Transcript Highlights:

• the month before, the month after, and then we compared it to previous years to make sure that it tracked
• the month before, the month after, and then we compared it to previous years to make sure that it tracked
• ><00:13:16.399> it previous years to make sure that it previous years to make sure that it tracked
• tracked accordingly. tracked accordingly.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, February 27, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate met on Friday, February 27, with an invocation by Reverend Howard Travers and several guest introductions, including family members, defense organization leaders, a South Asian Herald editor, Eagleton Institute fellows, and physicians from Johns Hopkins. The chamber journalized the prayer, confirmed a quorum, and then moved into bill introductions, House messages, and committee reports. Several measures were advanced without objection, including Senate Bill 338 to extend a work group report deadline on transfer of retirement system member services, Senate Bill 448 authorizing Carroll County public facilities bonds up to $27 million, Senate Bill 453 clarifying that the Arabian horse race associated with Preakness can be run at Laurel Park, Senate Bill 614 allowing Dorchester County detention officers to join the correctional officers retirement system if the county opts in, and Senate Bill 724 making a technical emergency adjustment to cost-of-living calculations for retirees because October CPI data was unavailable during a government shutdown. Each of those bills received favorable committee reports and was ordered printed for third reading after no objections or amendments were offered. Two bills were postponed for later consideration: Senate Bill 538 on Baltimore City raffles tied to organizations affiliated with professional baseball and football teams was special ordered to Wednesday of the following week, and Senate Bill 108 on water resources and wetlands enforcement was special ordered to March 3 while members worked on possible amendments. Senate Bill 56 on the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center and third-party data sharing was also special ordered to the following Wednesday because committee discussion was ongoing. House Bill 6 and House Bill 372 were received and referred to the appropriate standing committees. The Senate also took up Executive Nominations Committee Report No. 3 and, after no nominations were separated out, confirmed the executive nominations by a vote of 41 in the affirmative. Later, the chamber heard a personal privilege statement from a Montgomery County senator about Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald schools in Maryland, highlighting preservation efforts and an upcoming Scrabble tournament fundraiser at a Rosenwald school. The Senate then confirmed a quorum, and the Majority Leader moved that the Senate stand in recess until Monday, March 2 at 8:00 p.m., which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• And with fast-track approval, with... with that.
• And with fast-track approval, with ...of the intent of the bill, and with fast-track approval, with almost
• There's no planning principle that says 9,999 acres follows normal rules, but 10,000 gets a fast track
• You can't because this threshold wasn't written for, follows normal rules, but 10,000 gets a fast track

Bills: S0002, S0026, S0354, S1112, S1192, S1220, S1352, S1670

Keywords: negligence, settlement, appropriation, highway safety, damages, law enforcement, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, land use, development, sustainability, environmental protection, housing policy, labor pool, employment, temporary work, placement fee, Department of Commerce

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard several bills and reported most of them favorably. The first major measure, CS/SB 1220, was described as a broad transportation package expanding FDOT authority over trails, seaports, aviation, advanced air mobility, delivery devices, and related technology, while also addressing toll revenue use, autonomous vehicle penalties, digital driver licenses, and an FDOT study on alternative-fuel vehicles. An amendment narrowed some provisions, including local regulation of personal delivery devices and FDOT airport language. Senator Smith and others raised concerns about language involving FDOT assistance to local governments on federal grant applications, but the bill passed unanimously after support from industry and local-government appearance cards. The committee also approved SB 1112, the Labor Pool Act, which would prohibit labor pools from charging placement fees when workers are hired permanently by a third-party employer and require annual registration with the Department of Commerce. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce barriers to full-time employment, improve oversight, and help returning citizens and low-wage workers; multiple witnesses testified in support, including labor advocates and individuals describing high placement fees. Senators from both parties praised the bill’s worker and reentry benefits, and it passed unanimously. The committee then favorably reported SB 2, a claims bill for the estate of Danielle Maudsley arising from a fatal FHP arrest incident and settlement, and SB 26, another claims bill providing relief for the estate of Mark Legata after alleged FDOT negligence. Senate Bill 1352 on motor vehicles also passed without opposition. It would create a secure online portal for license plate seizure processing, allow disabled veterans to retain their DV plate designation upon reissuance or transfer, ban license plate covers and similar devices that obscure plates, and route certain online driver license and ID transactions through county tax collectors. SB 1192, a customer service pilot requiring callback queues for certain calls to the Department of Commerce and Department of Children and Families, was likewise reported favorably to improve response times and reduce hold times. The most extensive debate centered on CS/SB 354, the Blue Ribbon Projects bill, which would create a new process for very large developments on 10,000-acre or larger parcels if the owner sets aside 60% of the land for conservation or reserve uses. Supporters said it was intended to promote long-range planning, preserve land, and provide certainty for infrastructure and services, while opponents from counties, planning groups, and environmental organizations argued it would preempt local land-use authority, weaken public participation, and allow conservation requirements to be too vague. An amendment added more detail, but concerns remained about administrative approval, timelines, and the definition of reserve areas. Despite opposition from some members, the committee reported the bill favorably on a divided vote. SB 1670 was temporarily postponed, and the committee adjourned after recording one member’s vote on SB 1220.

Transcript Highlights:

• graduation reengagement program that PED is offering for young people who are in their senior year, are off track
• Those young people are off track. Those young people are the young people with the greatest need.
• to have young people like that represented in the program, as well as young people who are more on track
• Thank you. ...people like that represented in the program, as well as young people who are more on track
• So I think we're on the right track. This is a cleanup bill to a law that was enacted in 2024.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee met with a quorum and first addressed a point of order over whether HB 270 could be heard after being taken up earlier in the Transportation Committee. The chair ruled the bill could proceed because it was assigned to this committee and had been properly noticed. The committee then heard HB 280, which would create a three-year pilot program to support paid student internships through grants administered by the Department of Workforce Solutions. Supporters said the bill would help fund internships, mentoring, and transportation, and could improve workforce development, graduation outcomes, and pathways into apprenticeships or higher education. Members asked about administrative costs, student selection, rural and tribal access, payment mechanisms, and whether public entities, land grants, and dual credit could be included. The bill sponsor and witnesses said the program would likely serve about 100 students, use a sliding-scale matching model, and allow local flexibility in program design. The committee voted due pass on HB 280. The committee then heard House Memorial 46, honoring the Hurley family and especially Major General Patrick Hurley and his son Wilson Hurley for military service and artistic contributions in New Mexico. The memorial was presented as a tribute to a family of heroes, and members expressed support. The committee voted due pass on the memorial. Finally, the committee heard HB 270, which would amend the Public Works Apprentice and Training Act to require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs on most public works projects, including road and utility work, while exempting trades without approved programs. Sponsors said the bill would close loopholes, broaden participation, and strengthen the workforce pipeline. Opposition came from asphalt, contractor, and utility groups, which argued the bill would raise costs, duplicate existing training programs, and create access problems for nonunion and geographically distant contractors. Supporters from mechanical contractors, building trades, and labor groups said the bill would improve workforce development and keep training dollars in New Mexico. After debate over the earlier Transportation Committee action and the bill’s cost impacts, the committee voted due pass on HB 270 by a 5-3 roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• His career was on track.
• <00:04:20.160> career<00:04:20.479> was<00:04:20.639> on<00:04:20.880> track
• His career was on track. deployment. His career was on track.
• He doesn't want to come out and say that and use Army OneSource, which tracks the call.

Keywords: MS Save Our Service Members Task Force - Room 216, January 12, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The meeting focused on veteran suicide and mental health challenges affecting Mississippi National Guard soldiers, with Colonel Chris Cookie describing recent losses in the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team. He said that in roughly 50 days, from late September to mid-December 2025, three soldiers died by suicide, and that the unit had seen 50 to 60 suicidal ideations over the past year. He emphasized that suicide is a threat he cannot “defeat” through military training alone, and that warning signs are often hard to detect compared with battlefield threats. Cookie identified the biggest gap as the period between drill weekends and annual training, when soldiers are back home and less connected to leadership. He said the unit does well when soldiers are together at drill or Camp Shelby, where behavioral health support is available, but struggles to reach them in between. He urged the state to create preventive and responsive support that leaders in traditional status could activate quickly, and he strongly supported expanded chaplain access because chaplains are trained in behavioral and mental health issues and may be easier for soldiers to approach without stigma. Committee members discussed possible solutions, including a statewide chaplain rotation or on-call system, community-based support networks, and a 24/7 hotline staffed by Mississippi veterans. They also discussed legislation to have the state cover TRICARE costs for Guardsmen and to use TANF funds for related support services. Members said a draft bill was being prepared for public review, with committee reporting deadlines approaching on February 3, and that they would circulate the bill once it received a number and was posted online. The meeting ended with a motion to rise and report.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was trying to keep track of numbers, but about what percentage of those are veterans?
• We are also working on a better tracking system to identify the number of veterans or military-connected
• Chair, in those 12 years, have you tracked some of these statistics before, or is this something new?
• We've tracked them, probably not as specifically as we should.
• So we've tracked enrollment, certification numbers, as well as our retention and completion numbers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Who tracks the extra days, Jared? Is it Legislative Council?
• If it's okay with you all with accounting, because I know they do track it.
• Obviously, we can't pay somebody more than five, so we do keep track of it.
• This would, I think, allow some clarification on when you can get started, keeping meetings on track.
• How do you track the quorum and all that kind of stuff?

Transcript Highlights:

• The vendors, Brightly, provide this to the districts to manage their assets and track maintenance. included
• long overdue, and it's going to be hugely helpful for PSFA, PSUC, and the school district to be tracking
• projects, tracking funding, and tracking when projects come back for cost increases.
• is where it is, if there's any need for explanation, or just to indicate that we're running a long track

Transcript Highlights:

• on track by the end of the school year, so that they know in third grade, I have mastered those TEKS
• Are they on track? And then you have your final test. Teachers want that feedback.
• They allow us to understand how all students are performing against grade-level standards, track progress
• One is it allows us to track how students are growing over time relative to grade level standards, not
• Many students come into school many grade levels behind, and so it's important to be able to track towards

Bills: HB8

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Transcript Highlights:

• Reeves, we'll have the last question so we can get back on track on time.
• And then Rep Reeves, we'll have the last question so we can get back on track on time.
• So anything that you can do to be tracking that data and information and outcomes, the impact very carefully
• Water District K3 and G4 water wells are currently in the design phase, with initial construction on track
• Both projects are on track to open in 2026.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs met to hear updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Washington Military Department, the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Commerce on federal and state impacts affecting veterans, military families, and military installations. JBLM’s garrison commander said the base remains focused on housing, child care, and spouse employment, but is facing workforce reductions tied to federal personnel actions, especially in air traffic control, 911 dispatch, and firefighting. He also said JBLM is preparing for increased mutual-aid needs during fire season, and that the Army Transformation Initiative could change unit composition at JBLM over time without a major overall population shift. He confirmed that the Lewis Army Museum is on a closure list, but said the building will remain in use for training and that the base is exploring partnerships to keep museum functions operating, possibly with volunteers or local partners. The Washington Military Department reported about 400 Guard members deployed on federal missions and described ongoing state missions in cybersecurity and firefighting. The department said the Army National Guard’s 81st Stryker Brigade will transition to a mobile combat team, with associated changes in equipment, manning, and end strength. It also warned that continuing resolutions are delaying funding, limiting new military construction starts, and increasing costs. The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs outlined a $3.2 million reduction from the governor’s budget and related cuts affecting internships, vacant positions, outreach travel, claims support contracts, counseling and wellness, veterans’ innovation assistance, and the military transition and readiness council staff position. WDVA said it is ending or scaling back several programs, including in-house nursing assistant training, the veteran farm at Ordean, Vet Corps due to AmeriCorps funding changes, and the tobacco cessation program, while noting that the legislature funded about $23.7 million in capital projects for veteran homes, cemeteries, and transitional housing. The Department of Commerce presented on the Defense Community Compatibility Account, which funds projects that reduce conflicts between military installations and nearby communities. The program currently has 10 projects across five legislative districts, including school and child care improvements, water wells, land acquisition, and a joint firefighting training center in Everett. The presenter said the main challenge is that DCCA projects often need non-state funding secured before they can compete, which can make it hard to leverage federal Defense Community Infrastructure Program dollars; he recommended more flexible state timing to help projects qualify for federal funding. In closing discussion, members raised possible future agenda items including child care near bases, veteran homelessness, suicide prevention, Navy Day, military family housing, and a possible Department of Licensing issue involving guard and reserve designations on driver’s licenses. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after members were invited to suggest topics for the October and December committee meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• consensus revenue stimating Group uses those performance targets to build these estimates, um, and we keep track
• of that every quarter to see how we're doing, make sure we're on track.
• And then another fund like land grant permanent fund might be right on track.
• So ERB is on track to do, to repay that, um, that unfunded liability within the 30 year period.
• And so the reality is that they're just basically, uh, basically keeping track with inflation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Franchise Tax Board as well as tax software industry are tracking those changes about what's going
• We are cutting infectious disease tracking.
• When the capacity to track infectious disease disappears.
• I'm the Director for the Department's Federal Funds Accountability and Cost Tracking Unit.
• awarded to major state programs, and coordinating COVID-19 direct disaster response. response, cost tracking

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SO HOW DO YOU TRACK WHAT HOPE FLORIDA IS DOING VERSUS WHAT DO YOU WHAT DCF IS DOING KNOWING THERE IS
• HOW DO YOU TRACK THE OUTCOME FOR THE PARTICIPANTS AS WELL?
• WHAT ARE THE DELIVERABLES AND IS ANYONE TRACKING THE DELIVERABLES TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE ACTUALLY HAPPENING
• JAMES BOOTH MYERS TRACK? >> MY REPRESENTATION IS MARK ARON. I THINK MR.
• HOW DOES HOPE FLORIDA ACTUALLY TRACK THE METRICS OF OUTCOMES FOR THOSE WHO YOU REFER?

Transcript Highlights:

• First, I mean, obviously, we're tracking the federal government's. processes, decision-making actions
• on California, and so we're doing what we can every day, as I know. your teams and staffs are, to track
• It is one that, again, we're deeply engaged in at all levels of the administration, tracking those decisions
• Similarly, with the film tax credit, for example, we've tracked how many many of those projects go to
• So finally just for our general recommendations for this item, you know given the good track record of

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are about 4 million licensed drivers in Minnesota, and the most recent kind of national tracking
• The Insurance Research Council has been tracking this closely.
• The Insurance Research Council has been tracking this closely.
• The Insurance Research Council has been tracking this closely.
• The Insurance Research Council has been tracking this closely.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• related to data accuracy and forecasting, and then HCD and BCSH related to how improving housing plan tracking
• I chose the food insecurity track due to my family's history of... 450 hours.
• I chose the food and security track due to my family's history of you don't. ...science last spring.
• I chose the food insecurity track due to my family's history of utilizing these lifeline resources.
• And so we are meeting with Caltrans regularly and with our RFI Squared partners to track how that progress

Summary: The subcommittee held an informational budget hearing covering several GovOps, CDT, CPPA, and DGS items. GovOps reported that most deliverables under the Governor’s generative AI executive order have been completed, including guidelines, procurement tools, community-impact guidance, and a new project delivery lifecycle for Gen AI projects; one workforce-related deliverable remains. Members and public commenters raised concerns about privacy, labor impacts, and how the state will explain and oversee Gen AI use. The committee also heard a proposal to create a California Education Interagency Council with $5 million ongoing and 16 positions to coordinate workforce and education systems; LAO questioned duplication and recommended limited-term funding, while supporters said a neutral convening body is needed to improve coordination and student outcomes. GoServe presented the College Corps budget proposals, describing the program as a paid service and career-development opportunity for undergraduate students that helps reduce college costs while supporting communities through tutoring, food insecurity work, climate and disaster response, and other service. The administration sought one-time and ongoing funding to expand the program to more campuses and students, while LAO objected to the high administrative costs and recommended rejection. Several students and alumni testified that College Corps provided financial support, professional experience, and career pathways. The committee also heard a $5 million proposal for a Belonging Campaign to address loneliness and social isolation through research, outreach, and local grants; LAO said the proposal lacked clear goals and measures, while supporters said the effort is needed for youth, seniors, and community resilience. The Department of Technology updated the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, saying construction is underway on the statewide open-access network and the project remains on track for the 2026 deadline, though LAO noted a required business plan had not yet been submitted. The California Privacy Protection Agency presented its Delete Act implementation request for the DROP platform, which will let consumers request deletion of personal information held by data brokers; LAO flagged oversight concerns because CDT is both developing the system and involved in project support. Public commenters from business groups urged caution on CPPA’s rulemakings, warning of compliance costs and job impacts. The Department of General Services then discussed implementation of Proposition 2 school facilities bonds, requesting staffing and administrative funding to manage the new bond program and continue school facility work. Officials said the program can also help districts affected by the January wildfires, including interim site funding and expedited assistance. Finally, DGS requested authority and positions to operate Building 18 for labor-agency tenants relocating from older Capitol Mall space; SEIU Local 1000 criticized the state’s four-day return-to-office policy and said telework has improved productivity and retention. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded after public testimony and member questions on each item.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, Madam Chair and Representative Madden-Clerk, who would track this comment?
• We tracked it ourselves, and our managers would decide, especially for management employees, because
• How would that be tracked? Madam Chair, that's going to be calculated through regular payroll.
• We've been tracking pollinator protection for a number of years. This is extremely important.
• would actually have to use the bulk of that just to get stuff started, whereas IAIA already has a track

Transcript Highlights:

• And Madam Chair and Representative Mannon-Clerk, do you, I mean, who would track this?
• And we tracked it ourselves, and then, you know, our managers would decide.
• How would that be tracked? Madam Chair, that's going to...
• We've been tracking pollinator protection for a number of years, so this is extremely important.
• would actually have to use the bulk of that just to get things started, whereas IAIA already has a track

Transcript Highlights:

• The department tracks human trafficking in two primary categories: human trafficking commercial sexual
• So what I would say is, that allocation is just one that specifically is trying to track how much for
• For the youth that we were able to track for a one-year period after their CSE verification, over half
• I have on page 36, Exhibit E1, tracking CSE young adults from one to three years after they turned 18
• who would serve as mentors for their interns, conducting monthly mentor-led performance reviews to track

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs received three presentations and took no bill votes. The Department of Children and Families gave an extensive update on human trafficking prevention and services, describing Florida’s statutory framework, hotline and investigation data, placement options such as safe houses and safe foster homes, new adult safe house certification rules, expanded screening tools for vulnerable adults, and prevention efforts including youth-led outreach and training. Members asked about whether current funding is sufficient, how DCF addresses grooming and re-victimization in residential settings, and how long youth typically remain in safe-house placements; DCF said funding is only one part of the support system, that families and youth receive prevention resources even when allegations are not substantiated, and that placement length varies by child. OPPAGA then presented its 2024 annual report on commercial sexual exploitation of children. The report found that verified CSE victims slightly declined in 2023, with Broward, Miami-Dade, Duval, Hillsborough, and Escambia among the highest-prevalence counties. Most verified victims were community youth rather than children already in care, though dependent youth had higher rates of prior maltreatment. OPPAGA also reported continued concerns about limited placement capacity, especially for less restrictive Tier 1 safe houses, and service gaps such as the need for survivor mentors. Its recommendations focused on expanding placement options, improving data collection, and strengthening collaboration to support survivor mentors. Finally, DCF presented the Step into Success pilot program for current and former foster youth ages 16 to 26. The program combines workforce education, professional development, and paid internships with mentor support; the first cohort launched in 2024 with 15 participants, all of whom secured placements, and the department reported strong satisfaction and early outcomes. Committee members asked about scalability, costs, and whether the model could be moved beyond DCF-run operations into community-based providers. DCF said the program was designed to be scalable, currently costs about $500,000 annually for the pilot, and could be expanded statewide with additional funding and partner support. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I'd like to mention is that I've been tracking what?
• The Department of Veterans Affairs does track all disabled veterans by county in the state of New Mexico
• I've been very transparent with them about the numbers we are tracking with a possible growth because
• VA is tracking at 4,906 veterans in Dona Ana County.
• First, it addresses an urgent and dire need to track and retain rural healthcare practitioners.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I was late, so I'm sorry if you guys already talked about this, but in terms of tracking, you know
• It seems as if Democrats haven't allowed us to track that.
• haven't allowed it seems as if Democrats haven't allowed us<00:15:47.079> to<00:15:47.240> track
• 48.759> need<00:15:48.880> to<00:15:49.000> do<00:15:49.120> more us to track
• that um we need to do more us to track that um we need to do more to<00:15:49.560> broaden<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Republicans held a press event to announce two priority bills focused on immigration and state spending. Rep. Isaac Schultz said his bill, House File 10, would stop taxpayer funding for people in Minnesota illegally, including through programs such as Northstar Promise, MinnesotaCare, medical assistance, and legal services. He framed the proposal as a way to redirect limited state resources to Minnesota families, veterans, people with disabilities, the homeless, and infrastructure needs, and said it could save more than $100 million, with some estimates discussed during debate reaching about $200 million for MinnesotaCare alone. Rep. Max Rymer introduced House File 16, which would require reporting to ICE or other federal immigration authorities when an undocumented immigrant is suspected of committing a violent crime, and would bar local governments from withholding information from federal authorities. He said the bill is intended to end sanctuary-city practices and improve public safety. Both lawmakers argued that the measures are narrow, targeted at violent offenders, and consistent with cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. They also said the bills respond to voter concerns about illegal immigration and rising costs. During questions, the members said the state-funding bill is aimed at state dollars, while the reporting bill complements federal law by addressing local noncooperation. They discussed concerns about eligibility tracking and said current programs do not provide enough data on how many undocumented people receive benefits. Schultz cited a family in his district that lost MinnesotaCare after an income change as an example of what he sees as unfair treatment compared with benefits for undocumented immigrants. No votes were taken at the event; the lawmakers said these are the first of several bills they plan to advance this session.