Transcript Highlights:

• We are opening a conference committee on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025, 1:30 p.m. in Conference Room 016
• Thursday, April 24th, 2025, 1:30 p.m. here in this conference room. Okay, that works for us.
• We are opening up conference. Uh, it is Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025.
• This is a joint House and Senate conference committee, 1:45 p.m. agenda in Room 16.
• I think that works conference room 16?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a bit rusty, and I'm not used to the conference call format, so I apologize for not thanking you
• The December 2025 conference had much more recent data to base those projections on.
• That conference adopted a new forecast for the current fiscal year and subsequent...
• That conference adopted a new forecast for the current fiscal year and subsequent. 22nd 2025.
• Expenditures of $37.5 billion, as consented to during the conference.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is our conference committee meeting. Today is Monday, April 21st, 2025. It is 10:00 a.m.
• We're in Conference Room 229 at the State Capitol. First up, we have HB 86 HD2 SD1.
• Conference Committee on SB 1318, House Draft 1. I'm sorry. I just did that. So good.
• Conference much. Okay.
• the our long awaited conference the our long awaited conference committee<00:26:46.159> for

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Should the House prefer a conference committee to confer on the disagreeing votes of the two houses,
• Should the House prefer a conference committee to confer on the disagreeing votes of the two houses,
• The supplemental budget will be referred to the Budget and Tax Committee and for the conference committee
• President, pursuant to the authority<00:03:23.840> conferred<00:03:24.320> on<00:03:24.480
• and Tax Committee and for the conference and Tax Committee and for the conference committee<00:03

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, March 27, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate met in a brief pro forma session. After roll call, the chamber welcomed a guest, recognized two senators’ birthdays, and approved the prior day’s journal. The main business was transmitting messages to the House of Delegates on Senate Bill 282, the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, and Senate Bill 284, the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2026; in both cases, the Senate refused to concur with House amendments and requested that the House recede, while also naming conference committee members and advisory members. The Senate also received a message from Governor Wes Moore submitting Supplemental Budget No. 2 as an amendment to the FY 2027 budget, which was journalized and referred to the Budget and Tax Committee and the conference committee later that day. In addition, the Governor sent one executive nomination for Senate confirmation, which was referred to the Executive Nominations Committee, and a separate notice withdrawing a previously submitted nominee, also referred to that committee. No substantive debate or votes occurred beyond adopting the messages and ordering them journalized. The session concluded with thanks to the pages and a motion, adopted without objection, to recess until 6:30 p.m. Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• The conference report prioritizes municipal winter relief and regional equity, targets tax incentives
• This conference report incentivizes new housing construction by creating a new sales tax exemption to
• This conference report incentivizes new housing construction by creating a new sales tax exemption to
• Thank you again, Madam President, and I ask that when a vote be taken to accept the conference report
• I enthusiastically rise in support of this conference committee report.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted two resolutions recognizing the town of Sturbridge on the nation’s 250th anniversary and congratulating Zachary Erich on becoming an Eagle Scout, and then took up several committee reports and extension orders. The chamber suspended rules multiple times to act immediately on committee extensions for Financial Services and State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, and it referred a House petition on cleft lip and cleft palate treatment to Financial Services. Members also adopted an order extending the Financial Services committee’s reporting deadline on credit union and mortgage financing matters. The Senate then considered and passed House No. 4361, a bill on teacher retirement benefits, after extensive debate in support of a one-time window for certain teachers who were excluded from Retirement Plus due to administrative errors. Senators described the measure as a long-overdue fix for more than 8,500 educators, noting that eligible teachers would have to pay the difference in contributions. The bill was ordered to a third reading, passed to be engrossed by a 39-0 roll call, and sent on for further action. The chamber also passed Senate No. 3106 on toxic-free medical devices and Senate No. 3107 on commercial interior design licensure, both after supportive remarks about patient safety and professional regulation. A major item was the conference committee report on H. 5280, the FY26 fair share supplemental budget. Supporters highlighted funding for municipal winter relief, MBTA operations and capital needs, education initiatives, housing incentives, home heating assistance, and collective bargaining agreements, while opponents raised concerns about MBTA subsidies, legal defense funding, and tax policy implications. After roll call, the report was approved by a 37-3 vote. The Senate also adopted the emergency preamble and passed H. 5470, the FY26 supplemental appropriations bill, and later enacted local bills including Berkeley recall authority, a Milton school deadline extension, a Lexington parkland exchange, and long-term municipal roads and bridges financing. Near the end of the session, the Senate recognized guests from the Caribbean diplomatic corps and the Authentic Caribbean Foundation, who spoke about Caribbean American Heritage Month and partnership agreements with Massachusetts. The chamber then concurred in a House amendment to Senate No. 2563, a bill updating disability-related terminology in the general laws, with senators emphasizing the importance of person-first language and dignity for people with disabilities. The Senate adopted the emergency preamble and enacted the bill. The session concluded with an adjournment order to meet again the following Monday and with adjournment in memory of Richard Louis Volpe of Sturbridge.

Transcript Highlights:

• There were not any more conference committee reports to take up.
• There were conference committees that were up until midnight.
• Conference committees worked all the way up through tonight.
• work similar to a conference committee. work similar to a conference committee.
• They just aren't exactly a conference They just aren't exactly a conference committee,<00:05:13.280

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, the biggest hurdle is going to be the conference committee between the Senate and the House.
• Well, the biggest hurdle is going to be the conference committee between the Senate and the House.
• Well, the biggest hurdle is going to be the conference committee between the Senate and the House.
• big struggle in the conference big struggle in the conference committees<00:09:04.720> and
• <00:09:33.040> committees we get to those conference committees we get to those conference

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, just leave that one go to the conference committee.
• Well, they can talk about that in conference committee.
• We can talk about that in conference committee.
• Chair, that's what I would put in there to go to conference committee.
• So there won't be a conference committee or anything on it.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The HR division continued work on the behavioral health budget, with members revisiting several funding items and generally agreeing to hold provider inflation increases until the full division picture is clearer. They tentatively supported additional funding for Community Connect and Free Through Recovery, as well as increases for the drug court program and peer support, while clarifying that some items were already in the House version and others were one-time or grant-related expenditures. The committee spent considerable time on a proposed $2 million behavioral health services program for nursing homes and basic care facilities. Senator Mathern brought revised language to describe a capitated payment model for training, consultation, and direct patient care for residents with medically based behavioral disorders and disruptive behaviors. Some members remained skeptical and wanted to see the amendment before deciding, but the discussion centered on whether the funding would help nursing homes accept patients who otherwise end up in state hospitals or acute care settings. Members also discussed several one-time funding items, including electronic health record and legacy system upgrades, network redundancy for the state hospital, partial hospitalization/intensive day treatment expansion, and a bathroom remodel at the Southeast Human Service Center. The committee restored the bathroom project to the original $972,000 estimate after concerns that the House reduction would not cover the needed ADA and plumbing work. They also debated a $12.96 million behavioral health facility grant for Altru in Grand Forks, with some members opposing it and others supporting it as a regional service expansion, but ultimately set it aside for later consideration. The meeting ended with staff flagging other sections of the bill, including the opioid settlement advisory language, the state hospital steering committee, behavioral health education grants, and the system of care grant. The chair announced that medical services would be taken up the next day, and members agreed to adjourn after planning to revisit unresolved behavioral health items and vote on the held bill later.

Transcript Highlights:

• So a conference report is received for House Bill 75. House Bill 75.
• Shall the conference report be agreed to? The clerk will close the roll. Ayes 95, noes 1.
• Speaker, members of the House, we don't have any more conference reports.
• Last day for the bills in conference is tomorrow.
• And then starting on Friday, conference reports, the only things that are in order.

Keywords: March 11, 2026 - Regular Session Part 2, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We expect budget conference meetings to begin in about a week.
• This means that they take the administrative lead in scheduling the conference committee meetings and
• conference report.
• This back and forth will continue through the duration of the conference process.
• Members, I hope you find this information helpful as we begin the budget conference.

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum present for what was described as its final committee meeting of the session. Chair Busatta opened the meeting by outlining the upcoming budget conference process, explaining that the House and Senate had both passed their budget bills and that conference negotiations would begin soon, with the Senate serving as the hosting chamber this year. She reviewed how the conference process works, including side-by-side budget documents, chamber offers, subcommittee negotiations, escalation to the chairs and then to the Speaker and President, and the required 72-hour cooling-off period before final budget passage. The main discussion focused on the differences between the House and Senate higher education budgets for fiscal year 2025-2026. The chair noted a total $62.5 million difference, with the Senate budget higher overall. Key differences included House reductions for vacant FTE positions, differing approaches to recurring versus nonrecurring funding in financial aid and workforce programs, the Senate’s larger funding level for workforce development capitalization incentive grants, and differing allocations for colleges and universities. In the university budget, the Senate centralized nurse education funding at the University of South Florida’s Center for Nursing and funded several specific initiatives, while the House proposed additional funding for performance-based metrics, faculty recruitment and retention, and tuition waivers. The chair also highlighted a major proviso difference involving the EASE grant, where the House proposed minimum benchmark metrics for institutional eligibility. No testimony was taken and no votes were held on the budget differences. After the overview and brief explanation of the budget and proviso side-by-side documents, the committee concluded its agenda and adjourned on a motion by Representative Blanco, without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill to get the bill into proper posture for conference. Close.
• . for conference.
• Conference. Can I just explain the bill? Thank you very much, Mr. President.
• Into the Social Services Estimating Conference.
• Those in the Social Services Estimating Conference process as well. Senator Trumbull.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I call this meeting of the Conference Committee on House File 2130 to order.
• So, it's a side by side in a conference committee.
• So, it's a side by side in a conference committee.
• So, it's a side by side in a conference committee.
• committee in order to reflect the intent of this conference committee.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Page 17 of today’s printed calendar: category of House Bills in Conference.
• 48 hours, and therefore the conference report for House Bill 30 is before the body.
• to give them an overview of the conference report and to receive any questions.
• Speaker, I move adoption of the conference report. Shall the conference report be adopted?
• The conference report is adopted. Thank you. Noes, 22. Ayes, 71. The conference report is adopted.

Keywords: June 22, 2026 - Special Session 1, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE SENATE IS THE HOSTING CONFERENCE THIS YEAR AND AS SUCH THEY WILL BE DEVELOPING THE CONFERENCE DOCUMENTS
• THAT ARE PASSED BACK AND FORTH DURING THE CONFERENCE NEGOTIATION PROCESS.
• ALTHOUGH THERE MIGHT BE SLIGHT DIFFERENCES IN THE APPEARANCE OF THE CONFERENCE DOCUMENTS, ONCE CONFERENCE
• >> Chair Maney: THAT IS THE PHONE CALL PILOT PROGRAM AND WE WILL ADDRESS THAT IN CONFERENCE.
• AS WE CONTINUE TO MOVE TO THE CONFERENCE PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT ME.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee of conference has submitted the report found before you.
• Conference? Are you ready for that question?
• President, uh, we'll be picking up conference committee...
• We'll be picking up conference committee reports from the education conference and then following that
• the budget conference committee. >> Thank you. >> Mr.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• go to go to Conference<00:38:31.120> Committee Conference Committee Conference Committee I'm<00
• Representative Imamura: Um, if we can go back to Conference Committee Report 626 when you have time.
• Committee Report 626 when you Conference Committee Report 626 when you have<00:40:42.760> time.
• Moving on to Conference Committee Report No. 10-26.
• Conference Committee Report number<00:46:03.560> 10-26.

Bills: SB2053, SB2494, SB2851, SB3073, HB1678, HB1721, HB2475, HB2246, HB1667, HB1516, SB2532, SB3131, SB3154, HB2297, HB1737, SB2143, SB2398, SB2623, HB1740, HB1920, HB1682, SB2153, SB3140, HB1515, SB2835, HB2282, SB3083, SB2031, SB2519, SB2667, SB3096, SB99, SB2138, HB2289, HB2319, HB1711, HB2270, SB3138, SB3076, HB1642, HB2338, HB2171, HB1785, SB2881, HB2505, SB2552, HB1518, HB1815, SB3125, SB3234, HB2158, HB1718, HB2207, HB1801, SB3229, SB2338, SB3069, SB2600, HB2300, HB1800, HB1960, SB2999, SB2060, SB2866, SB2239, HB1741, HB1713, HB2023, HB2417, SB2877, SB2598, SB2921, SB2645, HB2547, HB2275, HB2452, HB2329, HB2339, HB1838, HB1509, HB1661, HB2271, HB2272, HB2344, HB1888, HB1707, SB2340, HB2474, HB1576, HB1853, HB1804, HB1854, HB2095, HB2050, HB472, SB3215, SB2247, SB2400, HB1618, HB1802, HB1969, HB1541, HB2310, HB2498, HB2443, HB2218, HB649, HB2104, HB1710, SB2802, HB1973, HB1974, HB1894, HB1891, HB1890, SB177, SB2101, SB3320, SB2487, HB2429, HB1870, HB1839, HB2583, HB1391, HB2094, SB2671, SB2673, SB2892, SB2057, SB3245, HB306, HB2592, SB3157, SB2861, SB3204, SB3324, SB2580, SB2074, SB411, SB3025, SB2934, SB2567, SB2125, SB3238, SB2367, SB2599, SB3007, SB2001, SB2756, SB3029

Keywords: salvage vehicles, vehicle title transfer, electronic signatures, insurance, administrative efficiency, bribery, corruption, statute of limitations, public servant, criminal justice, deafness, traffic safety, law enforcement, vehicle registration, communication, biological evidence, DNA analysis, post-conviction, evidence retention, court approval

Transcript Highlights:

• Without the money can be determined in conference committee.
• Why don't we put the Community Health Trust Fund in there just to go to conference?
• Conversations can take place between now and the conference committee.
• It's just going to conference committee, Mr. Chair. Yep.
• Well, that can get raised in the conference committee. I would agree with that.

Bills: SB2015

Keywords: corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras

Summary: The committee first discussed a wastewater infrastructure bill, centered on whether state support should be provided as a grant or through the existing Clean Water State Revolving Fund as a low-interest loan program. Department of Environmental Quality official David Brushwine explained that the SRF already finances wastewater projects, can leverage federal funds with state bond proceeds, and could accommodate the Washburn, Lincoln, and Peasant projects if they are ready to proceed. Members noted that losing federal grant support would make projects harder for local residents to afford because costs would be recovered through utility rates or special assessments, but the projects would still be eligible for loans. Senator Magrum indicated he would likely concur with the budget after this discussion, and the bill was set aside for later consideration. The committee then turned to a proposed amendment for a four-plex housing project for people with disabilities or other special needs. Senator Mathern described Sections 7 and 8 as creating a design consultation appropriation and a revolving loan fund modeled on existing hospital and nursing home loan programs, while Section 9 would transfer $3.3 million from the state infrastructure fund. Members debated ownership, rent subsidies, repayment terms, and whether the state should finance the project directly or leave it to a private developer with Department of Human Services oversight. Concerns were raised that the state should not own the housing and that the proposal needed more work to be workable, but the committee ultimately reached consensus to adopt Sections 7 and 8 and leave out Section 9 for further conference committee discussion. The committee also reviewed provider inflation and long-term care rate issues, with members discussing whether to support a 2% and 1.5% inflation adjustment and how to handle the $5-per-day basic care rate. Staff explained that the $5 payment was already in the base budget, but members debated whether it should remain ongoing or be treated as one-time funding and paired with a study of rate rebasing. The committee agreed to have draft language prepared to remove the $5 from the base budget and add study language, then moved the bill forward for drafting.

Transcript Highlights:

• thereon. ...as amended, and grant the Senate a conference thereon.
• The Speaker hereby appoints a conference committee of the...
• Conference on that we actually never had a conference about how the other.
• The Conference Committee report, House Committee substitutes until 975.
• You have adopted the Conference Committee report on Senate Bill 975. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Summary: The House first established a quorum after a brief call of the board and then moved through messages from the Senate and committee reports. The chamber received a Senate refusal to concur on House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 994 and later voted to send the bill to conference. Members also reconsidered earlier actions on Senate Bill 1019, then adopted a substitute amendment that narrowed the bill to a smaller set of provisions, including a health-related addition on Lyme disease and alpha-gal, before third reading and passage by a vote of 105-32. The House then took up House Bill 1740, known as Melanie’s Law, a drunk-driving prevention measure. Supporters described the bill as a long-negotiated effort to strengthen penalties and ignition interlock requirements while preserving affordability protections for low-income drivers. Family members of Melanie Wonkham were recognized, and several members spoke in favor of the bill as a response to impaired-driving fatalities. The Senate substitute was adopted 143-2, and the bill was finally passed 144-2. Members also passed Senate Bill 1033, which combined Department of Natural Resources funding language with agriculture-related changes, including exemptions for certain farm trucks and cotton gin permitting and air-dispersion modeling requirements. Supporters said it would help keep state environmental programs solvent and better align Missouri rules with neighboring states, while some members raised concerns about future budget pressure and environmental impacts. The Senate substitute passed 134-9. The House then passed Senate Bill 916, which limits when contractors can be required to indemnify the state before or after work on public projects, with supporters saying it protects contractors from premature lawsuits while preserving liability for negligence; it passed 133-1. Finally, the House adopted and finally passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 21, which promotes Missouri participation in America 250 celebrations in 2026, and then adopted a conference committee report and finally passed Senate Bill 975 after brief debate. The chamber also announced upcoming committee meetings and then recessed, with plans to return later for additional Senate bills and conference reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair of the conference committee. Can I see this conference committee report?
• Conference report?
• the conference committee report. the conference committee report.
• The conference has met.
• Uh, the chair of the conference committee moves the conference committee report.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, April 13, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened on the final day of session, heard an invocation, recognized guests and pages, and outlined a tentative plan for multiple sessions and breaks through the day. The chamber then took up several messages between the Senate and House, including a refusal to concur in House amendments to Senate Bill 311 on the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and the appointment of conferees, as well as a House message on House Bill 9007 establishing a conference committee on third-degree assault. The Senate also considered a series of second-reader bills. House Bill 6, requiring MHEC to collect data on pregnant and parenting students, was amended to exempt Maryland Global Campus and limit certain provisions to public senior higher education institutions and community colleges before being ordered to third reading. House Bill 182, concerning replacement of faithless electors, was amended to conform with Senate Bill 237 and then passed. House Bill 575, creating excused absences for student civic engagement, drew the most discussion; senators asked about the definition of civic engagement, county discretion, and whether students could use the bill for repeated protests. The floor leader explained that county boards would retain discretion and that the bill would not require weekly absences. The bill’s two amendments were adopted and it was sent to third reading. Additional measures passed with little or no opposition. House Bill 640 revised boards, commissions, and reporting requirements; House Bill 1335 required an independent study of IT and cybersecurity staffing and pay; House Bill 587 created a work group to review transportation procurement procedures; House Bill 854 established a nonpublic special education school renovation program; and House Bill 898 adjusted economic development provisions, including VLT proceeds and film tax credit language, after questions about the general fund impact. The Senate also advanced House Bill 1247 on Prince George’s County tax increment financing for an immersive entertainment venue, with amendments making it an emergency bill and addressing zoning and outdoor advertising issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• 48 hours, and therefore the conference report for House Bill 30 is before the body.
• them an overview of the conference report and to receive any questions.
• Speaker, I move adoption of the conference report. Shall the conference report be adopted?
• Shall the conference report be adopted? Mr. Speaker. Aye, 71; noes, 22.
• The conference report is adopted. Thank you. Ayes, 71; noes, 22. The conference report is adopted.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and then took up a series of memorial and commending resolutions out of order and in block. Members offered tributes to Colonel James T. O’Kelly for his Marine Corps service and later public service; to Taran Mehta and DeWan Anthony Stiegel, Jr.; to Noreen Torin for her long career in Central Virginia journalism; to Bernard L. Henderson, Jr. for extensive public and civic service; and to Child’s Family Orchards for growing a record-setting peach. Several additional memorial and commending resolutions were adopted in block, including newly added resolutions for Stephanie Daniel Myers and Lynn Kathleen McKay, among others. The chamber then considered the conference report on House Bill 30, the biennial state budget. Speakers praised staff and conferees for their work and noted provisions such as pay raises for teachers and state employees, infrastructure funding, a higher standard deduction, and a utility-related rebate issue. Some members criticized the budget as a large spending increase and argued it did not provide enough tax relief, while others supported it and emphasized keeping commitments to data center tax policy and adding co-ops to rebate efforts. After debate, the House adopted the conference report by a vote of 71 yeas to 22 nays. At the close of business, the House was informed that the calendar was complete, reminded about a constituent relationship management software survey, and then recessed pursuant to House Resolution 2069.