Transcript Highlights:

• But I think that this is certainly a significant amount of money that can continue to advance the program
• But I think that this is certainly a significant amount of money that can continue to advance the program
• Comprehensive accessibility improvements help advance DNR's strategic priorities of connecting people
• <00:48:15.640> dnr's improvements help Advance dnr's improvements help Advance dnr's strategic
• Our proposal focuses on taking care of what we have while advancing strategic priorities to serve current

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So thank you again for putting this on the agenda, and hopefully we can advance. These victims.
• So thank you again for putting this on the agenda and hopefully we can advance it.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met and advanced a series of bills, with little opposition and several members noting support for the committee’s bipartisan approach. Senate Bill 2305 (judgments by confession), Senate Print 3413 (judgments in Article 78 disability pension cases), Senate Print 3778 (annual reporting on the drug treatment court program), and Senate Print 4957 (review of bail data reports by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct) were each moved and reported to the floor. Members emphasized the importance of data collection and reporting, especially on bail and drug treatment courts. The committee also discussed Senate Print 8624, which would allow courts to award community damages against an estate in sexual abuse cases. Supporters described it as an important first step to provide justice for survivors and to create a carve-out from existing limits on punitive damages after death. Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick raised concerns about the dead man statute and evidentiary issues, but said she was willing to work on revisions. The bill was advanced. Other bills reported to the floor included Senate Print 9766, making technical corrections to ensure gender neutrality in admission-to-practice rules and limiting required disclosure of prior law enforcement or criminal justice interactions; Senate Print 9770, concerning alternate jurors in civil cases, with some discussion about its civil-only scope; Senate Print 9792, allowing amendment of Court of Claims filings to correct jurisdictional pleading defects and setting procedures for dismissal for noncompliance; and Senate Print 9794, requiring disclosure of generative AI use in civil actions. Each bill was moved by committee members and approved without recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to thank our witnesses in advance for taking time out of their busy schedules to be with
• sincerely thank Senator Grove and our staff and the committee staff for their work in collaboration in advancing

Summary: The Assembly Governmental Organization Committee held an informational hearing on a tribal-state gaming compact between the State of California and the Big Sandy Rancheria of Western Mono Indians. Chair Blanca Rubio explained that no formal vote would be taken because the Legislature cannot amend the compact; SB 49 by Senator Grove is the ratification bill that would later come before the Assembly floor. The hearing focused on the compact’s background, including two amendments to extend an existing 1999 gaming compact while the new agreement was finalized. Matthew Lee from the Governor’s Office said the new compact is substantially similar to prior compacts but was revised to address the federal Department of the Interior’s earlier disapproval. He explained that the compact now includes CEQA exemptions and an explicit exclusivity provision that Interior had wanted to see in the compact itself. He also described standard terms such as worker protections, revenue sharing with the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund, reimbursement of state regulatory costs, local government distributions, and authorization for up to 3,000 gaming devices at up to two facilities. Big Sandy Rancheria Chairwoman Elizabeth Hutchins testified in support of SB 49, saying the compact is important to the tribe’s long-term economic development, self-sufficiency, and ability to provide services to members. She noted the tribe’s ties to the Fresno area and said the new compact includes an impact mitigation fund to support local law enforcement, emergency services, and neighboring jurisdictions. No committee questions were raised, there was no public comment, and the chair adjourned the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Workers do not know their schedules in advance.
• If HB 487 passes, I would finally have the ability to see my schedule a week in advance.
• You have to request time off in advance.
• You have to request time off in advance.
• /c><05:14:54.200> at<05:14:54.320> a days in advance certainly could be at a days in advance

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As amended, HB 833 reestablishes the Commission to Advance Lithium Ion Battery Safety in Maryland for
• in Advance Lithium Ion Battery Safety in Maryland<00:45:24.480> Reestablishment,<00:45:25.200
• reestablishes the Commission to Advance reestablishes the Commission to Advance Lithium<00:45:37.840
• directive for mental health an advanced directive for mental health services<01:25:53.920> and
• and everybody knew that well in advance so that even though it was already after the filing deadline

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, March 19, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 122 members present, opened with prayer, and approved the previous day’s journal. The chamber then took up two congratulatory resolutions: one honoring Layla Wishard of Hagerstown for winning gold with Team USA at the Junior Roller Derby Association World Cup in Australia, and another recognizing Delores Millhouse as the 2026 Maryland Mother of the Year. Both resolutions were read and adopted with applause. The House then considered a series of committee reports, primarily from the Committee on Economic Matters, and advanced multiple bills to third reading after adopting committee amendments and favorable reports. Measures included consumer contract protections in House Bill 103, workers’ compensation presumptions for hypertension in House Bill 347, broadband access and affordability in House Bill 382, housing and land-use changes in House Bills 548 and 894, data privacy in House Bill 711, franchise law changes in House Bill 730, a blockchain-based real property title pilot program in House Bill 810, bankruptcy exemptions in House Bill 1098, and telecommunications infrastructure protections in House Bill 1100. Several bills drew questions and were special ordered for further review. House Bill 711, the Data Privacy Act, prompted extended discussion about whether its geolocation provisions could affect stadium and venue security tracking; the sponsor said the bill was intended to close loopholes around cell phone and vehicle location data and would not change existing permission-based rules, but the bill was still special ordered until the next day. House Bill 894, the transit-oriented development bill, also drew questions about local government concerns and was special ordered, with the floor leader saying county and municipal groups were generally satisfied with the amendments. House Bill 1100 was also taken up after the amendments were adopted, and the title amendment process began as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Advanced training, of course, is available.
• <00:14:47.800> course that there's an actual Advanced course that there's an actual Advanced
• Well, what advanced training do we want to make that be?
• Well, what advanced training do we want to make that be?
• Well, what advanced training do we want to make that be?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 153, which would require two or more law enforcement officers in each county to receive animal cruelty training through the police standards system. Representative Barbara Coma, the sponsor, said the bill was prompted by problems in animal cruelty cases, especially in rural areas without animal control officers, and she described it as a limited training measure. She said an amendment was forthcoming that would add an eight-hour approved course and a two-hour refresher every three years, and she emphasized that the trained officers would serve as resources rather than being required to take action themselves. Members asked about cost, due process, overlap with animal control officers, how trained officers would be identified and notified, and whether veterinarians could fill the role. Coma responded that the bill would not be a heavy financial lift, would not interfere with animal control officers, would apply to livestock as well as companion animals, and would still require law enforcement involvement because veterinarians cannot lawfully remove animals from property. She also said the training could improve due process by helping officers better understand when animal removal is appropriate and how cases should proceed. Sheriff William Wright, speaking for the New Hampshire Sheriffs Association, testified in opposition. He said training itself was acceptable, but the bill went beyond training by creating an obligation for sheriffs and state police to respond to and potentially investigate animal cruelty cases, which he argued would be ambiguous, unfunded, and burdensome for staffing and resources. He said some sheriff’s offices do not have investigative deputies and that the bill could create liability and uncertainty about who would lead investigations. In response to questions, he said the association would likely have no objection if the bill were limited to training, but it opposed the assistance/investigation mandate as written.

Transcript Highlights:

• get amendments to bills that we're going to be hearing, we request that they come to us 24 hours in advance
• to remind myself every year of this, but we have a shared file put in the system through Citrix in advance

Transcript Highlights:

• 36:56.560> coordinated<00:36:57.200> effort<00:36:57.440> to<00:36:57.680> advance
• into one coordinated effort to advance into one coordinated effort to advance equitable<00:36:58.800
• To advance this work, the center administers key initiatives you probably know, such as Grow Your Own
• To<00:39:28.720> advance<00:39:29.119> this<00:39:29.359> work,<00:39:29.680>
• and innovative solutions that advance and innovative solutions that advance our<00:45:32.880>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Finance Committee met on March 3, 2026, approved the minutes from February 26, and then held a lengthy informational hearing on the Minnesota Department of Education’s funding and internal allocation of resources. House fiscal staff walked members through several spreadsheets showing federal, non-general fund, and general fund administrative spending, noting the data was filtered from SWIFT and was not exact. The chair said the discussion was intended to help members understand how MDE is funded and how those funds are used internally, in advance of later budget decisions and a separate upcoming hearing on the Perpich Center. Commissioner Willie Jett opened by describing MDE’s mission, statewide reach, and FY 2026 budget of about $14.1 billion, most of which flows directly to districts and charter schools for instruction, special education, transportation, nutrition, and operations. He emphasized transparency, accountability, and the department’s role in implementing laws, distributing aid, and supporting schools and students across urban, suburban, and rural communities. He also noted the department serves more than 873,000 pre-K through 12 students in 2,264 schools. Deputy Commissioner Maren Holden outlined the Office of American Indian Education, the Office of General Counsel, and the Office of Inspector General, highlighting support for American Indian students, legal and rulemaking work, special education dispute resolution, fraud prevention, and student maltreatment investigations. Assistant Commissioner Dr. McCari Traum described the Office of Equity and Engagement, including equity and inclusion training, safe and supportive schools work, public engagement, family outreach, and fraud-prevention coordination. Assistant Commissioner Darren Cordy reviewed nutrition programs, special education services, and the charter center, including free school meals, commodity food distribution, IDEA compliance, and charter school support. Assistant Commissioner Bobby Bernham then described the Office of Teaching and Learning, including early education, academic standards, instruction and assessment, state library services, expanded learning, and literacy work. He highlighted early childhood alignment efforts, standards development across core subjects, professional learning, and library grants. No votes were taken beyond approval of the prior minutes, and the meeting remained informational, with members expected to ask questions after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• recent program integrity advancements recent program integrity advancements and<00:12:16.400>
• So, we had to give them advance notice. It wasn't a whole lot of notice, but it was 24 hours.
• So, we had to give them<00:30:13.240> advance<00:30:13.560> notice.
• It wasn't a whole them advance notice.
• <00:37:10.720> notice up, they're not getting advance notice up, they're not getting advance

Bills: HF3542

Keywords: data privacy, investigative data, welfare system, public funds, transparency, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're taking a step to advance that in the state like we've already done for our state-owned buildings
• We're taking a step to advance in that.
• We're taking a step to advance that<00:10:12.640> in<00:10:12.800> the<00:10:12.959>
• way, then we can look at advancing it. way, then we can look at advancing it.
• forms of skin particularly advanced forms of skin cancer,<00:32:28.240> cost<00:32:28.559>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• advancement account and then<00:37:20.480> as<00:37:20.680> mentioned<00:37:21.000>
• So first, on the Transportation Advancement Account, if I'm understanding it correctly, currently for
• So first, on the Transportation Advancement Account, if I'm understanding it correctly, currently for
• He said that to remedy that gap, Chair Hornstein set up the Transportation Advancement Fund as a way,
• Transportation advancement fund uh as a Transportation advancement fund uh as a way<01:18:58.400>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• education or advance a protocol, a medical operational protocol for Alzheimer's for EMS professionals
• education or advance a protocol, a medical operational protocol for Alzheimer's for EMS professionals
• :50:08.520> to like if they wanted if they wanted to like if they wanted if they wanted to advance
• <00:50:10.799> education<00:50:11.799> or<00:50:12.079> Advance<00:50:12.680>
• a<00:50:13.240> protocol advance education or Advance a protocol advance education or Advance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the notice, this is a special briefing on Hawaii's election process and is purposely being held in advance
• of<00:02:33.840> the<00:02:34.000> August<00:02:34.400> 8th being held in advance
• of the August 8th being held in advance of the August 8th primary<00:02:35.120> election<00:02
• So overseas voters would fill out a federal form that allows them to get their ballot 45 days in advance
• >> Senator Gabbert. their ballot 45 days in advance or I'm their ballot 45 days in advance or I'm sorry

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee and staff for your work to advance this important measure
• We're grateful to the author for advancing this important issue.
• period of another required notice to patients and providers about formulary change to 60 days in advance
• The plan is required to provide 60-day advance notice to the patient and provider with the amendments
• In this case, we just ask them to do it without the request in advance.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 331 by Sen. Menjivar, which would require large-group health plans to cover hearing aids for children. The author and supporters described the bill as a long-running effort to address a developmental emergency and reduce out-of-pocket costs for families, while opponents were absent. Testimony from parents, advocates, medical experts, and organizations emphasized the importance of early access to hearing aids; committee members voiced strong support, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, with several members requesting to be added as coauthors. The committee then heard SB 608, also by Sen. Menjivar, to expand access to condoms in school-based health centers and related settings and to prevent barriers such as ID checks. Supporters, including students and school health advocates, argued the bill would improve sexual health and reduce stigma, while opponents from family and faith groups argued it would undermine parental authority and normalize early sexual activity. The bill was supported by committee members and moved forward on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Next, SB 971 by Sen. Choi proposed community-based healthy aging partnerships for older adults, with testimony from the California Senior Legislature and supporters from aging and dementia organizations. The measure was described as voluntary and focused on connection, independence, and local collaboration; there was no opposition, and the committee moved it on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 869 by Sen. Weber Pierson, which would require warning icons and statements on chain restaurant menus for beverages with very high added sugar content. Supporters framed it as a transparency and public health measure, while restaurant and beverage industry representatives opposed it unless amended, citing cost and menu-space concerns; the bill was nevertheless moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations after a roll call vote, with some members voting no and the measure placed on call. The committee also considered SB 950 by Sen. Weber Pierson, aimed at ensuring timely coverage of FDA-approved, medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease on commercial plans. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association and a patient advocate, said the bill would reduce delays and barriers to care, while health plan representatives opposed it over step therapy and utilization-management concerns. Members discussed the limited treatment window and the need for early access, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. In addition, SB 490 by Sen. Umberg would set timelines for DHCS investigations of unlicensed sober living homes and allow counties to assist if the department cannot act in time; supporters from Anaheim and a patient-brokering survivor described serious abuse and oversight gaps, while county behavioral health representatives opposed the county role as an unfunded and potentially liability-creating burden. After discussion, the bill was also moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1037 by Sen. Weber Pierson on health insurance affordability and rate review, with supporters arguing it would tie premium increases more closely to affordability targets and public reporting; the transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator Velis, and thank you in advance to those of you who are participating in today's public
• All righty, next up we have in person, and by the way, I should just apologize in advance.
• And I hope, we hope, that our state will be at the forefront of such advances.
• given the recent political climate and cuts to funding when it comes to advancing medical research in
• Well, within that first grade, that first year, where you want to see your child advancing, I walked

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery opened its first public hearing of the 2025–26 session with remarks from the Senate and House chairs outlining the committee’s priorities. They noted recent work on addiction and recovery legislation, the ongoing youth behavioral health crisis, and that members might need to leave periodically for floor votes. The chairs explained hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, written testimony deadlines, and reporting deadlines for Senate and House bills. The hearing then focused on several bills related to youth mental health, overdose prevention, and psychedelic treatment research. A major portion of the hearing centered on bills to improve youth crisis response and overdose prevention. Testimony strongly supported bills to print the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on student ID cards, with speakers from mental health organizations, crisis centers, and individuals sharing personal stories of depression, suicide attempts, and the importance of making 988 as familiar as 911. Another set of bills would require schools to stock naloxone and provide overdose prevention education. Physicians, harm reduction advocates, students, and grieving family members testified that school-based Narcan access and education could save lives, reduce stigma, and help students recognize overdoses and understand Good Samaritan protections. Senator O’Connor and Tamika Perry also testified for a bill to strengthen substance use prevention education and reduce overdose abandonment, emphasizing the need to teach students about overdose risks and the legal protections for calling 911. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to authorize a pilot program for psychedelic treatment in licensed facilities. Senator Friedman and several medical and behavioral health professionals argued the proposal was a narrow, research-based approach distinct from the broader ballot question rejected in 2024. They said the bill would allow only a small number of supervised clinics to use psychedelics for conditions such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, and substance use disorders, with data reporting and Department of Public Health oversight. Supporters described it as a cautious way to study promising treatments while avoiding unsupervised or commercialized use. Finally, the committee heard support for a bill to create a special commission and five-year strategic plan for children’s behavioral health services, with testimony that the current system is fragmented, difficult for families to navigate, and strained by workforce and funding challenges. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am also here to support these two bills that we believe will advance a vision.
• So we really support this creation of the special commission to advance community schools.
• As you know, we spent years in advance of the ballot question working with DESE and other entities and
• I urge you to advance this bill.
• I urge you to advance this bill so Massachusetts can lead the nation in setting standards for ethical

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education heard testimony on several bills centered on school accountability, receivership, graduation requirements, charter school access, community schools, school libraries, and student voting rights. Much of the discussion focused on the Thrive Act, S. 374, which would end state receivership and change the state’s accountability approach. Supporters, including educators, parents, advocacy groups, and students, argued that receivership has not improved outcomes in districts such as Lawrence, Holyoke, Southbridge, Boston, and the Dever, and that local communities should have more control, with greater emphasis on community schools, wraparound services, and broader measures of school quality. They also supported related bills on community schools and school library standards, and several witnesses backed a bill to expand student representative voting rights on school committees. Opponents of S. 374, especially charter school leaders, parents, students, and some education advocates, focused on Section 4 of the bill, which would change the charter school net school spending cap in the lowest-performing districts. They argued that the provision would reduce access to charter seats in communities where families are seeking more options, and that schools such as Roxbury Prep, Excel Academy, Brook, Veritas Prep, and Libertas Academy have produced strong results for students, including students of color, low-income students, and students with special needs. Several witnesses said the section would force schools to shrink or close and would remove opportunities for families in districts with long waitlists. Committee members questioned witnesses on both the effectiveness of receivership and the charter school cap language. Chair Lewis and Chair Gordon emphasized the need for a better accountability system and noted concerns about whether current measures, including MCAS-based designations, accurately reflect school quality. Some witnesses said they had discussed the possibility of removing Section 4 from the Thrive Act and suggested it might be addressed in separate charter reform legislation. No votes were taken during the hearing; testimony was received and the committee later closed testimony on S. 374 and several related bills before moving on to the student voting rights bill, S. 367.

Transcript Highlights:

• or some other technological advancement or some other technological advancement was<00:08:02.600
• This is going to advance things. Why do we apply a different standard to these kinds of proposals?
• This is going to advance<00:46:02.040> things.
• 00:46:03.160> do<00:46:03.280> we<00:46:03.359> apply<00:46:03.720> a advance
• Why do we apply a advance things.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The only other thing I want to do is make sure I can apologize in advance.
• So I apologize in advance for everyone here.
• <00:22:20.320> Um<00:22:21.039> I've<00:22:21.360> got can apologize in advance
• Um I've got can apologize in advance.
• apologize in advance for everyone here. apologize in advance for everyone here.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in work session to consider amendments to House Bill 1332, which concerns Gold Star-related flag displays. Members discussed two proposed amendments: one would allow the governor to choose to honor Gold Star families by ordering display of the Gold Star flag at the State House and at the State Veterans Cemetery, and another would define the flags covered by the bill as those officially recognized by the federal government. Members debated whether the language should be mandatory or permissive, whether the State House display would trigger broader flag-flying requirements, and whether the veterans cemetery language was necessary. Testimony noted that the Gold Star flag is federally recognized, while the Honor and Remember flag has not been officially recognized by Congress. The committee also took up House Bill 1097, dealing with historic road signs and the committee referral for that bill. Representative Janet Wall explained an amendment changing the bill’s referral from the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee to the Joint Historic Committee, saying the historic committee is better suited to handle issues involving historic signs and artifacts. She described the Joint Historic Committee’s broader jurisdiction after a prior statutory combination of committees, and members discussed whether that committee has authority beyond the State House complex. Supporters said the change would provide more appropriate oversight and public input on controversial historic markers; one member opposed legislative involvement in removing markers, arguing the issue should remain with existing historical and transportation entities. The amendment was discussed favorably, and members indicated they liked it. No final votes were taken in the portion provided. The committee appeared to set aside the Gold Star amendments for further consideration and moved on after discussion of the historic-signs amendment, with members noting the need to review the written amendment text before acting.

Transcript Highlights:

• and working part-time. urge you to vote to pass HF 3403 and urge you to vote to pass HF 3403 and advance
• advance it in the legislative process. advance it in the legislative process.
• Thank you so much for your time and once again, I respectfully ask you to pass House File 3403 and advance
• Thank you so much for your time and once again, I respectfully ask you to pass House File 3403 and advance
• Thank you so much for your time and once again, I respectfully ask you to pass House File 3403 and advance

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3403, authored by Vice Chair Rep. Kazowski, and first adopted an A1 amendment. The amendment made technical and implementation changes recommended by the Department of Revenue, allowed a small portion of funds for county and tribal administrative costs, and clarified timing and reporting for spent and unspent funds. After the amendment was adopted, the bill was moved to Ways and Means. Rep. Kazowski described HF 3403 as a $50 million emergency rental assistance measure to help stabilize households facing eviction, with $44 million directed to counties and $6 million reserved for tribal nations, administered through the Department of Revenue using the existing local homeless prevention aid formula. Supporters said the bill would provide immediate, targeted help to renters and landlords, prevent evictions, and reduce downstream costs to shelters, schools, employers, and health systems. Several testifiers, including representatives from Greater Twin Cities United Way, St. Louis County, Hennepin County, Minneapolis, social workers, a resident, and tribal housing leaders, said local resources were insufficient to meet rising need and emphasized the impact of federal immigration enforcement and related economic disruption on families, workers, and communities. Testimony highlighted sharp increases in rental assistance requests, rising eviction filings, depleted county funds, and the strain on nonprofit and mutual aid efforts. County and city officials said emergency rental assistance and related legal services had already prevented thousands of evictions, but current funding was not enough. Tribal testimony stressed disproportionate homelessness among Native Americans and supported the bill’s tribal allocation. During member discussion, Rep. Amani Hiltsley said the bill was an economic stabilization tool and requested a roll call vote, noting safeguards against fraud and the broader costs of inaction.

Transcript Highlights:

• have, in their code, a master license, but it is indicative of school curriculum and training by an advanced
• subject matter experts with a master license, but what they were looking for were people who had advanced
• 00:55:23.040> an school curriculum and training by an school curriculum and training by an advanced
• advanced textbook. advanced textbook.
• <00:55:55.520> practice were people who had advanced practice were people who had advanced

Keywords: Public Health - Room 216, 27 January, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 3, a Medicaid and certificate-of-need measure described as a revised version of a bill vetoed by the governor the previous year. The bill would remove a prohibition on a psychiatric residential treatment facility in one county from Medicaid participation, add 20 beds for a Madison County facility, allow crossover status for a Harrison County hospital, require MC to obtain a certificate of need for facilities outside the original Jackson campus area, increase capital expenditure limits, and remove the provision the governor had objected to. Members discussed whether the bill was really a study item or a substantive new requirement, especially a provision tied to acute adult psychiatric units treating uninsured patients or paying a fee. The chair explained the policy concern as preventing “cherry-picking” of insured patients and shifting more uncompensated care to public facilities. The committee voted that the title was sufficient and the ayes appeared to have it, then voted to rise and report. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2453, a clarifying bill on window tinting/glazing exemptions. The sponsor explained that current law requires a physician’s affidavit for an exception, and the bill would clarify that licensed optometrists, along with physicians, may sign the affidavit for people whose eyes are sensitive to light. After brief questions, the committee again voted that the title was sufficient and the ayes appeared to have it. The chair said the two bills were being moved quickly to the docket room for processing and that the committee would reconvene immediately afterward. The final portion of the meeting was a hearing on Senate Bill 2566 involving the Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. The chair explained that the hearing was prompted by complaints from last session about inspectors being overly aggressive, fines for technical violations, and delays or problems with licensing. Board representatives said the newly appointed board had met for the first time, elected officers, and intended to focus on workforce development, easing burdens on the industry, and protecting public health and safety. They said the board had already restored prior passing scores for exams, adjusted work-permit timing to help students, reviewed contracts and staffing, and planned further meetings. Members and the chair discussed possible legislative changes, including mobile barber establishments, reducing fines, and extending license terms from two years to three years, with the chair asking the board to work with Senator Johnson on amendments before the deadline.