Transcript Highlights:

• It also does not restrict faculty from being on campus at that time, even if there is a polling location

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from Tuesday, March 3 by voice vote. It then considered RS 33621, introduced by Representative Britt Raibold, which would clarify rules for using schools as polling places for the 2028 presidential election and would not take effect until January 1, 2028. Raibold said the delay is intended to give school districts and clerks time to align calendars and avoid conflicts, and that the proposal would allow extracurricular activities and some school personnel to remain on campus while students would not be present for in-person instruction at a polling site. She said the measure had been reviewed with education stakeholders, and a question was raised about the Secretary of State’s office; Raibold responded that polling locations are set by county clerks and she had no reason to expect an objection. The committee voted to introduce the RS. The committee then heard House Bill 672 from Representative Heather Scott, which would prohibit the executive budget document from containing logos, mottos, or slogans of the executive branch or governor, except for the state seal and official logos. Scott argued the bill would keep the budget document politically neutral and focused on fiscal information rather than messaging or branding. After no testimony from the public, the committee voted to send HB 672 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also does not restrict faculty from being on campus at that time, even if there is a polling location

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, it restricts NEPA lawsuits to parties that are actually impacted by a project, aligning judicial
• The language added to the SPEED Act at markup would have restricted some of the political interference
• It is one more attempt to restrict what the government can consider in an environmental review and to
• And this amendment goes further to restrict what triggers this lengthy, onerous process.
• First, the foreign entity of concern restrictions.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, December 18, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> restrictions on their religious freedom. restrictions on their religious freedom.
• In many parts of the world, severe restrictions on religion are an early warning sign of authoritarian
• ><c> religion</c><04:13:05.520><c> are</c><04:13:05.680><c> an</c> severe restrictions on religion are
• an severe restrictions on religion are an early<04:13:06.239><c> warning</c><04:13:06.640><c> sign</
• </c> dominance through export restrictions dominance through export restrictions and<04:47:49.200><c>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, June 8, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 48:39.200><c> removes</c> article 9 section 8 and it removes article 9 section 8 and it removes restrictive
• interest and dividend only restrictive interest and dividend only language.<00:48:43.040><c> Right</
• </c><02:31:07.680><c> and</c> there were some real restrictions and there were some real restrictions
• And I know that we have put restrictions on funds mostly to protect those funds, to make sure that they
• </c><02:35:39.600><c> on</c> know that we have put restrictions on know that we have put restrictions

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill establishes prohibitions and restrictions related to the land application of sewage sludge that
• ><02:02:36.800><c> and</c> bill establishes prohibitions and bill establishes prohibitions and restrictions
• related to the land restrictions related to the land application<02:02:38.880><c> of</c><02:02:39.119
• </c><02:42:47.920><c> imposed</c> subject to income restrictions imposed subject to income restrictions
• . restrictions. restrictions.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation by Rabbi Ari Goldstein, whose remarks were journalized at the request of the senator from District 33. The chamber then recognized the doctor of the day, Dr. Maryann Lamont, for her 50 years in medicine and her work in neurology and stroke care, and also thanked a legislative aide, Samantha Briggs, who is leaving for law school. The presiding officer noted a quorum was present and moved into the day’s floor work. The Senate handled several messages and committee reports, including a conference committee appointment on Senate Bill 18, which concerns provisional social work licensure. In Finance, the chamber advanced Senate Bill 246 on Health Services Cost Review Commission member terms, Senate Bill 370 on acupuncture board revisions, Senate Bill 564 creating a Division of Data Protection in the Attorney General’s office and a related work group, Senate Bill 782 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, Senate Bill 808 on health insurance provider panel requirements, Senate Bill 849 on agricultural equipment warranties, Senate Bill 867 on the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission, and Senate Bill 982 on mutual insurance holding companies converting back to mutual insurers. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or conforming amendments, which were adopted without objection, and each was ordered printed for third reading. The committee also considered several House bills with Senate cross-files or identical measures. These included House Bill 118 on money transmitter licensing, House Bills 339 and 512 on Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners compensation, House Bill 1100 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, House Bill 1395 on agricultural equipment warranties, House Bill 1473 creating Maryland’s Future Board, House Bill 226 on Department of Disabilities housing programs, House Bill 278 codifying the Longevity Ready Maryland plan, and House Bill 746 on collaborative care model coverage and cost-sharing limits. In each case, the committee reports were adopted, amendments were approved where offered, and the bills were advanced to third reading or passed for third reading, with no recorded opposition on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I move that the committee of the whole rise and report restricted to the actions on Senate
• restricted to the actions<02:31:29.280><c> on</c><02:31:29.439><c> Senate</c><02:31:29.680><c> File<
• Page one, we lift the restrictions on hiring the number of Good Neighbor Authority.
• c> the</c><03:03:35.439><c> number</c><03:03:35.600><c> of</c> restrictions on hiring the number of restrictions
• If we get these restrictions lifted on the Good Neighbor Authority, working with the U.S.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Both of those funds are restricted. I'm sorry, I have a question.
• 01:36:39.880><c> those</c><01:36:40.000><c> funds</c><01:36:40.239><c> are</c><01:36:40.400><c> restricted
• and so at that point is more restricted and so at that point you<03:21:48.080><c> have</c><03:21:48.239
• So the unrestricted revenues are used to fund the operations of the department, not funded by restricted
• The unrestricted revenues are used to fund the operations of the department, not funded by restricted

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting featured presentations from the Department of Administrative Services and the Treasury Department on state revenue reporting and unclaimed property. State Comptroller Dana Call explained DAS’s role in compiling statewide revenue reports, including the annual revenue plan set through the budget process and the monthly revenue focus reports that track cash receipts. She noted that unrestricted general fund revenue is about $2 billion annually, while miscellaneous other revenue is a much smaller and less predictable category, averaging roughly $30 million to $32 million a year. She also described two more material internal revenue lines: statewide indirect cost recoveries and post-retirement benefit recoveries, which are billed to agencies and often tied to federal reimbursement rules. Members asked about the interest line in the revenue charts and about how the figures were presented, and Call clarified that the totals were in millions and that the interest item would be explained by the Treasurer. She also explained that the indirect cost and post-retirement recoveries are internal cost allocations that flow back into the unrestricted revenue pool and are reflected in agency budgets as interagency costs. Treasurer Monica Meissner then outlined Treasury Department functions, including bank deposits, statewide disbursements, banking relationships, investments, debt management, compliance, the FONA College Savings Program, the ABLE Plan, scholarship programs, and the abandoned property program. In discussing unclaimed property, she said holders report property after a five-year dormancy period, the state uses automated systems and outreach to locate owners, and claim activity has increased. In fiscal year 2024, the state returned about $12.2 million to citizens through roughly 12,000 claims; over the last 10 years, about $72.6 million has been returned. She also said the state escheated $19.9 million to the general fund and $1.8 million to counties last year, and explained that securities-related proceeds are harder to estimate because they depend on market conditions. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• , American Rescue Plan Act appropriation, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act appropriation, restricted

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Current law allows that licensee to participate with the same privileges and restrictions as youth hunters

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE STATE CAN EXPAND AND TARGET LOW INCOME ACCESS TO ASSISTANCE WHERE IT'S NEEDED MOST WITHOUT RESTRICTION

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh as you know, the restricted funds that we were transferred into the reserve account coming out of
• Uh as you as you know,<00:02:43.360><c> the</c> know, the know, the the<00:02:44.600><c> restricted</
• 45.680><c> we</c><00:02:45.840><c> were</c><00:02:46.280><c> uh</c><00:02:46.320><c> we</c> the restricted
• funds that we were uh we the restricted funds that we were uh we transferred<00:02:47.040><c> into</

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary received an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on implementation of House Bill 504, the judicial branch budget, and court facility projects. AOC leaders said they do not anticipate problems balancing the outgoing biennium or fiscal year 2026, and explained that the budget changes were driven by the need to reduce costs while preserving required constitutional, court-rule, and statutory services. They also said the new filing fee increases authorized by HB 504 took effect that day and are expected to generate up to $5 million, while the reorganization is projected to save about $3 million in general fund dollars. The bulk of the presentation focused on a major reorganization of the Office of Statewide Programs, which includes specialty courts, family and juvenile services, and pretrial services. AOC said the plan eliminates 170 positions and creates 109 new ones, mainly by reducing middle-management layers, expanding regional service delivery, and cross-training staff. Officials said 110 employees had already been offered or accepted placements, 24 had chosen voluntary separation, and the final number of employees leaving remains fluid until the process concludes around August 1. They emphasized that specialty court programs were not eliminated, but state-funded treatment court contracts and behavioral health liaison positions were removed, with treatment costs shifted to Medicaid or participants where appropriate. Members asked about the process, staffing impacts, specialty court participation, juvenile services, and how AOC will monitor the changes. AOC said the reorganization was developed by leadership, HR, and legal staff under direction of the Chief Justice and approved by the Supreme Court, and that it is intended to improve efficiency and frontline support rather than reduce services. They said specialty court participant levels are being watched closely, that CDW services will continue to use outside providers for programming, and that the agency will keep judges and stakeholders informed as the new structure goes into effect. No votes were taken, and the committee did not approve minutes because a quorum was not present.

Transcript Highlights:

• nonprofit organization working on the preservation and additional production of 100% affordable, deed-restricted
• This restricts the process to individuals with substantial financial resources and expertise.
• Deed restrictions, recorded notices, and an affidavit signed under penalty of perjury enforce compliance
• expressly prohibits local governments from singling out urban lot split projects for additional restrictions

Summary: The committee began without a quorum and first heard AB 748, which would create pre-approved housing plans for single-family homes and small multifamily projects under 10 units, with delayed implementation for smaller cities and counties. The author said the bill is modeled on the state’s ADU preapproval process and is intended to make housing approvals ministerial and faster. Support came from housing and business groups, while several cities opposed it. Senators raised concerns about local control and whether small or rural jurisdictions have the staff and infrastructure to implement the program, but the author emphasized that local agencies would still control the plans and land-use decisions. No vote was taken because there was no quorum. The committee then heard AB 1621, which would tighten timelines and accountability for post-entitlement permits, limit plan-check resubmittals, and restrict field changes unless needed for health and safety. The California Building Industry Association and many housing groups supported the bill, arguing that permitting delays raise costs and slow housing production. The League of California Cities, counties, and several local governments opposed it, saying the two-plan-check limit is too rigid and that the bill could create litigation risk and reduce local flexibility to ensure code compliance. Members debated the proper standard for additional review and whether the bill should allow exceptions for state mandates; the author said the bill was meant to stop endless back-and-forth while preserving health-and-safety exceptions. The bill was recommended for a due-pass motion to Appropriations when quorum is reached. AB 2748 was next, proposing a three-year delay in the new electric-vehicle readiness requirements for 100% affordable housing projects, keeping the older 40% standard during that period. The author and affordable housing advocates said the change would reduce costs and help scarce housing dollars go further, while opponents from environmental, transportation, and clean-energy groups argued the current code is already cost-effective and that the bill would create a double standard and reduce EV access for low-income residents. Senators discussed whether the bill should require additional EV-capable infrastructure if projects use the older standard, and several members said they supported the bill but urged continued work on amendments. The committee also heard AB 1732, which would expand CEQA streamlining to student housing projects at public universities and community colleges with long-range plans. The author and student housing advocates said campus housing shortages are driving student homelessness and that the bill would help projects move faster; some senators supported the concept but questioned the bill’s geographic limits and whether labor standards or rural-campus criteria might be too restrictive. The meeting also included AB 1738, which would require jurisdictions to offer virtual inspections for certain simple home inspections. Supporters said remote inspections save time and money and have been used safely in California, while one senator said she could not support virtual inspections for more complex items like roofs and solar work. No final votes were taken during the transcript, and several bills were held pending quorum or further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• The CCE program also requires tribal grantees to provide real property despite the federal restrictions
• successful federal practices and exempt tribal grantees from providing real property when federal restrictions
• Further inspection revealed fencing around the burn site did not effectively restrict access.
• The provisions in AB 2247 that restrict movement between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. have not been an issue for

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it was we pass a bill that gives us those age restrictions, gives us safe labeling requirements
• to try to truly find a compromise and not just, you know, ram it through one caucus, is putting restrictions
• benefit from access to appropriate full-spectrum CDP products while preserving Congress's intent to restrict
• Georgia, on the other hand, doesn't have an age restriction.

Keywords: 977, all

Transcript Highlights:

• titled Washington State Legislative Ethics Compliance and one titled Lobbying and Fundraising Restrictions
• restrictions. Yes. Could you read those into the record, please?
• Lobbying and fundraising restrictions.
• provisions right there, Washington state legislative ethics compliance and lobbying and fundraising restrictions

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The hearing resumed on day two of the Legislative Ethics Board fact-finding matter involving Representative Tara Simmons. After opening remarks and confirmation that board members had not engaged in outside research or ex parte communications, Simmons’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she improperly combined a legislative proviso for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and private conduct were intertwined and that the board had enough evidence to require a defense. After deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss and proceeded to hear defense testimony. The first defense witness, Sharon Navas, testified that she met Simmons through advocacy work, later hired her at the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC), and maintained written employment policies intended to separate Simmons’s legislative role from her work for EEC. Navas said Simmons was never compensated for lobbying or legislative acts, that EEC paid her from unrestricted funds, and that Simmons did not work on the AEJG dashboard project or participate in the contract dispute with Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley. Navas described the proviso request and later contract issues as separate from Simmons’s legislative duties, and said she continued to pay invoices while the project was being completed. Simmons then testified about her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics advice before taking outside employment or pursuing provisos. She said she repeatedly consulted House ethics counsel and reviewed prior board decisions to ensure her outside work and legislative actions were separated. Simmons described her relationship with Anthony Powers, the dashboard project, the proviso process, and her understanding that the work was distinct from her legislative role. The hearing paused for lunch after part of Simmons’s direct examination, with testimony set to continue after the break.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just a strike-through of some restrictions. Moving on to section 2 on page 2.
• And so I don't think we've stayed pure to SIP codes nor used that as a restriction.
• Chairman, Senator Sickler, there would be no restriction against that.
• This would change the name from Tier 2 to Tier 1, and it restricts the Tier 1 funding to only deferred

Committee: Joint Higher Education Funding Review Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our qualified international medical school graduates to be able to practice in Louisiana under a restricted
• And when I wrote the rules, I should not have put that restriction in there because it was not in the
• And I'm not telling you we're trying to restrict them in any way. Well, let's go further down.
• Even in their handbook, Unity's handbook, they state, unless restricted by laws, participants' personally

Bills: SB237

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: child welfare, Department of Children and Family Services, mandatory reporting, abuse prevention, investigative teams, child ombudsman, forensic interviews, confidentiality

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 20, 2026, with eight members present and approved the May 13 minutes. The committee quickly reported several bills favorably, including SB 1224, which requires DCFS review when a pregnancy involves a child under 17 and makes children under 12 a child in need of care; SB 1100, which repeals an old statute on unenriched bread; HB 1220, a continuation of prior work to codify certain provisions related to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners; HB 1231, clarifying that continuous glucose monitoring is covered through Medicaid for any insulin-dependent diabetic, including gestational diabetes; and HB 198, setting reimbursement rates for ambulatory surgery centers for certain Medicaid procedures. The committee also adopted a personal privilege welcome for physicians on White Coat Day and repeatedly noted that several bills were being advanced with the understanding that further work might continue before floor debate. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1160, which would create a streamlined restricted license pathway for qualified international medical school graduates, especially for rural and shortage areas. Committee members pressed the Board of Medical Examiners about delays in promulgating rules under an earlier 2024 law and objected to rule language they said went beyond the statute. Board representatives acknowledged a misunderstanding about the original bill’s intent and said the program had been operating, but members warned against agencies writing rules that contradict enacted law. Despite the criticism, HB 1160 was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably HCR 67, which creates a task force to study gaps in acute care for special-needs adults and children, following emotional testimony from the sponsor about her son’s death and the lack of appropriate care options. The committee then approved HCR 27, calling for a coordinated statewide evaluation of autism services by the Department of Health and Department of Education, with testimony emphasizing rising diagnosis rates, rural provider shortages, and the need for better data and coordination between medical and school-based services. HCR 28, which would study school nurse orientation and training, was also reported favorably after school nurses described the lack of standardized onboarding for new graduates and the risks of placing them alone in schools without adequate supervision. HB 469, which would have allowed pharmacy license renewal fees to be directed to Xavier University’s pharmacy school as well as public schools, was deferred after concerns about diverting funds from public institutions and the absence of testimony from affected schools. The committee also took up HB 223, which recreates DCFS, and adopted an amendment shortening the sunset date and requiring law enforcement reports to be accepted through a secure web-based platform; the bill was then reported favorably as amended. Another major discussion centered on HB 457 and HB 616, both tied to homelessness. HB 457, establishing minimum standards for shelters and related facilities, was reported favorably as amended after sponsor testimony and support cards. HB 616, which would allow the legislative auditor and local officials access to records and databases for audits of homelessness initiatives, drew extensive debate over privacy, federal funding, and accountability. Supporters cited a 2025 audit showing more than $216 million in federal homelessness spending in New Orleans and argued that auditors need access to performance data to detect waste and abuse; opponents warned about client privacy and the impact of funding cutoffs. The committee adopted an amendment changing permissive language to mandatory language for enforcement and then continued hearing testimony, with the discussion still centered on balancing oversight with confidentiality.

Transcript Highlights:

• fact that I didn't feel we had given the crypto kiosk business enough time with the newly enacted restrictions
• devices, the prohibition on deceptive devices, internet<00:43:10.400><c> sales</c><00:43:10.800><c> restriction
• ,</c><00:43:11.599><c> and</c><00:43:11.920><c> expanded</c> internet sales restriction, and expanded
• internet sales restriction, and expanded wholesale<00:43:13.040><c> lensure.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• improving the entire system of care and proving that people are receiving services in the least restrictive
• improving the entire system of care and proving that people are receiving services in the least restrictive
• requires that coverage for mental health and substance use conditions be offered on terms no more restrictive
• Tribal treatment centers that exceed 16 beds face the same federal funding restrictions.

Summary: The committee met at Spirit Lake Tribe and first heard welcoming remarks and introductions from tribal leaders and program directors. Chairwoman Street and other tribal representatives outlined a range of concerns and requests for state action, including taxation of reservation lands, support for non-beneficiary students at the tribal school, homelessness funding, Indian-managed health care, gaming and e-tabs, Feather Alert improvements, industrial farming near waterways, tourism, and better state-tribal consultation. Committee members responded that the meeting was intended to improve understanding and communication, and several members suggested future legislation or resolutions could be used to advance some of the issues. The tribe also offered to provide training on treaties, IHS 638, and compact services to legislators and staff. A major portion of the discussion focused on Spirit Lake fish and wildlife jurisdiction and the lake boundary. Tribal representatives asked for an MOU or co-stewardship agreement with the state to clarify hunting and fishing rights, recognize tribal licenses, and reduce recurring disputes over “gray areas” on the reservation and lake. Committee members discussed whether to draft a bill or resolution directing the executive branch and state agencies to negotiate such an agreement, and asked that North Dakota Game and Fish be invited to a future meeting. Related concerns included aquatic nuisance species prevention, with both sides agreeing that more aggressive boat inspection and cleaning measures would be beneficial. The committee also discussed taxation and county relations. Tribal leaders raised concerns about county resistance to fee-to-trust transfers and about property and vehicle taxation affecting members living on or near reservation lands. Committee members and tribal counsel reviewed federal treaty principles and court cases, and one member noted that the committee had previously taken no formal action on similar issues. Later, Benson County’s tax equalization director explained how the county values taxable land, handles inundated land applications, and tracks land coming off the tax rolls when the tribe repurchases acreage. The discussion ended with a presentation from the president of Sisseton Wahpeton College, who described the college’s programs, economic impact, and funding needs, followed by an HHS presentation on 1115 Medicaid waivers and the IMD exclusion as the committee moved to its next topic.