Transcript Highlights:

• Verette Martinez, 60th Representative District; Ed Murray, 97th Representative District.
• H.G.R. by Representative.
• House Bill by Representative Wilburne, House Bill by Representative Bayham, St.
• Representative Carrier? Representative Carrier? Representative Carrier? Representative Carrier?
• Representative McMakin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Representative Egan.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then received and processed multiple resignation notices and special-election proclamations for vacant seats. The chamber later recognized and swore in newly elected members Doyle Boudreaux, Reese Broussard, Chassity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray after no objections were raised to their qualifications. The House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session, and it adopted the proposed standing committee meeting schedule and referred prefiled bills to committee without objection. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the introduction and reading of a very large number of House bills and resolutions across many subject areas. Measures included the annual appropriations bill, a proposed constitutional convention, carbon dioxide sequestration and pipeline permitting, retirement-system changes, criminal justice and public safety proposals, education and workforce measures, local government and district creation bills, insurance and liability reforms, and numerous commemorative resolutions. Several prefiled bills were withdrawn, and many introduced measures were assigned to committees or allowed to lie over under the rules. The House then entered a joint session with the Senate for the governor’s address. Governor Jeff Landry outlined his administration’s priorities and praised recent legislative actions on taxes, insurance reform, transportation, education, and fiscal discipline. He urged support for Amendment 3 on teacher pay and retirement, called for further workforce and health initiatives, defended insurance and transportation reforms, and pressed for judicial reform, especially in Orleans Parish, citing the death of Jacob Carter and failures in electronic monitoring as examples. He also promoted replacing the vehicle inspection sticker with a QR code system and highlighted economic growth, lower taxes, and infrastructure investments. The joint session also included a presentation of the colors by the Louisiana National Guard and a Distinguished Flying Cross ceremony for Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister, recognizing his 2018 rescue mission in Alaska. After the governor’s remarks and the military honor presentation, the joint session concluded and the House resumed introducing additional bills, continuing to file measures on topics such as health care, education, ethics, elections, local districts, and constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tamara: Representative Arsophy, yes. Representative Blanco. Representative Butanah.
• Representative Bulls, yes. Representative Byme, yes. Representative Half, yes.
• Representative Cant, yes. Representative Gentry, yes. Representative Giallombardo.
• Representative Cant, yes. Representative Gentry, yes. Representative Giallombardo.
• Representative Bulls, yes. Representative Cheney, yes. Representative Half, yes.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> represent representative strand yes represent representative strand yes representative representative
• 32.240><c> representative</c> representative Earth yes representative representative Earth yes representative
• Neno yes represent D Roy yes represent Neno yes represent<00:56:56.039><c> w</c> represent w represent
• representative Sullivan yes yes representative Sullivan yes representative representative representative
• ><c> representative</c> representative de Roy yes representative representative de Roy yes representative

Summary: The House Finance Committee first took up a nongermane amendment to House Bill 71 that would require state vendors, through contract language, to comply with the New Hampshire Patient Bill of Rights. Representative Edwards said the amendment was revised after feedback from the hospital association and DHHS, applies only to new contracts or amendments, and includes a repeal date of November 30, 2026 so it would function only for the current budget cycle. John Williams of Legislative Affairs said the changes reflected work with DHHS procurement staff and with hospital stakeholders, including the removal of the term "addenda" in favor of "amendment" and clarification on prospective application. The committee did not vote on the amendment at that time, noting it would be attached later to HB 71. The committee then moved into executive session and acted on several bills. HB 67, which converts a pilot program for accessible voting machines in local elections into a permanent program, was amended to remove a $100,000 appropriation and adjust dates; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed unanimously, 25-0, and the bill was suggested for the consent calendar. HB 111, extending the Right-to-Know Ombudsman position, was retained and slated to be incorporated into HB 2 after a unanimous 25-0 vote, with the ombudsman noting the office could expire July 1 if the budget were delayed. HB 164, creating a process for a publicly accessible website for local records retention and access, was also retained for HB 2 by a 25-0 vote because it carries an appropriation. HB 216 was retained for further work because the committee could not get reliable cost information from the retirement system or the Labor Department; members said the fiscal note looked alarming, though the committee believed the actual cost might be near zero. HB 282, which raises the biennium cap on critical injury benefits for first responders from $500,000 to $1 million without increasing any individual benefit, was voted ought to pass 25-0 and will require a report. HB 619, dealing with solid waste issues and a possible self-funding accounting unit, was retained for HB 2 by a 25-0 vote. HB 650, an annual dedicated-funds cleanup bill that also caps a robotics fund at $1 million, passed ought to pass 25-0 and was placed on consent. Finally, HB 129, defining "evidence-based" in public education, was retained 25-0 while members continued working on language, and HB 133, concerning new resident driver’s license transfer requirements and DMV notices, drew a split policy discussion: the minority raised constitutional, administrative, and fiscal concerns, while the majority moved to retain it for HB 2 consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Black: Here. Representative Campbell: Here. Representative Chamberlain: Here.
• Representative Hatzis: Here. Representative Gossett-Seidman: Here. Representative Harris: Here.
• Representative Jerviss: Here. Representative Holcomb: Here. Representative Johnson: Here.
• Clerk: Representative Black? Representative Black: Yes. Clerk: Representative Campbell?
• Clerk: Representative Daley? Representative Daley: Yes. Clerk: Representative Goncalves?

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Mooney. Representative Nixon. Representative Owen. Representative Spencer.
• Representative Boyles. Representative Chaney. Representative Cobb. Representative Cross.
• Representative Mooney. Representative Nixon. Representative Owen. Representative Spencer.
• Representative Mooney. Representative Nixon. Representative Owen. Representative Spencer.
• Representative Boyles. Representative Chaney. Representative Cobb. Representative Cross.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes. >> Representative Stringham. >> Representative Priest, yes. >> Representative Run, yes. >> Representative
• </c> &gt;&gt; Represents. &gt;&gt; Represents. &gt;&gt; Represents.
• </c> Representative. Representative. Representative.
• Representative and then Representative Representative and then Representative McGuire.
• Representative. Representative. Representative.

Summary: The Finance Committee met on October 30 to act on a series of House bills that had been moved during the budget process and, in many cases, were already addressed in the state budget. The chair explained that bills covered by the budget would generally be reported inexpedient to legislate, while some others would be placed on the consent calendar or handled separately. Early votes were largely unanimous, including House Bill 54, which would allow alternate treatment centers to operate for profit; the committee voted 25-0 ought to pass and sent it to the consent calendar. The committee then recommended inexpedient to legislate on House Bill 97, a wastewater and infrastructure appropriation bill, because the funding had been replaced in House Bill 2 with $2.5 million in each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Representative Rum opposed the ITL motion, arguing the projects would otherwise burden local property taxpayers and that the funding was important for housing and municipal infrastructure, but the motion passed 14-11. House Bill 111, dealing with the right-to-know ombudsman, was also reported ITL 14-11 on the grounds that the budget already made significant reforms and separate action could create conflicting statutory language. House Bill 164, creating funding for a local government records manager position in the Secretary of State’s office, received a unanimous amendment appropriating $150,000 for fiscal year 2027 and then passed 25-0 ought to pass as amended, moving to the regular calendar. House Bill 197, the Property Tax Relief Act, drew extended debate over whether restoring a state contribution to retirement system costs would reduce local property taxes; supporters framed it as tax relief for municipalities and school districts, while opponents said the effect would be minimal or offset by other retirement-system changes. The committee ultimately voted 14-11 ITL, with a minority report requested. House Bill 215, requiring landfill permit applicants to submit a report on potential harms and benefits, was amended and then passed 25-0 ought to pass as amended. House Bill 216, which would remove a workers’ compensation-related service-credit limit for certain disability retirement cases, was voted ITL 25-0 after the sponsor said the fiscal impact was too uncertain. Finally, House Bill 219, which would redirect renewable portfolio standard funds and was amended to delay its effective date to July 1, 2027, advanced after debate over electricity costs and renewable energy policy; the committee adopted the amendment unanimously and then voted on the bill as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Dunkley. Representative Gantt. Representative Gerwig.
• Representative Chamberlin. Representative Cobb. Representative Daley. Representative Dunkley.
• Representative Cobb. Representative Daley. Representative Dunkley. Clerk: Representative Gantt.
• Representative Harris. Representative Hodgers. Representative Holcomb. Representative Johnson.
• Representative Harris. Representative Hodgers. Representative Holcomb. Representative Johnson.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Lisa Kitagawa. Representative Sam Kong. Representative Matthias Kusch.
• Representative Lisa Kitagawa. Representative Sam Kong. Representative Matthias Kusch.
• thank you Madame speaker representatives thank you Madame speaker representative representative representative
• alos no vote so or no Representative alos no vote so or representative representative representative
• ><c> ordered</c><00:57:55.559><c> representative</c> represent so ordered representative represent so

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Tipton. institutions. Representative Tipton.
• Representative<00:33:18.720><c> Tipton.</c> Representative Tipton. Representative Tipton.
• Representative Representative<00:34:15.440><c> Brown.</c> Representative Brown.
• Representative<00:43:11.599><c> Karnney.</c> Representative Karnney. Representative Karnney.
• Representative<00:44:57.040><c> Watkins.</c> Representative Watkins. Representative Watkins.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes. >> Representative Stringham. >> Representative Priest, yes. >> Representative Run, yes. >> Representative
• Representative Priest. No. Representative Run. No. Representative Muns. No. Representative Kelly.
• </c> Representative. Representative. Representative.
• Representative. Representative Evil. Representative.
• Representative. Representative. Representative.

Summary: The Finance Committee met on October 30 to act on a series of bills that had been considered during the budget process, with many being recommended for inexpedient to legislate because their funding or policy language had already been handled in House Bill 2. Early actions were largely unanimous. House Bill 54, allowing alternate treatment centers to operate for profit, was recommended ought to pass and was approved 25-0, then placed on the consent calendar because it carried no appropriation. House Bill 97, a wastewater and infrastructure appropriation, was recommended inexpedient to legislate because its funding had been replaced in HB 2; Representative Rum opposed the motion and argued the grant funding helps local taxpayers and housing development, but the committee adopted ITL 14-11, with a minority report to follow. House Bill 111, dealing with the right-to-know ombudsman, was also unanimously recommended ITL because the budget had already made related reforms. The committee then took up House Bill 164, and adopted Amendment 225-2979H, which appropriates $150,000 in FY 2027 to the Secretary of State’s Division of Archives and Records Management for a local government records manager position. The amended bill was then recommended ought to pass as amended and approved 25-0. House Bill 197, the Property Tax Relief Act, drew the most extended debate. Supporters said it would restore a state contribution to retirement costs for local employers and provide property tax relief, while opponents argued the earlier change was largely offset by employee contribution increases and other retirement-system adjustments. The committee ultimately adopted ITL 14-11, and a minority report was requested. The committee also acted on House Bill 215, a landfill-related bill. Members explained that most of its language had been included in HB 2 but was removed in conference, so the bill was retained and amended to apply more narrowly to new landfills. Amendment 2025-2970H was adopted unanimously, and the bill was then recommended ought to pass as amended by a 25-0 vote. House Bill 216, which would change retirement eligibility rules for certain workers injured on the job, was recommended inexpedient to legislate after its sponsor said the fiscal impact was too uncertain to support. Finally, House Bill 219 received Amendment 2025-2988H to change its effective date to July 1, 2027, and discussion began on the bill’s broader purpose of returning about $5.7 million annually from RPS funds to ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Busatta Cabrera: Here. Tamara: Representative Longson? Representative Longson: Here.
• Tamara: Representative Botana? Representative Botana: Here. Tamara: Representative Caruso?
• Representative Caruso: Here. Tamara: Representative Cheney? Representative Cheney: Here.
• Tamara: Representative Slosberg? Representative Slosberg: Here. Tamara: Representative Cross?
• Representative Cross: Here. Tamara: Representative Eskamani? Representative Eskamani: Here.

Transcript Highlights:

• any other introductions representatives any other introductions representative representative representative
• Representative Garcia, no vote, so ordered. Representative Pck, no vote, so ordered.
• Representative Boka, no vote, so ordered. Representative Alos, no vote, so ordered.
• Representative Pck, no vote, so ordered. Representative Garcia, no vote, so ordered.
• Representative Moraa, no vote. Representative Roda, reservations, so ordered.

Transcript Highlights:

• representative</c> representative Ammon yes representative representative Ammon yes representative Cole
• :09.760><c> representative</c> representative Gibbs yes representative representative Gibbs yes representative
• ><c> representative</c> representative preza yes representative representative preza yes representative
• <01:41:41.119><c> yes</c><01:41:41.480><c> represent</c> represent represent spear yes represent represent
• ><c> representative</c> representative terasa yes representative representative terasa yes representative

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 167, a PFAS-related measure expanding the state’s restrictions to include ski wax and related fluorocarbons. The sponsor said the bill was a follow-up to last year’s PFAS law and largely targeted products already off the market, describing it as a reaffirmation of the state’s intent to keep PFAS out of water. The committee voted unanimously to recommend the bill ought to pass and then placed it on the consent calendar. Next, the committee considered House Bill 275 on health career credentialing requirements. The discussion centered on a proposal that would have required insurance companies to pay for training mandated by federal requirements. Members concluded that approach was not appropriate and voted unanimously to make the bill inexpedient to legislate, then placed it on the consent calendar. House Bill 276, dealing with on-premise beverage license requirements, was then reconsidered after an initial ITL vote. The committee adopted an amendment creating a tavern license for establishments limited to patrons over 21, with a higher fee and no food requirement, and then voted 15-0 to recommend the bill ought to pass as amended; it was also placed on the consent calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 310, which would establish a commission to study a regulatory framework for stable tokens and tokenization of real-world assets. The sponsor said the amendment added blockchain-based trusts and discussion of privacy and environmental concerns. The committee approved the amendment 16-0 and then voted 16-0 to recommend the bill ought to pass as amended, placing it on the consent calendar. House Bill 312, concerning intercollegiate student athletes’ right to earn compensation from name, image, and likeness, was retained because members said the issue was not ready and the NCAA had not resolved how to handle it. Finally, the committee began discussion of House Bill 316 on ground ambulance reimbursement, with an amendment that would replace the bill’s reimbursement provisions with a study commission; members debated how it related to another bill, HB 725, and whether the amendment would delay immediate relief for ambulance providers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Goofski, yes. Representative Toner, yes. Representative Lane, yes.
• Representative Ward, yes. Representative Gilmore, yes. Representative Bay, yes.
• </c><00:12:58.399><c> Representative</c> Representative C. Yes. Representative Representative C.
• </c><00:24:50.240><c> Representative</c> Representative C. Yes. Representative Representative C.
• </c><01:11:58.480><c> Representative</c> Representative C. Yes. Representative Representative C.

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Damon, yes. Representative Bricky, yes. Representative Cran, yes.
• 22:03.640><c> yes</c> representative Bry bricky yes representative Bry bricky yes representative representative
• </c> representative Burton yes representative representative Burton yes representative fellows<00:24:
• </c> Representative luno no representative Representative luno no representative Ames<01:04:41.240><c
• Representative Ricky: No. Representative Chrisan: No. Representative M: No. Representative J.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 112, which would require students in the University and Community College systems to pass the U.S. citizenship civics naturalization test. A motion was made to retain the bill, and the committee voted unanimously to retain it, resulting in no report. HB 510, dealing with due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty in higher education disciplinary proceedings, was passed over for a later meeting so the University and Community College systems could meet with the committee. The committee then discussed HB 659, creating a college graduate retention incentive program, but retained it without further debate after noting the prime sponsor was unavailable. HB 770, concerning tuition credits for community service, was also held for later in the day because an amendment was expected. The most extensive discussion centered on HB 583, which would have the state participate in Medicaid direct certification for free and reduced-price school meals. Supporters argued it would identify more eligible students, reduce paperwork, improve accuracy in school funding formulas, and bring in additional federal child care scholarship money; opponents argued it would significantly affect school funding calculations and should be delayed. The committee rejected the amendment by a 10-8 vote and then voted 10-8 to retain the bill, with a majority report and minority report to follow. HB 646, requiring school districts to establish an online application for free and reduced-price meal participation, was also debated. One member said many districts already do this voluntarily and that the bill was unnecessary; another proposed an amendment to convert the mandate into a grant program to offset startup costs, but the committee proceeded on the underlying motion and voted 10-8 to retain the bill, with a majority report and a minority OTP report. HB 665, concerning eligibility for the free school meals program, was then retained by an 11-3 vote. Finally, the committee began work on HB 703, which would prohibit school districts from denying meals to students with unpaid balances and appropriate funds for that purpose. An amendment was explained that would remove state payment of district meal debt and instead require district policies against shaming or bullying students and allow voluntary donations to reduce debt. After discussion, a motion was made to ITL the bill, with the sponsor saying constituents opposed subsidizing the program and wanted districts to retain collection tools; further debate was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Fron. Representative Kerosenski. Representative Murphy. Representative Walker.
• Representative Savis. Representative Gilman. Representative Majority. Representative Frock.
• Representative Kerosenski. Representative Murphy. Representative Walker. Representative Savis.
• Representative Gilman. Representative Majority. Representative Frock, yes. Representative Walker.
• Representative Fron, yes. >> Representative Kerosinski, yes. >> Representative Murphy, yes. >> Representative

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee met in executive session on February 17, 2026, to act on a series of bills. Early in the meeting, members agreed that they could consult the online submission summaries rather than have changing submission counts read aloud. The committee then took up House Bill 1386, which would have allowed citizens in a municipality to vote to require a financial audit of a local school district. Members opposing the bill argued that school districts already have audit authority and reporting requirements under existing law, and that the proposal was unnecessary and potentially burdensome. The committee voted 17-0 to recommend the bill inexpedient to legislate, placing it on the consent calendar. The committee next considered House Bill 1181FN on public hearing notice requirements for zoning board of adjustment appeals. Members who opposed the bill said newspaper publication provides independent third-party verification and archival value, and that removing that requirement would weaken public notice. The committee voted 17-0 ITL and sent the bill to the consent calendar. It also voted 17-0 ITL on House Bill 1327, concerning the definition of commercially zoned land, largely because the sponsor was absent and members said they could not do due diligence without hearing from the sponsor. The committee then acted on House Bill 1473FN, concerning the use of agricultural fairground property, and House Bill 1147, concerning the use of capital reserve funds. In both cases, members cited the sponsor’s absence and the need for more information as reasons to recommend inexpedient to legislate; both votes were 17-0 and both bills were placed on the consent calendar. House Bill 1220, which would have allowed municipal governing bodies to review and approve school budgets, was also recommended ITL by a 17-0 vote after members raised concerns about local control, legal conflicts between separate entities, and technical drafting problems. The committee recommended ought to pass on House Bill 118, which raises the amount of money municipal treasurers may hold before depositing it in the bank, with supporters saying the higher threshold would reduce unnecessary trips to the bank and improve efficiency. It also recommended ought to pass on House Bill 1151, a housekeeping bill correcting statutory references related to conservation commission appropriations, and it approved House Bill 1309 as amended after adopting Amendment 2026-0411H to clarify town meeting warrant language. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 1385, prohibiting negative property tax rates in certain municipalities, and recommended ITL by a 17-0 vote after testimony indicated the practice at issue had already ended and that a blanket prohibition could create problems for municipalities with excess revenues. The committee also began work on House Bill 1369, relating to posting warrants for special town meetings, and discussed an amendment to preserve newspaper notice while also allowing website posting where available.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative<00:17:33.120><c> Moriawa.</c> Representative Moriawa. Representative Moriawa.
• </c> Representative Shimizu. Representative Shimizu.
• Representative<00:25:59.600><c> Garcia.</c> Representative Garcia. Representative Garcia.
• Representative<01:01:51.760><c> Keela.</c> Representative Keela. Representative Keela.
• Represent<01:04:16.400><c> Cochran.</c> Represent Cochran. Represent Cochran.

Bills: HB1952 , HB1951 , HB1929 , HB2497 , HB2208 , HB2572 , HB1953 , HB2551 , HB2549 , HB1737 , HB1628 , HB1769 , HB2493 , HB2264 , HB1997 , HB2168 , HB2427 , HB1805 , HB2180 , HB2184 , HB2219 , HB2469 , HB2233 , HB2519 , HB2141 , HB1904 , HB2201 , HB2410 , HB2007 , HB2385 , HB2444 , HB2349 , HB2235 , HB1872 , HB2416 , HB2291 , HB2292 , HB2263 , HB2359 , HB2455 , HB1509 , HB1514 , HB1515 , HB1648 , HB2164 , HB2323 , HB1825 , HB2172 , HB1888 , HB2005 , HB2387 , HB2358 , HB2119 , HB2276 , HB2472 , HB1714 , HB2325 , HB1541 , HB1960 , HB2140 , HB2315 , HB2367 , HB2388 , HB1696 , HB2333 , HB2138 , HB2332 , HB2283 , HB2059 , HB2057 , HB2589 , HB2417 , HB2337 , HB1588 , HB2217 , HB2020 , HB1915 , HB1742 , HB2026 , HB1965 , HB1546 , HB2360 , HB1563 , HB1749 , HB2614 , HB1511 , HB1753 , HB1849 , HB1641 , HB2161 , HB2194 , HB1721 , HB2284 , HB2188 , HB1897 , HB1880 , HB1573 , HB1876 , HB20 , HB2137

Transcript Highlights:

• Representatives. Representatives. &gt;&gt; [applause] Representative Muraoka.
• Representatives. Representatives. &gt;&gt; [applause] Representative Hartsfield.
• Representative<00:45:37.520><c> Alcos.</c> Representative Alcos. Representative Alcos.
• Representative<00:47:34.720><c> Shimizu.</c> Representative Shimizu. Representative Shimizu.
• Representative Gideon: No vote. Representative Alcos: No vote. Representative Ohno: No vote.

Bills: HR204 , SB2925 , SB2798 , SB2320 , SB2800 , SB1230 , SB2706 , SB3233 , SB2405 , SB3320 , SB2543 , SB3097 , SB3096 , SB3140 , SB2593 , SB2567 , SB2466 , SB2140 , SB2088 , SB3090 , SB608 , SB2795 , SB3294 , SB3263 , SB3001 , SB2907 , SB3251 , SB2074 , SB2360 , SB2354 , SB2908 , SB2353 , SB3045 , SB2047 , SB3254 , SB3246 , SB3133 , SB2425 , SB2671 , SB3229 , SB2969 , SB1166 , SB896 , SB2391 , SB2125 , SB3118 , SB3325 , SB2613 , SB2614 , SB494 , SB2376 , SB3326 , SB2001 , SB2599 , SB3048 , SB3169 , SB2002 , SB3247 , SB3253 , SB2155 , SB2192 , SB3187 , SB2190 , SB2398 , SB2424 , SB3028 , SB2338 , SB3219 , SB2981 , HCR14

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Cobb? Yes. Representative Kaylee? Yes. Representative Dunkley? Yes.
• Representative Harris? Yes. Representative Hawkins? Yes. Representative Holcomb? Yes.
• Clerk: Representative Cop? Representative Cop: Yes. Clerk: Representative Daley?
• Representative Black. Representative Black: Yes. Representative Campbell: Yes.
• Representative Dunkley: Yes. Representative Gantt. Representative Gantt: Yes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Chaw? Representative Clardy? Representative Colter? Representative Curran?
• Representative Green? Representative Greenman? Representative H. Json? Representative J?
• Representative Nash? Representative Nash? Representative Nash? Representative Nadeau?
• Representative Youakim? Representative Aam? Representative AGB? Representative Allen?
• Representative Bierman? Representative Carol? Representative Cha? Representative Clardy?