Transcript Highlights:

• Does this... ...at this service, who is responsible for those students?
• So thank you for your service.
• With this, every year we have back-to-school in-service with teachers.
• Around 2010, our schools began widespread adoption of digital technology.
• It's in our statewide curriculum to teach technology skills.

Committee: House House Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2266, which would change school release-time policy for religious instruction from permissive to mandatory for school districts and charter governing bodies. The sponsor and supporters said the bill protects parental choice, religious liberty, and constitutional release-time programs, while opponents argued it would reduce local control, pull students from instructional time, and expose schools to constitutional and social harms. After public testimony and debate over liability, indoctrination, and academic impact, the committee voted 7-5 to give HB 2266 a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 2193, a cleanup measure related to student directory information and parent organizations. The bill would allow parents of enrolled students or representatives of nonprofit organizations supporting a school to receive directory information unless a parent or eligible student opts out. Supporters from PTO/PTA groups said the change is needed so parent organizations can continue communicating with families and building school community, while members raised concerns about whether the language should be narrowed to avoid political or other misuse of student data. The sponsor said he was open to an amendment, and the committee approved HB 2193 on a 10-1 vote, with one member present. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2075, which would require public school districts to submit superintendent and other top administrator contracts or attestations to ADE and create a searchable online database of compensation details, including salary, benefits, and car allowances. The sponsor described it as a transparency measure, and the committee discussed an amendment to add more specific filing deadlines and the online database requirement. Opponents from school administrators and rural districts argued that superintendent salaries are already public, that the bill should also apply to charter and private schools receiving public funds, and that it could add burdens or distort comparisons across different public-sector labor markets. Supporters said the bill would make total compensation easier to access and reduce public records requests. The sponsor closed by saying the bill would centralize compensation information and simplify disclosure for districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• must cross the United States-Canadian border twice to get to school, the doctor's office, and other services
• must cross the United States-Canadian border twice to get to school, the doctor's office, and other services
• acknowledges the shared economic prosperity from integrated supply chains and thriving maritime technology
• shared efforts toward marine habitat restoration, natural disaster mitigation, advancing clean technologies
• Vancouver, but also in Ottawa as well, and learning about the important and those deep relationships on technology

Summary: The Senate convened on Tuesday, February 24, approved the previous day’s Journal without objection, and handled committee referrals. Among the measures referred, engrossed substitute House Bill 2548, concerning health care market standards, was specifically sent to the Committee on Rules rather than the committee listed in the standing committee report. The chamber also received supplemental committee reports later in the day, including Senate Bill 5998, the operating budget supplemental, and House Bill 2664, both referred to Rules. The main floor action was consideration of Senate Resolution 8696, which recognizes Washington’s interconnected relationship with Canada. The resolution highlighted economic, cultural, environmental, and border-community ties, including trade, shared infrastructure and energy links, cross-border family connections, tribal and First Nations relationships, and cooperation on issues such as climate policy, disaster response, and scientific research. Senators Schumake, Short, and Slatter spoke in support, emphasizing border communities, shared natural resources, research partnerships, and the long-standing friendship between Washington and Canada. The resolution was adopted by voice vote. After adoption, the Senate recognized visiting Canadian and regional officials and representatives, including the Canadian Consul General in Seattle, the Consulate’s trade commissioner, Quebec’s delegate in Seattle, the Mayor of Blaine, and Western Washington University representatives. The Senate then went at ease, later reconvened briefly to process the supplemental committee reports, and adjourned without objection until Thursday, February 26 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1046, amending Title 18, A.R.S., by adding Chapter 4 relating to information technology.
• My opposition is not to digital assets, blockchain technology, or the idea of strategic reserves.
• It's baffling to me that there's them do community service instead of that.
• in lieu of Waterfall dollars and just allow some homeless people to do community service in lieu of
• Relating to government information technology. You have heard the final read of House Bill 2592.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also provide energy-efficient service to help lower energy costs and water use for data centers and
• Technology is important, et cetera.
• It urges Congress to include physical therapy as a professional service. As you know, we have a...
• To include physical therapy as a professional service.
• I'm running this bill to urge Congress to include physical therapy as a professional service.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 399 by Senator Bass, which would create the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to review and potentially block certain gifts, contracts, academic partnerships, and research partnerships involving foreign adversary sources. Bass said the bill is intended to protect university research, intellectual property, and students from foreign influence, and would also require public disclosure of certain foreign-linked arrangements and a plan to eliminate foreign-adversary-linked software. Supporters from State Armor argued Louisiana universities have been vulnerable to Chinese Communist Party influence and intellectual property theft. Representatives from Tulane University and Lenovo raised concerns that the bill could create duplicative review, delay research, raise costs, and sweep in legitimate private or multinational entities; a proposed amendment to exempt entities operating under a CFIUS national security agreement failed 4-8. After debate, the committee moved SB 399 favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 310 by Senator Cloud, presented by Representative Carlson, which would require public school and college health centers to display information about pregnancy resources available in Louisiana. Supporters from Louisiana Right to Life said the bill would help connect pregnant students with existing state and private assistance programs, while the ACLU submitted a red card in opposition without speaking. The bill was moved favorably without objection. The committee also advanced House Resolution 171 by Representative Turner, which calls for a study of the workforce-oriented TOPS Tech and M.J. Foster programs, with business and workforce groups supporting the study as a way to measure outcomes and return on investment; it was moved favorably. Next, the committee took up House Bill 1084 by Representative Turner, a tuition autonomy bill for public post-secondary institutions. An amendment was adopted to add a conceptual framework for tuition-setting considerations, but the bill would still remove the existing 10% over two years cap and allow institutions to set tuition more freely. Turner argued universities need more flexibility because state funding has declined and campuses face deferred maintenance and operating pressures. Several members, especially Representative Carlson, warned that higher tuition could reduce access and that the bill did not address broader structural problems in higher education. Despite those concerns, HB 1084 was moved favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 351 by Senator Jackson Andrews, which would let families apply for child care assistance through CCAP once pregnancy is known, rather than waiting until after birth, to help move them up the waiting list. An amendment was adopted to have BESE, rather than the department, handle rulemaking and to allow the House and Senate education committees to approve the implementation process. The bill was then discussed as a way to help parents return to work sooner, and the hearing continued with questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning and welcome to the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee.
• to help them reduce emissions, but we want to encourage them to find that technology, to report to us
• And so gathering that information, what is best available technology?
• There's technology limitations, reliability, implementation, et cetera.
• Others were told they would have to pay for transmission system upgrades to receive service.

Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee heard three bills. SB 6246 would direct Ecology to develop recommendations for how no-cost allowances for emissions-intensive trade-exposed facilities (EITEs) should work from 2035 to 2050, and would require EITEs to submit facility-specific emissions data and periodic decarbonization plans as a condition of receiving allowances. Supporters said the bill preserves the Climate Commitment Act’s goals while giving the Legislature and Ecology better information to prevent emissions and job leakage and to plan for industrial decarbonization. Opponents argued the bill adds costly reporting and planning burdens, could threaten competitiveness, and in some cases could lead to allowance withholding; Ecology said it generally supports the approach but wants some streamlining and noted implementation costs are not in the governor’s budget. SB 5932 would provide certainty for sustainable aviation fuel development by changing how Ecology applies electricity carbon intensity in the Clean Fuels Program and by setting an earlier trigger for aviation fuel tax incentives. The sponsor and 12, a Moses Lake SAF developer, said the bill would give investors and producers needed certainty for expansion and help Washington remain competitive. Ecology and Climate Solutions opposed parts of the bill, saying it would weaken incentives for new renewable electricity generation, limit Ecology’s technical discretion, and reduce the Clean Fuels Program’s effectiveness, though Ecology said it supports decarbonizing aviation and is willing to work on the issue through rulemaking. Some testimony also supported the tax certainty portion while objecting to the Clean Fuels Program changes, and one witness asked for clarification on local participation in the incentive. SB 6172 would end remaining state tax and regulatory exemptions for the coal-fired TransAlta plant after its scheduled closure date. The sponsor said Washington should remove special treatment now that the state has phased out coal, while supporters said the bill reinforces the state’s clean energy transition and protects public health and climate goals. A few witnesses raised concerns about possible costs to utilities and ratepayers if the plant were ever required to run in an emergency, and asked for language to protect against that. The hearing concluded with the committee closing public testimony on all three bills; no votes were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite the comprehensive list, emergency services service members continue to face denials for occupational
• I just want to thank you guys again and, uh, Back in 2019, we've had a lot of, uh, technological, technological
• And so, um, civil service, um, people that have adopted civil service don't do that, but there's a lot
• The total cost of this would likely not exceed $1000 to $200 per year of service.
• The coverage stops upon separation of service, uh, and is not commensurate with the time of service,

Committee: House S/C on Workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• a conversion of service.
• So to do that conversion of service, if I'm not... Right.
• There will be a lot of technology that comes through.
• And you see that technology coming through the Haynesville.
• Technology has improved. The Haynesville Shale has improved the technology.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:51:06.160><c> Seven,</c> service commission attorney. Seven, service commission attorney.
• c> support services, and contract services support services, and contract services from<01:38:57.840>
• </c> labor and delivery services. labor and delivery services.
• </c> 49, Department of Family Services. 49, Department of Family Services.
• </c> Family Services. Further discussion? Family Services. Further discussion?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• last four years, and they are finance and insurance, administrative support and waste management services
• Remote work, workplace flexibility, and technology investments have expanded access to employment.
• Might pay a little bit more in exchange for high-quality services.
• I think one of the things that we hear a lot is the role of technology, and people think tech as in a
• As you think about how technology is going to advance and as AI or automation continues to advance in

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

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• How they believe public service should be.
• So we're focused on this sector as opposed to just any kind of technology, any kind.
• We are one of the Less than a handful of states that impose sales tax on medical services.
• It is levied on all services across the state.
• Thank you. $100 service charge or $100 charge, 7% still has to be reported, right?

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• To information technology. Referred to third read of House Bill 2410.
• What we need is the personnel and the technology to help make that work.
• I move that the amendment of the Health and Human Services Committee be adopted. Thank you.
• And now for that Science and Technology amendment. Mr.
• And now for that science and technology amendment. Mr.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and several guest introductions and proclamations, including recognition of Dr. Victoria Tannenbaum as Doctor of the Day, Lutheran Day at the Legislature, a veterans treatment court judge, and Adrian Ace Stubbs Day. Attendance was recorded at 56 present, one absent, and three excused. The chamber then moved through communications, committee reports, and first/second readings before beginning a long third-reading calendar. Members considered and voted on a wide range of bills covering tax administration, groundwater and water rights, licensing timeframes, homicide, school employee transparency, mining, retirement system cleanup, utility regulation, AI and digital privacy, sexual extortion, adult protective services, salvage vehicles, veterinary board changes, geological survey reorganization, court fees, real estate licensing, probation, and several education-related appropriations and policy measures. Many bills passed on largely party-line votes, while others passed overwhelmingly or unanimously. Several members explained votes on issues such as superintendent contract transparency, ESA administration funding, mining reclamation, water supply and drought policy, motorcycle safety, AI and adult-content verification, and abortion-pill coercion. The House also passed multiple concurrent resolutions and memorials, including measures on election administration, Judea and Samaria, Route 66, and a memorial to rename State Route 69. Election-related debate was especially pointed, with supporters arguing for precinct-based voting and opponents warning of cost, reduced access, and logistical burdens. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to begin consideration of measures on Calendar No. 1, starting with HB 2174 and related amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> who paid the ultimate price in service who paid the ultimate price in service to<00:08:31.800><c
• And as fast as we acquire information and technology expands, that future is coming even quicker than
• </c> to health services to health services Senate<01:00:58.160><c> Bill</c><01:00:58.360><c> 147,</c>
• President. >> Please proceed. >> The Health Services Committee will meet tomorrow morning at 8:00.
• </c> Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Thomas<01:15:25.880

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The General Fund supplies critical services to all of our service workers, our teachers, our firefighters
• Reliable rail service is vital to the state's economic growth.
• , the county plans to put a... ...to access needed services.
• in light of these services... ...critical health care, hospital, and food assistance services in light
• services if they cannot be sufficiently on Medicaid.

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 1277, which would create a California Cost of Living Tax Credit modeled on the 2022 middle-class tax refund to provide refundable relief to low- and middle-income Californians facing high housing, fuel, energy, and general living costs. Senator Grove and supporters, including the California Policy Center and some local government representatives, argued the bill would put direct relief into the hands of working families. Opposition came from the California Tax Reform Association and the California Teachers Association, which said California already has progressive tax credits and that the proposal would be costly to the General Fund and reduce money for schools and other services. After extended debate, the bill was not advanced; a roll call vote on a motion to pass it to Appropriations failed 1-4, and the bill was held/fails on the floor with a request for reconsideration noted. The committee then heard SB 1287, which would create a capped tax credit to encourage private investment in short-line railroad infrastructure. The author and rail industry witnesses said the measure would improve safety, reliability, emissions, and freight movement, especially for rural communities and agriculture, and that it was a public-private partnership rather than a handout. Opposition from CTA and the California Tax Reform Association argued a direct grant program would be preferable to a tax credit. The bill was accepted with committee amendments and placed on call without a final vote in the transcript. Members also considered SB 1407, which would fully exempt military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits from state income tax, increasing the prior partial exemption. The author, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and veterans’ groups said the change would help retain veterans in California, support local economies, and align California with most other states. CTA and CTRA opposed on General Fund grounds. The committee approved the bill on a due-pass-as-amended motion to the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, with the roll call showing support and the bill placed on call. Later, the committee heard SB 1349, directing the Legislative Analyst’s Office to review major tax expenditures and evaluate their goals, beneficiaries, and effects on revenues and Proposition 98 funding. CTA, CTRA, and several local government and labor supporters backed the bill as a way to improve accountability for roughly $94 billion in annual tax expenditures. The bill was accepted with committee amendments and placed on call. The committee also heard SB 1078, authorizing Santa Cruz County to ask voters for a temporary half-cent sales tax to help fund health care and safety-net services amid federal cuts; it was placed on call. SB 1120, extending the California Competes Tax Credit through 2035 and making it refundable for certain strategic industries, received strong support from business and manufacturing groups and was passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1275, which would replace the state sales tax on vehicle purchases with a vehicle license fee structure intended to increase federal deductibility for Californians, was passed 4-0 as amended to the Committee on Transportation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The General Fund supplies critical services to all of our service workers, our teachers, our firefighters
• Reliable rail service is vital to the state's economic growth.
• , the county plans to put a... ...to access needed services.
• services if they cannot be sufficiently on Medicaid.
• Elizabeth Esquivel, with the California Manufacturers and Technology Association.

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• align them with the Children and Family Services, or the child welfare program.
• So these direct services are more appropriately aligned with our Children and Family Services, or the
• Then no direct services would be remaining within the Program Support budget.
• We're requesting simply a title change for our budget program 20 from Field Services to Veteran Services
• Our budget program 20 from Field Services to Veteran Services and Counseling and Wellness.

Committee: Joint Legislative Evaluation & Accountability Program

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He's our technology expert.
• He's our<00:09:46.920><c> technology</c><00:09:48.040><c> expert.
• So, I'm just our technology expert.
• Information Technology Information Information Technology Information Technology<00:14:23.600><c> Investment
• </c><00:14:24.120><c> Fund</c><00:14:24.360><c> Uses,</c> Technology Investment Fund Uses, Technology

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Father Mark Bilek of Westminster, introduced by the Senator from the 42nd District and praised by members for his community service and Lenten message of reconciliation. The prayer was journalized. The chamber then recognized several guests, including interns, family members, a shadowing student, and the doctor of the day, Dr. Ann Benfield, before moving to floor business. A scheduling note indicated a light floor agenda, with committee work later in the day and a longer floor session expected the next day. The Senate considered several second-reading committee reports and moved multiple bills to third reading, generally without objection. These included House Bill 229, increasing Maryland Transportation Authority bond capacity from $4 billion to $5 billion; House Bill 266, allowing resource-sharing revenues to support state communications infrastructure, with an amendment conforming it to Senate Bill 85; House Bill 472, extending and adjusting the theatrical production tax credit; House Bill 607, setting constitutional officers’ salaries; House Bill 810, creating a study on blockchain-based lease recordation verification with an amendment adding the Maryland Blockchain Association; House Bill 1095, granting a Calvert County property tax credit for former tobacco barns; House Bill 1142, creating a task force on county and municipal revenue structures; and House Bill 1165, addressing apprenticeship program accountability and completion. The Senate also advanced Senate Bill 956, authorizing the Maryland Transportation Authority to waive portions of video tolls or civil penalties on delinquent accounts, with a sponsor amendment. Members briefly joked about April Fools’ Day during the proceedings, but the chamber continued to adopt reports and amendments without recorded opposition. At the end of the session, leaders announced committee schedules for the afternoon and the next day, including Finance, Triple E, Budget and Taxation, and Judicial Proceedings meetings. The Senate then held a quorum call, confirmed 45 members present, and adjourned until Thursday, April 2 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:36.240><c> radar</c> range of National Weather Service radar range of National Weather Service
• The National Weather Service is currently using what's called S-band technology.
• I think that we all agree that this is a needed service.
• </c> from Metropolitan Emergency Services from Metropolitan Emergency Services State<00:47:27.839><c>
• services so everybody's us utilizing a service<00:51:25.640><c> at</c><00:51:25.799><c> the</c><00:51

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Grateful to Almighty God, we open this day of legislative service.
• We thank him and all the service members who lost their lives for their service and their sacrifice.
• So translation services are not, they're... ...that would need that service.
• Technology that can influence them shouldn't be an opt-out.
• Understand why we are using this technology.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your service.
• It's also our investments in the community, be it service to not-for-profit, service to research, service
• Not-for-profit, service to research, service to economic development.
• Just 10 full-time staff cover all direct services for a facility that operates... cover all direct services
• program in the Department of Social Services budget is essential to maintaining life-saving services

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• us all to to think through their stories or things in your districts where the rapid advances in technology
• site visit as we head out to Lake Talquin State Forest with Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
• And one of the things that will see today is the use of drones and some of the technology and how they
• And I know that artificial intelligence slash, you know, technology innovations play a big role in that