Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of people cannot afford to have access to insurance.
• out or a herd raised instead of buying health insurance for their family, and those premiums could be
• several thousand... ...instead of buying health insurance for their family.
• There is also a National Association of Insurance Commissioners model act, and these changes kind of
• There is also a National Association of Insurance Commissioners Model Act, and these changes kind of

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard several insurance- and financial-services-related bills. HB 315 was temporarily postponed. The chair also noted that, following the speaker’s remarks, members should expect additional special meetings as the committee investigates insurance-related issues and seeks transparency and the truth. HB 497, relating to nonprofit agricultural organization health coverage, was presented as a way to give Florida Farm Bureau members—especially farmers, ranchers, and small business owners—more affordable health coverage options. An amendment added statutory placement changes, disclosures that the product is not commercially sold, and annual financial audits. Members discussed ACA-related protections, fraud, and insolvency concerns, and the bill received support from Florida Farm Bureau and was reported favorably 16-0. HB 379, the annual securities package, updated exemptions, foreign jurisdiction rules, the Florida Invest Local Exemption, merger-and-acquisition broker rules, fingerprinting requirements, and technical issues in the Securities Guarantee Fund. Three amendments clarified entity definitions and fingerprint/live-scan requirements; the bill drew support from industry and OFR and passed favorably 17-0. The PCS for HB 147 on consumer debt collection clarified prohibited communications during nighttime hours, with the sponsor and supporters explaining the intent was to allow email while restricting other forms of contact and reduce litigation over passive communications. Members and public witnesses discussed ambiguity in the wording, and the sponsor said further cleanup language may still be needed; the PCS was reported favorably 17-0. HB 655 on pet insurance and wellness programs created a regulatory framework for pet insurance, drew support from industry and humane society representatives, and passed favorably 17-0. HB 367 on home and service warranty association financial requirements allowed financial compliance through multiple contractual liability insurance policies and alternative parent-company documentation; an amendment corrected cross-references and duplicative language, and after questions about consumer protections and insolvency, the bill was reported favorably 17-0. Finally, HB 7003 preserved a public-records exemption for sensitive financial technology sandbox application materials; members discussed the sandbox concept and possible future issues, but no amendments were taken and the bill passed favorably 17-0. The meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:28:25.360><c> That's</c> of Alabama. That's of Alabama.
• Alabama, and provide better housing for the citizens of the state of Alabama.
• by the laws of the state of Alabama to vote.
• </c><02:47:05.920><c> of</c> a definition for the Department of a definition for the Department of Revenue
• ><c> of</c><02:49:41.760><c> Early</c> It's under the Department of Early It's under the Department of

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I teaching in the state of Alabama.
• </c><00:15:01.440><c> of</c> by the United States Department of by the United States Department of Education
• </c><00:36:26.240><c> because</c> the department of workforce because the department of workforce because
• to work with the department of workforce to work with the department of education<00:36:36.880><c> to
• /c><00:54:03.920><c> state</c> department of education at the state department of education at the state

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Senate Bill 278 should pass, an act relating to the Department of Kentucky State Police.
• The other portion of this particular bill relates to credit property insurance.
• of Insurance, there's currently no statutory authority in Kentucky law.
• </c> are filed and approved by the Department are filed and approved by the Department of<00:45:29.000
• c> of of insurance, there's currently of of insurance, there's currently uh<00:45:31.359><c> no</c><00

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the Department of Labor.
• been at the Department of Education.
• of Labor, and Title II and four have always been at the Department of Education.
• But... ...in the waiver or the sort of set of innovations that the Department of Labor came out with
• with 10 lawyers from the Department of Labor, and they'll give you some sort of coy answer.

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Nick Moore, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Office of Career and Technical Education, on efforts to better align workforce, education, and human services programs. Moore argued that WIOA, Perkins, and ESSA were designed to function as an integrated talent system, but that federal and state bureaucracy has kept them siloed. He said the Department of Labor and OCTAE are working on more integrated state plan guidance, including a 2026 plan modification timeline, combined Perkins/WIOA plans, and greater use of labor market information to align training with in-demand jobs and Workforce Pell. Moore emphasized reducing overhead, cross-training staff, using common intake and integrated case management, and focusing on the “shadow labor force” of people facing benefit cliffs, child care barriers, or other obstacles to work. He repeatedly urged states to use waivers and flexibility where possible, to consolidate or streamline local workforce structures, and to hold programs accountable through measures such as labor force participation, training-related employment, retention, and cost per successful outcome. Members asked about the balance between flexibility and accountability, the role of employers versus postsecondary institutions, rural “training deserts,” state waivers, and data systems such as Mississippi Spark and Arkansas Launch. Moore said states should use technology and integrated intake to co-enroll eligible participants in multiple programs and better match people to jobs. In response to questions, Moore said some federal rules cannot be waived, but many reporting and administrative requirements can be streamlined, and he encouraged Arkansas to propose ideas for waivers or state-level integration. He also discussed the need for enhanced wage records and state longitudinal data systems to improve workforce planning and economic development. After Moore’s presentation, DHS Secretary Janet Mann and Director Jay Hill gave a brief update on reimbursement rates, saying the department had compiled more than 100 public comments, recommended holding the current rate, and was awaiting executive review; they estimated the process could take 30 to 60 days. The committee then adjourned, noting a later audit presentation scheduled for the afternoon.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, this bill is related to a kind of complex issue regarding captive insurers.
• So, captive insurers are what entities may set up as a sort of self-insurance.
• no regulatory framework to set up captive insurers here in the state of Maryland.
• </c><00:20:58.040><c> I</c><00:20:58.160><c> am</c> sections of the insurance article.
• I am sections of the insurance article.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, March 26, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened with 39 members present and a quorum. The session opened with an invocation by Bishop Antonio Palmer of Kingdom Celebration Center, whose remarks were journalized. The President and members also welcomed several guests to the chamber, including former Delegate Sean Terrence, students from Charles H. Flowers High School and Garrison Forest School, Dr. Lee Snyder as doctor of the day, and Dr. Barbara Ann Palmer in recognition of Women’s History Month. The President also noted that the next day would be pro forma and that some scheduled items would be moved to the following week. The Senate considered Executive Nominations Report No. 6, covering gubernatorial nominees for boards and commissions including the State Board of Education, MEDCO, and the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. On motion of the committee chair, the report was special ordered to Tuesday, with members asked to review the list for recusals or related issues. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 890, which concerns an insurance premium receipts tax exemption for captive insurance procured by nonprofit hospitals and health care systems. On SB 890, the Senate adopted the committee amendments and then adopted a floor amendment offered by the bill sponsor. The amendment was described as replacing the bill’s earlier approach with a two-year moratorium on collection of any related liabilities, followed by a Maryland Insurance Administration report back on ongoing investigations. One senator raised concern that the amendment’s language could require the state to refund taxes already paid by hospitals and others, potentially costing millions, and asked for more time to review it; the motion to special order the bill was defeated. After discussion, the amendment was adopted and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. At the close of the floor session, committee and delegation announcements were made, including Finance, Triple E, Judicial Proceedings, Budget and Tax, Executive Nominations, and several county delegations. A senator from District 6 also spoke about the anniversary of the Key Bridge collapse and thanked colleagues for bipartisan work on related legislation and recovery efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education, one in 10 students experience inappropriate sexual contact from an adult in
• Department of Education.
• Yet, the Department of Children and Families have ignored these professionals and instead treated me
• It ends up costing our state department a lot more money dealing with it than taking care of it in the
• One of the most important things is this paper right here is a pardon from Alabama.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy hearing on a wide range of bills involving domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, trafficking, victim compensation, and related criminal justice reforms. Testimony focused on measures to support survivors and close perceived legal gaps, including bills to protect domestic violence survivors in child welfare proceedings, expand victim compensation for homicide families and trafficking survivors, create a DNA exception to the rape statute of limitations, eliminate or extend statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, and strengthen laws on upskirting, sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority, and sexual assault by rideshare drivers. Several speakers also addressed bills concerning vulnerable adults, harassment and custody-related abuse, and early evidence kits. Witnesses included legislators, prosecutors, advocates, and many survivors who described personal experiences with abuse and barriers to justice. Supporters argued that current laws often leave survivors without meaningful remedies, especially where consent, reporting requirements, evidentiary rules, or statutes of limitations prevent prosecution or compensation. Prosecutors and advocates said the bills would clarify vague statutes, increase penalties in some cases, and better reflect the realities of coercion, grooming, trafficking, and delayed reporting. Some testimony also urged amendments, including changes to victim compensation reporting rules and clarifications to avoid unintended conflicts with other wage-recovery laws. No committee votes or final actions were taken in the hearing itself. The chairs emphasized strict time limits, respectful conduct, and the submission of written testimony, and several witnesses were called out of order to accommodate the large number of speakers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alabama House Federation of Alabama House Federation of Alabama House Representatives and the house
• of Alabama roll University of Alabama roll tide members of the Tusc Loa delegation tide members of the
• of Education bill the State Department of Education bill the State Department of Education would then
• in the state of Alabama only I think in the state of Alabama only I think in the state of Alabama only
• directs the Alabama State Department of Education to implement an Internet of Education to implement

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The greater frequency of natural disasters is leading to increases in the cost of homeowners insurance
• Billions and billions of pounds of foreign shrimp have just ruined the market.
• When sentenced to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for incarceration, that harassment continued
• lot of retaliation.
• And it just adds to our message of being an economic powerhouse of the country and of the world.

Bills: HB2226 , HB2269 , HB2343 , HB2760 , HB3621 , HB4079 , HB4204 , HB4518 , HB4531 , HB4555 , HB4850 , HB4876 , HB4903 , HB4996 , HB5122

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: construction trust funds, Property Code, Chapter 162, construction payments, mechanics lien, contractors, subcontractors, laborers, material suppliers, materialmen, real property improvement, assignment of payment rights, unpaid trust funds, trust fund beneficiaries, construction industry, payment protection, Texas construction law, property owners association, landscaping, grass maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• Alabama sends thousands of children to in-state and out-of-state camps every year. communication, evacuation
• ><c> children</c> Alabama sends thousands of children Alabama sends thousands of children to<00:01:57.440
• The customer is in Alabama. A meaningful portion of our supply chain is in Alabama.
• A meaningful portion of our supply chain is in Alabama.
• Doing a lot of good work. This is Alabama Arise. This is the Apple Seed Program.

Bills: HB381 , HB259 , HB393 , HB399 , SB358 , SB362 , SB363 , SB348 , SB187

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of you know me already as the President and CEO of the Alabama Policy Institute, but what you might
• So here's what's true about smartphones: Every person in the state of Alabama, including children, number
• The distribution of obscenity to children or adults is already illegal in Alabama, as stated in Section
• I'm Becky Garritson with Eagle Forum of Alabama, and I'm going to just kind of combine a couple of things
• It automatically switches to the filter being on when the phone is activated in the state of Alabama.

Bills: SB186 , SB187

Committee: Senate Children and Youth Health

Keywords: internet filtering, child protection, obscene content, civil liability, manufacturers, app store, app store provider, app developer, mobile app, age verification, parental consent, minor safety, child online safety, parental controls, age gating, digital privacy, data protection, in-app purchases, online consumer protection, deceptive trade practice

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Economic and Community Affairs until the agency meets the conditions of compliance.
• </c> three with the following the Alabama three with the following the Alabama Department<00:37:49.600
• ><c> of</c><00:37:49.720><c> Economic</c><00:37:50.320><c> and</c><00:37:50.400><c> Community</c> Department
• of Economic and Community Department of Economic and Community Affairs<00:37:51.400><c> until</c><00
• If I'm a criminal, nine times out of 10, I'll already know if that state police department within my

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators, we're going to start right at tab number one, which is SB 6, relief of LE by Department of
• The Department of Commerce will work with Cyber Florida at the University of South Florida to further
• Administration and the Department of Children and Families, but with the Department of Commerce.
• for the Department of Commerce.
• for the Department of Commerce.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fair, balanced nature of liability, and reduction of insurance rates.
• is the cost of insurance in Louisiana.
• is the cost of insurance in Louisiana.
• But the difference is the cost of insurance.
• I have a question for both of you when it comes to cost of insurance per truck.

Committee: House Civil Law and Procedure

Summary: The committee first took up HB 51 by Rep. Villio, a constitutional amendment to prohibit post-conviction bail for people convicted of aggravated offenses against minors. Members adopted a technical amendment to simplify the ballot language, heard a 6.8A report explaining the committee’s authority over constitutional amendments, and then adopted the report and passed HB 51 with amendments. Support was noted from law enforcement and district attorney groups. The main item was HB 526 by Rep. Dickerson, which would cap general damages in civil cases at $500,000 in most cases and $1 million for severe permanent injury, while leaving economic damages uncapped. The bill drew extensive testimony from trucking, logging, business, and insurance-reform advocates who argued that unpredictable verdicts and “nuclear verdicts” drive up commercial insurance costs and push businesses out of Louisiana. Opponents, including attorneys and victims’ advocates, argued the bill would unfairly limit recovery for seriously injured people and could harm sexual assault survivors and families in wrongful death cases. After debate, the committee adopted an amendment clarifying the cap applies per individual plaintiff rather than to the action as a whole, but then rejected a motion to report the bill; the roll call was 4 yeas and 5 nays, so HB 526 remained in committee. The committee then heard HB 173 by Rep. Bamberg, which would bar recovery for bodily injury or property damage by a driver who had failed to maintain required auto insurance for at least 30 days before the crash. Supporters said uninsured motorists contribute to higher premiums and should not recover large awards, while opponents warned the bill would punish innocent spouses, children, and other people who may be unaware coverage lapsed. An amendment was adopted to add the 30-day uninsured requirement, and the bill moved to opposition testimony, but the transcript cuts off before any final vote on HB 173.

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve parts of Youalla and the south end of Barber County.
• At least five of us have voters in the city of Eufaula.
• What is consistent across the state of Alabama in public counties?
• Uh, that's one of the 13 counties in Alabama that has changed their requirements.
• Jefferson County is one of them. I have... Jefferson County is one of them.

Bills: SB287

Committee: House Local Legislation

Keywords: Sheriff, Barbour County, law enforcement, qualifications, training, executive education, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The other thing we have done is in the instance of the State Water, or Department of Water Resources,
• For instance, in the case of the Department of Water Resources, the legislature enabled them to hold
• In the instance of the Department of Water Resources, the legislature had enabled them to hold that money
• And we work on this with our workforce partners from the Department of Commerce.
• We do work together quite well with HHS, like I said, Voc Rehab, Department of Commerce, DPI, adult ed

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Leadership Division of the Budget Section approved the prior meeting minutes and then received an update from Senator Jonathan Sickler on the Cash Management Board’s interim work under House Bill 1278. He said the board has reviewed state cash, investments, and liquidity across agencies and concluded the state’s overall mix of long-term and short-term assets is appropriate, with about $35 billion in total liquid assets and investments and roughly 89% in longer-term investments. He highlighted process improvements already underway, including replacing more than 500 six-month CDs with a special-rate savings account to reduce administrative work, and said the board sees opportunities to improve forecasting, automation, and statewide coordination. Members asked about whether the CD change would increase returns, how the Legacy Fund transfer for the homestead tax relief bill affected earnings, and whether more state cash could be consolidated or better managed through BND; Sickler and BND staff said those issues are being studied and may lead to legislation for the 2027 session. Representative Nathan Toman then updated the committee on the Task Force on Government Efficiency. He said the group has focused less on cutting dollars and more on defining metrics and asking how the legislature knows whether programs are working. The task force is pushing a standard set of questions for new or expanding programs—who is affected, expected outcomes, alternatives, how success will be measured, and full funding—and OMB has agreed to require those answers in future budget requests. Members discussed possible use of dashboards, program evaluators, AI tools, and possible rule or statutory changes to require performance measurement. Toman said the task force will continue meeting with agencies such as the courts, university system, auditor, HHS, Commerce, and ITD to identify workflow bottlenecks and potential efficiencies. Phil Davis of Job Service North Dakota gave a workforce update, reporting that North Dakota’s unemployment rate is 2.5% and labor force participation is about 68.7%, both well above national performance. He described Job Service’s 15 workforce programs, including H-2A housing inspections for foreign agricultural workers, the job placement partnership program with DOCR, WOTC, and other federal and state workforce efforts. Davis said the agency served more than 11,000 individuals in 2025, operates nine workforce centers, and tracks outcomes through quarterly and annual reporting. In response to questions, he said job openings data reflect only positions in the system and may understate actual hiring needs, that child care and other assistance programs could be better tied to employment outcomes, and that the DOCR partnership has shown strong results with lower recidivism and higher earnings. He also said the H-2A inspection workload is growing quickly and additional staffing or less frequent federal inspection requirements could help. Allen Knutson then presented S&P Global’s updated revenue forecast. He said oil prices have risen sharply since the prior month’s outlook, improving the state’s near-term revenue picture, though the economy remains volatile and agriculture is facing weaker commodity prices. Based on the updated forecast, total major tax revenues for the current biennium are projected to be about $89 million above the legislative forecast, and the next biennium could be about $500 million higher, though that estimate is preliminary and may change. He also walked through an alternate oil-price scenario showing significantly higher oil and gas collections and a larger Strategic Investment Fund balance if prices remain elevated. Members asked whether another forecast should be requested once oil markets stabilize and about tribal allocation changes in the alternative scenario; Knutson said additional updates are possible through OMB and future forecast cycles.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alabama. ...differences across the state of Alabama.
• It would mirror the Alabama Department of Labor's workforce regions, which I think would probably be
• Do we have any kind of state models outside of Alabama? Commissioner, you said we've tried, right?
• I don't think I'm allowed to mention any company by name as a member of the Department of Workforce.
• Department of Workforce.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And what I said was that the state of Alabama didn't give the citizens of Birmingham anything.
• a great job for the great citizens of Alabama. 775,000 served by the Birmingham Waterworks.
• the economy of the state of Alabama.
• And even at the state of Alabama, we just wrote another $500 million blank check for a mega prison that
• like my chairman did over here across the state of Alabama.

Bills: SB330

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: water management, regional boards, municipal governance, ethics compliance, public utility, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> give you sort of a picture of what give you sort of a picture of what workers<00:08:07.480><c> face
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Minnesota's Department of Health.
• </c> Department of Health. Department of Health.
• The union difference is clear. 75% of workplaces where there is a union provide health insurance. 70%
• </c> provide health insurance. provide health insurance. 70%<00:48:09.920><c> of</c><00:48:10.040><c>

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the people of Alabama.
• Be it resolved by the Senate of the Legislature of Alabama, that immediately upon the adoption of this
• Be it resolved by the Senate of the Legislature of Alabama that, immediately upon the adoption of this
• of education and the state department of education and this<00:40:06.640><c> would</c><00:40:06.880>
• I can’t think of anyone better to serve and inspire and lead our children in this state of Alabama in

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. Early procedural motions were adopted without objection, including excusing absent senators, dispensing with the prior journal, and allowing bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The Senate then took up several confirmation reports from the Committee on Confirmations, unanimously confirming Ralph Foster, Andre Harrison, Katie Randall, Donna Jones, and Reetta McCannan to the State Textbook Committee for Social Studies. The chamber also received a favorable report on Senate Bill 174 from the Transportation and Energy Committee, and later adopted a special order calendar from the Rules Committee. On the floor, the Senate passed a series of measures, including SB 104, which requires training for members of certain boards, commissions, and councils under the sunset law but was amended to exclude county and municipal boards; HB 59, a cleanup bill concerning the Certified Public Accountants Board; SB 8, authorizing the Emergency Management Agency to spend public funds on public information; SB 66, changing University of Monavalo board terms and related requirements, with an amendment protecting certain trustees appointed before January 1, 2027; SB 168, codifying limits on a reading technique and emphasizing the science of reading; SB 149, creating a temporary teaching certificate pathway for qualified military veterans; SB 46, adding a special driver’s license designation for individuals with invisible disabilities; and SB 90, addressing seafood dealer licenses and support for domestic seafood producers. Local bills including SB 175 and HB 84, HB 200, HB 201, HB 184, HB 203, HB 204, HB 205, HB 133, HB 134, HB 193, and HB 112 also advanced or passed, with several county-specific measures receiving BR adoption, final passage, and in one case certification. Near the end of the meeting, leadership and members discussed severe weather and contingency plans for the coming week. Budget hearings scheduled for Monday were canceled and moved to Thursday, with the Senate planning to meet Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. if weather permits, or Wednesday if necessary. The Senate also received several House messages referring local bills to committee. The session adjourned after a motion to adjourn until Tuesday, January 27 at 3:00 p.m., with the journal left open to receive House messages.