Video & Transcript Research : 'Tax Code Chapter 351'

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HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AGR-EEP Joint Public Hearing - Fri Feb 6, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST

Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:
  • the well the the state procurement code. the well the the state procurement code.
  • incentives out of the statute and move them into chapter 235.
  • So they'll have a freestanding tax credit with the same benefits.
  • <01:34:24.159> incentives the tax incentives the tax incentives out<01:34:26.080> of
  • So they'll have uh teachers chapter 235.
Bills: HB1621, HB1880, HB1831
Summary: The joint committees on Agriculture and Food Systems and Energy and Environmental Protection heard three bills. HB 1621 would create a conservation, agriculture, and soil health incentive program under the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, with annual reporting and funding. Testimony was broadly supportive from the Climate Commission, University of Hawaiʻi, Hawaii Farmers Union, White Alliance for Progressive Action, and the Farm Bureau, and the bill was described as a way to advance soil health and support producers. HB 1880 would prohibit, beginning in 2027, the use of pesticides containing 1,3-dichloropropene (such as Telone). The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity offered written comments, Hawaii Farmers Union supported the ban citing drift and health concerns, and the Farm Bureau opposed it, arguing growers need such tools; the bill also drew discussion about crop rotation and other pest-management practices. HB 1831 would authorize funding to address survey deficiencies and wastewater compliance issues on certain non-agricultural parklands; the Attorney General’s Office warned the bill as written may violate the U.S. Constitution’s contract clause and suggested revisions, while the department and Farm Bureau supported the measure’s intent. The committees later took up decision-making and voted to pass all three measures with amendments, with the effective dates changed to July 1, 3000 and HB 1831 amended to reflect the Attorney General’s suggested changes. The Agriculture and Food Systems committee then heard HB 1572, which would establish a four-year restorative aquaculture development program to streamline permitting, expand infrastructure and workforce capacity, create pilot sites, and convene an advisory council. The Attorney General noted a technical issue about whether council members would be compensated, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Farmers Union all expressed support for streamlining aquaculture and promoting restorative aquaculture. Members asked about the bill’s focus on restorative aquaculture, and the department said the program would give the area dedicated resources and a framework. The committee also heard HB 219, which would temporarily reestablish the coffee berry borer pesticide subsidy program and manager position; the department, Waimea Coffee Association, Farm Bureau, and Farmers Union supported it. HB 2139 would fund University of Hawaiʻi research on treatment methods for the Queensland longhorn beetle. Testimony from DLNR, the invasive species council, university researchers, farmers, and the Farm Bureau emphasized the beetle’s spread and damage to trees and crops, and described nematode biocontrol as promising but labor-intensive and in need of more research and scaling. Members asked whether the funding was for research rather than a position, whether the current nematode approach is sufficient for large orchards, and whether other controls are being explored; the response was that the bill funds testing and that more work is needed, including local production of nematodes if the method proves effective.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/05/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • SB 1562, public building state fire code. SB 1565, register of contractors recovery fund.
  • SB 1764, property tax definitions. SB 1765, gambling fraud. SB 1766, inmate labor wages.
  • SB 1799, commerce authority tax incentive certification. Finance.
  • SB 1800, income tax additional rates. Schools finance. SB 1801, event majoring data.
  • SB 1812, luxury tax-ready-to-drink spirit alcohol. Finance.
Keywords: 1182, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Feb 18th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is a thinly disguised poll tax.
  • I know you don't like the word poll tax.
  • Constitution prohibits poll taxes in federal elections. And then... The U.S.
  • Constitution prohibits poll taxes in federal elections.
  • That is exactly what this is as a poll tax. That is exactly what this is: a poll tax.
Summary: The committee first heard CS for SB 1342 on transit-oriented development by Senator Rouson, which seeks to expand housing near fixed transit corridors by updating TOD definitions and applying Live Local-style land-use principles to those areas. An amendment narrowed definitions, limited the bill to land-use and development regulations, removed a private cause of action, and added exclusions for environmentally sensitive areas, historic properties, and military installations. Supporters said the bill would increase housing supply near existing infrastructure and maximize the state’s transit investments, while local government groups and city leagues opposed it as a sweeping preemption of local zoning authority that could force high-density development without public hearings or adequate infrastructure planning. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee then took up CS for SB 1334 on elections by Senator Grall, which would require documentary proof of citizenship in voter registration and related election processes, update how citizenship is verified through REAL ID and the SAVE database, clarify that paper ballots are the primary voting method, and add other election-related changes such as candidate eligibility rules and timelines. Two technical amendments were adopted. During extended questioning, senators raised concerns about how documents would be submitted and stored, whether voters without Florida IDs or REAL IDs—especially students, disabled voters, seniors, and homeless Floridians—could be flagged or burdened, and what fiscal and workload impacts the bill would have on supervisors of elections and state agencies. Supporters argued the bill would streamline verification and reduce duplicate paperwork, while many public speakers and some senators said it would create barriers to voting, increase costs, and risk disenfranchising eligible voters. The transcript ends during debate on the bill, before a final vote is shown. Later, the committee considered CS for SB 1362 on advanced air mobility by Senator Harrell. A strike-all amendment aligned the bill with the House version and added vertiports and charging systems as eligible projects for public-private partnership funding, with FDOT authorized to fund certain vertiport costs within available resources. The bill drew support from industry and local representatives, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard SB 174, which designates a portion of State Road 985 in Miami-Dade County as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue and directs FDOT to install markers at an estimated cost of $2,400. The bill prompted significant debate over whether Kirk’s legacy warranted a state road designation, with opponents citing his controversial statements and arguing the honor was political and divisive, while supporters said the designation recognizes civic engagement near FIU and is symbolic rather than regulatory. The transcript ends during debate on SB 174, before any final action is shown.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

MS Senate Floor - 11 February, 2026; 10:00 AM

Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • is the chapter that I'm a member of.
  • is the chapter that I'm a member of.
  • It was a different code the other bill. It was a different code section. section. section.
  • So it has changed the code.
  • So it has changed the code.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received the invocation from Dr. Keith Grubs, and approved routine procedural motions dispensing with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. The chamber then spent a significant portion of the meeting recognizing visiting groups, including the Madison County Executive Leadership Class, members of The Links and related chapters, Tupelo Christian Preparatory School cheer team and coaches, Miss Rodeo Canada/Miss Rodeo Mississippi/Miss Rodeo America, Delta State University student leaders, Jackson State University NAACP political action chair Hannah Robertson, and other guests in the galleries. Several resolutions and commendations were read and presented, including Senate Resolution 40 honoring The Links, Senate Resolution 37 recognizing Abby Hardy as Miss Rodeo Canada 2026, Senate Resolution 38 recognizing Brinkley Boswell as Miss Rodeo Mississippi 2026, and Senate Resolution 39 recognizing Olivia Fero as Miss Rodeo America 2026. The Tupelo Christian Preparatory School cheer team was formally congratulated for winning its fourth consecutive 1A state championship, and Coach Stemier addressed the Senate on the program’s faith-based emphasis, discipline, and support from families and school leadership. Olivia Fero also spoke about the Dixie National Rodeo and the role of rodeo as an agricultural and community-oriented lifestyle. The Senate then took up several bills. Senate Bill 2471, the State Treasury Efficiency and Transparency Act, was explained as a measure to identify and close idle agency accounts, require interest-bearing features on agency accounts, and mandate regular reporting to DFA, the Treasury, ELBO, and the Legislature; it passed by morning roll call with three no votes. Senate Bill 2843, revising definitions in the Mississippi Development Grant Fund to expand eligible site-development expenses, including utility and energy infrastructure improvements, also passed by morning roll call with three no votes. Senate Bill 2865, creating an income tax credit tied to added tax revenue from certain non-gaming capital investment projects at casinos, was described as a repeat of a bill passed the prior year and likewise passed by morning roll call with three no votes. The Senate also considered Senate Bill 2848, revising notice procedures for towing and sale of motor vehicles. The bill would require notices to owners and lienholders to be sent through a third-party vendor by certified mail, shorten notice deadlines, and preserve public notice requirements; it was supported by bankers, towing interests, recyclers, and the Department of Revenue. After questions about notice procedures and concerns about access to personal property in towed vehicles, an amendment adding a reverse repealer was adopted, and the bill passed by morning roll call. Later, the chamber moved to Senate Bill 2202, concerning economic development incentives and employee freedom/privacy regarding unionization decisions, but the motion to table reconsideration prevailed after a division vote, leaving the bill unresolved at that point. The Senate then began consideration of Senate Bill 2259, the People’s Access Act, with an amendment narrowing its live-streaming requirements to state agencies only and limiting retention to two years, though the transcript cuts off before final action on that measure.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Taxes - 03/12/26

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • tax to fund it. tax to fund it.
  • sales tax. sales tax.
  • . tax. tax.
  • Those are defined in the taxes chapters.
  • uh those are defined in the taxes uh those are defined in the taxes chapters.<00:37:31.640> I
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Joint Revenue Committee, June 9, 2026 - AM

Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • We basically have two taxes: a property tax and a sales tax.
  • . taxes. taxes.
  • sales taxes and no income tax. sales taxes and no income tax.
  • taxes on coal. taxes on coal.
  • . tax. tax.
Keywords: 916, all
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, May 8, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It uses a similar mechanism, leveraging the tax code through an innovative federal tax credit that will
  • similar mechanism, leveraging the tax similar mechanism, leveraging the tax code<04:06:51.520>
  • code through an innovative federal tax code through an innovative federal tax credit<04:06:53.600
  • <04:55:36.000> code people who want to change the tax code people who want to change the tax
  • Right now, there is a provision in the tax code called low-income housing tax credits.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
  • >> And how much severance tax and ad valorem tax do they pay?
  • chapter in title 34. chapter in title 34.
  • where tax dollars are being expended. where tax dollars are being expended.
  • It's totally a tax vehicle.
  • It's totally a tax vehicle.
Keywords: 916, all
Summary: The chairman opened by explaining that the committee would hear proposed interim topics and then rank them by written submissions rather than debating them one by one. The Public Service Commission presented two topics: an educational session on small water utilities, citing maintenance needs, water-quality compliance, and difficulty accessing capital, and a review of civil penalties for pipeline safety violations because Wyoming’s statutory penalties are far below federal levels and could affect compliance and funding. Members and outside presenters then outlined a range of additional topics. Representative Campbell proposed work on fire protection districts and EMS districts, focusing on financial stability, mill levies, and possible county authority to combine districts and levies. He also raised public records at meetings, corporate filing fees, and fraudulent corporate filings. The Community College Commission proposed updating annexation statutes so communities can join community college districts more easily, especially where current mill-levy rules create funding issues. Senator Crago supported the fraudulent corporate filings topic and noted related technology-based solutions and overlap with blockchain issues. Other proposals included CPA “Pathways” licensing changes to address a shortage of accountants, a review of public meetings and public records laws, continuation of the electricity study with emphasis on grid reliability and large-load capacity constraints, and a broader review of the public meetings and records act. Ashley Harpstreith of the Wyoming Association of Municipalities supported extending municipal audit deadlines and described a statewide shortage of auditors and CPAs. Healthy Wyoming proposed studying health coverage options for low-income working adults, including state-sponsored or cooperative models. Representative Chestek proposed making most nonpartisan county offices elected on a nonpartisan basis. No votes or final selections were taken in the portion provided; the committee mainly heard testimony and discussed whether topics should be assigned to this committee or another one.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 4/9/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • their 2027 property taxes. their 2027 property taxes.
  • tax levies. tax levies.
  • hearing in the Taxes Committee. hearing in the Taxes Committee.
  • And we also increased gas taxes. And we also increased gas taxes.
  • but the tax goes up? but the tax goes up? Really?
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the previous day’s journal. The chamber received Senate messages announcing a joint convention for the governor’s message and transmitting Senate Files 1251, 3769, and 3868. The House also introduced House Files 4868 through 4933 and adopted committee reports and comparison report motions without objection. The Rules Committee placed several bills on the calendar and required pre-filing of amendments for specified measures. On the calendar, the House passed Senate File 3602, which enacts the Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act and expands electronic signing to estate planning documents beyond wills. Supporters said it would help people who are homebound, hospitalized, or in rural areas and reduce uncertainty for banks and hospitals about electronically signed powers of attorney and health care directives. The bill passed 134-0. The House also passed House File 3516, a Board of Dentistry policy bill that updates licensure language, allows retired dentists to serve low-income uninsured patients, and increases the number of dental hygienists a dentist may collaborate with from four to eight; it passed 134-0. The House then passed House File 3528, a technical barbering bill that reduces training and retesting burdens, gives the board more testing flexibility, repeals duplicative rules, clarifies that waxing is not barbering, and makes other fee and registration changes; it passed 134-0. House File 3718, updating veterinary medicine and veterinary technology statutes, was amended to restore board seal language and then passed 134-0 as amended. Supporters said it modernizes definitions and standards, recognizes licensed veterinary technicians, and may help address veterinary shortages, especially in greater Minnesota. Finally, the House passed Senate File 3402, which broadens who may serve as a medical consultant for Community Health Boards to include additional licensed professionals such as DOs, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses; it passed 134-0. The chamber also considered several motions to move bills between committees, including referrals involving veterans, education, health, and psilocybin-related legislation. A motion to suspend the rules for House File 4487 was presented, and the bill was described as providing a one-time $1 billion property tax rebate or credit, but the transcript cuts off during extended debate on that motion before any final disposition is shown.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Health and Human Services - Part 2 - 03/17/26

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • would defray that increase through tax would defray that increase through tax expenditures.<00:02
  • <01:09:27.359> 245C in chapter 245C in chapter 245C for<01:09:29.359> federal<01:09
  • with changes to criminal code. with changes to criminal code.
  • And so this relates to its chapter And so this relates to its chapter sections<01:13:25.280>
  • chapter 15.013. chapter 15.013.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

S/C on Transportation Funding Apr 28th, 2025

S/C on Transportation Funding

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 4523 amends Section 21.105 of the Transportation Code by adding subsection C, which makes
  • So additionally, 4523 also repeals Section 21.114, subsection B of the Transportation Code.
  • Members, House Bill 4524 amends Chapter 21 of the Transportation Code by adding sub subchapter C1, which
  • We spend over $10 billion a year from general taxpayer funds, not gas taxes, not vehicle fees, to build
  • Stop raising taxes and fees and no more tolls. Texas taxpayers have had enough.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session May 31st, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Over-65 tax bills never go up on school taxes anymore.
  • This bill establishes the strong families tax credit, a limited pilot program offering tax credits to
  • program located in a separate section of the code.
  • In a separate section of the code, I move adoption.
  • 42, Local Government Code.
Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation and then took up several conference committee matters and resolutions. It granted the House request for a conference committee on House Bill 46 and adopted a conference report on Senate Bill 37, which was described as higher education governance reform, including stronger board authority, changes to faculty senates, general education requirements, and a new ombudsman office. Senators also adopted a large package of resolutions and HCRs by voice vote. A major focus was Senate Bill 12, the “Parental Bill of Rights,” whose conference report was adopted after extended questioning. The bill was described as giving parents more access to school materials and grievance procedures, requiring parental consent for student clubs, and restricting school district employees from assisting with social transitioning or related gender-identity instruction. Senators raised concerns about effects on students already socially transitioned and on parental rights in medical or psychological decisions; the author said the House language was retained in key areas and that districts would need policies and parent notification. The report passed 20-11. The Senate then adopted a resolution allowing the conference committee on Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-2027, to go outside the bounds, and later adopted the budget conference report. Senators highlighted major funding for public education, property tax relief, public safety, health and human services, child care, water and transportation infrastructure, and the Texas Energy Fund. The budget discussion also covered higher education, mental health facilities, community attendant wages, rural hospitals, DFPS case management, child care assistance, and a study rider on TRS. The report passed unanimously, 30-0. Finally, the Senate suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 8 and adopted its conference report. The bill requires counties with jails or jail contracts to participate in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program, with sheriffs choosing among available models and counties receiving tiered grants to help cover costs. Supporters framed it as a public safety measure targeting criminal illegal aliens, while opponents questioned whether it would divert local resources and increase fear in immigrant communities. The report was adopted after debate.
WV

West Virginia 2026 Regular Session

Senate in Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 11:05 am

West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill modifies a section in the motor vehicle code concerning the approval, design, production, and
  • The amendments are technical in nature, removing the State Tax Commissioner in two places in the bill
  • rule, a sunset extension from the economic development, into the bill of authorization to avoid a code
  • Engrossed House Bill 5459, relating to a tax on managed care organization, second reading of the bill
  • Engrossed House Bill 5459, relating to a tax on managed care organizations, second reading of the bill
Keywords: 994, senate, all
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous guest introductions, including students, community leaders, food bank representatives, and visitors connected to Hunger Free West Virginia Day. A resolution recognizing March 10, 2026, as Hunger Free West Virginia Day was adopted, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 on the Southern West Virginia water crisis was referred to the Rules Committee. The chamber also heard remarks highlighting Hunger Free West Virginia’s work and a West Virginia company, Unigen, developing pharmaceutical manufacturing in the state. The Senate concurred with House amendments and passed several measures, including Senate Bill 467 on enforcement of Purple Heart parking spaces, Senate Bill 712 on cattle guards on certain public roads, and Senate Bill 781, a supplemental appropriation measure that was also made effective from passage. The chamber then adopted and passed Senate Bill 844, a large supplemental appropriation to the Department of Human Services, and Senate Bill 87, a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Commerce, both effective from passage. Other third-reading bills passed included the Blue Envelope Program for drivers with autism, dementia, or intellectual and developmental disabilities; coverage for scalp cooling systems during chemotherapy; expansion of sex-offender registration to include solicitation of a minor and non-consensual disclosure of private images; child safety reporting requirements for school personnel; age-verification requirements for websites hosting harmful sexual material; free Gold Star parent vehicle registration; online training and updated standards for sanitarians; sheriff hiring authority; organ donor registration through voter registration; a Cold Case Task Force; abandoned vehicle title procedures; nutrition continuing education for physicians; special plate rules; gift card fraud offenses; protections for athletic officials; in-year school personnel movement; administrative services powers; pharmacy benefit manager regulation; vape shop regulation; reduced parole supervision fees; disability service credit for certain troopers; property valuation reporting changes; and quarterly Hope Scholarship payments. The Senate also advanced a large number of House bills and committee substitutes on second reading, including supplemental appropriations and measures on mental health examinations, dog registration rules, juvenile jurisdiction on military installations, military interpersonal violence, kinship care subsidies, a statewide prevention plan, contraband smuggling into federal prisons, forestry equipment levy treatment, and Commerce Department rules for microgrid districts and high-impact data centers. Several committee amendments were adopted, and many bills were advanced to third reading without objection. No executive communications were reported.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/25/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Also, with taxes, when it's legal tender, it is not taxed.
  • collected $80 million for this tax, $85 million for the tax, thank you, and we were sued.
  • Because it was a two-tiered tax, Goldwater sued that it was an illegal tax. The courts agreed.
  • income tax.
  • This is a bill that raises taxes. Please proceed. This is a bill that raises taxes.
Keywords: 1182, all
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Apr 8th, 2026

Alabama House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We added taxes to the internet, and now we're going to take taxes away.
  • where you going to take taxes away from where you going to take taxes away from from<00:22:58.960>
  • <00:23:07.679> Now We added taxes to the internet. Now We added taxes to the internet.
  • I I I we're going to take taxes away.
  • generate millions of dollars in taxes. generate millions of dollars in taxes.
Keywords: 1136, house, all
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Select Committee on School Facilities, May 19, 2026 - AM

Select Committee on School Facilities

Transcript Highlights:
  • bullet uh the first bill uh chapter bullet uh the first bill uh chapter chapter<00:10:25.960>
  • chapter 39. chapter 39.
  • And so code compliance is one.
  • So, that fell under the definition of code. What we see sometimes is the fire system codes.
  • So, that fell under the definition of code. What we see sometimes is the fire system codes.
Keywords: 916, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/10/2026 - Senate Natural Resources

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Sandy Barr, I'm the director for Sierra Club's Grand Canyon chapter, which is the Arizona chapter
  • Chair, Senator Sandy Barr, I'm the director for Sierra Club's Grand Canyon chapter, which is the Arizona
  • chapter.
  • chapter.
  • The website in the past had code embedded in it that prevented you from finding the livestock loss board
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee Mar 17th, 2026

Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:12:25.520> not investments not made, taxes not investments not made, taxes not generated
  • One thing that kept coming up: there are eight different definitions of rural in Alabama code.
  • We have a state organization and 23 local chapters. They're all nonprofits.
  • <00:21:20.960> They're<00:21:21.080> all and 23 local chapters.
  • They're all and 23 local chapters. They're all nonprofits. nonprofits. nonprofits.
Keywords: 923, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Elections Committee Jul 2nd, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Cynthia Shalett with California State Strong with Indivisible chapters, over 70 individual chapters up
  • I mean, I'm representing the California chapter of La Dada C. movement. Thank you.
  • Their taxpayer dollars is going to a candidate that wants to raise taxes, and they disagree with that
  • Their taxpayer dollars is going to a candidate that wants to raise taxes and they disagree with that.
  • You just don't want, you know, public tax dollars going just anyone for any cause.
Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on July 2, 2025, with a quorum present and took up eight agenda items, including four consent bills. The committee first approved the consent calendar, which included SB 280, SB 621, SB 851, and SB 852, all moving forward without objection. The committee then heard several bills from Senator Umberg focused on election administration and campaign finance, along with SB 408 on voter-roll maintenance. SB 249 would require county board of education elections to be consolidated with the statewide general election. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, argued this would increase turnout and make those elections more representative; opponents, including Orange County education officials, argued it would override local control, increase costs, and add ballot fatigue. The bill passed 5-2 and was re-referred to the Committee on Education. SB 398 would make it a crime to pay or offer contingent payments or other valuable consideration to induce voting or voter registration, closing what supporters described as a loophole involving lotteries and incentives. It passed 5-0 as amended and was re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety. SB 42 would remove the state ban on public financing for campaigns in general law cities and counties, allowing local voters to decide whether to adopt such systems. Supporters from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and many local advocates said it would broaden participation and reduce the influence of big money; opponents raised concerns about taxpayer funding, guardrails, and local oversight. The bill passed 5-2 and was re-referred to Appropriations. Finally, SB 408 would require election officials to use U.S. Postal Service change-of-address data to help maintain voter rolls; supporters said it would improve accuracy and trust in elections, while one commenter questioned reliance on postal data. The bill passed unanimously 6-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. The committee then completed the remaining roll calls and adjourned.
MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session, 2/19/2026 #1

Maryland Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have members today from over 25 chapters in Maryland.
  • We have members today from over 25 We have members today from over 25 chapters<00:04:35.199> uh
  • <00:04:36.800> And<00:04:37.120> today's chapters uh in Maryland.
  • And today's chapters uh in Maryland.
  • Uh, yes, uh, Senator from Budget and Tax. >> Mr.
Summary: The Maryland Senate convened with an invocation by Rabbi David Hland, followed by a series of introductions and recognitions for visiting groups and guests, including Delta Sigma Theta members for Delta Day in Annapolis, Towson High School students, the Maryland Pharmacy Coalition, interns, and other visitors. The Senate adopted a resolution honoring Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Maryland chapters for service, scholarship, sisterhood, and social action, and also journalized the rabbi’s invocation. Several committee and delegation announcements were made, including upcoming bill hearings and voting sessions. On legislation, the chamber handled a number of special-order and third-reading bills. Senate Bill 56 and Senate Bill 99 were both delayed for further amendment work, with SB 99 ultimately amended and ordered printed for third reading. The Senate also received and referred a bond initiative and heard an executive nominations report, with the nominations set for consideration in open session at a later time. During third reading, the Senate passed numerous bills, including measures on mail and service animal program disqualifications, police promotion pay restrictions, counterfeit lease penalties, Motor Vehicle Administration identification card requirements, environmental health specialist board sunset extension, used vehicle bill of sale requirements, collective bargaining for ATC cannabis police officers, transfer-on-death designations for vehicles and vessels, heavy-weight port corridor permits, controllable electronic records, lead paint abatement bonding and insurance, civic excellence in public schools, child pornography penalties, cemetery sale/transfer requirements, tobacco licenses for electronic smoking devices, legal services board membership, Baltimore County Public Library supervisory bargaining, money transmitter definitions, scalp cooling insurance coverage, prosthesis and orthosis coverage, elevator inspection database access, tax increment financing in noncontiguous areas, professional liability disclosure for certain care facilities and midwives, immunity for donation of pet supplies, massage therapy board revisions, and others. One bill drew floor debate: Senate Bill 82, which would increase penalties for counterfeit lease of real property, was opposed by a senator who argued it would disproportionately impact renters and conflict with justice reform goals. Despite that objection, the bill passed. The Senate also changed one recorded vote on Senate Bill 252 from red to green by unanimous consent. Overall, the session was marked by routine passage of a large slate of bills, a few postponements for amendment negotiation, and several ceremonial recognitions and announcements.