Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:42.559> Really possess or transfer firearms. Really possess or transfer firearms.
• the licensed firearms dealer?
• the licensed firearms dealer?
• ...private firearms transactions and ones which did not go to a firearms dealer.
• Back up. firearm to a prohibited person firearm to a prohibited person >> for<00:47:12.640>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm understanding, I believe that you're also extending the ability to purchase a firearm and not go
• PFC and have a firearm.
• Do you think they should be able to carry a firearm?
• How about extending it to firearms, to, you know, nines and .45s? Mr. Chair.
• When that kid comes home, he deserves to be able to carry a firearm.

Summary: The committee met and took up several criminal justice, public safety, and boating measures. It first heard SB 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, which would create mental health diversion options for eligible misdemeanor and felony defendants, expand mental health and substance abuse grant uses, require evaluations and treatment recommendations in certain cases, add Hillsborough County to a forensic diversion pilot list, and create a behavioral health data repository. After adopting a technical amendment, the bill received strong support from NAMI Florida, family advocates, sheriffs, and the Murphy family, and was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. The committee also approved SB 86, expanding peer support programs for certain law enforcement support personnel, and SB 472, allowing inmates who complete approved education in correctional facilities to receive credit toward professional licensure requirements. Both bills were amended and then reported favorably without opposition. SB 276, which increases penalties for unlawfully sheltering or aiding an unmarried minor and creates a defense for actions taken to protect a minor from danger, drew questions about runaway youth, LGBTQ youth, and the scope of the defense; the sponsor said he was open to further amendment, and the bill passed favorably. Members then approved SB 402, updating the unlawful use of uniforms, medals, or insignia statute to reference the armed forces by definition rather than by branch. SB 490, as amended, would let law enforcement, correctional, and correctional probation officers carry concealed off duty and exempt law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and active military service members from the three-day waiting period for rifle and shotgun purchases; it passed 8-1 after debate over the waiting period and equal treatment concerns. Finally, the committee passed SB 628, Lucy’s Law, to strengthen boating safety and penalties, after adopting an amendment that removed proposed changes to warrantless blood draws and boating education requirements; the bill was supported by the family of Lucy Fernandez and passed unanimously. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It clarifies that for the purposes of this bill, firearms do not include antique firearms as defined
• It clarifies that for the purposes of this bill, firearms do not include antique firearms as defined
• It clarifies that for the purposes of this bill, firearms do not include antique firearms as defined
• It clarifies that for the purposes of this bill, firearms do not include antique firearms.
• owners except for persons prohibited from receiving a firearm, and that firearm owner information in

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• violence and effective implementation of GVPO would have resulted in that individual not having firearms
• Next, we have uh testifying for Hawaii Firearms Coalition, Andrew Roberts, uh, who submitted written
• even though there was awareness firearms even though there was awareness in<00:04:57.919> the
• Next, we have uh testifying for<00:05:25.600> Hawaii<00:05:26.560> Firearms<00:05:27.199
• > Coalition,<00:05:28.000> Andrew for Hawaii Firearms Coalition, Andrew for Hawaii Firearms

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs took up several measures, beginning with House Bill 2413 on pre-trial reform, which had been deferred from a prior agenda. The chair said the committee would incorporate judiciary recommendations and other technical, non-substantive amendments to continue discussion, and the measure was adopted with amendments by a 2-1 vote, with one member excused. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Bill 2062, which appropriates funds for gun violence prevention efforts, including processing temporary restraining orders and gun violence protective orders and funding public awareness campaigns. Supporters, including county, advocacy, law enforcement, and student witnesses, said the bill would improve implementation of an existing law, save lives, and reduce suicides and violence. Opponents argued red flag laws can be abused, raise due process concerns, and may create dangerous enforcement situations. Written testimony was reported as 60 in support, 47 in opposition, and one comment. The committee later passed HB 2062 with amendments, including a corrected effective date, by a 3-1 vote with one member excused. The committee also considered House Bill 1957 on safe entryways, which would establish enforcement procedures in larger cities to prevent blocking of private doorways and entrances. Written testimony included support and opposition, but no oral testimony was offered, and the bill was passed with technical, non-substantive amendments. House Bill 253 on fireworks, which expands civil asset forfeiture for felony fireworks offenses and clarifies air-delivery provisions, was also passed with an amended effective date. House Bill 2581 on emergency management, which would narrow the definitions of disasters and emergencies, drew testimony both supporting the bill as a check on emergency powers and opposing it as incomplete or too broad in its current form; decision-making on that measure was deferred to the committee’s March 23 meeting. House Bill 2498 on a care home resilience pilot program was also deferred to March 23 after no testimony was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any destabilizing event, mention of guns and firearms, or mentions of the relocation of firearms.
• It reduces firearm suicide, but suicide rates overall don't decrease.
• and prohibiting individuals from purchasing or possessing firearms while the order is in effect.
• To have firearms safely stored away by police.
• So you need to understand that he can still respect me to a certain degree with what a firearm is.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's related to ordering in domestic violence convictions that firearms be taken up after due process
• It's related to ordering in domestic violence convictions that firearms be taken up after due process
• Firearm. Um, and then I'll explain first, under Section 1, starting in line 41.
• When firearms are involved, they are the most deadly part of the domestic violence situation.
• have had to said this is the firearms have had to said this is the firearms are<00:21:28.159>

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 2 February, 2026; 4:30 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee took up a series of criminal justice and public safety bills. Early discussion focused on immigration-related concerns and the costs of enforcement, with one senator pressing for data to support claims about crimes by undocumented immigrants and another citing specific cases and DPS removals of drivers with falsified CDLs. The committee also heard a bill requiring the sex marker on a driver’s license to match sex at birth; the sponsor said it was the same measure passed by the committee the prior year, and it received a title sufficient/do pass recommendation. Several bills addressed corrections and court procedures. One bill clarified that people in intervention court are subject to the sentencing judge’s sanctions and are not entitled to a separate technical-violation hearing like probationers or parolees; the sponsor said it would reduce, not increase, leniency, and the committee passed it. Another bill extended the statute of limitations for felonious assistance program fraud from five to ten years, citing the TANF fraud case and the need for more time to detect abuse in executive agency programs; it also passed. The committee then approved a bill allowing judges, after a hearing and specific findings, to order firearms removed in domestic violence cases and protective-order proceedings when the weapons pose a credible threat. The committee also advanced a bill increasing penalties for witness tampering, with the sponsor saying prosecutors wanted a stronger tool because defendants were sometimes willing to accept the current five-year penalty rather than face the underlying offense. Members discussed whether the bill covered intimidation versus tampering and whether the penalty should be tied to the underlying crime; a motion to reconsider/adjust the bill was adopted, and the bill ultimately received a do pass recommendation. Another measure increased fines for handheld mobile device violations while driving, especially in school and work zones, and members discussed whether the bill should be stronger and how any collected fines would be used; it passed. Finally, the committee approved a bill requiring reporting of certain convictions and adjudications to the Child Protective Services central registry, and ended by passing a bill increasing the fine for failing to use a screen on loads that can spill from vehicles and damage windshields, with members noting the fine had not been updated since 1974.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are popular firearms in America.
• 01:01:54.120> under<01:01:54.280> the firearms that are protected under the firearms that
• > and<01:01:57.680> outdoor Um and Minnesota's firearm and outdoor Um and Minnesota's firearm
• Um the firearm family-owned companies.
• <01:04:47.600> prohibitions establish its own firearm prohibitions establish its own firearm

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we're going to move to PCS for HB 383, exemption from the mandatory waiting period for firearms
• Firearms training, more vetting, than a concealed carry permit holder does, in all honesty. Mr.
• Mick McHale continued: “Our defensive tactic training incorporates retention of our firearms.
• And God forbid we're in a position that we ever have the firearm removed.
• their firearms provided by state funding.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard and advanced a series of bills on inmate medical billing, court-order transmission, animal abandonment during disasters, first responder peer support, firearm purchase waiting periods, capital felony aggravators, domestic violence protections, boating safety, restitution for leaving the scene of a crash, xylazine trafficking, and offenses against law enforcement officers. Testimony was generally supportive across the agenda, with some opposition or caution raised on the xylazine bill, the boating safety bill, and parts of the law-enforcement-officer bill. Several measures were presented as responses to specific tragedies, including the Martin County jail medical billing bill, the Baker Act transmission bill, Trooper’s Law for restrained dogs, the Jason Rayner Act, and Lucy’s Law. HB 407 would cap certain emergency medical charges for Martin County jail inmates at 110% of Medicare rates, mirroring Department of Corrections practice; it passed 15-0. HB 513 would require faster electronic transmission of certain court orders, including Baker Act orders, to law enforcement within six hours; it passed 15-0. HB 205, Trooper’s Law, creates a third-degree felony for abandoning a restrained dog during a natural disaster; it passed 15-0. HB 421, as amended, expands peer support for first responders to certain support personnel involved in crime scene work or evidence handling; it passed 16-0. PCS for HB 383 would let law enforcement, correctional officers, correctional probation officers, and active military service members bypass the three-day handgun waiting period without a concealed carry permit; it passed 18-0. HB 693 adds an aggravating factor in capital cases when the victim was gathered with others for a school, religious, or public government meeting; it passed 17-1 after opposition testimony from Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. PCS for HB 19 and HB 41, the Haven Act, would expand domestic and dating violence protections, including a feasibility study for a web-based 911 alert system and confidentiality/public-records protections for victims; both passed 18-0. PCS for HB 289, Lucy’s Law, would align boating penalties with driving offenses and expand boating safety card requirements; it passed 18-0 despite concerns from one witness that the bill should go further. HB 479 would allow courts to order restitution in leaving-the-scene property-damage cases; an amendment changing mandatory to discretionary restitution was adopted, and the bill passed 18-0. PCS for HB 57 would regulate xylazine, add trafficking penalties, and include veterinary-use exceptions; it passed 17-0 after one witness opposed mandatory minimums. HB 175, the Jason Rayner Act, clarifies that officers are protected when acting within the scope of their duties and adds manslaughter of a law enforcement officer to offenses requiring life imprisonment; it passed 17-0 after debate over self-defense and unlawful police conduct.

Transcript Highlights:

• INTRODUCING INTENTIONALLY FIREARMS ONTO THE CAMPUS IS A DANGEROUS PROPOSITION.
• THROUGH UNINTENTIONAL DISCHARGE AND THEFT OF A FIREARM.
• THEY DO NOT CHOOSE A CAREER WITH FIREARMS.
• THAT IS THE PRESENCE OF MORE FIREARMS ON CAMPUS.
• YOU WON'T HAVE THAT SCENARIO WHERE WE DON'T KNOW SOMEONE HAS A FIREARM.

Transcript Highlights:

• , CROSS BOWS AND CERTAIN ITEMS FOR FIREARMS OR BOWS AND CROSSBOWS.
• I READ SPV 7034 IN HIS PROPOSAL TO CREATE A TAX HOLIDAY FOR FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION.
• WHAT HAPPENS ON THE TAX BREAK ALLOW SOMEONE TO BUY A FIREARM TAX-FREE AND WALK INTO A SCHOOL?
• FIREARMS, AMMUNITION AND RELATED ACCESSORIES WOULD BECOME TAX EXEMPT FOR 1/3 OF THE YEAR.
• ONE OF THE SPEAKERS MENTIONED THE FIREARM SAFETY DEVICES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:32.240> following is relative returning firearms following is relative returning firearms
• she probably had had some firearms she probably had had some firearms training.<00:35:12.480>
• whether it's for the return of a firearm whether it's for the return of a firearm or<00:40:28.800
• background checks for firearm purchases. background checks for firearm purchases.
• the department that has the firearm? the department that has the firearm?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a very sound framework of legislation regarding firearms.
• That is what keeps our firearm deaths so low. Those are all focused on intentional use of firearms.
• What we do not address is the reckless use of firearms.
• It's not really a firearms issue in our opinion.
• I'm a law-abiding citizen and a fully vetted firearm instructor.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing covered a wide range of Judiciary Committee bills, with much of the testimony focused on criminal justice, public safety, and civil asset forfeiture reform. Several lawmakers and advocates supported bills to increase penalties or create new offenses related to assaults on sports officials, assaults on transit workers, reckless discharge of firearms, fires and explosives, pill press machines, and drug-induced homicide. Testifiers described rising harassment and violence against youth sports officials and transit workers, as well as the fentanyl overdose crisis and the need for stronger tools to prosecute dealers whose conduct leads to death. Supporters of the sports-official and transit-worker bills emphasized declining referee availability and repeated assaults on commuter rail and MBTA workers. District attorneys also backed bills on reckless firearm discharge and fires/explosives, saying current law does not adequately address dangerous conduct that endangers bystanders. The committee also heard testimony on several proposals related to youth diversion and prison mitigation. Supporters of the youth court justice fund bill said youth courts are peer-led diversion programs with strong compliance and low recidivism, and argued for a stable funding source rather than annual earmarks. A representative from Bridgewater supported a prison mitigation fund for municipalities that host state prisons, saying the costs of public safety and emergency services are not fully covered. On gun policy, testimony split between supporters of a bill to ban in-state manufacture of assault-style rifles for civilian sale and opponents or skeptics of other firearm-related measures, including a bill on collateralizing firearms and a bill to increase penalties for drug trafficking combined with illegal firearm offenses. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to civil asset forfeiture reform. Advocates from the ACLU, CPCS, the Boston Bar Association, the Institute for Justice, and others supported bills to increase the burden of proof, improve transparency and reporting, require counsel, and limit or eliminate the current practice of directing forfeiture proceeds to law enforcement. They argued the current system creates perverse incentives, lacks adequate due process, and is insufficiently transparent. District Attorney Paul Tucker defended current forfeiture practices, saying his office has reporting and oversight, uses the funds for investigations and community programs, and warned that reducing forfeiture revenue would hinder crime fighting. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; the chairs repeatedly thanked witnesses and indicated the bills would remain under consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think there's a lot of fear on firearms because they're not familiar with them.
• <00:13:18.639> means from the discussion that a firearm means from the discussion that a firearm
• in a different meaning of the firearm in a different district?
• ,<00:23:39.840> the easily can they access the firearm, the easily can they access the firearm
• <00:36:08.560> outside private possession of firearms outside private possession of firearms

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With access to firearms, tripling the risk of dying by suicide, the danger of allowing guns in places
• With access to firearms, tripling the risk of dying by suicide, the danger of allowing guns in places
• with firearms are fatal.
• Our data that we do have does show that there has been an increase in crimes with the firearm.
• Fanzon, again representing AZCDL, ASRPA, and the Firearms Industry Trade Association.

Bills: SB1039, SB1061, SB1068, SB1069, SB1099, SB1127, SB1148, SB1271, SB1426, SB1448

Keywords: attorney discipline, legal costs, reputation damage, state bar, court costs, fentanyl, drug offenses, narcotic drugs, criminal penalties, Arizona Revised Statutes, educational institutions, public order, disruption, concealed weapons, safety regulations, firearms, muffling devices, weapon regulations, Arizona law, public safety

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills dealing with attorney discipline, bar licensure, drug sentencing, campus firearms, suppressors, defamation, emergency-service calls by businesses, mandatory child-abuse reporting, eviction procedure, and protections for utility workers. SB 1039 would allow attorneys who prevail in disciplinary matters to recover lost earnings and seek compensation for reputational harm from the State Bar; SB 1148 would require the Arizona Supreme Court to directly license attorneys rather than delegate that function. Both bills were supported by the sponsor as restoring accountability and limiting delegation, and both received due-pass recommendations despite some opposition votes. Members also heard SB 1061, which lowers the fentanyl trafficking threshold from 200 grams to 9 grams; opponents from the ACLU and defense bar argued the threshold would sweep in personal-use cases and increase incarceration, while supporters said it targets traffickers. The bill was recommended do pass. SB 1068, barring public colleges and universities from prohibiting lawful concealed carry by permit holders, drew strong opposition from gun-safety advocates and campus representatives who cited suicide and campus safety concerns, and support from gun-rights groups who argued campuses are not exempt from constitutional rights; it also received a due-pass recommendation. SB 1069, removing suppressors from Arizona’s prohibited-weapons definition, was opposed by Moms Demand Action and supported by gun-rights advocates as aligning state law with federal law and protecting hearing; it likewise passed out of committee. The committee also advanced SB 1099, which would codify statutory defamation elements and add an internet-related limitation period; the ACLU warned it could chill speech and conflict with evolving First Amendment law, while the sponsor said it would clarify existing case law and address online defamation. SB 1271, prohibiting cities from penalizing businesses for legitimate emergency-service calls, passed unanimously after testimony that some municipalities had discouraged 911 calls for theft and other incidents. HB 1127, requiring mandatory reporters with direct knowledge of child abuse or neglect to report immediately and personally, passed after Phoenix Children’s Hospital and DCS said they supported the intent but wanted implementation language clarified for medical emergencies. SB 1426, changing forcible-detainer procedures by removing the written-demand requirement, passed despite concerns from the multi-housing industry that the current language could disrupt holdover-tenant evictions. Finally, SB 1448, as amended, expanded aggravated-assault protections to utility, telecom, video-service, and related workers; supporters cited threats and assaults against field crews, while opponents argued existing assault laws already cover the conduct and the bill is overly broad. The amendment and the bill as amended were adopted, and the committee gave SB 1448 a due-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The idea behind this bill is that if a firearm is to avoid the federal regulation of certain firearms
• , even those firearms that are firearms, even those firearms that are manufactured<01:29:07.600> like
• own college campuses to tote firearms. own college campuses to tote firearms.
• He was a trained firearm instructor and he was prevented from carrying a firearm.
• He was a trained firearm students.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to be using within their firearms to be using within their jurisdiction<00:04:23.840> around<
• which of the two uh types of firearms which of the two uh types of firearms provides<00:08:43.800
• <00:16:50.000> safety are just a few of the the firearm safety are just a few of the the firearm
• principles thanks to required firearm principles thanks to required firearm safety<00:16:52.959>
• <00:30:22.880> but<00:30:23.519> the firearms but the firearms but the reality<00:30:25.279

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:07:50.520> Um Firearms and Explosives. Right. Um Firearms and Explosives. Right.
• is a crime firearm or has been reported lost or stolen before the firearm or the component parts are
• is a crime firearm or has been reported lost or stolen before the firearm or the component parts are
• whether the firearm is a crime firearm whether the firearm is a crime firearm or<02:24:13.760>
• It'd be either a law firearm.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened on March 10, 2026, established a quorum, and began with an invocation by Reverend Damien Flowers, which was journalized without objection. The chamber then recognized several guests and honorees, including Dr. Courtney Glickman for being named 2025 Play Therapist of the Year, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Dr. Sonja B. Santelises for her leadership of Baltimore City Public Schools, students shadowing legislators, Navy Alliance representatives, the Maryland Alliance for Advocacy for Sickle Cell, and Ms. Kimberly Body for her lupus advocacy. The Senate also journalized prior remarks about the 6888 regiment. The Finance Committee report then moved several bills forward. Senate Bill 348 would allow hospitals and freestanding birthing centers to contact, rather than only call, patients after high-risk pregnancies; its amendments were adopted and the bill was ordered to third reading. Senate Bill 390 on Wicomico County liquor licenses was laid over under the rule. Senate Bill 492, addressing massage therapy advertising and prohibiting misleading sexual-service advertising, was amended and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 562, concerning pharmacist-prescriber agreements for opioid use disorder treatment, was amended and advanced. Senate Bill 773 would let pharmacists order certain vaccines, including intranasal flu vaccines, for self-administration and was advanced without amendment. Senate Bill 53, on Maryland Port Administration land acquisition notice in Anne Arundel County, was amended and advanced. Senate Bill 428 would bar cost-sharing for collaborative care model services under Medicaid and private coverage and was advanced without amendment. Senate Bill 473 would require human trafficking awareness training for for-hire and transportation network drivers; its amendments were adopted and it was sent to third reading. Senate Bill 585 would shift administration of the human relevant research fund from Health to Agriculture and was advanced. Senate Bill 606, the Easy Pass Commuter Fairness and Transparency Act, would require an MDTA report on commuter plans and unused trips; its amendment was moved as the transcript ended. During debate on Senate Bill 917, which would expand the definition of audiology practice to include certain screenings and non-radiographic imaging, a senator questioned whether the bill would make Maryland the only state restricting a health occupation from performing Medicare-required screenings. The floor leader said the committee had heard that claim in testimony but had not verified it, and the senator moved to special order the bill for amendment, which was granted without objection. Most other bills were reported favorably, with committee amendments adopted without objection and several bills ordered printed for third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• they cannot have, firearms, pistols. they cannot have, firearms, pistols.
• of a firearm. The second is opportunity. of a firearm. The second is opportunity.
• We're talking about somebody who's carrying firearms, using firearms, the commission of very serious
• commission firearms, using firearms, the commission firearms, using firearms, the commission of<
• or illegal firearms.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, confirmed a quorum, and heard several ceremonial recognitions, including an invocation by seminarian Benjamin Oler and a resolution honoring Taiwan’s ambassador, Alexander Ui Tore, for strengthening Maryland’s partnership with Taiwan. Senators also welcomed the day’s doctor, Dr. Larry Green, AFCEA Central Maryland chapter members, Chesapeake Bay Foundation student leaders, and Salisbury University students visiting for committee work. On legislation, the chamber referred Senate Bill 995 on cannabis licensing, labor peace agreements, and collective bargaining rules to the Rules Committee, and a bond initiative for New Market Town Hall to the Capital Budget Subcommittee. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 241, which would automatically restore voter registration for individuals released from state correctional facilities; the committee amendments were adopted without objection, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 323, the Juvenile Court Jurisdiction Youth Charging Reform Act. One amendment to keep first-degree assault in automatic adult charging was offered and debated at length, with supporters arguing the offense is extremely serious and should begin in adult court, and opponents saying the bill allows judges to make individualized decisions and aligns Maryland with other states and federal juvenile practice. The amendment failed by a 27-vote negative roll call. A second amendment from the minority whip sought to exclude firearm-in-drug-crime offenses and firearm use with felony drug convictions from automatic juvenile court treatment; the sponsor argued these offenses involve serious armed drug activity and should remain in adult court, while the bill’s supporters emphasized juvenile services and judicial discretion. The transcript cuts off before the vote on that second amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need a term for it. keeping a firearm safely locked in a keeping a firearm safely locked in a vehicle
• somebody is going to carry a firearm somebody is going to carry a firearm illegally,<00:17:46.799
• commit firearm.
• This is for firearm commit firearm. This is for firearm homicides. homicides. homicides.
• And I firearm make us more safe.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, AB 1943 requires the Department of Education to include secure firearm storage notifications
• Schools can be a key factor in the solution of spreading life-saving information about secure firearm
• , resources, and actionable information on secure firearm storage.
• And it will encourage schools to provide secure firearm storage information in key moments, like when
• Roughly three-quarters of school shooters obtain their firearms from their home or from the home of a

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met without a quorum at first and began as a subcommittee, with the chair outlining hearing procedures and several bills on consent. The committee heard and advanced AB 1581, which would improve collection of tribal affiliation data for California students so Native students are more accurately counted and better served; supporters said current systems undercount Native students and erase their needs. AB 1586 also passed, requiring school resource officers who volunteer to carry naloxone to receive opioid overdose response training every two years; supporters emphasized student safety and the need for rapid response to overdoses on campus, while one school employees’ group raised concerns about retaliation protections for non-volunteers. Both bills were moved do pass as amended to Appropriations, with roll calls held open for absent votes. The committee then approved AB 1943, which updates school notices about secure firearm storage by making the information clearer, more visible, and more likely to reach families at key moments such as counseling or discipline interventions. Supporters from gun violence prevention groups, educators, and parents argued that many school shooters obtain guns from home and that plain-language, digital, and timely notices could help prevent child deaths and suicides; the author shared a personal story about a child accessing a gun at home. AB 1792 also advanced, directing the Instructional Quality Commission to consider updating health education to address digital safety issues such as deepfakes, extortion, grooming, and AI-generated exploitation; supporters said students need instruction that reflects modern online risks, while an opponent objected to language referencing LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse students. AB 1653 passed as well, adding heat-illness guidance to the health framework after a young Girl Scout described students suffering during extreme heat and not recognizing symptoms. Later, the committee approved AB 1861, which would require the California Department of Education to create a public database of special education investigation reports with personal information redacted; supporters said families need better access to complaint outcomes and accountability, while an opposition witness warned of unintended consequences, misuse of incomplete information, and added burdens on districts. AB 1721 also moved forward, creating a stakeholder work group to review and streamline school safety plan requirements so plans remain practical and focused on emergency preparedness. AB 1631, which would make kindergarten mandatory, received mixed testimony: supporters argued it would help close achievement gaps and improve readiness, while opponents framed it as an intrusion on parental choice; the bill was held on call after a split vote. Finally, AB 1809, extending job order contracting authority for school and community college districts, was also held on call after opposition from contractors who argued project labor agreement requirements raise costs and reduce competition. The committee then began hearing AB 1659, aimed at improving transitions for court school students back to their home districts, with testimony describing re-enrollment barriers and the need for a designated district contact.