Transcript Highlights:

• firefighter, none of them would have to follow this law, and we just didn't feel that that injected the balance
• Senate Amendment 1 ensures that any remaining balances owed solely for the cost of incarceration charges
• access to qualified nutrition professionals, modernizes standards to match best national practices, balances
• This resolution asks Delaware to explore a more balanced, modern approach that still maintains federal
• directly accountable to the residents most affected by these decisions and are often best positioned to balance

Summary: The House met on June 30, 2026, with opening ceremonies, guest introductions, a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence for two deceased community members. Members also adopted Consent Calendar 29, which included House Concurrent Resolutions 153, 154, and 156, and passed House Concurrent Resolution 157 directing the State Lottery to report on iLottery options to support traditional lottery retailers, as amended to set a February 15, 2027 reporting deadline. The chamber then considered several bills on agriculture, telecommunications, health, fire service standards, corrections, elections, and education. Among the measures passed were Senate Bill 53 on the Delaware Farm to Community Program, Senate Bill 307 on PSC authority for Lifeline telecom carriers, Senate Bill 339 clarifying advance health care directives, Senate Bill 235 extending manufactured home rent increase rules, Senate Bill 325 updating firefighter/EMS background check and membership standards, Senate Bill 309 discharging incarceration-related balances, Senate Bill 324 on constable-related handgun purchase exemptions, Senate Bill 94 on respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication access, and Senate Bill 293 creating a licensure pathway for summer camp providers in the Purchase of Care program. The House also passed Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment to protect the right to marry regardless of race or gender while explicitly preserving religious freedom. The bill drew extended debate, with supporters framing it as a safeguard against future rollbacks of marriage equality and opponents raising concerns about constitutionalizing an issue already in statute; several members explained changed votes and personal reflections before the final roll call, which passed 28-12. House Bill 188, which would allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary, also passed after amendment, despite some opposition over party-system effects. Two measures were tabled or amended after debate: Senate Bill 233 on removing snow and ice from vehicles was initially tabled to consider a truck-driver exemption amendment, then the amendment failed and the bill later passed as amended; and Senate Joint Resolution 19 on studying health care costs was tabled briefly pending legal clarification. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404, creating a three-year pilot program for AI and extended reality in schools, passed after testimony from the Department of Education emphasizing guardrails, data privacy, and teacher oversight. The transcript ends as House Bill 478 is being read in, but no final action on that bill appears in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• they make their own decisions, they make their own policies, and there's no one to check them and balance
• Oversight creates balance and ensures... ...of the system and the people it serves.
• Oversight creates balance.
• Without such balance, we risk continuing a cycle of crisis response, reacting to public pressure instead
• structure of parole are helpful and create stability, these conditions are often excessive and hard to balance

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security focused on several correction-related bills, including visitation reform, elder and medical parole, incarcerated persons’ human rights, and creation of an independent correctional oversight office. Vice Chair Christopher Worrell chaired the hearing in place of Chair Dan Cahill for much of the session and explained that the committee would first hear from incarcerated individuals remotely, then move to public testimony. The committee repeatedly enforced three-minute limits and accepted written testimony as well. Much of the testimony from incarcerated people emphasized that visitation is central to rehabilitation, family stability, and reentry, and that current DOC policies—visitor caps, pre-approval requirements, scheduling rules, dress-code enforcement, and restrictions on contact—have reduced family contact and caused harm. Several speakers argued that elderly and medically frail prisoners should be released through parole because incarceration is costly, ineffective, and inhumane for people who pose little public-safety risk. Others described poor prison conditions, limited programming, inadequate healthcare, segregation-like housing, and the impact of K2 use, suicides, and self-harm. Supporters of the oversight bill said an independent office is needed to address racial disparities, grievance failures, and lack of accountability within the DOC. A number of speakers tied their support to personal experiences, including alleged racial discrimination, denial of programs, and barriers to family visits. Some testified that rehabilitative programming, education, and restorative justice reduce violence and improve outcomes, while others said the DOC spends too little on programming and too much on punishment. Committee members asked a few follow-up questions, including about K2 contraband and how to reduce drugs in facilities, and one member asked about typical visitation lengths. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony on the bills and several witnesses urged favorable reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• you've seen in previous memorandums that have been presented to the committee that just provide some balances
• And then the Water Project Stabilization Fund does have a cash balance, and there is $149.6 million,
• And if not, just because it's obligated means it's going to be a carryover balance again next biennium
• Have you projected what that carryover balance may be in the 2027 to 2029 biennium discussion?
• pre-construction component of it, which would be their 60% share. ...and still working with that, and then the balance

Committee: Joint Water Topics Overview Committee

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to review several interim studies and receive updates from the Department of Water Resources. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and welcomed Representative Hansen to the committee. Staff then reported that the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study had both satisfied the presentation requirements in their study directives, with no further required testimony unless members wanted additional information. The department’s main presentation focused on major water projects and agency operations. Reese Haas and staff updated members on the NAWS project, the Southwest Pipeline Project, Devils Lake outlet operations, low-head dam safety work, floodplain management repository implementation, data center water use, and the 2027 Water Development Plan. Members asked detailed questions about NAWS funding sources, remaining project costs, capacity concerns for All Seasons and other users, and whether current construction is being designed for future demand. The department said NAWS remains on track for substantial completion by October, that remaining NAWS funding will come from a mix of federal, state, and local sources, and that current construction is designed for ultimate capacity while some future components will be adjusted for increased demand. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to the department’s cash management, Resources Trust Fund revenues, carryover balances, and the State Water Commission’s cost-share program. The department reported $340.6 million in carryover remaining, explained that much of it is already obligated to long-term projects, and noted that oil price forecasts and stripper-well exemptions will affect future revenues. Members raised concerns about large carryovers, affordability for local sponsors, and whether the state should continue obligating money multiple bienniums ahead. The department said it is working with the commission on a revised prioritization framework, including high/moderate/low project categories and a two-tier pre-construction/construction approach, to better manage obligations and affordability. The committee also reviewed Deloitte’s finalized studies on regional governance/finance and cost-share policy. Deloitte presented options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River governance, with stakeholders generally favoring keeping NAWS largely as is, using the current Southwest model with improvements, and pursuing a more structured governance option for Red River. On cost share, the department said Deloitte’s recommended package would cover projected needs through the 2030s, but would require policy changes such as lower percentages for some project types, a 25% replacement-project rate with a cap, and possible bonding or delayed reimbursement strategies. No votes were taken on these policy questions, and the chair indicated the committee would continue the discussion at future basin meetings and the September Water Topics meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Balance owed by a participant in a percentage of income payment plan program for utility service as shown
• Majority Leader, >> Madam Speaker, I move to lay over the >> Madam Speaker, I move to lay over the balance
• Seeing no objection, the balance of the calendar will be laid over until Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
• Oh, we have laid over the balance of the calendar.
• So, while House Bill 1363 just showed up on our doorstep, we have already laid over the balance of the

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's generally good news to hear that the target for the full balance of state guidance will
• And follow up to you, you mentioned the funding needed for STRTP, but the goal, how do we balance that
• If that's our goal, how do we balance that with not putting more money into that?
• As a former practicing immigration attorney, it is extremely hard to balance a demanding caseload and
• As a former practicing immigration attorney, it is extremely hard to balance a demanding caseload and

Summary: The committee heard an extensive Department of Social Services presentation on child care budget issues, including the Governor’s proposed 2026-27 budget, federal CCDF changes, Prop. 64 revenue adjustments, and a one-time $11.5 million disaster-related infrastructure grant for licensed child care facilities affected by 2025 declared disasters. DSS said federal formula updates and lower Prop. 64 revenues would reduce funding and could result in about 4,176 CCTR slots being reduced, but the department said it was working to avoid impacts to currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning general child care funding with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant. Members pressed DSS and Finance on why reductions were not being backfilled and why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unused; DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment challenges, and that some unspent funds revert to the General Fund. The committee also discussed whether some contract dollars should be shifted to vouchers and whether more flexibility should be allowed for infrastructure and expansion costs. A second panel focused on the state’s commitment to expand child care and on rate reform. DSS reported that nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded since 2021-22, but speakers from Stanislaus County Office of Education, Parent Voices California, and the California Budget and Policy Center argued that unmet need remains large and that the system still leaves many families without access. Stanislaus County described a large local shortage of infant and toddler care and said reimbursement disparities between child care programs and state preschool create disincentives for providers. Parent Voices gave testimony about the burdens and instability families face when trying to access care, especially for survivors and low-income parents, and called for a universal, publicly funded system. The Budget Center said only about 16% of eligible children were enrolled in 2024, urged expansion across the mixed delivery system rather than concentrating investment in TK, and called for faster rate reform and new revenue. LAO estimated that bringing certain CCTR adjustment factors up to CSPP levels would cost $88 million to $131 million ongoing. Members and witnesses discussed the single rate structure, automation needs, and the need for deadlines and a ramp-up plan; DSS said the goal is to eliminate disparities, but that policy decisions are still needed before automation can proceed. The committee then reviewed several trailer bill proposals. DSS outlined a 2026-27 COLA proposal that would apply a 2.41% increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, though the department said it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program and would revise the proposal; LAO recommended making the COLA methodology uniform across programs. DSS also proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology on a triennial schedule, limiting temporary absences in family child care homes to 20% of monthly hours, defining excessive unexplained absences as more than 30 days in a year, and aligning family fee deductions with new federal requirements so providers receive the full voucher value. Members generally supported the temporary absence change and asked about implementation timing for the family fee deduction, with DSS saying it was in contact with Riverside County. The committee also heard a brief update on the Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation, which would extend unused funds through June 30, 2028 because prior costs came in higher than expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• that, you know, our side or business-friendly folks are going to continue to keep fighting for why balance
• we think we've got a better program because we're going to have more eyes on it, more checks and balances
• on it, more going to have more eyes on it, more checks<00:57:42.400><c> and</c><00:57:42.559><c> balances
• </c> checks and balances, better reporting. checks and balances, better reporting.

Bills: HF3732

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

Keywords: workforce development, unemployment benefits, youth training, economic development, grants, job creation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's inherently designed to balance the need for accountability with due process, and as a result of
• :50.240><c> inherently</c><00:02:50.680><c> designed</c><00:02:51.120><c> to</c><00:02:51.200><c> balance
• </c><00:02:51.560><c> the</c> It's inherently designed to balance the It's inherently designed to balance
• You don't like that he's balanced the budget on time every year of his, and you don't like his policies

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• you that the governor used one-time dollars from Medicaid for recurring expenses to make his budget balance
• And then Kentucky Permanent Pension Funds lapse of remaining balance: in the House version, there was
• 01:14:42.760><c> lapse</c><01:14:43.120><c> of</c><01:14:43.240><c> remaining</c><01:14:43.680><c> balance
• ,</c><01:14:44.840><c> um</c><01:14:45.360><c> in</c> Funds lapse of remaining balance, um in Funds lapse
• of remaining balance, um in the<01:14:46.880><c> House</c><01:14:47.200><c> version,</c> the House version

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Free Conference Committee on the 2026 General Assembly budget met to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of House Bill 500. Leaders opened by thanking the other chamber’s work, asking members to turn microphones on and off to avoid feedback, and stressing the need to clearly note decision points so both chambers record the same actions. Staff then walked through the bill page by page, explaining that the committee was comparing only House and Senate differences, not the governor’s proposed budget. The discussion covered a wide range of appropriations and language items, including next generation non-911 services, school safety reporting tools, restored funding for brain injury, epilepsy, veteran service, homeless veterans, and rocket docket programs, debt service changes, rural infrastructure, disaster aid caps, Attorney General and Medicaid fraud funding, agriculture and county fair grants, auditor and pension-related appropriations, school facilities and SEEK funding, and numerous education programs. Members also discussed charter-related funding such as Star Academy, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, school resource officers, school-based mental health providers, AP/IB exams, Governor’s Scholars and Entrepreneurs, and several pilot or initiative programs in economic development, energy, and labor. Several items were described as technical corrections or restorations of language and funding, while others reflected differences in amounts or how funds would be distributed. There were several questions and comments from members about wording such as “implement and carry out,” the absence of the governor’s budget from the comparison document, and whether SEEK funding should be tied to teacher raises. The chair and other members emphasized that the committee’s role was to reconcile the two chambers’ budgets, not to adopt the governor’s proposal. Members also raised concerns about opioid settlement funds and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library match rate, with one senator urging restoration of the House language. No final vote or formal action was taken in the portion provided; the meeting primarily consisted of explanation, questions, and discussion of proposed budget differences.

Transcript Highlights:

• :54.080><c> can</c> you're going to find somebody that can you're going to find somebody that can balance
• :24:55.200><c> as</c><00:24:55.520><c> well</c><00:24:56.480><c> as</c><00:24:56.720><c> they</c> balance
• those jobs as well as they balance those jobs as well as they should<00:24:57.360><c> effectively.
• And so, you know, on the plus side, I think, you know, we have a surplus of cash balances at this moment
• You know, we have a surplus of cash balances at this moment, which is a wonderful thing for us as we're

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is in order to ensure a balance of public testimony across the three public hearings.
• That she drew Texas districts blind to race and sought to maximize Republican political balance against
• This is a quote, and sought to maximize Republican political advantage balanced against traditional redistricting
• I want to try to keep it balanced between the two.
• One of the oldest tricks in the book: gerrymandering has a real impact on the balance of power in Congress

Committee: House Congressional Redistricting, Select

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Another side of a moral argument, my friends, is that we also have to balance our hearts with what we
• But we have to find that balance.
• The balance that we tried to find in this issue was difficult to get to.
• that's really important that I want us to remind ourselves is that as legislators, we do have to balance
• We ended up with this spreadsheet balancing our cut over half of the targeted cut—nearly 500 million

Transcript Highlights:

• Furthermore, exempting physician-owned practices from these restrictions fosters a fairer competitive balance
• Furthermore, exempting physician-owned practices from these restrictions fosters a fairer competitive balance
• So currently there's a balance of $13.85 million of ARPA funds, and the general fund balance is still
• So it was really a balancing of ...all of those pieces. Assembly Member Watts, thank you, Chair.

Bills: AB568 , SB90 , SB133 , SB147 , SB229 , SB233 , SB240 , SB245 , SB280 , SB378 , SB393 , SB417 , SB434 , SB494 , SB495

Committee: Assembly Ways and Means

Keywords: higher education, Nevada System of Higher Education, operational expenses, instructional expenses, public funding, education funding, teacher grants, classroom supplies, instructional support, specialized personnel, civics education, Nevada Center for Civic Engagement, funding, youth programs, civic involvement, Southern Nevada, Clark County, Las Vegas Valley, regional planning, economic resiliency

Transcript Highlights:

• two would provide for those annual bonuses that should have been paid out, as well as the accrual balances
• two would provide for those annual bonuses that should have been paid out, as well as the accrual balances
• ><00:06:04.000><c> as</c><00:06:04.400><c> the</c><00:06:04.639><c> acrrual</c><00:06:05.120><c> balances
• </c><00:06:05.759><c> for</c> out as well as the acrrual balances for out as well as the acrrual balances

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 118, as amended, which contains several unrelated provisions with a modest fiscal note. Nathan White of the Department of Health and Human Services explained that section 1 would change the personal needs allowance for Medicaid-eligible residents of private and county nursing homes from an adjustment every five years to an annual adjustment, increasing the state cost by about $50,000 per year. He also described section 2, a one-time appropriation of about $160,000 to make certain Hampstead employees whole for missed bonuses and lost leave during the state’s transition of the facility to Dartmouth management. White then outlined sections 3 through 5, which would create a dedicated fund for Hampstead lease revenue to cover the state’s contractual obligation to match Dartmouth capital improvements dollar-for-dollar up to $3 million. He said the state receives about $1.141 million in lease revenue in the first year, with a 3% annual escalator, and that the fund would hold lease revenue until needed for reimbursement. Members questioned how the matching arrangement would work, what happens if Dartmouth spends before the fund has enough money, and whether the state could refuse to match certain improvements. White said Dartmouth has final determination under the agreement if disputes arise, and that if the bill does not pass the state could face difficulty meeting the obligation without cutting services or finding other general funds. Several members also raised policy concerns about the personal needs allowance becoming an automatic cost driver. Brian Clark, attorney for the Bureau of Adult and Aging Services, clarified that current law requires the allowance to be updated at least every five years, but the legislature could change it in an off year if it chose. He also explained that the allowance is money residents retain from their own income, such as Social Security, as part of Medicaid cost-of-care calculations, and that the department does not regulate how residents keep those funds. No vote was taken during the discussion, and the committee paused to correct the bill copy before continuing testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• When we heard this bill in committee, Senator Jheim talked about his daughter and her experience balancing
• increased also for large employers the amount that they have to contribute from 25% to 50% to kind of balance
• 25% to 50% to have to contribute from 25% to 50% to kind<00:58:38.400><c> of</c><00:58:38.559><c> balance
• 40.480><c> that's</c><00:58:41.280><c> and</c><00:58:41.960><c> it</c><00:58:43.119><c> uh</c> kind of balance
• So that's and it uh kind of balance it.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up a series of “same and similar” provisions between the House and Senate higher education bills and adopted them one by one, with brief explanations from members and staff. The items included a cybersecurity addition for a doctoral degree program, Northstar Promise definitions and eligibility limits, self-loan provisions on institution eligibility and data disclosure, and dual training language requiring certificates, diplomas, or degrees to come from accredited postsecondary institutions. The committee also adopted an amendment to the private career school provisions that clarified exempt institutions remain within the act, and removed certain limited-license and renewal fees for institutions participating in dual training grants or the eligible training provider list. Each of these motions prevailed by voice vote. The committee then moved into policy differences between the House and Senate bills, beginning with emergency grants and hunger-free campus grants. Members discussed shifting funding from OHE-administered competitive grants to direct appropriations for the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State, while the Senate retained competitive grant access for private and tribal colleges and added reporting requirements. OHE Commissioner Dennis Olson said the added reporting would be an extra administrative task but raised no significant concerns. Testifiers from the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State, and the private college sector supported faster, more direct funding and described the grants as important for emergency housing, transportation, food insecurity, and other student basic needs. A LeadMN representative also supported the changes, saying campus staff and students wanted funds delivered more quickly. The committee also discussed direct admissions on R31. The Senate proposal would require public and charter high schools to participate in the direct admissions program by the 2029-2030 school year. Assistant Commissioner Wendy Robinson said OHE supports statewide expansion and that the program has improved FAFSA completion, college enrollment, and student retention in Minnesota. Members noted the bill had bipartisan support and heard from advocates such as Ed Allies and Students United. No votes were taken on the policy-difference items during this portion of the meeting, and the chair said further discussion of state grant and sexual misconduct policy differences would be held at a later hearing with additional OHE staff present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um that we have some kind of checks<01:03:50.319><c> and</c><01:03:50.480><c> balances</c><01:03:51.920
• uh</c><01:03:52.480><c> embedded</c><01:03:52.960><c> in</c><01:03:53.200><c> this</c> checks and balances
• uh embedded in this checks and balances uh embedded in this bill.<01:03:54.240><c> Um</c><01:03:54.640
• Um, but I understand it's a delicate balance, and for those reasons I'm voting with reservations.
• Um, but I understand it's a delicate balance, and for those reasons I'm voting with reservations.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 148, which Rep. Jim Kofalt said is the same language as last year’s HB 396, vetoed by the governor. He described the bill as allowing, but not requiring, separation by biological sex in three areas: bathrooms and locker rooms, houses of correction, and certain athletic competitions. Kofalt argued the bill would give local school boards and other policymakers discretion to set practical rules, citing concerns about safety, privacy, and a Milford incident involving a biological male in girls’ locker rooms. Committee members pressed him on the lack of a definition of “biological sex,” and he said he did not think one was necessary because males and females are commonly understood. He also said the bill was meant to address situations where outside groups threaten lawsuits and leave local boards with no latitude. Testimony then split sharply. Supporters, including Executive Counselor Karen Hill and several others, said HB 148 would roll back anti-discrimination protections, contradict New Hampshire’s “Live Free or Die” values, and harm transgender and non-binary people. Opponents described the bill as discriminatory and unnecessary, arguing that existing bathroom and sports policies already work and that the bill would invite harassment, invasive enforcement, and legal conflict. Several speakers, including trans residents and parents of trans children, said they had used public restrooms without incident and warned that enforcement would be impractical or abusive. One supporter argued the bill was needed to protect girls’ privacy and safety and cited school sports disputes and a concern about a sex offender at a game as examples of why sex-segregated rules should be restored. Committee members asked questions about how biological sex would be defined, whether the bill was responding to real incidents in New Hampshire, and how any restrictions would be enforced. Kofalt said he was aware of issues in several school districts and at the State House, but did not have detailed documentation for every case. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the chair instead moved through public testimony under a strict two-minute limit and noted that follow-up questions would be limited so the committee could hear multiple bills that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• So as I said, I think this provides a more balanced approach to benefits and potential harms.
• So as I said, I think this provides a more balanced approach to benefits and potential harms.
• To make sure that this is genuinely about finding what that balance is.
• I think this provides a more balanced approach to benefits and potential harms.
• </c><00:42:16.400><c> than</c> the industry it's more balanced than the industry it's more balanced than

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee opened by noting member absences and then reviewed the governor’s HB 2 trailer bill language creating a solid waste site evaluation committee. The chair explained that Finance would want the committee’s input on the proposal and also announced a temporary change to the committee’s schedule, with additional Wednesday meetings planned around school vacation. The committee then moved into a work session on several bills. On HB 150, Representative Ktoa offered a simple amendment changing food-processing language from “washed and rinsed” to “cleaned and sanitized” in the processing area. Members agreed the change better matched food safety practice, and the committee indicated support for advancing the bill. On HB 307, dealing with homestead food production areas, members discussed proposed amendment language that would add clearer sanitary requirements, including handwashing access, sanitary storage, sanitizable food-contact surfaces, and pest exclusion. The committee also discussed whether to replace “potentially hazardous food” with “time temperature control safe food,” but several members favored keeping the existing term because it is already well defined in food safety law. The bill was held for further amendment work rather than being executed immediately. The committee spent substantial time on solid waste legislation. For HB 479, members recalled a prior plan for a letter to the solid waste working group and agreed to proceed with the bill in executive session, with an offer of drafting help from Representative Bixby. For HB 77, which would require DES to establish site-specific setback distances for proposed new landfills, Representative Penza said his amendment was not ready yet but was close, and the bill was left for further discussion. The most detailed discussion was on HB 2115, which would require landfill permit applicants to submit a report on the project’s harms and benefits. Representative Germana explained an amendment that would replace section one, expand the list of benefits to include economic potential and infrastructure improvements, and set up a third-party review process in which the applicant submits a list of reviewers, DES screens the list, and the commissioner selects a reviewer if no agreement is reached within 60 days. Members asked about who could serve as contractors, whether they had to be local, and how DES would judge qualifications; the response was that environmental engineering and similar firms could be used, local or outside the community, and that the process would remain somewhat flexible. Representative H. Haskins asked whether the legislature or subcommittee would be formally notified of preliminary review problems, and the chair said no additional notification process would be built in beyond existing practice. The committee planned to continue work on the bills in upcoming executive sessions, including after school break.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if this state can't pull off that bureaucratic balancing act, the road doesn't get built. alluded
• act, the road doesn't get balancing act, the road doesn't get built.
• With that, this amendment restores the balance. Colleagues, I ask and urge for a favorable vote.
• This amendment is about restoring balance and common sense for transportation policy in Maryland.
• And we are balancing the interests of the unions against the economic impact of the Port of Maryland

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that the balance of the calendar lay over until Tuesday, February 17th, 2026. >> The motion is
• to lay over the balance of the calendar until Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
• The ayes have it; the balance of the calendar is laid over to Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
• The eyes have it to balance &gt;&gt; Oppos? No.
• The eyes have it to balance the<04:31:41.920><c> calendar</c><04:31:42.319><c> over</c><04:31:42.479>

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> uh</c><01:58:52.760><c> unbiased</c><01:58:53.760><c> situation</c><01:58:54.239><c> so</c> balanced
• uh uh unbiased situation so balanced uh uh unbiased situation so representative<01:58:55.040><c> Lane
• </c><03:06:25.439><c> test</c><03:06:25.760><c> when</c><03:06:25.880><c> they</c> applying a balancing
• test when they applying a balancing test when they examine<03:06:27.080><c> any</c><03:06:27.439><c>
• test in other words the court balancing test in other words the court the<03:07:00.399><c> judge</c>

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all