Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:17:56.799> Miss<00:17:57.039> Joan is the Annapolis chapter, Miss Joan is the
• She joined in the fall of 25 Lambda Upsilon chapter, and so I celebrate her as well.
• and so I celebrate her oopsilon chapter and so I celebrate her as<00:20:34.000> well.
• Finance has an easy day today. 14 bills and 65 witnesses. We meet at 1:00. All right.
• <00:28:25.919> We today. 14 bills and 65 witnesses. We today. 14 bills and 65 witnesses.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate opened with an invocation by Reverend Dorene Robinson of Weman Memorial AM Church in Baltimore, followed by a quorum call showing 41 members present. The chamber then spent much of the session recognizing guests and visitors, including members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the Morgan State Choir, the Winston Churchill High School varsity golf team, the Elijah Cummings Youth Program, students from several schools, faith leaders, and other community guests. Several senators also introduced personal guests and offered birthday recognitions, including Mrs. Eliza May Robinson and the Secretary of the Senate. On the legislative side, Senate Bill 988 on judicial facilities, stops, detention, and arrest limitation rules was introduced and referred to the Rules Committee. Bond initiatives were also read and referred to the Capital Budget Subcommittee. The chamber took up Senate Bill 108 on wetlands enforcement, but the minority leader said members still had questions, and the bill was special ordered until Friday without objection. The Senate also adopted a congratulatory resolution honoring the Winston Churchill High School varsity golf team for winning the 2025 4A/3A Maryland State Golf Championship, including recognition of senior captain Zoe Kusak’s individual title. Another resolution congratulated Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, North Atlantic Region, for its advocacy and community service. The session ended after committee schedule announcements and a motion to adjourn until the next day, with the Senate agreeing to adjourn until Thursday, February 26 at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• :45.199> were<00:14:45.440> due<00:14:45.680> to<00:14:45.839> these<00:14
• Your<00:14:47.760> support<00:14:48.000> of<00:14:48.160> this<00:14:48.320>
• :53.600> on<00:14:53.920> their<00:14:54.079> path<00:14:54.320> toward<00
• The<00:14:56.079> community<00:14:56.480> also<00:14:56.880> supports<00:14:57.199
• supports the revision that<00:14:58.000> accommodates<00:14:58.639> continued<00:14:59.120

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:14:41.720> of<00:14:41.839> state<00:14:42.000> and<00:14:42.120> federal
• > with<00:14:42.959> arm<00:14:43.639> and<00:14:43.759> I<00:14:43.839>
• > and<00:14:52.279> you<00:14:52.440> Mr<00:14:52.680> chair<00:14:53.480
• So you can see on this slide I've got a link to the Minnesota statute and Chapter 14 that includes this
• It's in Chapter 14, and like the federal government and other states, this is the act that is really

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• military installation couldn't do anything; they couldn't do anything because the perpetrator was 13 or 14
• installation couldn't do any, they didn't, they couldn't do anything because the perpetrator was 13 or 14
• years old, and the juvenile justice system, 14 years old, and the juvenile justice system, they just
• It’s asking for a COLA on veterans benefits under Chapter 59, Section 5.
• We’re asking that they join into those public safety officers mentioned in Chapter 32, Section 100A,

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its first public hearing of the 2025–2026 session, with House Chair Rep. Joe McGonagle outlining the committee’s focus on veterans’ benefits, military families, and related policy priorities. He noted the committee’s recent record of advancing major veterans legislation, described the hearing as hybrid, and explained that testimony would be limited to three minutes. The committee then heard testimony on several bills, including H. 3886/S. 2503, H. 3863/S. 2480, and H. 3859, among others. Melissa Willett of the Department of Defense and Rep. John Stanley testified in support of H. 3886/S. 2503, which would expand support for military families by improving school open enrollment flexibility, special education continuity, concurrent jurisdiction for juvenile matters on military installations, and coordination around military protective orders. Committee members questioned the juvenile jurisdiction and protective-order provisions, with concerns raised about federal versus state authority and due process; witnesses said the jurisdiction change would be case-by-case and that military protective orders are commander-issued decisions that could be used as evidence in civilian proceedings. The Department of Defense said the proposal aligns with priorities from military stakeholders and other New England states. Jim Keene testified in support of H. 3863/S. 2480, seeking a cost-of-living adjustment for veterans’ benefits and extending certain benefits to Guard and Reserve members killed on active duty. Allie DeBateau of the Massachusetts Municipal Association testified on H. 3859, which would streamline veterans benefits administration by having the state pay benefits directly rather than reimbursing municipalities quarterly; she said this would reduce local administrative burden while leaving local veterans service officers’ roles unchanged. Committee members asked about municipal support and the fiscal impact, and the hearing concluded with no votes taken, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• > with<00:14:38.880> my<00:14:39.120> board<00:14:39.519> on<00:14:39.760
• :14:41.040> to<00:14:41.279> be<00:14:41.360> able<00:14:41.519> to could
• this<00:14:42.639> critical<00:14:43.040> service<00:14:44.000> by<00:14:44.399
• > get<00:14:51.760> to<00:14:51.920> do<00:14:52.079> that.
• Uh thank<00:14:57.600> you<00:14:58.399> uh<00:14:58.480> Miss<00:14:58.720>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:14:00.639> Perhaps<00:14:01.040> if<00:14:01.199> you<00:14:01.519> can<
• 00:14:05.760> know<00:14:05.920> people<00:14:06.160> say<00:14:06.399> no
• >> Um<00:14:08.800> but<00:14:09.120> if<00:14:09.360> they<00:14:09.839><
• This<00:14:26.160> is<00:14:26.240> student<00:14:26.800> relating<00:14:27.120>
• 465 at this time um through the chapter 465 at this time um there's<01:14:28.880> obviously<01

Bills: SB2024, SB896, SB2613, SB494, SB2391, SB2125, SB2614, SB2615, SB3262, SB3325, SB3118

Keywords: charter schools, public-private partnership, school facilities, education funding, community need, education, capital improvement, reporting, transparency, technical expertise, public school land transfer, Department of Education, DOE, land conveyance, fee simple title, tax map key, TMK, Act 307, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, Act 139

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill reforms Chapter 984 in Florida Statutes.
• This bill reforms Chapter 984 in Florida Statutes.
• In Chapter 408, it pulls a definition for a legal representative that was created in 2001.
• The 14 days, yes. Thank you. Representative Bartleman, you're recognized for a question.
• You're shortening that to 14 days, which technically you're allowed to do under the law.

Summary: The committee took up a large health and human services agenda and first approved HB 711, the Spectrum Alert bill, which would create a statewide alert system for missing autistic children and require FDLE to coordinate training with state and local agencies. The measure drew a supportive waiver from the Florida Smart Justice Alliance and passed unanimously, 24-0, reported favorably. Members then considered CS for HB 229 on health facilities, which modernizes the Health Facilities Authority Act to allow additional nonprofit health system structures to use tax-exempt financing. Two amendments were adopted: one requiring advance notice, public hearings, and stakeholder notifications before a nonprofit hospital closure, and another removing a property tax exemption for a nonprofit hospital that closes and fails to maintain emergency services for 120 days, applied retroactively to January 1, 2025. The Florida Hospital Association opposed the amendments, citing workforce and nonprofit-status concerns, but the bill as amended passed 24-0. The committee also approved CS for HB 1405 on juvenile justice status offenders, expanding early truancy intervention, parent involvement, and shelter placement review timelines; it passed 24-0. CS for HB 27, joining the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact, and its linked public records bill CS for HB 29 both passed unanimously after supportive testimony from several advocacy and business groups. The committee then debated HB 111 on out-of-network referrals and HB 1083 on patient access to records. HB 111 would require referring practitioners to inform patients in writing when a referral is out of network and to apply out-of-network payments to deductibles; it drew opposition from medical groups over administrative burden and patient-care concerns, but passed 17-8. HB 1083 would shorten the time for producing medical records to 14 working days and standardize access rules, with amendments clarifying portal access and delaying the effective date to January 1, 2026; despite opposition from some health information and provider groups over HIPAA and access concerns, it passed 19-7 as amended. Later, the committee approved HB 883, allowing autonomous practice for psychiatric nurse practitioners with the required credentials, after strong support from nurse practitioner groups and opposition from psychiatric and medical associations; it passed 23-3. HB 1297, which aligns Florida’s electronic prescribing exceptions with federal law and removes several state exemptions, passed 19-7 despite opposition from hospice, emergency physician, rheumatology, and medical groups concerned about paper prescriptions in emergencies and hard-to-find medications. HB 1353 on home health care services and CS for HB 989 on foster home licensure transfers both passed unanimously after supportive amendments. The committee also heard HB 1505 on parental rights, which would require written parental consent for many health care services, surveys, and biofeedback devices for minors and expand parental access to records; the bill drew extensive support testimony but also questions and concerns about confidentiality, abuse reporting, and existing exceptions, and the transcript ended before a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:03.000> levels<00:14:03.800> so<00:14:03.959> if<00:14:04.079> there's
• your<00:14:06.279> house<00:14:06.519> you<00:14:06.639> still<00:14:06.880>
• c><00:14:09.160> privacy<00:14:09.639> but<00:14:09.759> if<00:14:09.880> it's
• > uh<00:14:21.680> in<00:14:21.800> the<00:14:21.959> zone<00:14:22.279><
• around your home<00:14:22.920> so<00:14:23.199> even<00:14:23.399> flying<00:14

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several fireworks-related bills. On HB 550, which would allow law enforcement to use drone recordings to establish probable cause for fireworks arrests in public areas and appropriate funds for drones, the Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the measure. The Public Defender and some public testifiers opposed it, arguing that a statute cannot mandate probable cause and that the bill raises constitutional concerns. A prosecutor later explained that the bill is intended to address Hawaiʻi case law, especially State v. Kit, which limits aerial surveillance over homes under the state constitution, and suggested that changing “shall” to “may” could reduce constitutional problems. Members also questioned whether current law already allows video evidence of fireworks violations and whether the bill was necessary. Testimony included both support and opposition from individuals and organizations, and no vote was taken during the hearing. The committees then heard HB 806, which would appropriate funds for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct sting operations on Oʻahu to enforce fireworks laws. The department and police supported the bill, while the Libertarian Party of Hawaiʻi opposed it, arguing that fireworks are already illegal and that the measure adds unnecessary enforcement powers and constitutional risk. Committee members asked what “sting operation” means and whether the term should be defined more clearly; the department said it refers to police or criminal investigations involving deception and agreed a definition would help guide use of the funds. The department also said the funding would support training, storage, and other operational costs for undercover investigations. Finally, the committees heard HB 1483, a broader fireworks enforcement bill that would create an adjudication system for fireworks infractions, revise definitions and penalties, establish new offenses, and increase penalties when fireworks offenses cause injury or death. The Attorney General’s office strongly supported the bill, saying it would improve enforcement by clarifying definitions and allowing cases to be proven without particle testing or expert witnesses when fireworks leave no physical evidence. The Department of Law Enforcement also supported it. The Public Defender opposed the bill, focusing on the bill’s penalty enhancements for offenses that are rarely enforced and its concurrent trial provision, which it said raises problems because of the differences between civil and criminal proceedings. No final committee action or vote was reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• :14:28.000> a<01:14:28.080> little<01:14:28.239> over<01:14:28.800> 200 we
• > people<01:14:31.520> not<01:14:31.679> to<01:14:31.880> do<01:14:32.159
• giving<01:14:40.159> us<01:14:40.320> a<01:14:40.600> staff<01:14:41.040> we
• <01:14:43.840> so<01:14:44.000> we<01:14:44.120> could<01:14:44.280> promote<
• :14:43.159> is<04:14:43.640> if<04:14:43.800> you<04:14:44.439> have<04:14

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We look at what God's, Jesus' model prayer is from Luke chapter number 11.
• Chapter number 11.
• Over the years, they've strived to give scholarships in each chapter.
• Texas is 14. In Louisiana, in New Orleans, it's $35,000 in Shreveport, $17,000.
• I make a motion that we adjourn and convene tomorrow, Thursday, May 14, at 9:30 a.m.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:02.560> and<00:14:02.880> lead<00:14:03.120> of<00:14:03.279> the<
• Um, we<00:14:06.639> also<00:14:07.920> potentially<00:14:08.480> could<00:14:08.639
• <01:14:00.320> So,<01:14:00.560> thank<01:14:00.640> you,<01:14:00.960> chair
• <01:14:04.000> Um,<01:14:05.040> anyone<01:14:05.360> else<01:14:05.600>
• <01:14:07.199> HP,<01:14:07.840> I'm<01:14:08.000> sorry,<01:14:08.560> SP

Bills: HB1853, HB1591, HB1961, HB1854, HB1965, HB1962, HB1959, HB2505, HB2576, HB1801, HB1804, HB1864, HB2319, HB2314, HB2115

Keywords: HB1853, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, memory care, memory clinic, Hanai Memory Network, Executive Office on Aging, aging services, kupuna, caregiver support, long-term care, elder care, geriatrics, public health, dementia screening, care coordination, referral network, neighbor islands, rural health

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2047, relating to pharmacy benefit managers. The Insurance Division said the bill would require new enforcement resources and estimated an appropriation of about $1.5 million and five positions. Kaiser Permanente asked for an amendment to exclude HMOs from the definition of third-party PBMs, saying the bill should not interfere with integrated care models. PCMA and the Hawaii Pharmacist Association supported narrowing amendments, with pharmacists objecting to section 3 and warning the bill as amended could create major operational burdens and a significant general fund cost. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and the chair moved on to the next measure after questions. The committee then took up SB 2080, which would allow Hawaii to join the psychology interjurisdictional compact. Supporters, including DCR, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, the Grassroot Institute, and others, said the compact would expand access to psychology services, especially for people in rural areas or those needing continuity of care while traveling. Opponents, including the Board of Psychology and a Shamanad University psychology professor, raised concerns about client safety, crisis-response procedures, enforcement costs, FBI background checks, and possible loss of state control over training and specialization standards. The board said Hawaii’s current 1,900-hour internship/postdoc requirement is higher than the compact’s standard and that the state is still implementing a separate provisional licensing law that may address some access issues. The discussion focused on whether the compact would meaningfully reduce shortages and whether Hawaii should instead pursue changes within its existing licensing system. Finally, the committee heard SB 2277 on hospital price transparency. The Office of Consumer Protection initially noted the bill could require significant staffing, but later testimony from SHIP suggested the measure could be handled more simply by working with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii and publicly posting violations. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, arguing hospitals already must comply with federal CMS transparency rules and that adding state requirements would increase costs and legal exposure, especially if violations were treated as unfair or deceptive trade practices. Steve Fenberg testified in support, saying the bill would simply codify existing federal requirements in state law and that he was open to amendments removing state enforcement and the unfair trade practice language. No final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Bills: HB9, SB2069, SB2342, SB2861, SB3123, SB2623, SB585, SB2211, SB2446, SB2919, SB2125, SB2116, SB2999, SB2656, SB2001, SB3169

Keywords: HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation, Chapter 5 HRS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, military appreciation, veteran recognition, SB2069, Hawaii housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome<00:14:03.519> to<00:14:03.680> the<00:14:03.760> House<00:14:04.000>
• Um and we've<00:14:34.079> got<00:14:34.160> them<00:14:34.320> all<00:14:34.480
• So schools<00:14:35.519> if<00:14:35.600> you<00:14:35.760> could<00:14:35.920><
• <00:14:40.560> Hold<00:14:41.279> rise<00:14:41.519> when<00:14:41.760> I
• Uh<00:14:45.680> first<00:14:45.920> we<00:14:46.160> have<00:14:46.480> Koi<

Bills: HB2118, HB1764, HB1815, HB2117, HB2436, HB2438, HB2532, HB2566, HB2573, HB1736, HB2425, HB1590, HB1913, HB1573, HB1542, HB1804, HB1976, HB1704, HB1996, HB1541, HB1926, HB1703, HB1866, HB1710

Keywords: business development, arts, cultural affairs, Hawaii, commissions, administrative transfer, funding appropriation, music education, public concerts, Hawaii State Library, cultural collaboration, music accessibility, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, SFCA, Performing Arts Grants Program, arts grants, culture and the arts, history and the humanities, King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, Works of Art Special Fund

Transcript Highlights:

• 14:02.240> of<00:14:02.399> this<00:14:02.639> bill.
• I<00:14:03.120> I<00:14:03.519> just<00:14:03.680> like<00:14:03.839> to<
• 00:14:05.279> have<00:14:05.600> concerns<00:14:06.959> be<00:14:07.120> aware
• um<00:14:08.079> our<00:14:08.480> businesses<00:14:09.360> and<00:14:09.760
• <00:14:11.600> Thank<00:14:11.839> you.

Bills: HB2118, HB1764, HB1815, HB2117, HB2436, HB2438, HB2532, HB2566, HB2573, HB1736, HB2425, HB1590, HB1913, HB1573, HB1542, HB1804, HB1976, HB1704, HB1996, HB1541, HB1926, HB1703, HB1866, HB1710

Keywords: business development, arts, cultural affairs, Hawaii, commissions, administrative transfer, funding appropriation, music education, public concerts, Hawaii State Library, cultural collaboration, music accessibility, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, SFCA, Performing Arts Grants Program, arts grants, culture and the arts, history and the humanities, King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, Works of Art Special Fund

Bills: HB95, HB111, HJR1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM34, HB2, HB32, HB33, HB61, HJM2, HM23, HM24, HM26

Keywords: HB95, additional judgeship, district court, judicial district, First Judicial District, Second Judicial District, district judges, court administration, judicial staffing, caseload, access to justice, New Mexico courts, judiciary, judge vacancy, court backlog, state courts, water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order

Bills: SB 2, SB 3, SB 10, SB 16, SB 5, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, SB 19, SB 54, HB23, HB17, HB16, SB19, SB53, SB54, HB16, HB17, HB23, HB27, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB2, SB3, SB10, SB16, SB5

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, real property theft, real property fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• the voter’s change of address submitted under section 15.021, section 63.011, section 15.053, or Chapter

Bills: SB 2, SB 3, SB 10, SB 16, SB 5, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, SB 19, SB 54, HB23, HB17, HB16, SB19, SB53, SB54, HB16, HB17, HB23, HB27, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB2, SB3, SB10, SB16, SB5

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, real property theft, real property fraud

Bills: SB 2, SB 3, SB 10, SB 16, SB 5, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, SB 19, SB 54, HB23, HB17, HB16, SB19, SB53, SB54, HB16, HB17, HB23, HB27, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB2, SB3, SB10, SB16, SB5

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, real property theft, real property fraud

Bills: SB 10, SB 8, SB 15, SB 12, SB 6, SB 13, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, SB10, SB8, SB15, SB12, SB6, SB13, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, law enforcement, department file, employee records, misconduct, confidentiality, Texas occupations code, election laws, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, criminal prosecution, jurisdiction, hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids

Transcript Highlights:

• It's General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 14, Subsection 7. And I know the...
• Chapter 30A, Section 14, Subsection 7.
• 30A, which then limits the amount of plaintiffs... ...which we are trying to bring us back to Chapter
• Amendment number 14, filed by the Senator from Essex and Middlesex, Senator Tarr, the clerk will read
• Amendment number 14 by Mr. Tarr, parental opt-out. Amendment number 14 by Mr.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate resumed debate on Senate No. 2696, An Act Regarding Free Expression, a bill addressing challenges to books and other library materials in school and public libraries. Senators supporting the bill argued it protects free expression and gives students, parents, guardians, and others a court path to challenge removals, while opponents raised concerns about parental rights, school control, and the scope and timing of the review process. Several speakers also emphasized the broader context of book bans and the impact on authors, librarians, and students. A number of amendments were considered. Amendment 4, offered by Senator Creem, was adopted and extended standing to authors and creators to challenge removals of their works, including in municipal libraries. Amendment 5, by Senator DiDomenico, was adopted and limited who may initiate challenges to those connected to the school community. Amendment 6, by Senator Comerford, was adopted to require that challenged materials be considered in their entirety. Amendment 8, by Senator Tarr, proposing parental notification of challenges, was rejected after a roll call. Subsequent Tarr amendments on parental opt-out, reporting, public process, and written policy were also rejected, while Amendment 19, requiring written reasons when librarians remove outdated or successor materials, was rejected as well. Amendment 7, a Ways and Means amendment, was adopted. The Senate then ordered the bill to a third reading and passed it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 35 in favor and 3 against. The chamber also adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 11:00 a.m., and then adjourned.