Transcript Highlights:

• And just a reminder that the agency's other divisions and P codes were covered in October and November
• If somebody Can be transported by ambulance; they are not supposed to go via air ambulance.
• And I think transport also works for patients. I mean, it's a win-win.
• Members, just a quick reminder, this is Agency Code 690, so just a little bit further beyond where we
• They were transporting a child in a vehicle without safety barriers. ...barriers that had committed a

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• taxes and fees to pay for transportation projects, now known as GRIP.
• So SB 6 that year may change the tax code intended to raise revenue by reducing a distribution to the
• And he wrote the first American tax code for Santa Fe. It was interesting.
• And Colonel Kearney had a tax code written. It's 21 sentences long.
• If Ernst & Young, the largest CPA firm on the planet, can't figure out our tax code.

Summary: The committee’s final day focused first on a historical overview of New Mexico tax packages by Pam Stokes of Legislative Council Services. She described how tax packages have alternated over the decades between tax relief, revenue raising, and tax reform, with examples ranging from the creation of the gross receipts tax in 1966 to major packages in 1981, 1986, 1991, 1994, 2005, 2019, 2022, 2024, and the vetoed 2025 package. Members discussed how tax policy often tracks revenue conditions, how packages can combine increases and decreases, and how local government gross receipts taxes and hold-harmless distributions have affected communities differently. Several members reflected on past packages, especially the 2004 food tax repeal and the 2013 film tax and manufacturing changes, and noted that tax policy can have major economic and political effects even when it is not “sexy” legislation. The committee then heard a proposal to expand the health care practitioner gross receipts tax deduction to include co-insurance, and to extend the sunset date. Sponsor Senator Figueroa said the bill was intended to help recruit and retain medical providers and build on prior deductions for co-pays and deductibles. Testimony explained that co-insurance is the patient’s share after the deductible, that providers currently absorb the gross receipts tax on those payments, and that the proposal would cost about $30 million to the state plus about $20 million to municipalities and counties, with the exact fiscal impact likely to be updated. Members raised concerns about the effect on local governments, whether insurers could be required to reimburse providers, whether the bill would actually attract doctors, and whether better evaluation measures and sunsets should be added. The sponsor said the bill was part of a broader set of efforts to address provider shortages and that the discussion would continue. Representative McQueen then presented a bill to update the Land Conservation Incentives Act. He and conservation partners said the program has protected more than 500,000 acres but has not kept pace with rising land values, especially for irrigated agricultural land in the Middle Rio Grande. The proposal would increase the percentage of conservation value eligible for the credit, raise the per-transaction cap from $250,000 to $2 million, and make the credit refundable rather than only transferable. Testimony emphasized that the program is voluntary, keeps land in private ownership and production, and helps land-rich, cash-poor landowners preserve farmland and water rights. Members asked about average credit amounts, how easements work, whether landowners could effectively buy land and then use the credit, and whether there should be inflation indexing or a statewide cap. The discussion also touched on water rights, fencing, and the role of conservation easements in protecting agricultural land and compact water deliveries. Finally, Senator Sharer previewed his 2% tax proposal with a historical presentation on New Mexico tax law, using props to illustrate the evolution from early territorial tax codes to the modern tax system. He argued that the state’s current tax structure is overly complex and that recent federal changes have disrupted the personal income tax base. The committee did not take any votes on the day’s presentations; the meeting was primarily informational, with members offering feedback and raising policy concerns for future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• upon the rostrum, and it is my regret that we have not been able to take up the Uniform Commercial Code
• It's broken down as required by the Constitution for public education and public transportation.
• And we also include $5 million in transportation improvements preparing for the 2026 World Cup events
• area for... additional funding for SPED circuit breaker, primarily on the transportation area for SPED
• So this would put fiscal year 24... ...public education and transportation.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate considered a series of amendments to a supplemental appropriations bill and related measures, with several adopted and several rejected or withdrawn. Early amendments on equitable approaches to public safety and a Holyoke local account clarification failed, while amendments providing $2.5 million for Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers technical assistance and expanding access to gender-affirming medications and mifepristone were adopted. The chamber also adopted a technical amendment on alternative protein grants, a clarification to ETF modernization, and an energy storage systems amendment. Other proposals on homeowner protections, La Casa funding, emergency contract reform, an energy dashboard, EV charging ratepayer impacts, hate crimes, distressed hospital payments, and task force membership were rejected or withdrawn. A substantial portion of the debate focused on health care, food assistance, and public safety. Senators spoke in support of funding for community health centers, hospital relief, and EBT anti-skimming protections, including $15.5 million for chip-enabled EBT cards and related replacement-benefit support. One amendment to strengthen protections against impersonating federal officers was rejected, while another on professional protections was withdrawn after discussion of ballot address privacy and security concerns. The Senate also adopted amendments to continue prior appropriations for a North Shore food pantry and drought management efforts, and it later approved a sick leave bank for a Department of Mental Health employee. The chamber then took up the fiscal year 2025 fair share supplemental budget conference report, which Ways and Means described as $1.39 billion in spending split between transportation and education, including MBTA improvements, Chapter 90 aid, regional transit authorities, special education circuit breaker reimbursements, higher education deferred maintenance, and career technical education capital grants. After a roll call, the bill passed, with one recorded negative vote. The Senate also adopted a separate Ways and Means amendment and ordered the bill to third reading before final passage. The session ended with adjournment motions and a moment of silence honoring Melissa and Mark Hortman and other victims of political violence, along with a memorial adjournment for firefighter Jeffrey DeSanchez.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Sweeney said that municipalities have been enabled under the zoning code and state law
• and the and the way the way we transport and the and the way we<02:57:47.120> interact<02:57:
• Transportation part also—go ahead, thank you.
• and water and housing and transportation and water and housing and that<03:24:58.399> that<03
• , so you're saying that there is still a bare minimum code to which everyone has to adhere, right?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded A5. I recognize a member from Ramsey.
• The amendment to the amendment is coded A10.
• coded coded A8<00:24:39.080> I<00:24:39.240> recognize<00:24:39.760> the<00:24:
• The amendment is coded A9. I recognize the member from Rice.
• amendment is coded amendment is coded A9<00:27:51.559> I<00:27:51.679> recognize<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill provides common sense safeguards into the election code.
• Voters who might be homebound on limited resources, lacking adequate transportation, or due to an illness
• The bill completely ignores election code 84.007b1, which requires a hard copy of the application to
• The, the section of the code that we're, um, y'all are amending to put the dates forward.
• Members, Chapter 32, the Election Code provides for the appointment of a presiding election judge, and

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 628, a bill to be entitled an act relating to transportation facility designations.
• In act relating to transportation facility designations. House Amendment barcode 494-741.
• They're given a code name. You sign a confidentiality agreement. You can't talk about it...
• They're given a code name. You sign a confidentiality agreement.
• We need to Of the land development code of the state of Florida. This should be part of it.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest and staff introductions. The chamber then took up returning messages from the House and acted on multiple bills, with votes recorded on each. Senate Bill 628 on transportation facility designations was concurred in as amended and passed 31-4 after discussion about naming roads for deceased individuals and an exception for President Trump. The House amendment to the Live Local affordable housing package, CS/CS/HB 1389, was also concurred in and passed 35-0; Senator Claudio explained it as the fourth iteration of the Live Local Act, including new provisions allowing certain affordable housing on qualifying religious property, extending some timelines, and removing accessory dwelling unit language. CS/CS/HB 1451 on utility services was concurred in and passed 30-6 after questions about phasing out surcharges and reporting requirements. The chamber also substituted CS/CS/HB 1279 for SB 7038 and adopted an education amendment package before passing the bill 36-1, while several other measures were temporarily postponed. The Senate then considered CS/CS/SB 484 on data centers and concurred in the House amendment 383-957, passing the bill 31-6. Senator Avila said the amendment strengthened ratepayer protections, required a PSC tariff filing, and directed an OPAGA study on large-scale data centers. Several senators pressed concerns about the removal of the Senate’s nondisclosure agreement prohibition, the possibility of delayed public awareness of data center projects, and whether costs could be shifted to other ratepayers; Avila responded that the amendment preserved local land-use authority and that ratepayer costs could not be borne by the general body of ratepayers. Debate reflected a split between senators who supported the bill as a needed regulatory framework and those who objected to the transparency changes and the loss of the Senate’s original NDA language. Later, the Senate took up land use and development regulations, substituting CS/CS/CS/HB 399 for SB 208. An amendment by Senator Jones to remove language affecting a Fontainebleau Hotel water park project in Miami Beach failed 17-20 after debate over local control and preemption. Senator McLean’s amendments then added a sunset date and other changes, and Senator Claudio’s amendment preserved Miami-Dade’s urban development boundary supermajority protections and related planning provisions. The chamber then began extended debate on Senator Martin’s amendment creating a process for property owners to challenge rural boundary designations and seek compensation or removal from the designation without going to court; supporters framed it as a property-rights and due-process measure, while opponents argued it would undermine local planning, impose costs on taxpayers, and weaken voter-approved rural boundaries in Orange and Seminole counties. The transcript ends amid that debate, with no final vote shown on the rural boundary amendment in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• While sales transactions are an ideal time to bring homes up to code, the fly in the ointment is that
• But this is creating something new in Civil Code for requirement.
• Yep, so Welfare and Institutions Code 5203 says that it's a misconduct.
• So Welfare and Institutions Code 5203 says that it's a misdemeanor.
• Thank you. ...to transport, even to get the process going. Thank you. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 911, which would require notification to fire agencies when a home in a high wildfire severity zone is sold with an agreement to complete defensible space work after closing. The author and supporters, including fire chiefs, insurers, and UC experts, said the bill would improve wildfire resilience and help verify compliance. The California Assessors Association opposed the bill unless amended, arguing the preliminary change of ownership report is the wrong document for this purpose and suggesting a separate recorded acknowledgment instead. Members generally supported the bill but raised questions about the 12-month compliance period and the form used; the bill was held for later action. Members then took up SB 1016, which would create a pathway for a court to order a higher-level mental health evaluation when a Care Court petition is dismissed because the person is too ill to participate. Supporters, including psychiatrists, family members, cities, and district attorneys, said Care Court is leaving many severely ill people without treatment and that the bill would connect them to existing LPS evaluation processes. Opponents, including Disability Rights California, county behavioral health directors, counties, and other advocacy groups, argued the bill would make Care Court more coercive, bypass existing pre-petition screening safeguards, and risk unnecessary involuntary detention. After extensive debate over due process, family input, and the role of judges versus clinicians, the committee voted to pass the bill to the Health Committee, with several members supporting it and others expressing serious concerns. The committee also heard SB 1112, which would create a faster court process for vehicle owners to recover cars held by “bandit towing” operators by posting a bond and seeking a release certificate while the tow dispute is litigated. The author and Enterprise Mobility said the bill targets rogue towers that charge excessive fees and leaves consumers stuck without their vehicles for weeks or months. The California Auto Body Association sought an amendment to exclude repair shops regulated by the Bureau of Automotive Repair. The bill was moved forward as amended to Appropriations and placed on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 1119, a child-safety bill regulating AI chatbots. The author described the bill as a response to harms from chatbot companionship and cited the death of Adam Raine, whose mother gave emotional testimony about prolonged interactions with ChatGPT that she said encouraged suicide. Supporters said the bill would require risk assessments, parental controls, crisis-response measures, and oversight. Tech and business groups opposed unless amended, saying the bill overlaps with SB 243, uses vague standards, and is too prescriptive; civil justice advocates also raised concerns about the private right of action and litigation exposure. Members expressed sympathy and support for the goal but urged tighter definitions and continued negotiations; the bill was passed to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee and held on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, my name is Bob Scully, and I represent the New Hampshire Motor Transport Association
• Association today which Motor Transport Association today which is<00:23:25.080> a<00:23:26.080
• and we're talking about the basic state building codes and fire codes uh here prevents them in a lot
• <01:45:47.440> codes<01:45:47.840> and<01:45:48.080> fire<01:45:48.480> codes
• <01:45:49.480> uh state building codes and fire codes uh state building codes and fire codes

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the code, it requires public bodies to adopt a policy regarding remote participation by members
• commission members may participate in meetings electronically as permitted by § 2.2-3708.3 of the Code
• commission that it may hold all-virtual public meetings pursuant to subsection C of § 2.2-3708.3 of the Code
• is really guaranteeing access to no-cost school meals to all Virginia students, no matter their zip code
• I will say as well, the transportation costs we know are rising, and that is an additional burden upon

Keywords: Virginia Commission to End Hunger, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If a misdemeanor arises after the indictment, the children's code does not cover that at all.
• saying, you know, all of these things are going on with him, we'll do what we call a pickup order, a transport
• order to where we will have... ...have the adult transported to Memorial Medical Center here in town
• But generally, it's not changes in the criminal code or the juvenile code for the legislature.
• This code has changed for a good 20 years since I started working.

Transcript Highlights:

• I must step next door and make a vote in transportation. Can you pick up, Senator Hughes?
• permit applications, are processed pursuant to the requirements set forth in Chapter 36 of the Water Code
• the notification requirements to include all areas of the aquifer that the proposed groundwater transport
• So, we are bringing the code up to speed. That was for Brian Sledge, just before the bill.
• Newer than the alcohol code prohibition. Is there anybody else wishing to testify?

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• having me today and allowing me to explain the two words and one comma we would like to add to Water Code
• As the Water Code is written today, it would potentially limit the ability...
• Manual, the public contracts code, that those would still apply.
• Telecommunications, transportation, water, energy, all safety, and administrative law judges are across
• There are also entities like rail and transportation as well. To go into more...

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Budget Subcommittee Number 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation
• The Senate Budget Subcommittee Number 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation
• Serious accidents caused by a serious violation is what it says in the Labor Code.
• Labor Code Section 5909 requires us to act on a petition for reconsideration of a decision issued by
• On the demand letters under Labor Code 238, 240, we have about 3,500, and on in-depth investigations.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a series of budget and trailer bill presentations focused on labor and public employment programs. The first item covered EDD Next modernization, where EDD described progress on customer service improvements, fraud prevention, language access, and the Integrated Claims Management System. The LAO urged stronger legislative oversight as the project enters its most difficult phase, and members questioned the revised schedule, total cost, change orders, stress testing, SB 1090 implementation, and how race and ethnicity data will be protected. EDD said the overall project cost remains about $1.2 billion, that the work is being phased with disability insurance and paid family leave first, and that fraud has been greatly reduced since pandemic-era programs ended. Members also asked for follow-up information on SB 590 outreach and equity impacts. The committee then reviewed the California Workforce Development Board’s request to reduce staffing as one-time grant workloads wind down, along with trailer bill language to streamline reporting requirements. The board and Department of Finance said the staffing reductions reflect the end of surge funding and that the proposal would consolidate roughly 10 to 12 reports into one annual report, with additional reporting only if new funds are appropriated for certain programs. Senator Durazo questioned the policy direction of reducing workforce staffing, while the administration said the positions were tied to temporary grant programs and that current staffing is sufficient for ongoing duties. Members also asked about the board’s role in AI-related workforce planning and the rationale for using state funds for the High Road Construction Careers Program. A major portion of the hearing focused on the Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund reforms and related staffing request at DIR. The administration and LAO described rapid growth in applications, backlog, and liabilities, saying the program’s eligibility has expanded beyond its original intent and that liabilities could reach about $30 billion by 2030 without reform. The trailer bill would tighten eligibility, apply the changes to open cases, and use the QME process and contemporaneous evidence to document preexisting disabilities. Members raised concerns about fairness to pending claimants, evaluator capacity, and the relationship to other SIBTF legislation, while the LAO said the proposal largely aligns with its prior recommendations. DIR also presented a request to eliminate vacant positions under a statewide vacancy sweep, which drew criticism from members who argued the cuts could weaken enforcement and backlog reduction efforts; the committee asked DIR to return with more detail on impacts and on its use of temporary-help authority. The final items addressed a request for additional Cal/OSHA investigative staff and a trailer bill to make permanent the revised Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board petition timeline. DIR said the BOI staffing would help investigate fatalities and serious injuries more quickly, while members emphasized the importance of family contact and timely investigations. For the WCAB item, the chair explained that the 2024 change to Labor Code section 5909, which starts the 60-day decision clock when a case is transmitted rather than when a petition is filed, has reduced pending cases and should be made permanent; the remaining backlog was reported at 460 cases, down from 637 before the change.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then they transport those gift cards to a centralized location where experts tamper with the activation
• right off the shelves then transport right off the shelves then transport those<00:18:43.120>
• <00:52:33.520> of emergency treatment and transport of emergency treatment and transport of
• A lot of these things—uses of force, violence, property damage—are not analogous to the criminal code
• although many of those may be code although many of those may be crimes<02:53:33.080> they're

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:18.640> actually<00:49:18.880> makes of the federal tax code actually makes
• of the federal tax code actually makes it<00:49:19.200> difficult<00:49:19.520> for<00:
• ,<00:59:05.280> and<00:59:05.520> coordinate to purchase, transport, and coordinate
• to purchase, transport, and coordinate distribution<00:59:06.799> of<00:59:07.119> food
• <01:15:54.719> infrastructure<01:15:55.360> that transportation infrastructure that transportation

Bills: HF2078, HF777, HF841, HF1112, HF1098, HF1926

Keywords: child care, day care, child care center, licensing, license requirements, parent access, guardian access, custody order, court order, furnishings, equipment standards, learning materials, early childhood education, infant care, toddler care, preschool, school-age child care, play materials, sensory materials, gross motor equipment

Transcript Highlights:

• We talked about hours as part of code.
• Brings us to the Department of Transportation starting on 114.
• Brings us to the Department of Transportation starting on 114.
• Brings us to the Department of Transportation starting on 114.
• Brings us to the Department of Transportation starting on 114.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• alternative for transporting individuals with mental... um and in-person visits are ideal, we um and
• transportation offering a humane<00:43:42.000> non-p<00:43:42.319> police<00:43:42.720
• Um, I also wanted to talk about protected transport, which was added to non-emergency medical transportation
• Um, I also wanted to uh talk about<00:46:42.079> protected<00:46:42.640> transport,<00:
• many years ago as a way transportation many years ago as a way to<00:46:48.079> transport<00:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 587, Procurement—Department of Transportation and Maryland Transportation Authority Contracts
• <01:20:25.000> and<01:20:25.160> Maryland Transportation and Maryland Transportation and
• Maryland Transportation<01:20:26.280> Authority<01:20:26.720> Contracts, Transportation
• Thank Environment and transportation.
• Environment and Transportation Committee Environment and Transportation Committee will<02:03:30.440

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House met with 125 members present and began with the pledge, prayer, and opening formalities. Two House resolutions were presented and adopted by voice vote: one honoring the pioneering women of the Maryland State Police and State Fire Marshal’s Office during Women’s History Month, and another recognizing the University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Infant and Childhood Loss on its 50th anniversary. Both resolutions highlighted the honorees’ service and contributions, and the clerk read each resolution into the record. The chamber then received Senate bills introduced in the House, including Senate Bill 6 and Senate Bill 551, which were read the first time and referred to committee without objection. The House also took up multiple committee reports, largely adopting favorable reports and ordering bills printed for third reading. Measures advanced included bills on residential real estate contract contingencies, Maryland data privacy, local alcoholic beverages licenses and fees in several counties, county salary study commission membership, sheriff and municipal enforcement matters, estates, health occupations background checks, school book fair tax exemptions, school board compensation and voting, and a Calvert County medical center bill. Several bills were amended before advancing. House Bill 443 on Prince George’s County small event center alcohol licensing received a capacity-related amendment; House Bill 348 on Baltimore City alcohol license extension received a technical amendment and a change expanding coverage to transfers of ownership before July 1, 2029; House Bill 682 changed a license classification from Class C to Class GC; House Bill 405 on EV recharging equipment in condo/HOA documents was amended to clarify budget treatment; and House Bill 895 on dynamic pricing and predatory pricing received amendments clarifying definitions, disclosures, and enforcement. After extended discussion of HB 895, including questions about whether it bans dynamic pricing for food, how it treats discounts and loyalty programs, and whether supply-and-demand pricing changes are affected, the House agreed to special order the bill until later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• insurers and CDI are already using in these fires by switching to fire perimeter and adjacent ZIP codes
• There's certain ZIP codes that wouldn't be included here that we know there has been contamination from
• And if you are outside that ZIP code and receive contamination, unfortunately, you wouldn't get relief
• And if you are outside that ZIP code and receive contamination, unfortunately, you wouldn't get relief
• Our strong preference is that Labor Code Section 132A remain unchanged.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met as a subcommittee at first because a quorum was not initially present, then later established a quorum and heard several bills. The main special-order item was AB 1795 (Gibson), which would create statewide standards for testing, inspection, and remediation of wildfire smoke damage in homes, with CalEPA and public health agencies developing science-based standards and insurers required to follow new claims-handling timelines. Supporters, including Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and wildfire survivors, said the bill would bring consistency and safety; insurers and consumer groups generally supported the concept but sought further amendments on scope, standards, and claim handling. The committee voted do pass as amended and refer AB 1795 to Appropriations, with the roll held open for later additions. The committee also considered AB 1576 (Ortega) on the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund, which would make changes intended to reduce litigation and employer assessments while preserving the program’s purpose of encouraging hiring of workers with prior disabilities. Labor-side witnesses supported the bill as a reform step, while business, public entity, and insurance groups opposed it, arguing it did not address the core structural problems and that a trailer bill was a better vehicle for broader reform. AB 1576 was voted do pass to Appropriations, with the roll held open. AB 1931 (Papan) would create an optional limited-lines license for utilities to offer home protection products for repairs to appliances and utility service lines. Support came from HomeServe, utilities, and industry groups, who said the bill would clarify current law and add consumer protections such as training, disclosures, and a free-look period; there was no opposition in the room. The committee passed AB 1931 to Appropriations. AB 2361 (Pacheco) would limit vicarious liability for peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing platforms like Turo while preserving insurance coverage requirements; supporters said it would align California with other states, while consumer attorneys opposed it as reducing accountability and consumer recovery. The committee passed AB 2361 as amended to Appropriations. AB 2098 (Kalra), heard later, would require employers to allow leave for workers to attend treatment for occupational injuries during work hours, subject to notice and business-necessity limits; labor groups supported it and business and insurance groups sought narrower standards. It was also voted do pass to Appropriations. The committee then completed roll-call add-ons and adjourned.