Transcript Highlights:

• testifiers that are online. testifiers that are online.
• > the a new online local newspaper called the a new online local newspaper called the Prior<00
• to all five newspapers, and yes, I do read all five newspapers.
• to all five newspapers, and yes, I do read all five newspapers.
• read all five newspapers.

Bills: HF1532, HF1290, HF2231, HF2013

Keywords: eminent domain, reimbursement, property acquisition, appraisal, landowner rights, HF1290, AED, automatic external defibrillator, defibrillator signage, wayfinding signs, roadside signs, directional signage, public access AED, emergency medical response, cardiac arrest, sudden cardiac arrest, public safety, Minnesota Department of Transportation, road authority, transportation law

Transcript Highlights:

• But yet they only have a newspaper that publishes the hearings' notices once a week.
• Digital notice in an area where there is no written newspaper was previously available, but now they
• have online access to news media.
• newspaper.
• Exterior sketches of a property in a street-level photograph of a property online would help property

Bills: HB3557, HB5578, SB973, SB974, SB2068, SB2073

Keywords: ad valorem tax, property tax, incomplete structure, human occupancy, tax exemption, HB 5578, Texas Tax Code, Section 6.062, appraisal district, county appraisal district, chief appraiser, budget hearing, public notice, notice of hearing, newspaper publication, website notice, social media notice, online newspaper, county government, property appraisal

Transcript Highlights:

• And, uh, this deals with the public notice that our public notices that are published in newspapers and
• Uh, and so many communities don't have a physical paper, newspaper anymore.
• anymore, and they take that literally like it's print newspapers.
• Not as many people read print newspapers anymore, but they all read digital, uh, unbelievably.
• Community newspapers are not just businesses.

Bills: HB 1951, HB 2715, HB 3092, HB 3237, HB 3278, HB 3511, HB 3592, HB 3675, HB 3778, HB 3782, HB 3826, HB 3970, HB 4016, HB 4049, HB 4341, HB 4344, HB 4406, HB 4427

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• McQueen is coming from, but you know, in lieu of newspapers, you know...
• Nobody reads newspapers anymore, and they take that literally, like it's print newspapers.
• The revenues newspapers had always relied on were shrinking.
• As these large loads are coming online, and with that, Mr.
• We don't have to build generation for this new construction that comes online.

Bills: HB1951, HB2715, HB3092, HB3237, HB3278, HB3511, HB3592, HB3675, HB3778, HB3782, HB3826, HB3970, HB4016, HB4049, HB4341, HB4344, HB4406, HB4427

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• Loads that we had received that were expected to come online through these officer letters last year,
• about 54% of those actually came online.

Bills: HB1951, HB2715, HB3092, HB3237, HB3278, HB3511, HB3592, HB3675, HB3778, HB3782, HB3826, HB3970, HB4016, HB4049, HB4341, HB4344, HB4406, HB4427

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• I watch the different things that are coming up, and otherwise, I watch online.

Bills: SB140, HB235, HB276, HB317, HB340

Keywords: Coach Safely Act, youth athletics, noncompliance penalties, Department of Public Health, youth athlete, social media, age verification, minors, under 16, children online safety, online privacy, platform regulation, deceptive trade practice, Attorney General, civil penalties, punitive damages, consumer protection, account creation, algorithmic feeds, internet safety

Bills: HB146, HB276

Keywords: youthful offender, criminal justice, capital murder, public safety, victims' rights, social media, minor safety, child online safety, teen accounts, parental controls, age verification, digital privacy, online platform regulation, content moderation, deceptive trade practice, Attorney General enforcement, cyber safety, mental health, youth mental health, screen time

Transcript Highlights:

• the internet free for free expression and free enterprise. for free expression and free enterprise online
• Learning that maybe you shouldn't communicate with this adult online and... ...online.
• We already know that 25% of kids under the age of 18 are victims of online identity theft... age of 18
• are victims of online identity theft, and I think it's fair to say that this could make that problem
• I also just want to add that courts have consistently found that online age verification requirements

Bills: HB235, HB276, HB285

Keywords: social media, age verification, minors, under 16, children online safety, online privacy, platform regulation, deceptive trade practice, Attorney General, civil penalties, punitive damages, consumer protection, account creation, algorithmic feeds, internet safety, youth social media, minor safety, child online safety, teen accounts, parental controls

Transcript Highlights:

• It should be in your packets and is available online. Amendments 1 and 2 are technical.
• Members, this is Amendment Set 3389, and is in your packets and available online.
• ensures draft minutes are prepared for members within a month and that the final minutes are posted online

Bills: HB55, HB608, HB997, HB1035, HB1045, HB1048, HB1049, HB1057, HB1131, HB1177, HB1201

Keywords: juror confidentiality, public records, criminal procedure, privacy, court disclosure, intercollegiate athletics, confidentiality, revenue sharing, student athletes, official journal, public notices, government transparency, local government, municipal website, school board notices, parish council, police jury, special districts, levee district, drainage district

Summary: The House and Governmental Affairs Committee met on April 14 with a quorum present and took up several public records and government transparency bills. HB 55 by Rep. Villio, as amended, would prohibit intentional public disclosure of juror identifying information and create a public records exception to protect jurors from doxxing; it was reported favorably as amended. HB 608 by Rep. Chasson would make documents related to intercollegiate athletics revenue-sharing programs confidential; supporters said it would protect student-athletes and institutions from harassment and poaching, while the Louisiana Press Association and PAR argued it would shield public money and reduce transparency. The committee adopted a motion to report HB 608 favorably by a 9-3 vote. The committee also advanced HB 1045 by Rep. LeCompte, as amended, which raises audit thresholds for certain local auditees in a limited parish-specific application tied to Pointe Coupee Parish and adds a CPI adjustment; it was reported favorably as amended. HB 1035 by Rep. Beham, which adds penalties for exploitative solicitation of campaign contributions aimed at elderly people, drew questions about overlap with existing fraud laws and enforceability, but members emphasized the problem of deceptive fundraising and recurring withdrawals; it was reported favorably by a 7-5 vote. HB 1049 by Rep. Owen would tighten open meetings requirements by improving notice posting, requiring minutes to identify motions and seconds, requiring draft and final minutes to be posted, and ensuring legal counsel or trained presiding officers are present. Supporters said it would help volunteer boards follow the law, while the Police Jury Association raised cost and staffing concerns for small public bodies; the bill was reported favorably. HB 1177 by Rep. Zerang would exempt personal information tied to hunting and fishing lottery licenses from public records to prevent harassment of successful applicants; it was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, two bills were deferred and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, under state law, you have to advertise a bid for three weeks in a newspaper. for three weeks
• in a local newspaper.
• The primary ad still stays in your local newspaper, but it allows you to fulfill these other obligations
• If something happens because you've done all these other things, if the newspaper doesn't actually publish

Bills: HB320, HB207, HB208, HB290

Keywords: public works, sealed bids, bid notice, public notice, newspaper advertisement, centralized website, digital platform, Department of Finance, Department of Transportation, county commissions, municipalities, contracting, procurement, construction bidding, Alabama code Title 39, bidding requirements, electronic bidding, online bid posting, HVAC, heating and air conditioning

Transcript Highlights:

• It's available online.
• It's available online.
• get it to the newspaper.
• a newspaper.
• And they don't need a subscription to the newspapers to read a public notice online.

Bills: HB248, HB249, HB997, HB1052, HB1193, SB1, SB161, SB218, SB220, SB289, SB435

Keywords: Compensation Commission, elected officials, salary evaluation, government accountability, Louisiana legislature, compensation, independent commission, salary adjustment, consumer price index, official journal, public notices, government transparency, local government, municipal website, school board notices, parish council, police jury, special districts, levee district, drainage district

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1, which would authorize electronic voting by public bodies under the Open Meetings Law and apply the change retroactively to validate prior electronic votes. Senator Jenkins said the bill would align the law with current practice and reduce litigation risk; members asked about best practices for announcing votes and recording them in minutes. The committee reported SB 1 favorably without objection. House Bill 1052 by Representative Spell was then heard and reported favorably. The bill would exempt certain child advocacy center and multidisciplinary investigative team records—such as forensic interviews, medical records, and related work product—from public records disclosure. Testimony from child advocacy advocates emphasized protecting sensitive child abuse investigation materials, limiting disclosure through in-camera review and protective orders when records are needed in court, and preventing misuse of records in civil or custody disputes. The committee also considered Senate Bill 289, as amended, dealing with confidentiality of certain university records in public records requests. Senator Abraham’s amendments narrowed and clarified protections for applicant materials, donor confidentiality, proprietary research, and industry negotiations, while preserving disclosure of top finalists and limiting confidentiality periods for some negotiations. The amended bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 218, allowing the State Board of Election Supervisors to approve alternative election-official certification training programs, and Senate Bill 220, a technical correction regarding the official journal of the state, were also reported favorably. Senate Bill 161, repealing a 2013 requirement that certain high-salary unclassified state employees register vehicles in Louisiana, was reported favorably after questions about its scope. House Bill 1193, authorizing CPRA to use indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity construction contracts for smaller maintenance and emergency-related coastal projects, was amended to make proposal materials unavailable for public inspection until selection is complete and to clarify the bill does not apply to design-build contracting; it was then reported favorably as amended. House Bill 249, which would have created a constitutional compensation commission to set compensation for elected officials with CPI-based adjustments, failed on a roll-call vote of 6 yeas and 9 nays. Because the constitutional amendment failed, the companion enabling bill, House Bill 248, was deferred. The committee also heard House Bill 997 on local government public notices on websites; after amendments narrowing the bill to parishes, municipalities, and school boards, members continued debating it, with supporters arguing it would reduce duplicate publication costs and opponents raising concerns about public notice transparency and newspaper access.

Transcript Highlights:

• The kids online...
• Omegle matched her with a man who made her his online sex slave.
• And so you know the trends about what we're facing online, what kids are facing online, probably as well
• It's been used online.
• Understanding that predators can now get to our children through online platforms and online, what is

Keywords: child safety, Big Tech, CSAM, legislation, online exploitation, bipartisan, social media

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the pressing issues surrounding child safety online, with a particular emphasis on recent legislative efforts aimed at curbing child sexual exploitation and harmful content accessible through social media platforms. Senators engaged in a heated discussion regarding the implications of Big Tech's lobbying efforts against vital bills such as the Stop CSAM Act and the Kids Online Safety Act. Noteworthy testimonies highlighted real-life impacts of online dangers, including tragic cases of child exploitation and drug-related fatalities linked to social media interactions. The bipartisan nature of the committee's commitment to address these issues showcased a collective determination to make the digital environment safer for the younger generation.

Transcript Highlights:

• But this bill includes online platforms, chat rooms, and any kind of communication.
• ahead and kill yourself and this is how you would do it, this is going to expand the platform for online
• communication because, as we know, our chat rooms and... ...for online communication because, as we
• There may be—there are children as young as nine years old that have been targeted online. So, Mr.
• This is simply adding the component of the online chat rooms. We're not trying peer-to-peer.

Bills: HB2665, HB2904, HB2917

Keywords: manslaughter, suicide encouragement, assisted suicide, online harassment, social media, text messaging, directed communication, minor suicide, youth suicide prevention, criminal liability for speech, online bullying, free speech, homicide, class 2 felony, Cade's Law, Arizona criminal law, sovereignty, border security, health crisis, drug cartels

Transcript Highlights:

• The amount of this material online, available online, is truly astounding.
• These are my images online. Please take them down.
• Convicting more than 350 online offenders during that time.
• The internet, apps, and online games provide that space.
• We explained what was happening as my offender continued to post online.

Keywords: Stop CSAM Act, child exploitation, online safety, reporting requirements, tech accountability, NCMEC, survivor support, legislative testimony

Summary: The committee meeting centered around the urgent need to address child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online, focusing primarily on the testimony and discussions surrounding the Stop CSAM Act. Several witnesses, including representatives from law enforcement and advocacy organizations, highlighted the significant drop in reports of child exploitation cases despite an alarming increase in actual incidents. Concerns were raised about tech companies' reporting practices, with calls for more stringent requirements to ensure timely and accurate reporting of suspected abuse. The legislation aims to fortify protections for child victims by imposing stricter obligations on tech platforms to report incidents and support law enforcement in investigations.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're filling out and accessing the forms online, how would the online application work with the
• That is not something that anyone could just hop online and actually see.
• Online method and whether or not there's a higher propensity of the online ones being overturned for
• filling out is what's going to be on the online portal.
• They do it online.

Bills: HR245, SCR30, SCR40, SB259

Keywords: transparency, justice, Epstein, Maxwell, investigation, human trafficking, government accountability, domestic violence, protective orders, online application, judicial administration, Louisiana, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• businesses who are currently building some tools to further facilitate the protection of children online
• I'm here because the committee is considering various proposals to keep teens safe online, all of which
• The reality is... ...of the online ecosystem.
• Parents are overwhelmed, and they want to understand what their kids... ...are doing online.
• It creates consistent protections for teens across the entire online ecosystem.

Bills: SB186, SB187

Keywords: internet filtering, child protection, obscene content, civil liability, manufacturers, app store, app store provider, app developer, mobile app, age verification, parental consent, minor safety, child online safety, parental controls, age gating, digital privacy, data protection, in-app purchases, online consumer protection, deceptive trade practice

Bills: SB249, SB259, HB67, HB214

Keywords: municipal tax, license fee, local tax increase, ordinance, public hearing, 30-day notice, municipal notice requirements, city council, town council, Alabama municipalities, Code of Alabama 1975, Section 11-45-2, open meetings website, newspaper publication, local government finance, tax transparency, fee increase, municipal ordinance procedure, University of South Alabama, Board of Trustees

Bills: SB 393, SB 414, SB 472, SB 578, SB 617, SB 710, SB 785, SB 973, SB 1059, SB 1062, SB 1352, SB 1450, SB 1502, SB 1547, SB 1566, SB 1567

Keywords: appraisal, tax code, property ownership, appraisal district, chief appraiser, homelessness, public notice, municipality, conversion of property, local government, housing, community engagement, electronic communications, municipal entities, transparency, public access, government accountability, property tax, reappraisal, data privacy

Bills: SB 393, SB 414, SB 472, SB 578, SB 617, SB 710, SB 785, SB 973, SB 1059, SB 1062, SB 1352, SB 1450, SB 1502, SB 1547, SB 1566, SB 1567

Keywords: appraisal, tax code, property ownership, appraisal district, chief appraiser, homelessness, public notice, municipality, conversion of property, local government, housing, community engagement, electronic communications, municipal entities, transparency, public access, government accountability, property tax, reappraisal, data privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate our local newspapers.
• This time so it does absolutely allow, you know, the continued publication in the newspaper, and that
• But there are some places you don't have a newspaper anymore, etc.
• Dick, but I still hold a newspaper. My mother still holds a newspaper. Now, let me ask you this.
• I do know that most publications I have online require me to pay a subscription fee for those.

Bills: SB36, SB39, SB40, SB12, SB29, SB121, SB131, SB12

Keywords: competitive bidding, procurement, disclosure statements, state contracts, contract protest, board governance, occupational licensing, Sunset Law, public accountability, training requirements, SB40, Houston/Hunter Act, firearm hold agreement, gun storage, temporary firearm storage, firearms dealer, federal firearms licensee, FFL, civil immunity, gun owner