Transcript Highlights:

• May we listen well, seek understanding, and find practical compromises that strengthen our state, protect
• They bring practical experience, patient-centered perspective, and a deep commitment to the well-being
• SB 1691, ESA's assessment, standard, accreditation. SB 1692, ESA's tutor safety rules.
• SB 1755, judges law practice prohibition exemptions.
• SB 1755, judges law practice prohibition exemptions.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• has been in practice for decades uh<00:16:26.279><c> in</c><00:16:26.519><c> in</c><00:16:26.639><c>
• After that, he practiced law in the town of Guama.
• After that, he practiced law in the town of Guama.
• It's a way to target any and every regulation without any assessment of the consequences.
• It's a way to target any and every regulation without any assessment of the consequences.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:27:37.640><c> how</c><00:27:37.960><c> this</c> Can you tell me in practicality how this Can
• you tell me in practicality how this is<00:27:38.400><c> going</c><00:27:38.680><c> to</c><00:27:38.880
• MDOT will do an assessment on whether or not the project itself will have a result in a net increase
• </c> bill also requires that damages assessed bill also requires that damages assessed by<00:52:49.480
• c><01:34:54.200><c> with</c> what's currently in practice with what's currently in practice with certain

Keywords: House streaming session for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 124 members present, offered a prayer, and recognized foster youth visiting the chamber. Members then adopted two House resolutions honoring Dr. Sonja Santelises for 10 years as CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools and recognizing Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, for 104 years of service, scholarship, and sisterhood. The House also received Senate bills and began taking up committee reports. Several bills were reported favorably and advanced to third reading, including measures on higher education grants, public safety pay restrictions, retirement and pension system work group extensions and cost-of-living adjustments, synthetic turf and aquaculture studies, rail crew requirements, Howard County speed limits, election address confidentiality, IT investment fund uses, ethics financial disclosures, Public Information Act divorce records, aging-in-place grants, judicial assignments, clerk and register salaries, and firearm literature distribution. House Bill 428, concerning temporary assignment of former judges, was special ordered until the next day after the minority whip requested time for an amendment. The chamber also considered and adopted amendments on several bills. House Bill 437, the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2026, was amended to exempt the Chesapeake Bay Bridge project and then special ordered after questions about greenhouse gas impacts on major highway expansion projects. House Bill 457 on menstrual hygiene products at higher education institutions, House Bill 538 on student enrollment disclosures, House Bill 561 on child care credential funding, House Bill 720 on a veterans scholarship, and House Bill 212 on out-of-state vehicle registration all received amendments and favorable reports as amended. HB 212 drew extended debate about Maryland residents using out-of-state tags, with supporters saying it would help enforce registration laws and opponents raising concerns about legislative вмешательство in vehicle regulation and enforcement discretion.

Transcript Highlights:

• It'd be hard to actually put that into specific practice. And, Dr.
• We do that by a visual assessment.
• Yes, we agree with your assessment of how you do that.
• And so I challenge them on that assessment. Well, number one, U.S.
• And so I challenge them on that assessment. Well, number one, U.S.

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Summary: The committee met for its third interim meeting, approved the prior meeting minutes, and heard a series of statutory reports from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Water Resources. Chair Hauck noted that Legislative Management had denied the committee’s earlier request for a fertilizer capacity study, and that the committee would also revisit the proposed Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger later in the day. Commissioner Doug Goring reported on several agriculture topics, including uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, irrigation expansion potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and usage in North Dakota. He emphasized that fertilizer supply depends heavily on natural gas and water, that most nitrogen fertilizer is imported, and that large-scale fertilizer plants require very large capital investments. Members discussed fertilizer storage, natural gas pipeline capacity, water availability, and the role of state infrastructure in supporting value-added agriculture. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the tool was created under 2017 legislation to help evaluate projects expected to cost $1 million or more, and that the department is proposing adjustments to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and changing hydrologic data. He said the changes would remain focused on direct, demonstrable costs and benefits, not indirect impacts, and would be implemented through guidance and operating procedures rather than statutory changes. Committee members and water users discussed whether the revisions would better reflect real-world conditions, including deferred maintenance, changing rainfall patterns, and downstream effects. A representative from the Water Resource District Association said the group was working with DWR and hoped to review test scenarios before the June meeting. The committee then received a detailed presentation on Devils Lake, its outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. State Engineer John Paskowski reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow constraints, and the purpose of the Tolna Coulee structure in limiting head cutting and preventing uncontrolled downstream releases. Members questioned whether the structure was effectively a dam, whether the lake would naturally overflow without it, the last time the outlets ran, and whether water quality in Devils Lake has improved over time. Paskowski said the outlets last operated in August 2025, that sulfate levels still limit operations, and that the lake has freshened somewhat but not enough to eliminate water-quality concerns. The discussion also touched on whether water from flooded areas or closed-basin systems could be reused for irrigation, and on the broader implications of wet cycles, inundated land, and drainage management across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• It hasn't come out yet; they're assessing what all of these issues are.
• It hasn't come out yet; they're assessing what all of these issues are.
• It hasn't come out yet; they're assessing what all of these issues are.
• It hasn't come out yet; they're assessing what all of these issues are.
• It hasn't come out yet; they're assessing what all of these issues are.

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. On SB 9, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation testified in support, and there were no questions or objections. On SB 148, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments, and a member of the public testified in support of combining boxing and MMA oversight into a single combat sports commission, with amendments to preserve safety standards and separate or distinct treatment for the two sports. Committee discussion focused on whether proposed requirements were primarily safety-related or cost-related, how to handle smaller events, and whether a one-year implementation delay was necessary; the department said many safety provisions already exist in the MMA program, that it was open to continued discussion on costs, and that it needed time to combine rules and appoint new commissioners. The chair suggested possible amendments to account for event size and to reduce burdens on smaller events. The committee then heard SB 816, which drew extensive testimony on providing legal representation for immigrants in immigration proceedings. Supporters included the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, ACU Hawaii, the Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic, the Legal Clinic, Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights, the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Pride at Work Hawaii, and others. Supporters argued that immigration cases can be as serious as criminal cases, that counsel is essential for due process, and that representation improves outcomes; several also emphasized the economic importance of immigrants to Hawaii. One supporter noted a suggested amendment to include training for attorneys and partners doing deportation defense and asylum work. Opposition came from a Navy veteran who argued the bill would use state resources for a federal issue, create inequities, and impose fiscal burdens. The chair noted 69 testimonies in support and 44 in opposition, and later an additional supporter brought the total to 70 in support. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided. The committee also heard SB 125, with the Department of Economic Development, the Agreed Business Development Corporation, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association in support, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii offering technical comments about complicated nested definitions in the bill. Testimony on SB 125 focused on updating the Enterprise Zone Program so local manufacturers selling directly to retail could qualify, along with value-added products and certain health-related sectors. Finally, on SB 732, the State of Hawaii Creative Industries testified with comments, raising concerns about county permit-fee waivers, implementation timing, and the bill’s lack of a carry-forward provision for the film tax credit. The witness said uncertainty in the credit was already causing productions to delay coming to Hawaii and urged stability to support the industry and local workers. The committee then moved on to additional testimony on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• She asked whether the assessment takes into consideration the formative and summative assessments that
• So their assessment is assessing their literacy skills based on their participation and interaction in
• /c><00:47:20.400><c> um</c> mentioned about assessing students um mentioned about assessing students
• that our assessment think that our assessment is<00:47:44.720><c> probably</c><00:47:45.200><c> separate
• assessing</c><00:48:00.640><c> really</c> So our assessment is assessing really So our assessment is

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 69, including a germane amendment about local school boards’ acceptance or rejection of gifts and donations and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Rep. Cordelli said the early literacy proposal was a modified version of an earlier kindergarten readiness bill, would rely on gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements. Members questioned the shift from a broader technology program to an online-only model, the lack of detailed evaluation metrics, how long children would use the program, and whether it was appropriate for very young children. Cordelli said the change was intended to avoid government dependence and still allow the program to be offered next school year. Several members raised concerns about the gift-acceptance language on the underlying bill, including whether school boards would need to vote on small donations, whether gifts could be handled in blocks or at regular meetings, and how anonymous donations would work under right-to-know laws. Rep. Han noted that some gift discussions might belong in non-public session under RSA 91-A, while Rep. Cornell said acceptance or rejection of gifts could be handled at regular meetings and suggested a dollar threshold could be added later. The New Hampshire School Boards Association said it was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails, policy guidance, and clarification on timing, anonymity, and public-meeting requirements. Supporters of the early childhood program, including Waterford.org, said the proposal would provide an evidence-based, adaptive online literacy program with family engagement for four- and five-year-olds, and that it could help close early learning gaps. Waterford said it could work collaboratively with school districts and IEP teams, and that it would provide devices and internet access for families who need them. Committee members pressed on how the program would interact with existing special education services and whether districts could use it as part of an IEP; the response was that it would be supplementary and not an approved special education service. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair indicated the committee would later executive the bills and try to get reports filed promptly.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been practicing for more than 13 years.
• They assessed Region 6, which is Harris County. ...in the surrounding area.
• Who are employers and owners of physician practices, as well as physicians who are employees of practices
• . practice rather than all practice sites of the practice or business, and this is particularly important
• in their field. prevented from practicing outside of their county.

Bills: SB397 , SB481 , SB596 , SB760 , SB855 , SB1195 , SB1196 , SB1233 , SB1257 , SB1318 , SB1368 , SB1388 , SB1398 , SB1524 , SB1558 , SB1589 , SB1677 , SB1792 , SB2034

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> practices that you've been trained in. practices that you've been trained in.
• </c> um the best practices in salt storage. um the best practices in salt storage.
• best practices all they're implementing best practices all the<03:34:56.479><c> time.
• </c> best practices? best practices?
• </c> management practices. management practices.

Committee: House Public Works and Highways

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Considering these course of events, the CIC is conducting a damage assessment by requesting information
• about the terminated grants in California, as well as nationwide, so we can really assess the impact
• , as well as nationwide, so we can really assess the impact.
• The museum employees trained and practicing artists across our programs, events, and installations, such
• The project also aimed to improve practices, policies, and actions that develop benefits and empowerment

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how recent federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and the creative economy in California. Chair Ben Allen and Vice Chair Chris Ward opened by describing the hearing as a response to proposed and ongoing federal cuts to the NEA, NEH, IMLS, and public broadcasting, as well as grant terminations and leadership changes at cultural institutions. Several members emphasized the economic and civic importance of the arts, while one Republican member argued for greater ideological diversity in the arts and noted the loss of music programs in small schools. Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA described the impact of federal policy on grants, jobs, and production. Harky said executive orders and the FY 2026 budget proposal threaten arts agencies and arts education, and that rescinded grants are causing hiring freezes, shutdowns, and losses for small organizations, especially in rural and underserved communities. Fisher focused on runaway film and television production, outdated tax rules, and the need for federal incentives, intellectual property protections, and action on AI and digital replicas. Members also discussed bipartisan support, the role of business and tourism partners, and the need to include more diverse voices in arts advocacy. The second panel featured Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council. Noguchi said NEH funding was cut immediately, putting California Humanities’ grantmaking and documentary programs at risk and prompting consideration of litigation and possible state support. Lucas reported that IMLS funding for California libraries was briefly canceled but partly restored, though a budget gap remains. Purcell said the California Arts Council is still awaiting federal award language for state partnership funds, but NEA grant terminations and the proposed elimination of federal cultural agencies create major uncertainty; she also said the council is assessing the damage and tracking impacts on grantees. Members asked about measuring outcomes, AI’s threat to creative work, documentary funding losses, and possible state and national strategies to protect cultural institutions and jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I think that's a practical solution for a couple of things.
• </c> to to assess a fee. to to assess a fee. &gt;&gt; Mr.<01:47:56.880><c> Downing.
• I'm licensed to practice law in Wyoming, Arizona, and Utah.
• Um, but I think it's been made... to practice law in in Wyoming, uh to practice law in in Wyoming, uh
• :26.160><c> and</c> safeguards, practical timelines, and safeguards, practical timelines, and continued

Committee: Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a term that says normal farming practices.
• As a practice, it is a bad practice if we begin to say, okay, we're going to veto line item that initiative
• tried to limit all practices.
• by those practices, Madam Speaker, gentlelady.
• This is very Practical because this, in the planning assessment of what I've read, and the amount of

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Services to develop a process to assess Services to develop a process to assess the<00:15:43.880
• </c> abusive or deceptive trade practice abusive or deceptive trade practice under<00:31:15.520><c> the
• ,</c><00:41:25.280><c> or</c> licensure, scope of practice, or licensure, scope of practice, or standards
• </c> "Vision is practical." All right.
• </c> financial practices financial practices uh<01:53:49.600><c> are</c><01:53:49.920><c> are</c><01:

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, April 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• excess levies, part two of the state levy, and regular levies on the greater of $50,000 or 35% of assessed
• excess levies, the second state levy, and regular levies on the greater of $60,000 or 60% of the assessed
• state property tax into a single levy and sets it at an initial rate of $2.07537 per thousand of assessed
• The amount of assessed value that can be exempted is also expanded.
• take away money from schools, teachers, and parents interested in improving their program, their practice

Summary: House Finance met in executive session on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6346, the proposed “millionaires’ income tax” package. Staff reviewed the bill and a long list of amendments affecting the new income tax, related business tax changes, and several exemptions and implementation provisions. The committee adopted amendments to exempt diapers from sales tax, allow certain tribal income treatment clarifications, create an advisory group to help implement the tax, move up the repeal date for some business tax changes, and require the measure to go to the voters; several other amendments on federal conformity, agricultural income, pass-through entities, and the marriage threshold were rejected or withdrawn. The committee then adopted the striking amendment as amended and advanced the bill on a 9-6 do pass vote, with supporters arguing it would fund education, health care, child care, and tax relief, and opponents warning about competitiveness, capital flight, and the state’s spending growth. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 6097, which would add federally recognized Indian tribes as eligible entities for county Conservation Futures Program funding. Staff said the bill would not change the tax levy structure and would have no state revenue impact, while tribal witnesses said it would improve voluntary conservation partnerships for habitat, farmland, and open space. Members asked about the bill’s scope, and staff confirmed it applies only to federally recognized tribes. House Finance also heard Senate Bill 6162, a property tax reform measure that would consolidate the state school levy, expand senior and disability property tax exemptions, raise income thresholds, and simplify the application process with a standard deduction. The prime sponsor and county assessors supported the bill as a way to help seniors, disabled persons, and disabled veterans stay in their homes and reduce administrative burden, while several testifiers opposed it as a tax shift that would raise costs for others and potentially strain local revenues. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6113, an administrative and technical tax cleanup bill related to last year’s tax changes; the Department of Revenue supported it and noted a possible clarifying amendment, while nonprofits, schools, libraries, health care groups, workforce training providers, and trade associations asked for additional exemptions for live presentations and related educational activities. The chair announced that Senate Bill 6097 would be added to Monday’s executive session, Senate Bill 6114 was removed, and amendments for Monday’s bills were due by 5 p.m. that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• revenue growth limit, levy capacity may increase by additional amounts equal to the increase in assessed
• local government for the designated increment area, the duration of the increment area, and an assessment
• If a project analysis indicates that an increment area will impact at least 20% of the assessed value
• The assessment of impacts in the project analysis must be done in consultation with any affected taxing
• Limited equity cooperatives are a practical way to expand homeownership while keeping housing affordable

Bills: HB1983 , HB1974 , HB2334 , HB2367 , HB2650 , HB2655

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: timberland, real estate, excise tax, governmental entities, property taxation, land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope to lead the enterprise. in strategic assessments that shape defense requirements, ensuring they
• Do you share that assessment, that it seems like oftentimes they're kind of all going off in their own
• Zimmerman, in your assessment, have U.S. operations against the Houthis been a success?
• I don't think I have access to the classified information that I would like to have to make an assessment
• Lethality relies on a honed practice of service members following lawful orders.

Committee: Senate Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: Department of Defense, nominations, Matthew Lohmeyer, Justin Overbaugh, global security, military readiness, NATO, Russia, China, defense infrastructure

Summary: The meeting was primarily focused on discussing nominations for key positions within the Department of Defense, specifically for roles such as the Undersecretary of the Air Force and the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. Senators expressed urgent concerns about global security threats, the need for robust military readiness, and the emphasis on effective collaboration with NATO allies amidst rising tensions with adversaries such as Russia and China. Several senators highlighted the challenges facing military infrastructure and defense capabilities, suggesting a critical need for improvements and investment in these areas to ensure national security.

Transcript Highlights:

• This assessment is a very simple bill.
• Essentially, it requires an assessment looking at congestion displacement, local infrastructure, safety
• And that's a very commonly held practice, for example, in Congress, as you know, where they have the
• AB 2346 implements targeted and practical solutions such as, but not limited to: 1.
• AB 2346 takes a practical and balanced approach to these challenges.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Through this experience, students learn how to work in a team while also gaining practical, hands-on
• ,</c> in a team while also gaining practical, in a team while also gaining practical, hands-on<00:09:
• And so this bill would require<03:31:58.960><c> an</c><03:31:59.359><c> assessment</c><03:32:00.080><
• require an assessment of the equipment and<03:32:00.960><c> personnel</c><03:32:01.520><c> costs</c>
• </c><05:22:02.080><c> are</c> rapidly and new best practices are rapidly and new best practices are developed

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, May 19, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With all of this information, we are required to work with a qualified actuary each year to assess the
• </c><00:25:09.120><c> which</c> assess assess the premium rate which assess assess the premium rate which
• I think we already are undertaking best practices and leading best practices around the country, and
• </c> uh you know undertaking best practices uh you know undertaking best practices and<01:28:34.719><
• :28:36.000><c> the</c> and leading best practices around the and leading best practices around the country

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It really is very difficult to assess.
• I have practiced for over a decade in addiction medicine.
• I came back to the state two years ago to practice.
• I have practiced for over a decade in addiction medicine.
• I came back to the state two years ago to practice.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a $1 million project, zero residents, so there's no one to assess.
• Um, so that would be a $330,000 assessment per resident. That's why we're here and have the ask.
• It's a $1 million project, zero residents, so there's no one to assess.
• Um, so that would be a $330,000 assessment per resident. That's why we're here and have the ask.
• </c> the wrong side of what's best practices the wrong side of what's best practices for<00:42:51.920

Bills: HF1569 , HF460 , HF850 , HF707 , HF798 , HF852 , HF366 , HF365 , HF836 , HF866 , HF885 , HF959 , HF1196 , HF1788 , HF1349 , HF2272 , HF2652 , HF1251 , HF607

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: transportation, bond issuance, capital investment, infrastructure, road improvements, HF460, Sibley County, Highway 21, County State-Aid Highway, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, transportation grant, infrastructure improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, stormwater, public works, local infrastructure