Transcript Highlights:

• self-worth to be constantly measured in self-worth to be constantly measured in an<00:37:58.000> AI
• 58.920> blurs<00:37:59.400> the<00:37:59.520> lines<00:38:00.000> of an AI
• world that blurs the lines of an AI world that blurs the lines of truth<00:38:00.680> and<00:
• you know, there were some bills<00:58:17.880> like<00:58:18.040> the<00:58:18.200> AI
• <00:58:18.400> notification<00:58:19.040> bill bills like the AI notification bill

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think if there is a problem, you could ask KF or the Ethics Committee if you could spend that money
• And I think if there is a problem, you could ask KF or the Ethics Committee if you could spend that money
• And I think if there is a problem, you could ask KF or the Ethics Committee if you could spend that money
• don't think I have a yes button today, but I think this is a duplication because we already have an Ethics
• ><00:15:14.800> already<00:15:15.079> have<00:15:15.199> an<00:15:15.320> Ethics

Keywords: Consideration of HB 373 02:30 Consideration of HB 455 10:05, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with opening prayer, pledge, and procedural reminders, then took up two election-related bills. House Bill 373, sponsored by Rep. Wade Williams, would modernize campaign finance law to allow campaign funds to pay for reasonable security measures for state candidates, officeholders, their families, and campaign or office staff. Williams said the bill uses campaign funds only, not state dollars, and is modeled on recently changed federal language. Members discussed whether the coverage included all state officeholders and close family members, and supporters cited increasing threats and harassment toward public officials; one member opposed the bill, warning about possible misuse and fraud. The bill passed with favorable expression. The committee then heard House Bill 455, sponsored by Rep. Patrick Flannery, which creates an Office of Election Investigations and Security within the Attorney General’s office. Flannery said the bill would codify existing practices, establish a complaint and allegation review process, create a voter fraud hotline, and provide for investigations, referrals, and legislative oversight. Members asked about cost and whether the office duplicated existing functions such as the Public Integrity Office; Flannery responded that the bill creates a statutorily defined office and is intended to make the process less dependent on who holds the office. Supporters said the measure could improve transparency and voter trust, while opponents argued it duplicates existing agencies, could increase government size and cost, and might expose people to harassment or retaliation. The bill also passed with favorable expression, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• requirements and an ethics board in New Hampshire.
• requirements and an ethics board in New Hampshire.
• requirements and an ethics board in New Hampshire.
• requirements and an ethics board in New Hampshire.
• requirements and an ethics board in New Hampshire.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• mentioned a minute ago, which is, you know, Nuclear is going to be key for making sure that we win the AI
• Electricity demand is surging due to the rapid growth of U.S. manufacturing and AI in the manufacturing
• He has called nuclear essential to his energy dominance agenda and the global AI race.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have never done this in the history of this body except for ethics investigations, and I don't do
• this body done this in the history of this body except<00:01:38.600> for<00:01:38.840> ethics
• <00:01:39.200> investigations, except for ethics investigations, except for ethics investigations
• that three of those U.S. attorneys have now resigned, by all accounts because of pressure to take on ethical
• that three of those U.S. attorneys have now resigned, by all accounts because of pressure to take on ethical

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee debated whether to issue a subpoena to Representative Ilhan Omar for documents and communications related to the Feeding Our Future investigation and the federal U.S. v. Aimee Bock trial exhibits. The chair argued that Omar’s office had been named in trial exhibits, that prior requests for testimony and documents had gone unanswered, and that the committee needed the materials to understand the role of the Meals Act and related communications in creating conditions for fraud. Supporters said the request was part of a broader effort to examine Minnesota’s larger fraud problems and to obtain records they believed were relevant and public despite a court protective order; opponents questioned the timing, the committee’s need for the information, and the precedent of subpoenaing a sitting member of Congress, while also arguing federal authorities could pursue any wrongdoing themselves. Members discussed whether the committee had first requested the materials in April 2026 or earlier, whether the documents could be obtained directly from the court or the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and how the information would be used given that the committee was nearing the end of its work. The chair said staff had tried PACER and the federal court, but that the exhibits themselves were under a protective order binding the parties, not the legislature or Omar. Critics said the subpoena was unnecessary and politically motivated; supporters said it was needed for transparency and accountability in the Feeding Our Future probe and related fraud patterns. A roll call was taken on the motion to issue the subpoena. The committee voted 5-3 in favor, but the chair noted that Minnesota law required a two-thirds vote, so the motion failed and the subpoena was not issued. The chair said she would continue trying to contact Representative Omar’s office and hoped for a response.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Actually, if you just ask Google AI, it'll actually tell you.
• I think it tells you. >> That's AI. >> I don't need it. >> Oh, so you're the one who wrote the answers
• ask >> Actually if you just ask >> Actually if you just ask Google<02:13:14.280> AI
• I think it tells you >> That's<02:13:18.640> AI. >> That's AI.
• >> That's AI.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began as a Committee of Conference on House Bill 194, but the discussion quickly centered on whether to remove an attached bill, 504, because of concerns about a possible fee or tax and a House rule issue. Members debated the procedural posture of the bill, whether the House version had been non-concurred, and whether the conference committee could still resolve the issue by adopting the House amendment or reconsidering the non-concur. The exchange became tense, with one side warning that failing to pass the measure could jeopardize a linked rural health transformation grant worth about $20 million. The committee ultimately recessed without resolving the 194/504 dispute and planned to return the next day. The committee then opened conference on House Bill 609, which dealt with use-of-force/self-defense language and restraint/seclusion authority in health care settings. On the self-defense portion, House members argued strongly for restoring vehicle language, saying people should be able to defend themselves in a car the same way they can in a home, especially in carjacking or assault situations where no weapon is displayed. Senate members expressed concern about expanding deadly-force protections too broadly and suggested narrowing the language to focus on imminent harm to the person, not property, while also questioning where the provision should be placed in statute. The second major topic in HB 609 was who may order restraint or seclusion in clinical settings. House members argued that physicians are not always immediately available, especially in hospitals and emergency settings, and that APRNs and physician associates should be able to act in crises if properly trained and credentialed. Senate members raised concerns about scope of practice and asked whether the language implied patient consent was required; the Senate side explained that consent language was intended to address capacity and informed decision-making, not to require voluntary consent to restraint. The discussion ended with the sides still apart, though the Senate floated a compromise allowing physician associates to order restraint when no doctor is physically on the premises, while not yet extending that authority to APRNs. The committee took a short break to continue negotiations on the firearm/self-defense piece.

Transcript Highlights:

• But do you factor AI? I... Thanks, Lori, for your presentation.
• But do you factor AI and robotics into doing a lot of these jobs?
• There are some preliminary discussions about how AI is going to work in the industry.
• What I will say... ...discussions about how AI is going to work in the industry.
• interested in replacing jobs of people with AI.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in therapy and psychotherapy by requiring informed patient consent for certain uses and restricting AI
• in therapy and psychotherapy by requiring informed patient consent for certain uses and restricting AI

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Higher Education Committee met on May 5 and considered 12 bills, with most measures relating to higher education administration, student services, and professional licensing. The committee advanced a rural teacher loan repayment program for teachers serving underserved rural areas, a SUNY/CUNY mental health staffing requirement, a bill allowing SED access to patient or client records in professional misconduct cases, an AI-in-therapy regulation bill, cross-profession supervision for certain mental health professionals, an extension of limited permits for social workers, continuing education requirements for acupuncturists, and updated supervision rules for physical therapy assistants. One bill reorganizing SUNY police was held for further negotiations with SUNY, SUNY police, and stakeholders. Two Article 7, Section 2, subdivision E motions for committee consideration were taken up. Senator Rose’s bill to withhold financial aid from SUNY or CUNY institutions that permit organizations designated as terrorist organizations was defeated after several senators voted no or without recommendation. Senator Kanzanari Fitzpatrick’s bill requiring anti-Semitism awareness training, incident reporting, and compliance with state reporting rules for higher education institutions was approved and sent to the Codes Committee, with some senators voting without recommendation because they viewed the subject as already covered by existing law. The committee also reported Senator Rivera’s nurse practitioner conformity bill to the floor, and several other bills were reported either to the floor or to Finance depending on their fiscal impact. Most measures were approved without opposition, though some senators voted without recommendation on bills they said overlapped with existing statutes or prior legislation. The meeting adjourned at 10:52 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we're going to take up Tab 46, appointment to the Commission on Ethics.
• Senators, we have a reappointment for Tina Descovic as a member of the Commission on Ethics.
• When President Gaetz was appointed to the Ethics Commission, didn't he appear for his appointment to
• Chair, there wasn't a real question about whether or not someone who's going to sit in a state ethics
• Senator Pizzo, this has been on the agenda, and I've been on the ethics and elections committee.

Summary: The Rules Committee took up a large agenda of bills, with many measures reported favorably after brief explanations, amendments, and testimony. Early bills included CS/SB 658 on lien waivers and releases, which was amended to preserve enforceability despite form differences and then passed; CS/CS/SB 736 on brownfields redevelopment, which drew support from business and redevelopment interests and passed; and CS/SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, which was amended to bar certain building or fire code provisions affecting fuel-source choices and then passed despite opposition from environmental advocates. The committee also advanced CS/CS/SB 1132 on right-to-repair for certain equipment, where manufacturers, dealer representatives, and industry groups warned the bill could undermine dealer networks and existing repair programs, while supporters argued it would improve consumer access and help farmers and equipment owners. The bill still passed. Other measures reported favorably included CS/SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of property-damage crashes, CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign-country controlling interests in health care licensing, CS/SB 772 on school access to glucagon for diabetes emergencies, CS/SB 1400 on removal of nonconsensual altered sexual depictions, and CS/SB 1696 on transportation network company impersonation and transit funding. A major portion of the meeting focused on affordable housing. CS/SB 1730, a follow-up to the Live Local Act, made several changes to zoning, height, density, parking, moratorium, and enforcement provisions, with members raising concerns about parking reductions, attorney’s fees, local control, and impacts in the Keys and other sensitive areas. Supporters said the bill closes loopholes and improves workforce housing implementation, while some witnesses urged additional exemptions for areas of critical state concern. The bill was reported favorably after amendment. Later, the committee considered several bills from Senator Leak, including CS/SB 576 on service of process, CS/SB 606 on public lodging and food service establishments, and CS/SB 1164 on electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices. CS/SB 606 drew substantial debate over whether hotels and extended-stay properties should be able to remove nonpaying guests without treating them like residential tenants; the sponsor said the bill clarifies transient occupancy and removes mandatory arrest provisions, and it passed. CS/SB 1164, which allows email notice delivery by agreement, passed despite concerns from tenant advocates that the bill should include clearer consent and safeguards. The committee also approved CS/SB 1374 on school district reporting of educator arrests and misconduct, CS/SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation sales, and began hearing CS/SB 1690 on surrendered infants, which would authorize infant safety devices or “baby boxes” as a legal surrender option, with supportive testimony from proponents describing crisis situations and the need for anonymous surrender options.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, after our last deliberation, um, I did speak with the ethics commission and I said, “Hey, do you
• um commission director and I the ethics um commission director and I asked<01:01:50.400> him,
• Again, the ethics commission... speaker or for Repamoto? speaker or for Repamoto?
• Again, the ethics commission, the standard for conflict of interest under the code of ethics in HRS Chapter
• ethics commission does not interpret our House rules and our conflict of interest.

Bills: HB2117, HB2155, HB1832, HB1601, HB2297, HB2397, HB1893, HB2533, HB1890, HB2004, HB1810, HB2323, HB1691, HB1671, HB2619, HB1481, HB2314, HB2319, HB2214, HB2488, HB2009, HB2007, HB1964, HB2218, HB1535, HB1977, HB2054, HB2046, HB146, HB2094, HB2181, HB2515, HB2444, HB2385, HB1724, HB1733, HB2416, HB2001, HB1603, HB1753, HB2140, HB1962, HB1963, HB2096, HB1959, HB1960, HB2293, HB2288, HB1752, HB1573, HB469, HB2091, HB1851, HB1688, HB1696, HB2417, HB2375, HB2333, HB2152, HB1881, HB2395, HB1721, HB1921, HB1730, HB1697, HB1824, HB2282, HB2078, HB2321, HB2279, HB1522, HB2097, HB2433, HB2106, HB2274, HB2452, HB1764, HB2438, HB1860, HB2604, HB2118, HB2017, HB2216, HB1934, HB2454, HB2427, HB2207, HB1840, HB1644, HB1645, HB1946, HB1648, HB2324, HB1509, HB1514, HB1515, HB2164, HB2165, HB2283, HB2386

Keywords: arts education, data mapping, task force, creative economy, cultural preservation, workforce development, geographic information systems, agriculture, data collection, statistical program, sustainable practices, Hawaii, aquaculture, biosecurity, food security, sustainable seafood, regulatory framework, interagency coordination, environmental stewardship, invasive species

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:22:39.600> Representative that the bill ai pass.
• Representative that the bill ai pass.
• conduct and Hampshire educators code of conduct and code<04:55:22.320> of<04:55:22.480> ethics
• c> training<04:55:23.520> or<04:55:23.840> Title<04:55:24.160> 9 code of ethics
• training or Title 9 code of ethics training or Title 9 investigation<04:55:25.280> training<04

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• providers to get money to be able to potentially do an electronic medical record or cyber security or AI
• providers to get money to be able to potentially do an electronic medical record or cyber security or AI
• in surgeries and to improve diagnostic safety and stewardship, including the latest technology and AI
• technological advances and<01:04:13.599> even<01:04:14.160> emerging<01:04:14.640> AI
• tools on in the technology and AI tools on in the market. market. market.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the draft minutes of its May 16, 2025 meeting, with one correction removing Representative Dry from the attendance list because she was present as a guest rather than an appointed member. The committee then received a Department of Health and Human Services update from Commissioner Lori Weaver, who focused on the rural health transformation grant process. She said the department has been gathering stakeholder input since July, issued a request for information on September 22, and is working toward an end-of-October draft and a November 3 deadline, with a grant writer request expected to go before Governor and Council at no cost to the state. The bulk of the meeting centered on federal changes affecting SNAP and Medicaid. Karen Heert explained that the federal law changes commonly referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill” or HR1 will affect SNAP eligibility and state costs, including a shift in administrative cost sharing from 50/50 to 75/25 beginning in October 2026 and a possible state share of benefits if New Hampshire’s error rate is too high. She said the program affects about 43,000 households, that New Hampshire’s federal fiscal year 2024 error rate was 7.57% versus a national rate of 10.93%, and that the state must get below 6% to avoid liability. She also said DHS is preparing remediation steps, auditing cases, and seeking technology and staffing support, including a grant for automation and training. Henry Litman then described Medicaid changes under HB2 and the new federal law. He said New Hampshire returned to pre-pandemic eligibility verification rules on July 1, including a 10% income compatibility standard and reduced ex parte renewals, which has increased manual work and contributed to a drop in enrollment from about 185,000 in late June to about 178,000 in early September. He also reviewed new child premiums, pharmacy copays, Granite Advantage premiums, and possible Medicaid work requirements, noting that DHS is working with CMS on implementation details and may use a state plan option rather than an 1115 waiver because it would be less expensive and faster. Members asked several questions about the SNAP error-rate rules, the distinction between administrative and client errors, the effect of unpaid copays, and the timing and legal risk of the Medicaid work requirement; no votes were taken on those policy issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• , both to avoid local governments and state agencies from being overwhelmed by tens of thousands of AI-generated
• , both to avoid local governments and state agencies from being overwhelmed by tens of thousands of AI-generated
• This is an attempt to get ahead of it by making sure that the fundamental legal principle is clear: AI
• AI agents are not humans. I ask for an aye vote. So, you know, mics up.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and approval of the Senate journals. Members then considered several gubernatorial appointments to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Despite protest from Senator Grove over the lack of action on a separate rehabilitation appointment, the Senate confirmed Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle, Jason Johnson, Madeline McLean, Brian Bishop, and Sarah Larson, with each confirmation passing overwhelmingly or unanimously. The chamber next adopted Senate Resolution 86 recognizing Cinco de Mayo Week and the 2026 Latino Spirit Award honorees. Senators from multiple caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing Mexican history, Latino civic engagement, and solidarity across communities. The Latino Caucus then introduced the honorees, including leaders in higher education, philanthropy, labor, health, advocacy, environmental justice, journalism, culinary arts, and the legacy band Los Tigres del Norte. The Senate also adopted SCR 146 declaring May Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, and SCR 154 establishing Green Star Veterans and Families Day to honor veterans who died by service-related suicide and their families. Later, the Senate adopted SCR 123 for California Peace Officers Memorial Day after emotional remarks naming officers killed in the line of duty and honoring their families, and SCR 164 recognizing Black Health Equity Advocacy Week, with speakers citing racial disparities in health outcomes and maternal mortality. The body also adopted SCR 103 on Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week, with a guest recognition for a behavioral health advocate. In third reading, the Senate passed SB 1159 on artificial intelligence and public participation, SB 1416 shortening refund timelines for duplicate medical/dental payments, SB 1273 and SB 1195 on alcoholic beverage tied-house exemptions, SB 941 limiting commissary markups in private detention facilities, SB 1099 clarifying local authority to provide public benefits, and SB 990 allowing a highway information sign near Ridgecrest. The session concluded with adjournments in memory of labor leader Kent Wong and Navy veteran and artist Victor Valar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Artificial Intelligence State Agency's Rules, requires ADOA to have budget units identify the adoption of AI
• system solutions that reduce administrative burden and eliminate regulations that unnecessarily restrict AI
• It also prohibits a budget unit from adopting rules specifically regulating AI systems if the legislature
• It also requires that any emergency or temporary rule that specifically regulates AI systems be brought

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee worked through a very long minority caucus calendar covering a wide range of bills, with many items being described and then either left on consent, pulled from consent, or noted for votes. Topics included bullion and state depository proposals, a produce incentive appropriation, a biennial budget change, veterans services funding, driver licensing and traffic enforcement measures, procurement and public records changes, school board and school facilities rules, SNAP work requirements and verification, child welfare and juvenile justice provisions, housing and homelessness measures, energy and fuel policy, election administration, and several tax, commerce, and licensing bills. Members repeatedly raised concerns about constitutionality, federal preemption, duplication of existing law, and whether some measures were policy priorities that had been vetoed in prior sessions and were returning unchanged. Several bills drew extended debate. Members objected to English-proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and motor carriers, arguing federal law and the supremacy clause would bar them. Earned wage access regulation prompted strong opposition over consumer harm, overdraft cycles, and high effective APRs. School-related bills were criticized for overregulating public schools while not imposing similar requirements on ESA/private-school programs, especially on fingerprint clearance and reporting. SNAP-related bills were also opposed as setting unrealistic mandates and repeating vetoed proposals. Other contested measures included a drag-show criminalization bill, a bill restricting photo enforcement, a bill limiting local regulation of unmanned aircraft, and a bill conforming Arizona tax law to federal changes, which members said would benefit wealthy taxpayers and corporations without a clear funding source. The committee also heard a number of supportive or less controversial measures, including bills on veterans awareness, dementia care telemonitoring, Braille transcription funding, CPA licensure pathways, cash acceptance by retailers, and some child safety and court administration changes. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, while others were noted as having unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The meeting ended with caucus announcements, including an affordability award presentation, an upcoming Latino Caucus discussion on community land trusts, and an invitation to African American Legislative Day activities, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So a lot in the pipeline there, a variety of different—from clean energy to quantum to AI prosthetics
• So a lot in the pipeline there, a variety of different—from clean energy to quantum to AI prosthetics
• So a lot in the pipeline there, a variety of different—from clean energy to quantum to AI prosthetics
• From clean energy to quantum to AI prosthetics companies to a whole variety of different areas along

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of that has to do with how the Board of Animal Health has handled high path AI.
• board of animal health has handled high board of animal health has handled high path<00:13:48.959> AI
• 50.639> for<00:13:50.800> the<00:13:50.959> board<00:13:51.120> of path AI
• Um, funding for the board of path AI.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up the conference committee report on House File 2446, the agriculture budget bill for the Department of Agriculture. Representative Anderson explained that the conference agreement kept the core House and Senate priorities while accepting some Senate policy provisions and fee increases, including grain license fees and food handling fees. He said the overall target was reduced, but major programs were preserved, including funding for the Board of Animal Health, egg emergency and inspection programs, elk and wolf compensation, milk processing capacity, farm safety and innovation, a new bioefficiency program to reduce fertilizer use in limited areas, and increased meat inspection funding. Representative Hansen and several other members urged adoption, describing the bill as a bipartisan “hybrid” that reflects changing agriculture and includes both traditional farm support and newer priorities. Supporters highlighted food assistance and worker protections, including funding to offset federal cuts to local food purchasing and milk distribution programs, farm-to-school and early care programs, avian flu testing, urban agriculture, and a study to expand Olmsted County’s soil health and nitrate reduction work. Some members noted concerns about fees, while others emphasized support for all types of agriculture, cottage food bakers, and the role of farm workers. After debate, the House adopted the conference committee report and advanced the bill. Following further discussion, the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a roll call vote of 130 ayes and 4 nays, and its title was agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• AI has the potential to revolutionize interdiction by identifying smuggling patterns and improving real-time
• What is AMO doing to fully leverage AI and next-generation technology to stop traffickers before drugs
• Yeah, so AI has changed the game when you're, for example, if you're some of our radars and they're tracking
• And that's where we use AI, machine learning, building algorithms that can identify patterns. to point

Keywords: Coast Guard, maritime drug enforcement, illegal drugs, fentanyl crisis, legislative reforms, public testimony

Summary: The meeting of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation addressed critical issues surrounding maritime drug enforcement and the Coast Guard's role in stopping the influx of illegal drugs. The chairman highlighted the alarming consequences of current policies allowing drugs to cross borders, emphasizing the need for legislative reforms, such as the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2025. There was an intense discussion regarding the operational challenges faced by the Coast Guard, which has recently made significant drug seizures, indicating progress but also revealing gaps that need addressing. Several witnesses, including victims of the drug crisis, shared their compelling testimonies, which underscored the urgency for stricter controls and comprehensive support for law enforcement agencies involved in drug interdiction efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:02.640> All Thank you, Madam Chair, and members of the Ethics Committee.
• He said that, although this is an ethics committee, they are not addressing an ethics complaint but an
• Um, you know, knowing it's, again, ethics, but we're not here to address an ethics complaint, but an
• Um, you know, knowing it's, again, ethics, but we're not here to address an ethics complaint, but an
• Um, you know, knowing it's, again, ethics, but we're not here to address an ethics complaint, but an

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• David Bore along with ethics. So what this... Mr. David Bore, along with ethics.
• So I think ethics typically upholds this, and we do have Mr.

Summary: The committee met on May 12 with a quorum present and first took up HCR 74 by Representative Beham, which would establish a Louisiana-United Kingdom Trade Commission. The author said the proposal would mirror the existing Louisiana-Ireland trade commission and serve as an umbrella group to promote exchanges in trade, academics, financial services, insurance, economic development, and the arts. Members asked about the commission’s purpose and whether members would be paid; the author said they would not be compensated. Representative Marcelle spoke in support, citing the benefits of the Ireland commission, and the committee reported HCR 74 favorably without objection. The committee then considered SCR 38 by Senator Klein-Peter, which repeals Joint Rule No. 7 relating to the Atchafalaya Basin Program Oversight Committee. Technical amendments to the title were offered and adopted. The senator explained the measure was tied to a separate study commission he had created to address water quality and sediment issues in the Atchafalaya Basin, which he said were contributing to stagnant hypoxia and harming the fishing industry. Members discussed sediment, dredging, runoff, and possible ways to manage river silt, and Representative Marcelle expressed interest in the water-quality effort. The resolution was reported favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 495 by Senator Klein-Peter on campaign finance disclosures. The bill would raise the threshold for unitemized contributions from $200, change the definition of participation in elections to focus on making expenditures, extend the annual report deadline from February 28 to March 15, allow leadership PACs to pay for replacing or cleaning items damaged in connection with public office, and treat the second party primary as an election for filing purposes. The author said the bill was shortened from a much larger draft after working with ethics staff and was intended to make reporting more practical for campaigns and PACs. The transcript cuts off before any final action on SB 495 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• David Bore along with ethics. So what this... Mr. David Bore, along with ethics.
• So I think ethics typically upholds this, and we do have Mr.

Bills: HCR74, HCR95, HB705, HB1048, SCR23, SCR31, SCR38, SB49, SB233, SB307, SB326, SB387, SB401, SB435, SB495

Keywords: trade commission, international relations, Louisiana, United Kingdom, economic exchange, cultural exchange, infrastructure investment, sales tax, exemptions, credits, rebates, uniformity, legislative rules, fiscal report, contempt, legislature, disorderly conduct, bribery, arrest, legislative privilege

Summary: The House and Governmental Affairs Committee met on May 12 with a quorum present and took up several measures. It first heard HCR 74, which would establish a Louisiana-United Kingdom Trade Commission modeled after the existing Louisiana-Ireland commission. The author said the commission would serve as an umbrella group to promote exchanges in trade, academics, financial services, economic development, and the arts, with no compensation for members. After brief questions and supportive testimony from a member familiar with the Ireland commission, the committee reported HCR 74 favorably. The committee then considered SCR 38, which repeals Joint Rule No. 7 related to the Atchafalaya Basin Program Oversight Committee. The author explained that the repeal was tied to a separate study commission on Atchafalaya Basin water quality, aimed at addressing sediment buildup, stagnant hypoxia, and harm to the fishing industry. Members discussed sediment management and water quality concerns, and the committee adopted a technical amendment to the title before reporting the resolution favorably, as amended. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 495 on campaign finance disclosures. The author described a series of changes, including raising the threshold for unitemized individual contributions to $200, adjusting when a PAC is considered to be participating in an election, extending the annual report deadline from February 28 to March 15, and allowing leadership PAC funds to cover replacement or repair of items damaged in connection with public office. The transcript cuts off during the bill presentation, so no final action on SB 495 is shown.