Transcript Highlights:

• It is using the power of the judiciary in order to obtain information and other matters in a judicial
• And we're giving him... ...and we're giving him judicial authority and investigative authority.
• I will be glad to work with you on that because I was going to actually get a judicial interpretation
• Which is basically a judicial decision that if a... ...basically a judicial decision that if an individual
• Because we did see that hers passed out of judicial, right? Yeah. of judicial, right? Yeah.

Bills: SB210, SB292, HB360, HB233, HB66, HB356, HB164, HB238, HB209, SB223, HB307, SB210, SB292, HB360, HB233, HB66, HB356, HB164, HB238, HB209, SB223, HB307

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, education oversight, subpoena authority, investigation, State Superintendent, school misconduct, drug courts, accountability, veterans, mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation, criminal justice, court intervention, terrorist threat, terroristic threat

Transcript Highlights:

• their systems without the affirmative consent of the person whose data was collected, without a judicial
• ><00:11:57.440> court<00:11:57.600> order<00:11:57.839> or<00:11:58.000> judicial
• by a court order or judicial warrant. by a court order or judicial warrant.
• who's been collected without a judicial who's been collected without a judicial warrant<00:12:23.279
• >> But it would, if anybody out of the state would like to access our data, they need to have a judicial

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: At a morning press conference, lawmakers and advocates discussed a bill by Rep. Tabke aimed at tightening Minnesota’s automatic license plate reader (ALPR) laws. Speakers argued that license plate data is being misused, especially in connection with immigration enforcement and “Operation Metro Surge,” and said motorists expect privacy for the personal information tied to their plates. Several individuals described incidents in which they believed federal agents used ALPR data to identify their homes, photograph their houses, or otherwise intimidate them after they had observed ICE activity. John Beler of the ACLU of Minnesota said ALPR systems capture plate numbers, time, date, and location, and that private vendors and out-of-state agencies can access the data with little oversight. He cited public records showing large numbers of searches, including one metro agency with about 425,000 searches in six weeks and another with nearly 100 searches explicitly for civil immigration enforcement. He said the bill would prohibit sharing ALPR data outside Minnesota unless authorized by a court order or judicial warrant, require data-sharing agreements among agencies, require signage for private ALPR use, and bar sale or transfer of the data without consent or legal process. In response to questions, speakers said the bill is intended to regulate local law enforcement and private vendors rather than federal agencies directly, by limiting how data is shared and accessed. They compared the issue to prior bipartisan concerns about driver’s license lookups and said they hoped the measure would advance out of judiciary later that morning and then to public safety, though they said they could not guarantee support or passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, we will begin with the Judicial Standards Commission. That is in your packet 210.
• With that, we're on the Judicial Standards Commission 210, the agency analyst.
• Also, the Commission is not part of the Judicial Unified Budget, but the agency has adopted the judiciary's
• Can you just give me one example of something that a person might complain to the Judicial Standards
• Seeing none, we have temporarily tabled the Livestock Board and the Judicial Standards Commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, first agenda, the 10 o'clock agenda, we have two governor's messages and a judicial communication
• Um, next up is Judicial Communication 28.
• Judicial appointee Sonia H.
• Um next up is judicial Congratulations. Um next up is judicial communication<00:01:14.960> 28.
• Judicial appointee Sonia H. Toma for a term to expire in six years.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met in a room change and first considered two judicial confirmations. It recommended consent for Governor’s Message 767, confirming Kanoi A.D. Jackson as circuit court judge for the Third Circuit (Hawaii County) for a 10-year term, and the motion was adopted with members voting aye and some members excused. The committee then recommended consent for Judicial Communication 28, confirming Sonia H. Toma as district family court judge for the Second Circuit (Maui County) for a 6-year term. The chair noted prior concerns about the nominee, but said staff reviewed court records and found nothing problematic; the committee adopted the recommendation unanimously among those present. After a brief recess, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 55, which asks the judiciary to convene a working group to study the effectiveness of existing laws on domestic violence, temporary restraining orders, protective orders, and harassment by stalking in preventing continued abuse and harassment. Testimony was generally supportive. The Office of the Public Defender asked to be included on the working group and requested representation from the Hawaii Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as well. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence also supported including public defenders and said the effort needs funding to be effective. Other testimony emphasized survivor experiences, privacy concerns, and the need for broader research and protections for injured parties. The chair recommended passing HCR 55 with amendments to include the public defender and a representative from the Hawaii Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, to allow the judiciary authority to add other participants, and to make additional text changes including removing redundant language. The committee voted to adopt the amended recommendation, and the resolution passed with members voting aye and some excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 2201 would move non-judicial self-admission from a paired criterion to a standalone criterion
• Judicial self-admission is already a standalone criterion, and this change aligns Texas with six other
• I'm the district attorney in the 452nd Judicial District and I'm the chair of the Border Prosecution
• These groups exploit every vulnerability in our intelligence, law enforcement, and judicial systems at
• That label people as criminals without proper judicial process.

Bills: SB2199, SB2200, SB2201, SB2949, SB2332

Keywords: overweight vehicle, vehicle weight limits, hazardous materials, hazmat, cargo tank, fuel transport, trucking, commercial vehicle, Transportation Code, criminal penalty, second-degree felony, loading violation, truck weight, axle weight, gross weight, public safety, commercial carrier, Texas, commercial truck, truck route

Transcript Highlights:

• administrative versus judicial warrants. administrative versus judicial warrants.
• <02:12:52.800> warrant for ICE to get a judicial warrant for ICE to get a judicial warrant
• 03.920> for Are judicial warrants typically for Are judicial warrants typically for people<02:
• <02:14:29.480> warrant or or doesn't the judicial warrant or or doesn't the judicial warrant
• they would have access to judicial they would have access to judicial warrants,<02:30:10.480>

Keywords: House streaming session for Saturday, April 11, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House met in session, opened with a prayer, confirmed a quorum, and then moved through a long series of concurrence items and committee reports. Early on, the House rejected Senate amendments to House Bills 14 and 573 and sent messages asking the Senate to recede or appoint conference committees. It also entered conference on House Bill 907 (third degree assault) and on several other measures where the chambers disagreed, including Senate Bill 233 (cemeteries) and Senate Bill 626 (sex designation on birth certificates and IDs). House Bill 501, dealing with sexual offenses by a person in a position of authority, was concurred in and passed unanimously. The House then took up a large concurrence calendar and passed a number of bills with Senate amendments, including House Bill 613 on living shoreline waivers, House Bill 315 on income-based housing subsidies, House Bill 548 on development rights and the Maryland Housing Certainty Act, House Bill 571 on nonprofit housing corporation tax exemptions, House Bill 895 on predatory pricing and protected class data, House Bill 1430 on charter school facilities funding, House Bill 1076 on over-the-counter contraception access and reporting, House Bill 624 on hospital staffing committees and plans, House Bill 811 on aging-in-place and multi-generational third places, House Bill 939 on birth certificate filing time periods, House Bill 1151 on a Medicaid hospice reimbursement study, House Bill 1367 on the Commission on Reimagining Healthcare in Maryland, House Bill 828 on State Board of Education membership, House Bill 130 on deed fraud, House Bill 281 on child care provider background checks, House Bill 963 on appointment of personal representatives, House Bill 1326 on child abuse and neglect records, and House Bill 525 on phone-free schools. Several of these were briefly explained on the floor, including changes to shoreline waiver timing, housing and tax provisions, contraceptive access concerns, hospital staffing protections, and the school phone policy’s exemptions. The chamber also received committee reports that advanced additional bills for third reading, including House Bill 1020 and Senate Bill 654 on the State Police Retirement System mandatory retirement age, Senate Bill 877 on Baltimore City stop sign monitoring systems, Senate Bill 940 on water quality testing, House Bill 44 on plain-language ballot questions, Senate Bill 215 on the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund, Senate Bill 627 designating Korean American Day, and Senate Bill 634 on county discrimination complaints. No final votes were taken on those reported bills in the portion provided; the report simply adopted favorable reports and ordered the bills printed for third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• Judicial proceedings. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
• detention, judicial facilities, stops, detention, judicial facilities, stops, detention, and<
• >> Excellent.<00:28:48.240> Judicial<00:28:48.720> proceedings.
• Judicial proceedings. >> Excellent. Judicial proceedings.
• ><00:28:51.440> meet judicial proceedings committee will meet judicial proceedings committee will

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:

• Um, going to the courts, but the judicial process is slow and it's subject to appeal.
• Um, going to the courts,<00:20:13.679> but<00:20:13.840> the<00:20:14.080> judicial<
• process is slow courts, but the judicial process is slow and<00:20:16.400> it's<00:20:16.640>
• We're going to follow judicial orders.
• We're going to follow<00:20:58.640> judicial<00:20:59.200> orders.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and several DFL senators held a press conference after a floor session to announce a package of bills responding to recent ICE operations in Minnesota. Murphy said the proposals are meant to restore and protect Minnesotans’ rights after the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Prey, arguing that authorities should render aid when they injure someone. She said one bill, to be heard the next day in Sen. Ron Latz’s Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, would create a civil remedy for victims of constitutional violations by federal agents and their leaders. Another bill would give the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension independent investigative authority in cases where federal agents kill Minnesota residents, after the BCA was reportedly shut out of recent investigations. Sen. Lindsey Port described a bill to bar federal law enforcement from hiding their identities while on duty, citing masked ICE agents, alleged use of fake license plates and impersonation tactics, and a recent incident in which a health care worker was allegedly boxed in by masked men. Sen. Elise Mann said the package would designate hospitals, schools, daycares, colleges, and courthouses as protected spaces and require a judicial warrant for ICE entry, arguing that federal agents have been entering hospitals and schools and detaining people at vulnerable moments. The senators framed the effort as a response to unconstitutional enforcement tactics rather than immigration policy, and said they hoped for bipartisan support, though they acknowledged the legal issues may be challenged under federal supremacy and could reach the courts. In response to questions, the senators said the civil-rights bill is intended to create a state-court cause of action against federal officials acting under color of law, because current remedies are limited. They said people in schools or hospitals should not put themselves in danger if confronted by armed agents, and that the law would provide later accountability. Latz said the Judiciary Committee would take up the bills and that Minnesota must have a seat at the table in seeking justice for affected residents. Asked about funding for related community burdens, Murphy said it was not a budget year but the state has a rainy day fund and balance available from last session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Judicial self-admission is currently a standalone criterion for database entry, but the bill raises non-judicial
• You heard the criteria that I gave you in the bill, that either a judicial or non-judicial self-declaration
• A judicial expression would be in court in front of a judge.
• A non-judicial expression is, "Hey, I'm a member of MS-13."
• This amendment maintains non-judicial self-admission as a standalone criteria.

Bills: SB66, SB243, SB250, SB317, SB393, SB397, SB456, SB628, SB629, SB636, SB715, SB731, SB801, SB865, SB1012, SB1013, SB1015, SB1032, SB1141, SB1181, SB1224, SB1241, SB1242, SB1250, SB1266, SB1285, SB1376, SB1442, SB1449, SB1502, SB1524, SB1528, SB1551, SB1585, SB1640, SB1708, SB1844, SB1854, SB1863, SB1959, SB1965, SB2035, SB2082, SB2119, SB2138, SB2199, SB2200, SB2201, SB2245, SB2269, SB2284, SB2310, SB2357, SB2419, SB2422, SB2480, SB2514, SB2523, SB2529, SB2533, SB2541, SB2550, SB2568, SB2595, SB2605, SB2608, SB2615, SB2717, SB2721, SB2753, SB2778, SB2841, SB2846, SB2891, SB2925, SB2929, SB2933, SB3016, SB3029, SB3039, SB3044, SJR3, SJR18, SB5, SB326, SB494, SB530, SB767, SB769, SB783, SB914, SB963, SB1035, SB1197, SB1271, SB1415, SB1437, SB1619, SB1637, SB1786, SB1806, SB2312, SB29, SB1238, SB1967, SB1, SB260, SB1637, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SJR59, SCR12, SCR39, SCR48, SCR19, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB1502, SB507, SB1434, SB1376, SB1585, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB261, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB510, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB1524, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB517, SB1200, SB1845, SB1863, SB2681, SB2200, SB2199, SB2458, SB2201, SB801, SB2533, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB1013, SB2797, SB2119, SB2076, SB2876, SB2284, SB2929, SB2595, SB715, SB1640, SB2514, SB2753, SB1241, SB2538, SB1449, SB2529, SB2846, SB986, SB1181, SB1359, SB2550, SB2245, SB410, SB1234, SB456, SB1012, SB2926, SB2138, SB1242, SB2615, SB2310, SB1224, SB2972, SB2841, SB3016, SB1856, SB2035, SB1528, SB1141, SB1266, SB1373, SB2269, SB2480, SB672, SB2891, SB2422, SB1854, SB317, SB2539, SB2532, SB2925, SB1250, SB2082, SB2203, SB2357, SB2721, SB243, SB1285, SB2568, SB1959, SB1442, SB1454, SB2520, SB2541, SB1708, SB1237, SB1844, SB1586, SB1551, SB3039, SB2819, SB66, SB629, SB1015, SB2342, SB2903, SB2933, SB1965, SB2477, SB3029, SB2605, SB2419, SB1957, SB375, SB250, SB777, SB628, SB2523, SB2367, SB2703, SB2608, SB2778, SB3044, SB2965, SB2521, SB865, SB1032, SB2165, SB2501, SB2675, SB2452, SB2835, HB1109, HB1392, HB22, HB2525, HB3093, SB872, SB1212, SB1278, SB1588, SB1602, SB1704, SB1723, SB1833, SB1858, SB1946, SB2009, SB2177, SB2460, SB2785, SB2373, SB1660, SB614, SB867, SB1608, SB1525, SB905, SB640, SB2487, SB1698, SB383, SB705, SB748, SB1113, SB1117, SB1802, SB2340, SB2586, SB2680, SB2690, SB2994, SB2747, SB1950, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB3059, SB2782, SB2781, SB2637, SB2633, SB2337, SB2334, SB1861, SB2043, SB1367, SB946, SB945, SB2857, SB128, SB571, SB1263, SB3058, SB612, SB2221, SB2587, SB2044, SB2363, SB2713, HB517, HB912, HB1130, HB142, HB1689, HB2018

Keywords: disability, supported decision-making, legal assistance, confidentiality, access to justice, autonomy, civil rights, advocacy, migrant labor housing, migrant housing, farmworker housing, migrant agricultural worker, agricultural labor, farm labor contractor, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, TDHCA, civil penalty, housing code enforcement, sanitation, occupancy standards

Transcript Highlights:

• Erin Krian, general counsel for the judicial branch, coming to discuss the engagement that we had with
• It is also important for the purposes of judicial economy.
• It is also important for the purposes of judicial economy.
• <01:34:33.840> process and finally to the judicial process and finally to the judicial process
• <04:34:59.400> for function for function for instance<04:35:01.400> Animal<04:35:01.799

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard CACR 6, a proposed constitutional amendment by Representative Keith Ammon to recognize a fundamental right to use computation resources. Ammon argued that computing is now essential to daily life, speech, education, and economic opportunity, and said the amendment was intended to push back against government or corporate restrictions, citing a 2023 federal executive order on AI registration and reporting as an example of the kind of precedent he wanted to oppose. He said the proposal should be simple and clear because it would go to voters, and he compared the right to compute to other constitutional rights that do not require the government to provide the underlying tools. Committee members raised concerns about the breadth of the language, including whether it could affect encryption, authentication, network security, energy use, and other regulatory issues. Representative McFarland questioned whether the amendment could interfere with security measures, while others asked whether it would prevent ordinary network management such as throttling or require the state to provide internet access or hardware. Ammon responded that the right would not entitle someone to other people’s resources and said encryption and similar issues would sort themselves out. Several members also raised concerns about child safety, public safety, and whether existing laws could still regulate misuse of computing; Ammon said reasonable limits would still apply, similar to other constitutional rights. Sarah Scott of Americans for Prosperity testified in support, saying the amendment would protect innovation, individual autonomy, and economic competitiveness by preventing overregulation. After questions concluded, the chair closed the hearing on CACR 6. The committee then opened House Bill 615, sponsored by Representative Dan Maguire, which would substantially rewrite the state’s drug-forfeiture law. Maguire said the bill is intended to improve fairness and efficiency in cases where property such as cars or cash is seized in connection with drug offenses, noting that the criminal case and the civil forfeiture case are currently handled separately, with the property case prosecuted by the Attorney General’s office. He explained that the bill addresses courtroom procedure for these forfeiture actions and is meant to make the process more specific and orderly.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is decision-making only on two judicial nominations that we heard yesterday.
• <00:29:57.000> committee on the judicial administration committee on the judicial administration
• <01:29:30.440> philosophy in both his judicial philosophy in both his judicial philosophy
• <01:30:59.520> nominee's the nominee a judicial nominee's the nominee a judicial nominee's
• Well, I'll answer it very simply with this: because it's judicial independence, and because it's judicial

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up decision-making on two judicial nominations heard the previous day. Governor’s Message 796, naming Annalisa En Bernard Lee as Circuit Court Judge for the Second Circuit (Maui County), and Governor’s Message 797, naming Michael K. Soong as Circuit Court Judge for the Fifth Circuit (Kauai), were both recommended for consent and adopted by unanimous roll-call votes. The committee then heard testimony on Governor’s Message 801, the nomination of Vladimir P. Devens as Chief Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court. Support came from the Governor’s office, Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm, Honolulu Managing Director Michael Formby, the Hawaii Association for Justice, United Public Workers, HGEA/AFL-CIO, the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association, labor and trade unions, retired Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, retired judges, bar and court officials, and many other individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized Devens’ legal experience, work ethic, labor-law background, community ties, mentorship, and ability to manage the judiciary and address the appellate backlog. A few speakers opposed the nomination, including Chuck Freedman, who raised concerns about union influence and potential conflicts, and others who submitted opposition testimony. Devens also testified, describing his Honolulu upbringing, education at UC Berkeley, six years with the police department, and more than 30 years in private practice before joining the Supreme Court. He said the chief justice role is primarily an administrative one, highlighted his experience with bar and judicial administration committees, and identified reducing the appellate backlog as a major priority. No vote was taken on GM 801 during this portion of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The officers who wield the judicial power of the state of Texas, officers per capita, are prohibited
• The Judicial Compensation Commission has recommended a 30% increase in the base pay for judges this session
• Do it because you have a constitutional obligation to fund the judicial branch at a level that allows
• of the Constitution makes the Supreme Court responsible. for the efficient administration of the judicial
• Back quickly to the topic of judicial pay, he had to leave the bench many years ago to help save. and

Bills: SB26, SB28, SJR36, SB26, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB28

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• in strong support of Senate 1310 and House 2151, because the workers' compensation system cannot function
• When those body functions cannot sufficiently maintain a narrow and steady internal body temperature,
• My experience goes back many years, and there's much judicial abuse here as well.
• I was an elected representative in my HOA, but it is a 3,800-person, 22-lot HOA, which actually functions
• A 3,800-person, 22-lot HOA, which actually functions like a town council. Ah, I see.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a lengthy hearing on June 18 focused on workers’ compensation, independent contractor and classification issues, workplace safety, warehouse worker protections, extreme temperature protections, retaliation against injured workers, and workplace bullying. Committee chairs outlined procedures for the hybrid hearing and noted that members would be leaving intermittently for floor votes. Testimony also touched on a bill to expand workers’ compensation disfigurement benefits by removing the current $15,000 cap and extending coverage beyond scars on the hands, neck, and face. A major theme was workplace safety in warehouses and in extreme heat or cold. Teamsters, warehouse workers, and labor advocates described high injury rates, strict quotas, lack of water, inadequate ventilation, frozen or missing safety equipment, and pressure to work through heat waves and snowstorms. Supporters urged favorable reports on bills protecting warehouse workers and requiring employers to adopt heat- and cold-safety plans, while the NFIB opposed the temperature bill as overly prescriptive and burdensome for small businesses. Sen. Edwards, Sen. Roche, Rep. O’Day, and others argued that the measures are needed to prevent heat illness, provide shade, water, rest breaks, training, and emergency plans, and to cover all workers regardless of immigration status. Another major subject was the “Act to Protect Injured Workers,” backed by labor groups, immigrant worker centers, legal services organizations, and individual workers. Witnesses said employers often retaliate after injuries by threatening deportation, lying about how injuries occurred, delaying care, or firing workers, and they supported stronger anti-retaliation enforcement, multilingual notices, and a rebuttable presumption of retaliation within 90 days of protected activity. The Mass AFL-CIO and immigrant advocacy groups supported the bill and opposed measures they said would weaken employee classification standards. Testimony also supported a funeral-benefits bill to raise workers’ compensation death-benefit reimbursement for burial and funeral costs, based on a family’s experience after a workplace fatality. The committee heard additional testimony on workplace bullying bills, with some witnesses urging a new legal duty for employers to prevent and respond to bullying, while others described the harms of toxic workplaces and the lack of effective remedies.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a function of just how much they're willing to pay for candidates.
• That's a function of just how much rate.
• We see stuff coming back from 1935 all the way through present of kind of the functions and role.
• We see stuff coming back from 1935 all the way through present of kind of the functions and role.
• In the last six years, we have been more judicious about the money that we've spent.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Chair of Judicial Proceedings. >> Thank you, Mr. President.
• Uh the Judicial Proceedings Committee will meet today at 1 p.m. for bill hearings. >> 1 p.m.
• Uh chair<00:14:39.440> of<00:14:39.600> judicial<00:14:39.920> proceedings.
• chair of judicial proceedings. chair of judicial proceedings.
• <00:14:42.399> meet judicial proceedings committee will meet judicial proceedings committee

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate met on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with a quorum present. The session opened with an invocation by Chaplain David Stadler, followed by journalization of his remarks and several introductions recognizing guests in the chamber, including dentists, an intern, a former legislative staffer, and representatives from the University System of Maryland and other groups. Senators also noted upcoming committee meetings and a Legislative Black Caucus photo the next day. The main floor action centered on a resolution honoring Maryland Career and Technical Student Organizations for Career and Technical Student Organization Week. The sponsor described the role of CTSOs in serving more than 12,000 students statewide and in building leadership, professional, and career skills. The resolution was read in full and adopted unanimously, with the Senate expressing congratulations and appreciation for the organizations’ work with young people. The Senate then took up layover items and calendar bills. Senate Bill 56, concerning Maryland Longitudinal Data Center external data sharing for multi-state reporting, was special ordered for one day after members raised privacy-related questions. Senate Bill 99, the Open Meetings Act/Local Board of Education Transparency Act measure, was also special ordered for one day after discussion of its committee amendment. The chamber also received administrative corrections from the Governor and referred them to the Executive Nominations Committee, and the majority leader later moved adjournment until February 19 at 10:00 a.m., which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is dealing with the supplemental judicial compensation fund that was created about 40 years ago
• When we had the judicial compensation commission study, a lot of people brought up in some places we
• House Bill 597 by Representative McMakin provides relative to judicial compensation.
• “Relative to judicial compensation. We do have a set of amendments.
• We just put it in place in a bill to talk about what judicial compensation should be. Rep.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard a series of bills, mostly from the Senate, covering military affairs, courts, veterans’ services, tobacco/vape regulation, and emergency alerts for missing persons with disabilities. Several measures were described as cleanup or modernization bills, including SB 317 adding the House and Senate military committee chairs to the Louisiana Military Advisory Council, SB 357 updating court administration and appellate e-case management provisions, SB 421 modernizing electronic records language, and SB 232 and HB 597 addressing judicial compensation and related funding/commission issues. The committee also heard SB 164, which would add public works employees to the definition of first responders, and SB 510, which would regulate certain licensed establishments that allow on-premises consumption of hemp/THC products and related age restrictions. These bills were generally presented as technical updates or alignment with existing practices, and the committee reported them favorably after brief questions and, in some cases, amendments. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 208, which revises Louisiana’s law on services provided to veterans after a prior version was struck down. Senator Kathy and LDVA representatives said the bill is intended to protect veterans from unaccredited “claim sharks” by limiting fees and creating state-level safeguards, while an opponent argued the issue is preempted by federal law and should be left to Congress and the pending appeal. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 34, which would create “Bryan’s Call” emergency alerts for missing children and adults with cognitive or developmental disabilities, including wireless alerts and responder training. Family members and disability advocates described fatal risks from elopement and drowning, and supporters said the bill would fill a gap between Amber and Silver Alerts; the committee moved the bill favorably. Another bill, HB 302, sought to restrict vape sales near schools; the sponsor and Alcohol and Tobacco Control discussed possible language changes, and public health testimony supported broader protections for youth. Several bills were voluntarily deferred, including HB 1190, HB 1097, and HB 374-1, and the committee adjourned after reporting the remaining measures favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:26:05.920> of<01:26:06.080> a<01:26:06.239> law essential physical functions
• of a law essential physical functions of a law enforcement<01:26:06.880> officer<01:26:07.360
• And you know, I recognize that yes, he could get caught up on this, but I think that um with the judicial
• <02:25:16.399> uh<02:25:16.640> with<02:25:16.800> the<02:25:17.120> judicial
• that um the the uh with the judicial that um the the uh with the judicial discretion<02:25:18.080

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:23.920> I<00:37:24.079> I function is verification piece is.
• I I function is verification piece is.
• And the judicial system knows about kids that have had their licenses revoked or have outstanding fines
• And uh the judicial system knows kids.
• And uh the judicial system knows about<00:46:49.599> kids<00:46:49.920> that<00:46:50.160

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Use the Zoom chat function if you need to communicate with our technical staff for any issues, and they'll
• branches of government, including the legislative branch, within the executive branch, certainly in the judicial
• 00:24:32.040> certainly<00:24:32.360> in<00:24:32.440> the<00:24:32.520> judicial
• <00:24:33.040> branch branch, certainly in the judicial branch branch, certainly in the judicial

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a series of resolutions and a few bills, with testimony largely in support across the agenda. Early measures included HCR 15/HR 17 supporting Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy, and HCR 22/HR 22 urging Congress to pass federal kidney disease legislation; both drew support and no opposition. The committee also heard HCR 146 HD1/HR 138 HD1 on “excited delirium,” with testimony from advocates urging the resolutions be broadened to include related terms such as hyperactive delirium and agitated delirium, and from family members and disability-rights advocates describing the issue as harmful pseudoscience tied to police-custody deaths and calling for a ban on the term and better mental-health responses. The committee then took up HCR 123/HR 115 on creating a coordinated support and stabilization task force for Native Hawaiians experiencing homelessness or extreme low income. Department of Hawaiian Home Lands testified in support, describing its transitional housing work and saying collaboration and data-sharing with the state homelessness office would help beneficiaries and others; members questioned whether existing entities already do similar work and whether the proposal would extend beyond beneficiaries. HCR 32/HR 32, which asks the governor’s senior advisor on mental health and the justice system to develop a plan to increase access to Hawaii State Hospital for certain criminal defendants, drew support from the Department of Health, the governor’s office, and disability-rights advocates, who emphasized coordinated planning, diversion from arrest when appropriate, and matching people to the right level of care. Additional resolutions addressed a range of policy issues: renaming Leeward Community College to Puloulou Community College (with no testimony), creating an ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi pathway under the Niʻihau dialect at UH (UH noted existing courses already cover the dialect but not a degree pathway), moving to a demerit-point driver licensing system (support only), and coordinating transportation infrastructure planning for Hawaiian home lands (DHHL supported the measure and said an expired DOT memorandum of understanding had covered related collaboration). The committee also heard support for expanding DHHL financial literacy and homeownership-preparedness programs, a resolution asking the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to examine algorithmic discrimination, and a resolution urging the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Advisory Committee to follow its rules, comply with the Sunshine Law, review its executive director, and strengthen accountability; the last measure drew 11 written supports and no opposition. No final votes or decisions were taken in the portion provided, as the hearing focused on testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, as I stated a while ago in my statement, this bill preserves full judicial discretion to limit
• Yeah, I guess my question wasn't about judicial. My question was about the individual patient.
• So this language with judicial discretion is currently in the law as of July of 2025.
• There's judicial discretion to not provide notice to the original petitioner as far as any hearing.
• So right now there is that language in judicial discretion.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard several bills, with testimony focused on end-of-life medical orders, CARE Court participation, HOA fee transparency, custody protections for sexual assault survivors, groundwater enforcement, pet policy disclosure in rentals, and restrictions on post-wildfire property solicitation. SB 1088 would modernize POLST and pre-hospital DNR rules by renaming POLST as Portable Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, allowing electronic signatures, clarifying who may sign on a patient’s behalf, recognizing out-of-state forms, and reaffirming that completion is voluntary; it drew support from the Coalition for Compassionate Care and no opposition. SB 1242 would let original family petitioners participate in CARE Court care coordination and information-sharing even without the respondent’s consent, while preserving judicial discretion to limit participation; supporters said it would improve care coordination, and Disability Rights California opposed it as coercive and harmful to respondents who may not want family involvement. The committee discussed the balance between family support and privacy, and SB 1242 passed 7-0 on call. SB 1007 would require more HOA transparency, including clearer budget comparisons and evidence for violations, and would limit regular assessment increases without a homeowner vote, while leaving special and emergency assessments intact. Supporters argued homeowners need more information and protection from steep fee hikes; opponents said the cap could impair associations’ ability to cover rising insurance and maintenance costs. Members raised concerns about flexibility and planning, but the bill passed 6-1 on call. SB 1364, as amended, would lower the burden for survivors of sexual assault to block custody or visitation rights for a perpetrator when a child was conceived through the assault, using a clear-and-convincing standard and aligning the law with federal grant requirements; it passed 8-0 on call after opposition argued the bill could deny children a relationship with a parent. The committee also approved SB 997, which grants the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency lien authority to enforce fees and sustainability rules, with supporters saying it would help avoid litigation and maintain local control; it passed 9-0 on call. SB 1296 would require landlords to disclose pet policies up front on applications, websites, and ads, and allow application-fee refunds if disclosure was not provided before payment; supporters said it would reduce wasted fees and pet relinquishment, while landlord groups said the ad and disclosure requirements could be impractical for small owners. That bill passed 8-0 on call. Finally, SB 1090 was presented to bar large property owners from making unsolicited purchase offers for five years in wildfire disaster areas, aimed at preventing predatory post-disaster speculation; the author and a supporter described aggressive investor outreach to fire victims, especially in Altadena, as the committee moved on to that bill’s testimony.