Transcript Highlights:

• lands, but these require legislative lands, but these require legislative authorization<00:04:34.480
• Wigginis, legislative director at Sierra Wigginis, legislative director at Sierra Club<00:50:51.400><
• > to<00:53:54.320> me This legislation is important to me This legislation is important
• The proposed legislation Yes, yep.
• what this proposed legislation does. what this proposed legislation does.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so my intention wasn't to have it apply to state agencies.
• signed our petition asking legislators signed our petition asking legislators to<00:54:47.680>
• But this legislation would silence that viewpoint. Thank you.
• But this legislation would silence that viewpoint. Thank you.
• But this legislation would silence that viewpoint.

Bills: HF4319, HF3295, HF3589, HF3587, HF3588, HF4295, HF3571, HF3895

Keywords: public utilities commission, Lake City, port authority, Red Wing, terms of appointment, local government, elections, open meeting law, transparency, public engagement, social media, government accountability, voter access, polling place, ballot, unexpected needs, election judge, public information, political parties, HF4295

Transcript Highlights:

• It is this inexpedient to legislate.
• could clarify if that was your intent could clarify if that was your intent there<02:53:33.760><
• passage or failure of this legislation. passage or failure of this legislation.
• profiting off a piece of legislation profiting off a piece of legislation then<03:32:43.680>
• . legislation. legislation.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is sort of a legislative solution.
• real<00:43:47.520> estate The intent behind the real estate The intent behind the real estate
• The intent certainly is.
• It went straight to a legislator to write.
• <02:21:01.200> to It went straight to a legislator to It went straight to a legislator to

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 185, which would add timelines to Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) investigations. Senator Howard Pearl said the bill was prompted by concerns from the New Hampshire Association of Realtors about delays at the Real Estate Commission, and he explained that the proposal would require OPLC staff to make an initial determination within 30 days and, if misconduct is found, complete an investigation within 60 days. He said the goal is to improve transparency and give consumers and licensees more timely information, while preserving the board’s adjudicatory role. He also noted that the bill had been amended to delay implementation to give OPLC time to work through its backlog. Committee members questioned how the bill would work when an investigation is incomplete and whether the board could send a case back to OPLC without a firm deadline. Pearl said the board would have discretion to continue the investigation or make a final determination, and that the bill was intended to streamline OPLC’s process rather than impose a hard cap on complex cases. OPLC Executive Director Deanna Durus and General Counsel Nicholas Fry then testified that the agency has already changed its procedures under prior legislation, including a facial review of complaints and monthly board review of dismissal memos. They said the bill would substantially alter the current structure, could conflict with existing limitation periods and board duties, and would be difficult to implement without additional staff and funding. Durus said the agency’s backlog is large, that new complaints are being triaged and prioritized, and that some urgent matters are moved ahead based on risk and statutory deadlines. She said OPLC had completed a review of about 500 backlog cases that would now be dismissed under current screening standards, and that those cases are being turned into memos for board review. Board of Medicine public member Nina Gardner testified in favor of the bill but said the backlog is significant and that the agency needs more resources to make the process work effectively. She said the board is seeing progress, but not fast enough, and suggested the bill may not go far enough without additional staffing and funding. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• That they would need to build their project given the timelines that are currently in the legislation
• I think the intention right now is both open meetings in April.
• And that question really was the reason we decided to hold this workshop, because my intention is...
• We see the intent of that very clearly in the filed bill.
• So we would have to statutorily pass legislation like this. megawatts off the grid, behind the meter.

Bills: SB 6, SB6, SB504, SB765, SB815, SB929

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, delta-8, delta-9, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, edibles, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, retailer registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, minor access

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:48:36.280> approval You don't need legislative approval on this anymore, right?
• Um, this is just a reference slide with the legislative language.
• reference slide with the legislative reference slide with the legislative language<01:15:28.679>
• <01:24:12.800> and that kind of outlines our intentions and that kind of outlines our intentions
• <01:45:37.920> and<01:45:38.080> policy legislative and policy legislative and policy priorities

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I appreciate the bill and the intent of how do we reinforce this good model, but I would encourage
• > they<00:08:24.639> do<00:08:24.879> scoring, I appreciate the bill and the intent
• identified in the in the legislation identified in the in the legislation because<00:31:55.039><
• I mean, am I correct that that's not really the intent here of the bill, that it is more so to protect
• I mean, am I correct that that's not really the intent here of the bill, that it is more so to protect

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:

• We corrected two words that were a drafting error in the introduced legislation. Dr.
• This legislative update will empower us to build upon our existing legislation authorities to rapidly
• We are proud to support the intent of this bill because we see the challenge every day.
• This is why the legislation targets comprehensive regional universities.
• So that's clearly the intent.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do a lot of work in the Capitol in legislation.
• The original intent of the welfare property tax exemption was to assist...
• The original intent of the Welfare Property Tax Exemption was to assist nonprofit organizations that
• Rico Mastra Donato, I'm the Legislative Director for the Trust for Public Land, in support.
• They support, absolutely support, the intent of the bill and their local veterans.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Really, with the intent of this amendment is just to clarify that that removal doesn't change existing
• The intent of this mission, if you will, is to say that the insurable interest moves forward, carries
• So that's, that was really the intent of that amendment or that bill, rather, to be able to just say
• And so anytime legislation involving modification of the way our business operates, we need to be involved
• What this legislation does is a compromise between the insurers and the Department of Insurance to set

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on May 12 with a quorum present and first took up Senate Bill 341, which would expand the Louisiana churches and nonprofit religious organizations self-insured fund from property-only coverage to broader commercial coverage, including liability, contents, wind and hail, and loss-of-use protections. The sponsor and Department of Insurance said the bill was the product of agreement among the parties and was intended to help churches and nonprofits, including smaller congregations, obtain affordable coverage. After adopting technical amendments, the committee reported SB 341 as amended without objection. The committee then considered Senate Bill 509 on bank-owned life insurance (BOLI), which would clarify insurable interest and allow exchanges of underperforming policies. The sponsor, industry representatives, and the Department of Insurance discussed how banks use these policies for employee benefit funding, the role of 1035 exchanges, consent requirements, and concerns about federal tax issues and state insurable-interest language. Because the parties were still working toward a solution, the committee adopted a technical amendment but voluntarily deferred SB 509 until the following week. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 464 on coverage for severe obesity treatment, which would create a framework for partially implementing the bariatric surgery mandate based on available appropriations. The sponsor and the Department of Insurance said the bill would let the state cover a proportional share of expected surgeries if only part of the required funding is provided. The committee reported SB 464 favorably without objection, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any questions, comments, concerns about this legislation? Yes, Senator Walczyk.
• So the intention is for this to only apply to warehouses that are engaged...
• I think the intention is to just target e-commerce.
• Questions, comments, concerns about this legislation?
• Any questions, comments, concerns about this legislation?" "Chairman, if I may. Yeah.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee met under Chair Kevin Parker and considered a series of energy, utility, and clean transportation bills. The committee first advanced a bill by Senator Connery on make-ready electric infrastructure for public-serving EV charging, after members raised concerns that the costs of preparing school bus charging infrastructure could be shifted to ratepayers. The committee then advanced Senator Parker’s pilot program for resilient EV charging microgrids, with discussion focused on using existing NYSERDA resources, the role of batteries, and the bill’s purpose in supporting emergency charging during outages. Another bill on heavy distribution centers and EV charging was also advanced after debate over its application to large warehouse and e-commerce facilities. The committee also considered a bill on carport-mounted solar systems that would limit local zoning restrictions. A motion to substitute in a different bill was ruled improper for lack of notice, and the chair’s ruling was upheld on appeal. Members then advanced a PSC guidebook bill on gas and electric rate-making, and a utility shutoff protection bill for medical emergencies, life support equipment, and elderly, blind, or disabled customers, with questions about age definitions and the scope of medical documentation. The committee also advanced the Home Utility Weatherization Jobs Act, which would create a pilot program for electrification and weatherization in disadvantaged communities, with members discussing whether the program would be available at no cost to building owners and how utilities would access capital. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly raised concerns about who would pay for the programs, whether ratepayers or taxpayers would bear the costs, and how much local control would remain under the solar siting bill. At the end of the meeting, members briefly discussed a recent NYISO report warning about possible summer reliability issues and urged the committee and the PSC to review it closely. The chair noted the report should be considered alongside other state planning documents, and the meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And number three, specifies the intent to apply lessons learned from past DER efforts. So...
• And number three, specifies the intent to apply lessons learned from past D.E.R. efforts.
• Obviously, I think the intent and what you're trying to accomplish is extremely important.
• I'm hearing from your witnesses that that's what the intent strikes at.
• One is I think it's clear, and it's been demonstrated here, that's the intent.

Summary: The committee heard several energy and water affordability bills, with extensive testimony on SB 254 by Senator Becker, SB 541 by Senator Becker, SB 453 by Senator Stern, SB 292 by Senator Caballero, and SB 473 by Senator Padilla. SB 254 was presented as a broad utility affordability package addressing short-term climate credits, a Power Fund, tighter scrutiny of rate increases and utility profits, wildfire spending, securitization of future utility costs, and streamlining. Supporters, including TURN and several environmental and public power groups, said it could lower bills and reduce long-term costs; opponents from investor-owned utilities, labor, business, and local government raised concerns about market impacts, insufficient analysis, and the breadth of the bill. The committee approved SB 254 on a 6-3 vote and placed it on call. SB 541 focused on load flexibility and using existing grid capacity more efficiently. Senator Becker described it as a transparency and planning measure to identify cost-effective load shifting and reduce peak demand, while supporters said it could improve resiliency and save money. Several CCAs and utilities opposed the bill in print or unless amended, arguing that some language implied a mandate and that the concept needed more cost-effectiveness analysis; the author said amendments would remove language dividing the state goal among retail suppliers and clarify that the bill is not a procurement mandate. The committee passed SB 541 as amended to Appropriations on a 9-1 vote and left it on call. SB 453 by Senator Stern would return unspent ratepayer-funded microgrid program dollars and was described as a way to keep the lights on and redirect unused funds. It drew support from local government and environmental groups, with PG&E expressing concern about how the bill would affect its ability to spend awarded funds. The committee passed SB 453 as amended to Appropriations on a 12-0 vote. SB 292 by Senator Caballero would require more granular outage and reliability reporting, including census-tract-level data, to better inform resilience planning after PSPS events; utilities opposed unless amended, citing duplicative reporting and regulatory overlap, but the bill passed 12-0 to Appropriations. SB 473 by Senator Padilla would require or expand water utility decoupling to promote conservation and affordability. Supporters, including water utilities, labor, business, and local government groups, argued decoupling stabilizes revenue, supports conservation, and can keep rates lower for low-use customers. The Public Advocates Office opposed, saying prior pilot data showed no conservation benefit and about $1 billion in added costs, and that the CPUC had already rejected similar requests. Committee members questioned the conservation and capital-investment effects of the different rate structures; the author and supporters argued decoupling helps utilities fund infrastructure while allowing lower fixed charges for low-use customers. The transcript ends during that discussion, before a final vote on SB 473 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the continued concerns identified recently, it is clear that legislation alone is not enough.
• We have precautionary legislation.
• I am the chief legislative liaison for Arizona State Parks and Trails.
• However, I want the Senators to have the opportunity to communicate what her intent was.
• However, I want the Senators to have the opportunity to communicate what her intent was.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• use a UK reported its intent to use a construction<00:01:49.600> management<00:01:50.160>
• of the original legislatively approved line item grant.
• intent of the original legislatively intent of the original legislatively approved<00:36:49.160>
• We just updated that. >> In this legislative session?
• >> It was required by legislation to be updated every 2 years.

Keywords: 0:00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:54 Approval of Minutes 0:01:08 Information Items 0:03:18 Postsecondary Institutions - UK 0:18:10 Finance and Administration Cabinet 0:30:13 KY Infrastructure Authority 0:37:30 Cabinet for Economic Development 0:52:11 Office of Financial Management 0:59:20 Remaining 2026 Mtg Dates 1:00:49 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the April 27 minutes and then received several informational reports, including University of Kentucky medical equipment purchases, UK’s use of $200 million in Ever funds for a public-private partnership, school district debt issuances, UK’s planned use of construction manager-at-risk delivery on five projects, Kentucky Communications Network Authority capital projects under House Bill 6, and 14 UK lease improvements. Members were told the House Bill 6 item was also being discussed in the Information Technology Oversight Committee and could return later if needed. The main action item was University of Kentucky’s request to approve a $600 million public-private partnership for central plants and utility infrastructure tied to the Chandler expansion. UK said it would shift $200 million from previously authorized restricted funds into the P3, leaving the project financed through private equity and nonprofit debt with no UK or Commonwealth debt. UK representatives said the project is necessary to support 24/7 hospital operations, expand and modernize utility systems, improve redundancy and efficiency, and reduce long-term operating risk. Members asked about the source of the availability payments, which UK said would come from UK Healthcare revenues, and the committee approved the P3 agreement unanimously. The committee also approved a UK lease renewal for a 20,000-square-foot College of Medicine annex near the Bowling Green Medical Center. UK said the lease costs $38 per square foot, or $912,000 annually, and supports medical education expansion in the region, including growth from 120 to 160 students over four years. Members voiced support for the local impact, and the lease passed unanimously. Later, the committee approved a Transportation Cabinet aviation project for two medium box hangars at Capital City Airport, funded by $1,153,000 in federal money and $950,000 from the Aviation Economic Development Fund, which is supported by a 6% jet fuel tax with a $1 million annual cap per company. Members asked about the fund balance, the cap, and airport revenue sources, and staff said the airport also receives entitlement and federal infrastructure funds and earns revenue from hangar rent and fuel sales. The committee then approved two Finance and Administration Cabinet pool projects: a roof and skylight replacement at the Libraries and Archives building and exterior repairs at several state buildings. Finally, the committee approved six Kentucky Infrastructure Authority action items after hearing about one loan increase for the Springfield Wastewater Treatment Plant and five grant reallocations tied to Cleaner Water Program and county allocation pool funds. Members asked why one project approved in 2024 was only now increasing, and KIA explained that design, water division review, environmental review, and bidding can take one to two years. KIA also reported additional no-action items, including a Brandenburg water grant split among two projects and 17 Kentucky Waters projects provided for information. The meeting ended with approval of the action items and no further action on the informational grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to thank Senator Pizzo for this good legislation.
• So that kid had no intent to murder anybody.
• No intent to So that kid had no intent to murder anybody, no intent to harm anybody, didn't even think
• And what you're looking to do with the legislation before us is exactly the right approach.
• However, there's federal legislation now that requires that they must be certified.

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer by Rabbi Moshe Umatz, the Pledge of Allegiance led by pages, and several introductions and recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar after a motion to reconsider SB 1080, which was temporarily postponed. Several bills were also set aside during the day, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, and school social workers. The Senate passed a series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate bills. These included funding for expedited DNA testing grants for local law enforcement (SB 1072/HB 847), additional aggravating factors in capital cases involving religious, school, or government gatherings (SB 984/HB 693), fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients (SB 924/HB 677), commuter rail indemnification for Miami-Dade and Broward counties (SB 916/HB 867), restrictions on disposing of migrant vessels in Florida waters (SB 830), specialty license plates including Miami Northwestern and several colleges and institutions (SB 824), an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign (SB 398), relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University (SB 364), charter school changes allowing parent conversion and municipal job-engine charter schools (SB 140), sex offender registration reporting changes (SB 1654/HB 1351), penalties for assaulting utility workers (SB 1386), juvenile justice revisions and truancy process updates (SB 1344), reporting of student mental health outcomes (SB 1310/HB 969), foster home license transfer simplification (SB 1174/HB 989), water access facility funding and boating industry incentives (SB 1162/HB 735), Florida Virtual School operational changes (SB 1122), school readiness program support for children with disabilities (SB 1102), sexual image offenses involving minors (SB 1180/HB 757), age-related defenses in child sex offense cases (SB 1136/HB 777), tampering with electronic monitoring devices (SB 1054/HB 437), certified recovery residences and local zoning accommodations (SB 954), and the FSU Election Law Center (SB 892). Most of these bills passed with strong bipartisan support, though SB 984 and SB 140 drew some opposition. One of the most extensive debates centered on SB 820, codifying the Office of Faith and Community. Senator Polsky offered an amendment to bar political activity by office staff, citing emails and campaign-related communications tied to Amendment 4; the amendment failed on a 13-23 vote. Senators then debated the bill’s relationship to state election law, free speech, and the role of faith-based outreach. Supporters emphasized the office’s service network and reported benefits to children and families, while some senators raised concerns about interfaith representation and political use of government resources. The bill was then read a third time and the Senate proceeded toward a final vote as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here because this intentional engagement is not just important, it's essential.
• I am here because this intentional engagement is not just important, it's essential.
• So, Senator Draheim, it is your intention for this to be ongoing?
• <01:18:12.639> is you know I I think the intent is you know I I think the intent is to<01:
• If we go this way, I don't think this legislation is ready for prime time.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If they weren't, the intent was that there would be the second step of evaluating the person for AOT.
• We were going to have her come, because then it transfers from the criminal side, as the intent is a
• If there was a part of HBCU or whatever subsequent legislation needs to happen, where we discuss the
• I know that our original intent...
• And our role as legislators in working with state and local government.

Transcript Highlights:

• These have essentially been sort of the legislative LFC and the executive having the Legislative Education
• I see anymore about education, but is there legislation prepared for a vote in the Education Committee
• And I think I'm going to go ahead and introduce legislation for that.
• It may be important to focus more intently on something such as math rather than college.
• That was one of the intents.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the Legislative Auditor.
• Tiesen and I am a Deputy Legislative Tiesen and I am a Deputy Legislative Auditor<00:41:12.680> for
• I oversee our Legislative Auditor.
• And this is why OLA focuses so intently And this is why OLA focuses so intently on<00:42:08.720>
• standing in the way of the legislative standing in the way of the legislative branch<01:25:17.600

Transcript Highlights:

• that happens to be going legislation that happens to be going through<00:02:42.080> here<00:02
• Um, and really created a destabilizing presence from intentional government choices.
• <00:04:55.080> government presence from intentional government presence from intentional government
• So, we consider the reading of the journal from the prior legislative day.
• Senate, but throughout our legislation. Senate, but throughout our legislation.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened on March 25, 2026, with an invocation by Father Frank Crumble III, who was introduced as the guest of the Senator from the 36th District. The chamber also recognized several guests and groups, including leaders from Cherry Hill on the occasion of the community’s 80th anniversary, Doctor of the Day Maryam Diallo, the Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee, students from Andrew Jackson Academy, and several women honored for Women’s History Month. Additional recognitions included the Greater Baltimore Committee, Boy Scouts, Tarbiyah Academy, and a Senate intern. The main floor action was a special resolution congratulating the Cherry Hill community on the 80th anniversary of Cherry Hill Homes, a purpose-built community for African Americans returning from World War II. Senators spoke about Cherry Hill’s history, resilience, and recent community investments such as new schools and a recreation center. The resolution was read in full and adopted unanimously. Senate Bill 890, concerning an insurance premium tax receipts exemption for captive insurance procured by nonprofit hospitals and health care systems, was special ordered for another day at the sponsor’s request. The Senate also took up Senate Bill 283, the Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2026. After brief remarks praising the committee’s work and the statewide investment program, the bill passed third reading by unanimous vote. Committee and delegation announcements followed, including Finance, Triple E, and Judicial Proceedings holding House bill hearings at 1:00 p.m., and the Prince George’s County delegation meeting later that day. The Senate then remained in session long enough to confirm a quorum and adjourned until March 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.