Transcript Highlights:

• to deter illegal immigration by removing the job magnet from Idaho, protect American jobs and boost wages

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• architects, land surveyors, and specialists, supporting over 140,000 jobs and over $10.3 billion in total wages

Summary: The House met in session with 127 members initially present, opened with prayer and the journal reading, and then took up introductory business. House Bills 394 through 444 were read the first time and referred to the appropriate committees, and Introductory House Bond Initiatives Number Two was referred to Appropriations. The Speaker also announced and the House adopted appointments to the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics and the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee. Most of the meeting consisted of committee and delegation announcements. Appropriations, Environment and Transportation, Health, Judiciary, and Ways and Means all announced briefings later that day, while several other committees said they would not meet. Delegations from Frederick, Anne Arundel, the Eastern Shore, Prince George’s, Montgomery, Charles, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Southern Maryland announced upcoming meetings, many by Zoom. A Montgomery County delegate also announced a Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee briefing on the Department of Social and Economic Mobility. The floor included multiple guest and caucus recognitions. The Women’s Caucus promoted a service drive for hygiene, baby, and women’s products for the YMCA Druid Hill pantry, and the Legislative Black Caucus announced new leadership, with Chair N. Scott Phillips and Senate Vice Chair Shaneka Henson. The House welcomed visitors for Maryland Bankers Association Day, Transportation Association of Maryland advocacy day, the Maryland chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies, CPA Day, and sportsmen and sportswomen day, along with student visitors and a guest of a Prince George’s County delegate. No substantive debate or recorded votes occurred beyond the adoption of committee appointments, and the House adjourned until Friday, January 23 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• content changes were needed: updating exemptions, updating definitions, and incorporating the new wage

Bills: HF2543 , HF2566 , HF2627

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• He has so boldly waged.

Transcript Highlights:

• laws including fighting for expanded LGBTQ+ rights, record funding for mass transit, pushing for increased
• pandemic, challenging polluting power plants and ensuring utility employees received a prevailing wage
• INCLUDING FIGHTING FOR ADVANCE LGBTQ PLUS RIGHTS TO RECORD FUNDING FOR MASS TRANSIT, PUSHING FOR INCREASED
• PANDEMIC, CHALLENGING POLLUTING POWER PLANTS AND ENING SURE UTILITY EMPLOYS RECEIVED A PREVAILING WAGE
• And to vote for it again, because finally the day has come where we're actually increasing the income

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then processed a series of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate bills, which were so ordered. Several bills were also recalled from the Assembly, had reconsideration votes taken, and were restored to the third reading calendar after receiving 58 ayes. Amendments were received on a number of bills, and those measures retained their place on the calendar. The main business of the day was Privileged Resolution 2318, sponsored by Leader Stewart-Cousins, honoring Senator Michael Gianaris with the President Pro Tempore and Senate Majority Leader’s Legislative Legacy Award. The resolution and floor remarks reviewed his long career in the Assembly and Senate, his role as Deputy Majority Leader and floor leader, and his work on housing, criminal justice, voting rights, labor, environmental, consumer, transit, animal welfare, and other major legislation. Members from both parties spoke at length, praising his strategic skill, mentorship, humor, and influence, while also noting his support for younger members and his commitment to family. Several senators described personal experiences showing Gianaris’s mentorship and political guidance, and many referenced his Greek American identity, Queens roots, and interests such as Star Wars and the Mets. Senators also emphasized that he was leaving on his own terms to spend more time with his wife and daughters. The resolution was adopted with broad support, and Gianaris then spoke in response, reflecting on nearly 30 years in state government, the major laws passed during his tenure, and the relationships he built in the chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• We cannot afford an increase in dental disease, both economically and physically.
• An increase in dental decay will increase the cost of Medicaid significantly.
• </c><00:33:05.440><c> decay</c><00:33:06.080><c> will</c> An increase in the dental decay will An increase
• > of</c><00:33:07.440><c> Medicaid</c> increase the cost of Medicaid increase the cost of Medicaid significantly
• I watched both of my parents, both who worked low-wage jobs, lose their teeth.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> responsible</c> It increases funding for responsible It increases funding for responsible onshore
• by 2,000%. increased by 2,000%.
• , a 474% increase.
• </c><08:06:54.558><c> Helens</c> increase. And for Stacy and St. Helens increase.
• </c><08:07:06.638><c> It's</c> increase. It's unconscionable. It's increase. It's unconscionable.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a one-time increase.
• That's a one-time increase.<00:13:58.560><c> Moving</c><00:13:58.880><c> on</c><00:13:59.120><c> down
• Moving on down to line 84 for increase.
• </c> derailing projects, we're increasing derailing projects, we're increasing cost.<00:25:27.520><c>
• Investments in high-impact programs while working to increase efficiencies in our housing production.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• contributions to an account like this that a contract employer can contribute to out of their own wages
• Senators, in light of the increasing animus and threats against religious worship around the country,
• situation, and conditions matter more than absolute speed, with a 10-mile-per-hour differential increasing
• It increases the local bridge inspection account from $175,000 annually to $300,000 annually, funded
• The cost of bridge inspection and the number of inspections has increased over time.

Transcript Highlights:

• week, President Trump announced the Great Health Care Plan, which focuses on lowering costs by increasing
• week, President Trump announced the Great Health Care Plan, which focuses on lowering costs by increasing
• week, President Trump announced the Great Health Care Plan, which focuses on lowering costs by increasing
• In fact, to Increase businesses in America.
• The sophistication and frequency of scams and fraud targeting our veterans is constantly increasing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lower fees increase voluntary participation in the permit system, improving administrative clarity and
• And it’s like four cents per ballot to increase the amount of security, so it’s like—” “...to increase
• Is lonely, increase the number of rapes. How did that happen?
• With weapons to defend themselves increases the number of people who are raped.
• There’s no evidence that suppressors increase violent crime.

Summary: The committee began with lengthy testimony and affidavits criticizing the Arizona State Bar, with speakers alleging selective discipline, due process problems, and retaliation against attorneys who take controversial cases. Committee members questioned the witnesses and discussed whether the bar and court system properly oversee attorney discipline, but no action was taken on that testimony. The committee then considered several election-related bills. SB 1037 would impose stricter security requirements on voting and tabulating equipment, including no internet access, tamper-proof seals, chain-of-custody documentation, nonstop video at accounting centers, and criminal penalties for violations; it passed 4-2 with one not voting. SB 1038 would require rapid public release of cast vote records, but an amendment changed the timing and transmission process; the amended bill passed 4-2 with one not voting. SB 1040 would expand public access to voter registration rolls through an internet portal and a read-only format; it also passed 4-2 with one not voting. The committee next approved SB 1039, which would allow attorneys who prevail in bar discipline matters to seek damages for reputational harm and lost earnings; it passed 4-2 with one not voting after extensive discussion about bar procedures, interim suspension, and whether attorneys can practice while under investigation. SB 1053, reducing concealed carry permit fees for Arizona residents, passed 4-2 with one not voting. SB 1057, requiring ballot paper fraud-countermeasure features, also passed 4-2 with one not voting. SB 1060, removing a voting exemption for U.S. citizens who have never resided in the United States, passed 3-2 with two not voting. The committee then heard SB 1061, which would lower the fentanyl threshold for enhanced sentencing from 200 grams to 9 grams; testimony focused on whether the bill would sweep in users as well as dealers, but the transcript ends before a vote is taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Care of this issue because from just our projections, that number continuously increases every state
• I'm one of the people in this committee meeting today who's been fighting for increased penalties on
• So, besides the fact of equity, it doesn't increase anything.
• Increasing X amount of criminal penalty will not decrease crime.
• We have the Second Amendment right to carry; it does not increase crime.

Committee: House House Consumer & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no objection, so ordered. this entity and might likely increase the city's banking costs.
• costs would likely run between 30 and 50 million dollars to create... this entity and might likely increase
• The bill is designed to address the increasing criminal caseload in Bell County by establishing magistrates
• To develop curriculum requirements for high-wage jobs in the advanced industry, legislative recommendations
• For this was that local governments often swallowed up much of the tax relief through increased spending

Bills: SJR12 , SJR37 , SB7 , SB8 , SB16 , SB27 , SB108 , SB125 , SB207 , SB251 , SB318 , SB371 , SB379 , SB396 , SB406 , SB472 , SB503 , SB533 , SB578 , SB599 , SB608 , SB617 , SB621 , SB689 , SB707 , SB763 , SB836 , SB854 , SB856 , SB857 , SB875 , SB878 , SB906 , SB922 , SB942 , SB965 , SB985 , SB988 , SB1021 , SB1059 , SB1084 , SB1098 , SB1185 , SB1188 , SB1202 , SB1207 , SB1307 , SB1321 , SB1330 , SB1366 , SB1388 , SB1396 , SB1453 , SB1484 , SB1497 , SB1498 , SB1535 , SB1563 , SB1596 , SB1610 , SB1619 , SB1737 , SB1738 , SB1741 , SB1816 , SB1822 , SB1841 , SB1939 , SB2188 , SJR36 , SJR12 , SJR37 , SJR81 , SJR50 , SCR22 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB875 , SB318 , SB707 , SB765 , SB62 , SB666 , SB888 , SB687 , SB847 , SB1248 , SB504 , SB857 , SB305 , SB296 , SB284 , SB1497 , SB1498 , SB241 , SB304 , SB621 , SB1023 , SB371 , SB204 , SB609 , SB670 , SB850 , SB854 , SB413 , SB1346 , SB1033 , SB1220 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1539 , SB447 , SB406 , SB985 , SB965 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB1215 , SB1302 , SB856 , SB583 , SB673 , SB681 , SB1172 , SB608 , SB955 , SB957 , SB1021 , SB1120 , SB251 , SB541 , SB1737 , SB266 , SB1415 , SB125 , SB599 , SB1330 , SB53 , SB1352 , SB785 , SB472 , SB1450 , SB1502 , SB1566 , SB414 , SB1062 , SB578 , SB711 , SB746 , SB942 , SB1404 , SB1448 , SB1738 , SB108 , SB8 , SB507 , SB533 , SB689 , SB1026 , SB1349 , SB1355 , SB1433 , SB1434 , SB1596 , SB1403 , SB763 , SB667 , SB1059 , SB617 , SB1567 , SB503 , SB16 , SB310 , SB311 , SB396 , SB505 , SB1209 , SB1210 , SB1470 , SB264 , SB1029 , SB1185 , SB1358 , SB1364 , SB1569 , SB1376 , SB1228 , SB519 , SB878 , SB1350 , SB462 , SB1535 , SB827 , SB1585 , SB207 , SB1207 , SB1619 , SB1396 , SB920 , SB1484 , SB1273 , SB1741 , SB7 , SB927 , SB1227 , SB1229 , SB1353 , SB1366 , SB1464 , SB1709 , SB1729 , SB1733 , SB1744 , SB1772 , SB1816 , SB1841 , SB2188 , SB1147 , SB879 , SB1008 , SB1536 , SB2016 , SB1453 , SB1173 , SB1163 , SB996 , SB27 , SB568 , SB1370 , SB1321 , SB1101 , SB906 , SB860 , SB1563 , SB993 , SB693 , SB1610 , SB1537 , SB836 , SB1332 , SB1307 , SB963 , SB493 , SB922 , SB984 , SB1084 , SB619 , SB1098 , SB1122 , SB455 , SB522 , SB1057 , SB1239 , SB1254 , SB1255 , SB1259 , SB1341 , SB1664 , SB1877 , SB464 , SB1277 , SB32 , SB732 , SB660 , SB731 , SB921 , SB268 , SB1822 , SB1188 , SB1939 , SB1589 , SB397 , SB1388 , SB2230 , SB1058 , SB1036 , SB1267 , SB2112 , SB1930 , SB532 , SB1035 , SB2155 , SB508 , SB29 , SB292 , SB291 , SB901 , SB1333 , SB1436 , SB1494 , SB964 , SB779 , SB1378 , SB2312 , SB1719 , SB1386 , SB287 , SB2143 , SB1245 , SB261 , SB1247 , SB1948 , SB2406 , SB2407 , SB1882 , SB1197 , SB1814 , SB618 , SB38

Transcript Highlights:

• So in fact it was a tax increase.
• So in fact it was a tax increase.
• So in fact it was a tax increase.
• So in fact it was a tax increase.
• So in fact it was a tax increase.

Transcript Highlights:

• This does nothing to increase affordability or help with affordability for everyday Arizonans.
• We already increased the threshold to $100. It was less than five years ago.
• We need to increase access to voting and not disenfranchise people. I vote no.
• It would be okay without the amendment to increase the money to private prisons.
• As my colleague said, that does not increase public safety, that decreases public safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're only looking at increasing the penalty for the most serious cases here that involve harm to our
• HB 61 fixes that by increasing the aggravated battery on a peace officer in those HB 61 fixes that by
• Three to nine seems a lot, like a big increase.
• I'm going to charge a 10% increase. And we need to tell doctors that.
• That wouldn't be something to do to increase litigation. Mr.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 61, which would raise aggravated battery on a peace officer from a third-degree to a second-degree felony in cases involving great bodily harm or a deadly weapon. The sponsor and supporters said the bill fixes an inconsistency in current law, where aggravated assault on an officer can be punished more severely than aggravated battery causing serious injury. Law enforcement representatives, the Chiefs Association, CBRC, and chamber representatives testified in support, and the New Mexico Sentencing Commission was noted as having endorsed the bill by a 6-3-4 vote. After questions about proportionality and plea bargaining, the committee voted due pass on HB 61 without objection. The committee then returned to House Bill 99, a medical malpractice reform bill, and several members made conflict-of-interest disclosures before debating amendments. The discussion focused heavily on the patient compensation fund, surcharge setting, and whether an advisory board or the superintendent should control rates. Amendments to segregate future fund money, require surcharges no lower than the advisory board’s recommendation, and create a commission with more actuarial and financial expertise were debated at length; the committee rejected the first two amendments. Members and witnesses argued over whether past undercharging of hospitals and doctors led to insolvency and taxpayer bailouts, and whether the bill should require more transparency and oversight. The committee also debated amendments on punitive damages. One proposal would have delayed punitive damage claims until after substantial discovery; opponents said it would conflict with civil procedure, prolong litigation, and likely be struck down. Another would have tied punitive damages to a multiple of compensatory damages or a percentage of net worth; supporters said that would better deter harmful conduct, while opponents said it would create uncertainty and more discovery. That amendment also failed. A final punitive-damages amendment would have removed caps in cases involving sexual assault or intoxication by a health care provider and protected the first $5 million of an independent provider’s personal assets; it too was rejected after members said it would shield egregious misconduct and go beyond the bill’s purpose.

Transcript Highlights:

• on nonprofit health organizations, on folks with disabilities, on folks who do not make a livable wage
• not<01:26:32.680><c> make</c><01:26:32.880><c> a</c><01:26:32.920><c> livable</c><01:26:33.400><c> wage
• </c><01:26:33.680><c> and</c><01:26:33.840><c> cannot</c> not make a livable wage and cannot not make
• a livable wage and cannot afford<01:26:34.600><c> private</c><01:26:34.920><c> health</c><01:26:35.160

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> I would in anticipate an increased I would in anticipate an increased volume<01:48:45.239><c> of
• </c><04:02:21.120><c> for</c> them to consider rate increases for them to consider rate increases for
• , and then, if so, would an increase in those wages allow us to have and provide a greater amount of
• , and then, if so, would an increase in those wages allow us to have and provide a greater amount of
• </c> services or we would have to increase services or we would have to increase the<04:57:38.400><c>

Summary: The House Commerce Committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 310, sponsored by Representative Keith Ammon, which would create a study commission to develop a legal framework for stable tokens and tokenized real-world assets. Ammon described stable tokens as blockchain-based digital tokens backed by U.S. dollars or treasuries, and tokenized real-world assets as representations of ownership in items such as gold, real estate, or artwork. He said the bill is intended to help New Hampshire get ahead of emerging financial markets while waiting to see how federal legislation develops. Committee members asked about the purpose of the bill, the difference between this proposal and Bitcoin, whether state regulation could be preempted by federal law, and whether the commission could be balanced and avoid becoming a vehicle for fraud or money laundering. Ammon said the proposal is blockchain-agnostic, could apply to multiple networks, and is meant to regulate asset-backed tokens rather than create a state-issued coin. He emphasized that the state would not be guaranteeing the underlying assets, but would set rules requiring audits, proof of reserves, and honest representation of backing, with the Secretary of State’s securities office involved in oversight. Several members raised concerns about the risks of stablecoins, including money laundering, tax evasion, and possible harm to the dollar or confusion about whether the state was endorsing a new currency. Ammon responded that the bill would not undermine the dollar and argued that tokenization could actually expand demand for U.S. currency by making it easier to use globally. He also said the state would not be in the business of weighing assets or directly valuing them, only ensuring a valid audit trail and one-to-one backing. The discussion ended with general agreement that the subject is complex and that a commission could help develop future legislation, but no vote or final action was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:42:53.600><c> of</c> and will not result in an increase of and will not result in an increase
• There's also a revenue increase of $1,000 per year.
• There's also a revenue increase of $1,000 per year.
• It increases accidents, it increases illnesses, it can even cost lives, and it definitely costs money
• It does not help save energy or increase productivity.

Bills: HF1234 , HF3528 , HF3672 , HF3679 , HF3680 , HF1944

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The Balmer Group is partnering with the state to increase access to our comprehensive early learning
• a new grant that will increase access to Washington state-funded preschool program, ECAP, by funding
• ways to increase the labor force.
• It's something that families across our state are living with, and it's an increasing risk.
• We're going to increase it by one-third. Tribes are sovereign nations.

Bills: SB5223 , SB5928 , SB6071 , SB5995 , SB5966 , SB5841 , SB6061 , SB5944 , SB5520 , SB6087 , SB6076 , SB5916 , SB6016 , SB6137 , SB6009 , SB5833 , SB6161 , SB5890 , SB5973 , SJM8015 , SB5816 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB5536 , SB5834 , SB5837 , SB5872 , SB5879 , SB5899 , SB5925 , SB6019 , SB6148 , SB6190 , SB6237 , SB6086 , SB5574 , SB5873 , SB5992 , SB5924 , SB6134 , SB6263 , SB5395 , SB6282 , SB5905 , SB6302 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5970 , SB5609 , SB5827 , SB5838 , SB5845 , SB5862 , SB5880 , SB5901 , SB5922 , SB5943 , SB5971 , SB5975 , SB5981 , SB5982 , SB5984 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6034 , SB6035 , SB6070 , SB6097 , SB6110 , SB6246 , SB6248 , SB6278 , SJM8016 , SB5496 , SB6054 , SB5835 , SB5907 , SB6031 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB5947 , SB6247 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB6194 , SB5909 , SB5868 , SB6026 , SB5974 , SB6044 , SB5906 , SB6081 , SB6239 , SB5923 , SB6323 , SB6210 , SB6045 , SB6106 , SB5346 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5968

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, wildfire risk, disclosure, safety, environmental policy, risk assessment, overpayment recovery, modernization, health care, legislation, zero emission, cargo handling, port district, environmental impact, grant allocation, healthcare