Transcript Highlights:

• relative to bail, to provide relative to contradictory bail hearings, and to provide for certain offenses
• Constitution relative to the right to bail, to prohibit bail for offenders who become convicted of certain offenses
• House Bill 635 by Representative Horton is an act in Title 40 relative to offenses affecting organized
• House bill 635 by Representative Horton is an act in total 40 relative to offenses affecting organized
• House Bill 1034 by Representative Bacala is an act in Title 14 relative to offenses affecting the public

Bills: SR110, SR109, SCR58, SCR59, SCR12, HB198, HB225, HB508, HB512, HB599, HB632, HB763, HB909, HB971, HB989, HB1066, HB1171, HB1204, HB1231, HB1246, HB1248, HB1250, HB221, HCR41, HCR63, HCR76, HCR77, HCR86, HCR92, HCR93, HCR58, SB83, SB135, SB143, SB155, SB157, SB202, SB237, SB261, SB276, SB295, SB388, SB450, SB465, HB17, HB21, HB42, HB45, HB51, HB55, HB74, HB106, HB108, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB168, HB215, HB226, HB263, HB296, HB299, HB322, HB324, HB364, HB519, HB535, HB538, HB568, HB571, HB622, HB635, HB676, HB772, HB784, HB821, HB823, HB1006, HB1018, HB1033, HB1034, HB1043, HB1070, HB1134, HB1237, HB1239, SB162, SB382, SR93, SCR40, SCR30, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB228, SB246, SB249, SB268, SB269, SB282, SB283, SB296, SB323, SB338, SB363, SB369, SB408, SB431, SB474, SB484, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB501, SB513, HCR6, HCR31, HB297, HB305, HB336, HB337, HB351, HB436, HB594, HB789, HB956, HB957, HB995, HB1040, HB50, HB117, HB120, HB122, HB139, HB148, HB149, HB185, HB247, HB271, HB286, HB301, HB358, HB359, HB384, HB413, HB428, HB450, HB462, HB547, HB613, HB631, HB657, HB669, HB675, HB680, HB691, HB712, HB716, HB720, HB723, HB727, HB728, HB735, HB747, HB759, HB825, HB842, HB845, HB846, HB903, HB904, HB907, HB923, HB929, HB941, HB962, HB965, HB1036, HB287, HB370, HB515, HB521, HB570, HB1200, HB29, HB39, HB58, HB67, HB73, HB76, HB77, HB82, HB112, HB121, HB125, HB132, HB134, HB151, HB154, HB155, HB161, HB166, HB187, HB191, HB207, HB211, HB224, HB238, HB241, HB242, HB250, HB260, HB265, HB275, HB300, HB320, HB338, HB339, HB349, HB379, HB399, HB427, HB463, HB464, HB468, HB545, HB550, HB551, HB565, HB588, HB639, HB725, HB782, HB805, HB808, HB834, HB847, HB853, HB858, HB861, HB883, HB916, HB937, HB977, HB1012, HB1027, HB1044, HB1054, HB1091, HB1117, HB90, HB127, HB138, HB150, HB201, HB268, HB273, HB285, HB315, HB354, HB355, HB360, HB376, HB445, HB506, HB606, HB649, HB665, HB681, HB721, HB746, HB757, HB781, HB835, HB844, HB857, HB872, HB886, HB889, HB892, HB972, HB982, HB987, HB1037, HB1068, HB1072, HB1078, HB1085, HB1132, HB1137, HB1167, HB1174, HB1232, HB1238, HB36, HB119, HB126, HB129, HB245, HB280, HB677, HB726, HB850, HB966, SB68, SB149

Keywords: youth fitness, school achievement, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana Governor's Games, elementary education, Louisiana Arts Day, arts and culture, cultural heritage, artists, musicians, writers, performers, culture bearers, tourism, creative economy, economic impact, cultural sector, Louisiana Partnership for the Arts, festivals, visual arts

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard a prayer from Dr. Michael Sprague, and recited the pledge. The body then suspended the rules to welcome House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who highlighted federal-state cooperation and credited Louisiana lawmakers with helping advance policies such as no tax on overtime, expanded energy development, and major business investment in the state. The chamber also recognized several visiting groups and observances, including Leadership Lafayette, the new Orleans Parish sheriff, Pro-Life Day at the Capitol, Recreation and Parks Day/Month, Main Street Day, LMA Day, and Links Day, with multiple resolutions adopted or concurred in for those recognitions. On legislation, the Senate handled a mix of committee reports, House messages, and floor action. It concurred in House Concurrent Resolution 92 and 93, adopted SCR 60, SR 11, SR 93, and SCR 40, and advanced or adopted numerous bills and resolutions. Notable measures included workers’ compensation bills SB 162, SB 382, and SB 408; SB 500 on medical review panels and certificates of merit; SB 268 and SB 228 on lead service line replacement and use of public funds; SB 338 on school bullying prevention; SB 431 on towing and storage access; HB 297 on lease termination for stalking and cyberstalking victims; HB 305 on child sexual abuse material evidence handling; HB 336 on post-conviction relief timelines; HB 436 allowing veterans to serve as park police/wardens; HB 594 designating SCN2A Day; HB 957 on prisoner transfer notifications; HB 995 on videotaped statements; HB 1040 on juvenile detention board membership; HB 117 reauthorizing the Department of State; HB 120, HB 122, HB 139, HB 247, and HB 286 creating or adjusting local districts; and HB 185 clarifying independent contractor coverage in workers’ compensation. Several bills were amended on the floor before passage, including SB 382, SB 500, SB 431, SB 338, and HB 185, while some measures were returned to the calendar or referred to committees. The Senate also received and referred a large number of House bills and concurrent resolutions on topics including health care reimbursement, criminal procedure, education, insurance, natural resources, transportation, and local governance. Votes recorded in the transcript were generally favorable, with many measures passing unanimously or by wide margins, though a few drew opposition, such as HB 185 and HB 957.

Transcript Highlights:

• Procedure relative to bail to provide relative to contradictory bail hearings and provide for certain offenses
• Constitution relative to the right to bail, to prohibit bail for offenders who become convicted of certain offenses
• House Bill 635 by Representative Horton is an act in Title 40 relative to offenses affecting organized
• House Bill 635 by Representative Horton is an act in Title 40 relative to offenses affecting organized
• House Bill 1034 by Representative Bacala is an act in Title 14 relative to offenses affecting the public

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Barrow and Representative Carpenter, Code of Criminal Procedure and bail, relative to the type of offense
• House Bill 998 by Representative Freeman, relative to examinations for victims of certain offenses and
• Bill 321, Mervastonville Floor, provides relative to victims of human trafficking, prostitution offenses
• House Bill 969 by Representative Wiley provides relative to compensation for victims of criminal offenses
• House Bill 985 by Representative Dickerson; sex offenses; provides for identification procedures for

Bills: HR218, HR219, HR220, HR221, HR222, HCR91, HCR92, HCR93, HR210, HR211, HR212, HR213, HR214, HR215, HR216, SCR29, SCR38, SB100, HR171, HCR49, HCR65, SCR23, HB276, HB508, HB512, HB599, HB632, HB656, HB998, HB1052, HB1084, HB1171, HB1193, HB1194, HB1204, HB1209, HB1250, SB2, SB19, SB24, SB50, SB70, SB96, SB101, SB103, SB104, SB114, SB122, SB159, SB160, SB173, SB180, SB182, SB260, SB412, SB418, SB424, SB442, SB460, SB476, HCR41, HCR76, HCR77, HCR63, HCR69, HCR86, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, HB64, HB68, HB92, HB130, 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, HB730, HB225, HB175, HB198, HB437, HB457, HB488, HB646, HB763, HB909, HB971, HB981, HB1066, HB1089, HB1125, HB1154, HB1231, HB1246, HB1248, HB1249, SB47, SB82, SB106, SB206, SB210, SB248, SB305, SB376, SB397, SB441, HCR32, HB59, HB617, HB897, HB911, HB1223, HB798, HB824, HB989, HB1140, HB1166, HB1244, HB901, HB79, HR20, HR74, HB284, HB306, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB996, HB1035, HB1113, HB1180, HB1234, HB1240, SB89

Keywords: EJ Fields, Shreveport, Louisiana, gospel music, commendation, resolution, honorary resolution, Billboard Gospel Airplay, Mediabase Gospel Airplay, Mercy Endureth, music award, ministry, artist recognition, cultural heritage, spiritual heritage, African American gospel, local hero, state commendation, St. Charles Parish, parish day

Summary: The House met with 89 members present and began with prayer, the pledge, and routine journal and leave requests. The early part of the session was largely ceremonial, with multiple personal privilege remarks recognizing visiting groups and special days at the Capitol, including St. Bernard Parish Day, Gulf States Renewable Energy Industries Association Day, ARPEC members, retired public servant Barney Arsenault, Deaf History Month, Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, Young Farmers and Ranchers, Louisiana Housing Corporation participants, and Louisiana Hospital Day. The chamber also received Senate messages, including concurrence in several House concurrent resolutions, Senate passage of a number of bills, and a list of Senate resolutions lying over. The House then moved through a long series of resolutions and bills, many of them adopted without objection. Among the measures approved were resolutions designating or commending various observances and groups, and bills addressing inmate documentation upon release, court filings on letter-sized paper, safe harbor protections for trafficking victims, public benefits verification, travel meal reimbursement limits for state employees, the Governor’s Task Force on Impaired Driving, school emergency operation plans, justice of the peace jurisdiction in East Baton Rouge Parish, unaffiliated voter participation in party primaries, electronic monitoring rules, crime victims’ compensation terminology, the indigent defender fund threshold for small municipalities, sex offender identification procedures, the Office of State Public Defender, microbrewery special-event permits, alternative power sources for nursing facilities, relay attack device penalties, and a capital-case intellectual disability bill. Several of these passed overwhelmingly; some were temporarily returned to the calendar or tabled after passage. A few bills drew more discussion. HB 335 on citizenship verification for public benefits passed 77-17. HB 398, limiting meal reimbursements for state travel to GSA rates with an exception process, passed 62-32 after questions about scope and lodging. HB 906 on presidential preference primary qualification and party rules for unaffiliated voters passed 68-19. HB 897, protecting health data collected by pregnancy centers and imposing fines for unauthorized disclosure, passed 94-0 after an amendment and questions about its application. HB 1107 on intellectual disabilities in capital cases passed 75-11 after amendments informed by disability advocates. HB 1187, allowing Citizens Property Insurance to direct certain emergency assessment overages to the Fortify Homes Program or reserves, passed 87-9. HB 1220 on the State Board of Medical Examiners passed 95-0. The House also reconsidered and successfully revived HB 225 after suspending the rules, and several bills were returned to the calendar for later consideration, including HB 689 before it was later brought back and passed 84-7 after amendment. The session concluded with notice of additional Senate messages and upcoming floor scheduling.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is specifically related to jurisdiction over certain juvenile offenses that occur on military
• It otherwise grants circuit courts jurisdiction over juvenile delinquency or status offense proceedings
• It otherwise grants circuit court's jurisdiction over juvenile delinquency or status offense proceedings
• for offenses that are committed on land used by the federal government for military purposes, provided
• commanding officer in the armed forces or the National Guard remains in effect and is related to the offenses

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and spent much of the day recognizing pages, guests, school groups, and civic organizations visiting the chamber. Several communications from the House and committee reports were received, and a petition on support for new electric transmission lines was referred to the Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining. Senate Resolution 61, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse Obergefell, was referred to the Committee on Rules, while other resolutions and bills were held over or referred as required. The chamber then acted on a large number of measures, including concurrence in House amendments to Senate Bill 137 on parole eligibility for second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter, and a conference committee was appointed on House Bill 4026 regarding integrated resource plans. Numerous House bills were advanced or passed after committee reports, covering topics such as industrial access roads, local airport hangar financing, college campus safety, youth and handicapped hunting, missing persons records, driver’s licenses, adjudicatory alternative dispositions, chronic absenteeism, party-switching deadlines for candidates, teacher/school personnel/state police pay raises, election official trainees, political committee filing notices, security personnel for the State Treasurer, post-secondary financial aid, legal practice rules, overseas voting, public officials’ residential information, homestead exemption, military juvenile jurisdiction, military interpersonal violence, kinship care subsidies, statewide prevention planning, contraband smuggling into federal prisons, forestry equipment taxation, microgrid and data center certification, transcript acceptance for students, emeritus medical licenses, higher education rule authorizations, board and commission reforms, managed care organization taxes, and deputy sheriff vacation carryover. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, and several received title amendments. The Senate also passed a series of supplemental appropriations, many with immediate-effect motions adopted by the required two-thirds vote. These included funding for the Department of Commerce, Workforce West Virginia, Homeland Security divisions, Health Facilities, Administration, Human Services, the Governor’s Civil Contingent Fund, the Department of Agriculture, and the Bureau of Senior Services. Votes were overwhelmingly in favor, with only a few measures drawing one or more dissenting votes. One bill on tourism appropriations was referred to the Committee on Rules, and several second-reading bills were advanced, including measures on the West Virginia Collaboratory, business-ready sites, volunteer fire companies, religious organization eminent domain restrictions, electric load forecasting, and funeral service licensure.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill raises the offense for filing a false document to a Class C felony, with certain circumstances
• fact that them being able to post signage in a recorder of deeds office, alerting the public to the offense
• fact that them being able to post signage in a recorder of deeds office, alerting the public to the offense
• fact that them being able to post signage in a recorder of deeds office, alerting the public to the offense
• fact that them being able to post signage in a recorder of deeds office, alerting the public to the offense

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House met after a quorum was established and began with several introductions of special guests, including job shadows, 4-H participants, and interns. The chamber then moved to House Bills for Perfection, taking up HB 1707, which would stop sales tax from being imposed on credit card processing fees charged to vendors. Members asked for clarification about the bill’s scope and the title amendment, and the bill sponsor explained that the measure simply prevents tax from being charged on those fees. HB 1707 was then ordered perfected and printed. The House next considered HB 2819, a bill responding to the end of penny minting by authorizing rounding of cash sales to the nearest five cents. Supporters said the bill would give businesses a clear legal framework and reduce compliance risk. The chamber adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. Members then took up HB 2103, a property-fraud and notary-fraud bill aimed at strengthening penalties, requiring warning signs in recorder of deeds offices, and speeding court review for alleged victims. Supporters said it was needed to deter fraudulent deed filings and protect homeowners, while opponents argued it focused too much on notaries and recorders rather than the people committing the fraud. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was ordered perfected and printed. The House also debated HB 1800, which would lower the inflationary cap on certain property-tax revenue growth from 5% to 3%. The discussion centered on whether the change would protect taxpayers or reduce funding for schools, fire districts, libraries, and other local services. An amendment was adopted that broadened the title and added property-assessment language, and the bill was then ordered perfected and printed. Finally, the House considered HB 2600, dealing with ambulance district consolidation and governance. The bill was described as a response to struggling rural EMS systems, with provisions for consolidation plans, public hearings, and voter involvement. An amendment modified the process for subdistricts, at-large districts, timing, and merger procedures, and the committee substitute as amended was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The House then moved to announcements and adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• procedure and be able to come to a conclusion and make a determination if this was in fact an illegal offense
• procedure and be able to come to a conclusion and make a determination if this was in fact an illegal offense
• determination if this was in fact an determination if this was in fact an illegal illegal illegal offense
• 55.680><c> follow</c><00:50:56.000><c> through</c><00:50:56.240><c> with</c><00:50:57.200><c> the</c> offense
• and then follow through with the offense and then follow through with the the<00:50:57.680><c> proper

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assistance statute that we're asking to be enacted into law would carry the same penalties as other theft offenses
• It's a severity level six offense under the guidelines.
• The next offense is theft over $5,000. That's a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
• That is a severity level 3 offense. That is a stayed prison sentence of one year and one day.
• It is a severity level two offense under the sentencing guidelines. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Bills: HF3043, HF2891

Keywords: public safety, illegal remunerations, healthcare fraud, grants, criminal penalties, state law, grants management, state employees training, certification, monitoring grants, accountability, grant fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• of our priorities, although understanding claims helps to inform public policy and prevent future offenses
• up to age 40 to file, or within five years of acknowledgement of the assault, if you will, of the offense
• Or within five years of acknowledgement of the assault, if you will, of the offense, right?
• data around the claim, such as who's the perpetrator, what was the age of the victim, when did the offense
• Where did the offense occur?

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Transparency held a hearing focused on three issues: federal funding cuts and delays, possible state revenue impacts from reduced IRS enforcement, and the fiscal effects of AB 218 on local governments. The Franchise Tax Board described how state and federal tax systems are closely linked, how most returns are filed electronically through software, and how FTB relies on IRS information sharing for compliance, fraud prevention, offsets, and nonfiler work. Members raised concerns that federal staffing cuts at the IRS could weaken audits of large corporations and reduce California revenue, and asked about VITA and ITIN filers; FTB said it was not aware of VITA reductions, noted ITIN returns are processed the same as other returns, and said ITIN filing appeared slightly down this year. The Department of Finance said it is monitoring federal developments, summarized the continuing resolution and reconciliation process, and noted that California lost nearly $940 million in earmarked federal projects under the CR, while major federal budget decisions remain uncertain until the President’s budget and later congressional action. The University of California reported substantial federal pressure on research, student aid, and health care. UC said hundreds of millions of dollars in federal awards have already been canceled, with additional threats to NIH and DOE facilities-and-administration rates, graduate fellowships, student loan repayment plans, international student visas, Pell Grants, and Medicaid/Medi-Cal funding. Committee members pressed UC on the effects of DEIA-related federal restrictions, the loss of clinical trials and research staff, and the impact on low-income students and patients. UC said it is pursuing litigation with the Attorney General and other institutions, but emphasized that court action is only a temporary solution and that sustained state and private support may be needed. The second panel addressed the fiscal consequences of AB 218, which extended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims against public agencies. FCMAT presented a report with 22 recommendations, including better statewide data collection, financing mechanisms, a possible victims compensation fund, and prevention measures. Los Angeles County described a tentative $4 billion settlement tied to AB 218 claims, saying it will require reserves, borrowing, and long-term annual payments through 2050, while also forcing curtailments and cuts to vacant positions to preserve services. Members discussed insurance pools, retroactive premiums, unidentified future claims, and the need for a compensation fund or other financing tools. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with public comment, including testimony from local health officials about nearly $400 million in terminated federal public health grants and the resulting layoffs and service impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like we said in the guidelines, some of it is very factual to the offense, which you want to make sure
• Like we said in the guidelines, some of it is very factual to the offense, which you want to make sure
• Like we said in the guidelines, some of it is very factual to the offense, which you want to make sure
• Like we said in the guidelines, some of it is very factual to the offense, which you want to make sure
• Like we said in the guidelines, some of it is very factual to the offense, which you want to make sure

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee continued hearing several bills. HB 399 would create an additional district court judgeship in the First Circuit; it drew support from the Judiciary, Public Defender, State Bar, Financial Services Association, and others, and there was no opposition. HB 560 would appropriate funds for Judiciary contracts with community-based organizations; many service providers and coalition representatives testified in support, emphasizing the growing gap between contract payments and the actual cost of services, especially for domestic violence, youth, legal aid, and other vulnerable populations. HB 648 would establish a two-year pilot program in the First Circuit probate and family court for guardianship and conservatorship-related resources; the Office of the Public Guardian and disability advocates supported it, while suggesting amendments to clarify that the bill refers to professional evaluations, including psychological, neurocognitive, or functional evaluations, rather than just physicians’ letters. The committee also heard HB 990, which appropriates funds for claims against the state, with the Attorney General noting 21 claims totaling about $6.5 million plus two additional resolved claims and requesting corrections to identify two matters as judgments rather than settlements. HB 991 would clarify that the Attorney General may conduct FBI fingerprint-based background checks on contractors and employees; it was supported by the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center and others, with an amendment to include subcontractors. HB 998 would provide that omissions or errors in citations do not require dismissal or reversal if they do not prejudice the defendant; the Attorney General and Honolulu Prosecutor supported it, while one testifier opposed it, and members discussed whether the language adequately protects due process and how it would apply when identifying information is unavailable. Finally, HB 1174 would address payment-under-protest lawsuits by allowing interest earned on certain funds to be paid in non-taxation cases if the claimant prevails and by setting procedures for premature filings. After testimony, the committee moved into decision-making and recommended passage of HB 399, HB 560, HB 648, HB 990, HB 991, HB 998, and HB 1174, generally with amendments where noted, including effective-date changes and the requested clarifications. The measures were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, we do oppose adding any more offenses to those that can incur adult sentencing and have some
• definition of youthful offender, we're in effect expanding the scope or nature of punishment for that offense
• The seriousness of the alleged offense, the manner of the alleged offense, whether it was aggressive,
• violent, premeditated, or willful, whether a firearm was used, whether the alleged offense was against

Transcript Highlights:

• And with the spirit of the offense, is there any pretrial offer besides death that perhaps The victims
• Punishment for crime should be determined by the offense committed, not by where a person was born.
• noncitizens who attempt to vote, and also if you help somebody vote or register, it is also an updated offense
• Vote or register, it is also an updated offense, upgraded from a misdemeanor to a felony.
• They have also come up with the idea, which I find incredibly offensive — that a group of people who

Bills: SJR2, SB4, SJR36, SJR2, SB4, SJR1, SJR5, SB9, SB40, SJR2, SB4, SR98, SJR40, SJR41, SJR42, SJR43, SJR44, SJR45, SJR46, SJR47, SCR13, SB6, SB13, SB21, SB826, SB827, SB828, SB829, SB830, SB831, SB832, SB833, SB834, SB835, SB836, SB837, SB838, SB839, SB840, SB841, SB842, SB843, SB844, SB845, SB846, SB847, SB848, SB849, SB850, SB851, SB853, SB854, SB855, SB856, SB857, SB858, SB859, SB860, SB861, SB862, SB863, SB864, SB865, SB866, SB867, SB868, SB869, SB870, SB871, SB872, SB873, SB874, SB875, SB876, SB877, SB878, SB879, SB880, SB881, SB882, SB883, SB884, SB885, SB886, SB887, SB888, SB889, SB890, SB891, SB892, SB893, SB894, SB895, SB896, SB897, SB898, SB899, SB900, SB901, SB902, SB903, SB904, SB905, SB906, SB907, SB908, SB909, SB910, SB911, SB912, SB913, SB914, SB915, SB916, SB917, SB918, SB919, SB920, SB921, SB922, SB923, SB924, SB925, SB926, SB927, SB928, SB929, SB930, SB931, SB932, SB933, SB934, SB935, SB936, SB937, SB938, SB939, SB940, SB941, SB942, SB943, SB944, SB945, SB946, SB947, SB948, SB949, SB950, SB951, SB952, SB953, SB954, SB955, SB956, SB957, SB958, SB959, SB960, SB961, SB962, SB963, SB964, SB965, SB966, SB967, SB968, SB969, SB970, SB971, SB972, SB973, SB974, SB975, SB976, SB977, SB978, SB979, SB980, SB981, SB982, SB983, SB984, SB985, SB986, SB987, SB988, SB989, SB990, SB991, SB992, SB993, SB994, SB995, SB996, SB997, SB998, SB999, SB1000, SJR40, SJR41, SJR42, SJR43, SJR44, SJR45, SJR46, SJR47, SCR13, SB6, SB13, SB21, SB826, SB827, SB828, SB829, SB830, SB831, SB832, SB833, SB834, SB835, SB836, SB837, SB838, SB839, SB840, SB841, SB842, SB843, SB844, SB845, SB846, SB847, SB848, SB849, SB850, SB851, SB853, SB854, SB855, SB856, SB857, SB858, SB859, SB860, SB861, SB862, SB863, SB864, SB865, SB866, SB867, SB868, SB869, SB870, SB871, SB872, SB873, SB874, SB875, SB876, SB877, SB878, SB879, SB880, SB881, SB882, SB883, SB884, SB885, SB886, SB887, SB888, SB889, SB890, SB891, SB892, SB893, SB894, SB895, SB896, SB897, SB898, SB899, SB900, SB901, SB902, SB903, SB904, SB905, SB906, SB907, SB908, SB909, SB910, SB911, SB912, SB913, SB914, SB915, SB916, SB917, SB918, SB919, SB920, SB921, SB922, SB923, SB924, SB925, SB926, SB927, SB928, SB929, SB930, SB931, SB932, SB933, SB934, SB935, SB936, SB937, SB938, SB939, SB940, SB941, SB942, SB943, SB944, SB945, SB946, SB947, SB948, SB949, SB950, SB951, SB952, SB953, SB954, SB955, SB956, SB957, SB958, SB959, SB960, SB961, SB962, SB963, SB964, SB965, SB966, SB967, SB968, SB969, SB970, SB971, SB972, SB973, SB974, SB975, SB976, SB977, SB978, SB979, SB980, SB981, SB982, SB983, SB984, SB985, SB986, SB987, SB988, SB989, SB990, SB991, SB992, SB993, SB994, SB995, SB996, SB997, SB998, SB999, SB1000

Keywords: SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, constitutional amendment, homestead exemption, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, local government, Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• , this is one instant where offense, this is one instant where expanding<00:47:31.920><c> expanding</
• They're more likely to prosecute felony-level offenses sometimes than these misdemeanors.
• Would any of these offenses be a felony if they were done to an adult? I really cannot answer that.
• </c><01:53:12.320><c> And</c><01:53:12.560><c> what's</c> following offenses.
• And what's following offenses.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with Senate Bill 22-FN, which would expand child care licensing background checks so the Department of Health and Human Services can receive fuller criminal history information, including pending charges and other non-conviction records, similar to the system already used for school staff. Grant Bossi, for Senator Pearl, and DHHS officials Melissa Clement and Christine Sheay testified in support, saying the bill closes a gap that can allow people with disqualifying charges to work with children. They explained that the FBI record is a snapshot in time, that juvenile records are not included, and that the bill would apply to child care programs including residential group homes. Questions focused on what “confidential criminal history” means and how often checks are repeated; DHHS said checks are done every five years or sooner if new charge information is received. The hearing on SB 22 was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 23-FN, which would expand the child endangerment statute and remove the word “purposely” from part of the language. Senator Pat Long said the bill is intended to strengthen protection for children and allow more serious conduct to be charged appropriately. Testimony from law enforcement, including Executive Counselor Dave Wheeler, Sergeant Ryan Rooney of Nashua Police, and Nicholas Georgulis of Manchester Police, supported the bill as a way to distinguish routine misdemeanor cases from the most egregious abuse and neglect cases, such as children living in squalor or being exposed to severe danger. Wheeler and some members raised concerns that the language could be vague or overbroad and cited a prior Manchester firearm-in-a-car arrest as an example of possible unintended consequences; supporters responded that the bill still requires knowingly violating a duty of care and that the serious bodily injury or death standard limits its reach. Rooney also described a fentanyl overdose case involving an 11-year-old and said the current misdemeanor charge did not fully reflect the seriousness of the conduct. The committee recessed SB 23 briefly to open and close SB 161, then returned to SB 23, which remained under hearing with no final vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I take offense to the notion that renters don’t pay property tax.
• Again, no offense to the public school system, right?
• Again, no offense to the public school system, all right?

Summary: The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform met to hear public testimony on House Bill 3342 and House Bill 3354. HB 3342, sponsored by Rep. Matteson, would prevent tax levies adopted before January 1, 1975 from being applied to personal property tax, with the sponsor arguing that personal property taxation on motor vehicles and similar property was not part of earlier voter-approved levies. Members questioned how the bill would work in practice, whether it should instead remove vehicles from assessment entirely, and what property classes would be affected. The sponsor said he was focused on class four personal property, especially motor vehicles, but was open to refining the language. No one testified in support, opposition, or for information, and no vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 3354, sponsored by Chair Taylor, which would reduce the Blind Pension Fund levy from 3 cents to 0.0275. Taylor said the fund’s participant numbers are declining while reserves have grown, that the department agreed the lower rate would still be sufficient, and that he wanted to keep the fund lean while preserving a cushion. Members asked about how the levy is calculated, whether it fluctuates with assessments, and whether excess funds could be transferred to public education as contemplated by the constitution. There was also discussion about the bill’s decimal wording and a possible drafting amendment to clarify the rate. No witnesses testified in favor, opposition, or informationally, and the hearing on HB 3354 was concluded without a committee vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 800 imposes progressively higher fees for subsequent offenses of
• Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 800 imposes progressively higher fees for subsequent offenses of
• a... ...file a claim, the maximum that I could get against my $50,000 is the $5,000 for the first offense

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard and reported favorably several bills. CS/SB 800 would increase penalties for repeated unlicensed engineering practice and create an engineering student loan assistance program funded by licensure fees and fines; Senator Sharif asked about restitution for victims, and the sponsor said the bill does not create a reimbursement mechanism. CS/SB 576 would create a local government cybersecurity protection program administered by Florida Digital Service, with state purchasing support, grant access, and data-sharing requirements; local government and cybersecurity groups waived in support. CS/SB 1078 would establish transition procedures between gubernatorial administrations, including liaisons, briefing books, office space, IT access, and access to agency records under a signed confidentiality agreement. The committee also reported favorably CS/SB 314 on payment stablecoin issuers, CS/SB 530 updating lottery operations and security rules, CS/SB 1614 giving JAC/LAC-related audit findings more enforcement effect for local governments seeking state funds, SB 990 authorizing protective cell captive insurance companies, SB 1588 beginning implementation of the prior gold-and-silver legal tender law, CS/SB 1440 adding cybersecurity-related exemptions and reporting provisions for financial institutions, and CS/SB 1568 creating a stablecoin pilot program for DFS fee payments. Several bills had support testimony from state agencies and industry groups, and some included technical or guardrail amendments that were adopted without objection. The committee also received a budget overview highlighting major funding items, including more than $350 million for Florida Forever, $738 million for Everglades restoration, more than $500 million for water quality projects outside the Everglades, $60 million for Farmers Feeding Florida, and more than $250 million for citrus recovery. Members asked questions about school lunch funding, state park improvements, land acquisition, water quality funding, gaming enforcement offices, and staffing for PERC. After the bills and budget discussion, members recorded a few affirmative votes on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and others, is an act to amend Title 15 of the Delaware Code relating to elections and criminal offenses
• Important to note that the penalty is not being increased in this legislation for such offenses, and
• rather part of the legislation actually clarifies that the offense is, in fact, a Class G felony, which
• The penalty under this particular election offense is the Class G felony, as the sponsor mentioned, which

Summary: The Senate received House communications listing numerous House-passed bills, substitutes, amendments, and concurrent resolutions, and then took up committee reports and a consent calendar. Consent Calendar 65 passed unanimously with 20 yes votes and included Senate Resolution 26 recognizing Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, House Concurrent Resolution 131 on apprenticeship programs for school-based mental health professionals, House Concurrent Resolution 137 on mathematics instruction review, and House Concurrent Resolution 148 on a statewide menopause education strategy. Later, Consent Agenda N also passed with the required two-thirds vote and included a large group of bills on evidence and witnesses, Family Court jurisdiction, theft by impersonation, realty transfer tax, auto insurance practices, child services and educational services, STD prevention, agricultural and forestry matters, menstrual disorder materials, a Smyrna charter change, massage/body work, dry needling, and lead poisoning screening. Several substantive bills were debated and passed. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 314, modernizing Delaware’s rape shield law and clarifying how courts handle evidence of prior false sexual assault allegations, passed 21-0. Senate Bill 347, a cleanup bill to the Medical Debt Protection Act that expands prohibited collection actions and requires disclosure when a collector is a large health care facility, also passed 21-0. House Bill 300, creating a statewide Title IX coordinator in the Department of Education to support compliance and data collection for interscholastic athletics, passed after debate; Senate Amendment 1 to the bill, which would have required athletes to compete according to biological sex, was defeated 6-14 with one absent, and the underlying bill then passed 20-0 with one absent. The Senate also passed House Substitute 1 for House Bill 84, which limits mandatory employee attendance at meetings where employers convey political or religious views, after questions about employer, union, and exemption coverage; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 301, which clarifies criminal penalties for violence, threats, and intimidation at polling places and election-related sites, passed after discussion of what conduct it would cover; House Bill 63, addressing fireworks disclosures and related regulation, passed 19-2 after senators discussed enforcement and impacts on veterans, children, and pets; and House Bill 348, updating the electric vehicle rebate program to give DENREC more flexibility and expand eligibility, passed 16-5. The chamber then recessed until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we've implemented a diversion program for less serious offenses.
• We've tried to put in place a diversion program to try and deal with some of the less serious offenses
• so that we can focus our resources on the more serious offenses and get rid of some of the less serious
• We can focus our resources on the more serious offenses and get rid of some of the less serious more

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules first took up several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Rick Simpson to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Trinidad Solis, M.D., and Gerald Talbert, M.D., to the Medical Board of California. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments, with roll calls on each item showing unanimous support from members present and the items left open for additional votes before final tallying. The main public business was the confirmation hearing for George Cardona, J.D., for a second term as Chief Trial Counsel of the State Bar of California. Cardona described reforms made since taking office, including new conflict-of-interest and gift rules, stronger investigative requirements, efforts to reduce backlog and improve efficiency, and monitoring of discipline disparities identified in prior studies. Senators questioned him about safeguards after the Girardi matter, the John Eastman discipline case, racial and ethnic disparities in attorney discipline, unauthorized practice of law by notarios, staffing shortages, and the use of AI in filings. Public witnesses from the State Bar, SEIU Local 1000, and others spoke in support. The committee voted 3-0 to advance Cardona’s appointment to the full Senate. The committee then heard Laura Enderton Speed, J.D., for Executive Director of the State Bar. She said her priorities would be restoring public trust, improving the discipline system, addressing the February 2025 bar exam problems, and strengthening fiscal stability and internal controls. Members asked about the State Bar’s structural budget deficit, the remote administration failures in the February exam, safeguards against undisclosed gifts and conflicts, and the status of audits and investigations. Supporters from the State Bar, the civil defense bar, SEIU Local 1000, and a longtime colleague testified in favor. The committee approved her appointment 5-0 to move to the full Senate. At the end of the meeting, members also approved the remaining governor’s appointments and procedural items, and the chair thanked Senator Jones for his service on the committee before adjourning the public portion.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and the municipal and traffic court, which does not handle any civil matters, but only traffic offenses
• Which does not handle any civil matters, but only traffic offenses and minor criminal matters.
• And we're talking about Black women, Black men, and some may take offense to that.
• But I think to the point about what my colleague has just made, Black men, and some may take offense

Bills: HCR11, HB153, HB278, HB424, HB454, HB455, HB687, HB816, HB833, HB942, HB1053, HB1097, HB1147, HB1148, HB1190, SB75, SB85, SB197, SB200, SB217

Keywords: Camp Beauregard, Louisiana National Guard, Youth Challenge Program, military affairs, Pineville, National Guard training, emergency response, youth development, alternative education, high school equivalency, GED, at-risk youth, leadership training, job skills, citizenship, veterans, state military operations, mobilization, logistics staging area, public service

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a lot of heartburn about making this a strict liability offense if no one had reason to believe
• About making this a strict liability offense if no one had reason to believe that the dogs were dangerous
• point, in order for a prosecutor to proceed, and with the elements of the crime, a person commits the offense
• court commissioners who act similarly to associate circuit judges, the jurisdiction being the drug offenses

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This means when a crime is committed that violates state law, like trespassing, vandalism, or drug offenses
• House Bill 4996, relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of refusal to execute the
• Secretary will read the caption: HB 4996, relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense
• House Bill 1904, relating to the release of a balloon and associated littering, creating a criminal offense

Summary: The Senate first adopted a motion to suspend Rule 5.14 and move the intent calendar deadline to 6 p.m. that day. It then took up and passed several bills, often by suspending the regular order of business and the constitutional three-day rule. HB 1866 gave limited Texas peace officer authority to National Park Service law enforcement officers within the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park; HB 4996 increased the penalty for refusing to release a fraudulent lien when the victim is a public servant; and HB 5033 created a trigger mechanism for ending vehicle emissions inspections if federal law changes. HB 1533 made a range of appraisal and property tax procedure changes, HB 2282 raised the arrest warrant reimbursement fee from $50 to $75, HB 3421 updated probate and estates procedures, and HB 4263 revised Texas Juvenile Justice Department grievance procedures. Each of these measures advanced through second reading, third reading, and final passage, with recorded votes generally showing strong support and some opposition on a few bills. The chamber also considered major policy bills. HB 2, the large public education and school finance package, drew extensive floor discussion and multiple amendments. Senators emphasized its $8.5 billion investment, including teacher and staff pay, school safety funding, special education, charter and traditional school funding changes, and other allotment adjustments. Several senators praised the bill as historic and collaborative, while also noting the need to monitor implementation and future effects. After adopting amendments and hearing supportive remarks from multiple members, the Senate passed HB 2 on final vote, 31-0. Other debated measures included HB 143, which codified cooperation between the Railroad Commission and the Public Utility Commission to address electrical safety hazards at well sites and related facilities, and CS SB 3074/3070, which allowed limited written communications from the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to TCEQ commissioners about permit applications, with disclosure and response requirements. Senator Johnson raised concerns that the TCEQ bill could politicize an apolitical permitting process and potentially affect federal delegation, but the bill was amended and passed 28-3. The Senate also passed HB 4426 on Railroad Commission permits for commercial surface disposal facilities, HB 3161 giving TMRS cities more flexibility on employee contribution rates, and HB 2712 allowing future test years for certain water and sewer utility rate-making, with an amendment to protect ratepayers if projections overcharge them. At the end of the session, the Senate handled several procedural motions, including re-referring HB 1904 from Criminal Justice to State Affairs and suspending posting rules so committees could meet later that day. The chamber then recessed until 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2025, for a local and uncontested calendar, and planned to adjourn until 5:00 p.m. that same day after that calendar concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• CS for SB 138, driving and voting offenses.
• It makes it a first-degree felony if it’s a repeat offense for a DUI manslaughter or a vehicle homicide
• Senator Leak is presenting SB 234 on criminal offenses against law enforcement officers and other personnel
• section 782.065 to add manslaughter when committed against a law enforcement officer to the list of offenses

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met with a quorum and first approved SPB 7014, which terminates the state court system’s mediation and arbitration trust fund; staff noted the fund has no current balance and that filing fees were already redirected in 2011. The bill was reported favorably as a committee bill without objection. The committee then took up CS/SB 48 on alternative judicial procedures for foreclosure sales. Senator Garcia described it as a response to reported abuses in Miami-Dade County, adding longer sale timeframes, stronger notice requirements, rules for alternative sale methods, online auction authorization, and consumer protections for surplus funds. After adopting a technical amendment, members raised concerns about whether the bill was codifying a process they believed should remain with clerks of court and about the new online auction provisions; Senator Garcia ultimately moved to temporarily postpone the bill. Members also approved CS/SB 322, creating a nonjudicial process for sheriffs to remove unauthorized persons from commercial property, and CS/SB 138, which revises DUI-related language from “intoxicating” to “impairing” and allows judicial circuits to create DUI diversion programs. CS/SB 138 drew opposition from some members and testimony from cannabis advocates and defense lawyers who argued the catch-all language was too broad and could sweep in lawful medications or create testing and expungement issues, but it still passed. The committee further reported favorably SB 130 on wrongful incarceration compensation, extending filing deadlines and removing restrictive bars to compensation, and SB 234, which strengthens penalties for violent resistance against law enforcement officers and clarifies that such resistance can lead to life imprisonment if it results in an officer’s death. Both bills received supportive testimony, though SB 234 also drew concerns from defense lawyers about removing language tied to lawful duty and good faith; the sponsor said the bill preserves defenses while focusing on violent resistance. The meeting then adjourned.