Transcript Highlights:

• What your bill evokes immediately, Representative Leach, are the constant trials and attempted trials
• And that's what is relevant in a trial, in a criminal trial especially - the facts and the law.
• They just think they are not going to get a fair trial.
• All trials and courts are supposed to be present.
• We didn't know anything about that until trial.

Bills: HB285 , HB795 , HB1795 , HB1871 , HB2407 , HB2461 , HB2695 , HB3507 , HB4911 , HB200

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: animal cruelty, nonlivestock, prosecution, veterinary defense, animal welfare, aggravated assault, penal code, public servant, deadly weapon, mass shooting, Penal Code, penalties, felony, Texas Penal Code, felony enhancement, first-degree felony, second-degree felony, violent crime, assault punishment, serious bodily injury

Transcript Highlights:

• Supreme Court held that in our society, liberty is the norm and detention prior to trial or without trial
• due to unnecessary pre-trials.
• I work at Test the Jail Project as an advocate for pre-trial... veterans.
• Over 70% are pre-trial, meaning they're legally innocent.
• That is an enormous fiscal cost to pay for pre-trial detention.

Bills: SB9 , SB1047 , SB1048 , SJR17 , SJR49 , SB40 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB 9 , SB 40 , SJR 1

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:40.000><c> for</c> delay her trial for delay her trial for months<00:03:42.080><c> she</c>
• </c> job health benefits staff in her trial job health benefits staff in her trial would<00:03:56.799
• They said because the trial hadn't proceeded.
• But now the trial can't proceed because she's using her Senate position to avoid trial, and so this circular
• the trial can't proceed because now the trial can't proceed because she's<00:11:48.560><c> using</c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative, has there been any consultation with fertility clinics and reproductive medicine providers
• The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to a fair trial. This bill has no trial before punishment.
• the budget conversations, I also want to just emphasize the importance of funding our charity care clinics
• the budget conversations, I also want to just emphasize the importance of funding our charity care clinics
• That is not a clinical function. That is an insurance administration function.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum confirmation. Members then adopted the special order report for the day and approved a Rules and Ethics Committee report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber then took up several bills. HB 1405 on a statewide project for missing persons with special needs passed unanimously. CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, passed 94-10 after debate focused on conservation land surplus procedures and agricultural use of state lands. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, foreign gifts, critical infrastructure, sister city agreements, and related restrictions, passed 80-20 after the House adopted an amendment adding a prohibition on certain surrogacy contracts involving citizens or residents of foreign countries of concern. CS/CS/HB 1197, dealing with information technology procurement and contracting, passed 109-0. HB 1103 on local administration of vessel restrictions passed unanimously. The House also debated CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use and development regulations. Supporters said it would limit development fees, standardize compatibility rules, allow manufactured homes in RV parks, and lower voting thresholds for comprehensive plan changes to address housing affordability; opponents argued it would preempt local control, weaken voter-approved urban boundary protections, and risk conservation lands. An amendment to preserve Orange County’s boundary rules failed, while a technical amendment on manufactured homes passed. The bill then passed 71-38. The House also passed several local bills, including measures for the Pace Fire Rescue District, Avalon Beach/Mulat Fire Protection District, East Point Water and Sewer District, Fellsmere Water Control District, and Headwaters Water Control District, with votes ranging from 83-27 to unanimous approval. The transcript also included farewell remarks from Representative Angie Nixon before the House returned to remaining business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative, has there been any consultation with fertility clinics and reproductive medicine providers
• The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to a fair trial. This bill has no trial before punishment.
• the budget conversations, I also want to just emphasize the importance of funding our charity care clinics
• the budget conversations, I also want to just emphasize the importance of funding our charity care clinics
• That is not a clinical function. That is an insurance administration function.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a senior clinical psychologist and also the director of school mental health for Hennepin County
• about school-based mental health, it's important we a lot of the work is around providing those clinical
• Um, but my question for you, cuz we are the seclusion working group and you're a clinical psychologist
• psychologist, is I wonder um if clinical psychologist, is I wonder um if you<00:55:33.119><c> have</
• My husband was mobilized in the military, so I was a single mom working full-time as a trial attorney

Transcript Highlights:

• judge put the trial on the calendar for today, January 27th, when the trial was supposed to start, she
• The judge granted that request and has delayed the trial until the conclusion of this session.
• judge put the trial on the calendar for today, January 27th, when the trial was supposed to start, she
• The judge granted that request and has delayed the trial until the conclusion of this session.
• The trial was scheduled to begin, and what did she do with her opportunity for her day in court?

Transcript Highlights:

• Under pressure to reunify, E.S. was returned for a trial visit. On the very first night, E.S. died.
• Unexplained poisoning is what the Department of Health would use as a clinical designation.
• handle indigent defense, and how we address and assure fundamental constitutional rights to speedy trial
• recently we've had, we're giving people the opportunity to vote for better public safety, health clinics
• But now, if that same person went to a clinic at an FQHC, they get paid per encounter. Okay?

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2681 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SB5863 , SB5892 , SCR8406 , HB2487 , HB2711 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB6278

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Within a trial, we often challenge experts at a specific time before trial, a motion in limine or a Rule
• I'm here with the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys.
• If I submit at trial something that the other side objects to as hearsay, I'm If I submit at trial something
• But civil jury trials are the best kind of trials there are.
• But civil jury trials are the best kind of trials there are.

Committee: House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first heard House Bill 2255, sponsored by Rep. Barry Hovis, which would update Missouri’s expert witness statute to align with the amended federal Rule 702 and the Daubert reliability framework. Supporters, including defense lawyers, the Missouri Hospital Association, business groups, insurers, and a sterilization company, argued the bill would clarify judges’ gatekeeping role, require expert testimony to be shown reliable by a preponderance of the evidence, and reduce inconsistent rulings and costly retrials. Opponents, including the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, a public advocate, and a justice reform group, argued the bill was unnecessary, would shift too much discretion from juries to judges, and could increase pretrial litigation and costs, especially for plaintiffs. No vote was taken on HB 2255 during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 3155, sponsored by Rep. Benny Cook, on sentencing and parole eligibility changes. Cook and supporters, including prosecutors and some public safety advocates, said the bill would improve transparency in sentencing, make parole timing clearer, and help address repeat serious offenders by setting firmer service percentages. Opponents, including justice reform and anti-poverty advocates, argued it would increase incarceration costs, especially for lower-level and drug offenses, without improving public safety, and would reduce incentives for rehabilitation. Some members questioned whether the bill could lead to longer time served, while supporters said it would apply evenly and clarify existing sentencing practices. At the end of the hearing, the committee took up an executive session on House Bill 2637 and House Bill 3155 together under a House Committee Substitute. The substitute was adopted, and the combined committee substitute for HB 2637 and HB 3155 was voted do pass by an 8-3 roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• On this day, she is a doctor working in Mercy Clinic primary care in Ferguson, and her love for medicine
• If anything, the prosecutor is not going to charge it as such, or they're going to take it to trial because
• And it's rare that you have a misdemeanor assault go to trial because it's the lowest level of offense
• And it's rare that you have a misdemeanor assault go to trial because it's the lowest level of offense

Transcript Highlights:

• a petition for expropriation has to be filed, it's very rare that the case actually proceeds to a trial
• And then the ultimate protection is they're entitled to a jury trial for the compensation that can be
• As we've talked about, you're paid what either the court sets or, if you demand a trial by jury, what
• I heard the legal clinic mentioned.

Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met on House Bill 7 by Speaker Pro Tem Johnson, the Louisiana Landowners Protection Act, which would remove eminent domain authority for carbon capture and geological sequestration projects. After housekeeping and roll call, the committee adopted a set of technical amendments that cleaned up definitions, removed a stray statutory reference, and changed “commissioner” to “secretary.” The author then gave an extended presentation arguing the bill was needed to align Louisiana law with the state constitution’s property-rights protections and recent court rulings, and to ensure carbon capture projects proceed only through voluntary agreements rather than forced takings. Several members questioned the author and supportive witnesses about whether the bill would stop carbon capture, affect oil and gas pipelines, or disrupt investment. The author and supporters said it would not stop projects, only prevent taking land without consent, and argued that landowners—especially small and rural owners—should not face the threat of expropriation. Supportive testimony also emphasized family land, inheritance, and constitutional limits on takings. Some members raised concerns about changing the rules after prior legislative action and about the economic importance of carbon capture, but the author responded that the legislature had made a mistake in 2020 and should correct it now. Opposition testimony came from representatives of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, the Louisiana Chemistry Association, and attorneys who handle right-of-way matters. They argued that eminent domain is a rare last resort, that existing law and the Landowner Bill of Rights already protect owners, and that the Constitution’s provisions for private-entity expropriation are different from the provisions discussed by the bill’s supporters. They warned that removing the tool for carbon capture would chill investment, threaten jobs and revenue, and could spill over into other energy infrastructure. The committee did not reach a final vote on the bill in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• a petition for expropriation has to be filed, it’s very rare that the case actually proceeds to a trial
• And then the ultimate protection is they're entitled to a jury trial for the compensation that can be
• As we've talked about, you're paid what either the court sets or, if you demand a trial by jury, what
• I heard the legal clinic mentioned.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• the state and using those savings for more justice, more opportunity for individuals to get fair trials
• We have a free clinic for everybody in the community.
• And on top of that, the accused institutions will not have a fair trial to fight back.
• And on top of that, the accused institutions will not have a fair trial to fight back because these bills

Summary: The committee first considered CS/SB 536, which updates Florida’s criminal gang statutes to reflect modern gang recruitment and communication methods, including social media and encrypted messaging. Senator Martin said the bill does not criminalize gang membership, but clarifies definitions used for gang-related enhancements and law enforcement investigations. Members raised concerns about the meaning of “observed in the company” of gang members and possible impacts on businesses and bikers; Martin said the language was not intended to reach ordinary business customers and that the bill still requires other criteria. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably after debate, with some members supporting it and others warning it was still too broad. The committee also approved CS/SB 762, allowing cross-jurisdictional assignment of conflict capital cases with cost and reporting requirements, after an amendment emphasizing judicial economy and geographic proximity; the bill was described as a cost-saving measure and was reported favorably. CS/SB 1742, creating a new offense for indecent exposure or sexual acts directed at minors under 16, was amended to align with the House version and to cover observing a child for sexual gratification, then reported favorably. CS/SB 1750, increasing penalties and mandatory minimums for serious sex crimes and child sexual abuse material offenses, was amended to restore some current-law provisions and limit reclassification to offenders who were 18 or older at the time of the offense, then reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 1582 on statewide data sharing for secondhand dealer and pawnbroker transactions, along with its companion public-records bill SB 1792, both described as theft-prevention and law-enforcement tools with confidentiality protections and stakeholder support. CS/SB 500, providing FDLE protective security for major-party nominees for statewide constitutional offices, was also reported favorably after a technical amendment. The longest and most contentious discussion was on CS/SB 1632, which would create a process for Florida to designate foreign and domestic terrorist organizations, restrict courts from enforcing foreign or religious law when it conflicts with state or federal law, and bar public funds from supporting designated organizations. Senator Graal said the bill targets conduct, not belief, and creates due-process protections through written findings, public notice, cabinet action, and judicial review. Senator Smith and Senator Polsky repeatedly questioned whether the bill’s use of terms like “promotion” could chill protected speech, academic debate, protest activity, or legal representation, and whether the designation process could be used politically or against religious and advocacy groups. Graal said promotion was meant to cover support for illegal acts, not mere disagreement or academic speech, and said she was open to clarifying language. Numerous speakers opposed the bill, arguing it was vague, unconstitutional, and likely to be used against Muslim communities, students, nonprofits, and dissenting political speech; a few supporters argued it was needed for public safety and to prevent state support for terrorism. The committee did not take a final vote on CS/SB 1632 in the portion provided, and the transcript ends during public testimony on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state and using those savings for more justice, more opportunity for individuals to get fair trials
• We have a free clinic for everybody in the community.
• And on top of that, the accused institutions will not have a fair trial to fight back.
• And on top of that, the accused institutions will not have a fair trial to fight back because these bills

Bills: S0500 , S0536 , S0762 , S1582 , S1632 , S1634 , S1742 , S1750 , S1792

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• if there is a no-bill or if the criminal case was dismissed, or if the defendant was acquitted at trial
• if there is a no-bill or if the criminal case was dismissed, or if the defendant was acquitted at trial
• With various state agencies and clinical partners separately listing out data, this will allow a centralized
• it, automatic expunction is triggered by a judicial order that shall be issued on the results of a trial

Bills: SB111 , SB128 , SB203 , SB205 , SB261 , SB317 , SB393 , SB397 , SB466 , SB510 , SB582 , SB705 , SB731 , SB748 , SB801 , SB867 , SB876 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1250 , SB1285 , SB1310 , SB1400 , SB1444 , SB1483 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1581 , SB1608 , SB1698 , SB1723 , SB1730 , SB1835 , SB1858 , SB1903 , SB1946 , SB1950 , SB1986 , SB2017 , SB2043 , SB2056 , SB2058 , SB2063 , SB2082 , SB2105 , SB2133 , SB2137 , SB2177 , SB2203 , SB2260 , SB2311 , SB2334 , SB2344 , SB2403 , SB2417 , SB2446 , SB2519 , SB2522 , SB2532 , SB2600 , SB2611 , SB2619 , SB2637 , SB2688 , SB2717 , SB2764 , SB2785 , SB2790 , SB2794 , SB2841 , SB2847 , SB2857 , SB2878 , SB2891 , SB2943 , SB2955 , SB2972 , SB2995 , SB3037 , SB3057 , SB3059 , HJR2 , HB26 , HB206 , HB334 , HB451 , HB517 , HB554 , HB 1109 , HB2081 , HB2756 , HB3204 , HB3809 , SJR3 , SB5 , SB72 , SB509 , SB616 , SB963 , SB985 , SB1025 , SB1080 , SB1143 , SB1172 , SB1245 , SB1267 , SB1271 , SB1273 , SB1355 , SB1422 , SB1759 , SB1786 , SB2361 , SB17 , SB314 , SB455 , SB761 , SB1023 , SB1968 , SB2122 , SB2371 , SB2420 , SB2544 , SB1 , SB260 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB261 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB510 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1359 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2972 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB2891 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB2532 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB2203 , SB1285 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB1723 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB2009 , SB2177 , SB2460 , SB2785 , SB867 , SB1608 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB705 , SB748 , SB2680 , SB2994 , SB2747 , SB1950 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB3059 , SB2637 , SB2334 , SB1861 , SB2043 , SB1367 , SB2857 , SB128 , SB3058 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2311 , SB1986 , SB2565 , SB2943 , SB1888 , SB2417 , SB3048 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3056 , SB3043 , SB3037 , SB3050 , SB3063 , SB3047 , SB3035 , SB2446 , SB466 , SB2611 , SB2794 , SB2105 , SB2017 , SB1790 , SB1778 , SB1730 , SB2995 , SB2847 , SB205 , SB2619 , SB1903 , SB203 , SB3061 , SB1581 , SB2600 , SB2799 , SB2790 , SB2688 , SB2515 , SB1230 , SB876 , SB2522 , SB2639 , SB2137 , SB2519 , SB2403 , SB2459 , SB3051 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB2764 , SB2878 , SB1884 , SB111 , SB582 , SB2617 , SB1835 , SB2751 , SB2063 , SB1400 , SB2058 , SB2260 , SB2928 , SB1310 , SB2566 , SB2344 , SB1897 , SB1749 , SB1361 , SB2549 , SB2553 , HJR2 , HJR1 , HB 1109 , HB517 , HB 1130 , HB1689 , HB2884 , HB1393 , HB2559 , HB26 , HB2756 , HB3204 , HB3012 , HB1327 , HB451 , HB 109 , HB206 , HB 1238 , HB2890 , HB9 , HB2081 , HB4215 , HB2970 , HB37 , HB1899 , HB3809 , HB334 , HB554 , HB1593 , HB2607 , HB3526 , HB3810 , HB5092 , HB388 , HB2809 , HB 1151 , HB913 , SB2919 , SB1782 , SB1705 , SB2696 , SB1944 , SB2215 , SB644 , HB3307 , HB879 , HB 116 , HB 12 , HB2703 , HB1610 , HB1615 , HB1620 , HB30 , HB21 , HCR7 , HCR75 , HCR86 , HCR92 , HCR93 , HCR126

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Tedrick Woods, followed by routine chamber actions including excusing Senator Gutierrez and receiving House messages that the House had passed HB 21 and HB 49. Senators also recognized advocates visiting the gallery on focal segmental glomerulosclerosis awareness and introduced the Doctor of the Day. The chamber adopted several resolutions, including HCR 66, by voice vote. The Senate then took up and passed a series of measures, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. Among the bills finally passed were HJR 2, which would prohibit state death taxes; HB 206, limiting counties from requiring cash bonds for pipeline construction; HB 517, barring property owners associations from fining homeowners for discolored vegetation during watering restrictions; HB 2756, requiring TDCJ correctional officers to receive de-escalation and behavioral health training; HB 451, expanding screening for commercial sexual exploitation risk among children in DFPS and TJJD custody; SB 705, cleaning up the air conditioning and refrigeration contractors advisory board; SB 2017, creating an offense for burnouts and wheelies; SB 1858, expanding body armor grant eligibility to ISDs; SB 1400, directing a study on transfer-student outcomes for community college funding; SB 2764, requiring notice to manufactured home buyers about converting homes to real property; SB 748, a licensing cleanup bill on laser hair removal; SB 2519, restricting certain ad valorem tax uses and bonds after amendment; SB 2878, the courts bill with amendments on Brazoria County courts and youth diversion provisions; SB 466, allowing families to request fetal death certificates at any gestational age; SB 1608, requiring timely physical exams for inpatient mental health admissions; SB 1730, limiting civil damages claims arising from certain uses of force or deadly force; SB 2417, clarifying Attorney General antitrust investigation work product and discovery rules; and SB 1946, creating a family violence, criminal homicide prevention task force. The Senate also passed HB 3204, renaming and updating the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University, and SB 1986, requiring opioid warning labels. Several bills drew brief debate or amendments. Senators discussed broader HOA reform while considering HB 517, and SB 2203 on TCEQ discovery procedures was amended to require party motions, set a 15-day expiration for certified issues, and limit hearing abatement. SB 2017 was amended to change the mens rea language from knowingly to intentional. SB 2519 was narrowed by amendment to a forward-looking policy statement separating maintenance-and-operation taxes from debt-service taxes. SB 2878 also received amendments to reduce the number of new Brazoria County courts and add youth diversion and crisis-response provisions. SB 466 prompted a floor debate over whether fetal death certificates are appropriate for pre-20-week losses, with supporters emphasizing family closure and opponents arguing the document has no estate-related purpose. SB 1730 also prompted questions about the relationship between criminal findings and civil liability in self-defense cases. The session concluded with additional House and Senate measures being signed in the presence of the Senate and continued consideration of SB 2177, a grant program to help local law enforcement solve violent and sexual offenses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Drawing strength from his faith, he endured clinical trials and more than a dozen rounds of brain surgery
• HB 5240 by Mirela Shaw relates to the creation of a pre-trial intervention or diversion program for certain
• relates to the impeachment or removal from office of certain public officers and governs the impeachment trial

Transcript Highlights:

• support, uh, the Judiciary, sorry, Hawaii Primary Care Association, the Legal Association, the Legal Clinic
• Measure adopted. for net term usage any discussion not for net term usage any discussion not trial<01
• c> all</c><01:16:49.239><c> members</c><01:16:49.560><c> president</c><01:16:49.840><c> anyone</c> trial
• site all members president anyone trial site all members president anyone voting<01:16:50.440><c> no

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Summary: The committees considered a large number of Senate bills, with many measures advanced either unamended or with technical or substantive amendments. Early action included SB 88 and SB 11 SD1, both passed unamended, and SB 562 SD1 and SB 642 SD1, which were passed with amendments reflecting agency testimony. SB 1133 SD1 was amended to remove duplicative county requirements and clarify tax credit carry-forward eligibility, while SB 1569 SD1 on sports wagering was deferred. Later, SB 933 on nonprofit/federal funding support drew strong testimony from nonprofit and health advocates emphasizing the risk of federal funding freezes and the importance of protecting services such as early learning, domestic violence support, housing, and workforce supports; the committee recommended amendments to define eligible organizations, require reporting, and include the Judiciary. SB 934 and SB 935 were also amended, with SB 934 tying mass transit funding to Honolulu project milestones and SB 935 revising retirement-system language to change “fewer than five years” to “five or more years.” The committees then took up additional measures with targeted amendments. SB 1033 was amended to clarify that the bill applies to legal entities, not individuals, though members noted concerns about closely held family corporations and asked that the issue be reflected in the committee report. SB 1166, SB 1249, and SB 1256 were advanced with amendments or committee-report notes reflecting concerns from the Attorney General, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and Hawaii Farmers Union United, respectively. SB 1432 and SB 137, both relating to electric utilities, were amended to require retention of covered employees after mergers or acquisitions and to direct the PUC to consider whether proposed transactions further state policy goals. SB 157 on antitrust was narrowed to focus on coordinator conduct in rental housing markets, SB 252 on invasive species received a defective effective date, and SB 336 on defense of state employers and employees passed unamended. SB 536 on the Hawaii Community Development Authority was deferred to a later hearing, and SB 1064 on medical cannabis was heavily amended to authorize cultivator licenses with limits on canopy size, license counts, physician fees, and a special-fund appropriation for enforcement. In the Ways and Means portion, the committee passed several bills unamended, including SB 19, SB 124, SB 264, SB 345, SB 422, and SB 741 and SB 747 later in the agenda. SB 361 was amended to remove references to the attorney general and delete an appropriation section, SB 438 was amended to redefine buffer zones and landfill-unit language, and SB 441 and SB 494 were amended to blank appropriations and, in SB 494, assign charter-school audit responsibility to the state auditor. SB 659 was substantially amended to promote local procurement, including county-level geographic preferences and higher thresholds for locally sourced purchases, and SB 732 was amended to adjust film tax credit provisions, including the streaming-platform definition and sunset-related language. SB 819 was amended to replace references to “educators” with “teachers.” Throughout, most measures were adopted without recorded opposition, though several members noted reservations on particular bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 971 by Representative Stagni, provides relative to rural health clinics, Medicaid reimbursement
• relates to child custody testimony, medical experts, and certain circumstances, and provides relative to trial

Bills: HR210 , HR211 , HR212 , HR213 , HR214 , HR215 , HR216 , HR217 , HR196 , HR197 , HR198 , HR199 , HR200 , HR201 , HR203 , HR204 , HR205 , HR206 , HR207 , HR208 , HR209 , HCR87 , HCR88 , HCR89 , HCR90 , HR118 , HCR63 , HCR69 , HCR86 , SCR6 , SCR18 , HB79 , HB165 , HB175 , HB198 , HB437 , HB457 , HB488 , HB603 , HB646 , HB763 , HB902 , HB909 , HB971 , HB981 , HB1066 , HB1089 , HB1099 , HB1125 , HB1154 , HB1231 , HB1245 , HB1246 , HB1247 , HB1248 , HB1249 , SB47 , SB82 , SB106 , SB206 , SB210 , SB248 , SB305 , SB376 , SB397 , SB441 , HCR41 , HCR76 , HCR77 , SCR19 , SCR3 , HB64 , HB68 , HB92 , HB316 , HB549 , HB578 , HB748 , HB798 , HB824 , HB988 , HB989 , HB1001 , HB1032 , HB1081 , HB1108 , HB1129 , HB1140 , HB1157 , HB1192 , HB1195 , HB1198 , HB1244 , HB167 , HB227 , HB243 , HB321 , HB335 , HB398 , HB492 , HB624 , HB689 , HB708 , HB804 , HB906 , HB926 , HB955 , HB968 , HB969 , HB978 , HB985 , HB1005 , HB1029 , HB1069 , HB1077 , HB1095 , HB1104 , HB1107 , HB1187 , HB1203 , HB1217 , HB1220 , SB73 , SB89 , SB128 , SB149 , SB191 , SB196 , SB238 , SB318 , SB340 , SB66 , SB68 , SB76 , SB139 , SB336 , SB475 , HCR32 , HB181 , HB1118 , HB1082 , HB225 , HB864 , HB1166 , HB1189 , HB59 , HB617 , HB897 , HB911 , HB1223 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB284 , HB306 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB459 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB682 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1113 , HB1180 , HB1234 , HB1240

Summary: The House met on April 27, 2026, with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of personal privileges recognizing Domestic Violence Prevention and Advocacy Day, Guarantee Corporation’s 100th anniversary, Delta Waterfowl, FFA and 4-H students, St. Bernard Parish Day, the Louisiana Notary Association, and New Orleans Day. The chamber also received Senate messages, committee reports, and introduced several resolutions, including measures on Gulf States renewable energy, asthma and allergy awareness, St. Bernard Parish Day, and other commemorations. The floor then took up a long series of bills and resolutions. Among the notable measures were House Bill 316 on literacy and tutoring, House Bill 578 changing statutory references from gender to sex, House Bill 748 expanding toll exemptions for school board vehicles, House Bill 101 redesignating a portion of U.S. Highway 190 as the Jesse Jackson Memorial Highway, House Bill 1032 cleaning up DWI terminology, House Bill 1081 transferring the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission, House Bill 1108 creating a homeschool pride prestige plate, House Bill 1129 giving in-state auctioneers preference for selling surplus state property, House Bill 1157 creating a Louisiana State Infrastructure Bank, House Bill 1192 creating a dental hygienist prestige plate, House Bill 1195 revising athletic commission rules and NIL-related provisions, House Bill 1198 barring arbitration in child custody and visitation matters, House Bill 181 allowing limited tax-data sharing for Medicaid/SNAP integrity, House Bill 1118 requiring disclosure of hospital ownership by real estate investment trusts, House Bill 1082 changing venue rules in suits involving municipal police employees’ retirement systems, House Bill 225 proposing a lifetime two-term limit for governor, House Bill 864 on municipal fire limits and storage of flammables, House Bill 1189 requiring captain’s licenses for certain freshwater charter guides, and House Bill 549 creating the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program. Most measures passed, often after brief debate and technical amendments. Several bills were recommitted or returned to the calendar, including House Bill 902, House Bill 1245, and House Bill 1247, while House Bill 225 failed on final passage. The House also considered and passed multiple Senate bills dealing with tax administration, child custody testimony, Supreme Court disciplinary jurisdiction over out-of-state lawyers, civil investigation demands in Medicaid fraud cases, service of process fees and notice, and permanent homestead exemption registration. The session ended with the House in recess after completing its bill agenda for the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• enforcing some of these laws and puts it in the hands of private qui tam relators and potentially even trial
• We closed the abortion clinics, but the abortion industry, which is a criminal syndicate, then figured

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a wide range of bills covering property, criminal justice, public safety, courts, insurance, housing, and family law. Early measures included HB 4343, which would let district courts set appraiser fees in condemnation cases at levels more comparable to private appraisers, and HB 4125, restoring firearm rights to certain nonviolent felons after meeting requirements. The committee also approved HB 4126 on liability protections for dirt bike tracks, HB 3471 expanding information protections for ongoing investigations by OBN, ABLE, and the Corporation Commission, and HB 3407 clarifying the process for abandoned manufactured homes on private property. Several bills were advanced on recorded votes, generally with strong support, including HB 2933, an omnibus insurance consumer protection bill, and HB 3453, which shifts the burden of proof in eminent domain cases to the condemning authority after amendment. A major point of debate was HB 3094, which would allow SDA license holders to carry firearms in the Capitol. Representative Jenkins argued the bill would align Oklahoma with other states and protect constituents who must leave firearms in vehicles; Department of Public Safety Director Tipton opposed it, citing safety, threat-assessment, and manpower concerns. Committee members questioned the bill’s practical effects, including screening, tracking, and whether the Capitol is truly a gun-free zone. The motion to advance HB 3094 failed on a 4-5 vote. The committee also rejected HB 3727, which would impose a four-year waiting period before former legislators could register as lobbyists, after members raised constitutional and free-speech concerns and the sponsor defended it as a revolving-door restriction. Other notable measures included HB 3845, restoring a driver’s license revocation tool for chronic child-support delinquency; HB 1453, barring foreign entities and individuals tied to designated countries from owning Oklahoma real property or agricultural land and requiring divestment; HB 387, extending garnishment timelines to 30 days; HB 2941, creating overdose reporting and fentanyl-related death presumptions; HB 2959, tightening mandatory child-abuse reporting from schools to law enforcement; and HB 2945, creating a civil qui tam action against trafficking in abortion-inducing drugs, which drew extensive questions about standing, privacy, enforcement, and intent but ultimately failed 3-5. The committee also advanced bills on child custody interview standards, workplace violence protective orders, utility debt collection through tax refunds, eviction mediation to stabilize housing for children, AI chatbot protections for children, supported decision-making for adults with disabilities, commercial receiverships, charitable reporting protections, notice publication errors for municipalities, uniform wage garnishment procedures, and ending cost arrest warrants for unpaid court fines and fees. Most bills were reported out by recorded vote, often with sponsors noting they would continue working on language with stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• we're trying to ensure that they're not just in detention for three months while they go through the trial
• middle-income families, small businesses, and others, which in turn will also shield hospitals and clinics

Bills: HB2 , SB152

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee heard a series of capital, bond, environmental, economic development, juvenile justice, and health care bills. Senate Bill 240, the capital outlay package, was presented as a $1.3 billion statewide appropriation, including discretionary capital projects and agency projects; after questions about CYFD projects and House/Senate capital allocations, the committee voted do pass on the committee substitute. House Bill 248, the general obligation bond package totaling about $392.5 million for senior centers, libraries, higher education, and tribal projects, also received a do pass after questions about project vetting, bond timing, and school bus funding. House Bill 80, which increases the share of oil and gas conservation tax revenue going to the Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund to speed orphan well plugging and site cleanup, drew strong support from business, environmental, and industry groups; members discussed funding balances, procurement bottlenecks, and the distinction between abandoned and orphan wells before voting do pass. House Bill 184, making technical fixes to the Conservation Legacy Permanent Fund and related distribution rules, passed with little debate. The committee also heard Senate Bill 172, which expands the TRIGGER program allowing companies to access national laboratory expertise; supporters from the labs, the governor’s office, universities, and business groups cited job creation, follow-on investment, and commercialization gains, while one senator raised concerns about the long extension of the program. The bill passed do pass. House Bill 95, creating a judge for the First and Second Judicial Districts, was described as matching a previously heard Senate bill and passed do pass. Senate Bill 165, a major juvenile justice bill, generated the most extensive debate: the sponsor said it updates the juvenile code, raises the age for certain serious offenses, extends services for youth sentenced as adults, and expands community corrections; law enforcement supported it, while the Public Defender, youth advocates, the ACLU, and a Bernalillo County commissioner opposed it, arguing it expands adult sentencing and relies too heavily on incarceration. Despite those objections, the committee voted do pass. Finally, House Bill 4, which increases the Health Care Affordability Fund distribution to support premium assistance and related coverage programs, was amended so that a portion of the premium surtax would go to the Behavioral Health Program Fund and any unexpended balance would revert to the affordability fund. Supporters from BeWell, health advocacy groups, the insurance office, and homeless services said the bill would protect coverage gains and help offset federal changes; members asked about the amendment’s effect on the behavioral health fund and the bill’s flexibility if revenues decline. The amendment was adopted, and discussion on the bill continued.