments, but I would like
• Um, the, the cost of living across the country has exploded in the last several years.

Bills: SB 4, SB 23, SJR 2

Keywords: redistricting, election, Texas legislature, district composition, political representation, congressional redistricting, Texas House of Representatives, U.S. House, Congressional districts, district map, district boundaries, gerrymandering, voting rights, election law, apportionment, representation, special committee, PLANC2308, redistricting plan, elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Bell for this bill, um, But, but I have several questions.
• Equipment Needed for the program, would the school pay for that or would the College pay for that.
• The bill provides flexibility for students to pay for the courses themselves if necessary.
• It's sort of limited to careers that have, uh, where we have a, a severe shortage of skilled labor.
• And these are jobs that I pay $600,000 to 70,000 $100,000 for.

Bills: HB20, HB120

Keywords: fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations, higher education, LGBTQ studies, DEI studies, program prohibition, educational policy, HB120, Texas, Texas Education Code, public universities, public colleges, queer studies, gay studies, lesbian studies

Transcript Highlights:

• > of<00:38:49.680> Fred's Also joined by several of Fred's Also joined by several of Fred's
• Wyoming, and Utah support for several Wyoming, and Utah support for several multi-disciplinary<00
• Who's paying for that? The other people in that district are paying for that.
• Who's paying for that? The other people in that district are paying for that.
• an option to pay it off earlier.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee substitute basically does several things.
• pocket and then the insurance didn't pay pocket and then the insurance didn't pay anything<00:08
• As in every other area they cover, to get them to pay.
• services but we're roughly receiving pay services but we're roughly receiving pay it's<00:26:28.960
• They can't pay their people in their office.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 27, as amended by committee substitute, which would create a Kentucky Parkinson’s disease research registry. The sponsor said the substitute was developed with UK, U of L, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Parkinson’s in Motion to better define a movement disorder center, add Parkinson’s experts from both universities to the advisory committee, require automated reporting, and delay implementation until 2027. Testimony emphasized the need to track diagnoses and testing while protecting confidentiality and allowing people to opt out. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted unanimously to pass SB 27 with a favorable expression. The committee then heard Senate Bill 93, dealing with hearing aid coverage for children. A parent described the high cost of hearing aids for her son and the financial burden created by insurance limits, while a pediatric audiologist explained that early identification and treatment improve language outcomes and that families can spend about $30,000 on hearing aids from birth to age 18. The committee substitute removed adults from the bill and added an in-network requirement for pediatric audiologists, along with a replacement interval consistent with Medicaid guidelines and repair/loss coverage provisions. After questions about costs, replacement timing, and insurer practices, the committee voted unanimously to pass SB 93 with a favorable expression. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 153, a transparency and due-process bill concerning Medicaid prepayment review. The sponsor and witnesses from Addiction Recovery Care and Frontier Behavioral Health said prepayment reviews can be imposed with little notice or explanation, disrupt cash flow, and burden rural and smaller providers; they argued the bill would require clearer notice, reasons, and timelines without stopping legitimate reviews. Members asked about managed care organizations, contract issues, and whether the bill would conflict with existing agreements, and the sponsor said it would not. After discussion and an explanation of vote from Senator Douglas, the committee voted to pass SB 153 with a favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• What was the source of the funding used to pay her?
• We had spoken on several, like, several conferences together.
• To pay his other staff because he had to pay the IRS, or the IRS. It was one or the other.
• Did EEC pay you to talk to Chris Stanley? No.
• I donated another $40,000 because they needed that money to pay the IRS, or they had enough to pay the

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The hearing resumed on day two of the Legislative Ethics Board fact-finding matter involving Representative Tara Simmons. After opening remarks and confirmation that board members had not engaged in outside research or ex parte communications, Simmons’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she improperly combined a legislative proviso for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and private conduct were intertwined and that the board had enough evidence to require a defense. After deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss and proceeded to hear defense testimony. The first defense witness, Sharon Navas, testified that she met Simmons through advocacy work, later hired her at the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC), and maintained written employment policies intended to separate Simmons’s legislative role from her work for EEC. Navas said Simmons was never compensated for lobbying or legislative acts, that EEC paid her from unrestricted funds, and that Simmons did not work on the AEJG dashboard project or participate in the contract dispute with Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley. Navas described the proviso request and later contract issues as separate from Simmons’s legislative duties, and said she continued to pay invoices while the project was being completed. Simmons then testified about her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics advice before taking outside employment or pursuing provisos. She said she repeatedly consulted House ethics counsel and reviewed prior board decisions to ensure her outside work and legislative actions were separated. Simmons described her relationship with Anthony Powers, the dashboard project, the proviso process, and her understanding that the work was distinct from her legislative role. The hearing paused for lunch after part of Simmons’s direct examination, with testimony set to continue after the break.

Transcript Highlights:

• In GMA 11, several runs were made, were completed.
• Who pays for that? The taxpayers pay for that. The taxpayers would have to pay for that.
• I pay a price for it every month, you know, whatever I water I pay for my own water bill.
• We pay over $325 million in wages annually in the state of Texas and we pay over 13.4 million in property
• Bell several times said.

Keywords: 1184, house, all