Transcript Highlights:

• This funding directly supports Medi-Cal and helps fund the Medi-Cal program, and the digital software
• This funding directly supports Medi-Cal and helps fund the Medi-Cal program and the digital software
• The EHR will digitize and centrally store patient health information so that care can be administered
• The commission is an independent state agency led by 27 commissioners whose membership reflects the public

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held a May Revision hearing covering several health-related budget proposals and broader concerns about the state’s budget structure. The Chair opened by praising some May Revision changes, such as added health IT funding, county administration support tied to Medi-Cal changes, a delay in Medi-Cal cuts for some lawfully present immigrants, and additional support for Covered California subsidies, while criticizing proposed increases in Medi-Cal premiums, changes to senior eligibility, the lack of a Medi-Cal dental solution, and other reductions affecting counties, mobile crisis units, workforce incentives, and physician shortages. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state’s budget condition remains weak despite progress on the structural deficit, and the Department of Finance said the May Revision uses a mix of reductions, reforms, revenue proposals, and fund shifts to cut out-year deficits. The committee first heard Department of State Hospitals proposals, including adjustments to county bed billing authority, contract exemption language for online clinical/pharmacy subscriptions, reversion of unspent funds, a revised Metro Central Utility Plant replacement project, electronic health record implementation, and workforce development funded partly through Behavioral Health Services Act resources. DSH also described savings and realignments in incompetent-to-stand-trial and conditional release programs, including extending the independent placement panel program and shifting funds to support additional bed capacity and a mental health rehab center. Members asked about the use of BHSA funds for workforce programs, and the department said the proposal would replace General Fund support with BHSA reimbursements. The Emergency Medical Services Authority proposed funding for statewide behavioral health crisis response guidance and for enterprise system development, and the Department of Managed Health Care proposed modernization of its complaint system and claims-settlement data system to improve oversight and comply with AB 3275. The largest discussion centered on the administration’s BHSA spending plan under Proposition 1, including state-directed prevention, workforce, and other uses, plus General Fund offsets for existing programs. The LAO questioned whether some proposed offsets fit Proposition 1’s non-supplant and eligible-use requirements, while the administration argued the uses were consistent with the measure and that the state-directed share can be adjusted annually. The Commission for Behavioral Health’s proposals drew the most public and member concern. The administration proposed cutting the commission’s Innovation Partnership Fund from $20 million to $10 million and reducing the Community Advocacy Program by $6.7 million, while redirecting BHSA dollars to other state purposes and direct services. Commissioners, advocates, and several members argued the cuts would weaken community voice, reduce support for underserved populations, and disrupt grants already in process; they also objected to using BHSA funds to backfill General Fund commitments. Public commenters, including youth, disability, behavioral health, LGBTQ, tribal, veteran, immigrant, and community-based organization representatives, overwhelmingly opposed the cuts and urged preservation of prevention, advocacy, mobile crisis, and innovation funding. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll move on to the next item, item number 10, the Poppy Digital Assistant.
• The next item: Item number 10, the Poppy Digital Assistant.
• We want to present Poppy, California Digital Assistant.
• California's Digital Assistant has a shared statewide platform, Poppy, California's Digital Assistant
• And actually, I can be concrete about this because just... ...digital products.

Transcript Highlights:

• a secure interoperable system and a system that offers vehicle title holders a paperless, secure digital
• and provides that the secure interoperability and department-approved systems, including approved digital
• It authorizes secure digital verification through department-approved services.
• vehicle titles. facing services related to secure digital vehicle titles.
• Authorizes secure digital verification through department-approved services.

Bills: HR243 , HB939 , SB56 , SB72 , SB129 , SB171 , SB252

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Summary: The committee first adopted Amendment Set 527 without objection, then took up Senate Bill 56 concerning the Lafitte Area Independent Levee District and its possible transfer into the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West. Amendment Set 5327 was adopted to add a compliance officer with specified qualifications, described as a checks-and-balances measure separating that role from the chief of police. Testimony in support emphasized the district’s limited recurring revenues, the need for professional management, and the West Bank authority’s ability to provide administrative and operational support. A witness for affected landowners raised concerns about unpaid takings claims and urged amendments to preserve liability and avoid litigation, but the committee ultimately reported SB 56 favorably with amendments. The committee then received an update from DOTD Secretary Glenn Laude on the department’s transformation initiatives, including outsourcing operations and maintenance, construction process improvements, faster contractor payment times, quicker change-order approvals, and improved project delivery rates. After that, the committee reported favorably Senate Bill 171, which makes cleanup changes to the new water resources authority, and Senate Bill 252, which updates driver’s license organ-donor authorization to record both yes and no choices. Senate Bill 72, dealing with electronic titles and vehicle registration, was amended extensively to modernize OMV processes, support electronic lien and title transactions, and set standards for secure digital titles; it was then reported with amendments. House Bill 939, which would have created a Louisiana New and Used Motor Vehicle Commission, was converted into a substitute bill creating a Louisiana Vehicle Commission and consolidating the existing new and used vehicle commissions. After discussion of implementation, governance, funding, and employee-transition concerns, the committee adopted the substitute amendments and then deferred the bill. Senate Bill 129, creating a Master Combat Infantry Specialty license plate, was amended to add designated state officials for a related special plate request tied to security and parking around the Supreme Court in New Orleans, and it was reported with amendments. Finally, House Resolution 243, as amended, urged safety warning signage on the Tickfaw River after a fatal boating accident; the amendment shifted responsibility from DOTD to surrounding parish governing authorities, and the resolution was reported with amendments before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cards, apps, and digital payments are here to stay, and that's fine, but choice matters.
• Yes, they can still take digital.
• I know there's fees that typically are associated with the digital currency... ...in regards to it.
• These are digital only, but here's one that will take cash.
• And my biggest concern, if we do go to no cash and it's all based upon digital, who controls that?

Committee: House Special Committee on Tax Reform

Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute House Bill 2365 relates to digital equity programs.
• to develop recommendations to advance digital connectivity and advise the broadband office on digital
• Lastly, regarding the Digital Equity Opportunity Program, it is renamed the Digital Opportunity Program
• equity plan, and supporting the digital equity forum.
• I'm a member of the statewide Digital Equity Partners Coalition and previously served on the State Digital

Bills: HB1316 , HB2401 , HB2557 , HB2720 , HB1073 , HB2685 , HB2640 , HB2403

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: postsecondary education, homelessness, foster youth, education access, support programs, commission, gender equity, boys, men, advocacy, state policy, special education, parental rights, educational access, evaluation reports, disability services, behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access

Transcript Highlights:

• Another one is a proposed constitutional amendment that would add digital data to have the same protections
• So it would require, if the government is going to handle digital data, personal data, they have to do
• So it would require, if the government is going to handle digital data, personal data, they have to do
• So it would require, if the government is going to handle digital data, personal data, they have to do
• </c> into digital into digital forms<00:08:58.000><c> can</c><00:08:58.519><c> that</c><00:08:58.800>

Transcript Highlights:

• , to authorize the mayor of the City of Haverhill to submit special legislation to increase the membership
• bill to authorize the mayor of the City of Haverhill to submit special legislation to increase the membership
• act to authorize the mayor of the City of Haverhill to submit special legislation to increase the membership

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural matters. It adopted a Rules Committee report extending the reporting deadline for the Committee on Aging and Independence to December 3, 2025. The House also concurred in Senate referrals and suspended Joint Rule 12 on multiple petitions, including a proposal on education reporting for out-of-home placement students, a petition on applied behavioral analysis reimbursement rates, seasonal communities and housing-related petitions, and a witness intimidation petition. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling then reported a slate of local bills for consideration, including measures on South Boston park and field space, memorial markers for fallen officers in Milton and Canton, sustainable water resource funds, charter changes for Millis and Cambridge, a Hanson local licensing matter, a Haverhill Board of Health membership increase, and the Cambridge Employment and Job Training Trust. The House suspended Rule 7A, took second readings, and ordered these bills to a third reading. Later, the House considered and passed to be engrossed three bills on third reading: a Melrose senior citizen property tax exemption, a new charter for the City of Cambridge, and a Maynard alcohol license bill. The session concluded with adoption of an adjournment order setting the next meeting for Thursday at 11 a.m., and the House adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• River and tributaries working group to reflect the ongoing nature of their work and adjust the membership
• As the Senator said, this is a pretty minor legislative update to the working group's membership and
• And as the Senator said, updating the membership will ensure appropriate geographical representation.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee met with a quorum present and heard one bill, SB 832 by Senator Allen. The bill would update the statute governing the Upper Los Angeles River and tributaries working group to reflect its ongoing role, require it to meet at least annually to report on implementation of the revitalization plan and possible amendments, and adjust membership to better reflect current district boundaries and representation, including adding the Los Angeles City Council member with the most Upper L.A. River miles in their district. Senator Allen and April Bird of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, the sponsor, said the working group’s 2020 revitalization plan identified 300 opportunities and projects, with 18 currently underway, and that the changes were intended as a minor administrative update to improve geographic representation and regular oversight. There was no opposition testimony. Senators discussed the prior meeting schedule and the need to codify annual meetings, and Senator Stern expressed support and asked to be added as a coauthor. Senator Laird moved the bill, and the committee voted 6-0 to pass SB 832 to the Senate Appropriations Committee. After the vote, the chair adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• ’s Cabinet Advisory Board and to provide for the membership of the Council on the Status of Grandparents
• House Bill 246 for Representative Spell provides for the membership of the Children’s Cabinet Advisory
• for the membership of the Council on the status of grandparents raising grandchildren and to provide
• Spell provides for the membership of the Children's Cabinet Advisory Board and its subcommittees. in
• This bill basically targets updates to board membership.

Bills: HB199 , HB222 , HB223 , HB224 , HB235 , HB246 , HB405 , HB535 , HB554 , HB907 , SCR3 , SB43 , SB52 , SB54 , SB113 , SB168 , SB219 , SB222 , SB270 , SB311 , SB359

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: nursing facilities, moratorium, healthcare, patient care, data collection, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, Department of Children and Family Services, sunset law, statutory entities, regulatory authority, re-creation, termination dates, child welfare, foster care, children's rights, legal guardianship

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 429, a bill to be entitled an act relating to criteria for determining criminal gang membership
• Our current law was written for a time when gang membership was proven through tattoos, hand signs, or
• The bill modernizes the evidentiary criteria used to establish gang membership by allowing a defendant's
• So I guess my question becomes, You're expanding the definition of criminal gang membership and how that
• We're exposing people who may be tangentially... ...gang membership.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Washington County administrator Alan Massey, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then adopted the special order report setting the day’s floor calendar. The chamber also approved the journal and moved into special-order bills. Early action included unanimous passage of CS/HB 967, which creates an electronic payment option for constituents dealing with local governments, and HB 127, which adds cursive writing to required instruction for grades 2 through 5; supporters framed both bills as modernizing basic public services and preserving literacy and heritage. HB 453 also passed unanimously, creating pathways for students in Special Olympics and marching band to satisfy physical education and arts graduation requirements. The House then took up HJR 583, a proposed constitutional amendment to protect religious expression in public schools. The resolution drew extensive debate over whether it merely codified existing law or could create ambiguity about prayer, religious speech, and discrimination issues in schools and at school events. Supporters argued it would strengthen protections for faith expression and let voters decide; opponents raised First Amendment, church-state separation, and implementation concerns, including questions about what counts as religious expression and how schools would handle potentially offensive remarks. The resolution passed 93-17. Several health-related measures followed. CS/HB 237, requiring APRNs who use the title “doctor” to clarify they are APRNs when communicating with patients, passed 111-0. CS/HB 363, creating a dental therapy license and a new mid-level dental provider to address access shortages, prompted sharp debate over training, anesthesia risk, and whether the bill would create a lower tier of care; it passed 80-29. HB 375, removing a mandatory supervision requirement for autonomous CRNAs, passed 78-28, and HB 301, authorizing psychiatric mental health APRNs to provide mental health services within existing licensure, passed 88-18. The House also passed HB 863, giving Citizens Property Insurance policyholders the choice between arbitration and court for disputes, by 105-3, and HB 1399, increasing oversight of property insurers’ affiliate transactions, by 160-3. The chamber then began consideration of a local claims bill, HB 6517, for relief related to an incident involving the City of St. Petersburg.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 429, a bill to be entitled an act relating to criteria for determining criminal gang membership
• Our current law was written for a time when gang membership was proven through tattoos, hand signs, or
• The bill modernizes the evidentiary criteria used to establish gang membership by allowing a defendant's
• So I guess my question becomes, You're expanding the definition of criminal gang membership and how that
• We're exposing people who may be tangentially... ...gang membership.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Washington County administrator Alan Massey, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery recognitions. The chamber adopted the special order report and then took up a series of bills on the special order calendar. Early measures included CS/HB 967 on electronic payments to local governments, which passed 110-0, and HB 127 requiring cursive writing instruction in grades 2-5, which passed 111-0 after members spoke about literacy, signatures, and heritage. CS/HB 453 on high school diploma requirements passed 111-0 and would allow certain students to use Special Olympics participation for PE credit and marching band for PE and arts credit. The House also passed CS/HB 237 on use of professional nursing titles, which requires APRNs using the title doctor to clarify they are APRNs, by 111-0. The chamber then debated HJR 583, a proposed constitutional amendment on religious expression in public schools. Supporters said it would codify existing statutory protections for student and school personnel religious expression and let voters decide; opponents argued it was unnecessary, could create confusion, and risked constitutional problems involving school-sponsored prayer and the separation of church and state. After structured debate, the resolution passed 93-17. The House next passed CS/HB 363 on dental therapy, which creates a licensed mid-level dental provider and drew sharp debate over access to care versus patient safety; it passed 80-29. HB 375 on autonomous practice by certified registered nurse anesthetists passed 78-28, and HB 301 on psychiatric mental health APRN autonomous practice passed 88-18. Later, the House passed HB 863 on arbitration for Citizens Property Insurance disputes, giving policyholders a choice between arbitration and court, by 105-3, and HB 1399 on property insurance affiliates, which increases oversight of insurer-affiliate transactions, by 160-3. Members also heard and advanced a local claims bill, HB 6517, for relief of Eribeito and Sanchez Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg, describing severe injuries allegedly caused during an arrest and transport; the bill was rolled over for third reading at the end of the transcript. Throughout the day, members also paused for multiple recognitions of visiting students, local officials, professional groups, and community organizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 429, a bill to be entitled an act relating to criteria for determining criminal gang membership
• Our current law was written for a time when gang membership was proven through tattoos, hand signs, or
• The bill modernizes the evidentiary criteria used to establish gang membership by allowing a defendant's
• So I guess my question becomes, You're expanding the definition of criminal gang membership and how that
• **Representative Rayner**: ...to gang membership.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I would love to know what the update is on moving to digital. Yes, so.
• But the majority of it is headed to digital, and a lot of it already is.
• I know we had discussed last year the coverage or not coverage of your digitized elements.
• You said some of our organizations Is digitized and some is not.
• So when they're coming back in, we are digitizing those.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second thing that I want to point out that's a little bit unusual here is that the membership of
• little bit unusual here is<00:22:32.400><c> that</c><00:22:32.560><c> the</c><00:22:32.679><c> membership
• of</c><00:22:33.440><c> the</c><00:22:33.520><c> task</c><00:22:33.920><c> force</c> is that the membership
• of the task force is that the membership of the task force is<00:22:36.240><c> um</c> is um is um not
• And let me point you to the actual membership in there. I read the first three.

Bills: SCR118 , SCR173

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection heard two resolutions. SCR 118 SD1 would urge the Insurance Division and the Attorney General to convene a working group on climate change impacts on insurance availability and affordability. The Insurance Division deferred to written testimony, while the Attorney General opposed the measure because of an ongoing lawsuit, asking that references to legal recovery and the AG’s role in convening the group be removed. Members questioned how the resolution might relate to the state’s climate damages litigation and whether it could inform damages calculations. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, including removing the Attorney General as co-convener and changing certain membership references to board chairs; the motion passed unanimously with one excused member. The committee also heard SCR 173 SD1, which would create a task force on event ticket scalping. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the concept but asked to be added as a task force member and said the draft left its role unclear. Supporters, including the National Independent Venue Association and D-BAT, described high resale prices, fraudulent or speculative tickets, and harm to consumers and local businesses. StubHub and the Ticket Policy Forum supported the task force but urged broader scope to include the primary ticket market and ticket sellers, and StubHub also sought inclusion on the task force. Members discussed whether the task force should focus on the secondary market or the broader ticketing ecosystem, and whether the Office of Consumer Protection should be part of the task force or only consulted. The vice chair recommended passage with amendments adding the Office of Consumer Protection as a member and clarifying the consultation language, and the committee adopted that recommendation unanimously with one excused member.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill simply clarifies membership on the board by adjusting the number and types of members, and more
• institutions of higher education, governing boards, powers and duties related to legal counsel, membership
• This bill revises the membership and duties of the Board of Visitors at each public institution of higher
• This bill revises the membership and duties of the Board of Visitors at each public institution of higher
• This bill revises the membership and duties of the Board of Visitors at each public institution of higher

Transcript Highlights:

• One is exempting police chiefs from LEOFF 2 membership.
• But a lot of the urban cities, it seems like the police chiefs are recruited from the LEOFF 2 membership
• The police chiefs are recruited from the LEOFF 2 membership.
• like there's two sides to this issue because I'm sure those who get recruited from the existing membership
• to be chiefs would like to maintain their membership in LEOFF 2.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2179 creates a new retroactive exemption to membership in the Public Employees Retirement
• Persons employed by a participating port district are ineligible for PERS membership for periods that
• There are also narrower exceptions to PERS membership for...
• There are also narrower exceptions to PERS membership for certain kinds of positions, like city managers
• We've had groups of employees that have been determined subsequently to be eligible for membership in

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee heard staff briefings and testimony on four bills. House Bill 2124, a Department of Retirement Systems request, would raise the minimum monthly pension benefit that can be paid as a lump sum from $50 to $250, with future inflation adjustments by the director; staff said it would cost about $11,000 in administrative changes and have no actuarial impact on the pension funds. House Bill 2125 would remove a biennial restriction on using pension fund interest earnings for certain administrative and compliance expenses that protect the funds; DRS said it would have no fiscal impact and would continue existing practice. Seth Miller of DRS supported both bills as efforts to reduce complexity and improve consistency across retirement systems. House Bill 2179 would create a retroactive exemption from PERS membership for certain port district employees who are instead covered by federal railroad retirement or union-sponsored defined benefit plans. Staff said audits found a small number of affected employees, with a one-time administrative cost of about $18,000, and noted possible legal concerns because retroactive changes can implicate vested retirement rights. Testimony from the Washington Public Ports Association and the Port of Ponderay supported the bill as a narrow clarification needed to avoid dual coverage and large retroactive liabilities; the Port of Vancouver also supported it as a fix for building trades workers covered by union plans. House Bill 2160 would change SEBB eligibility rules for school employees, creating a presumption of coverage on day one for returning employees who previously worked 630 hours in prior years, effectively shortening the lookback period and extending it across SEBB employers. Supporters, including substitute teachers, WEA, SEIU, and other school workers, said the bill would reduce disruptive gaps in coverage, help workers and families maintain continuous insurance, and improve recruitment and retention. Opponents, including school administrators, business officials, and school directors, argued it would be an unfunded mandate that could significantly increase district costs and administrative complexity, especially because districts would have to track hours and rebut presumptive eligibility. The Health Care Authority explained that eligibility is determined by local benefits administrators using worksheets and appeals, that the current two-year presumption was built from earlier benefit rules, and that the bill could increase costs and create issues for retirees who currently manage hours to stay below the 630-hour threshold. The committee took no votes and adjourned after public hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:47.520><c> design</c> administrator for the digital design administrator for the digital design
• </c> are present in the broader digital are present in the broader digital landscape.<00:27:04.320><c
• </c> digital unfiltered world for our youth. digital unfiltered world for our youth.
• 02.400><c> materials</c> curriculum or digital literacy materials curriculum or digital literacy materials
• </c> digital equity purposes. digital equity purposes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It authorizes each post-secondary system management board to digitize student IDs for use in LA Wallet
• Maybe there is a better fit for this digital ID versus saying that it has to go to one specific vendor
• Maybe there is a better fit for this digital ID versus saying that it has to go to one specific vendor
• Maybe there is a better fit for this digital ID versus saying that it has to go to one specific vendor
• Maybe there is a better fit for this digital ID versus is. and letting this just go out.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee met on May 12, 2026, and first approved SB 518, which gives LSU limited authority to buy and sell certain real estate within one mile of campus as a two-year pilot program. Supporters said the bill would let LSU respond more quickly to deteriorating properties near campus and improve the student experience, while keeping protections such as appraisals and fair-market-value requirements. Members asked about whether the authority would affect residential property or be expanded to other universities, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then advanced SCR 33, creating a one-year Work-Based Learning Coordination Task Force to study and better align apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, and related programs across state agencies and employers. Testimony emphasized the need to reduce duplication and improve coordination so students and employers can more easily connect. HR 168 also passed, directing the Board of Regents to study collegiate athletic program funding after concerns raised by athletic directors about deficits and accounting practices. Members next approved SB 488, establishing a school safety drone response pilot program to supplement school crisis plans. The bill drew detailed testimony from a vendor describing drone deployment, response times, and coordination with law enforcement; an amendment was adopted to require coordination with the Department of Education, State Police, and the Sheriffs’ Association. The committee also favorably reported HCR 97, asking BESE and Wildlife and Fisheries to study adding age-appropriate hunting, conservation, and shooting sports education in grades 5-12, with members clarifying that no live firearms would be used on campus. Finally, the committee approved SB 112, allowing local school boards to adopt parental-consent release-time policies for religious instruction, with amendments adding instructor qualifications, reporting requirements, electronic delivery flexibility, and constitutional safeguards. It also reported SB 504, expanding individual graduation plans to include vocational options and apply to charter schools, with an amendment for standalone elementary charters. The committee then passed SB 346 and SB 347, both dealing with deepfakes—one prohibiting their use against K-12 students and the other adding unlawful deepfakes to campus power-based violence rules—and SB 353, authorizing postsecondary systems to digitize student IDs for use in LA Wallet. Several members raised concerns about naming LA Wallet specifically, but the bill was still reported favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will encourage school districts to share secure storage information on digital platforms, including
• It will encourage school districts to share secure storage information on digital platforms, including
• According to the Center for Countering Digital Hate, 3 million sexualized images were created on the
• To safely navigate an increasingly digital world.
• For students, in particular, digital technology... ...communicate, and build relationships.

Committee: House Education