Transcript Highlights:

• the Army continue to refuse to provide the internal memo, this committee will exercise its full authorities
• The organizational design authorization that is expiring soon will need to be reauthorized.
• I'm sure you're aware that whistleblowers and others, including Ethiopian authorities, have suggested
• If they came to you right now and said, we want to give you an inspection. authority back today.
• I think that it is not appropriate this time for you to accept that delegation of authority.

Keywords: Boeing, aviation safety, safety management system, military aviation, air traffic control, transparency, oversight, accountability

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on significant safety concerns surrounding Boeing and its compliance with federal aviation standards. Lawmakers expressed frustration over the Army's failure to provide requested operational transparency regarding helicopter operations near Washington, D.C., amid recent incidents indicating a strained air traffic control situation. Several members called for reform in Boeing's oversight, emphasizing the need for a robust safety culture and mandatory safety management systems to prevent future disasters like the 737 MAX crashes. The discussions were passionate, with survivors and families impacted by past accidents present, highlighting the urgency and seriousness of the issues at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, members, any other questions for the bill's author? OK. Um, seeing none.
• Ms any questions for the bill's author. OK. Um, thanks.
• Uh, Representative members, any questions for the bill's author? All right, thank you.
• Uh, members, are there any questions for the bill's author? All right.
• Um, members, are there any questions for the bill's author?

Transcript Highlights:

• bill author who is uh Senator Gustoson. bill author who is uh Senator Gustoson.
• Again, the chief author.
• Gustafson is the author.
• then we'll hear from the other authors. then we'll hear from the other authors.
• author of the amendment yield? author of the amendment yield?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we'd also ask you to remove or reject language that reaffirms or expands law suspension authority
• Um, we'd also ask you to remove or reject language that reaffirms or expands law suspension authority
• I believe this is the kind of language that's authorizing the emergency proclamations.
• They tried to restrain the governor by re-upping every 60 days he re-authorizes any governor.
• <00:45:18.560> and afford the executive with authority and afford the executive with authority

Bills: SB2109, SB2151

Keywords: emergency preparedness, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, multilingual resources, American Sign Language, public education, community resilience, disaster response, emergency management, governor powers, legislative oversight, public safety, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Public Safety met on March 20, 2026, and the chair opened by noting severe rain and flooding conditions in Hawaii and said the committee would proceed with the hearing but defer decision-making until the next meeting on March 25. The first measure discussed was SB 2109, an omnibus bill on emergency preparedness communications. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including from state agencies and advocacy groups such as the Disability and Communications Access Board, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Legal Clinic, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and others. Supporters emphasized the need for funding and planning for multilingual emergency materials and language access, citing current evacuation notices that were not available in languages such as Ilokano or Tongan. The chair stated that action on SB 2109 would be deferred until March 25. The committee then heard SB 2151, relating to emergency management and changes to the governor’s emergency authority. Testimony was mixed but heavily focused on concerns about executive power. Earthjustice supported the bill with amendments, saying it should narrow extraordinary emergency powers, add definitions for emergency and disaster, preserve transparency under the Uniform Information Practices Act, and lower the legislative threshold to terminate an emergency proclamation from two-thirds to a simple majority. Other supporters, including the League of Women Voters of Hawaii and some individuals, also backed reform. Opponents, including Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and numerous individuals, argued the bill still gave the governor too much power, used overly broad disaster definitions, and did not sufficiently protect constitutional rights; several urged major amendments or repeal of portions of Chapter 127A. Some opponents specifically objected to the two-thirds termination standard and to provisions they said could enable compulsory immunizations or other mandates. Members questioned Earthjustice about whether the bill would suspend constitutional rights. Earthjustice responded that the bill would not authorize constitutional violations, but would allow suspension of laws enacted by the legislature, and pointed to existing statutory procedures for individuals to challenge emergency proclamations. The witness described a Mauna Kea case in which a three-judge panel granted relief to an individual under the current statute, and explained that the process could potentially affect a broader proclamation if allowed to run to completion. The hearing continued with additional testimony and questions, but no final vote or committee action on SB 2151 was taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I don't think the author would disagree with that. So we'll work on that.
• And this will be for the author then. Thank you. Thank you.
• And if the author would return to the table, I have a few more cards to read.
• The attorney refused to allow the claimant to sign HIPAA authorizations and revoke the prior HIPAA authorizations
• You have authority to approve it? That's correct.

Bills: HB282, HB293, HB390, HB456, HB460, HB561, HB819, HB1023, HB1047, HB1101

Keywords: employment discrimination, criminal history, rehabilitation, hiring process, human rights, gender identity, sexual orientation, workplace equality, labor rights, domestic abuse, unpaid leave, employee rights, workplace protection, mental health, survivor support, workers' compensation, employment benefits, claims process, fraud prevention, legal petition

Transcript Highlights:

• I do think, and I'll work with the author on that as the bill moves forward.
• And I don't think the author would disagree with that. So we'll work on that.
• And this will be for the author then. Thank you. Thank you.
• And if you all could vacate the table now and have the author come for closing.
• The attorney refused to allow the claimant to sign HIPAA authorizations and revoke the prior HIPAA authorizations

Summary: The committee first voluntarily deferred House Bills 460 and 561, then took up House Bill 1101 on workers’ compensation. The sponsor said the bill would define maximum medical improvement, adjust fraud provisions, shorten temporary total disability and supplemental earnings benefit periods, and revise vocational rehabilitation rules; an amendment removed proposed age-based termination language for benefits. Business groups including LABI supported the bill as a way to reduce Louisiana’s comparatively high indemnity costs and align the state with regional norms, while injured-worker advocates and attorneys strongly opposed it, arguing it would cut benefits, shift medical and disability decisions away from treating physicians and judges, broaden fraud too far, and potentially push costs onto public programs. After debate, the committee voted to report HB 1101 with amendments. House Bill 282 was voluntarily deferred. House Bill 293, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to Louisiana employment discrimination protections, drew generally supportive testimony from the sponsor and supporters, with some members raising questions about religious exemptions and federal law. The committee ultimately voted against reporting HB 293 favorably. House Bill 390, providing unpaid leave protections for domestic abuse survivors at larger employers, was presented as a tool for survivors, but the committee split 6-6 on a motion to report it favorably; the tie resulted in the bill being voluntarily deferred. The committee then heard House Bill 456, which would expand workers’ compensation petition requirements and allow employers or payers broader access to file disputed claims and seek discovery. Supporters argued employers currently lack a practical way to obtain records and challenge claims without first cutting off benefits, while opponents said the bill would revive a rejected 2012 approach, increase litigation, and undermine the no-fault workers’ compensation bargain. The discussion centered on whether the bill would preserve benefits while allowing discovery or instead encourage more disputes and penalties. The transcript ends with testimony still underway on HB 456, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we have an author here; that's exciting, Senator Daly.
• I did want to also encourage the author, as the bill moves forward.
• You're the right author.
• for authoring this bill.
• So thanks to the author for bringing this approach forward.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > ticket<00:08:58.800> illegally the authority to ticket illegally the authority to ticket
• <00:11:06.560> to Um we are working with the author to Um we are working with the author to
• work with the author as it progresses. work with the author as it progresses.
• <00:12:42.000> for provide metransit authority for provide metransit authority for vehicle-mounted
• c><00:12:50.800> safety, authority would improve access, safety, authority would improve access

Bills: HF3919, HF3791, HF1781, HF3908, HF4233, HF3966, HF3430

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, security, protective services, state officials, Capitol complex, state patrol, public safety, legislative protection, threat assessment, transportation, electronic attestation, traffic signals, accident reporting, legislative routes, agricultural aircraft

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I think of an example early on in my time with the housing authority.
• <00:23:57.200> Uh my time with the housing authority.
• Uh my time with the housing authority.
• eyeire towards uh the housing authority eyeire towards uh the housing authority administering<00
• my five years of the housing authority my five years of the housing authority we<00:24:52.320>

Bills: HF3600, HF3809, HF3608

Keywords: housing, community land trusts, competitive development, development programs, Minnesota, HF3809, Minnesota eviction law, landlord-tenant, residential lease, minor child, children in eviction, eviction complaint, defendant prohibition, expedited eviction, expedited hearing, summary eviction, tenant protections, housing policy, civil penalty, nonwaivable lease terms

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill moved the lead responsibility to the Healthcare Authority for the CARA program.
• Madam Chair, yes, it does put the primary responsibility on Healthcare Authority.
• Is that the Healthcare Authority that's doing the roles for that?
• The Healthcare Authority was out through their MCOs trying to make contact with the family.
• The Healthcare Authority then transferred most of their portion over to CYFD.

Transcript Highlights:

• Heavenly Father, your word instructs us to pray for those in authority over us, so we...
• Heavenly Father, your word instructs us to pray for those in authority over us, so we stand here today
• authorized by the appropriate governing body.
• parking permits, authorizing expectant mothers to park in disabled parking spaces.
• It will be the local authorities. Senator Polsky in questions.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing guests, students, advocates, and a resolution honoring the late USF men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim. Senators also observed moments of silence for victims of recent campus violence and for former FSU President John Thrasher. The chamber then moved to special order bills, with several members explaining measures and, in some cases, substituting House companions before final passage. Among the bills passed were measures updating child care and early learning provider regulation; strengthening penalties and cost recovery for false reporting and swatting; extending protections against extraordinary medical debt collection; expanding hazardous walking condition criteria for schoolchildren; creating young adult housing support for foster and homeless students; and requiring private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to disclose which accommodations they will provide. The Senate also passed a bill adjusting interest rules for trust accounts funding legal aid, after extended debate over the impact on legal aid funding and banking practices, and a transportation package that was heavily amended to address issues such as school bus camera hearings, beach vehicle use for equipment removal, flooded-street wake restrictions, expectant mother parking permits, micromobility regulation, and traffic signal modernization. The chamber also approved public-records exemptions for Agency for Health Care Administration investigators, Judicial Qualifications Commission employees, and appellate court clerks; a municipal water and sewer rate bill affecting Miami-Dade residents near a plant; motor vehicle offenses involving impersonating law enforcement and obscured license plates; trespass penalties at law-enforcement-controlled locations and large ticketed venues; refund requirements for patient overpayments; stem cell therapy authorization with source and consent limits; and insulin administration authority for direct support professionals and relatives in group homes. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including cardiac emergencies, chemicals and consumer products, and motor vehicle manufacturer/franchise dealer legislation. Most measures passed with strong bipartisan support, though the trust fund interest bill drew notable opposition and passed 28-10, and the Family Empowerment Scholarship bill passed 37-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• The administration authorized the maximum loan amount by current law to provide flexibility in managing
• And we got it to the governor's desk, and I had a Democratic joint author on that bill.
• For standard rates with no prior authorization, copayment, coinsurance, or deductible.
• Districts must retain decision-making authority over how these services are implemented.
• positions and expenditure authority for 6.3 million total funds.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know if you have the authority or not to do that.
• So am I reading this correctly that 11 townships have taken that authority back?
• First, yes, the 11 townships have taken that authority back.
• for by the NAWS user fees and start to build out the NAWS Authority.
• And a key point here is the systems do not have any taxing authority.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of this code, or duly authorized representative.
• or duly authorized or duly authorized representative.<00:47:56.640> Good<00:47:56.880>
• So if the owner is authorized agent.
• Owner or author<00:48:50.880> owner's<00:48:51.280> authorized<00:48:51.760> agent
• c><00:48:52.079> is<00:48:52.240> the author owner's authorized agent is the author owner's

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Among other revisions, the bill authorizes certain actions to derive from its bylaws in addition to its
• Among other revisions, the bill authorizes certain actions to derive from its bylaws in addition to its
• It authorizes inclusion of an exclusive forum provision in the bylaws, permits transfer of membership
• interests, authorizes members to bring derivative proceedings, permits a court to remove a director
• Among other things, the bill addresses the authority of a board of directors to delegate authority with

Keywords: House Room A, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It has clear and sufficient authority over the licensees and those authorized to practice in the state
• And it authorizes the Attorney General to enforce.
• Let me begin by sincerely thanking the author and the sponsors of this bill.
• I want to thank the author.
• So I'm happy to support the bill, which I think I might be a joint author of already or a co-author or

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, that being said, this is the author amendment, that's right, Mr. Chair.
• I will move the 66A1 author's amendment. ...to get the bill in the shape that the author would like.
• We have the bill in the shape the author would like. Let's hear from the author. Thank you, Chair.
• However, unlike many other elected bodies, SWCDs do not have levy authority.
• Any questions for the author?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1066, a Soil and Water Conservation District funding bill. An author’s amendment, 66A1, was offered and adopted by voice vote, putting the bill in the form preferred by the author. The amendment and bill discussion centered on changing the state aid level for SWCDs, with the bill as amended described as eliminating a scheduled reduction in funding and instead increasing the annual appropriation to $22 million. Representative Ryer explained that SWCDs are long-standing, locally elected conservation entities that help preserve soil and water quality, support farmers and homeowners, and do not have levy authority. He said the funding level was based on a bottom-up assessment of district needs and was intended to help districts maintain staffing and address local problems early. Sheila Vany of the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts testified in support, saying the aid has been a major improvement in SWCD funding and describing district work such as lakeshore stabilization, cover crops, nutrient management, lake monitoring, rain gardens, and irrigation guidance. The chair noted the voluntary nature of SWCD work with willing landowners and expressed support for the bill. No opposition testimony was presented, and no department testimony was offered. The committee then laid House File 1066, as amended, over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Requiring annual reports on beneficial electrification, establishing the virtual power plant program, authorizing
• driving under the influence of liquor or drugs, providing that certain medical professionals are authorized
• , adding to the list of disqualifying convictions for caregivers, allowing the Health Care Authority
• It eliminates the Children, Youth, and Families Department's exclusive jurisdiction and authority to
• It enacts the Strategic Water Supply Act, creating the Strategic Water Supply Program, authorizing the

Transcript Highlights:

• :40.560> Maryland uh 530 authorized the Maryland uh 530 authorized the Maryland Department<00:
• seeks to practice outside the authorized seeks to practice outside the authorized discipline<00:
• > as authority and disciplinary authority as authority and disciplinary authority as every<00:
• and the authorization and the authorization of<00:33:12.360> administrative<00:33:13.160>
• authorization of administrative review authorization of administrative review of<00:33:17.360>

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:

• Senator Stec, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law.
• Senator Stec, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law.
• Senate Print 6018, Senator Baskin, an act in relation to Authorizing the New York State Power Authority
• AUTHORIZING THE NEW YORK STATE POWER AUTHORITY TO RENAME THE ROBERT MOSES NIAGARA POWER PLANT TO THE
• Senate Print 8439B, Senator Webb, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then processed a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate or Assembly versions for third reading. The chamber also adopted the resolution calendar with exceptions and took up several resolutions and ceremonial recognitions, including a resolution mourning Hudson Talbott, a Dairy Month resolution highlighting New York’s dairy industry, and introductions honoring Niskayuna academic teams, Gabriella Scheer for receiving the Liberty Medal, the Hartstein family’s civic engagement, and Diana Cochran’s advocacy for safe firearm storage. The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed many bills on topics including insurance, public health, education, labor, social services, banking, local government, veterans, public service, consumer protection, criminal procedure, cannabis, parks, taxation, election law, and highway matters. Several members explained votes on notable measures: support for acupuncture insurance coverage, consumer protections for doorbell-camera data sharing, expanded protections in debt collection cases, trauma-informed procedures for sexual assault survivors, a Legionnaires’ disease awareness program, changes to mandatory minimum sentencing, and universal safe storage of firearms. A number of home rule and local authorization bills were also approved, including parkland alienation measures and local tax exemption authorizations. Most measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew recorded opposition. Notable roll calls included the consumer debt uniformity bill, the mandatory minimum sentencing bill, the safe storage/firearms bill, and the public housing and public health measures, each with more divided votes. The chamber also accepted a lengthy Rules Committee report sending many additional bills directly to third reading, and then began the supplemental calendar, passing at least the first items before the transcript ended.