Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, the Office of the State Engineer is enforcing the water code using penalties.
• The Office of the State Engineer is enforcing the water code using penalties written in 1907, almost
• you so much for coffee hold on the opposite of the state engineer is using is enforcing the water code
• They went back, they checked through, you know, real estate transactions.
• “You know, real estate transactions about water can be very sketchy, let me just say.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The commercial real estate market remains, I don't know... ...the state, particularly market-rate and
• The commercial real estate market remains devastated by the effects of COVID and work-from-home policies
• impact assessment that we have done, by leaving, you know, in the report, show 15 indicators in zip codes
• like ours that show the differences in our zip code for the quality of life that we have compared to
• And from their perspective, it's cancellation by zip code or neighborhood, and so that's a huge issue

Summary: The committee first heard updates on the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) and related funding. Department of Ecology staff explained how MTCA and the hazardous substance tax support cleanup, prevention, stormwater, and local assistance programs, but said forecasted revenues have declined while appropriations and transfers have outpaced incoming funds. Ecology said the operating account will require underspending to stay balanced this biennium and that the problem is ongoing, with further reductions possible if forecasts worsen. Ecology also reviewed the state cleanup program, noting there are more than 14,500 cleanup sites in Washington and that new sites continue to be discovered faster than they are cleaned up. A question from Representative Lee raised the long-term issue of declining fossil-fuel-based revenue, and Ecology agreed that this is a future structural concern even though the current shortfall is driven more by forecasts and transfers than by fuel-use decline. The Pollution Liability Insurance Agency described its underground storage tank and heating oil programs, saying it has modernized from a reinsurance model to a financial assurance model with stronger state oversight and cleanup milestones. Russ Olson said the agency’s dedicated petroleum tax account is in strong financial condition, but emphasized the importance of preserving that funding source. He also discussed the loan and grant program for historic commercial releases and a new heating oil loan/grant program, while noting the agency is working on equity concerns where liens can be disproportionate to property values in smaller communities. Practitioners and advocates then offered differing views on MTCA’s performance: one attorney urged a collaborative review process to make cleanups faster, less expensive, and more certain, while another consultant argued the program is too conservative and process-heavy and should focus more narrowly on actual exposure and realistic cleanup standards. Environmental and community groups countered that MTCA is essential for cleanup, pollution prevention, stormwater control, and public participation, and that it is especially important for environmental justice communities such as the Duwamish Valley. Port and city representatives stressed that MTCA grants and cleanup funding are critical for large redevelopment projects, but said long timelines, permitting delays, and funding uncertainty can slow projects and jeopardize commitments. The committee then shifted to utility wildfire risk. Staff summarized recent legislation, including requirements for utility wildfire mitigation plans, creation of a wildfire mitigation standards work group, authorization for captive insurance by local governments and PUDs, securitization authority for disaster costs, and the existing wildfire response and resilience account. Chelan County PUD and Puget Sound Energy described extensive mitigation efforts such as vegetation management, grid hardening, undergrounding, AI smoke cameras, weather stations, enhanced operating settings, public safety power shutoffs, and community outreach. Both said wildfire risk is rising and insurance costs are increasing, and Chelan PUD asked the Legislature to restore funding to the wildfire response and resilience account. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner said a 2022 utility liability market study found insurance availability is tightening as perceived risk rises, and reported that a 2025 work group recommended restoring community resilience funding, requiring insurers to share wildfire risk scores and mitigation steps with property owners, and creating a grant program based on insurance industry wildfire standards. A PNNL scientist added that wildfire probability is increasing in parts of Washington and that mitigation requires long-term, landscape-scale coordination. The final speaker began describing California’s approach to wildfire risk, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I actually spent my morning this morning up at a Real Estate Journal event trying to attract builders
• Journal event trying to attract estate Journal event trying to attract Builders<00:30:01.279> and
• Codes existing public infrastructure<01:04:58.920> environmental<01:04:59.520> codes<01
• :05:00.520> um<01:05:00.760> as infrastructure environmental codes um as infrastructure
• um needed to be changed to zoning code um needed to be changed to allow<01:43:34.280> for<01:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That code works and we have the data and the research to show that.
• The challenge though is that 90% of homes in wildfire prone areas were built before this code.
• I still don't see a real estate agent marketing home hardening or marketing defensible space actions.
• We just re-established our what we call California Wildland Urban Interface code committee.
• to make sure that our building code remains very viable.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The way the law works now is if the pastor lives in the parsonage, then there's no real estate tax on
• So, but the U.S. tax code does say just ministers. Okay. Yeah.
• The US tax code says that it opinion.
• So but the US tax code does might be.
• So but the US tax code does say<00:22:27.600> just<00:22:28.000> ministers.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in work session and focused only on SB 291; SB 249 and SB 83 were postponed for at least two weeks, and the chair said there would be no meeting next week. The chair also announced a deadline of the 22nd for clearing out drawers and lockers, and reminded members about a field trip to Nashua the next day and mileage paperwork for attendees. For SB 291, the chair distributed Amendment 2025-1925H, explaining that it was intended to simplify the bill and address concerns about church parsonages by allowing a church to rent out a parsonage and apply the net income to a pastor’s housing allowance. Members discussed whether the language could unintentionally exclude non-Christian denominations, whether the bill was too narrow, and what guardrails would prevent abuse. Several members said the amendment was clearer and supported it, while one member preferred retaining the bill for more study. The discussion also touched on how “church” and “parsonage” are defined under existing law and IRS rules, with the chair and others saying the language was broad enough and that no testimony from other religious groups had raised concerns. After the discussion, the chair took a straw poll showing support for the amendment and then closed the work session. In executive session, a motion was made and seconded to ought to pass SB 291.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> But this section of the code covers wetlands, and they could be on the shore; it could be wetlands
• Senator West, Estates and Trust Fiduciaries, Attorney-Client Privilege.
• Clerk will read the next bill. >> Senate Bill 472, Senator Hettleman, Baltimore County Code of Public
• This bill legalizes the 2025 edition of the Baltimore County Code of Public Local Laws and any supplement
• Baltimore County Code of Public Local Laws, 2025 edition, legalization.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation by Reverend Jod Gun, whose prayer was journalized by unanimous consent. The chamber then recognized several guests, including representatives from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, who were present for a resolution honoring Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week, as well as former Delegate and physician Dan Moheim, Towson University students, a veteran guest, and parents and young children visiting for Maryland Family Network’s Day in Annapolis. The Senate adopted a resolution recognizing the National Alliance on Mental Illness for its advocacy on tardive dyskinesia screening, early detection, and treatment, and designated May 5–9 as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. The resolution was read and adopted without objection. The chamber also unanimously welcomed the guest groups and thanked them for their service and advocacy. In second-reader action, the Senate advanced several bills with committee amendments adopted without objection. Senate Bill 113, the Longevity Ready Maryland Act, was amended to refine aging-related planning, website reporting, and Commission on Aging membership, then ordered to third reading. Senate Bill 123 updated the membership of the Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities and was also sent to third reading. Senate Bill 336 extended the Task Force on the Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances for one year and added an HBCU representative. Senate Bill 394 expanded expedited partner therapy to bacterial vaginosis and added licensed certified midwives as authorized practitioners. Senate Bill 444 changed certificate-of-need requirements for certain intermediate care facilities, and Senate Bill 461 conformed the SNAP Heat and Eat Program to federal eligibility rules; both were advanced to third reading. The Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee then took up Senate Bill 108, which would authorize the Maryland Department of the Environment to impose administrative penalties for certain water, wetlands, dam, and riparian-rights violations and expand administrative enforcement tools. Several senators raised concerns about the scope of the bill, its effect on shoreline restoration, dams, stormwater and wetlands enforcement, and whether it could allow penalties without adequate process or encourage payment instead of correction. The floor leader responded that the amendment requires notice, an informal meeting, and consideration of good-faith efforts before penalties are imposed in certain cases, and said the bill does not change permit requirements. The debate continued as members sought clarification on how the bill would apply to private dams, HOAs, farmers, and shoreline projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• the system in Texas.
• Texas 811 does not, but the Damage Prevention Council of Texas. Texas does. Okay. Thank you.
• Texas.
• Texas is one of only a few states that continues to follow the 48-hour code. clock.
• Under Chapter 251 of the Texas Utilities Code, a person who intends to excavate at a depth of 16 inches

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Honored to our Texas flag.
• Morgan, and I would like to welcome to their Texas house the leadership.
• Katie group from Katie, Texas, the Chamber of Commerce.
• We were elected as 150 people representing the state of Texas.
• And the answer was, this is Texas. This is not Washington, D.C.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas. Mr.
• The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas. Mr.
• The gentleman from Texas. Mr.
• The gentleman from Texas. Mr. Arrington: Mr.
• I yield one minute to the gentleman from Texas.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I actually spent my morning this morning up at a Real Estate Journal event trying to attract builders
• at<00:29:24.799> uh<00:29:25.000> a<00:29:25.159> real<00:29:25.399> estate
• <00:29:25.640> Journal<00:29:26.039> event up at uh a real estate Journal event up
• now are going through the process of updating their comprehensive plans and updating their zoning codes
• Zoning codes, you know, fairly regularly.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Anything now that we have like with, say, dress code, someone not wearing a tie or something, I think
• Louis or Laredo, Texas, or anywhere else carries as much weight as my vote or your vote.
• And I understand that a lot of the messaging came out of what was being done in Texas from the other
• In Congress to counter what Texas did, because you get this political arms race or whatever you want
• Texas did exactly what we did in this Capitol in the opposite.

Bills: SR1, SM1, SM6

Keywords: alcohol consumption, Senate rules, legislative conduct, ethics, New Mexico Senate, redistricting, gerrymandering, election integrity, Congress, voter rights, political polarization, Nancy Lopez, Roswell bypass, US Highway 285, U.S. Highway 285, Highway 285 bypass, road naming, highway naming, memorial, transportation department

Transcript Highlights:

• States Code Section 1357G, States Code Section 1357G, or<00:10:19.680> any<00:10:19.839> other
• to the residential landlord tenant code. to the residential landlord tenant code.
• residential landlord tenant code residential landlord tenant code maintained<02:10:35.119> by
• <02:24:06.399> section to title 8, United States code section to title 8, United States code
• United States code section 11101 A15U. United States code section 11101 A15U.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1768, which would prohibit state and county law enforcement agencies and officials from entering into federal immigration-enforcement agreements under 8 U.S.C. 1357(g) and from assisting in certain immigration enforcement actions except in limited circumstances. The Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi all testified in strong support, arguing the bill would protect due process, reduce fear in immigrant communities, preserve trust in local police, and keep local resources focused on public safety. Testifiers said cooperation with immigration enforcement can chill court attendance, crime reporting, and cooperation with police, and they emphasized that the bill would not stop federal enforcement or affect other deputization agreements for environmental or other criminal matters. Committee members asked whether any 287(g) agreements currently exist in Hawaiʻi; testifiers said they were unaware of any and believed the bill would maintain the status quo. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up House Bill 1548, which would reduce the maximum sentence for misdemeanors from one year to 364 days and allow people previously sentenced to one year to seek sentence modification. The Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Legal Clinic, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, and the William S. Richardson School of Law immigration clinic all supported the measure, saying the one-day change could prevent severe immigration consequences such as detention, removal, and bars to relief that can be triggered by a sentence of 365 days or more. Testifiers stressed that the bill would not change criminal liability or public safety, but would align Hawaiʻi law with similar reforms adopted in other states. Members questioned whether the change would affect citizens or create an automatic immigration process; witnesses responded that the issue is the federal immigration consequence tied to the maximum sentence, not actual time served, and that citizens would not face that consequence. The transcript ends during continued discussion of HB 1548, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• You attended the College of Texas A&M University on an ROT.
• You clerked for the now Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court.
• He went to Texas A&M. He is a proud Aggie.
• the return. to the A&M Texas football game that occurred this year.
• Association of Texas, a letter from the Chairman of the Board of Regents at Texas Southern University

Keywords: Department of Justice, nominations, Assistant Attorney General, civil rights, enforcement, committee discussion

Summary: The meeting covered important discussions surrounding key nominations in the Department of Justice, specifically for the roles of Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights and the Office of Legal Policy. Various committee members took turns to express their views on the nominees, emphasizing the implications of their potential confirmation on civil rights enforcement in the country. Alongside the committee discussion, the nominees provided insights into their professional backgrounds and how their experiences align with the responsibilities of the positions for which they have been nominated.

Transcript Highlights:

• That there had been a man who had come into her real estate office a number of times over the last two
• <01:29:49.120> office<01:29:49.440> a come into her real estate office a come into
• And again, there's case law about that from 2004 where a company in Texas is raided for selling child
• This bill relates to the code of federal regulation part 107 as Trooper Ball spoke about.
• part 107 as code of federal regulation part 107 as uh<02:18:05.840> trooper<02:18:06.240>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and with the activities that are going on with the Texas Space Commission and Heather Wilson at UTEP
• We're familiar directly with Arizona, Maryland, Virginia, as well as Florida and Texas.
• Texas, in Brownsville, is starting to look at a spaceport.
• We see Texas is just blowing up in a lot of different ways in space as well.
• Currently, assessors don't really use zoning codes to assess the value of the use of that property.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It emphasizes public safety in Texas. It reinforces.
• In 2023, Texas ranked 3rd in the US for deaths.
• Texas has ranked in the top 3 for the last decade. 42.4% of our fatal crashes in Texas are due to impaired
• Because I know GEO ran some prisons in Texas and MTC also ran some prisons in Texas, and I believe MTC
• This is good for the Texas economy.

Bills: HB153

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's been one donor identified in Bridgeport, Texas.
• collected and distributed in the great state of Texas.
• At Blood Centers of Texas, we... strongly oppose Senate Bill 125.
• of the blood supply. ...apply in the state of Texas.
• Most of the state of Texas does direct donors.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, it took over two years for Black folk in Texas to know that they were free.
• We lived through the Black Codes. We lived through the Black Codes.
• Juneteenth, of course, commemorates the day when final enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas,
• What began in churches and family gatherings in Texas has become a day observed in every state in this
• His achievements remind young people in our community that their zip codes do not limit their future,

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved procedural motions, and recognized several guests and honorees, including CAUSE leadership academy participants, retiring FCMAT CEO Michael Fine, a Capitol intern, environmental leaders celebrating Black Conservation Week, family members of members, and NASA astronaut Captain Victor Glover Jr. The body also took up a number of routine file items and committee referral requests, with several bills referred to committees by unanimous consent and multiple items passed or retained on file. The main floor debate centered on ACR 214, the Juneteenth resolution. Members from the Black Caucus and other caucuses spoke in support, describing Juneteenth as both a celebration of emancipation and a reminder that freedom and equality remain unfinished work. Speakers emphasized Black history, civil rights, solidarity across communities, and ongoing issues such as education, housing, health, incarceration, and economic inequality. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 66 coauthors were added. The Assembly also considered AB 2285 on blockchain staking and crypto regulation. The author argued the bill would provide consumer protections and clear rules for banks, credit unions, and crypto exchanges, while an opponent warned it could weaken securities oversight and consumer safeguards. The bill passed 45-1, and the author requested immediate transmission to the Senate. Later, SB 1036 on mitigation fee credits for redevelopment passed 55-0 after brief support for clarifying fee rules and reducing duplicative costs. The chamber then adopted the second-day consent calendar, including resolutions for Women’s Equality Day and the International Day of Yoga, along with several Senate bills, all by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The Assembly announced it would not meet on Friday, June 19, would reconvene Monday, June 22 at 1 p.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• An oil field service company based in Beaumont, Texas, is a foreign corporation.
• An oil field service company based in Beaumont, Texas, is a foreign corporation.
• You know, out-of-the-country corporations, you don't necessarily think of Texas.
• It should be the code, but it depends upon the judge. Thank you.
• We fix something in the statute, in the code.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary A Committee met on May 5, 2026, with five members present and adopted the April 28 minutes. The committee then heard and favorably reported several measures, including HCR 31, which asks the Louisiana Law Institute to study replacing or clarifying the term “foreign” in state law; HB 263, allowing the 14th JDC magistrate judge to handle certain specialty court felony matters; HB 299, clarifying paper filing rules for jury bonds and related payment issues; HB 535, simplifying hospital-based acknowledgments of paternity by removing the two-witness requirement while keeping notarization; HB 571, codifying the 19th JDC’s complex litigation section program; and HB 538, increasing the East Baton Rouge Parish Juvenile Court fee cap from $15 to $75 to help offset court costs. The committee also reported HB 215, raising the small succession affidavit threshold from $125,000 to $200,000, and HB 226, adding a 10.1 conference requirement before requests for admissions are deemed admitted, with discussion about discovery fairness and default judgment exceptions. The committee also took up HB 324, which makes judicial stipend increases permanent and adds a 2.7% salary increase for judges effective July 1, 2027; an amendment restoring the second year of the COLA was adopted, and the bill was reported with amendments. HB 1043, raising the jurisdictional amount in Jefferson Parish first and second parish courts, was amended to increase the amount from $35,000 to $50,000 and then reported with amendments. HCR 6, directing the Law Institute to study forced heirship and disinherison issues, was amended to add reporting language and related Civil Code references and then reported with amendments. HB 1006, changing summary judgment deadlines to give opponents more time to respond, was amended and reported by a 3-2 vote after roll call. Two more substantive bills drew extended debate. HB 1239 would strengthen the presumption that parents share physical custody equally unless a court finds that arrangement infeasible or not in the child’s best interest; supporters framed it as a parental-rights measure, while an attorney in opposition warned it would increase litigation, reduce stability for children, and be used as leverage in child support disputes. Despite the opposition, the committee reported the bill favorably. HB 190, as amended, would create a duty of reasonable care for certain software/app providers toward minors and require expert testimony, while excluding manufacturers; supporters said it was aimed at protecting children from harmful platform design, but opponents argued the proposal was unnecessary because existing tort law already covers negligence and warned it could create new causes of action and uncertainty over whether software is a “product.” The committee heard testimony from the Louisiana State Law Institute, the sponsor, and outside witnesses, but the transcript ends before final action on HB 190 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Banking website, there's 180 companies that are, have this type of license in Texas.
• We show you're registered as James Quintero on behalf of Texas Public Policy Foundation and show you
• I represent the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
• Those are all under the local government code 271.05612 and 3.
• And, you know, you hear it all the time that Texas is not a one size fits all.