BATON ROUGE — Below is a concise list of bills the House Judiciary Committee considered during the recorded session and the committee’s disposition as shown in the transcript.

Votes at a glance

- HB 80 (Representative DeWitt): Classify utility linemen/utility workers as first responders. Committee action: moved forward by unanimous consent (no objection). Notes: sponsor emphasized quicker power restoration for hospitals, dialysis centers and residences that rely on oxygen machines.

- HB 273 (Representative Spell): Establish the official state children’s Christmas book (Cajun Night Before Christmas). Committee action: reported favorably with adopted amendments. Notes: sponsor and the publisher emphasized cultural significance; governor’s office indicated support.

- HB 26 (Representative Weibel): Expand Washington Parish fair holiday days. Committee action: reported favorably (no objection).

- HB 113 (Representative Weibel): Sales of alcoholic beverages in Washington Parish (local bill). Committee action: reported favorably (no objection).

- HB 563 (Representative Lacombe): Changes affecting manufacturers and brewers, including provisions to allow certain on-premise sellers to participate in farmers markets with notice to ATC. Committee action: reported favorably with amendments; stakeholders (Brewers Guild, Beer Industry League) testified in support.

- HB 307 (Representative Henry): Require agencies to report noncitizen applicants for public assistance to ICE. Committee action: reported favorably after roll-call (10 yeas, 5 nays); amendment added secretary of state as a reporting entity. Notes: contentious; organized support from FGA Action and written opposition from child-welfare and environmental groups.

- HB 212 (Representative Orgeron): Container-size technical corrections for high‑alcohol beverages (adds small-pack sizes and clarifies exceptions). Committee action: reported favorably with amendments.

- HB 134 (local marshal bill, Representative Green): Allow marshal to use designated salary account to pay reserve deputies for special events. Committee action: reported favorably (no objection).

- HB 412 (Representative Romero): Allow non‑tobacco (synthetic) nicotine pouches under conditions tied to federal review. Committee action: reported favorably; committee signaled further enforcement-focused amendments expected on the floor. Notes: industry and ATC support; opposition from a small vape-shop owner.

- HB 96 (Representative Knox): Add the U.S. Space Force to statutory definitions of the U.S. Armed Forces. Committee action: reported favorably (no objection).

Summary notes

- The committee processed a mix of noncontroversial local and technical bills by unanimous consent or without objection. The most contested item was HB307, which drew extended questioning and a recorded roll-call. HB412 drew industry and small-business testimony and will be accompanied by further enforcement-focused amendments.

- Where the transcript records a roll-call, the counts are reproduced above. For bills advanced by unanimous consent or without roll call, the committee chair announced the outcome in the transcript.