Transcript Highlights:

• Half times going forward, you're talking about the catastrophic aid.
• Yeah, I think moving forward with 739 makes sense.
• Representative Luna said, yeah, I think moving forward with 739 makes sense.
• <01:22:21.040> M<01:22:21.880> um the mail M um the mail M um but<01:22:24.199>
• <01:46:58.760> and appropriate vehicle to move forward and appropriate vehicle to move forward

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met to review a large package of bills, with the first four—HB 717, 742, 773, and 603—focused on special education aid, formerly called catastrophic aid. Chair Ladin explained that the committee needed to move a special education bill forward by March 4 and was trying to determine which bill would serve as the vehicle. He described the current formula and the difficulty of estimating the fiscal impact of lowering the threshold from 3.5 times the statewide average cost per pupil to a lower level, noting that DOE did not have reliable data on how many students would fall into the lower-cost bands. The committee also noted that several other bills in the package addressed SWEP and adequacy issues, and that HB 510 dealt with due process rather than funding. Mark Mello of the Bureau of School Finance testified that the department only has reliable data for special education expenditures above $70,000 per student, since claims are submitted for reimbursement at that point. He said the bureau was trying to estimate how many students might fall between 2.5x and 3.5x or 3x and 3.5x the average cost, but that the basic answer was they did not know and that any estimate would be difficult. He explained that moving the threshold from 3.5x to 2.5x would create a minimum additional cost of about $13.6 million based on existing claims, not counting new students who would enter the range. Members discussed whether districts already had the underlying data, whether a survey should be required, and how districts know when to begin tracking costs for reimbursement. The committee also discussed proration and the state’s share of special education aid. Mello explained that the current 80% state share is modeled in the formula, but the actual payment has been prorated because appropriations have not matched the statutory liability; he said the state liability was about $50 million, while the budget had provided $34 million, resulting in a 68% payment rate. HB 742 was described as a bill that would eliminate proration by paying the liability directly from the education trust fund with an overflow mechanism. Members also discussed possible alternatives such as changing the state share, using a lower threshold in a transition period, or requiring districts to submit data. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided; the committee was still in discussion and considering which bills to advance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically mentioning that, we look forward to a substitute that would make it really clear.
• This simply prevents local governments from instituting their own going forward.
• The growing sophistication and speed of fraud schemes, such as check-washing, mail theft, and counterfeit
• I appreciate the opportunity to bring this bill forward and am happy to answer any questions.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a critical step forward, and It limits group searches to true emergencies, requires female officers
• This legislation is a step forward in our ongoing efforts to ensure that our correction system operates
• For over a half hour why staff abused their official capacity by confiscating his legal mail and case
• district attorney then gets the discretion to decide, is this a case we're going to file and move forward

Transcript Highlights:

• interests of up to 700,000 homeschooled students in Texas and have over 100,000 families on our Texas mailing
• I was one of these kids; however, I'd always felt that education was my path forward, and this tuition
• This is a great program and I am really appreciative of Representative Lujan bringing this forward.
• The tuition and fee waiver was a significant step forward.

Bills: HB173, HB184, HB484, HB678, HB 1211, HB1507, HB1705, HB1868, HB2290, HB2851, HB2856, HB3041, HB3204, HB173, HB184

Keywords: foreign donations, higher education, public institutions, national security, funding, prohibition, Texas law, healthcare, insurance, affordability, access, public health, foreign influence, education policy, student loan repayment, prosecuting attorneys, border prosecution unit, financial assistance, tobacco, cigarettes

Transcript Highlights:

• IT DOESN'T MEAN WE WILL NOT SPEAK TO THEM PRIOR TO US MOVING FORWARD. >> Senator Berman: THANK YOU MADAM
• WE ARE PROUD OF THAT AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEE HOW IT GOES FORWARD TO THE STATEWIDE EXPANSION.
• THE FIRST SET OF THE FOLLOW UP NOTIFICATION LETTERS WERE MAILED IN AUGUST AND AS OF DECEMBER 43 PARENTS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• perpetuity, therefore moving forward. perpetuity, therefore moving forward.
• moving forward. moving forward.
• I think we need to move the bill forward.
• <00:36:19.119> and bills and to be able to go forward and bills and to be able to go forward
• think we need to move the bill forward. think we need to move the bill forward.

Bills: HB0101, HB0062, HB0109

Keywords: guardianship, monitoring, ward protection, financial independence, case management, governmental claims, liability limits, inflation adjustment, public safety, local government insurance, property tax, tax exemption, homeowner, armed forces, residency requirement, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative, thank you for bringing these bills forward.
• You get these issues, so we would appreciate any consideration you can offer, and we look forward to
• So we hope that you'll take action to be able to move it forward in a timely way so that it can get to
• We're hopeful that this bill will move forward this session.
• They can't even pick up their mail at the post office.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a public hearing on a wide range of bills and topics, including impaired driving, antique and collector vehicles, roadway maintenance, homelessness-related identification cards, a pedestrian tunnel for Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, a bridge naming in Sandwich, historic route designations, and litter prevention. The chairs outlined the hearing process, including three-minute limits for individuals and seven minutes for panels, and noted that elected officials would be taken out of turn. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and then adjourned. On impaired driving, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan and tow lot operator Chris Nolan supported a bill creating a 12-hour tow-yard hold for vehicles involved in drug-impaired incidents, similar to the existing alcohol-related hold. On transportation infrastructure and road safety, Representative Howitt testified for several bills requiring reflective tape on temporary loads, restoring road markings after utility work, requiring roadway restoration after excavation, and improving reporting on roadway damage after crashes. AAA Northeast supported bills expanding the distracted driving law to cover video recording while driving, while noting it preferred the offense remain a primary offense. Several witnesses testified in support of bills affecting vehicle enthusiasts, including restoring year-of-manufacture plates for antique vehicles, creating a single rear collector plate, and changing antique vehicle inspection rules. Another major topic was H. 3750/S. 2399, which would provide no-fee state IDs and flexible residency documentation for youth and adults experiencing homelessness; supporters included the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, social workers, city officials, and people with lived experience, all emphasizing that lack of ID blocks access to housing, jobs, health care, and other services. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2414, authorizing a tunnel connecting the north and south campuses of Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, with school leaders and students citing safety, accessibility, and traffic concerns. Finally, the committee heard emotional testimony for H. 4374 to name the Quaker Meeting House Road overpass in Sandwich for Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Torville, and testimony for a resolve creating a roadside litter prevention and cleanup task force.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman called myself, along with six or seven other authors of any type of authors that brought forward
• But what actually happened is a couple of weeks later, you get a bill in the mail for $57.16.
• So I was asked to put together this bill, and I did it and brought it forward.
• So what we're asking for here, we put an amendment on the House side to move this forward, subject to
• appropriations, which would allow them to do some things during the year as they go forward.

Bills: HB198, HB325, HB488, HB719, HB749, HB755, HB797, HB823, HB1028, HB1194, HB1222

Keywords: Medicaid, reimbursement, ambulatory surgical centers, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, healthcare funding, Louisiana Department of Health, surgical procedures, TOPS-Tech, scholarship, education, eligibility, college credit, dual enrollment, state funding, HB 488, Belle Chasse Bridge, Belle Chasse Bridge Merit-Based Special Fund, Plaquemines Parish

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank Senator King for bringing this bill forward and amending provisions in David's Law to
• So we quickly came to a strategy and decided that we should bring this forward to the legislation to
• ..uses funds or independent school district resources, including a district email, telephone, home mail
• Thank you for bringing this forward today.
• Moving forward with this language will give us another backstop to ensure that the changes to special

Bills: SB204, SB570, SB735, SB784, SB1207, SB1396, SB1447, SB2392, SB2540, SB747, SB875

Keywords: parental rights, education, school trustees, training, handbook, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district, open-enrollment charter school, student support services, school counselor, principal, administrator

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, HB 15 clarifies. e-mails, texts, and electronic communications are not corporate records
• With that, thank you very much, and I look forward to your questions. Thank you, Mr.
• I look forward to working with everybody.
• We believe that's the intent of this legislation and we've brought forward amendments that would keep
• I'm happy to work with you on that and look forward to it. Thank you so much.

Bills: HB32, HB15, HB171, HB421, HB581, HB644, HB745, HB349, HB917, HB204, HB923, HB15, HB171, HB204

Keywords: eviction, landlord rights, tenant rights, justice court, property law, court procedures, chemical dependency, court-ordered treatment, mental health, health care, treatment facility, juvenile justice, criminal justice reform, deep fake, digital impersonation, age verification, private cause of action, explicit content, consumer protection, HB 581

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:38.760> when concerns are only coming forward when concerns are only coming forward
• move forward move forward Senor<00:45:58.240> house<00:45:58.680> Mr<00:45:58.839>
• So we can continue working on that as we move forward.
• <02:04:17.320> and working on that as we move forward and working on that as we move forward
• <02:11:14.599> um to be able to have this move forward um to be able to have this move forward

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:17:49.280> they recommendation to move forward they recommendation to move forward they
• could say either dismiss or move forward could say either dismiss or move forward so<00:17:51.720
• So there isn't this regurgitation of mail going back and forth.
• <03:18:57.359> thank this bill to be brought forward thank this bill to be brought forward
• <03:46:02.399> with that New Hampshire can move forward with that New Hampshire can move forward

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an orientation-style overview from the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), led by Executive Director Deana Jurus and staff. They described the office’s mission to protect public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and the public trust, and outlined the agency structure: enforcement, licensing and board administration, operations, legal counsel, board counsel, and the hearings bureau. OPLC said it currently supports 57 boards, including seven advisory boards, and has about 104 filled positions out of 120 authorized. They also noted new voluntary certifications for doulas, lactation consultants, and community health workers that are in rulemaking. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on how boards and staff divide responsibilities under RSA 310:4. Staff explained that the office handles application processing, complaint intake and initial review, records retention, 91-A requests, and rule drafting, while boards make final decisions on licensure criteria, complaint dismissals or investigations, disciplinary actions, and some hearing matters. They also described the rule structure by chapter number ranges and the distinction between full licensing boards and advisory boards. The committee asked about complaint notifications, and OPLC said it is tightening policies so complainants are told whether a matter is closed or moving forward. The licensing process was discussed in detail, especially for nursing. Bethany Katrell explained that applicants apply through an online portal, may receive approval to sit for exams, can work under provisional authority in some cases, and then receive full licensure after exam results and criminal background checks are complete. OPLC said the portal now reduces back-and-forth paperwork and that, as of the latest biweekly report, 87% of applications were decided within the statutory 90-day period and 57% within 14 days. Members also raised questions about why some professions require board approval before taking an exam, and OPLC said that requirement varies by statute or board rule. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, fast forward today, and I think most of us are aware that computation is becoming sort of the 21st
• <01:10:33.560> No<01:10:33.840> legal- forward, it's a step backward.
• No legal- forward, it's a step backward.
• Science teaches us and we learn and we move forward.
• Science teaches us and we learn and we move forward.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that the forward over the four funds.
• ,<00:19:59.440> but amount that will be carried forward, but amount that will be carried forward
• Um, this this amendment move forward.
• the neighbors uh via certified mail the neighbors uh via certified mail which<01:36:42.480> I
• <02:11:49.040> and forward to the finance committee. and forward to the finance committee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the good news, something on the horizon for Texas to look forward to.
• If required, the draft permit is mailed to EPA for their review at this time.
• And I know you said you sent some by mail, which I can’t imagine that worked.
• What is the agency's intent now moving forward? Is it to go back?
• Maybe let's increase the efficiency of those questions as we move forward.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and I look forward to some good discussion as well.
• brought forward by the well contractors. brought forward by the well contractors.
• I guess maybe to bringing this forward.
• I have a feeling I'll be asking forward.
• potential um way to move forward. potential um way to move forward.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman called myself, along with six or seven other authors of any type of authors that brought forward
• But what actually happened is a couple of weeks later, you get a bill in the mail for $57.16.
• So what we're asking for here, we put an amendment on the House side to move this forward, subject to
• appropriations, which would allow them to do some things during the year as they go forward.
• So my concern is that if we’re going to put the amendment on, everything moving forward still needs to

Summary: The Finance Committee met on May 27, 2026, with six members present and took up a series of House bills, most of them dealing with education funding, criminal justice staffing, transportation, health care access, and economic development. HB 325 was reported favorably after testimony that it would expand TOPS eligibility by allowing dual-enrollment credits to satisfy eligibility criteria and by making part-time students eligible for TOPS Tech, with supporters saying the program has been underused and the change would help working students. HB 719 was amended and reported favorably to increase assistant district attorney positions in various judicial districts; the Louisiana District Attorneys Association said the changes were based on workload data and local input, and members discussed the need to coordinate any expansion with public defender funding. The committee also reported HB 749 favorably, which would move Louisiana’s 529 savings accounts to a more secure online platform after a cyber incident, and HB 1028 favorably, which concerns transportation reimbursement for providers and was described as already subject to appropriation. Several bills focused on food access and local economic development. HB 1222, the Grocery Initiative Act, was reported favorably to let LED use existing grant resources to map food deserts and develop a program, with members noting it could return for funding later if needed. HB 1194 was amended and reported favorably to define food deserts and direct the LSU AgCenter and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to identify and map them, with authors emphasizing it was a study and not a government-run grocery program. HB 755, which would create IDIQ contracting for architects and engineers on smaller state projects, was reported favorably with no fiscal impact. HB 823, a local diversion pilot for Orleans Parish, was also reported favorably after the fiscal note was revised to remove state impact and reflect only local costs. The committee spent substantial time on HB 488, a proposal from Plaquemines Parish to use severance-tax revenue to help buy out a private toll concession on the parish’s bridge. The author and local officials described severe toll burdens, economic harm to local businesses, and what they called an unfair contract, but members noted the bill was not funded and ultimately deferred it without a motion. HB 797, the Bayou Gold/Louisiana Sound Money Act, was amended to make implementation subject to appropriation and then reported favorably. The committee also took up HB 198, which would raise Medicaid reimbursement for ambulatory surgery centers for certain outpatient procedures; after extensive discussion about fiscal notes, access to care, and potential long-term savings, the bill was amended to narrow its scope and make implementation subject to appropriation, then reported favorably as amended. The meeting ended with the chair noting it would be the committee’s last meeting and asking members to spread the word.

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite implementing harsher restrictions, monitoring incoming mail, many correctional facilities have
• We look forward to this bill. Thank you, Charlie.
• of the new role contemplated by Windham School District in administering higher education moving forward
• Look forward to working with you. Thank you for being here. Members.
• licensing agencies to enhance access to data that will better inform policy, policies decisions moving forward

Bills: HB153

Transcript Highlights:

• observing a potential violation may report it through a dedicated online portal, phone line, email, or mail
• These reports must be submitted to the Department of Transportation, which will forward the findings
• So I look forward to your support of Senator Garcia's bill. Thank you. Additional debate.
• Thank you for bringing it forward. Additional debate, Senator Roscoe. Thank you, Mr. President.
• The work around adjusting third grade promotion criteria, I believe that this measure, as we move forward

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and several recognitions, including visiting student groups, chambers of commerce, and apprenticeship participants. Senators also observed a moment of silence for a fallen Walton County deputy and later for the late John Pasadoma. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading calendar and special order calendar, with most bills passing overwhelmingly and several amendments adopted along the way. Among the major measures, SB 234 on criminal offenses against law enforcement officers passed 37-0 after debate and an amendment clarifying “good faith” in an officer’s duties; SB 7020 on open government and cybersecurity information passed 37-0; SM 1488 urging Congress to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund was adopted by voice vote; SB 944 reducing insurance overpayment claim deadlines for psychologists passed 37-0; SB 878 expanding misdemeanor probation treatment provisions to controlled substances passed 36-1; SB 538, the state court system package, passed 37-0; SB 480 on nonprofit agricultural organization medical benefit plans passed 32-4; SB 472 on correctional-facility education credit for licensure passed 37-0; and SB 56 on geoengineering and weather modification passed 28-9 after extensive debate about enforcement, federal preemption, and the bill’s purpose. Later, the Senate passed CS/HB 421 on peer support for first responders 37-0 after substituting the House companion, and SB 164 on vessel accountability advanced with a technical amendment. SB 166 on administrative efficiency in public schools drew the most extended debate and multiple amendments; it changes testing, promotion, teacher evaluation, certification, and facilities rules, and passed 37-0. The chamber also passed SB 282 on warranty association financial requirements 36-0, SB 316 creating series LLCs 35-1, and SB 384 on annexing state-owned lands 36-0. At the end of the day, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all passed bills to the House, received budget schedule guidance from Appropriations Chair Hooper for SB 2500 and SB 2502, and adjourned until April 9.

Transcript Highlights:

• observing a potential violation may report it through a dedicated online portal, phone line, email, or mail
• These reports must be submitted to the Department of Transportation, which will forward the findings
• So I look forward to your support of Senator Garcia's bill. Thank you. Additional debate.
• Thank you for bringing it forward. Additional debate, Senator Roscoe. Thank you, Mr. President.
• The workaround adjusting third grade promotion criteria, I believe that this measure, as we move forward

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including state championship athletic teams, visiting chambers of commerce, apprentices, students, and other guests. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading calendar and special order calendar, with no committee reports or executive messages on the desk. A moment of silence was held for Walton County Deputy William Will May, who died in the line of duty. Among the major bills passed was SB 234, which strengthens restrictions on resisting law enforcement officers and increases penalties related to manslaughter of an officer; an amendment clarifying “good faith” in an officer’s duties was adopted, and the bill passed 37-0. The Senate also passed SB 7020 on open government review of certain cybersecurity information, SM 1488 urging Congress to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, SB 944 reducing the overpayment claim period for insurers/HMOs seeking reimbursement from licensed psychologists from 30 months to 12 months, SB 878 extending probation treatment options for misdemeanor offenses involving controlled substances, SB 538 updating the state court system, SB 480 expanding nonprofit agricultural medical benefit plans, SB 472 giving correctional education credit toward professional licensure, SB 86/House companion 421 expanding peer support for first responders to include support personnel, SB 164 on vessel accountability, SB 282 on warranty association financial requirements, SB 316 creating Series LLC rules, and SB 384 requiring notice to legislative delegations before municipal annexation of state-owned lands. The most debated measure was CS/CS/SB 56 on geoengineering and weather modification, which Garcia said would prohibit unauthorized atmospheric interventions, create reporting and enforcement mechanisms through DEP, and impose felony penalties; Polsky questioned the bill’s practicality, federal preemption issues, and agency capacity, while supporters said it would address public concerns and close loopholes. The Senate also passed CS/SB 166 on public school administrative efficiency after adopting several amendments affecting school purchasing timelines, third-grade retention exemptions, teacher contracts, certification, facilities planning, and an OPPAGA study of cost-per-student-station limits; senators debated testing, teacher evaluations, and school accountability. At the end of the day, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all passed bills to the House, received budget process guidance from Appropriations Chair Hooper on SB 2500 and SB 2502 amendment deadlines, and then adjourned until April 9.