Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Resources development to process program Resources development to process program applications<00
• </c> then to follow through on the program then to follow through on the program internship<00:10:42.959
• </c><00:27:23.760><c> be</c> really designed to help the program be really designed to help the program
• </c><00:27:57.559><c> the</c><00:27:57.720><c> program</c> added cost for the program the program added
• on small, locally owned businesses.

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony on several measures. Senate Bill 327, relating to internships, drew broad support from the Department of Education, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, University of Hawaiʻi, DBEDT, P20, HFIA, Hawaiʻi Electric, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and the Chamber of Commerce, with suggested amendments to clarify the internship purpose, limit some responsibilities to the state executive branch, and address staffing and reporting details. The committee later recommended passing SB 327 with amendments, including changes to the internship language, private-sector references, work-hour limits, reporting requirements, and a deferred effective date for further discussion. Senate Bill 716, relating to the Hawaii Employment Security Law, received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations as a step toward modernizing unemployment insurance, and the committee recommended passage with housekeeping and technical amendments. Senate Bill 717, relating to collective bargaining, would allow certain exempt employees to grieve suspensions or discharges. The City and County of Honolulu and the Department of Human Resources Development said the issue should remain a collective bargaining matter, while HGEA and United Public Workers supported the bill. DHRD opposed changing the statute and pointed to existing internal complaint procedures. The committee nevertheless recommended passing SB 717 with amendments and deferred the date for further discussion. Senate Bill 742, relating to data sharing, would create a data sharing and governance working group within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services and include appropriations. OETS, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaiʻi, DOE, Hawaiʻi Kids Can, Hawaiʻi P-20, and others supported the measure, with OETS estimating a total cost of about $2.64 million, including software, consulting, and six FTE. The committee recommended passage with amendments and a deferred effective date, and noted the budget request in the committee report. The final measure, Senate Bill 855, relating to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Act, would shift the program from opt-in to opt-out and appropriate startup funds; former Senator Brian Taniguchi and AARP supported it, while Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi and the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi opposed it over costs and burdens on small businesses and concerns about adding mandates before the program is implemented. The committee recessed briefly on a proposed AARP amendment, then returned and indicated support for the opt-out language before taking the bill up for decision-making.

Transcript Highlights:

• We put $30 million a year into the Oklahoma film rebate program.
• We put $30 million a year into the Oklahoma film rebate program.
• Could it be a part of this program?
• program. works to actually enrich the program for the state of Oklahoma.
• Representative, is this a pilot program? No, sir.

Summary: The House considered and advanced a large package of bills, many on joint committee reports, with most measures passing by wide margins and several emergency clauses approved. Early debate centered on HB 4036, which moved $5 million from an existing filmed-in-Oklahoma account to a new revolving fund for the “Bringing Sitcoms Home from Hollywood” pilot program. Supporters said the money was surplus, still controlled by the film office, and intended to create jobs and a strong return on investment; opponents questioned whether the funds should instead go to other state needs and whether the program had enough workforce and infrastructure. The bill passed 53-42, but its emergency failed. The House also passed HB 471, which creates state support for federal “Trump accounts” for children under 18, after debate over federal control, investment risk, and whether the $12.5 million could be better spent on child care, schools, or other services; it passed 61-30 and the emergency failed 62-27. Several education, transportation, and public safety measures then moved through with little or no opposition. HB 4030, described as the education limits bill, passed 93-1 with its emergency. HB 4065 and HB 467 each appropriated $93,000 for security at the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics and the Schools for the Blind and Deaf, respectively, and both passed unanimously or near-unanimously with emergencies. HB 4038 directed $5 billion for the eight-year transportation plan and $266,000 for safer school zones; HB 4048 transferred PREP funds to three road projects; and HB 4031 moved up to $41 million into the long-term aerospace and aeronautic stability fund. HB 4047, which used PREP funds for a rural economic development project, fairgrounds upgrades, and university energy improvements, drew the most discussion over whether the spending was truly rural-focused, but passed 81-11 with the emergency approved. The House also approved a series of capital, justice, health, and workforce-related bills. These included HB 452 to buy the Service Oklahoma building it currently occupies; HB 4041 for a two-year trafficking victim pilot program and public safety technology; HB 4056 and HB 4057 for OSBI and narcotics headquarters/warehouse facilities; HB 4044 for current National Board Certified Teachers; HB 4032 on mining fees and agreement language; HB 4034 to raise court reporter compensation; HB 4050 reducing employer contributions while keeping retirement funds growing; HB 4053 and HB 4054 for flagship university capital projects; HB 4072, a public finance/accounting measure involving the Invest in Oklahoma Board and Revenue Stabilization Fund mechanics; HB 4045 and HB 4046 creating military-related funds to support bases and BRAC-proof installations; HB 4040 establishing oversight and a revolving fund for rural health transformation federal money; and HB 4051 clarifying legislative control over the FMAP rate preservation fund. Most of these passed with strong bipartisan support and emergency clauses, and the chamber ended with announcements of committee meetings before adjourning until April 15, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• , appropriately named the FARM program.
• Chris Doolin, representing the Small County Coalition and the Small Districts Coalition Consortium.
• It was exciting that small changes, which are not small: health care, docs, hospitals, our regional consortiums
• Small changes, which are not small: health care, docs, hospitals, our regional consortiums, which are
• counties and small school boards.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and first considered CS/SB 7012 on child welfare, presented by Senator Graal. The bill addressed three areas: child welfare workforce shortages, higher-acuity children in out-of-home care, and services/data for commercially sexually exploited children. It would create a CPI and case manager recruitment program aimed at former public safety and service workers, convene a workforce work group, establish a four-year treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits identified by DCF based on removal and placement data, and require more detailed, extractable child-level data on commercially sexually exploited children along with a bed capacity study and service gap analysis. Two amendments were adopted: one clarified record retention for redacted assessments, and another attached the appropriation. The committee then heard CS/SB 110 on rural communities from Senator Simon. The bill proposed a broad rural development package, including a state office of rural prosperity, a Renaissance grant program for counties with declining populations, increased housing support, major rural road funding, school consortium funding, and additional health care resources for rural facilities and training. A delete-all amendment was adopted that expanded and refined several provisions, including local sales tax trust fund distributions, county connectivity projects, agritourism marketing support, disaster-impacted rural infrastructure eligibility, insurance and provider eligibility changes, and increased funding for critical access hospitals and rural medical education reimbursement. Both bills drew broad support from local government, education, health care, housing, and rural advocacy representatives. Supporters said the rural bill was especially comprehensive and would help small counties, schools, roads, housing, and health care, while one witness cautioned that road expansion should be balanced with protection of agricultural and natural lands. Senator Bradley and Senator Simon emphasized local control and the importance of strengthening rural Florida without imposing mandates. CS/SB 7012 and CS/SB 110 were both reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cities and counties are having to do it on their own dime.
• I'm Mayor Dave Bradley of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.
• Like the Assemblymember said, we have a major issue in my city.
• Muranya and I'm Rancho Palos Verde City Manager.
• So we're looking for a small amendment to the bill that asks that Cal OES implement the program.

Committee: House Emergency Management

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And because we continue to spend on new programs and we had to fight new programs coming into this bill
• And because we continue to spend on new programs and we had to fight new programs coming into this bill
• And because we continue to spend on new programs and we had to fight new programs coming into this bill
• And because we continue to spend on new programs and we had to fight new programs coming into this bill
• The um the transit mitigation program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Treatment programs have wait lists. Some programs are unavailable.
• Any of the programs, well, let me ask, in regards to the mandated program, and I had it written down
• The CalVIP program is California's flagship community-based violence prevention program and a proven
• , leaving the city in the dark.
• What if they're good at city planning? They can't get a job as a city planner.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we'll just walk through a few program we'll just walk through a few program Basics<00:04:15.799>
• ><c> but</c> program certain program parameters but program certain program parameters but not<00:05:
• program unhoused.
• That is only a small slice of the program.
• ><c> to</c> of the program um our program is up to of the program um our program is up to an<01:37:40.400

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:35.240><c> at</c> career guidance and support program at career guidance and support program
• and he said, 'You apply to my program because we look for people with your talents.'
• I applied for 12 family medicine programs, and I got only one interview.
• business private practice owner here in the Twin Cities.
• business private practice owner here in the Twin Cities.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the work is going to start small.
• Is it a different program?
• Training program.
• </c> the highest among the major MSA cities the highest among the major MSA cities and<01:02:42.799><
• But they're small, right?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a program I really love. It's the Florida Apex Accelerator Program.
• It's the PTAC program for the alphabet soup there.
• Office of Small Business Programs underneath the Secretary of Defense.
• So, again, I really love this program. It's innovative.
• We are committed to helping small businesses recover from the storm.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism convened with several members present and Senators DiCeglie and McClain excused. The committee first heard a presentation from Greg Britton, State Director of the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, who described the network’s statewide small-business assistance, including startup support, export and contracting help, disaster recovery, and rural outreach. He highlighted reported 2023 impacts such as $3.9 billion in sales generated, $575.9 million in government contracts, $346.2 million in capital, and support for 2,009 new businesses, including 130 manufacturing firms over the past two years. Members asked about comparisons with SCORE and about measuring rural success, with the chair suggesting jobs and wages in rural areas would be useful metrics; Britton said he could provide job data but was unsure about wage information. The committee then took up SB 320 by Senator Gates, which creates a five-year demonstration project for an alternative licensure pathway for surveyors and mappers. The bill would allow a “first-step” probationary license based on industry certification, apprenticeship, recommendation from a licensed Florida surveyor, and passage of the Department of Agriculture exam within the five-year period, without requiring a four-year degree. Senators asked about the labor shortage, education requirements, foreign workers, and moral character standards. Gates said the shortage is chronic and worsening, the bill has no degree requirement, and anyone meeting the qualifications could proceed regardless of visa status. The committee voted to report SB 320 favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 316 by Senator Berman, which authorizes series limited liability companies in Florida and sets rules for how Florida and foreign series LLCs may operate and transact business in the state. Berman explained that the bill is intended to let businesses isolate liabilities across separate series while providing clearer rules for Florida citizens and businesses dealing with such entities. There were no substantive questions, one appearance form in support, and the committee voted to report SB 316 favorably before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• This program is really growing.
• President, Senator, I think that would be another program. ...or is that another program for them?
• Is the LIHEAP program being modeled after the LIHEAP program? Thank you, Mr. President.
• or early Head Start program or an early pre-kindergarten program or a pre-kindergarten program except
• President, so we're creating a behemoth program that is a volatile program.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By investing fifth, As UGA, our key local aid program.
• But the C-3 program, which we're...
• But the C-3 program, which was a COVID-era program, was originally funded through so-called ARPA dollars
• but only part of a program.
• Small businesses can't find workers.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted two commendatory resolutions honoring the Plimpton Historical Society’s Deborah Sampson Day recognition and Megan’s Light’s Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month observance, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committee. The chamber also briefly recognized Diane Talk of the South Shore Regional Emergency Communication Center on her retirement after 30 years of dispatch service. Later, the Senate passed two local bills to enactment: House No. 4006, authorizing Dartmouth to grant an additional all-alcoholic beverages license, and House No. 473, relating to the charter of Westwood. The main business was the Senate Ways and Means presentation of the fiscal year 2027 budget, totaling about $63.3 billion. The chair described the budget as balanced, with no new taxes or tax cuts, based on a consensus revenue estimate of $986 million in growth over FY26 (2.4%), and including about $15.8 billion in federal financial participation and roughly $2.7 billion from the Fair Share surtax. The budget emphasized record local aid, including $1.376 billion in unrestricted general government aid, $7.66 billion for Chapter 70 education aid, increased minimum school aid, higher regional school transportation reimbursement, rural aid, and the revival of the Foundation Budget Review Commission. It also highlighted major investments in MassEducate free community college, food security, housing, and support for vulnerable residents. Members then engaged in extended colloquy on the budget’s major cost drivers and policy choices. Questions focused on debt service, pension and OPEB liabilities, MassHealth caseload and rising per-enrollee costs, child care funding, and program integrity in DTA and other benefit programs. The chair said debt service would be about $2.67 billion, pension payments would be $5.1 billion, OPEB would receive a $150 million payment, and MassHealth enrollment was projected at about 2 million with costs driven by acuity and medical inflation. He also said the budget includes no collective bargaining agreements and no state tax changes. Senators supporting the budget praised its investments in education, local aid, homelessness prevention, public health, libraries, and housing, while minority leaders and others stressed the need for fiscal discipline, transparency, and further work on affordability and municipal support. The Senate also received a House message on House No. 5316, which the House had nonconcurred in, and a conference committee was appointed on the disagreement.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> capital city. Thank you, Mr. President. capital city. Thank you, Mr. President.
• It's small world, small world. Uh, yes, recognize Senator from the 23rd. Uh, thank you, Mr.
• Yes, Senator from the capital city. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr.
• President, uh Baltimore City Senate Mr.
• And she was truly a mighty warrior, small in stature, mighty warrior.

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:

• It really creates a new federal program within state statute.
• And they're really, really proud of this program.
• There's nothing more permanent than a temporary government program.
• And also, two small items left.
• This also doesn't require cities to do this.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, received messages from the Senate and governor, and moved several enrolled bills and memorials through routine referral and signing actions. The chamber concurred in Senate amendments to House Bills 494, 728, and 703, and later concurred in Senate amendments to House Bills 825 and 788. Committee reports also advanced multiple measures, including House Bill 939 from Resources and Conservation, House Bills 940-942 for printing or referral, and House Bill 892 to second reading. House Resolution 29, changing call-of-the-House procedures, and House Joint Memorial 21, urging faster permitting for a tungsten mine in Lemhi County, were also taken up and passed. On the floor, the House passed Senate Bills 1266, 1316, 1288, and 1339. Senate Bill 1266 made technical foster-care corrections, removed extended foster care language, and expanded expedited placement to include kinship caregivers. Senate Bill 1316 updated newborn screening consent language so parents may simply decline certain newborn procedures without stating a medical or religious reason. Senate Bill 1288 created a funding mechanism for high-need special education students, drawing from driver’s education funds and interest from the Idaho Career Readiness Fund; supporters framed it as necessary to meet federal and constitutional obligations, while opponents argued it would create an ongoing spending commitment and reduce funds for other programs. Senate Bill 1339 replaced continuous improvement planning with longer-term strategic performance planning for public schools, with supporters emphasizing accountability and reduced reporting burdens. The House also passed House Bills 706, 888, 894, and 927. House Bill 706 allowed a single stairwell in certain four- to six-story condo and apartment buildings, with added fire-safety requirements, to reduce housing costs; supporters cited affordability and housing supply, while some raised safety concerns. House Bill 888 revised the state IT procurement framework to bring more agency technology purchases under the Office of Information Technology Services, with some agencies exempted. House Bill 894 required open meetings to allow recording, photography, and video with exemptions for corrections, parole, and executive sessions. House Bill 927 restored consequences for unpaid traffic infractions, including license-related enforcement after notice and a 60-day cure period, and was presented as a public safety and fiscal responsibility measure. The House then recessed and later resumed to continue the calendar and committee business.

Transcript Highlights:

• "Member from Rutland City." "Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• ,</c> veteran services, parenting programs, veteran services, parenting programs, and<00:25:04.640><c
• Please join me investment to our city.
• </c> Again, the two chambers only had a small Again, the two chambers only had a small disagreement<00
• </c> &gt;&gt; Member from Newport City. &gt;&gt; Member from Newport City.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then there was a small appropriation for $500,000 for the Minnesota State Kids on Campus program,
• grant program and then there<00:25:12.000><c> was</c><00:25:12.120><c> a</c><00:25:12.240><c> small<
• </c><00:32:59.840><c> that</c> program um so there are programs that program um so there are programs
• , which is the largest program, and the North Star Promise program, which is the newest program and which
• </c><00:47:37.040><c> and</c> program which is the largest program and program which is the largest program

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, but we are in a different city.
• New Mexico is a small state, 2 million in population.
• Programs don't have to be cut. Budgets don't have to be cut.
• If we were to spend 30 million today, that would certainly benefit the small towns and the small rural
• national laboratory for services provided to small businesses.

Committee: House Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to give you a small tally, Mr.
• Speaker, and much more attractive as a state program.
• Officials from the City of Kansas City state that proposed legislation will have a negative. $150,000
• Officials from the City of Kansas City state the proposed legislation will have a negative fiscal impact
• Lady from San Luis City, please keep your comments to remain.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House first established a quorum, then took up several bills for perfection and printing. House Bill 2297, a fence-law bill, was presented as a way to let livestock owners enter up to 10 feet onto neighboring property to repair fences, remove trees and debris on the fence line, and avoid trespass liability while repairing damage caused by livestock escaping. Supporters said the measure addresses a real rural problem and protects farmers who are already responsible for keeping animals contained; the bill was adopted and perfected and printed after debate over property rights and access concerns. The chamber then considered House Bills 2142 and 2058, a film and television tax incentive measure. Supporters said Missouri’s film credit program has produced strong economic returns, created jobs, and attracted productions, and they argued for combining separate film and TV funding buckets while removing a proposed sunset extension. An amendment to keep the sunset at 2029 was adopted, and the bill was then adopted, perfected, and printed. The House also took up House Bill 3004, a hardwood labeling bill requiring products sold in Missouri to be labeled accurately as wood or non-wood materials; supporters framed it as truth-in-advertising and protection for the state’s timber industry, while one member questioned how the law would apply to online and out-of-state sellers. The bill was adopted and perfected and printed. Next, the House considered House Bills 3283 and 3306, which set a timeline and process for public-sector collective bargaining disputes, including negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, and defined “good faith” in bargaining. An amendment narrowed the bill so it would not apply to teachers, police, or other excluded public employees under existing law. Supporters said the bill would prevent years-long contract disputes and save taxpayer money, especially for firefighters and other first responders; the substitute was adopted and perfected and printed. Finally, House Bill 2536, a bill on sex-designated restrooms and other private spaces in government-controlled settings, drew extensive debate. The sponsor said it was intended to protect privacy and safety in restrooms, changing rooms, sleeping quarters, schools, airports, correctional facilities, and similar spaces, and an amendment clarified exceptions for corrections officers and other public safety duties. Opponents argued the bill would target transgender people, create enforcement problems, and rely on signage rather than preventing crime; supporters said it was needed to protect women and girls. The amendment was adopted, and debate continued on the bill as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our Mel program is a visual arts and culture program.
• Vision</c> program our program provides Vision program our program provides Vision hearing<03:43:55.960
• that</c> Watch program a vital program that Watch program a vital program that brings<03:56:13.960><c
• > not</c> re-entry programs this program does not re-entry programs this program does not exist<05:02
• We are a small team, and we hope that increased funding will also allow us to expand programs to teens

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have had great success with the MPDP program through fiscal year 24.
• So we have a pilot program in that system as well.
• And so they also had no cell phones during the program.
• So, the Alabama Career Discovery program... ...So, the Alabama Career Discovery program is very transformative
• We currently have 452 students who have been a part of the program.

Bills: HB205 , HB226 , HB234

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, exemption, tax conformity, tangible personal property, Alabama Department of Revenue, retail tax, consumer use tax, nonresident, religious publications, church magazines, Bible class materials, Sunday school materials, tax administration, indirect tax, state revenue, HB226, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax