Transcript Highlights:

• We have a motion and a second, and there were also amendments. Are you taking the amendments?
• We're also support-if-amended and support the amendments outlined by RCRC. All right.
• amends.
• This is an unusual situation because we did ask for a set of amendments, and it was support if amended
• I will be accepting the committee amendments.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we do have a non-germane amendment.
• Patenza passed around uh this amendment. Patenza passed around uh this amendment.
• So this is amendment.
• non-Germanine amendment. You're welcome. non-Germanine amendment. You're welcome.
• amendment, an amendment to non-Germanine amendment, an amendment to an<01:07:30.160> amendment

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held a hearing on a non-germane amendment to SB 302, a Senate bill originally requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners. Representative Patenza explained that the amendment was intended to preserve and separate out language developed for the governor’s budget proposal and HB 2 concerning a solid waste facility site evaluation committee, a moratorium, and related public-benefit/site-benefit provisions, so the policy would still have a vehicle if the budget language did not advance. He said the proposal reflects extensive work by the House, the governor’s office, and DES, and he was open to further changes to align with any budget conference committee outcome. Dr. Adam Finkele testified in support of the amendment and the underlying site evaluation concept, arguing that landfill siting decisions should be based on cost-benefit analysis that includes public harms, local impacts, and regional impacts rather than only private benefits. He praised the committee process and prior legislation requiring agencies to respond substantively to public comments, and said the new language improves on the governor’s version by moving the committee’s review earlier in the process and requiring more complete application information, including alternatives and impacts on nearby wells and aquifers. He also supported a three-year moratorium on new landfill applications, saying it would give the state time to address leachate, PFAS, waste reduction, and weak siting rules. Members asked about possible conference committee changes, the value of having a separate review body, and whether the new rules would invite litigation. Dr. Finkele said he would likely sue over the rules because he считает them too weak, but also said the legislature could fix the problems through other bills such as HB 77. He acknowledged that the site evaluation committee is not a perfect solution, but said it is a useful intermediate step between the agency and the courts and likely would meet only rarely if capacity need remains the main trigger for future landfill decisions. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I do have an author's amendment. I would move the A1 amendment to House File 550.
• It is so amended, and I will change my underlying motion to move that House File 550, as amended, be
• I am hoping that this amendment and this constitutional amendment plus the statutory piece does end up
• I am hoping that this amendment and this constitutional amendment plus the statutory piece does end up
• Looking over your amendment, I did notice that a fair quantity of the state... look at the amendment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh no, that was the wrong amendment—that was the amendment from the very first hearing, yes.
• Yes, yeah, amendment yet. Amendment.
• Do you have the amendment? It's... Wait, you have the amendment? It's coming. Oh, that was fast.
• I'd be happy to talk about the amendment I'd be happy to talk about the amendment while<00:22:38.159
• in support of a common sense Amendment in support of a common sense Amendment to<01:00:34.079>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's an amendment on the bill. There's an amendment on the bill, correct?
• Yes, we'd like to take up the amendment. Staff, could you read that amendment, please? Mr.
• Amendment submitted by Tedford. Thank you, sir. Without objection, we'll adopt the amendment.
• There is an amendment on the bill. There is an amendment on the bill.
• Amendment submitted by Sterling. Without objection, we will adopt that amendment.

Bills: HB3443, HB2123, HB3757, HB2445

Keywords: transportation, oversize permit, overweight permit, permit fees, motor carrier, commercial trucking, heavy haul, wide load, special combination vehicle, manufactured home transport, portable building transport, utility poles, rural electric cooperative, farm equipment, agricultural hauling, bridge formula, load limits, weight limits, road funding, highway construction

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's go to the amendment.
• Are there any questions on the amendment?
• All in favor of the amendment, say aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. The amendment is adopted.
• So back on the bill as amended, are there any questions on the bill as amended?
• Is there any debate on the bill as amended? Seeing none.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and considered two bills. SB 1594, by Senator Gates, would require veterans’ benefits accessed on behalf of foster youth to be preserved for the minor’s future use, specifically for post-secondary education or aftercare services when the youth leaves foster care rather than being used to reimburse care costs. The bill had no amendments, received one supportive appearance from Victoria Zep, and was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then took up SB 1182, by Senator Jones, which creates the Florida Veterans and Military Spouses Business Development Act to provide fee relief and tax incentives for veteran-owned and military spouse-owned businesses. A strike-all amendment was adopted that added limited information-sharing between agencies, changed verification procedures, converted part of the tax benefit into a capped $100,000 annual exemption for five years, broadened fee waivers to some existing businesses, and kept annual reporting requirements. The amended bill was then reported favorably. The committee also held a confirmation hearing for three appointees: Matthew Bacchano, Tim Thomas, and Belinda Kaiser. No one requested separate votes, and the committee recommended confirmation of all three by a single roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members offered extended praise and thanks to Chair Wright for his long service and leadership, and the chair announced the meeting was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion is do pass as amended. Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez. The motion is do pass as amended.
• For those reasons, we remain opposed and less amended, but again appreciate the amendments thus far and
• We have an opposed and less amended position. We very much appreciate the amendments. Of BioCom.
• We are in opposition unless amended.
• The amendments also make...

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is, part of the amendment.
• <01:51:39.119> Um part of the amendment. Um part of the amendment.
• three hours to amend that bill? three hours to amend that bill?
• I really like your amendment and I'm wondering if you would be amendable to a simple change in the amendment
• . amendment. amendment.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• committee amendments. committee amendments. >> All<00:10:35.760> right.
• There are no amendments.
• Clerk will read the next bill. no amendments. I move for the adoption no amendments.
• amendments to the bill or its title? amendments to the bill or its title?
• amendments to the bill or its title? amendments to the bill or its title?

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

Summary: The Maryland Senate met on Friday, February 27, with an invocation by Reverend Howard Travers and several guest introductions, including family members, defense organization leaders, a South Asian Herald editor, Eagleton Institute fellows, and physicians from Johns Hopkins. The chamber journalized the prayer, confirmed a quorum, and then moved into bill introductions, House messages, and committee reports. Several measures were advanced without objection, including Senate Bill 338 to extend a work group report deadline on transfer of retirement system member services, Senate Bill 448 authorizing Carroll County public facilities bonds up to $27 million, Senate Bill 453 clarifying that the Arabian horse race associated with Preakness can be run at Laurel Park, Senate Bill 614 allowing Dorchester County detention officers to join the correctional officers retirement system if the county opts in, and Senate Bill 724 making a technical emergency adjustment to cost-of-living calculations for retirees because October CPI data was unavailable during a government shutdown. Each of those bills received favorable committee reports and was ordered printed for third reading after no objections or amendments were offered. Two bills were postponed for later consideration: Senate Bill 538 on Baltimore City raffles tied to organizations affiliated with professional baseball and football teams was special ordered to Wednesday of the following week, and Senate Bill 108 on water resources and wetlands enforcement was special ordered to March 3 while members worked on possible amendments. Senate Bill 56 on the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center and third-party data sharing was also special ordered to the following Wednesday because committee discussion was ongoing. House Bill 6 and House Bill 372 were received and referred to the appropriate standing committees. The Senate also took up Executive Nominations Committee Report No. 3 and, after no nominations were separated out, confirmed the executive nominations by a vote of 41 in the affirmative. Later, the chamber heard a personal privilege statement from a Montgomery County senator about Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald schools in Maryland, highlighting preservation efforts and an upcoming Scrabble tournament fundraiser at a Rosenwald school. The Senate then confirmed a quorum, and the Majority Leader moved that the Senate stand in recess until Monday, March 2 at 8:00 p.m., which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Howard moves the DE1 amendment. Uh Chair Howard, is there any discussion to the amendment?
• Uh the next amendment on the agenda is the A1 amendment, and co-chair Igo is authoring the A1 amendment
• I support the amendment.
• support of the amendment. support of the amendment.
• A1 amendment. Any discussion? A1 amendment. Any discussion?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion is due pass as amended to consent calendar.
• SB 532 of 2023 was amended in Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments to do just that.
• Now that this amendment is included, Now that this amendment is included in the excellent committee amendments
• It's our understanding that the author has accepted the amendments.
• I think we are very close to agreement on amendments, and that those amendments will be taken at the

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on April 30, 2025, beginning as a subcommittee until a quorum was established. The committee first approved six bills on consent, including AB 950, AB 953, AB 1214, and three committee bills. It then heard several measures dealing with election administration, ballot transparency, and campaign finance, with most authors accepting committee amendments and several bills being held on call for absent members. AB 930 by Assembly Member Ward would extend the deadline for counting timely postmarked vote-by-mail ballots from three to seven days after Election Day and update recount procedures, including online posting of recount results and clearer rules for recount requests. The bill was supported by county election officials and passed out of committee with a due-pass recommendation, though it was initially held on call. AB 459 by Assembly Member DeMaio proposed allowing electronic signatures for initiatives, referenda, and recalls; the Secretary of State and labor groups opposed it over security, implementation, and cost concerns, and the committee ultimately rejected the bill after reconsideration. AB 699 by Assembly Member Stephanie would change how local tiered tax and bond measures are described on ballots by allowing more detail to be placed in the voter guide; housing, school, and local government groups supported it, while taxpayer and realtor groups opposed it as reducing ballot transparency. AB 1188, presented on behalf of Assembly Member Ortega, would list the top three funders supporting and opposing statewide initiatives and referenda directly on the ballot; transparency advocates and labor supported it, while county election officials and business groups raised concerns about ballot length and processing costs. Both AB 699 and AB 1188 passed out of committee with amendments and were held on call. The committee also heard AB 827 by Assembly Member Berman, which would standardize and extend the deadline for curing vote-by-mail signature problems, add a link to cure forms in ballot-tracking notifications, and make other changes to improve ballot curing. It drew no opposition in the hearing and passed with a due-pass recommendation. AB 351 by Assembly Member McKenna would raise the Levine Act contribution threshold for local officials to $1,500 and add CPI adjustments; supporters said it would reduce administrative burdens and reflect modern campaign finance realities, while good-government groups and the League of Women Voters opposed it as weakening anti-corruption protections. The committee initially failed AB 351, then granted reconsideration, but the transcript ends before a final disposition is clearly completed. Finally, AB 1079 by Assembly Member Farías would eliminate the automatic appellate stay in California Voting Rights Act and Fair Maps Act cases; it was supported as a way to prevent delayed remedies in voting rights cases, opposed by the City of Santa Monica over impacts on ongoing litigation, and passed with amendments. After taking up the held items, the committee recorded final votes on the bills, including passage of AB 930, AB 699, AB 1188, AB 827, and AB 1079, and rejection of AB 459.

Transcript Highlights:

• repeal this amendment in the 2024 general election.
• directly to the voters as a constitutional amendment proposal.
• All right, and we have no amendments.
• All right, there are no amendments. Public testimony, Faith.
• There are no amendments.

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee heard several measures focused on government structure, oversight, and public policy designations. The most debated bill was HJR 1325, which proposed a constitutional amendment to create a statewide Commissioner of Government Efficiency, abolish the lieutenant governor office and the Government Efficiency Task Force, and eliminate the constitutional requirement for an Auditor General appointment. Sponsors said the new commissioner would be a watchdog over waste, fraud, and abuse across state and local government, while opponents raised concerns about cost, single-subject issues, lack of implementation details, and whether existing oversight structures were sufficient. After extensive debate, the resolution was reported favorably by a recorded vote. The committee also approved HB 575, which redesignates the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America in Florida statute, and HB 1445, which requires certain state officials and agency heads to have stronger ties to Florida and, for some positions, to live in the county where their agency headquarters is located. HB 1445 drew questions about practicality and whether a proximity standard would be better than a strict county requirement, but the sponsor said he would continue working on that issue. Both bills were reported favorably, with HB 1445 passing unanimously. In addition, the committee unanimously approved HB 259, designating August 21 as Fentanyl Awareness and Education Day, with supporters emphasizing the need for public education about fentanyl overdoses. The committee also passed CS/HB 29, the public records and meetings bill linked to the social work licensure compact, which creates confidentiality and meeting exemptions needed for the compact to operate. Public testimony on that measure was supportive, and it too was reported favorably without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have an amendment. So you can have a motion for amendment, Senator Shindell.
• Senator Brandt, we have an amended bill. Any questions on the bill?
• We do have an amendment, so I can have a motion to move the amendment for discussion purposes.
• Well, it's kind of related to the amendment in the bill.
• So now you have an amended bill. We're back on the bill.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me read it to you. proposing an amendment to the proposing an amendment to the proposing an amendment
• The following amendment to the The following amendment to the The following amendment to the Constitution
• Proposing an amendment to the amendment. Proposing an amendment to the amendment.
• So, how do we amend this bill? Well, um we amend it by amend this bill?
• Well, um we amend it by amend this bill?

Keywords: 920, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 529 with House Committee Substitute 1 and House Committee Amendment 1, the title amendment
• 1, the title amendment.
• , Amendment One, the Title Amendment, Amendment One, the Title Amendment, Representative<00:06:58.479
• one, the title House Committee amendment one, the title amendment.<00:08:02.080> House<00:08:
• House joint resolution, amendment.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Calendar/2nd Readings 06:06 Report of Committees 07:10 Orders of the Day 09:21 HB 253 09:35 HB 508 16:18 HCR 44 29:09 HB 436 31:53 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 35:50 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 41:19 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 43:02 ConC/Rules Report 46:27 Floor Amendments 47:56 Adjournment 48:34, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum present, and approval of the prior day’s journal. Committee reports were read for a range of bills and resolutions, including measures on privacy protection, theft by deception, social work, licensed occupations, an adult workforce diploma pilot program, parole board changes, alternative high school diplomas, campaign finance, child care, mental health treatment, gubernatorial transitions, unclaimed property, and state contracts. Those items received first reading and were placed on the calendar. The chamber then considered House Bill 253, relating to reading and language arts instruction. Supporters said the bill follows the earlier Read to Succeed law by requiring instruction grounded in the science of reading and phasing out the three-cueing system, which they argued encourages memorization rather than phonics. A member from House District 93 opposed the prohibition, saying teachers need flexibility and that some district-approved methods remain useful in classrooms. The House adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill 94-1, then laid a motion to reconsider on the table. House Bill 508, relating to the protection of veterans benefits, was also debated and passed unanimously 93-0. The sponsor said the bill regulates paid veterans-claims services, requires clear disclosures about free services, limits fees, bars certain practices, and adds annual reporting, while exempting attorneys and law firms. Several members spoke in support, citing personal experiences and the need to protect veterans from bad actors, though some also expressed concern about access to help and urged future federal accreditation language. House Concurrent Resolution 44, urging Congress to create a VA accreditation pathway for private claims companies, was adopted 95-0, and House Bill 436, creating a PGA HOPE-related state parks benefit for veterans and active-duty military participants, passed 94-0. At the end of the session, the House received Senate Bill 172, relating to utility fuel adjustments and declaring an emergency, for first reading and return to committee. Members also made announcements about upcoming breakfasts, meetings, guest groups, and other events.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, there's one amendment I'd be happy to explain. Yeah, please. Mr.
• Please come forward with an amendment and let's... ...you can do it.
• Chair, there's one amendment I'd be happy to explain. Mr.
• SB 1724, as amended, will go to the next bill. Senate Bill 1724, as amended, is done.
• Chair, there's one amendment I'd be happy to explain. Mr.

Bills: SB1090, SB1293, SB1414, SB1429, SB1503, SB1536, SB1633, SB1724, SB1764

Keywords: savings and loan, technical correction, Arizona Revised Statutes, financial institutions, prohibitions, GPLET, abatement, tax incentives, local government, property improvement, central business district, insurance, settlement demands, time limits, third-party claims, regulatory compliance, initiative, referendum, ballot measures, petition circulators

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have the A1 amendment. Senator Kupec offers the A1 amendment.
• President I do have the A1 Amendment President I do have the A1 Amendment Senator<00:23:59.200><
• Amendment Senator koek moves to amend Amendment Senator koek moves to amend Senate<00:24:06.120>
• Any other discussion on the A1 amendment? Any other discussion on the A1 amendment?
• Amendment CNN all in favor of adoption Amendment CNN all in favor of adoption of<00:25:03.440> the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The recommendation here is to pass with amendments.
• The recommendation here is to pass with amendments.
• We’ll amend the bill with amendments so that we restrict vehicles over 10,000 pounds and those towing
• The recommendation here is to pass with amendments.
• And then finally, technical amendments to the measure.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 229 HD1, a transportation measure previously heard jointly with another committee. Members recommended passing it with amendments. The amendments would shift the left-lane restriction from a speed-based standard to apply to vehicles over 10,000 pounds and vehicles towing another vehicle or trailer on roads with three or more lanes in the same direction. The committee also indicated the Judiciary Committee would handle the penalty amounts, while preserving exemptions for passing, left turns, public transit, school buses, and emergency vehicles, and keeping the bill limited to counties with populations over 500,000. The motion was adopted without discussion. The committee then considered HB 1 HD2 relating to the HCDA and transit-oriented development financing. The proposed amendments would give HCDA authority to develop parcels outside community development districts, allow community facilities districts within TOD zones, authorize CFD bonds and HCDA bonds to finance infrastructure, especially transit infrastructure, and incorporate the structure and intent of SB 1669, along with technical changes. The committee recommended passage with amendments, and the measure was adopted. Later, the committee heard HB 1167 HD1, an emergency appropriation to the Department of Transportation. DOT testified in support and clarified that the requested appropriation was $1 million from state highway funds. The committee recommended passing the bill with amendments, including changing the defective date to July 1, 2025 and noting the $1 million request in the committee report for further consideration by Ways and Means. The motion passed, with the chair, Senator Kanuha, and Senator Dort voting in favor and the vice chair excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE DO HAVE APPEARANCE FORMS NOT ON THE AMENDEMENT. ANY DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT?
• SHOW THAT AMENDMENT ADOPTED, QUESTIONS ON THE BILL AS AMENDED?
• THE AMENDMENT.
• ANY QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT? ANY APPEARANCE FORMS? IS THERE DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT?
• THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED, BACK ON THE BILL AS AMENDED, QUESTIONS ON THE BILL AS AMENDED.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, that's the purpose of this amendment<00:05:35.840> here. amendment here. amendment here.
• is the amendment. is the amendment.
• So a single amendment, um, no other amendments are possible.
• So a single amendment, um, no other amendments are possible.
• on the amending motion on the amendment. on the amending motion on the amendment.

Keywords: 1189, house, all