Transcript Highlights:

• But are we looking at tolls?
• There are toll situations, or there's what we call availability payments models, there's shadow toll.
• I appreciate, in which the riders, the ridership pays virtually all the costs for that particular toll

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• WE And I remember the care my mother had to give him and my grandmother had to give to him, and the toll
• The toll it took on my family and so many other families while they are saying that very long and very
• AND THE TOLL IT TOOK. SENATOR ROLISON TALKED ABOUT THE CAREGIVERS.
• THE TOLL IT TOOK ON MY FAMILY AND SO MANY OTHER FAMILIES WHILE THEY ARE SAYING THAT VERY LONG And I think

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and handled several motions to discharge and substitute identical Assembly or Senate bills, along with a number of amendments. The chamber also welcomed student visitors from the League of Women Voters’ Students of Albany program and a group of Staten Island titleholders, and later adopted previously approved resolutions honoring Dorothy E. Reid for her role in Brown v. Board of Education and recognizing Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on Delta Day, with multiple senators speaking in support of both recognitions. The bulk of the floor session was devoted to third-reading votes on a large number of bills, most of which passed with broad support. Measures addressed public health, workers’ compensation, education, environmental conservation, insurance, labor, criminal procedure, domestic relations, tax, municipal authority, and correction law. Several bills were explained by sponsors as advancing stormwater management authority, labor-law transparency, public health protections, and stronger penalties for trafficking-related offenses; one bill on immunization in summer camps drew a defense from Senator Skoufis as a child-protection measure, while another on correction law passed with some Republican opposition. The chamber also took up a controversial public health/electronic health records bill by Senator Fernandez. Senator Martin questioned the bill at length about redacting certain categories of information, emergency access, provider obligations, and the impact on doctors’ ability to see complete medical histories. Fernandez said the bill was intended to protect patients from discrimination and to limit access to a small list of sensitive services, while also noting emergency exceptions and support from more than 200 health care providers. The debate remained focused on balancing privacy protections with concerns about continuity of care and record integrity.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's taking a toll on a lot of us because we're having a hard time with this.
• say<00:51:20.559> it's<00:51:20.720> taking<00:51:20.880> a<00:51:21.040> toll
• > a<00:51:21.520> lot<00:51:21.599> of<00:51:21.760> us say it's taking a toll
• on a lot of us say it's taking a toll on a lot of us because<00:51:23.280> we're<00:51:23.520

Bills: HB541

Keywords: PFAS, drinking water, public health, environmental management, liability, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She said it is difficult to talk about medical malpractice without also talking about the toll it takes
• She said she has done a lot of work with physicians and physician well-being and understands the toll
• She said it is difficult to talk about medical malpractice without also talking about the toll it takes
• She said she has done a lot of work with physicians and physician well-being and understands the toll

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is going to exact a toll on our communities, on our budgets, on the policies and the solutions
• going<00:30:05.679> to<00:30:05.840> exact<00:30:06.240> a<00:30:06.480> toll
• <00:30:07.279> on<00:30:07.520> our that is going to exact a toll on our that is going
• to exact a toll on our communities,<00:30:08.320> on<00:30:08.480> our<00:30:08.640>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from my own father—but I was fortunate to have five brothers—is that the... ...physical and mental toll
• McGregor testified, elder care also takes a toll on those who are responsible for their adult dependents
• But the toll is immense.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing focused largely on tax-credit proposals tied to children, families, caregivers, child care, health care workforce development, and public health. A major portion of the hearing concerned bills to expand the state earned income tax credit and child and family tax credit, including H. 3073/S. 1957 and S. 1975. Testimony from advocacy groups, legal services, tax assistance organizations, and health providers supported increasing the EITC match from 40% to 50% of the federal credit, expanding eligibility to immigrant and mixed-status ITIN filers, larger families, younger and older workers, and SSI recipients, and raising the child and family tax credit to $600 per child with inflation adjustments and possible advance payments. Witnesses said these changes would reduce poverty, improve health and educational outcomes, and help families meet basic expenses; committee members asked questions about ITIN filers and expressed support for the policy goals. The committee also heard extensive testimony on S. 1938/H. 3159, An Act Supporting Family Caregivers. Speakers described the scale of unpaid caregiving in Massachusetts and supported a package that would create a refundable tax credit, respite vouchers, workplace and housing protections, unemployment insurance access for those who leave work to care for relatives, a permanent advisory council, and a provision allowing spouses to be paid caregivers under MassHealth. Several witnesses shared personal caregiving experiences, and committee members responded favorably, noting the emotional and financial strain on caregivers and the importance of supporting them as Medicaid and long-term care systems face pressure. Additional bills discussed included H. 3174 on a child and dependent care tax credit, which was presented as a way to offset the high cost of child care; H. 3197/S. 2019 to improve the financial security of family child care providers through a tax credit; H. 3218/S. 1960 to create tax credits for health care preceptors to address workforce shortages; S. 2064 to establish a living organ donor tax credit; S. 2034 to promote healthy alternatives to sugary drinks through a tiered tax; H. 3015 to create a tax-return checkoff for the YMCA Youth and Government Program; and several public testimony ideas including vaccination, literacy, and grade-improvement tax credits. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing, which ended after all testimony was heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 956, Senator Jennings, Maryland Transportation Authority Video Tolls Collection, favorable
• this bill expressly authorizes the Maryland Transportation Authority to waive any portion of a video toll
• /c> Authority to waive any portion of a Authority to waive any portion of a video<00:22:28.360> toll

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Father Mark Bilek of Westminster, introduced by the Senator from the 42nd District and praised by members for his community service and Lenten message of reconciliation. The prayer was journalized. The chamber then recognized several guests, including interns, family members, a shadowing student, and the doctor of the day, Dr. Ann Benfield, before moving to floor business. A scheduling note indicated a light floor agenda, with committee work later in the day and a longer floor session expected the next day. The Senate considered several second-reading committee reports and moved multiple bills to third reading, generally without objection. These included House Bill 229, increasing Maryland Transportation Authority bond capacity from $4 billion to $5 billion; House Bill 266, allowing resource-sharing revenues to support state communications infrastructure, with an amendment conforming it to Senate Bill 85; House Bill 472, extending and adjusting the theatrical production tax credit; House Bill 607, setting constitutional officers’ salaries; House Bill 810, creating a study on blockchain-based lease recordation verification with an amendment adding the Maryland Blockchain Association; House Bill 1095, granting a Calvert County property tax credit for former tobacco barns; House Bill 1142, creating a task force on county and municipal revenue structures; and House Bill 1165, addressing apprenticeship program accountability and completion. The Senate also advanced Senate Bill 956, authorizing the Maryland Transportation Authority to waive portions of video tolls or civil penalties on delinquent accounts, with a sponsor amendment. Members briefly joked about April Fools’ Day during the proceedings, but the chamber continued to adopt reports and amendments without recorded opposition. At the end of the session, leaders announced committee schedules for the afternoon and the next day, including Finance, Triple E, Budget and Taxation, and Judicial Proceedings meetings. The Senate then held a quorum call, confirmed 45 members present, and adjourned until Thursday, April 2 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• non-discretionary procedures be strictly complied with by the West Virginia Parkways Authority before tolls
• engrossed House Bill 4421, providing guidelines for the West Virginia Parkways Authority to cease tolls
• Authority, do, House Bill 4421, providing guidelines for the West Virginia Parkway's authority to cease tolls

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous guest introductions, including students, coaches, visitors from West Virginia universities, and representatives of Hunger Free West Virginia and Mountaineer Food Bank. The chamber also recognized Hunger Free West Virginia Day and heard remarks highlighting food insecurity efforts and a company working on pharmaceutical manufacturing and sickle-cell treatments. Senate Resolution 60 honoring Hunger Free West Virginia Day was adopted, while Senate Resolution 61 urging reversal of Obergefell was held over and Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 on the Southern West Virginia water crisis was referred to the Rules Committee. The Senate concurred in House amendments and passed several measures, including Senate Bill 467 on enforcement of Purple Heart parking spaces and Senate Bill 712 on cattle guards on certain public roads, with both made effective from passage. The body also passed Senate Bill 844, a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Human Services, and Senate Bill 87, a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Commerce, both with immediate effectiveness. In addition, the Senate advanced a large number of House bills and committee substitutes on first or second reading, including measures on government organization, judiciary, transportation, workforce, and health-related topics. On third reading, the Senate passed a series of bills covering a wide range of policy areas. These included the Blue Envelope Program for drivers with autism, dementia, or developmental disabilities; coverage for scalp cooling systems during chemotherapy; expanded sex-offender registration for certain offenses; child welfare clothing allowances; school personnel misconduct reporting; age verification for online sexual content; free Gold Star license plates for parents; sanitarian training and licensure changes; sheriff hiring authority; organ donor registration through voter registration; a Cold Case Task Force; abandoned vehicle title procedures; continuing education in nutrition for physicians; special plate rules; gift card fraud crimes; protections for athletic officials; school personnel reassignment rules; Homeland Security administrative updates; pharmacy benefit manager regulation; the VAPE Safety Act after a strike-and-insert amendment; parole supervision fee increases; partial service credit for disabled troopers; state property valuation reporting changes; and quarterly Hope Scholarship payments. Most of these bills passed overwhelmingly, often 34-0, with a few narrower votes such as the organ donor bill passing 30-4 and the school personnel movement bill passing 33-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• existing comprehensive development agreement for a portion of a state highway 130 to facilitate non-toll
• It would be 2948 by law relating to the cessation of tolls of toll project entities and circumstances

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services number five Department of Parks Heritage and Tourism with Division of Heritage craft and toll
• and associates this is Amendment 4 to with division of heritage craft and toll and associates this is

Summary: The committee first considered an $88,000 used tire program contract for District 4 with LTR Intermediate Holdings. Senators raised concerns that the tire district’s revised business plan had not yet been approved and that the contract could worsen cash flow before funding was confirmed. Questions were also raised about procurement language in the RFP that excluded bidders under corrective action plans. After discussion, a motion was made and approved to hold the contract until next month so the tire board could appear and answer questions. Members then reviewed a large slate of methods of finance, alternative delivery projects, and discretionary grants. These included capital projects at ASU Mid-South, Arkansas Tech, Ozarka, UA Fayetteville, UA Little Rock, UAMS, and UCA; a new UCA multi-purpose arena project estimated at $75.5 million; and DHS and Department of Health grants for aging services, substance abuse prevention, mental health, nutrition, hearing-loss follow-up, HIV services, and rural hospital quality improvement. All of these items were reviewed without objection. The committee also heard a ratification request from UAMS for a Family and Medical Leave Act outsourcing contract with FMLA Source. UAMS said an amendment had been prepared but never submitted for review, and payments continued after expiration; members expressed frustration and asked UAMS to review whether other contracts had similarly lapsed. The committee then reviewed numerous construction-related, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including airport economic impact study work, parking guidance technology at the University of Arkansas, veteran nursing services, and multiple DHS service contracts. Most items were reviewed without objection, and the meeting adjourned after reports of routine contract amendments and minor contracts were presented for information.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill already provides for a toll-free telephone number 4, The bill already provides for a toll-free

Transcript Highlights:

• example is in my district in Bremerton, the Manette Bridge that was built in the 1960s, and they tolled
• And magically, the legislature didn't want to keep collecting the money and actually let the toll end

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee devoted its meeting to a presentation from Troy Suing of the Department of Transportation on state highway preservation needs. Suing said DOT is a leader in asset planning, but that current funding is not enough to keep up with the condition of highways, bridges, and other assets. He distinguished operations and maintenance from preservation, and described the preservation program’s main parts: pavements, bridges, and other highway facilities such as slopes, rest areas, signal systems, retaining walls, and culverts. Suing reported that about 40% of state roads are already overdue for preservation and that, with current funding, as much as 85% could need preservation within 10 years. He said there are more than 7,900 lane miles currently due, and that delaying work past the “lowest life cycle zone” increases risk and can cost three to five times more later. For bridges, he said the state has about 3,400 bridges, an average age of 52 years, and roughly 10% are over 80 years old; the share of bridges in poor condition is about 9.9%, near the federal threshold that could trigger more federal oversight. He also highlighted culvert failures, including one on SR-510, and the closed Carbon River Bridge on SR-165 as examples of how deferred preservation can lead to closures and community disruption. Committee members questioned the comparison to national asset management leadership, liability risk as roads deteriorate, the cost and regulatory burden of bridge projects, and whether DOT is relying more on its own crews for bridge work because of cost and urgency. Suing said the department is underfunded to fully implement its asset plans and is forced to focus on risk, emergent needs, and the most critical bridge work first. He said DOT’s 2026 supplemental budget identified preservation as one of five unfunded critical priorities and estimated a 10-year preservation need of $8 billion to address the backlog and become proactive again. Members discussed whether targeted funding in the next biennium could help move the state back toward the “green zone,” and the chair closed by emphasizing the real-world impacts of bridge and road failures and the need for legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, 11 guy up there, big farmer's been there forever, um, right up along the toll road. um, he
• has easements all along the toll road, uh, within Frisco, Plano, and, um, Dallas area.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, one other thing that I should note is that the time tolls up to the maximum of the six years while
• that<00:15:32.800> um<00:15:32.959> the<00:15:33.199> time<00:15:33.600> tolls
• I should note is that um the time tolls I should note is that um the time tolls up<00:15:34.560>
• <00:15:58.320> years,<00:15:58.800> but<00:15:59.040> it<00:15:59.279> tolls
• >> So So it's um 3 years, but it tolls >> So So it's um 3 years, but it tolls while<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills related to bribery and public corruption. On SB 2249, which would increase penalties for bribery under certain circumstances, the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the measure, arguing that Hawaii’s current class B felony penalty is probationable and too weak to secure cooperation in corruption cases, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Snyder decision narrowed federal bribery prosecutions. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that elevating bribery to a class A felony and making it non-probationable was excessive, overbroad, and would remove judicial discretion. Multiple individuals also testified in support. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about removing deferred acceptance of plea provisions and asked HPD about the $20,000 threshold; the prosecutor said alternative charges could still be used in plea bargaining, and HPD said the threshold aligns with first-degree theft. The committee also discussed how current law tolls the bribery statute of limitations while an official remains in office, with the prosecutor explaining it can extend up to six years total. The committee then heard SB 2494, which would set a nine-year statute of limitations for bribery offenses. The Public Defender opposed the extension, saying the justification based on the length of federal investigations was too broad and that bribery already has a longer limitations period than most felonies. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill, saying bribery cases often involve coordination with federal investigators, that federal and state evidence-gathering methods may differ, and that a longer period would help ensure admissible evidence and allow state prosecution when federal law no longer applies. Members asked whether there were public examples of cases lost to the current limitations period; the prosecutor said he was not aware of any publicly available examples, but maintained nine years was a reasonable period. The committee also considered SB 2737, which would create a misdemeanor for failure by a state or county elected official to report bribery. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments and suggested changing the term to “public servant” for consistency with existing law. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the intent but warned the reporting requirement could create Fifth Amendment issues for witnesses who might otherwise be useful in grand jury proceedings. The bill drew broad public support, with 33 supporters and no opposition noted. Finally, the committee took up SB 3071, which revises sex trafficking and promoting prostitution statutes by redefining “profits from prostitution” and adding an affirmative defense for certain lawful transactions. The Public Defender opposed the measure, saying it still could reach people without the required criminal intent and that the affirmative defense language could be applied unevenly. The Attorney General and Honolulu Prosecutor supported the bill, saying it better addresses concerns raised by the State v. Ibarra decision while closing loopholes that allow traffickers to disguise profits as loans or gifts. The prosecutor emphasized that traffickers are sophisticated and can structure transactions to evade current law.