Transcript Highlights:

• If you have copies of written testimony with you to distribute to the committee, you may hand it out
• This hearing is accessible to members of the public to view on the General Court website by live stream
• This hearing is accessible to members of the public to view on the General Court website by live stream
• I asked Representative Jones to file this bill on behalf of Major General Keefe, Adjutant General of
• Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 90, Section 2, Paragraph 7 uses the 5th.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 36 bills covering aviation, commercial vehicles, school buses, veterans license plates, and related transportation issues. Chair Jim Arciero and Senate Chair Brendan Crighton outlined the hearing procedures, then the committee heard testimony on a range of measures, including a bill to modernize alternative student transportation for vulnerable students such as those covered by McKinney-Vento, foster children, and students with disabilities; a bill on unmanned aerial systems that would define drones and restrict weaponization, interference with aircraft, and certain surveillance; and a bill addressing airplane noise and reporting at Beverly Regional Airport. Supporters of the student transportation bill argued it would update outdated school bus requirements while preserving safety standards, while drone-related testimony was split between sponsors and public safety advocates who supported stronger restrictions and industry representatives who warned the bills could conflict with federal law and harm legitimate commercial uses. The committee also heard testimony on workforce and school transportation bills. Representatives and industry witnesses supported a proposal to create a grant program and career outreach for the trucking industry, citing a persistent driver shortage and the importance of trucking to the state’s economy. Teamsters Local 170 supported a bill to ease unemployment job-search requirements for school bus drivers and monitors who are expected to return to work within a short period, saying the current rules create unnecessary burdens during summer layoffs. Another school transportation bill would create an under-the-hood exception for CDL licensing of school bus drivers; several chiropractors testified in support, saying they already perform DOT-style exams and should be explicitly authorized to do school bus driver medical certifications. Veterans-related testimony focused on license plate and disability-definition bills. Advocates supported a Medal of Fidelity license plate for Gold Star families and a separate bill to create an air medal plate. The Office of the Veteran Advocate testified in favor of revising the state’s definition of disabled veteran for RMV purposes, arguing the current language is tied to special monthly compensation categories and does not adequately reflect modern service-connected disabilities, including invisible wounds. The American Legion also urged clarification of the definition, while opposing a separate women veterans plate on the grounds that it could divide veterans unnecessarily. The committee took no votes during the hearing and ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a multi-generational Chicano. My family hails from San Miguel County, northern New Mexico.
• We do not have any acequias or land grants in San Juan County, but my family is multi-generational Rio
• Those today we know as Article 1, the general provisions, and Article 2.
• They have been at the center of agricultural production for generations.
• I believe I distributed to everyone the latest draft of the proposed... plan.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm 1/4 generation.
• I call the general manager of the utility.
• Um, first off, um, I am a, uh, fifth-generation native Texan.
• There were 1 million cases of child sexual abuse material distributed in 2014, 1 million.
• And comes with a similar warning by the US Surgeon General under President Biden.

Bills: HB 186

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivisions, government expenditure, transparency, local government, political subdivision, county, city, municipality, special district, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying restriction, registered lobbyist, government association, county association dues, Texas Legislature, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, Chapter 556

Transcript Highlights:

• said, uh Chair Tolson, to your House File 4808, you'd like to move to be recommended to place on a general
• Again, distributed by Minnet.
• There's $50 million being transferred into the fund from the general fund, and then a base transfer of
• Uh into the fund from the general you.
• Uh into the fund from the general fund<00:08:48.720> and<00:08:48.959> then<00:08:49.360

Transcript Highlights:

• As a reminder, for regular committee amendments, they must be distributed by 12 p.m. on Monday for regular
• And for a strike-everything amendment, that should be distributed by Friday at 5. And Mr.
• Generally, there are variations of that. care they need to save their life. And Mr. Chair.
• Generally, there are variations of that. ...antigen of a virus or bacteria.
• Generally, there are variations of that.

Bills: HB2086, HB2248, HB2688

Keywords: vaccination mandates, mask requirements, public health, government entities, COVID-19, medical freedom, healthcare mandates, employment requirements, government regulation, vacant positions, state budget, government efficiency, employment, full-time equivalent positions, 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard three bills, all on medical freedom or government staffing. HB 2248 would prohibit governmental entities, businesses, schools, and ticket issuers from denying employment, entry, services, or participation based on whether a person has received or used a medical intervention. Supporters framed it as protecting bodily autonomy and parental rights; opponents, including physicians, child care and public health advocates, warned it was drafted too broadly and could undermine vaccine-related protections, school and daycare illness policies, and hospital safety. After debate, the bill received a do pass recommendation on a 3-2 vote. HB 2086 would bar government entities and businesses from requiring vaccination or masks/face coverings, with stated exceptions for long-standing workplace safety and infection control measures, and it would apply to certain government-owned health care facilities. Supporters argued it was needed to prevent coercive mandates and protect individual freedom and business autonomy; opponents said it would interfere with private employers’ ability to protect customers and workers and could conflict with public health practices. The committee approved the bill on a 3-2 do pass vote. HB 2688 would require the Arizona Department of Administration to identify state budget-unit positions vacant for at least 150 days and eliminate those positions each fiscal year, with some exceptions such as corrections and DPS. The sponsor said the bill would reduce waste and prevent vacant positions from functioning as slush funds, while members raised concerns about specialized or hard-to-fill jobs. After brief testimony in support, the committee passed the bill on a 3-2 do pass vote, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• ACTIVE WITHOUT ACHIEVING THE SIGNATURE THRESHOLD FOR THE SUPREME COURT REVIEW IS LIMITED TO THREE GENERAL
• PART OF THE PROBLEM THAT THE GENERAL BILL SAID IT CAN'T BE PREFILLED, IF IT IS NOT PREFILLED AND IT IS
• GENERAL QUESTION TO START.
• AS THIS BILL MOVES MAYBE IT CAN BE CLARIFIED BECAUSE THE WORD DISTRIBUTES COULD BE FOUND TO BE CONFUSING
• THIS BILL MAKES IT A FELONY FOR FLORIDIANS WHO BELIEVE IN A ISSUE TO DISTRIBUTE PETITIONS OR COLLECT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the sponsor of the bill has an amendment that pages will collect and distribute.
• amendment that pages will collect has an amendment that pages will collect and<00:15:51.959> distribute
• and distribute. and distribute.
• And actually, Senator, if very briefly, if the Senator could explain the general of the bill overall
• So if we could just general summary. >> Thank you very much, Mr. President.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, March 26, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened with 39 members present and a quorum. The session opened with an invocation by Bishop Antonio Palmer of Kingdom Celebration Center, whose remarks were journalized. The President and members also welcomed several guests to the chamber, including former Delegate Sean Terrence, students from Charles H. Flowers High School and Garrison Forest School, Dr. Lee Snyder as doctor of the day, and Dr. Barbara Ann Palmer in recognition of Women’s History Month. The President also noted that the next day would be pro forma and that some scheduled items would be moved to the following week. The Senate considered Executive Nominations Report No. 6, covering gubernatorial nominees for boards and commissions including the State Board of Education, MEDCO, and the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. On motion of the committee chair, the report was special ordered to Tuesday, with members asked to review the list for recusals or related issues. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 890, which concerns an insurance premium receipts tax exemption for captive insurance procured by nonprofit hospitals and health care systems. On SB 890, the Senate adopted the committee amendments and then adopted a floor amendment offered by the bill sponsor. The amendment was described as replacing the bill’s earlier approach with a two-year moratorium on collection of any related liabilities, followed by a Maryland Insurance Administration report back on ongoing investigations. One senator raised concern that the amendment’s language could require the state to refund taxes already paid by hospitals and others, potentially costing millions, and asked for more time to review it; the motion to special order the bill was defeated. After discussion, the amendment was adopted and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. At the close of the floor session, committee and delegation announcements were made, including Finance, Triple E, Judicial Proceedings, Budget and Tax, Executive Nominations, and several county delegations. A senator from District 6 also spoke about the anniversary of the Key Bridge collapse and thanked colleagues for bipartisan work on related legislation and recovery efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• mark for both the water treatment facility and the trunk water main lines to connect it to our distribution
• connect<00:26:44.799> it<00:26:44.960> to<00:26:45.120> our<00:26:45.279> distribution
• connect it to our distribution center. connect it to our distribution center.
• I am the general manager for Rochester Public Utilities.
• Minnesota, and that it is in the process of updating all of its electric and water meters with next-generation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Generational impacts.
• Sonerud, you talked a lot about diesel-run generation.
• But I would say that generally speaking, those units are... ...generally speaking, those units are substantially
• We've got, I think, seven other buildings within a three-block area that run off generation, diesel generation
• Within a three-block area, that run off generation, diesel generation.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:00.079> emergency for um provider generated emergency for um provider generated emergency
• <00:15:12.480> uh surprised to see the Attorney General uh surprised to see the Attorney General
• Deputy attorney general um as you Deputy attorney general um as you indicated<00:47:56.480> this
• Deputy Attorney General C. Nakamatsu appearing on behalf of the Department of the Attorney General.
• General statute?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard Senate Bill 1322, SD2, HD1, a comprehensive measure revising Hawaii’s mental health code. The bill would clarify emergency transportation, examination, and hospitalization procedures for people who may be mentally ill or suffering from substance abuse and deemed imminently dangerous, expand notice requirements, allow certain information-sharing for assisted community treatment petitions, and add liability protections for emergency responders and providers. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill as a collaborative update to the law, while the Department of Health asked for a copy of provider-generated emergency transport documentation within five days for data and planning purposes. Testimony was sharply divided. Queen’s Health System, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, HHSC, and the Institute for Human Services supported the measure or parts of it but requested amendments, including clarifying whether a second psychiatric exam is required, restoring a 72-hour rather than 48-hour stabilization window, and adjusting where patients are taken when an MEO cannot be reached. The ACLU of Hawaiʻi strongly opposed the bill, arguing it weakens due process and civil liberties, especially around involuntary commitment, assisted community treatment, emergency transport by police, and reduced procedural safeguards; it urged the committee to hold the bill and consider an interim working group. Louie E.K. of the Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center also opposed the bill, focusing on immunity from negligence, the use of police for transport, and the reduction of a three-provider review to one in state-hospital treatment orders. Other testimony included support from an individual who said the bill could improve mental health care delivery amid provider shortages, and a comment from Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction Center warning that the substance use portion of the bill lacks evidence of effectiveness and could be misused. In response to committee questions, the Attorney General’s office said the measure was developed with input from multiple stakeholders, including state agencies, hospitals, the ACLU, HHSC, and IHS, and that it aims to make assisted community treatment more accessible and effective by streamlining the legal process and improving consequences for noncompliance. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• attorney general attorney general has<01:28:02.320> asked<01:28:02.719> that<01:28
• There's no general funds in it, I There's no general funds in it, I believe. believe. believe.
• c> then<02:00:54.639> fund<02:00:55.040> general general fund and then fund general
• . generators. generators.
• Yeah, let's fund it with general funds and then—what is the proposal on general funds then?

Keywords: 10am HB 1 & HB 2, 928, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference on HB 1 and HB 2 reviewed comparison documents and worked through a long list of House and Senate positions, agreeing on some technical or already-enacted items while setting aside others for later discussion. Early on, members agreed to delete a House Bill 2 section tied to a bill already passed into law, and a representative explained a technical amendment to the EFA provisions clarifying enrollment-cap repeal language and compulsory attendance rules for EFA students. That amendment was discussed but a vote was postponed because not all members were present. The committee also noted that the overall EFA budget numbers had already been settled separately. Several items were either agreed to or held for further negotiation. Members agreed to delete sections already covered by other enacted bills, including BTLA-related language, and to accept a technical amendment changing "municipalities" to "political subdivisions" in a section affecting funding eligibility. They also agreed on some items involving workers’ compensation second injuries, certain pilot-program language, and some sections related to state loan repayment and other technical corrections. In contrast, they set aside or disputed items involving site evaluation, lottery-related provisions, opioid abatement, the Commission on Aging, Granite Advantage premium costs, renewable energy/offshore wind funding, special education funding, and several education trust fund and unique-fund provisions. The committee spent substantial time on policy disputes. The House side argued against keeping money in dedicated Fish and Game funds rather than increasing the main Fish and Game fund, while the Senate side defended its approach and raised concerns about fee impacts, including one tied to the fishing license. The members also discussed a housing appeals board proposal, with one member suggesting a possible compromise that would preserve some function while shifting duties and possibly sunsetting the arrangement later; the contracts for the positions were noted as running through June 30, 2028 and June 30, 2029. Another extended discussion concerned the child advocate records-access section, which one side wanted removed as policy that should go through the normal bill process, while another member asked to hold it and suggested a possible middle-ground, time-limited approach. Later, the committee agreed to remove sections already handled in other bills, including House sections 254 and 255, and discussed but did not resolve disputes over liquor licensing functions, cannabis-related language, cost containment, special education, and several fee and fund provisions. The Senate explained its position on the governor’s commission language, saying opioid abatement trust funds could not be used for that purpose and that the commission should continue to be funded through 5% of gross liquor profits; it also described renaming the body the Commission on Addiction Treatment and Prevention and expanding its scope to include problem gambling. The meeting ended with several major items still open for later negotiation.

Transcript Highlights:

• retail electric customer of a procedure for requesting vegetation management near a transmission or distribution
• Metcalf: request vegetation management near transmission or distribution lines. I move passage.
• : HB 2355 by Fairly, relating to request for law enforcement agencies reporting from the Attorney General
• Craddick: projects and distribution of affordable housing funds to local government.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:03.200> plan include in comprehensive or general plan include in comprehensive or general
• > the<01:31:36.120> letter Attorney General wrote in the letter Attorney General wrote
• > of public safety, distribution of public safety, distribution of literature<01:38:44.040> to
• third places, the multi-generational third places, the Village<02:22:10.560> Multi-generational
• <02:42:14.960> fund, the bottom line of the general fund, the bottom line of the general fund

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House of Delegates met on February 27, 2026, with a prayer, roll call showing 130 members present, and the reading of the previous day’s journal. The chamber then took up several House resolutions recognizing guests and honorees, including Harold Futch Sr. II and his daughter R.V. for their collaboration on the album “Harmony” and R.V.’s status as the youngest Grammy winner; Michelle Eberle for her leadership of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange; and the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County on its 85th anniversary. Each resolution was read and adopted with applause and congratulations. The House also received Senate Bill 108 from the Senate consent calendar and, by unanimous consent, had it read the first time and referred to committee. In the Economic Matters Committee report, the House adopted favorable reports and sent multiple bills to third reading, including HB 306 on dealer website price transparency, HB 461 on rural readiness and capacity building, HB 573 on fair housing discrimination standards, HB 798 on small minority- and women-owned business capital access, HB 850 on open house disclosure requirements, HB 951 on land records revisions, HB 996 on corporations and associations revisions, HB 1026 on rounding cash transactions, and HB 1312 on legal tender species establishment. HB 306 drew the most debate over its title, which included the “Jack Fitzgerald Price Transparency Act.” One delegate argued the title improperly referenced a private business and should be removed; the floor leader responded that the bill honored consumer advocate Jack Fitzgerald and that the dealership was employee-owned. A motion to special order the bill failed on a roll call vote of 95 no to 38 yes, and the bill was then ordered printed for third reading. HB 691 on permitting efficiency for housing development projects was also special ordered until the next day after members sought more time to review possible amendments. The House adopted amendments and favorable reports on several bills, including HB 243 on comprehensive and general plans, HB 343 on housing counseling services, HB 483 on charitable organization audit thresholds, HB 523 on residential foreclosure restrictions, and HB 243’s amendments clarifying prospective application. Members asked questions about HB 243’s planning requirements and about HB 523’s “zombie mortgage” protections; the floor leader explained that HB 523 would protect homeowners from surprise foreclosures on old debts without forgiving the underlying debt, while HB 243 would modernize comprehensive planning standards without changing local subdivision review processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Education Committee's second public hearing of the 194th session of the General Court, and
• But you are very welcome to submit written testimony to the committee, and that gets distributed to all
• The fund would be administered by DESE with guidelines for equitable distribution.
• But today, the very system that shaped me is struggling to do the same for the next generation.
• This was accomplished with a reduction of 17 staff members from my general education staff.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education opened a hybrid public hearing on a large slate of bills related to school buildings, school finance, technology, data privacy, safety, and related education issues. Chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlined procedures for the hearing, including two-minute testimony limits and the plan to group similar bills together. Several bills drew no testimony and were closed without further discussion, while others drew extensive testimony from legislators, school officials, parents, advocates, and educators. A major theme was school safety and student well-being. Lori Al-Hadeth testified in support of bills on alert systems in public schools, describing the loss of her daughter in the Parkland shooting and urging adoption of Alyssa’s Law-style panic alert technology. Representative Gallagher and disability advocates also supported a bill authorizing, but not requiring, airway clearance devices in schools, arguing they could save lives in choking emergencies and provide an option for people who cannot use the Heimlich maneuver. Another bill on reducing cafeteria waste drew support from a legislator and a Lexington sustainability official, who said installing dishwashers during construction would reduce waste and long-term costs. Much of the hearing focused on Chapter 70 school funding and the inflation cap. Senator Pavel Payano, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Senna, and multiple local officials and school committee members from Bridgewater, Chelsea, Groton-Dunstable, and other districts argued that the 4.5% cap on inflation adjustments has left schools underfunded during years of high inflation, forcing layoffs, larger class sizes, and cuts to programs and student supports. They urged bills to eliminate the cap, restore lost funding, increase the Commonwealth’s share of the foundation budget, or create commissions to study reforms. Testimony also highlighted the impact on special education, English learners, and low-income students, with Chelsea witnesses saying the cap has cost their district about $7 million annually. School construction and MSBA reform were the other major topic. AIA Massachusetts, Boston Public Schools, Lynn officials, and AFT Massachusetts described aging facilities, overcrowding, deferred maintenance, and the difficulty of financing new schools under current reimbursement rules. Boston officials said the district has many pre-World War II buildings and has only built a handful of new schools in decades, while Lynn leaders said reimbursement rates have fallen well below the statutory 80% because of caps and ineligible costs. Witnesses urged modernization of the MSBA program, higher reimbursement rates, and more resources for school construction. The committee also heard support for a bill to study the adequacy and equity of the school building program, and chairs indicated some bills would be closed after no one signed up to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the ability to do it under general law.
• Yes, it would go to the Attorney General, and the Attorney General, I believe, would have 10 days to
• That's what our Attorney General should be doing.
• That's what our Attorney General should be doing.
• It is one mill generates less than $5 million. It is one mill generates less than $5 million.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, that's what generation, right?
• let's let's free the silent generation let's let's free the silent generation here. here. here.
• be re-referred to the general register. be re-referred to the general register.
• its way to the general register. its way to the general register.
• be re-referred to the general register. be re-referred to the general register.

Bills: HF4145, HF4009, HF4304, SF2511, HF4090, HF357, HF901

Keywords: alcohol consumption, nursing homes, assisted living, resident activities, Minnesota Statutes, seasonal liquor licenses, resorts, intoxicating liquor, county board, Brainerd, Northern Pacific Center, event center, liquor license, on-sale license, alcohol sales, special law, local option, Minnesota liquor law, chapter 340A, Sunday sales

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair: This is General Fund. Now that Ms. Hall's here, we'll get started.
• other bills pass through the committee first, and then I'll do the ambulance assessment bill and the general
• bills will pass through the committee first, and then I'll do the ambulance assessment bill and the general
• But remember that also includes the first $10 million of the general fund to the State House.
• We pay $10 million out of the general fund and the ETF pays $10 million.

Bills: SB146, SB143, SB144, SB145, HB224, SB152, SB153, SB154, SB162, SB226, SB146, SB143, SB144, SB145, HB224, SB152, SB153, SB154, SB162, SB226

Keywords: supplemental appropriation, FY2025 budget, general fund, Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy, Unified Judicial System, court automation, advanced technology and data exchange, judiciary funding, transportation debt service, highway bonds, bridge bonds, Alabama Department of Transportation, ALDOT, public highways, federal matching funds, state appropriations, bond principal and interest, special funds, budget amendment, SB143

Transcript Highlights:

• Projects have generated $1.52 billion of in-state spending over the life of the program, creating more
• My wife and I are fourth-generation stunt performers and filmmakers in this industry.
• Here's another general quote that Woody and I have heard from countless crew members who also happen
• For our general revenue, $0.58 out of every dollar we have comes from sales tax, so just productions
• Coming from the private sector, Alliance Texas is now home to 590 companies generating 66,269 jobs.

Bills: HB4568, HB5458, HB4543, HB2703, HB3728, HCR113, HCR126

Keywords: film industry, incentives, grants, Texas, moving image, economic development, production companies, content standards, HB 5458, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, chronic wasting disease, CWD, cervids, deer, elk, moose, wildlife management, game animals, disease management

Transcript Highlights:

• That generally advertises auctions for personal property.
• Publishing notice in a newspaper of general circulation.
• There were 1 million cases of child sexual abuse material distributed in 2014, 1 million.
• Surgeon General under President Trump. President Biden.
• So we would empower the Attorney General as.

Bills: HB186, HB517, HB 1093, HB 1268, HB1395, HB186

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, property owners' association, residential watering restrictions, vegetation, fine limitations, drought, technology, innovation, economic development, grants, Texas Economic Development, business funding, HB 1395, private passenger vehicle rental, car rental, vehicle rental

Transcript Highlights:

• These generally are not normal mainstream properties.
• These generally are not normal mainstream properties.
• Have we calculated what the cost to the General Fund for that will be? Defer to my witnesses.
• No one's claiming anyone is being generous.
• The question I have, though, is how much estimated do we think this would cost the General Fund?

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its first regular hearing of the 2025-26 session, adopted its proposed committee rules on a 5-0 vote, and reinstated a suspense file for bills with fiscal impacts over the committee threshold. The chair explained that only AB 418 would be eligible for an immediate vote, while several other measures would be held for suspense consideration because of budget constraints. AB 330 was pulled by the author. AB 418 by Wilson, which would create a clearer process and administrative remedy for county Chapter 8 tax sales, received support from county tax collectors and housing and taxpayer groups. Supporters said the bill would add transparency, due process, and a noticed public hearing for negotiated sales of tax-defaulted properties, while helping counties dispose of low-value or problematic properties more efficiently. The committee voted 6-0 to send AB 418 to Appropriations. Several other bills were heard and then referred to suspense: AB 27 by Chau, which would exclude Chiquita Canyon landfill relief payments from gross income and protect recipients’ eligibility for public benefits, drew strong support from affected residents and environmental advocates; AB 258 by Conley would increase funding for California fairs, with supporters emphasizing fairs’ emergency-response role; AB 397 by Gonzalez would expand the California Young Child Tax Credit into a broader child tax credit for older children; and AB 398 by Aaron would set a $300 minimum refundable Cal EITC benefit. The committee also heard AB 231 by Tye, which would offer a tax credit to microbusinesses that hire formerly incarcerated people, and it too was referred to suspense after supportive testimony from reentry and small-business advocates.