Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any discussion about that or even a motion about that?
• Any discussion on the motion? If not, all in favor say aye. Opposed?
• Any discussion on that? If not, all in favor say aye. Opposed? No. Okay.
• Any discussion? All in favor say aye. Opposed? Okay.
• Any discussion, Representative Barry? Well, well, in... ...discussion, Representative Barry?

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee began with approval of the prior meeting minutes and then received updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. Staff reported that 19 of 43 original entities for the 2022 reporting year had had turnback reinstated, while 24 remained in escrow; for the 2023 reporting year, 59 of 64 entities had filed, leaving five still outstanding. The committee also heard that Adona had come into substantial compliance with municipal accounting law, and it voted to file that report and discontinue withholding turnback. It then voted to start the 60-day clock and file the report for Gum Springs after hearing repeated findings involving budgeting, disbursements, payroll, and Act 833 funds, with city officials saying they had begun correcting records and were seeking help from the Municipal League and a city attorney. Fargo was deferred because the mayor was absent due to illness. The committee next considered Denning, where staff described repeated and serious accounting problems over 2022-2024, including unauthorized payments, missing documentation, weak payroll controls, and improper handling of funds. The mayor and recorder-treasurer said prior records were disorganized and that they were now working with an attorney, CPA help, and new software; the committee voted to start the 60-day clock and file the report. Green Forest’s report, involving a fixed-asset listing issue after the mayor’s death, was filed. Several private water and sewer reports were either filed or deferred depending on whether responses had been received, and the committee announced its March meeting would be held in Room 149 because of renovations. The committee then reviewed a series of referred reports involving alleged financial irregularities. In Elaine, the fire chief’s questionable purchases were referred and filed. In Strong, staff described undeposited garbage-bag receipts, improper payments for private dumpster service and other expenditures, payroll tax penalties, and deficit fund balances; the mayor said controls had been improved, but the committee deferred the report to March. The Faulkner County Fair Association report found undocumented cash withdrawals, questionable disbursements, and inadequately documented cash payments to a carnival vendor; the committee filed it. Brooklyn’s report involved a fraudulent direct-deposit change, and Mineral Springs’ report involved transfers from the cemetery fund, employee loans, overpayments, and travel reimbursement issues; both were filed. Additional reports included Rondo, where the recorder-treasurer explained missing computers and fuel purchases tied to personal vehicles, and the committee filed the report; Waldo, where the mayor had been overpaid due to extra biweekly payments, which was filed; Columbia County, where a floodplain management contract lacked an authorizing ordinance, which was filed; and several private water-system reports, some filed and others deferred for lack of responses. Carlisle’s report showed large but improving misstatements in financial records, and the committee filed it after hearing that new software and training had reduced prior problems. Caddo Valley’s report prompted a lengthy discussion about CDs and interest recognition; staff explained that principal balances should be reflected as city assets and interest should be recorded when earned or reported by the bank, and the report was filed. Prairie County’s budget overrun and road-fund issues were discussed at length, with the judge explaining equipment and weather-related costs and staff clarifying the distinction between road funds and locally approved sales-tax uses; the report was filed. Finally, the committee deferred a Cross County Rural Water Association matter after learning it had not filed with Legislative Audit since 2002-2003 despite receiving significant state funding, and members expressed concern about the long gap in filings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, if anybody has any questions or discussion.
• Chair, if anybody has any questions or discussion. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Chair, if anybody has any questions or discussion. the committee.
• </c> questions or discussion. questions or discussion.
• </c> know represent Shaw y'all can discuss know represent Shaw y'all can discuss that<00:28:44.720><c

Bills: HB259 , HB206 , HB207 , HB259 , HB206 , HB207

Committee: House Financial Services

Keywords: income tax credit, tax incentive, recruitment, remote work, remote worker, recruited worker, rural counties, small counties, county population tiers, opportunity zone, teacher recruitment, nurse recruitment, law enforcement recruitment, workforce development, economic development, relocation incentive, Alabama Department of Revenue, nonrefundable tax credit, tax carryforward, state income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Any<00:17:40.480><c> discussion?</c> &gt;&gt; Any discussion? &gt;&gt; Any discussion?
• &gt;&gt; Further<00:18:20.720><c> discussion.</c> &gt;&gt; Further discussion.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Further discussion on L15. &gt;&gt; Further discussion on L15.
• </c> further discussion on L004? further discussion on L004?
• </c> further discussion on SP264? further discussion on SP264?

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Jackson, please. Senator Carroll? I pass.
• I won't repeat what Senator Gowan discussed and Tim and staff.
• I just want to at least clear that up as that's being discussed.
• Any further discussion? Seeing none. Mr. Carrell, aye. Mr.
• I think a lot of people miss that when discussing WIFA.

Bills: SB1041 , SB1363 , SB1418 , SB1419 , SB1445 , SB1447 , SB1488 , SB1519 , SB1523 , SB1560 , SB1580

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, marijuana, rural opportunity, dispensary, economic development, licensing, social equity, unserved communities, Arizona, small modular reactors, energy regulation, environmental compatibility, utility construction, agricultural use

Transcript Highlights:

• That has now entered our vocabulary in our discussion because I think it is a critical part of the discussion
• And so we've discussed that.
• There have been discussions about unregulated licensure.
• So, any other discussion? Anybody want to weigh in on?
• Other debate and discussion? Yes, Mr.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion? discussion? discussion?
• Further discussion?
• &gt;&gt; Further<00:35:56.480><c> discussion?</c> &gt;&gt; Further discussion?
• &gt;&gt; Further discussion?
• </c> &gt;&gt; Further discussion? No sir. &gt;&gt; Further discussion? No sir.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Further discussion further debate. Further discussion further debate.
• Further discussion?
• Discussion?
• Discussion on the motion? &gt;&gt; Thank you. Discussion on the motion?
• Discussion on the veto override. Discussion on the motion.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I enjoyed our previous discussions and I look forward to the hearing today.
• I've had more in-depth discussions, but not as many as I would like.
• You can even discuss this with Mr.
• And I know this is not the committee where we discuss this.
• appropriate in those discussions with the White House.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion?
• Any discussion? If not, Senator Chang, aye.
• Any discussion? If not, Senator Chang, aye.
• The meat of the discussion that we've had today can be better discussed in the next committee as well
• be better discussed in the next be better discussed in the next committee<00:53:12.520><c> as</c><00:

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered Senate Bills 470, 828, 730, and 1383. SB 470 would create a deferred retirement option program for police officers. The Employees Retirement System warned it could worsen the system’s $14.1 billion unfunded liability by stopping employer and employee contributions during the DROP period, and the Attorney General raised possible tax-qualified status, Internal Revenue Code, and age-discrimination concerns. Police and other supporters testified in favor, but the committees ultimately recommended deferring the bill indefinitely. SB 828 would expand workers’ compensation medical benefits for firefighters to cover an additional respiratory condition. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Hawaii Firefighters Association supported the measure, citing occupational exposure and health risks. The committees recommended passage with amendments, and the motion was adopted by both committees. SB 730, which concerns allowance on service retirements, drew support from the Department of Human Resources Development and the Department of Law Enforcement, but also comments from the Attorney General and ERS. DHRD said the bill could help recruitment and retention but requested more time to work on language with ERS, Budget and Finance, and the AG’s office. The committees postponed decision-making until Friday, February 7, at 3:15 p.m. in Conference Room 225. SB 1383, relating to fire protection, received broad support from the Governor’s office, Department of Defense, DLNR, Hawaiian Electric, and others. The committees agreed to pass it with amendments, including language suggested by the Hawaii Insurance Council on wildfire-related insurance issues and a committee report link to the Lina fire forward-looking report, phase three. The amended recommendation was adopted by both committees. Later in the meeting, the committees also heard SB 1360 and SB 1361 on ERS administrative and reporting matters, SB 340 on HLRB enforcement authority, and SB 997 on energy; SB 1360 and SB 1361 were presented as housekeeping measures, SB 340 drew disagreement between the Attorney General and HLRB over enforcement authority, and SB 997 was amended to incorporate prevailing-wage renewable energy rate language from SB 743 and then passed with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion on the motion? Minutes for February 17th and February 23rd.
• Any discussion on the motion or any corrections? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying aye.
• Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed?
• Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? Thank you. Motion carries.
• Any further discussion? All right. Seeing none.

Summary: The Health and Welfare Committee approved the minutes from February 17 and February 23. It then introduced RS 33-496, a proposal from Rep. Steve Tanner prompted by the death of a 12-day-old infant in Nampa. Tanner said the measure is intended to protect newborns and infants up to age one when mandatory reporters identify high-risk parental histories, requiring the Department of Health and Welfare to verify reports within 12 hours and prioritize the case; he said the fiscal impact should be negligible. The committee heard House Bill 497 from Rep. Marco Erickson, the annual controlled substances scheduling bill, but voted to hold it in committee. Erickson said the bill updates Idaho’s drug schedules and reflects state-specific decisions rather than automatic federal conformity. During discussion, Rep. Beiswenger questioned the inclusion of ibogaine in Schedule I, citing research and possible medical benefits for PTSD and depression; Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses representative Oren Duffin said ibogaine was scheduled in 1972, the board does not revisit substances retroactively, and any change would need to come from the legislature. The committee then considered RS 33-450, the replacement bill for HB 497, and voted to introduce it and send it to the second reading calendar with a due pass recommendation. Beiswenger reiterated concerns about ibogaine, while other members said they would support future legislation if research warranted changes. The meeting ended with adjournment and a reminder about vendors and a prison industries gift display in the rotunda.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so as part of that discussion, it was mentioned that the rent that would have been collected by Career
• But in my discussion with the chairman of House Appropriations, he asked if I would just bring it to
• So why don't we have a discussion and let's take a vote on that?
• Any further discussion? Senator Sickler [member_12480]: Mr.
• Okay, seeing no further discussion, I'll ask Carol to take the roll call on a motion to fund $850,000

Bills: SB2014

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Government Operations Division

Keywords: industrial commission, economic development, housing finance, oil and gas, rail infrastructure, financial assistance, emergency funding, 908, all

Summary: The Government Operations Division met to continue work on the remaining bill and related amendments. Joe Morse asked the committee to include a $219,000 general fund replacement for rent that would no longer be collected from Career and Technical Education after the 15th floor of the tower becomes legislative space under the Legislative Council’s jurisdiction. Members discussed that state law currently requires rent only from executive branch office space, not legislative or judicial space, and there was no objection to adding the request to the amendment package. The committee then revisited a set of amendments it had previously discussed, including whether to include funding for Prairie Public. Senator Dwyer argued against any Prairie Public funding, citing its reserves, endowment, and charitable gaming revenue, and said the state should prioritize other needs. Senator Irby supported a one-time infrastructure contribution as the state shares in related infrastructure costs. Senator Sickler said Prairie Public still provides unique local programming, but that a one-time infrastructure item would be a reasonable compromise rather than ongoing operating support. A motion was made and seconded to provide Prairie Public $850,000 from the Strategic Investment and Improvement Fund for infrastructure needs. The roll call vote failed 3-2, with Senators Sickler and Irby voting aye, Senators Dwyer and Burkhard voting no, and Chairman Wanzek voting yes. After that vote, the committee indicated the amendment package was otherwise complete, though leadership had asked that final action on the bill be held for a little longer. The meeting adjourned with the understanding that more amendments could still be brought forward before the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; might be worth some discussion. &gt;&gt; might be worth some discussion.
• Then we get together and we discuss it and then...
• Then we get together and we discuss it and then...
• Then we get together and we discuss it and then...
• </c> um the representative have a discussion um the representative have a discussion with<00:49:10.480

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Performance Audit and Oversight Committee met to accept prior minutes and receive updates on ongoing audits. Audit staff reported progress on three education-related reviews: special education (34 of 71 observations completed, draft expected in the second quarter and final in the summer), education freedom accounts (22 of 41 observations completed, draft expected in the second quarter and final in the summer), and the doorway program (5 of 13 observations completed, draft expected by the end of February and final by April or May). No committee questions were raised on the audit status update. The committee then discussed possible future oversight topics, beginning with SNAP and concerns about fraud and work requirements. Members suggested inviting DHS officials and contract administrators to explain program operations and compliance, and also discussed whether the Department of Justice Medicaid fraud unit or other experienced officials could provide useful context. Members noted New Hampshire’s existing oversight layers, including the Executive Council and the joint HHS oversight committee, while also expressing interest in hearing more directly from department staff about staffing and contract management capacity. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on whether to pursue an audit of special education at the local school level. Members debated whether to wait for the ongoing statewide special education review and a legislative study commission report, or to begin scoping a local audit now so work could start sooner. Supporters argued that local-level spending, identification rates, and effectiveness vary widely by district and that an audit should examine both costs and outcomes; others cautioned that the scope would need to be manageable given limited audit staff and that the statewide report may help narrow the focus. The committee also briefly discussed a potential audit of the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, but no decision was made on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, any discussion? Hearing none, Chair, Vice Chair, if you want to go ahead and take the vote.
• at that time having the same discussion at that time because<00:29:55.279><c> a</c><00:29:55.600><c>
• get discussed, then it ends up in our arena if people are that much concerned about something.
• They didn't want to discuss it Alani.
• </c> really should be discussed really should be discussed Uh<00:45:46.960><c> again,</c><00:45:47.359

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard HCR 96, which encourages the University of Hawaiʻi to evaluate and expand student mental health services. University of Hawaiʻi Associate Vice President Farah Marie Gomes testified in support and noted the system’s mental health and basic-needs efforts across all 10 campuses. Members discussed staffing and funding constraints, including that the system had 27 adult mental health positions, 21 filled and six vacant, with one vacancy open for about four years. The resolution was adopted unanimously, unamended. The committee then took up several gubernatorial appointments. GM 785 nominated Wendo Hensel to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), and GM 784 nominated Terry George to the same body. Both nominees testified about the value of Hawaiʻi’s participation in WICHE; Hensel emphasized the importance of sharing policy ideas and best practices, while George highlighted Hawaiʻi’s unique higher education needs and the benefits of learning from other western states. Both nominations were supported and moved forward. The committee also considered multiple appointments to the Hawaiʻi Commission for National and Community Service. Kylie Alakard described wanting to serve as a youth voice and role model, and Ray Galas spoke about his prior volunteer board experience and desire to help people connect through service. Sandra Larson said volunteerism and community service were important to her and that she wanted to give back. The committee then heard GM 771 and GM 772 for Ken Kawahara to the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi; Kawahara said he would bring business and government experience to help with internal operations, education, and strategic goals, though he acknowledged he was still learning the organization’s details. Members also began hearing GM 624 for Joshua Famuina to the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents, with student caucus testimony in strong support emphasizing his attendance, communication, and engagement with students.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm very thankful that the committee is considering this for discussion only today, because it's not
• The discussion here is valid. It’s super important.
• , so I think that there’s some real accountability that needs to be discussed and continue to be discussed
• and continue to be needs to be discussed and continue to be discussed<00:42:23.240><c> in</c><00:42:
• I’m sure this is an issue that will continue to be discussed.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:10 SB145 Discussion: 02:23 SB145 Vote: 05:13 SB183 Discussion: 06:13 SB183 Vote: 11:37 HB413 Discussion Only: 16:15, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 145, sponsored by Sen. David Givens. The bill would update retail installment contract statutes for automobile sales, allowing retailers with installment contracts shorter than 28 days to begin collections after three days instead of waiting for multiple missed payments, and it also harmonizes a related dollar amount in statute from $10 to $15. The committee asked no questions, and the bill received a favorable expression on a roll-call vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 183 from Sen. Matt Nunn, with testimony from Chris Nolan of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association. The bill would require proxy advisers acting for the State Retirement System to act solely in the financial interest of current and future retirees and to avoid political or social considerations in shareholder voting recommendations. Supporters argued it would keep politics out of public pensions and align proxy advice with fiduciary duties; members praised the bill and noted Kentucky could be among the first states to adopt such a model. The committee approved the bill with favorable expression after a roll-call vote. The committee also reviewed administrative regulation 808 KAR 9:10 from the Department of Financial Institutions, with no vote required. It then took up House Bill 413, a PBM rebate pass-through bill, with testimony from Sarah Wood of the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition. She said the bill would require 85% of negotiated drug rebates to be passed through to patients at the point of sale, lowering out-of-pocket costs, especially for high-rebate drugs such as insulin, while still allowing 15% to remain with plans. She cited examples from other states and argued the bill would benefit about 650,000 Kentuckians. Hope McClaflin of Anthem opposed the bill, saying it would reduce employers’ ability to use rebates to lower premiums, could disproportionately favor high-cost brand-name drug users, and could create significant costs for state and fully insured plans. Members asked questions about other states’ pass-through rates and the effect on premiums, but no final action on House Bill 413 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the things that we discussed here today were discussed a month ago.
• Some of the things that we discussed here today were discussed a month ago.
• Some of the things that we discussed here today were discussed a month ago.
• Any further discussion?
• Any discussion?

Committee: House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2150, which continues the State Land Department until July 1, 2030. Members questioned the commissioner extensively about agency procedures, backlog, appraisals, auction practices, privilege claims in the Fontamonte audit, and the Coyotes land transaction. The committee also discussed the Griffin amendment, which required quarterly updates, a public hearing on the department’s strategic plan, changes to conceptual land use plans and five-year disposition plans, and legislative findings. After debate over oversight and accountability, the amendment was adopted and HB 2150 was returned with a do pass recommendation by a 6-4 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 2975, which would suspend the State Land Department’s solar scoring map and require new mining and housing resource maps, with the amendment changing the mapping deadline and requiring the maps to be posted online. Supporters said the bill would improve fairness and maximize trust revenue for schools by avoiding favoritism toward solar; opponents argued the solar map is only a guidance tool and that removing it could reduce transparency and revenue. The department said it was neutral but asked for additional staff or consultant support if the bill passed. The committee adopted the amendment and passed HB 2975 as amended on a 6-4 vote. House Bill 2781 followed, addressing solar plant decommissioning, restoration, financial assurance, insurance, and a remediation fund. The amendment narrowed the bill to decommissioning standards and limited its reach to projects receiving permits after the effective date. Testimony focused on the need to ensure solar sites are restored and that taxpayers are not left with cleanup costs; several speakers cited abandoned or aging energy infrastructure as a cautionary example. The committee adopted the amendment and passed HB 2781 as amended by a 6-4 vote. Finally, the committee began House Bill 2267, which would classify certain utility-scale wind or solar projects within four miles of residential property as a public nuisance, with exceptions and grandfathering for existing projects. The sponsor argued the bill responds to concerns about large renewable projects near homes and property value impacts, while the amendment narrowed the scope to utility-scale wind and solar and excluded rooftop solar and existing projects. The transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 2267.

Transcript Highlights:

• Further discussion on A31. you. Further discussion on A31.
• . discussion. discussion.
• Um any further discussion on amendment. Um any further discussion on that?
• </c> Further discussion on the bill. Further discussion on the bill.
• Is there further discussion on the you. Is there further discussion on the bill?

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any discussion from members?
• Members discussion?<00:10:34.000><c> Questions?</c><00:10:34.560><c> Senator</c> discussion?
• Senator discussion? Questions?
• </c> have a consultation and discuss this. have a consultation and discuss this.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Further<01:10:53.600><c> discussion</c> &gt;&gt; Further discussion &gt;&gt; Further discussion

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> discussion of the A39 amendment? discussion of the A39 amendment?
• </c> be here with you today to discuss be here with you today to discuss Department<00:42:05.240><c>
• </c> have some further discussion have some further discussion around<01:07:55.680><c> the</c><01:07:
• </c> coverage aspect of health care discussed coverage aspect of health care discussed here.<01:09:32.160
• </c> discussion on the A-42 amendment? discussion on the A-42 amendment?

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion? If amendment number 30. Any discussion?
• Any further discussion of the amendment? Any further discussion? Mr.
• Any further discussion? amendments. Any further discussion?
• Any discussion? If not, final passage. Any discussion?
• </c><01:18:59.040><c> All</c> discussion? Any further discussion? All discussion?

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 42 members present and a quorum, opened with an invocation by Pastor Jaylen Robinson, and recognized several guests and honorees. Early floor remarks included a welcome to students from Forest Oak Middle School, a young Senate shadow from Woodlawn High School, and guests from Charles H. Flowers High School. The chamber also noted a doctor of the day and announced that panoramic photos in the Senate lounge were available for order by March 27, with eye exams available in the State House. The main legislative business was Senate Bill 283, the President’s Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2026. The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee presented 291 amendments, described as funding priorities for jobs, infrastructure, and reliability while staying within debt affordability limits. The amendments covered school construction, natural resources, higher education, housing, Maryland Environmental Service, miscellaneous grants, local Senate bond initiatives, jails and detention centers, and pre-authorizations for fiscal 2028. Four amendments were separated for individual roll calls: 30, 35, 46, and 241, all of which were adopted. The remaining committee amendments were adopted without objection, and the favorable committee report as amended was then taken up. During debate on the capital budget amendments, one senator raised concerns about the bill and the difficulty of tracking the amendments on the electronic system, prompting discussion about technical issues and the availability of the documents on the website and in paper form. The chair said the committee had been working on the bill for months and urged the body to proceed. A question was raised about Amendment 264, which deauthorized a Willing Helper Society renovation project in Charles County; the chair explained the money had not been spent, was about to expire, and was repurposed to a Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maryland project to keep the funding in Charles County.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any discussion on this bill? Representative Keathley?
• Any other discussion? Any other discussions or questions?
• I've brought other bills before this committee and certainly have had other discussions with some of
• And also we've had discussions in General Laws Committee on bills.
• I originally discussed the bill with the Attorney General's office.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 959, house, all