Transcript Highlights:

• An act to amend the General Municipal Law in relation to permitting industrial development agencies to
• Our eighth bill is Senate Bill 767A by Senator Lucas: an act to amend the Town Law in relation to permitting

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Local Government committee met on March 10 and considered 13 bills, mostly on municipal finance, property tax exemptions, local planning, and public safety. Measures included Next Generation 911 system updates, good-faith deposit procedures for bond sales, sheriff and undersheriff training requirements, comprehensive planning for housing needs, increased volunteer firefighter and ambulance worker benefits, industrial development agency incentives for pollution mitigation projects, and several local real property tax exemption or conveyance bills. The committee also took up bills on water quality improvement funding for the Town of Warwick, special equalization rates for certain school districts, and eye and tissue donation procedures. Testimony and discussion were limited on most bills, with members generally moving them without comment. There was some discussion on the Nassau County assessor exemption bill, where a member noted a separate bill addressing a recurring property-closing issue. The comprehensive planning bill drew the most recorded opposition, with one senator voting nay and another recorded as AWR. Several other bills also had AWRs or nays noted, but no extended debate was captured. All 13 bills were voted out of committee, with most reported to Finance or other committees as noted. The committee adjourned after the final bill, and the clerk was acknowledged for his first meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does Permit On page 4, let's see, page 4, line 2.
• And the constitutional provision does not permit the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• They haven't violated any permits. And they haven't broken any laws.
• products in the state legally... ...fact that we have made these products in the state legally with permits
• have the resources and we have the wherewithal to go and find them, penalize them, take away their permits
• These specialized handicapped parking permits, including disabled veteran license plates for veterans
• Assembly Bill 5053 permits retired municipal code officials to return to part-time employment after a

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a pharmacy permit for the retail<01:05:57.400> sale<01:05:57.720> of<01:05:57.800>
• > shall either revoke or not renew a shall either revoke or not renew a pharmacy<01:06:08.520> permit
• of<01:06:09.200> an<01:06:09.320> entity<01:06:09.680> that pharmacy permit
• of an entity that pharmacy permit of an entity that violates<01:06:10.320> this<01:06:10.520>
• And not only can they not operate, they're going to have their license or their permit revoked or not

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 3 March, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1622, a strike-all amendment to create a pilot program for certain small-community hospitals to receive limited certificate-of-need exemptions. The bill would allow qualifying hospitals to open a geriatric psychiatric unit without a CON, permit each hospital one additional CON exemption for a service otherwise requiring one, cap dialysis-unit exemptions at eight hospitals, continue existing moratoriums with periodic Department of Health review, allow facilities in Issaquena or Humphreys Counties under limited conditions, and add a loser-pays rule for unsuccessful CON court challenges. Technical corrections were made, the strike-all amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported do pass as amended by voice vote. The committee then moved to House Bill 942, where Senator McMahan offered an amendment to allow a Lee County chiropractor to advertise as a neurologic chiropractor and list related credentials. Members questioned whether chiropractic neurology is recognized in Mississippi and raised concerns about the practitioner’s prior discipline by the board, but the chair ruled the amendment germane. The amendment failed on voice vote, and the bill itself then passed and was reported to the floor. The committee next considered House Bill 1034, but no amendment was offered. It then took House Bill 479 off the table. That bill extends the temporary licensing period for psychology and marriage-and-family-therapy boards from 30 to 60 days to allow more time for criminal background checks. Senator Blackwell offered a clarifying amendment to make clear that temporary licenses must be revoked if required background checks or other licensure requirements are insufficient, and that the temporary license does not replace the underlying education, training, and examination requirements. The amendment was adopted and the bill was reported do pass as amended. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1067, the Rural Health Transformation Program. Senator Hickman explained that the bill would require procurement procedures and reporting for the state’s rural health transformation funds, prioritize projects tied to the original application, and direct funds toward rural and underserved areas such as health professional shortage areas, low-income counties, and places without hospitals. Senators questioned whether the added state rules would layer on top of existing federal requirements and whether the bill could slow distribution or invite litigation, but supporters said it was meant to add transparency and guardrails rather than change the federal program. The bill was discussed at length, but the transcript ends before a final vote on HB 1067.

Transcript Highlights:

• High real estate costs and a complex permitting process limit our ability to really serve the families
• 25.280> estate<00:18:25.679> costs,<00:18:26.480> complex<00:18:26.960> permitting
• real estate costs, complex permitting real estate costs, complex permitting process,<00:18:28.000
• , a separate permitting department.
• As stated in our testimony, the department is concerned that the bill's exception permitting use only

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1783, which would expand public-private partnership options for charter school facilities. The Department of Education offered comments, the Charter School Commission and SFA supported the bill, and Hawaii Technology Academy, Hawaii Kids, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, HGA, Aloha Project, and several individuals testified in support, while UPW opposed it. Supporters said charter schools need faster and more flexible ways to address severe facility shortages and high costs, and SFA described the bill as a pilot model that could leverage developer partnerships and state contributions, citing Maryland as an example. Members asked whether the bill was limited to charter schools; DOE said the language could be read to include other public school facilities, but if focused only on charter schools, DOE was less concerned. The Charter School Commission also described an existing public-private preschool model through Parkway Village Preschool and PACTED. The committee then took up HB 1778, which would establish a CIP database for school facilities. SFA supported the bill, saying it would create a more disciplined, transparent basis for funding decisions by documenting facility condition, needed repairs, classification, and timing. DOE initially said it rested on its comments, then responded to questions by saying it already maintains deferred maintenance lists, uses systems such as Maximo, CPT, GIS, and finance software, and sends legislators project-status letters twice a year. DOE said it is working on improving its outward-facing dashboard and integrating its systems, but questioned whether the bill would add value beyond existing tools. Members emphasized the need for a publicly accessible, real-time transparency tool, while DOE said it was still evaluating its current systems and was not yet seeking funding for a new IT program. For HB 2344, creating an Independent Public School Realignment and Closure Commission, DOE said it wants to remain part of any consolidation process to keep students and education central, while SFA said the bill is timely and framed it as a restructuring response to changing conditions and possible federal funding cuts. SFA compared the proposal to the federal BRAC process for military base closures and said Hawaii has the same enrollment as in 1961 but many more schools, arguing that the state needs a more deliberate approach to school closures and land reuse. The Attorney General’s office raised technical concerns about several sections, including unclear references to administrative support, a governor-approval sequence, a possible conflict with existing statutes governing closed-school disposition, and a missing section number. Testimony on HB 2345, which would establish a geographic CIP district, began with DOE in opposition; DOE said the bill would duplicate existing work, add confusion by creating two agencies doing the same thing, and spend money inefficiently because district project coordinators and project lists already exist.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the middle of a BLM grazing allotment and that may be an allotment that more than one grazing permit
• in the middle of a BLM grazing allotment and that may be an allotment that more than one grazing permit
• holder if there are federal and permit holder if there are federal lands<00:42:21.200> involved.
• is authorized to than one grazing permit is authorized to use,<00:43:43.119> but<00:43:43.440
• And in this case, it's for the design, permit, procurement, project land, procurement, construction,

Bills: SF0069, SF0070, SF0016, HB0078, HJ0002, HB0085, HB0086

Keywords: wastewater, stormwater, infrastructure, environmental quality, public data, data collection, funding, study, water development, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, grazing lands, subleasing, non-owned livestock, state lands, rental fees, agricultural policy, land management

Transcript Highlights:

• So we permit facilities; they need to submit reports to us from time to time.
• Mainly, the fines have been for permitted facilities that we have solid waste facilities that we issue
• permits for.
• facilities that we have uh permitted facilities that we have uh solid<00:14:06.079> waste<00:
• And um but for illegal permits for.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint HHS, Agriculture, Environment, Energy, and Intergovernmental Affairs hearing focused first on SB 2262, a pollution and illegal dumping measure. The Department of Health said it stood on its written testimony, and public testimony included support from CARES with suggested amendments to involve the counties in standardized response planning and to address pollution caused by individuals. Members questioned the bill’s fines, where they would go, and how the department would handle carcasses and illegal dumping enforcement. DOH said administrative fines go to the general fund, criminal fines are collected by the Attorney General, carcasses are generally buried by the landowner under existing rules, and DOH mainly regulates solid waste and coordinates with counties and other agencies when violations arise. After discussion, the chair recommended SB 2262 be passed with substantial amendments. The proposed amendments would add DLNR to the task force, deposit all fines into a special fund to support enforcement, allow fines below $5,000 for littering and higher fines for excessive or chronic illegal dumping, and include a January 30, 2050 effective date. The committee adopted the recommendation, with members voting aye. The hearing then moved to the HHS calendar. On SB 2087, relating to health insurance, agencies including DHS, DCCA, the Attorney General, and Labor stood on written testimony, while several advocacy and medical groups testified in support. One Medicaid recipient opposed the bill, arguing the coverage should be immediate rather than phased in over three years. Angela Melody Young supported the bill but urged amendments to prioritize people with disabilities, kupuna, and mothers. Members questioned whether the rural health transformation program could support the bill’s deductible structure; the Department of Human Services said it was unlikely CMS would allow that level of coverage, though rural funds might help in other ways. The committee then moved on to SB 2089, which would expand services eligible for Medicaid prospective payment system reimbursement, hearing support from OHA, DHS, and others, along with testimony about mental health access and training. The transcript also began SB 2106, relating to health and eating disorder prevention, with a student testifying in support and citing youth eating disorder harms, but the discussion was cut off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1355 by Parker relating to liquor sales on credit by the holder of a distillers and rectifiers permit
• SB 1355 by Parker relating to liquor sales on credit by the holder of a distillers and rectifiers permit
• HB 3071 by Guerin relating to cancellation of certain solid waste disposal permits issued by the Texas
• We thank Senator Ted Cruz as well for his help in getting us the presidential permit.
• This bill just allows commercial surface disposal facility permits to be issued for up to 10 years.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation and pledges, and received several announcements and recognitions before moving to legislation. Members honored the UTRGV chess team for winning a share of the 2025 President’s Cup, educator Jessica Lopez, the late Jennifer Maddenly, Jeanette Valdez Duran and Mobile Blessings from the Heart, TAMAC’s 50th anniversary, and journalist Bernardine Steptoe’s retirement. The chamber also adopted motions allowing committees to meet, setting a local and consent calendar, and suspending posting rules for a Public Health hearing on SB 2721. The House then considered a long series of Senate and House bills on third reading, with many passing by wide margins. Measures included SB 906 on Ysleta del Sur Pueblo peace officers; SB 1229 designating Veterans Memorial Highway; SB 855 on foster care medical costs; SB 703 on massage therapy licensing and trafficking protections; SB 1025 on tax-increase ballot language; SB 1119 on water park liability; SB 1080 on provisional occupational licenses for people with criminal convictions; SB 929 on lien deadlines; SB 1355 on liquor sales credit disputes; SB 2231 on fee waivers for college applications; SB 1877 on Public Utility Commission data access; SB 1998 on pediatric preceptorships; and several House bills on topics such as bond forfeiture notice, health workforce planning, civil commitment counsel, expunction of contempt records, consumer transactions, nuisance birds, theft venue, military grant applications, AI cancer-detection grants, cybersecurity contract language, military-related tuition, utility recovery mechanisms, psychedelic therapy studies, teacher retirement funding transparency, election procedures, juvenile parole eligibility, and more. Some bills drew notable debate or amendments. HB 200, creating a “second look” parole process for certain juvenile offenders after 20 years, prompted extended discussion about serious offenses and juvenile rehabilitation before passing 102-4. HB 2298 on AI-assisted cancer detection passed 85-62 after the sponsor emphasized “augmented intelligence” and physician oversight. HB 5247 on utility capital recovery saw a failed amendment to require ratepayer credits, then passed. HB 3045, a franchise tax exemption for spaceport operators, initially failed 73-74 but later passed after verification showed a 70-69 result. SB 2420, regulating app stores and mobile software distribution, was postponed for later consideration after substantial debate over age verification responsibilities. Several other measures were postponed, including SB 888, SB 552, SB 17, and SB 2420, while HB 1128 on election judges carrying concealed handguns passed 85-57 after a withdrawn point of order.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:58.520> use<00:37:58.640> in may Mak sense as a permitted use in may Mak sense
• as a permitted use in their<00:37:58.880> zoning<00:37:59.160> districts<00:37:59.440>
• So when an applicant comes to the department for a permit application, they will identify, based on the
• for<00:45:35.880> for<00:45:36.240> for<00:45:36.359> a<00:45:36.520> permit
• department the dees for for for a permit department the dees for for for a permit application<00

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Education, to which was referred House Bill 1573, an act permitting excused absences
• The Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred House Bill 127, an act permitting classification of
• The amendment permits the Department of Safety to permit approximately 120 CDL license holders that have
• The amendment permits the Department of Safety to permit approximately 120 CDL license holders that have
• of Safety uh to permits the Department of Safety uh to permit<05:11:34.080> approximately<05:11

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The next one, expansion of UAV permitted uses.
• permit uh is valid for the vehicle. permit uh is valid for the vehicle.
• that can be put in a temporary permit that can be put in the<00:45:05.920> rear<00:45:06.079>
• the temporary permit valid for 45<00:45:43.839> days<00:45:44.240> if<00:45:44.480>
• The only question I have is the 45 days in, um, for a temporary permit if the violator submits for a

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, I hear permit. It's 10 years.
• company X has an has an ongoing permit company X has an has an ongoing permit and<01:27:14.560><
• We have had a a permit facilities.
• >> and when did you approving that permit?
• >> and when did you approving that permit?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THESE AMOUNTS FAR EXCEEDED THE HOPE FLORIDA FOUNDATION PERMITTED LIMITS ON EXPENDITURES FOR LOBBYING
• DESPITE HIS HEAVY INVOLVEMENT SINCE 2022 IN THE NEGOTIATIONS AND THE FACT THAT HE WOULD'VE HAD TO PERMIT

Transcript Highlights:

• As Secretary, he will prioritize safety while fixing our broken permitting process.
• Sadly, radical environmentalists have captured federal permits. and shifted it from NIMBY to bananas,

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:01:13.920> to docks are not legally permitted to docks are not legally permitted to remain
• <01:01:19.280> Allowing<01:01:19.760> both permitted either.
• Allowing both permitted either.
• permitted operator for 20 30 years and permitted operator for 20 30 years and I've<01:14:55.920> run
• 1477, which has a new permitting 1477, which has a new permitting function<02:15:24.239> for<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On the back page, the department shall adopt rules to establish a permit by notification for projects
• I always have a real concern when permit or notifications are developing rules, when that's going to
• adopt rules to Department shall adopt rules to establish<02:35:37.680> a<02:35:37.920> permit
• <02:35:43.760> or when permit or when permit or notifications<02:35:46.040> uh<02:35
• <02:41:30.279> on<02:41:30.399> the<02:41:30.479> larger permitting on the larger

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , expiration and renewal period permits, expiration and renewal period for<00:10:13.800> retired
• Mary's County gaming by qualified organization permit required. Thank you. Is there any debate?
• Mary's County gaming by qualified organization permit required.
• Mary's County gaming by qualified organization permit required.
• <01:54:30.040> required permit required permit required House<01:54:31.520> Bill<01:54:

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum and then moved through messages from the Senate, introducing several Senate bills and referring them to committees. It then took up multiple third-reading calendars and considered a large number of bills across public health, criminal law, education, estates and trusts, social services, and state government. Most bills passed with broad margins, including measures on fiduciary attorney-client privilege, food labeling and prohibited ingredients, human trafficking awareness training, pharmacy prescriber-pharmacist agreements, provisional social work licensure, structural racism training funding sources, youth delinquency prevention funding, menstrual hygiene product labeling, school resource officer sexual activity prohibitions, nurse licensure enforcement, physician delegation changes, child support income definitions, AI-related child sexual abuse material, trauma-informed care resources, restrictive housing for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities, open movie captioning, autism and dementia police training, gift card fraud, scholarship eligibility, retention proceeds, graduate scholarship eligibility, intercepted communications penalties, benefits for children in custody, juvenile supervision petitions, institutional debt reporting, contraception access reporting, surgical smoke evacuation systems, tax foreclosure notice requirements, special police officer study, child advocacy center standards, victim notification at charging, human trafficking reporting, drug dispensing cost surveys, school board nominating commission changes, the Henrietta Lacks Commission, ID card photograph requirements, and several others. A few bills drew substantive floor discussion. House Bill 963 on appointment of personal representatives was supported as a way to help families and heirs access assets, including in cross-border situations. House Bill 877 on institutional debt reporting prompted debate over whether the bill was useful and whether it would burden colleges; supporters said it would create needed aggregate data and a data dictionary to better understand debt incurred directly from institutions. House Bill 1076 on over-the-counter contraception access and reporting was clarified as a reporting measure that harmonizes prior reporting requirements and does not use taxpayer funds to purchase contraception, though grants had supported vending machine installation. House Bill 288 on extending a state of emergency for schools was explained as applying to natural disasters, civil disasters, public health emergencies, or specific security threats, with one member expressing concern about state involvement and learning loss from prolonged closures. House Bill 746 on the Medicaid/health insurance collaborative care model was briefly delayed by a computer issue, then passed after a short pause. Several members announced vote changes after the roll calls, including corrections on House Bills 65, 771, 769, 900, 1058, 1076, 1490, 1540, and 1554. Final actions on the floor were overwhelmingly favorable to the bills considered, with only a handful of measures drawing notable negative votes, including House Bills 410, 963, 1042, 1058, 1076, 1152, 1540, and 1554. The House also passed a number of local and policy bills with strong bipartisan support, and no amendments or motions to postpone were recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• A permit to hold raffles expires one year after the permit is issued instead of the end of the calendar
• year in which the permit is issued.
• A permit to hold raffles organizations.
• is expires uh one year after the permit is expires uh one year after the permit is issued<01:28:
• <01:29:02.480> is calendar year in which the permit is calendar year in which the permit is

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, confirmed a quorum, and heard several ceremonial recognitions, including an invocation by seminarian Benjamin Oler and a resolution honoring Taiwan’s ambassador, Alexander Ui Tore, for strengthening Maryland’s partnership with Taiwan. Senators also welcomed the day’s doctor, Dr. Larry Green, AFCEA Central Maryland chapter members, Chesapeake Bay Foundation student leaders, and Salisbury University students visiting for committee work. On legislation, the chamber referred Senate Bill 995 on cannabis licensing, labor peace agreements, and collective bargaining rules to the Rules Committee, and a bond initiative for New Market Town Hall to the Capital Budget Subcommittee. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 241, which would automatically restore voter registration for individuals released from state correctional facilities; the committee amendments were adopted without objection, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 323, the Juvenile Court Jurisdiction Youth Charging Reform Act. One amendment to keep first-degree assault in automatic adult charging was offered and debated at length, with supporters arguing the offense is extremely serious and should begin in adult court, and opponents saying the bill allows judges to make individualized decisions and aligns Maryland with other states and federal juvenile practice. The amendment failed by a 27-vote negative roll call. A second amendment from the minority whip sought to exclude firearm-in-drug-crime offenses and firearm use with felony drug convictions from automatic juvenile court treatment; the sponsor argued these offenses involve serious armed drug activity and should remain in adult court, while the bill’s supporters emphasized juvenile services and judicial discretion. The transcript cuts off before the vote on that second amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:59:03.040> under<00:59:03.359> federal supervisors not permitted under federal
• supervisors not permitted under federal law.<00:59:04.240> Um<00:59:04.640> managers<00
• Uh, federally chartered credit unions are permitted to compensate only one board member under federal
• > credit<01:32:12.639> union<01:32:12.880> board models, uh, permit credit union
• board models, uh, permit credit union board member<01:32:13.440> compensation<01:32:14.080>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > you'd<00:32:51.559> have<00:32:51.679> to<00:32:51.880> apply event permit
• where you'd have to apply event permit where you'd have to apply so<00:32:53.159> then<00:32:
• This will permit the needs of all campuses to be reviewed and considered while maintaining appropriate
• Li liquor decisions on appropriate Li liquor licenses<00:58:01.839> will<00:58:02.039> permit
• the needs of all licenses will permit the needs of all campuses<00:58:03.520> to<00:58:03.640

Keywords: 1187, senate, all