Transcript Highlights:

• A charter school is governed by whatever governance is decided by the charter that is approved by the
• </c> establishment of a charter? establishment of a charter? &gt;&gt; Uh<01:45:16.880><c> yes.
• is going to the charter school.
• the charter school.
• Into state-approved charters.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3372 creates a revolving loan fund program for charters charter School capital expenditures
• No, because these are charter school facilities.
• Could a charter school apply for funding?
• , virtual charter schools, brick and mortar charter schools, is education good for kids or isn't it?
• Public schools, our charter schools, charter schools are public schools.

Bills: HB3327 , HB3711 , HB4104 , HJR1077 , HB3329 , HB4322 , HB4202 , HB4203 , HB4457 , HB3983 , HB3660 , HB3802 , HB2933 , HB2955 , HB2956 , HB3781 , HB3521 , HB3794 , HB3796 , HB3800 , HB3183 , HB4316 , HB4484 , HB3469 , HB3464 , HB3173 , HB3989 , HB3016 , HB2979 , HB2988 , HB2288 , HB3062 , HB3315 , HB3372 , HB3530 , HB3622 , HB3755 , HB4266

Keywords: State Board of Education, Oklahoma education board, board appointments, school governance, education reform, governor appointments, legislative appointments, speaker of the house, president pro tempore, senate confirmation, board vacancies, removal for cause, public education, state superintendent, school board training, board member qualifications, emergency clause, Oklahoma statutes 70 O.S. 3-101, school funding, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• I wanted to tell you a little bit more about the Excel Center Charter High School here in Arkansas.
• Then we'll talk about how these revenues are distributed to the districts and charters in the form of
• So in 2025, $3.7 billion was distributed in foundation funds to districts and charters.
• So it is decreasing statewide, but increasing amongst open-enrollment public charters.
• public charter schools, 48% of those having an ADM below 500 in the '25 school year.

Summary: The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then took up an interim study proposal on adult education and the Excel Center model. Representatives from Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, the Excel Center network, and the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities testified that roughly 300,000 Arkansans over age 19 lack a high school diploma or GED, and argued that the Excel Center provides a supported diploma pathway for adults who struggle with GED testing. Witnesses highlighted wraparound services such as free child care, transportation assistance, tutoring, life coaching, and career services, and cited outcomes including high retention, growing enrollment, and research showing higher employment and earnings and lower criminal justice involvement for graduates. Committee members raised questions about the state’s role, existing adult education programs, and how the study would be structured; the motion to adopt the ISP passed, though there was some procedural disagreement about when questions should have been taken. The committee then heard a detailed adequacy funding overview from BLR staff Katie Walden and Adrian Beck on Arkansas K-12 education finance. They reviewed national funding principles and explained Arkansas’s system, including state and local revenue sources, the Public School Fund, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, and the Facilities Partnership Program. Staff said K-12 state and local revenues totaled $6.6 billion in 2025, with foundation funding making up the largest share of district and charter funding, followed by additional, categorical, and supplemental funds. They also explained the matrix-based foundation formula, the role of the uniform rate of tax, and how categorical and supplemental funds support areas such as alternative learning, English learners, special education high-cost cases, teacher salary equalization, declining enrollment, and student growth. Members asked several follow-up questions about how specific funding categories are defined and used, including student support staff, instructional aides, special education high-cost occurrences, ALE funding, teacher salary equalization, and the inclusion of Excel Center amounts in state-local funding totals. Staff said some of those details would be addressed in a later presentation and offered to provide additional records, including district lists and historical information. The meeting ended after the funding overview, with no additional votes or actions beyond the ISP adoption and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I wanted to tell you a little bit more about the Excel Center Charter High School here in Arkansas.
• Then we'll talk about how these revenues are distributed to the districts and charters in the form of
• So in 2025, $3.7 billion was distributed in foundation funds to districts and charters.
• So it is decreasing statewide, but increasing amongst open enrollment public charters.
• public charter schools, a 48% of those having an ADM below 500 in the 25 school year.

Summary: The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then heard an interim study proposal on Arkansas adult education and the Excel Center model, presented by Goodwill Industries of Arkansas and the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities. Witnesses argued that about 300,000 Arkansas adults lack a high school diploma or GED and described the Excel Center as a diploma-granting public charter option for adults 19 and older, with wraparound supports such as child care, transportation, tutoring, life coaching, and career services. They said the Arkansas campuses are not state-funded, highlighted growth in enrollment and graduation outcomes, and cited research showing improved employment, earnings, and reduced criminal justice involvement for graduates. Committee members discussed the role of Goodwill’s nonprofit mission, the need for multiple adult education pathways, and the relationship between adult education challenges and broader state efforts such as LEARNS and ACCESS. The committee then debated the interim study proposal procedure, including whether questions should have been taken before the vote. The motion to adopt the ISP passed, and members noted that the study would broadly examine adult education, GED testing, high school diplomas, charter schools, in-person adult education, and funding allocation. Several members asked for follow-up information on current adult education funding, the availability of Excel Centers, and the criminal justice study results. After that, staff from the Bureau of Legislative Research gave a detailed adequacy funding overview for Arkansas K-12 education. They reviewed national funding principles and then explained Arkansas’s revenue streams and distribution system, including general revenue, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, local property-tax revenues, and facilities partnership funding. They also walked through the state’s foundation formula, categorical aid, supplemental aid, and additional funding, including the per-student matrix amount of $7,771 for 2025 and how funds are allocated to districts and charters. Members asked about student support staff, special education high-cost occurrences, ALE funding, teacher salary equalization, and the Excel Center’s treatment in funding totals; staff said some of those questions would be addressed in a later spending presentation. The meeting ended after the committee was told the department was present mainly to answer questions and no further business remained.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is specifically in reference to charter schools.
• One of the great things about charter schools is that they can be innovative.
• Charter schools have authorizers. Traditional districts don't have authorizers.
• So it's an authorized, I think the longer term is authorized chartering entity.
• Why not learn a little bit from the way this is working with charter schools?

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If IDLA was a virtual charter school, their budget would more than double.
• If IDLA was a virtual charter school, their budget would more than double.
• If IDLA was a virtual charter school, their budget would more than double.
• Again, we're in charter code.
• “And there are representatives of virtual charters and charter school interests in the audience, which

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These charter schools? So I can describe the current law process for charter school approval.
• And if a charter entity continues to have one of those, the whole charter entity gets closed.
• Two, we do have charter schools. Of course, you don't have charter schools everywhere.
• So both the traditional ISDs. where students may be leaving to go to a charter and then the charters
• Explosion of charter schools.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bill to take up at this time, which is House Bill 928, an act relating to technical corrections to fish
• bill to take up at this time, which is House Bill 928, an act relating to technical corrections to fish
• Senate proposal of amendment on House Bill 928, which is an act relating to technical corrections to fish
• House Bill 928 is an act relating to technical corrections to fish and wildlife statutes.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• meaning parents go to charter schools if those charter schools are delivering the things that they want
• Meaning parents go to charter schools if those charter schools are delivering the things that they want
• But secondarily because it seems to think the charter schools are not public schools, and charter schools
• to be terribly important, but we leave charter schools out, and the charter schools have said, well,
• I'm going— Leave charter schools out, and the charter schools have said, well, we'd have to do a different

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and an electronic roll call showing 24 members present and six excused. After approving the journal, the body recessed for a performance marking America’s 250th birthday, then returned for introductions and recognitions, including Hispanic Leadership Institute Day at the Capitol, Children’s Health Day advocates, guests of members, and the doctor of the day. The Senate also handled routine calendar items, including gubernatorial nominations and bill referrals, and appointed Senator Shope to temporarily serve as vice chair of the Finance Committee for the day. The main floor action was on SCR 1032, a measure relating to school district budgets and classroom spending. The bill, as amended, would require larger school districts to spend at least 60% of operational spending on direct instructional expenses, with a step-in penalty reducing classroom site fund allocations for continued noncompliance. Senator Hoffman explained the amendment as a moderated version that exempted certain rural/smaller districts and phased in penalties over several years; supporters argued it would ensure more money reaches classrooms and teachers. Opponents, including Senators Epstein, Miranda, Kuby, and others, argued it would micromanage local school districts, ignore important non-classroom costs such as nurses, transportation, counselors, and librarians, and unfairly target district schools while excluding charter schools. The Senate adopted the committee and floor amendments and then passed SCR 1032 on third reading by a vote of 16-12, with 2 not voting, sending it to the House. The Senate also considered SB 1071 concerning the Arizona Rangers. Supporters said the bill was not a full repeal but would create external oversight, improve background checks, and increase accountability and training transparency. Some members said they expected the House to further amend the measure. SB 1071 passed on third reading by a vote of 17-11, with 2 not voting, and was transmitted to the House. The session concluded with caucus and committee announcements, a recognition of World Down Syndrome Day advocates, an invitation to SRP Day at the Capitol, and adjournment until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• meaning parents go to charter schools if those charter schools are delivering the things that they want
• Meaning parents go to charter schools if those charter schools are delivering the things that they want
• But secondarily because it seems to think the charter schools are not public schools, and charter schools
• to be terribly important, but we leave charter schools out, and the charter schools have said, well,
• Leave charter schools out, and the charter schools have said, well, we'd have to do a different little

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> disabilities in charter schools is 88. disabilities in charter schools is 88.
• Any other questions about charters?<00:27:37.169><c> [snorts]</c> charters? [snorts] charters?
• </c> something that the charter is? something that the charter is?
• on which charter school.
• We look at if they have a charter school student, we'll ask to see a charter school.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission met to continue its study of the cost of special education, with the chair emphasizing that the group needs to narrow its focus over the coming year toward specific cost drivers, including the IEP process, Medicaid, charter schools, and EFAs. Members reviewed a draft first report due November 1 and agreed it would be a brief synopsis of prior meetings, with minutes attached. The September 30, 2025 minutes were amended to correct the number of federally funded department staff from 234 to 23, and to revise language about Senator Sullivan’s comments so they reflected concerns about IEP advocates and fees charged to families rather than support for the concept. The amended minutes were then approved unanimously, with abstentions noted for members who were absent. The main presentation focused on how special education costs are handled for students attending charter schools. The DOE representative said there are 804 students with disabilities in charter schools across 88 of the state’s 176 districts, and that the district of residence remains responsible for all services and costs. She explained that students must meet IDEA criteria through district evaluation and parent consent, and that services are determined through individual IEP meetings rather than by a blanket charter-school decision. Members asked how those costs are tracked, whether any students are merely “monitored,” and whether districts separately identify charter-school special education expenses; the answer was that most districts fold those costs into their overall special education budget, though some may break them out as a line item. The discussion then turned to transportation and mileage costs for staff providing services at charter schools. Testimony indicated that districts may use their own staff, contract staff, or contract with a charter school for certified services, and that travel costs are often either built into contracts or absorbed as part of staff time rather than separately reimbursed. Members questioned whether mileage is reimbursed when staff travel to distant charter schools and whether those costs can be isolated in district budgets; the response was that practices vary by district and are not usually broken out by special education function. Several members argued this makes it difficult to determine the true cost of delivering special education, especially given New Hampshire’s model in which the district of residence pays regardless of where the charter school is located. The chair noted the complexity of the system and compared it to the state’s separate tuition and transportation approach for career and technical education centers.

Transcript Highlights:

• between a new charter entity coming into existence and an existing charter entity adding a campus because
• And if the, if, if a charter entity continues to have one of those, the whole charter entity gets closed
• Um, uh, uh, 2, we do have charter schools, of course, you don't have charter schools everywhere.
• charters, which are essentially nonprofit, uh, boards.
• So both the, the traditional ISDs where students may be leaving to go to a charter and then the charters

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Allowing a one-time family member transfer recognizes the importance of family-run fishing businesses
• The Department of Fish and Wildlife's administrative costs are minor and absorbable.
• The current revenue coming from active fishers will remain and continue as they continue fishing and
• Mile-long fish nets should eventually be banned in California.
• Mile-long fish nets should eventually be banned in California.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 21, 2025, with 86 bills on the agenda. The committee first approved two consent motions covering a group of bills eligible for the Assembly floor consent calendar and another group of unanimous bills not eligible for floor consent. Several bills were then heard individually, with authors and supporters emphasizing that many had no or minimal state costs and were aimed at climate, health, or regulatory improvements. Among the bills discussed were AB 39 on local planning for electrification and EV charging infrastructure; AB 1129 allowing local health jurisdictions to opt into reporting birth defects and early-life health conditions; AB 1332 to allow narrow direct shipment of medicinal cannabis to seriously ill patients; AB 1056 phasing out transfer of certain gillnet permits except for a one-time family transfer; AB 408 creating a new Medical Board health and wellness program for physicians; AB 546 requiring health plans to cover portable HEPA air purifiers for vulnerable people during wildfire emergencies; AB 942 revising rooftop solar subsidy rules to reduce costs for non-solar ratepayers; and AB 967 expediting licensure for out-of-state physicians. Supporters generally framed these bills as improving access, equity, public health, or affordability, while opponents on AB 942 and AB 967 raised concerns about implementation, workload, contract issues, and impacts on existing programs. The committee took action on each bill after testimony and questions. AB 39, AB 1129, AB 1332, AB 1056, AB 408, AB 546, AB 942, and AB 967 were all moved out of committee on roll call votes, with some members voting no or not voting on certain measures. The suspense calendar was then read and deemed approved, and the committee opened general public comment, where speakers voiced support for bills including AB 715, AB 1138, AB 782, AB 98, AB 53, AB 258, AB 330, AB 650, AB 649, AB 1048, and AB 425. The meeting adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• California Fish and Game regulations only regulate aquatic transgenic animals, with the regulations silent
• From 2003 to 2016, the Fish and Game Commission banned the sale of genetically modified fish.
• It will reduce the burden of regulating this industry from both the Fish and Game Commission and the
• Department of Fish and Wildlife, and it will save untold dollars that our state will incur if we add

Summary: The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee began without quorum and initially heard several bills as a subcommittee. AB 277 by Assemblymember Alanis would require background checks for unlicensed employees providing behavioral health treatment; the author and CalABA said it would protect children and people with disabilities, and the bill drew no opposition. AB 1382 by Assemblymember Castillo would prohibit the sale of genetically modified animals altered for cosmetic purposes, while exempting glowfish after amendments; supporters framed it as an animal welfare and pet overpopulation measure, and there was no opposition after the amendments. ACR 173 by Assemblymember Carrillo would formalize a sister-state relationship between California and Jalisco, Mexico; the author emphasized cultural and economic ties and binational cooperation, though one senator objected to language referencing recent mass deportations and said he would abstain rather than support it as written. After quorum was established, the committee took up consent items AB 2085, AB 1733, ACR 129, ACR 164, and ACR 166, which passed 6-0. AB 277 was then approved 6-0 and sent to the Senate Public Safety Committee. AB 1382 passed 6-0 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. ACR 173 was adopted 4-0, and the committee granted reconsideration so the author could potentially address the concern raised about the immigration-related language.

Transcript Highlights:

• If IDLA was a virtual charter school, their budget would more than double.
• Education service providers work really closely in our school districts and in our charters.
• Again, we're in charter code.
• , talking about that if you authorize a charter, you are the About that if you authorize a charter, you
• And there are representatives of virtual charters and charter school interests in the audience, which

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee approved the minutes from February 4 and 5, 2026, then heard RS 3327 on Idaho Digital Learning Academy (IDLA). The sponsor said the proposal would reduce state funding for several areas viewed as scope creep or double funding, including private school, homeschool, and some virtual school enrollments, LaunchPad literacy, urban custom sections, and a limit of three IDLA enrollments per student per year, along with a per-enrollment reduction. Members raised concerns about impacts on rural schools, the three-course cap, and whether the bill would hurt IDLA’s core mission, but the RS was introduced and sent to print. The committee then heard RS 33027, a proposal for a moment of silence in schools. The sponsor said it was intended to improve classroom behavior and could include prayer, meditation, or quiet reflection. Members debated whether the silence should be required at the beginning of the school day or left to teacher discretion. Two substitute motions to alter the timing language failed, and the committee then approved the original RS to be printed and introduced. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 588, a virtual education bill for Idaho Home Learning Academy and similar programs. Sponsors and supporters said it would codify standards for virtual schools, require board approval of education service provider contracts, clarify residency and curriculum requirements, require Idaho teaching certificates, and define supplemental learning funds and eligible expenses with local control and State Board guidance. Testimony from virtual school leaders and district superintendents generally supported the bill as improving transparency and accountability, while one former legislator cautioned that it could limit innovation. After discussion, the sponsor asked to hold the bill in committee while a clarifying RS was introduced; the committee agreed to hold HB 588, then introduced RS 33283 and sent it to second reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is specifically in reference to charter schools.
• One of the great things about charter schools is that they can be innovative.
• Charter schools have authorizers. Traditional districts don't have authorizers.
• So it's an authorized, I think the longer term is authorized chartering entity.
• Why not learn a little bit from the way this is working with charter schools?

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 12 and 13, then recognized page Ethan Cowell for his service before moving into legislation. House Bill 599 was explained as a technical change to how funding for digital curriculum grants is awarded, shifting from first-come, first-served to a need-based application process using a rubric from the State Department of Education. The committee voted to send HB 599 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then introduced RS 33436, a proposal related to the state endowment fund. The sponsor said the measure would not change the amount of money distributed to schools, but would send endowment dollars directly to schools as a separate line item rather than blending them into the general school funding formula. After a brief question about average daily attendance, the committee voted to introduce the RS. House Bill 710, which would set a statewide public school start date of the Tuesday after Labor Day, drew extensive testimony. The sponsor argued for a uniform start date for predictability and said schools could adjust by shortening breaks, while opponents—including superintendents, the Idaho PTA, and the Idaho School Boards Association—said the bill would override local control, disrupt harvest schedules, and create problems for districts with four-day weeks or calendars built around community needs. The Idaho Lodging and Restaurant Association supported the bill, saying later starts would help tourism businesses. After debate, a motion to send the bill to the floor without recommendation failed, and the committee then voted 9-5 to hold HB 710 in committee. Finally, the committee considered RS 33230C1, which would create a performance-based funding flexibility model for charter schools. The sponsor said it would reward strong academic, financial, and governance performance with greater spending flexibility. Members discussed whether similar flexibility should also be available to traditional school districts, but the sponsor did not agree to broaden the RS. An amended motion failed, and the committee then voted to introduce RS 33230C1.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> compensation, community ed, charter compensation, community ed, charter school<00:15:02.320><c>
• </c> essential funding for public charter essential funding for public charter school<01:05:20.799><c
• ,</c><01:36:40.400><c> and</c> be shared among public, charter, and be shared among public, charter,
• </c> with IDA and open enrollment charter with IDA and open enrollment charter schools<01:37:57.280><
• I'm with the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools. Charter schools are public schools.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have two district types: regular districts and charter districts.
• district or charter district.
• We have two district types, regular districts and charter districts.
• district or charter district. between a regular district and a charter district, we will say regular
• district or charter district.

Summary: The House/Joint Education committee continued its adequacy study with a Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on resource allocation, focusing first on matrix spending and then non-matrix spending. Staff explained the methodology for mapping APSCN expenditure data to matrix lines, reviewed district and school categories used in the analysis, and highlighted key findings: foundation funding covered a large share of matrix costs but total spending on matrix items exceeded foundation funding, with classroom teachers making up the largest share. Members asked for additional breakdowns on waivers, superintendent survey responses, trend data, and spending by district type, size, and rural/urban status. Staff also noted limitations in tracking two matrix lines—salary enhancement for other employees and all personnel health insurance—because of coding and definition issues. The committee then reviewed non-matrix expenditures, including instructional aides, facilities, school safety, mental health, dyslexia services, gifted and talented, and career and technical education. Staff reported that non-matrix spending remained above $2 billion over the last three years, with most of it coming from other funds rather than foundation funding. Members raised concerns about dyslexia identification and funding, mental health needs, school safety, food service, athletic transportation, and whether some items should be added to the matrix. The Department of Education clarified that the building fund reflects district-held funds for construction and maintenance projects, while the facilities partnership program is a separate state process for approved projects. In the final discussion, staff summarized total spending as more than $15,800 per student in 2025, with about 69% going to matrix resources and 31% to non-matrix resources. The chair explained the adequacy process and the committee’s role in setting future funding recommendations, and members discussed the recommendations worksheet included in the binder. The chair then proposed postponing the remainder of Part Two of the presentation until a May meeting after the fiscal session, along with inviting the Department of Education back for more detailed questions; with no objections, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , fishing licenses.
• Senate Bill 204 by Senator Lambert: commercial fishing gear, relative to nonresident commercial fishing
• Senate Bill 257 by Senator Myers: Title 56, fishing gear, commercial fishing gear, provides for pompano
• of saltwater game fish, provide for names of certain fish.
• of saltwater game fish, provide for names of certain fish.

Bills: HR70 , HR71 , HCR35 , HB31 , HB326 , HB1013 , HB1014 , HB1015 , HB1016 , HR65 , HR66 , HR67 , HR68 , HR69 , HCR33 , HCR34 , HB1006 , HB1007 , HB1008 , HB1010 , HB1011 , SB2 , SB13 , SB24 , SB28 , SB40 , SB47 , SB48 , SB70 , SB79 , SB80 , SB109 , SB127 , SB139 , SB154 , SB181 , SB199 , SB200 , SB208 , SB277 , SB317 , SB336 , SB349 , SB357 , HR15 , HR20 , HCR14 , HB51 , HB58 , HB69 , HB82 , HB93 , HB143 , HB166 , HB199 , HB201 , HB202 , HB218 , HB222 , HB223 , HB224 , HB231 , HB235 , HB246 , HB338 , HB349 , HB352 , HB379 , HB405 , HB429 , HB535 , HB547 , HB577 , HB588 , HB626 , HB636 , HB652 , HB653 , HB669 , HB688 , HB691 , HB721 , HB738 , HB749 , HB806 , HB843 , HB851 , HB857 , HB861 , HB889 , HB904 , HB907 , HB908 , HB929 , HB955 , HB1009 , HB952 , HB8 , HB9 , HB10 , HB15 , HB16 , HB17 , HB18 , HB19 , HB22 , HB33 , HB34 , HB35 , HB44 , HB46 , HB47 , HB48 , HB61 , HB101 , HB126 , HB135 , HB142 , HB164 , HB185 , HB215 , HB226 , HB232 , HB233 , HB242 , HB284 , HB292 , HB297 , HB301 , HB334 , HB436 , HB468 , HB548 , HB571 , HB582 , HB593 , HB594 , HB609 , HB613 , HB712 , HB722 , HB732 , HB746 , HB827 , HB845 , HB848 , HB921 , HB923 , HB951 , HB953 , HB999 , HB53 , HB57 , HB64 , HB102 , HB106 , HB111 , HB137 , HB152 , HB155 , HB177 , HB238 , HB256 , HB258 , HB337 , HB359 , HB363 , HB386 , HB434 , HB546 , HB557 , HB584 , HB661 , HB697 , HB726 , HB727 , HB747 , HB756 , HB758 , HB759 , HB765 , HB767 , HB825 , HB858 , HB930 , HB941 , HB957 , HB964 , HB868 , HB119 , HB140 , HB739 , HB842 , HB875 , HB919 , HB52 , HB228 , HB289 , HB735 , HB796 , HB901 , HB193 , HB400 , HB570 , HB733

Keywords: Northside High School, basketball, state championship, sportsmanship, athletic recognition, commendation, criminal justice, community contributions, Bridget A. Dinvaut, law enforcement, tax delinquency, property sale, rehabilitation, Louisiana State Law Institute, legislation, retirement, police benefits, disability, municipality, Social Security

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, heard a prayer and pledge, adopted the journal, and received Senate messages, committee reports, and a large number of bill introductions and committee referrals. Several resolutions were adopted without objection, including condolences, commendations, and designations such as Jeanerette as the French bread capital of Louisiana and recognition of Women’s History Month. The chamber also received numerous House and Senate bills for referral, many involving retirement systems, education, transportation, criminal justice, natural resources, and local government matters. The floor then moved through a long series of House bills, with many local and retirement measures passing unanimously or near-unanimously. Among the bills discussed were changes to retirement systems for district attorneys, clerks of court, sheriffs and deputies, assessors, and municipal police employees; local court jurisdiction and commissioner authority; bankruptcy and succession thresholds; civil procedure revisions; and measures on election administration, public records, seafood labeling and safety, state symbols, and OMV fees. Members asked questions on several bills, especially about fiscal impact, retirement governance, and procedural changes, but most bills advanced with little opposition. A few bills were returned to the calendar, including HB 9, HB 61, HB 126, HB 185, HB 233, HB 284, HB 301, HB 436, HB 468, HB 582, HB 613, and HB 722. The House also considered bills affecting education, labor, health, and public safety, including employment certificates for minors, student questionnaires and hazing procedures, a state seal of fine arts diploma, Louisiana Works reauthorization, naloxone immunity, veterans’ medical-record fee waivers, and a bill creating a privacy protection act for sex offense victims. Several measures drew brief debate over fairness, administrative burden, or humanitarian concerns, such as a bill requiring a Rule 10.1 conference before requests for admissions are deemed admitted, and a bill allowing OMV fee waivers in emergency or humanitarian situations. Most of the bills taken up on the floor passed, often by wide margins, with a few receiving a small number of dissenting votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• governor must consider recommendations from organized groups representing a variety of aspects of fish
• governor must consider recommendations from organized groups representing a variety of aspects of fish
• When acting in their capacity as a Fish and Wildlife Commissioner or alternate, these new folks must
• be registered voters in Washington, and have a general knowledge of the habits and distribution of fish
• Washington State and tribal governments by adding four tribal seats and four alternate seats to the Fish

Bills: HB2170 , HB2544 , HB2578

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: natural climate solutions, ecosystem services, revenue generation, economic opportunities, environmental policy, water rights, adjudication, Columbia River, environmental impact, natural resources, tribal members, fish and wildlife, commission, indigenous rights, state regulation, 904, all