Transcript Highlights:

• As far as the measure itself, this bill follows closely to the measure.
• So these constitutional measures are very concerning to me.
• Following its second phase of right-sizing measures, Following its second phase of right-sizing measures
• And I mean, my prediction is, if the ballot goes on the measure, if the measure gets on the ballot, my
• If the measure passes, it's in the Constitution.

Bills: HB1623

Keywords: HB 1623, North Dakota, rural health, rural health transformation program, medical facility infrastructure loan fund, medical facility infrastructure loan program, rural health loan program, Bank of North Dakota, Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, federal grant, health care infrastructure, rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, nonprofit health care providers, gap financing, loan fund, public health funding, healthcare financing, Medicaid

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1624, the “Universal Lunch Bill,” from Rep. Mike Nathie. He argued the proposal should be placed in Century Code rather than the Constitution so future legislatures can adjust it if state finances tighten, and said the bill would start the program a year earlier with a $65 million appropriation for one school year. DPI testified that the estimate did not include nonpublic schools that do not participate, and members questioned the impact on Title I, free-and-reduced applications, private-school accountability, breakfast mandates for schools that do not currently serve breakfast, and whether the funding could come from the DPI budget or other sources. Supporters, including North Dakota United, the North Dakota Catholic Conference, a pediatrician, and the American Heart Association, said universal meals improve student health and learning, reduce family costs, and are better handled in statute than by constitutional amendment. No opposition testimony was offered, and the chair closed the hearing for later work-session action. The committee then took up House Bill 1627, introduced by Rep. Tye Dressler, which would raise the income threshold for the state-funded school lunch program from 225% to 300% of poverty, with an estimated cost of about $7 million for 2026-27. Dressler said the bill is intended as a targeted, budget-friendly alternative to the ballot measure and emphasized that the state should maximize federal meal dollars while improving participation in the current program. Members questioned whether raising the threshold would actually increase utilization, whether a dollar amount would be clearer than a percentage, and how the change would affect federal reimbursements and application rates. DPI said it could quickly calculate additional percentage levels, and the chair closed the hearing, directing DPI to prepare more numbers for the work session. Finally, the committee opened Senate Bill 2403, presented by Sen. Schiable, to create a short-term bridge-loan program for financially distressed hospitals, centered on Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin. The bill would authorize up to $5 million per loan, with a $10 million appropriation available on a first-come, first-served basis, and would run only through June 30, 2027. Schiable said the hospital’s debt and operating problems threaten local health care, ambulance service, and the community’s economy, and that the proposal was designed narrowly with Bank of North Dakota review to avoid creating a broad precedent. Committee members asked whether the appropriation could be reduced and whether the bank would still apply commercial feasibility and repayment standards; Schiable said yes, the bank would still evaluate the loan and could reject it if it was not sound.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please make sure all cell phones and other communication devices are turned off or placed on silent mode

Summary: The health care budget conference met to exchange and accept offers on the budget, projects, proviso, back of bill, conforming, and implementing bills. Senator Trumbull presented the Senate’s budget and project offer, and the House accepted the Senate position on several specified budget rows while noting that all other unshaded rows would bump. The committee also agreed to keep all projects open as the conference process continued. On the policy bills, the Senate accepted a large number of House proviso offer rows and also accepted several House back-of-bill rows. The committee stated that all unshaded rows on the proviso and back of bill would bump, and that the conforming and implementing bills would bump in their entirety. Because of the complexity of the row references, the chair and Senator Trumbull noted some difficulty reading the list, but the agreements were recorded. The committee then approved a motion allowing staff to make technical adjustments as needed, with no objection. Members thanked each other and their staff for the work on the conference, and the chair announced that this concluded the year’s health care budget conference. Senator Trumbull moved to adjourn, and the meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please make sure that your cell phone and other communication devices are turned off or put on silent

Summary: The Appropriations Conference Committee on Agriculture, Environment, General Government, State Administration, and IT met to reconcile differences between House and Senate budget offers, including the budget spreadsheet, proviso, implementing bill, and back-of-the-bill items. Members reviewed a large number of line items and project rows, with both chambers agreeing to many provisions while identifying specific lines to be bumped. The Senate accepted the House offer on most items but rejected numerous listed lines and certain projects; the House likewise accepted the Senate offer with exceptions on several implementing, proviso, and enterprise-related lines, including enterprise cybersecurity resiliency items. The committee also resolved differences on the back of the bill, with the House accepting the Senate offer except for several proviso spreadsheet lines, and the Senate concurring on those items to be bumped. After noting that the committee’s work at this level was complete, members exchanged thanks and praised the collaborative process. Senator Collins moved to allow staff to make technical and conforming adjustments related to the bump process, and the motion was adopted without objection. There was no public comment. Senator McLean then moved that the committee rise, and the meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please ensure that cell phones and other communication devices are turned off and/or placed on silent

Summary: The Conference Committee on Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations and House Justice Budget Subcommittee convened and was formally organized by unanimous consent, with Senator Garcia elected chair and Representative Maney elected vice chair. The members exchanged brief opening remarks emphasizing cooperation and a shared goal of producing a final justice budget agreement. The chair explained that the committee was working from the original conference documents covering the budget, proviso, back of the bill, implementing bill, and conforming bill, as adopted by each chamber. The Senate then presented an offer to the House on the budget proviso and back of the bill, with the chair noting that the Senate had moved closer to the House on several issues and aligned on many funding items in the spreadsheet. Representative Maney said the House would review the offer and return with a counteroffer soon, noting that the chambers were already in agreement on some matters and close on others. There was no public comment, and the committee was placed on one-hour notice for the next meeting. The meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• PLEASE SILENCE ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . measure. measure.
• Wyoming's measurable strengths are ballot processing and vote counting.
• /c> measurable strengths are ballot measurable strengths are ballot processing<00:53:42.400> and
• , measurable weaknesses are participation, measurable weaknesses are participation, access,<00:53
• She also observed that preventative measures are common in private industry.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• device that gives an exact determination, it would be a very subjective determination on how fast they
• :19:58.880> speed actually engaging them with a speed actually engaging them with a speed measuring
• <00:19:59.600> device<00:19:59.840> that<00:20:00.160> gives<00:20:00.320> an
• <00:20:00.480> exact measuring device that gives an exact measuring device that gives an exact
• Did this body take any measures to protect our members' addresses?

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, January 29, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened after a snow delay, heard an invocation from Reverend Scott Shelton, and conducted several floor introductions and recognitions, including birthday wishes for staff, a welcome for a temporary office staffer, recognition of the Center for Urban Families, and introduction of the week’s pages. The chamber then approved the prior journal and moved through bill and bond initiative readings, referring the listed measures to their standing committees or the capital budget subcommittee. The first substantive action was adoption of a favorable committee report on Senate Bill 17, an emergency bill authorizing the Baltimore City Board of Licensed Commissioners to issue a related event promoters permit for the CIAA tournament. The floor leader said the bill had no amendments, no fiscal impact, and no opposition in committee. The Senate adopted the report without objection and ordered the bill printed for third reading. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 1 from the Judicial Proceedings Committee, which would require the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to adopt a statewide policy on law enforcement face coverings, apply it to state, local, and federal officers in Maryland, and enforce violations through a civil citation and discipline. The committee report included two amendments: one technical and one making the policy statewide and preempting local policies. During extended debate, the bill’s sponsor argued that masks undermine transparency and trust and that the measure would create a uniform standard. A senator from Frederick County questioned whether the bill would effectively create a policy for federal agents without Maryland-specific training and raised concerns about enforcement, temporary detention, complaints, and possible conflicts with federal authority. The sponsor responded that officers would retain discretion, that the bill would be enforced through civil citations, and that similar civil enforcement mechanisms have been upheld in Maryland. No final vote on the amended report is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we want the other amendments in there, obviously, about electronic devices and all that stuff.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee on House Bill 1460 met to reconcile amendments between the House and Senate. Members discussed keeping the Senate’s other changes, including provisions related to electronic devices and federal-regulation-related language, but restoring the study that had been removed from Section 3. After clarifying the proper motion with the clerk, a conference committee amendment was proposed to retain the amended material in Section 2 and add back the legislative management study in Section 3. The committee took a roll call vote on the motion, and it passed 6-0-0. Senator Lee agreed to serve as the Senate carrier for the bill. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• A few housekeeping measures: I want to remind everyone to please turn off their electronic devices.
• Be offset by the cost savings to the household of energy efficiency measures.
• The governing body of a city or a county is adopting certain measures.
• They are required under existing law to adopt at least six measures.
• Those measures are listed in NRS 278.235.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices. All right, Senator Hooper, this is going to take a while.

Summary: The Budget Conference Committee met to exchange final offers between the House and Senate on the state budget. The discussion covered multiple budget areas, including Agriculture and Natural Resources, Health Care, Justice, Pre-K through 12 Education, Higher Education, State Administration and General Government, Transportation and Economic Development, Administered Funds, and PICO, along with related implementing bills, proviso language, supplemental funding lists, and the tax package (HB 7031E). Each chamber indicated acceptance of many of the other side’s bump offers and related items, including several bills tied to petroleum, retirement, prisons, collective bargaining, and higher education. No public testimony was taken; the chairs noted the offers had already been noticed to the public and declined to call individuals to explain them. After the exchange of offers, Senator Hooper moved to allow staff to make technical and conforming adjustments to the budget, conforming language, and tax package, and the motion was adopted without objection. The committee then closed with brief remarks from the chairs and adjourned, concluding the 2026 budget conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices. All right, Senator Hooper, this is going to take a while.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices. All right, Senator Hooper, this is going to take a while.

Summary: The Budget Conference Committee met to exchange final offers across the major budget areas, including agriculture and natural resources, healthcare, justice, K-12 education, higher education, state administration and general government, transportation and economic development, administered funds, and PICO. Both chambers largely accepted each other’s bump offers, proviso language, back-of-the-bill items, implementing bills, and several related bills, including measures tied to fuel taxes, petroleum, prisons, retirement, collective bargaining, taxation, and higher education. Each side also reviewed and accepted the other chamber’s supplemental funding list, while the House offered its supplemental funding list for consideration. No public testimony was taken; the chair noted the offers had been publicly noticed and would not be explained individually. After the exchange of offers, Senator Hooper moved to allow staff to make technical and conforming adjustments to the budget and tax package, and the motion was adopted without objection. The committee then closed with brief closing remarks and adjourned, concluding the 2026 budget conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Postsecondary met briefly, confirmed that a quorum was present, and welcomed visiting students from the College of Central Florida and other counties. The committee then took up confirmation hearings for appointments on Tabs 1 through 4, with Senator Simon moving to recommend confirmation of all appointees and the motion seconded. The roll call vote was favorable, and the appointees were reported favorably. After the vote, members offered remarks thanking committee staff for their work and praising Florida’s higher education system, state colleges, and universities. Chair Calatayud noted this was the committee’s final meeting and encouraged the visiting students to stay engaged in advocacy and public service. Senator Harrell also commended the committee’s policy work and funding support for higher education. With no further business, Senator Simon moved to adjourn. There was no objection, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and gentlemen in the audience, if you'll please make sure your cell phones and other communication devices

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee met with a quorum present and considered two local bills. Rep. Trabulsy presented HB 4011, which would expand the St. Lucie County Mosquito Control District service boundary by 326 square miles, subject to a referendum. The bill received supportive public testimony from Ken Pruitt on behalf of St. Lucie County, drew no amendments or opposition, and was approved favorably by a 15-0 vote. Rep. Botana presented HB 4005 concerning the City of Naples Airport in Collier County. The bill would shift appointment authority from the City Council to a voter-approved structure with three members from Naples and two from the county. Joseph Salzberg, representing the City of Naples, testified that the city was respectfully opposed while it continued reviewing possible unintended consequences, though he said discussions with the sponsor were ongoing. There was no further public testimony or debate, and the committee passed the bill favorably by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met and first considered CS for SB 620, which authorizes a new specialty license plate for Miami-Dade College with a $25 annual use fee. The bill’s proceeds would go to the Miami-Dade College Foundation for student scholarships, and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles estimated implementation costs of $8,280. The committee adopted a substitute amendment that clarified how revenues would be allocated among administrative costs, marketing and promotion, student scholarships, and student success initiatives. The committee then heard SB 654, which designates the railroad overpass on State Road 100 in Starke, Bradford County, as the Heroes Memorial Overpass to honor those who have died in service to others. There was no debate or public testimony on either bill. Both measures were reported favorably by committee vote. After the votes, members were asked whether they wished to be recorded as voting on the bills, and no additional requests were made. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't necessarily feel that um I don't know anyone that wants to own one of these devices, but I don't
• <00:42:21.760> one<00:42:21.920> of<00:42:22.000> these<00:42:22.240> devices
• ,<00:42:22.880> but<00:42:23.200> I wants to own one of these devices, but I wants
• to own one of these devices, but I don't<00:42:23.680> understand<00:42:24.079> why<00:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• shorelines and non non-structural shoreline<00:10:15.040> stabilization<00:10:15.800> measures
• , shoreline stabilization measures, shoreline stabilization measures, regulations<00:10:17.160>
• House Bill 525, County Boards of Education, Student Electronic Communication Device Use Policy, Establishment
• <00:35:29.200> Use<00:35:29.480> Policy, Communication Device Use Policy, Communication
• Device Use Policy, Establishment,<00:35:30.880> Maryland<00:35:31.280> Phone<00:35:31.720

Keywords: House streaming session for Saturday, April 11, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House met in session, opened with a prayer, confirmed a quorum, and then moved through a long series of concurrence items and committee reports. Early on, the House rejected Senate amendments to House Bills 14 and 573 and sent messages asking the Senate to recede or appoint conference committees. It also entered conference on House Bill 907 (third degree assault) and on several other measures where the chambers disagreed, including Senate Bill 233 (cemeteries) and Senate Bill 626 (sex designation on birth certificates and IDs). House Bill 501, dealing with sexual offenses by a person in a position of authority, was concurred in and passed unanimously. The House then took up a large concurrence calendar and passed a number of bills with Senate amendments, including House Bill 613 on living shoreline waivers, House Bill 315 on income-based housing subsidies, House Bill 548 on development rights and the Maryland Housing Certainty Act, House Bill 571 on nonprofit housing corporation tax exemptions, House Bill 895 on predatory pricing and protected class data, House Bill 1430 on charter school facilities funding, House Bill 1076 on over-the-counter contraception access and reporting, House Bill 624 on hospital staffing committees and plans, House Bill 811 on aging-in-place and multi-generational third places, House Bill 939 on birth certificate filing time periods, House Bill 1151 on a Medicaid hospice reimbursement study, House Bill 1367 on the Commission on Reimagining Healthcare in Maryland, House Bill 828 on State Board of Education membership, House Bill 130 on deed fraud, House Bill 281 on child care provider background checks, House Bill 963 on appointment of personal representatives, House Bill 1326 on child abuse and neglect records, and House Bill 525 on phone-free schools. Several of these were briefly explained on the floor, including changes to shoreline waiver timing, housing and tax provisions, contraceptive access concerns, hospital staffing protections, and the school phone policy’s exemptions. The chamber also received committee reports that advanced additional bills for third reading, including House Bill 1020 and Senate Bill 654 on the State Police Retirement System mandatory retirement age, Senate Bill 877 on Baltimore City stop sign monitoring systems, Senate Bill 940 on water quality testing, House Bill 44 on plain-language ballot questions, Senate Bill 215 on the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund, Senate Bill 627 designating Korean American Day, and Senate Bill 634 on county discrimination complaints. No final votes were taken on those reported bills in the portion provided; the report simply adopted favorable reports and ordered the bills printed for third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• this bill because I do have concerns, and we tried to address the election coming up and the other measure
• up<01:37:10.560> and<01:37:10.719> the<01:37:10.960> other<01:37:11.360> measure
• going<01:37:11.920> to<01:37:12.000> be<01:37:12.080> on up and the other measure
• going to be on up and the other measure going to be on the<01:37:12.400> ballot.
• phones and smart devices in schools. phones and smart devices in schools.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You cannot access the internet or a service or a device, I don't know, a necessity in the modern day,
• This bill is essential to protect anyone who uses the internet or a device and any small business looking

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House first adopted several resolutions from the Committee on Rules, including congratulations to four Eagle Scouts and recognition of Sturbridge on the 250th anniversary of the United States. The chamber then took up a series of bills reported by Ways and Means and other committees, repeatedly suspending the rules to move them forward. These included the Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act, a Fall River land conveyance bill, a Belmont alcohol licensing bill, a Reading senior property tax exemption bill, and a Linfield funding transfer bill, with each measure advancing by amendment or being passed to a third reading or engrossment. A major portion of the session focused on the Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act, with multiple members speaking in support. Supporters described the bill as a broad consumer privacy framework that would limit data collection, require consent for sensitive data, ban the sale of precise location data, restrict targeted advertising to minors, create consumer rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of data uses, and provide enforcement tools for the Attorney General and, in limited cases, a private right of action. Several members emphasized protections for reproductive health, immigrant communities, and neural data, while others argued the bill would not burden small businesses and would instead hold large data holders accountable. The House adopted the Ways and Means amendment and ordered the bill to a third reading, then later passed the bill to be engrossed and enacted. The House also considered and enacted Senate 2563, a bill updating language in the laws concerning individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Members described the measure as removing outdated and offensive terminology and replacing it with person-first language without changing substantive law. After debate, the House adopted an amendment, passed the bill to be engrossed, and then enacted it by roll call. In addition, the House enacted the fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill, House 5470, and approved a bill extending deadlines for Middleton and Milton, both by roll call votes with no opposition. Later, the House took up a temporary summer 2026 local-option pilot allowing municipalities to extend liquor license hours and permit public consumption in designated districts. Supporters framed it as an economic development and tourism measure tied to major upcoming events, and the House adopted an amendment, passed the bill to be engrossed, and then concurred with the Senate version. The session ended with the House adopting an adjournment order and adjourning to meet again the following Monday in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1830, Petrinoris, ignition interlocked devices, do pass. That's out on an A roll call.
• AB 2276, Soria, speed devices, held in committee. AB 2301, Soria, nursing pilot program, do pass.

Keywords: 988, house, all