Transcript Highlights:

• We're already in that season of having to file our economic statements.
• they're filing, provided that independent candidates will have to file them more than five days after
• They missed the deadline and filed at the wrong time. And of course, it threw them out.
• that they have filed it and that is acceptable.
• We had that happen; a person didn't file, and it was reported, and nobody that file and it was reported

Bills: SB165

Keywords: candidates, economic interests, disclosure, ethics, transparency, public officials, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• burn up time, Mr. President. burn up time, Mr. President.
• Um and know at the time<00:31:00.400> of<00:31:00.560> the time of the time of the um<00
• <00:40:05.120> frame the end of fiscal 2030 the time frame the end of fiscal 2030 the time
• times yesterday and and other times times yesterday and and other times about<00:46:06.920> how
• <01:18:20.160> a it would, you know, be able to file a it would, you know, be able to file

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened with a quorum present and then proceeded through committee reports, largely adopting favorable reports and amendments without objection. Early measures included SB 530, which funds grants for multigenerational social connection programs for older adults; SB 731, clarifying the legal status of the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council; SB 809, directing a feasibility study on a caregiver infrastructure program; SB 860, creating an Aging Resilience Fund with reporting and budget protections; SB 910, requiring insurance reimbursement for services provided by graduate-level clinical interns under supervision; and SB 972, making several Baltimore City alcoholic beverages licensing changes. Each of these bills was advanced to third reading after committee amendments were adopted. The Finance Committee also advanced SB 555, establishing a Dementia Services and Brain Health Program and a provider resource toolkit for dementia care; SB 757, creating a Maryland Local Sourcing Portal to connect businesses with local sources for tariff-impacted goods; SB 772, creating an employment training and opportunity database to help people qualify for or maintain Medicaid and SNAP; SB 792, requiring hospitals to adopt and train staff on immigration-enforcement policies consistent with Attorney General guidance; SB 869, establishing a workforce training pilot program through Commerce and community colleges; SB 905, creating an advanced manufacturing grant program through TEDCO; and SB 974, changing who may serve as inspector for the Caroline County Board of License Commissioners. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or narrowing amendments and then ordered printed for third reading. Budget and Taxation advanced SB 28, which would create binding arbitration for state employee collective bargaining impasses and include a proposed constitutional amendment requiring funding in the Governor’s budget; SB 466, expanding a physician preceptor tax credit and adjusting training-hour requirements; and later SB 704, concerning estate tax treatment for qualified agricultural property transferred to an LLC. SB 557, a gaming-related bill, was laid over until the end of the evening at the majority leader’s request. In the Education, Energy, and the Environment report, the committee advanced SB 35 on a state natural science museum designation, SB 166 on shellfish aquaculture permit sanctions, SB 189 on municipal drainage inlet safety requirements prompted by a child’s death, SB 242 on civil relief for service members and spouses, SB 266 on local regulation of invasive trees and tree-of-heaven, and SB 267 on a corporate rental-property registry and local housing application review process. SB 267 drew a brief question from the minority leader, who asked whether prior opposition remained and how the amended bill differed; the sponsor said the opposition had gone away and described the bill as now focused on a responsible-owner registry and an administrative review process.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 1040, Wind and Solar Infrastructure, is going to be the topic.
• Members, next Representative Schultz, House File 253.
• worked on at any one time worked on at any one time and<00:31:28.799> then<00:31:28.960><
• It doesn't lock into time or place the map as written today.
• to be done on this issue over a long period of time.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• time I ever testified at all. Okay. time I ever testified at all. Okay.
• time today. Any questions? Senator. time today. Any questions? Senator.
• <01:27:26.159> It's at all times. That's what we need. It's at all times.
• to that time.
• <02:15:27.760> My Time will tell. Time will tell. My Time will tell. Time will tell.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Without objection, those reports will be filed. Seeing none.
• But since that time, the investigation is continuing, is ongoing.
• But for a felony, that time limit extends further. All right. Thank you.
• But for a felony, that time limit extends further. All right. Thank you.
• Without objection, that report would be filed.

Summary: The committee opened with prayer and approved the January minutes, then heard a series of audit reports with findings. The Department of Human Services report described theft and fraud involving false benefit claims, including about $8,000 in Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, about $5,800 in Medicaid benefits, and an altered state warrant for nearly $610,000 that was cashed by an auto body shop in California; it also noted asset-control problems and an error in sales tax paid on exempt vehicle purchases. Members asked whether the fraudulent business had been flagged or notified to other agencies, and DHS said the matter had been referred to law enforcement but no broader notification to California officials was known. The Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism report cited missing museum receipts of nearly $3,500 and issues with change funds at Daisy State Park and War Memorial Stadium, including a missing $100 drawer fund and an $80 overage; officials said they were considering cashless operations at War Memorial Stadium and provided an update that the museum theft investigation was still ongoing, with misdemeanor time limits expired but felony investigation still possible. The Department of Corrections report found unauthorized fuel-card purchases totaling about $4,500 and a delayed disaster-recovery test for offender management software; Corrections said staffing had been increased for fuel-card oversight and that a full production disaster-recovery test was now scheduled after DIS upgrades were completed. The Department of Veterans Affairs report found four Fayetteville Veterans Home employees were paid for hours not worked, with additional unapproved overtime totaling more than $6,600, a duplicate vendor payment of nearly $1,000 that was refunded, and many overtime instances lacking proper approval; the department said it had tightened overtime approval policies statewide. The committee also received a special report on law enforcement agencies’ compliance with Arkansas’s racial profiling policy requirement. Legislative Audit said it had received responses from 203 of 383 agencies and forwarded updated policies to the Attorney General, while identifying 180 agencies that had not responded and were deemed out of compliance. Members asked what happens if agencies still fail to respond and requested a list of nonresponding agencies; staff said their role is limited to collecting and forwarding policies, and the committee agreed to receive the list. All reports were filed or reviewed without objection, and the meeting adjourned after announcing the next meeting date and a possible room change due to building work.

Transcript Highlights:

• And even if an office that's equipped to do that and has hundred time, three times, four times as many
• And even if an office that's equipped to do that and has hundred time, three times, four times as many
• And even if an office that's equipped to do that and has hundred time, three times, four times as many
• <00:15:08.880> as<00:15:09.120> many time, three times, four times as many time, three
• appreciate everyone's time. appreciate everyone's time.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a bill that I've been filing now for a number of years, and each time the budget session comes
• I waited the next time, same thing the third time I went down, and they tried again.
• The last time I was here, you kindly let me go over my time, but this time I’m going to be short and
• Take your time.
• Thank you for your time.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities held a hybrid hearing focused largely on DDS-related bills, with chairs Kennedy and Livingstone outlining strict time limits, accessibility procedures, and a 5 p.m. stop to preserve ASL and CART services. The committee heard testimony on several measures, including a bill from Sen. Mike Moore to create a centralized electronic education records system for students in out-of-home placements, which supporters said would improve communication, preserve IEP continuity, and reduce missed services. Paul DePaulo also testified in support, describing the educational and justice-system harms that can follow when foster youth do not receive coordinated records and supports. A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 242/S. 149, a bill to enhance standards of care for people with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Rep. Garballey and many advocates, parents, clinicians, and disability leaders supported the bill, saying it would require provider training, statewide standards, and better emergency department practices to reduce misdiagnosis, trauma, and unnecessary ER boarding. Testimony described sensory and communication barriers in medical settings, lack of provider training, and the need for continuing education and license-related requirements. Related testimony also supported H. 213/S. 111, which would improve access to behavioral health services for children involved with state agencies by requiring better discharge planning, coordination with hospitals and agencies, and more appropriate post-hospital placements. The committee also heard strong support for H. 256/S. 102, requiring universal changing stations in public buildings, from parents, advocates, and the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council. Witnesses said current restroom accommodations often force unsafe or undignified changes on floors, in cars, or in inaccessible spaces, and argued the cost of adding changing stations to new or renovated buildings would be modest compared with the benefits to dignity, safety, and community access. Another major topic was H. 261/S. 155 on supported decision-making agreements for certain adults, which supporters described as a less restrictive alternative to guardianship that preserves autonomy while providing trusted support. Finally, testimony on Tommy’s bill (S. 168/H. 282) described a preventable death after a hospital discharge and urged clearer communication and training requirements for residential staff handling life-sustaining equipment; the bill was presented as a safeguard for people with disabilities relying on such equipment.

Transcript Highlights:

• question and very timely question and very timely um<00:29:55.320> of<00:29:55.519> course
• File 742.
• File 742.
• File 742.
• provide these situations additional time provide these situations additional time but<01:13:32.400

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• operational by uh you know session time operational by uh you know session time next<00:58:41.720
• Thanks for taking the time today.
• <01:41:00.920> agencies find time and time again that agencies find time and time again that
• I'm going through it for the first time I'm going through it for the first time now<01:59:09.239
• delete all from Senate file delete all from Senate file 856<01:59:58.800> as<01:59:58.960

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Supplement date to file right of appraisal is 47 days.
• Filed right of appraisal date to appraiser appointed is 48 days.
• Morgan, that's pretty, that's a long time.
• We ran out of time. Ware Wendell: Yes sir.
• Now the court has spent time and everything stops.

Transcript Highlights:

• I filed my case against them in 2019, and then there was another case filed against them in... in 2023
• Just speaking for Nexus, we at this time. won't have a policy on foreign students.
• I said at this time, Nexus does not have a position on that.
• . time.
• This hearing was a long time coming.

Keywords: anti-Semitism, hate crimes, college campuses, civil rights, public safety, protests, intimidation

Summary: The committee meeting focused on addressing the rising tide of anti-Semitism across the nation. Among the discussions, members expressed concerns about the disturbing acts of hate witnessed on college campuses, with instances of harassment and intimidation targeting Jewish students being highlighted. High-profile incidents, including vandalism and the display of extremist symbols, prompted urgent calls for investigations and measures to protect civil rights. The importance of moral clarity in confronting such hate crimes was emphasized as well, outlining the responsibilities of leaders to ensure safety and uphold justice.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to repeat that: from the time that the...
• From the time that the FSU police first got the phone call to the time that the shooter was neutralized
• One is timely filed. That is barcode 806286 by Senator Massullo.
• Should there be sufficient time at the end?
• time certain.

Summary: The committee first took up CS for SB 896 on school safety, which would expand the Guardian program to public postsecondary institutions, require active assailant response plans and threat management protocols, improve reporting and information sharing, and make it a felony to discharge a weapon within 1,000 feet of a campus. A late-file amendment by Senator Polsky was adopted to clarify that students who are also employees or faculty at a public postsecondary institution are not eligible for the Guardian program. The bill drew strong opposition from faculty, students, and gun-safety advocates who argued that more guns on campus would create confusion, weaken safety, and undermine campus police; supporters said trained guardians would improve deterrence and protection. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably by a roll call vote. The committee then considered SB 1690 on child care and early learning services, which updates child care laws, reduces some regulatory burdens, and expands the Florida Education Foundation’s authority to fundraise for early learning from birth through VPK. Members discussed oversight of the related direct-support organization and the removal of certain notice requirements, while supporters from Moms Rising and other advocates said the bill would help families access affordable, high-quality child care and support home-based providers. One opponent argued the bill added more government regulation, but the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee passed CS for SB 118, a narrow bill on non-ad valorem special assessments for recreational vehicle parks, clarifying how assessments are calculated for RV spaces and campsites. The bill received supportive comments from RV advocates and was reported favorably without controversy. The committee then took up CS for SB 1220, the Department of Transportation package, which included provisions on seaports and airports, personal delivery devices, autonomous vehicles, broadband and utility permitting, and advanced air mobility. Amendments were adopted that revised research institute membership, limited some delivery-device provisions, and clarified cruiser light rules for law enforcement; after questions about utility preemption and PDD safety, the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would require new vaccine educational materials, expand school-entry exemptions to include conscience-based objections, limit the Surgeon General’s emergency vaccination authority, and allow behind-the-counter ivermectin for adults with written information and liability protections. The bill drew extensive testimony from both supporters and opponents, with supporters emphasizing parental rights, informed consent, and vaccine injury concerns, and opponents warning about reduced immunization rates, public health risks, and the appropriateness of ivermectin provisions. The transcript ends during public testimony and debate on SB 1756, before final action on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• But many times members have questions.
• Is it at the time when the appeal ends? Appeal period ends? Or at the time when the tax is due?
• Is it at the time when the appeal ends? Appeal period ends? Or at the time when the tax is due?
• Is it at the time when the appeal ends? Appeal period ends? Or at the time when the tax is due?
• Is it at the time when the appeal ends? Appeal period ends? Or at the time when the tax is due?

Bills: SB2040, SB2248, SB2530, SB2732, SB2871, SB2919, SB3076, SB3300, SB3301

Keywords: freedom of speech, elections, campaign finance, non-natural persons, regulated participation, constitutional amendment, financial disclosures, government transparency, public confidence, Senate confirmation, conflicts of interest, state ethics commission, campaign contributions, state contracts, transparency, conflict of interest, government ethics, pretrial release, bail reform, financial ability

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2248 would expand financial disclosure requirements to certain gubernatorial nominees subject to Senate confirmation. The State Ethics Commission supported the measure, saying disclosures should be filed before confirmation so the public and interested parties can review them in advance. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with 22 supporters, no opposition, and one comment. SB 2530 would broaden Hawaii’s campaign contribution ban for state and county contractors to include officers and immediate family members, and would extend the ban to certain grantees and their officers and family members, with specified contract thresholds. The Campaign Spending Commission said the bill is its own proposal and would align the thresholds with procurement guidelines. Testimony was entirely favorable, with 30 in support, no opposition, and two comments. Members asked about conforming amendments and how the existing prohibition on soliciting contributions applies; CSC said the calendar-day language clarifies current practice and that the solicitation ban already applies to contractors, with the bill extending the same standard to officers and immediate family members. SB 2732 would require courts to consider a defendant’s ability to pay when setting bail, including excluding public benefits from income calculations and clarifying the 40-hour affordability benchmark for those above 150% of the federal poverty level. The Office of the Public Defender, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, and the ACLU of Hawaii supported the bill, arguing that unaffordable bail creates wealth-based disparities, contributes to jail overcrowding, and can cause severe collateral consequences for people not yet convicted. There was one opposition testimony and 18 supporters. Committee discussion focused on when the 40-hour period should begin, how income would be verified, and whether misrepresentation could affect bail; the Public Defender said the measure should be read to start from initial appearance and that judges could address false statements through existing remedies. SB 2871 would prohibit discrimination based on perceived characteristics, association with someone who has or is perceived to have protected characteristics, and intersectional combinations of characteristics. The Department of Education supported the intent but asked for clear definitions, while the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission said the bill does not add new protected classes and simply codifies the Lamb v. University of Hawaii decision on intersectional discrimination. LGBTQ+, civil rights, ACLU, and other advocacy groups testified in support, with one opposition testimony and a total of 27 in support, two opposed, and one comment. The committee then heard SB 2919, which appropriates funds for one full-time public deputy public defender position. The Public Defender’s Office said the position would provide statewide legal support and a centralized resource on constitutional, appellate, and immigration-related issues; several advocacy groups supported the measure, and committee questions focused on how the new position would complement existing training and keep staff updated on changing law.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the request of the author, please move File Item 4, AB 1044, Macedo, to the inactive file.
• Okay, members, it is time to move on to business on the Daily File.
• Okay, members, it is time to move on to business on the Daily File.
• We're going to pass and retain on file items one through five, as well as file items seven and eight.
• He was generous with his time, fiercely loyal to his friends, and unrelenting in his passion.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions recognizing the League of Women Voters of San Francisco Youth Council, the Jane Center of Northern California, a departing UC Sacramento intern, and members of the Sam Yup Benevolent Association/Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. The chamber then moved to the Daily File, where most items were passed and retained on file, and AB 1044 was moved to the inactive file at the author’s request. The main floor action was on ACR 91, authored by Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry, which recognized June 2025 as Portuguese Heritage Month, June 10 as the Day of Portugal, and April 18 as the Day of the Azores. Supportive remarks highlighted the long history and contributions of Portuguese Americans in California, especially in agriculture, business, public service, and culture, and Assembly Member Macedo spoke as a co-author and second-generation Portuguese American. The resolution received 64 co-authors and was adopted by voice vote. Macedo also shared Portuguese sweet bread with members, and Aguiar-Curry introduced Portuguese dignitaries and community leaders in the chamber. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournments in memory. Members honored Phil Jerizzo, Dr. Marvin Lavelle Boomer Jr., and Elizabeth Starr, describing their public service, mentorship, community leadership, and family legacies. The Assembly then announced upcoming session dates and adjourned until Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• You say that one more time.
• Now that there is a bill, there wasn't at the time, now that there is a map, there wasn't at the time
• I had not filed a bill. Uh, that map has been filed.
• We did not have a map for them to look at at that time.
• One had not been prepared or filed, and because a number had expressed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The last bill on the agenda is House File 3380.
• those who have made a single one-time those who have made a single one-time mistake,<00:04:46.880
• a bunch of citations citing every time a bunch of citations citing every time there's<00:17:58.559
• It's been there a long time.
• the chance uh needs to serve their time. the chance uh needs to serve their time.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3380, a bill by Representative Hudson aimed at repeat violent felony offenders who use firearms. Hudson said the bill would require aggravated sentencing, up to the statutory maximum, for people convicted of three or more violent felonies involving firearms, with no probation, parole, early release, or work release. He argued the measure was needed because repeat offenders cycle through the system and because downward departures are too common, especially in Hennepin and Ramsey counties. Dave Zimmer, a former law enforcement officer and public safety policy fellow, testified in support, saying the bill would tighten loopholes, restore consequences for repeat violent offenders, and help victims of violent crime. Representative Pinto questioned the bill’s need and structure, asking for specific examples of the problem and raising concerns about separation of powers, the breadth of the lookback into prior convictions, and whether the bill actually required a full maximum sentence or could be satisfied by only a small upward departure. He also noted that sentencing departures are public and can be challenged. Representative Mohler similarly pressed for clarification on the statistics Hudson cited, referenced sentencing guidelines data showing different departure rates across counties, and said departures can sometimes reflect victim preferences or evidentiary difficulties. Hudson responded that the bill was simple, that any ambiguity about firearm involvement would likely not count, and that the point was to ensure sentences could not go down for repeat armed violent offenders. After discussion, the chair announced that an amendment, DE2, was out of order. The committee then laid House File 3380 over, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have momentum for the first time in a long time.
• There's someone here in real time.
• A move that saved time, precious time that the claimants don't have to call EDD.
• These cases last a long time.
• You've obviously spent some time on this.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We worked for several years and got a draft together, and it was filed and died, and filed and died,
• and filed and died for several years.
• During that time, we continued to work on it.
• We do have a Baker Act dashboard so we can see in real time.
• And I don't know how many times you redrafted.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to review implementation of House Bill 7021, the recent overhaul of Florida’s Baker Act and Marchman Act, and to hear from DCF Assistant Secretary Erica Floyd Thomas about how the department is using the $50 million appropriation tied to the bill. Representative Maney, the bill sponsor, gave a lengthy background on why he pursued the reforms and emphasized that the goal was to improve access, reduce unnecessary crisis interventions, and give agencies the resources needed to carry out their responsibilities. He and the chair both noted that the bill was the product of many years of work and broad bipartisan support. DCF reported several early outcomes and implementation steps, including a statewide reduction in Baker Act initiations over the past five years, strong diversion rates from crisis through 988, mobile response teams, care coordination, and forensic multidisciplinary teams, and the creation of new tools such as a Baker Act dashboard and the first annual Marchman Act report. The department described key statutory changes: law enforcement discretion in initiating Baker Acts, a single-petition process, remote appearances, stronger discharge planning, interim services, updated parent notification and hold-period rules, an ombudsman office for children’s behavioral health, and regional collaboratives to identify local service gaps. DCF said it has updated manuals, FAQs, trainings, and rules, and that the managing entities have begun contracting for services. Members asked about how the $50 million was allocated, why much of it went to crisis capacity rather than outpatient care, how much has been spent so far, whether administrative costs are capped, and how the department will measure success. DCF said most of the money was used to preserve and expand crisis beds, detox beds, CSU beds, short-term residential treatment, discharge planning, and outpatient supports, with $1.3 million for the ombudsman and regional collaboratives and $48.3 million to managing entities. The assistant secretary said the department tracks readmissions, utilization, provider capacity, and monthly and quarterly reports from managing entities, but it is still early to see full effects because contracts were only recently executed. Members also raised concerns about children, families, veterans, workforce shortages, transparency, and gaps for hard-to-place individuals, including those with developmental disabilities or dementia. The meeting ended with no formal action beyond adjournment after questions were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thanks for your time and consideration.
• We support House File 819 for two reasons.
• We support House File 819 for two reasons.
• <00:10:36.440> 819 all of us um we support house file 819 all of us um we support house file
• would volunteer to help my with my time would volunteer to help my with my time um<00:15:39.720>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is left pending at this time. Thanks, Senator. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• First, limiting social media time.
• The bill is left pending at this time. The chair now lays out Senate Bill 3014.
• The bill is left pending at this time. Thank you.
• Senate Bill 801 will be left pending at this time.

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty