Transcript Highlights:

• When we hear the bell ringing, we will know immediately that our enemy is coming."

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional by Representative Tony Miklas, who used the Aesop fable about “belling the cat” to emphasize practical wisdom and the need to consider how legislation will actually be implemented by agencies, towns, businesses, nonprofits, schools, and courts. The chamber then welcomed Representative Valerie Taylor of Mendon, who had been appointed to represent Rutland 11 and took the oath of office; she was escorted to her seat and appointed to the House Health Care Committee. Representative Feltus of Lyndon was also appointed to the Joint Fiscal Committee. Members suspended the rules to introduce 19 House bills by number only, with several referrals announced, including multiple bills sent to Judiciary, Health Care, Government Operations and Military Affairs, Human Services, Energy and Digital Infrastructure, and Environment. The House also referred a petition concerning school security to the Education Committee. In addition, the chamber adopted two joint Senate resolutions in concurrence: JRS 29, setting the weekend adjournment schedule for January 9, 2026, and JRS 31, setting the town meeting adjournment schedule for late February and early March 2026. The House also concurred in moving H.541, relating to interference with voters and election officials, from Government Operations and Military Affairs to Judiciary. The main action item was House Resolution 10, which amended House rules on bill draft request and approval deadlines in the second year of the biennium. The Rules Committee explained that the resolution would move the bill drafting request deadline to December 5, the draft-change deadline to January 15, and the bill approval deadline for introduction to January 31, citing the need for more time for legal review, better coordination between members and Legislative Council, and reduced staff burnout during the holiday and early-session period. The House adopted the resolution. The meeting ended with announcements about upcoming Appropriations budget workshops, a new Creative Sector Caucus, and a Climate Solutions Caucus meeting, followed by adjournment until January 8, 2026 at 3 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• My ask of you is throughout the week, whatever committee ring and please come with questions, be inquisitive

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:46.079> As<00:10:46.320> you As you see ringed around you today, your guests

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I'm not seeing it, I mean, I don't see the alarm bells ringing in these anecdotes.

Transcript Highlights:

• budget for appropriated in the capital budget for the<01:39:20.400> Jeffrey<01:39:20.760> ring
• <01:39:21.639> CTE<01:39:22.239> renovation<01:39:23.480> the the Jeffrey ring
• uh CTE renovation the the Jeffrey ring uh CTE renovation the governor<01:39:23.960> is<01:39:
• CTE renovation and if the Jeffrey ringe CTE renovation and if I'm<03:29:52.760> reading<03:29
• So if you could please walk us through: do we have the money commitment from Jeffrey Ringe yet, from

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented its capital budget process and priorities, explaining how agencies assess facility needs, rank projects, and submit requests to the governor’s office. DAS described its Plant and Property division, which maintains 96 state buildings, and Public Works, which develops detailed cost estimates for selected projects. Officials said the governor’s office has traditionally narrowed requests into priority tiers, but this year all projects were estimated, creating more work and less detail. They also emphasized that the capital budget book functions as legislative intent and can be binding on how approved funds are used. On the substance of the request, DAS highlighted several priorities: continued funding for the state ERP system upgrade to the cloud, with about $5 million requested for sustainability and related Treasury functions; emergency fund and annex renovation work; a sprinkler replacement at DMV; and elevator repairs at the main building. Karen Rocky also identified maintenance projects that rose in priority after a facility condition assessment, including HVAC work for Portsmouth Circuit Court and Coos County Courthouse, boilers and controls for Carroll County and Lebanon Circuit Court, brick repointing at the main building and annex, window replacement at Spalding, and Brown building elevator replacement. Officials noted that the governor’s proposed capital budget included fewer DAS projects than in past years and no projects for the Bureau of Court Facilities. The committee also discussed lapses and reprogramming of prior appropriations. DAS said the first eight projects approved in 2023 remain under construction and should be extended, while many 2021 projects are delayed because of ARPA-related workload and broader construction backlogs. Members reviewed a 2019 project list and agreed to lapse project number 49, the Spalding roof project, with about $81,000 remaining. DAS also said some small 2019 balances, including courthouse generators, a boiler, cooling and controls, roof and exterior repairs, and the State House Annex elevator, could be redirected through Capital Budget Overview toward the Hillsboro County South Cell Block project. The hearing ended with questions about project schedules, ARPA deadlines, and the division of authority between DoIT and DAS for the ERP system.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we meet with conservative budget committees across the street from Ring to Franklin.
• budget committees across the<01:12:54.560> street<01:12:54.880> from<01:12:55.120> Ring
• <01:12:56.560> They the street from Ring to Franklin.
• They the street from Ring to Franklin.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• elevated position and ran up the bids with tales of morbid and melodramatic items, while holding watches, rings
• 24:29.679> while<01:24:29.840> holding<01:24:30.239> watches,<01:24:30.960> rings
• , before while holding watches, rings, before while holding watches, rings, knives,<01:24:32.239>

Bills: HF3698, HF4243, HF4239, HF4241, HF4242, HF4240

Keywords: libraries, electronic books, digital audiobooks, licensing agreements, public access, campaign finance, elections, political contributions, disclosure, reporting thresholds, economic interest statements, financial disclosure, ethics, public officials, local officials, metropolitan governmental unit, metropolitan area, candidate filings, principal campaign committee, political committee

Transcript Highlights:

• After flying in jets and aircraft, I have this ring in my ear, and so, yes, I appreciate protecting our
• flying in jets and aircraft, I I<01:54:46.680> have<01:54:46.880> this<01:54:47.120> ring
• > ear,<01:54:47.920> and<01:54:48.080> so,<01:54:48.400> yes, I have this ring
• in my ear, and so, yes, I have this ring in my ear, and so, yes, I<01:54:49.200> appreciate<01

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, approved the March 16, 2026 journal, and received a series of committee and House messages. Committee reports included favorable action on House Bill 1136, confirmation recommendations for several appointments, and referrals of Senate Bill 68 and House Bill 1009 to Appropriations, House Bill 1185 to the Committee of the Whole, and a Juvenile Parole Board appointment to the consent calendar. The chamber also received notice of multiple House bills and amended Senate bills returned from the House and revisor. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a tribute memorializing the Fort Logan All Veterans Honor Guard, with senators and guests speaking about the group’s volunteer service and the significance of military funeral honors. The Senate adopted Senate Joint Memorial 003 honoring former Senator Mary Ann Tebedo/Thibodeau, with a roll call vote of 32-0 and a moment of silence afterward. The chamber also laid over Senate Resolution 005 on Single Parent Day and House Joint Resolution 1023 on Latino/Latina Advocacy Day. On third reading and final passage, the Senate passed House Bill 1042 on dry needling by occupational therapists and Senate Bill 126 on out-of-state teacher licensure by unanimous votes, House Bill 1103 on legal processes for certain vulnerable populations by a 34-0 vote, and House Bill 1017 on insurer restitution through the criminal restitution process by a 22-12 vote. House Bill 1038 on county commissioner redistricting and Senate Bill 66 on compounded weight loss medications were laid over. The Senate also granted leave for the Joint Budget Committee to meet while the Senate was in session. In Committee of the Whole, members considered a consent calendar including House Bill 1142, Senate Bill 60 on youth athlete mental health training, Senate Bill 35 on traffic violation penalties, House Bill 1031 on protection for Colorado agricultural products, and Senate Bill 105 on county executive officers’ disclosures and removal mechanisms. The committee adopted the reports and advanced Senate Bill 60, Senate Bill 35, and Senate Bill 105 as amended, and House Bill 1142 and House Bill 1031 on second reading. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 62 on rodent control products, where sponsors described the bill as narrowing restrictions on second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides to protect children, pets, wildlife, and ecosystems while preserving agricultural and pest-control uses; the committee report was adopted and discussion continued on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Their struggle is woven into the fabric of our democracy, and their voices ring like a clarion call to
• And their<00:08:48.399> voices<00:08:48.880> ring<00:08:49.600> like<00:08:49.839
• a<00:08:50.080> clarion<00:08:50.560> call<00:08:50.800> to their voices ring
• like a clarion call to their voices ring like a clarion call to our<00:08:51.120> better<00:08

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• year, 175 days, most of us went to school in like a traditional calendar, 55-minute periods, bell rings
• traditional calendar, 55 minute periods, traditional calendar, 55 minute periods, bell<00:59:40.319> rings
• <00:59:41.920> It's<00:59:42.240> about bell rings, go to the next.
• It's about bell rings, go to the next.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• everyone will also join law enforcement in making sure that individuals feel that they can reach out and ring
• can reach out individuals feel that they can reach out and<01:27:16.800> uh<01:27:16.960> ring
• <01:27:17.840> Thank<01:27:17.920> you,<01:27:18.159> Madam and uh ring the
• Thank you, Madam and uh ring the alarm. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Speaker. Speaker.

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, February 12, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 124 members present, opened with prayer, and approved the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted a congratulatory House resolution honoring the Kent Island High School boys lacrosse team for winning the 2025 Maryland Class 2A state championship. The House also journalized Baltimore City 2026 bond/loan authorization resolutions and moved a series of introductory House bills and bond initiatives through first reading and committee referral without objection. On the special order calendar, House Bill 28, concerning higher education/private career schools advertising, received a favorable report and was ordered printed for third reading. House Bill 226, creating a Department of Disabilities housing programs and affiliated foundations structure, was also reported favorably as amended. Two floor amendments were adopted to that bill: one clarifying that any affiliated foundation may only raise funds or provide support and may not run programs or set policy, and another restoring conflict-of-interest and ethics protections, including limits on family members and public ethics application requirements. A later amendment to HB 226 was rejected by a recorded vote of 95 in the negative, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. The most extended debate centered on House Bill 229, which increases the Maryland Transportation Authority’s revenue bond limit from $4 billion to $5 billion to help finance the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild. One amendment sought to prohibit toll increases without General Assembly approval; its sponsor argued the added borrowing would likely lead to future toll hikes and that elected representatives should vote on them. The floor leader opposed the amendment, saying it would weaken MDTA’s independent rate-setting authority, harm its bond rating, and increase financing costs, while noting the bill is intended to cover bridge reconstruction costs and federal reimbursement timing. After debate, the amendment failed on a recorded vote, and HB 229 was ordered printed for third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• The sentiment rings true for our children: when one child suffers, the entire family bears the burden
• <01:26:43.119> him<01:26:43.960> the<01:26:44.119> sentiment<01:26:44.560> Rings
• <01:26:44.920> true wasn't just him the sentiment Rings true wasn't just him the sentiment
• Rings true for<01:26:45.320> our<01:26:45.480> children<01:26:46.000> when<01:26

Bills: HF2367, HF2319, HF2523, HF1742, HF671, HF2331, HF2722, HF2406, HF1674

Keywords: HF2367, Community First Services and Supports, CFSS, personal care assistance, PCA, consumer-directed community supports, CDCS, home and community-based services, HCBS, direct support professionals, direct care workers, caregivers, support workers, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, collective bargaining agreement, retention stipend, health care cost stipend, training stipend, orientation program, retirement trust

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, basically an organized crime ring.
• Uh basically an organized crime<00:15:22.399> ring.
• the<00:15:23.440> problem<00:15:23.680> has<00:15:23.839> worsened crime ring
• Uh the problem has worsened crime ring.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, every time the phone rings, they're going to pick up the phone and really what are they going
• /c><00:43:04.599> time<00:43:04.760> the<00:43:04.880> phone<00:43:05.160> rings
• <00:43:05.400> they're know every time the phone rings they're know every time the phone rings

Bills: HF2228, HF46, HF856, HF2149, HF2215

Keywords: homeowners insurance, property insurance, commercial property insurance, insurance affordability, insurance market stabilization, reinsurance, catastrophic reinsurance fund, self-insured pool, premium costs, coverage notice, liability reform, climate risk, climate change, housing affordability, multifamily housing, rental housing, common interest communities, cooperatives, small business insurance, Minnesota Commerce Department

Transcript Highlights:

• or not conversation ensues; makes or causes telephone calls with another repeatedly or continuously ring
• repeatedly telephone calls with another repeatedly or<01:35:54.760> continuously<01:35:55.760> ring
• <01:35:56.760> six<01:35:57.239> repeatedly or continuously ring six repeatedly or
• continuously ring six repeatedly mails<01:35:58.040> or<01:35:58.199> delivers<01:35:58.520

Bills: HF1051, HF16

Keywords: sacred communities, micro units, religious institutions, housing regulations, homelessness, conditional use permits, immigration enforcement, sanctuary policies, sanctuary city, noncooperation ordinance, ICE, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, federal immigration authorities, deportation, undocumented immigrant, undocumented person, immigration status data, data sharing, preemption, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• essential sectors of the change framework, and apparently, I guess this measure before us today is ringing
• before<01:22:13.080> us<01:22:13.400> today<01:22:14.199> is<01:22:14.360> ringing
• <01:22:14.719> a measure before us today is ringing a measure before us today is ringing a

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees first heard House Bill 229, which would establish a statewide speed restriction for motor vehicles under certain circumstances. Testimony on the bill was limited and came in support from the City and County of Honolulu’s transportation services, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. No one testified in opposition, and there were no questions. The committees then took up House Bill 860, which would grant immunity from liability to the state or counties when they repair or maintain a street whose ownership or jurisdiction is disputed between them. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted written testimony, and the Hawaii State Association of Counties, Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee, Hawaii County Council member Heather Kimble, and the Iolani Homestead Community Association for Justice testified in support. The Ho Association for Justice opposed the bill, arguing the immunity was too broad and that the issue had already been addressed by prior legislation. In discussion, members raised concerns about liability and asked whether a different approach, such as extending the 2017 law transferring Oahu roads in limbo to the counties, would be acceptable; county representatives said that path could be considered if immunity were removed. House Bill 1161, which would authorize counties to use a road usage charge mechanism similar to the state’s, drew support from the Department of Transportation, the Energy Office, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, several county and city offices, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. Rental car companies and industry groups supported the concept but asked for amendments, including a flat fee instead of a per-mile charge, relief for plug-in hybrid vehicles, and a delayed implementation date. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii also supported relief for hybrids. Members questioned the rental car representatives about the flat-fee proposal, and they said a per-mile charge would be difficult to calculate and pass on to customers. At the end of the joint agenda, the committees deferred decision-making on HB 1161 to Tuesday, March 18 at 3:00 p.m., and the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee also deferred the three measures to that date and time. The Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee then began hearing House Bill 925, which would create a Performing Arts Special Fund, and House Bill 1378, which would establish a Performing Arts Grants Program and Special Fund and revise the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ responsibilities and funding sources. HB 925 received support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and written support or comments from DBEDT, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, and others. HB 1378 drew extensive testimony and discussion focused on preserving arts funding while addressing concerns about the use of Works of Art Special Fund dollars for positions and programming. The Governor’s office said it supported the intent but had concerns; the Attorney General warned that the bill’s cap and transfer provisions were unclear and could affect the tax-exempt status of bond-funded dollars; and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts opposed the measure, urging an audit, tracking of deposits, and a shift of positions and programs to general funds instead of changing the law. The chair explained that the bill was intended to protect arts funding while tightening the legal guardrails around bond-financed dollars and preserving federal support, and asked testimony to focus on new points as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• target small-scale promoters who are usually the first people that you would prosecute in a trafficking ring
• prosecute<01:27:07.120> in<01:27:07.280> a<01:27:07.440> trafficking<01:27:07.920> ring
• <01:27:08.639> And prosecute in a trafficking ring. And prosecute in a trafficking ring.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 281 SD1, which would define and prohibit torture as a Class A felony. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, HPD investigators, and other supporters said the bill is needed because existing laws do not adequately capture torture, especially cases involving children and vulnerable persons. Several testifiers emphasized that starvation is a common method of torture that often leaves little visible evidence, and they urged the committee to restore the original starvation language removed from the measure. The Office of the Public Defender said it did not oppose the bill’s purpose but raised concerns that the language was too broad and could create trial issues, particularly around minors and vulnerable people, and suggested narrowing amendments. The chair indicated the testimony had made a strong impression and said the committee would try to move the bill forward. The committee then heard SB 292 SD1, relating to sexual exploitation and safe harbor protections for survivors seeking medical or law enforcement help. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the measure, noting that a prior version raised equal protection concerns that were no longer present, and said survivors should be able to seek help without fear of prosecution. Written support was also noted from several advocacy and state groups. Testimony in support focused on retaliation fears, trafficking, and the need for manpower and resources to address exploitation and related crimes. Finally, the committee took up SB 295 SD1, which would increase penalties for violating temporary restraining orders and orders for protection and treat a violation of one as a second offense for the other. The Public Defender’s Office objected to the mandatory jail component, arguing judges should retain discretion and that there was no clear evidence mandatory jail deters violations. The transcript cuts off before any final committee action or vote on SB 295 was recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• People are pushing out of the metro past the outer rings. We are kind of on the outskirts.
• here to talk about. pushing out of the Metro past the outer pushing out of the Metro past the outer Rings
• :16.440> of<00:16:16.600> on<00:16:16.759> the<00:16:17.000> outskirts Rings
• we are kind of on the outskirts Rings we are kind of on the outskirts we're<00:16:17.839> still

Bills: HF220, HF230, HF240, HF241, HF295, HF429, HF490, HF505, HF574, HF576, HF581, HF865, HF918, HF1085, HF1449, HF1452, HF1454, HF602

Keywords: HF220, Minnesota transportation, highway user tax distribution fund, trunk highway fund, Minnesota Department of Transportation, MnDOT, transportation finance, dedicated funds, funding restrictions, arts in transportation, cultural strategies, transportation project planning, project design, project construction, placemaking, public art, infrastructure spending, state statutes 161.045, HF230, Wyoming

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that ringing a bell?" "Actually, COBOL was older, I think.
• think Cobalt but she worked on dos and I think Cobalt is<01:06:30.880> that<01:06:31.160> ring
• c> calt<01:06:32.279> Cobalt<01:06:32.880> right<01:06:33.359> is is that ring
• a bell calt Cobalt right is is that ring a bell calt Cobalt right is that<01:06:33.680> actually<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we have a lot of, forgive the expression, but they still have to come down and kiss the ring
• we have a lot of, they still forgive the expression, but they still have to come down and kiss the ring

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met to hear several education-related measures. It reported favorably, without objection, on House Bill 1215, which would transfer certain removed historical statues and monuments to the Office of State Parks, prohibit re-erection in the parish where they were removed, and require interpretive signage. The committee also advanced House Bill 682, which creates a school guardian program for honorably discharged veterans employed or contracted by local school systems or charter schools; testimony emphasized that guardians would be unarmed, trained, and used for mentoring and school safety. House Bill 1079, giving enrollment preferences in charter schools to children in early childhood programs, military families, foster children, and children in custody disputes, was also reported favorably, as was House Concurrent Resolution 81, directing the Department of Education to study options for districts facing declining enrollment. The committee then took up House Bill 1084, which would allow public postsecondary institutions to raise tuition and mandatory fees by up to 15 percent annually, with higher increases requiring Board of Supervisors approval. The bill drew extended debate over affordability, TOPS, student retention, and whether universities should have more autonomy to set prices. Members raised concerns about fee burdens on families and whether the state should first study the issue; supporters argued the bill would increase transparency and let institutions respond to funding needs and market conditions. Senator Mazzell offered an amendment lowering the cap from 15 percent to 10 percent, and the committee adopted the amendment before reporting the bill favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 342, which would shift the burden of proof in special education due process hearings from parents to local education agencies. The author and parents testified that the current system places an unfair burden on families of children with disabilities, who often lack access to records and legal resources, and that schools already control the documentation and should have to show compliance with IEP obligations. Jefferson Parish school officials opposed the bill, arguing it would increase legal costs, require more staff and attorney time, and potentially lead to more hearings; they also questioned the fiscal note. The Legislative Fiscal Office said the fiscal impact was indeterminable, and the committee continued hearing testimony from parents and school representatives as the transcript ended.