Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 202 attempts to impose a result on a local dispute at a state level.
• Tab two, SB 346, state preemption of the regulation of hoisting equipment by Senator Rusan.
• Senator Pisa. Did the state formally investigate the collapse of the crane?
• Senator Pisa. Did the state formally investigate the collapse of the crane?
• Yes, Senator Pizzo. Yeah, I'm for state uniformity on a number of these things.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several bills, reporting each favorably after hearing sponsor presentations, public testimony, and member questions. SB 578 would allow wine to be sold in recyclable containers, aligning wine with beer container rules; it received support from Americans for Prosperity and passed without debate. SB 606 clarified when guests in public lodging or food service establishments may be removed for nonpayment, updated notice and checkout provisions, and removed a mandatory arrest requirement, with support from hotel and restaurant industry groups; it also passed favorably. Members then heard SB 202, which addresses a municipal water utility surcharge issue affecting Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach by requiring the utility to charge residents where the plant sits the same rate it charges its own residents. The sponsor and supporters described it as a fairness issue, while North Miami Beach argued it would shift costs and threaten utility finances; the bill was reported favorably. SB 570 modernized and clarified the scope of work for swimming pool and spa contractors, and SB 928, as amended, regulated non-approved disposable nicotine devices by restricting advertising and display, increasing inspections and penalties, and adding a school-buffer provision; both were reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 346, which repeals state preemption over local regulation of hoisting equipment and cranes, prompted by concerns after Hurricane Milton and a crane collapse in St. Petersburg. Supporters said local governments need authority to address storm-related crane safety, while industry representatives warned against patchwork regulation and said local oversight already exists in some areas. Finally, the committee took up SB 652, creating Veterinary Professional Associates to perform certain tasks, including limited surgeries under veterinarian supervision; animal welfare groups supported it as a way to expand access, while some veterinarians opposed the surgery provisions. The bill was reported favorably after amendment. The committee then began SB 354, a major overhaul of Public Service Commission oversight, including expanding the commission, adding financial expertise, tightening rate-setting and storm-hardening review, and increasing transparency for nonprofit water and wastewater utilities; the substitute amendment was adopted and public testimony was heard from consumer advocates and utility-related groups, but the transcript ends before final action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate has refused to concur with the House amendments to the following Senate measures: Senate Bill
• Proposed amendments to Senate Bill 2232 were introduced by Senator Meyer and other House and Senate sponsors
• Speaker, proposed amendments to Engrossed Senate Bill 2186 were introduced by Senator Clemens, Senator
• Senate Bill 2241 was introduced by Senator Axtman and other House and Senate sponsors.
• Speaker, Senate Bill 2245 was introduced by Senator Dwyer and other House and Senate sponsors.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The chamber received notice that the governor had signed several bills, and the Speaker appointed conference committees after the Senate failed to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2180 and 2330. The House also approved several sixth-order amendments without objection before moving into reconsideration and final action on House Bill 1300, which concerns legislative term limits. After procedural motions to reconsider and undo concurrence, the House voted to do not concur on HB 1300, sending it back to the chair’s lap for further negotiation. A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 2232, which changes mandatory reporting rules for prenatal exposure to controlled substances and alcohol. Supporters said the bill is intended to keep pregnant women in prenatal care by removing an automatic CPS report if a woman tests positive but enters and stays on a treatment plan; opponents argued it weakens protections for unborn children and creates vague standards for mandated reporters. The House passed the bill 57-36. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 2280 unanimously, establishing timelines and standards for prior authorization in health insurance, and passed Senate Bill 2186, which creates a civil remedy for interference with court-ordered parenting time, a child custody review task force, and related reporting requirements. The House then took up Senate Bill 2239, an apprenticeship grant program with a $1.1 million appropriation, but rejected it 14-79 after the committee said the program lacked a clear administrative home. Senate Bill 2241, creating a framework for public charter schools, generated extensive debate over school choice, local control, funding, staffing, and rural impacts; supporters emphasized flexibility and community-driven options, while opponents warned about diversion of funds and weak guardrails. The bill passed 64-29. The House also passed Senate Bill 2024, the Department of Environmental Quality budget, after discussion about federal funding uncertainty; Senate Bill 2374, updating property insurance laws and market rules; Senate Bill 2216, creating a waterfowl habitat restoration stamp; Senate Bill 2245, allowing certain duck and goose hunting from anchored floating craft; and Senate Bill 233, establishing a distressed ambulance services process, which drew questions about how affected districts and neighboring services would be involved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Arrington, Senator Avila, Senator Bernard, Senator Collins, Senator Graal, Senator Angolia, Senator
• Leek, Senator Martin, Senator McClain, Senator Shereef, Senator Smith, Senator Truenow, Senator Wright
• Senate Bill 1714 provides that a county's or municipality's local housing assistance plan under the State
• CS for Senate Bill 1024 on specialty license plates, United States Naval Academy and United States Military
• Senate Bill 532 exempts 100% disabled veterans from paying tolls in the state of Florida.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met to consider a full agenda of bills, beginning with CS/CS/SB 1662, the Department of Transportation agency bill. Senator Collins presented a strike-all amendment that retained creation of the Florida Transportation Academy, clarified the Florida Transportation Research Institute, restored legislative budget commission review for certain work program amendments, adjusted small-business and supply-chain grant provisions, added airport and seaport accountability measures, and allowed special blanket permits for oversized cranes to travel at night under FDOT safety protocols. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee also favorably reported SB 574, allowing Florida Purple Heart license plate holders to pass tolls free, and CS/SB 824, creating a specialty plate supporting Florida Highway Patrol troopers and scholarships. The committee then took up CS/SB 324, which creates a revolving low-interest loan program at the Department of Commerce for small businesses harmed by significant public works construction. Senator Smith described a local example involving prolonged sewer work in Orlando that hurt businesses in the Lake Ivanhoe district. Members raised concerns about fiscal impact, eligibility standards, proof of loss, business age, and whether financial records should be protected from public disclosure. The bill was amended to remove a hotline, add a webpage, and refine liability language, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee also favorably reported CS/SB 1714, requiring local housing assistance plans to include support for mobile home owners, including lot-rent assistance; CS/SB 766, revising registration requirements for agents and organizations tied to foreign countries of concern; and CS/SB 1024, creating specialty plates for the U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy. Additional measures approved included CS/SB 1246, authorizing a Save Coastal Wildlife specialty plate with proceeds going to the Zoo Miami Foundation; CS/SB 1644, expanding warning light use for volunteer firefighters, medical staff, and organ transport vehicles, with discussion focused on Hatzalah emergency services; SB 1152, increasing the Florida Wildflower specialty plate fee to support conservation, research, and native seed industry development; and CS/SB 532, exempting 100% disabled veterans from tolls. An amendment to SB 532 also added Purple Heart recipients to the toll exemption. Several members requested to be recorded voting in the affirmative on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned after all bills were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• A conflict of interest exists when a person in a position of trust, like a state senator or a state representative
• Man, he's been doing a lot of stuff down here as a state senator. What a guy.
• Notable accomplishments as a senator here in the state of Colorado, you know.
• Um, thank you and thank you for your service to the state. Thank you, Senator Henrikson.
• We are state senators.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Jones. Senator Leak, here. Senator Pasadamo. Senator Pizzo. Senator Sharif.
• Senator Jones. Senator Leak, yes. Senator Pasadamo, yes. Senator Pizzo. Senator Sharif.
• Senator Jones, Senator Leake, Senator Pasidema, Senator Pizzo, Senator Sharif, yes, Senator Trumbull,
• Jones Senator Leake Senator Pasidema Senator Pizzo Senator Sharif yes Senator Trumbulles yes Senator
• Now we will move to Tab 10, SB 1444 on preemption to the state by Senator Martin.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered a series of bills, many focused on local government authority, land use, housing, and public notice requirements. Several measures were reported favorably, including SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention, SB 1612 requiring local governments to accept electronic payments, SB 936 on temporary door locking devices, SB 962 on affordable housing protections for farms, SB 218 on land use regulations in hurricane-affected counties, SB 1020 on regulation of chickee huts, and SB 1434 on infill redevelopment of environmentally challenged properties. SB 1180 on community development district recall elections was amended to narrow and clarify the recall process and to add provisions on synthetic turf and compact urban mixed-use districts before being reported favorably. SB 380 on legal notices was also amended and reported favorably despite significant opposition from the Florida Press Association, Common Cause, and others who argued it would further fragment public notice access; supporters said it would modernize publication options and save money. Testimony on the bills was mixed. Supporters of the housing and redevelopment measures argued they would increase attainable housing, streamline approvals, and make better use of underutilized or contaminated land, while local government groups and advocacy organizations warned about overdevelopment, reduced public input, infrastructure strain, and conflicts with comprehensive planning. On SB 1444, which combined preemptions related to religious gatherings, private clubs, and certain permitting requirements, supporters framed it as protecting religious freedom and limiting local micromanagement, while the League of Cities and the Florida Association of Counties opposed it as overly broad and unclear; the bill nevertheless passed favorably after debate. SB 218 was presented as restoring normal land-use authority in counties unaffected by hurricanes while preserving protections in damaged areas, and SB 984 was described as clarifying firefighter cancer benefits and health coverage rules; both passed without controversy. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 948, a strike-all on local government land development regulations and orders that would create a statewide framework for starter homes and lot-split rules within urban growth areas. Supporters said it would expand housing supply and reduce regulatory delays, while opponents said it would override local zoning, weaken infrastructure and environmental protections, and apply too broadly. The bill drew support from housing advocates and some local officials, but opposition from the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties, and others. The transcript ends with SB 948 still under consideration, with testimony continuing and no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• SLP assistants, which, as Senator Boldon already stated, was $493 every two years.
• Thank you, Senator Port. Um, Senator Abeler. The bill? Senator Port, and then Senator Abeler.
• Senator Koran, thank you, Madam Chair. Senator Quade, um, Senator M.
• Senator Koran, thank you, Madam Chair. Senator Quade, um, Senator M.
• Senator Quade, um, Senator M.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state. Senator Ball. Thank you, Mr. state. Senator Ball. Thank you, Mr.
• Senator Senator Senator Senator<01:02:32.040> Ball.
• Thank you, Senator Carson, on Amendment L25. strongest provisions from other state strongest provisions
• Senator Weisman. Thank you, Mr. Chair. We move 190 on the committee report from State Affairs.
• Senator Senator Senator Malika.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On behalf of 38 organizations, including the California State PTA, we support SB 1067, and we thank Senator
• Senator Cho-Bogue, so following up on that concern, I'm going to ask the following question, which states
• Senator Perez: Aye. Senator Ochoa Bogh: Aye. Senator Cabaldon: Aye. Senator Choi: Aye.
• Senator Perez, Senator Cabaldon, Senator Choi: Aye.
• Senator Ochoa Bogh: Aye. Senator Cabaldon: Aye. Senator Choi: Aye.

Summary: The committee heard SB 1067, which would require annual math screening for kindergarten through second grade students beginning in 2028-29 to identify early numeracy difficulties and connect students to evidence-based supports. Senator Weber and supporters, including EdVoice, UC Davis researcher Charles Wilkes, and several education and community advocates, argued that California’s math performance is too low and that early screening would help close gaps before they widen. Opponents, including the California Mathematics Council, county superintendents, and the CTA, said the bill could narrow instruction, overemphasize deficit-based measures, and should instead be paired with stronger investments in teacher training and implementation of the California Mathematics Framework. Committee members generally expressed support for the bill’s goals while discussing how the screener would work and what kinds of follow-up supports would be needed. The committee also heard SB 1110 on child care subsidy administration, which would restructure funding for alternative payment programs and core contracts as the state moves to enrollment-based funding. Supporters said the bill would stabilize child care providers, improve payment timelines, and better reflect the administrative work of enrolling families and managing services; there was no opposition testimony. SB 1374, supported by the CSU and UC systems, would allow public higher education institutions to seek temporary restraining orders when credible threats are directed at a campus rather than a specific person. Supporters described recent campus threats that created safety concerns but did not fit current restraining-order law; there was no opposition. Senator Nilo presented SB 1321, which would direct the State Auditor to review remedial course use and student preparedness at selected UC and CSU campuses after a UC San Diego report showed a sharp decline in incoming students’ math readiness. Supporters argued the audit would help identify gaps in college readiness and the effects of K-12 changes, while some members raised concerns about bypassing the usual legislative audit process; the bill was held on call. The committee then took up SB 1086 on microschools, which would define microschools and direct model ordinances for local land-use regulation. Supporters said it would create a clearer path for small, individualized learning communities, but several members questioned whether the concept was sufficiently defined and whether the state had enough information to draft model ordinances; the bill was also placed on call after a quorum was established. Finally, SB 1181 was presented as a limited pilot program in Central Valley counties to connect schools with regional threat assessment centers when credible safety concerns arise. The author and supporters, including the mother of a student killed in a shooting and several students, said it would improve early intervention and communication; committee members raised privacy and federal-sharing concerns but indicated support, and the bill was moved forward on a vote once quorum was present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Burton, Senator Garcia, Senator Gruters, Senator Harrell, Senator Rodriguez, Senator Rouson —
• Senator Berman, Senator Burton, Senator Garcia, Senator Gruters, Senator Harrell, Senator Rodriguez,
• Senator Berman, Senator Brodeur, Senator Burton, Senator Garcia, Senator Gruters, Senator Harrell, Senator
• Senator Berman, Senator Broder, Senator Burton, Senator Garcia, Senator Gruders, Senator Harold, Senator
• Senator Berman, Senator Brodeur, Senator Burton, Senator Barton, Senator Garcia, Senator Gruters, Senator

Summary: The committee took up a series of health and human services bills, beginning with CS/SB 1602, which would require emergency departments to have evidence-based pediatric care protocols, training, appropriate child-sized equipment and medications, a designated care coordinator, and participation in a pediatric readiness assessment. It was reported favorably. CS/SB 1224 followed, aligning Florida law with federal requirements so paramedics may administer controlled substances in the field under physician or nurse practitioner protocols; it also passed favorably after supportive testimony from fire chiefs. The committee then adopted a strike-all for SB 890, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which addresses venous thromboembolism by creating a statewide registry, requiring screening and training in hospitals and long-term care settings, and adding assisted living facility response requirements. Assisted living representatives objected to the ALF provisions as unrealistic and potentially harmful, while supporters argued the bill would save lives; the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 1182, requiring continuous glucose monitors to be covered as both durable medical equipment and a pharmacy benefit, also passed favorably with support from AARP. The committee next considered CS/SB 12, a claim bill for a child severely injured after a DCF home visit allegedly failed to meet standards, and it was reported favorably without opposition. CS/CS/SB 954, dealing with substance abuse treatment centers and recovery residences, drew substantial debate. The bill would limit local zoning restrictions on treatment facilities and allow larger recovery residences if staffing ratios are increased; a late-filed amendment reduced the maximum active patients from 500 to 300. Municipal and county representatives warned that the bill could override local reasonable-accommodation efforts and create institutional-scale facilities, while supporters said housing is essential to recovery and that clustering concerns are overstated. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably. CS/SB 1050, expanding the developmental disabilities pilot program statewide and creating a statewide family care council, also passed after extensive testimony from families and advocates. Supporters emphasized the long waitlist and the need for more services, while some speakers opposed managed care and warned about provider shortages and loss of individualized supports. Later, CS/SB 614, requiring a public educational webpage about background screening clearinghouse and level two screening requirements, was reported favorably. CS/SB 1578, which would require coverage for mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screening in certain circumstances, was also reported favorably. CS/SB 1060 created a joint legislative oversight committee to review Medicaid operations and financing; members discussed the need for stronger oversight of large midyear spending adjustments, and the bill passed favorably. CS/SB 1240, a Department of Children and Families substance abuse and mental health bill, was amended to clarify Baker Act transfer timing and notification requirements after debate over whether facilities could hold patients too long; it was then reported favorably. Finally, Senator Harrell presented CS/SB 526, a major nursing education bill aimed at Florida’s low NCLEX passage rates. The bill would require nursing programs to use exit exams, remediation, reporting, and stricter oversight, and the strike-all would add graduate preceptorships for low-performing programs and temporary provisional licenses for graduates pending NCLEX passage. The transcript ended while that bill was still being explained, before final action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Matt, uh Senator forward. Senator Matt, uh Senator Matthew.
• Senator Matthews said that even though the tax-dollar component is partial, the state has an interest
• Section 5 on page 2, also from Senate File 4177, authorizes the Secretary of State to terminate
• Local gov, state gov. >> Senator Pappas. >> Mr.
• Senator Lang: No. Senator Bahr: No. Senator Dziedzic: Yes. Senator Drazkowski: No.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SENATOR BERMAN. SENATOR BRODEUR. SENATOR BURTON. SENATOR GARCIA. SENATOR GRUTERS. SENATOR HARRELL.
• SENATOR BURTON. SENATOR GARCIA. SENATOR GRUTERS. SENATOR HARRELL. SENATOR RODRIGUEZ.
• SENATOR BERMAN. SENATOR GARCIA. SENATOR GRUTERS. SENATOR HARRELL. SENATOR RODRIGUEZ.
• SENATOR GARCIA. SENATOR GRUTERS. SENATOR HARRELL. SENATOR RODRIGUEZ. SENATOR ROUSON. SENATOR DAVIS.
• >> Senator Harrell: PLEASE LOOK AT LINE 225 THROUGH 235 IT STATES THAT ANY ADMINISTRATIVE CIVIL OR CRIMINAL

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, as Senator Coopek stated,<00:09:40.399> the<00:09:40.560> board's<00:09:40.880>
• been<00:09:41.040> working<00:09:41.279> closely As Senator Kupec stated, the board's
• While I did initially state my feelings that the bill is unnecessary, I'm grateful for Senator Raric's
• While I did initially state my feelings that the bill is unnecessary, I'm grateful for Senator Raric's
• As Senator Hoffman noted, we are a very small state agency.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2146 directs prosecuting attorneys across the state to report information on the category
• Senator Hinojosa? Aye. Senator Huffman? Senator Miles? Senator King? Senator Hagenbuch?
• Senator Hinojosa? Aye. Senator Huffman? Senator Miles? Senator King? Senator Hagenbuch?
• Senator Hinojosa? Senator Huffman? Senator Miles? Senator King? Senator Hagenbuch?
• Senator Hinojosa? Senator Huffman? Senator Miles? Senator King? Senator Hagenbuch?

Bills: SB614, SB872, SB1199, SB1212, SB1278, SB1573, SB1588, SB1602, SB1660, SB1704, SB1723, SB1833, SB1858, SB1946, SB2009, SB2146, SB2177, SB2373, SB2460, SB2785

Keywords: forensic science, capital writs, criminal justice, case review, Texas Forensic Science Commission, SB 872, burglary of a vehicle, vehicle burglary, theft of a firearm, stolen gun, firearm theft, Penal Code Section 30.04, third-degree felony, Class A misdemeanor, criminal penalty enhancement, gun theft, vehicle break-in, property crime, sentencing enhancement, Texas criminal law

Transcript Highlights:

• I impose a call of the Senate. The Senate is now under call. The Senate is now under call.
• > amend<00:30:01.840> Senate Senator Nelson moves to amend Senate Senator Nelson moves
• Um Senator Senate President Champion.
• Senator Bort continued: We learned from other states that had previously legalized, including Colorado
• Senator Nelson continued: It is legal in our state, but we should not be mandating what businesses and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Chang. Senator DeCoite. Here. Senator DeCoite. Here. Senator Dela Cruz. Here.
• Senator Elefante. Here. Senator Fevella. Senator Fukunaga. Senator Gabbard. Senator Hashimoto.
• Senator Ihara. Senator Inouye. Excused. Senator Kanuha. Senator Keohokalole. Senator Kidani.
• Senator Kim. Senator Lambusao. Here. Senator Lee. Senator McKelvey. Senator Moriwaki.
• <00:26:28.760> to<00:26:28.880> state 2367 Senate Draft 2, relating to state 2367 Senate

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 24 members present and one excused, approved the prior journal, and welcomed visiting fifth-grade students from Kauai’s Island School and Laie Elementary to the gallery. The body then received and referred a series of governor’s nominations and House bills, and introduced numerous Senate concurrent and Senate resolutions for committee referral. It also took up a large consent calendar of Senate bills, approving the consent package unanimously and passing those measures on third reading. The chamber then considered many individual bills on third reading, with several floor amendments adopted to add effective dates and delay final action on measures including SB 2454, SB 2830, and SB 2397. Some bills were recommitted to the Judiciary Committee or separated from committee reports, including SB 2480 and SB 2423. The Senate also passed a number of policy bills covering motor vehicles, public safety, property insurance, elections, campaign finance, renewable energy, financial disclosures, liquor, veterans’ benefits, social media, electric energy, coastal resilience, climate planning, conservation, agriculture, education, collective bargaining, transportation, housing, land use, fishing, and natural resource management. Several measures drew reservations or no votes, but most still passed by wide margins. Notable debate centered on SB 3125, relating to income tax, where Senator Dela Cruz supported the bill as a way to preserve tax relief for working families while addressing fiscal uncertainty, Senator DeCorte opposed it as a rollback of promised relief amid Hawaii’s high cost of living, and Senator McKelvey and Senator Rhoads defended it as a responsible balance between tax relief and budget stability. SB 3125 ultimately passed third reading 23-2. Other bills also passed with recorded opposition, including SB 2009, SB 2517, SB 2721, SB 2731, SB 3071, SB 2418, SB 2568, SB 2975, SB 2100, SB 2353, SB 3062, SB 2761, SB 2003, and SB 2981.

Transcript Highlights:

• My concern is very much the same as what Senator Marty has stated, and I think we need more conversation
• Senator Pratt: They're going to leave the state and they're going to take those jobs with them.
• Senator Pratt: People are looking at this state specifically because of what these companies can do,
• But in other ones, the money until last year went into the state general fund and Senator Rest and some
• <01:37:49.600> Rest<01:37:49.920> and state general fund and Senator Rest and state

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Clements. Senator Clements. Senator Deneen. Senator Douglas. Senator Elkins.
• Senator Storm. Senator Thomas. Senator Tichenor. Senator Webb. Senator West. Senator Wheeler.
• Senator Girdler. Senator Givens. Senator Herren. Senator Higdon. Senator Howell. Senator Madden.
• Senator Tichenor. Senator Webb. Senator West. Senator Wheeler. Senator Williams. Senator Wilson.
• Senate Resolution 176, resolution honoring the Murray State boys soccer team, the 2025 Kentucky 2A soccer

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will read: Senate Bill 482 by Senator Weber Pierson and an act relating to state government
• Senate Bill 779 by Senator Arreguín, an act of the Contractors State License Board.
• Senate Bill 580 by Senator Durazo, an act relating to state government.
• Senate Bill 580 by Senator Durazo, an act relating to state government.
• Senate Bill 702 by Senator Limon and others, an act relating to state government.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum after a roll call, observed a moment of silence for John Burton, and proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance and routine procedural motions. Members approved a rule suspension to allow floor amendments on SB 271 and SB 67, and several committee notices and bill referrals were handled. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading file, with many bills passed and a number of items temporarily passed or retained on file. Among the major measures approved were bills on civil rights and public safety (SB 477, SB 19, SB 36, SB 571, SB 580), health care and coverage (SB 257 on pregnancy as a qualifying life event, SB 530 on Medi-Cal access standards, SB 660 on health data exchange, SB 754 on menstrual product contaminant disclosure), housing and disaster recovery (SB 610, SB 655), transportation and climate (SB 533 on EV charging payments, SB 30 on diesel locomotives, SB 71 on CEQA exemptions for transit, SB 263 on tariff impacts), and natural resources/energy (SB 283 on battery storage safety, SB 88 on biomass emissions, SB 427 extending the Habitat Conservation Fund). The Assembly also passed urgency measures including SB 864 on tribal gaming compacts, SB 663 on wildfire-related property tax relief, SB 471 expanding DDS ombudsman authority, and SB 497 on privacy protections for legally protected health services. Several bills drew notable debate. SB 41 on pharmacy benefit managers saw opposition over concerns about moving ahead before broader PBM data and licensing reforms take effect, but it still passed. AB 1340, a concurrence item on gig worker collective bargaining rights, prompted extended debate over labor rights, consumer costs, and union influence. Other concurrence items included AB 671 on restaurant permitting, which passed without opposition. The Assembly also took up SB 640 on direct admission to CSU, SB 702 on demographic reporting for appointees, SB 710 preserving a solar property tax exclusion, and SB 793 on counterfeit lighter safety, all of which passed. The session ended with the Assembly continuing through the file, including concurrence votes and additional bill actions, with most measures approved by substantial margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have to admit, a senator since 2010 and a president just as long as I've been a Maryland state senator
• You have to admit, a senator since 2010 and a president just as long as I've been a Maryland state senator
• You have to admit, a senator since 2010 and a president just as long as I've been a Maryland state senator
• as long as I've been a Maryland state as long as I've been a Maryland state senator<00:19:06.640
• Appointments made Maryland State Senate.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened for the opening day of the 449th legislative session, with an invocation delivered by Reverend Amen Flowers and the prayer journalized without objection. The clerk then called the roll, establishing a quorum with 46 senators present and the Senate ready to conduct business. The first order of business was the election of a temporary presiding officer, followed by the election of the permanent presiding officer. Senator Ben Brooks nominated Senator Malcolm Augustine to serve as President Pro Tem, and Senator Karen Lewis Young seconded the nomination, both praising his policy knowledge, collaborative style, and ability to work across differences. The Senate then voted and elected Augustine as President Pro Tem, after which he was escorted to the rostrum and sworn in. Augustine thanked colleagues, his family, and the chamber, and said he looked forward to working through a challenging session together on behalf of Marylanders. The Senate next nominated and elected Senator William C. Ferguson IV as President of the Senate. Senator Charles Sydnor nominated him, and Senator Cory McCray seconded, describing Ferguson as an honest broker, steady leader, and compassionate presiding officer. Ferguson was elected with 46 affirmative votes, took the oath of office, and delivered extended remarks about the importance of federalism, the role of states in filling gaps left by the federal government, and the need for Maryland to lead through state-level action during a difficult political climate. He also thanked colleagues, staff, and his family, and emphasized that the session would require collaboration and focus on Marylanders' needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Aino, Senator AA, Senator Chang, here. Senator Dit here. Senator Deort here.
• Senator Gabbard. Senator Hashimoto. Senator Ihara. Senator Inoe present. Senator Kuha.
• Senator Favlla here. Senator Fukunaga. Senator Gabbard. Senator Hashimoto. Senator Ihara.
• Senator Inoe present. Senator Kuha. Senator Koho Kole. Senator Kedani. Hello. Senator Kim.
• I think the senator from Kanyoh eloquently stated his position.

Keywords: 912, senate, all