Transcript Highlights:

• Those are legitimate questions worth examining.
• Those are legitimate questions worth examining.
• Those are legitimate questions worth examining.
• Those are legitimate questions worth examining.
• But the moment you seat an examining.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senate Bill 186, Senator Augustine, State Board of Examiners and Optometry, examination requirements
• <00:55:56.880> and<00:55:57.040> optometry state board of examiners and optometry state
• board of examiners and optometry examination<00:55:58.319> requirements<00:55:58.799> and<
• /c><00:55:59.040> time<00:55:59.200> period examination requirements and time period examination
• Clerk will read the next bill. >> Senate Bill 88, Senator Gile, State Board of Examiners for Audiologists

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, February 12, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 39 members present, heard the invocation from Reverend Meredith West, and journalized her remarks. The chamber then recognized several guest groups and observances, including Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s Second District Corridor 1 for “100 Q’s in Annapolis Day,” the Kent Island High School boys lacrosse team for winning the Maryland 2A state championship, Arts Day participants, Rural Maryland Council members, Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition advocates, and visitors from the Maryland Judiciary. Senators also spoke about the meaning of Kente cloth during Black History Month, and the chamber recognized a birthday and thanked protocol staff for Valentine’s Day decorations. The Senate’s featured presentation was the annual Lincoln Day speech by the Senator from the 37th District. The senator reflected on Abraham Lincoln’s life, political career, and moral leadership, emphasizing his self-education, opposition to the expansion of slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg, and the idea that the nation’s founding principles of liberty and equality guided Lincoln through the Civil War. The minority leader praised the address, and the Senate agreed without objection to journalize the remarks. After the ceremonial portion, the Senate moved to business. Bond initiatives on the calendar were read and referred to the Capital Budget Subcommittee. The Executive Nominations Committee reported favorably on a list of recess appointees, including gubernatorial secretaries, district court judges, and a state board appointee, and the report was special ordered to Monday, February 16, 2026. The chamber then began second-reader consideration of Budget and Taxation bills: Senate Bill 25, altering the cyber security technology and service tax credit, was amended and ordered printed for third reading; Senate Bill 58, creating a property tax credit for retail service station conversions, was discussed with questions about who would receive the credit and why the incentive was needed, and consideration was ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• under this bill, it says a person charged under this section may petition the court to seek an examination
• um, an owner or an animal taken into protective custody shall have the right to have the animal examined
• <00:38:54.160> by<00:38:54.240> a to have the animal examined by a to have the animal
• examined by a veterinarian<00:38:54.880> licensed<00:38:55.319> under<00:38:55.560>
• of the Animals by a seek an examination of the Animals by a Veterinary<00:39:50.480> licensed

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee worked through a draft bill amending animal cruelty and protective custody provisions, focusing on how animals may be seized, cared for, and returned, and on what rights owners have when animals are taken. Members discussed adding language requiring officers to inform a charged person in writing of the right to petition for a veterinarian of their choice, clarifying that any documents presented for signature must be fully and honestly explained, and revising language so confiscated animals cannot be altered without notarized owner authorization. They also considered a new prohibition on using confiscated animals for fundraising or donations, ultimately preferring the term “financial gain” over “profiteering.” The discussion also covered protective custody procedures, including adding “municipal animal control officer” to the list of officers involved, allowing return of animals to the owner or caretaker if no charges have been filed or no warrant establishing probable cause has been sought or issued, and clarifying the distinction between criminal seizure and temporary protective custody. The commissioner’s comments led to several proposed deletions or revisions, including removing language viewed as redundant or inconsistent with protective custody, and striking references to live racing provisions that are no longer relevant. Members further addressed lactating animals, agreeing to add language that confiscated lactating animals should not be separated from their nonweaned offspring. They also discussed a proposed confidentiality provision requiring people assisting in investigations or taking possession of seized animals to sign a binding nondisclosure agreement, though members noted similar protections may need to be duplicated in the temporary custody section as well. The conversation was largely about drafting and legal clarity, with no final vote or formal action recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• They still have an examination every 5 years.
• every 5 years we check some examination every 5 years we check some really<00:09:32.839> good
• This bill would establish a working group to examine whether local candidate campaign finance reports
• This bill would establish a working group to examine whether local candidate campaign finance reports
• This bill would establish a working group to examine whether local candidate campaign finance reports

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The um Senate is examiners board.
• One is the Board of Cosmetologist Examiners.
• One is the Board of Cosmetologist Examiners.
• And it requires an applicant to provide evidence of having passed examinations.
• And it requires an applicant to provide evidence of having passed examinations.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• attorney in Woodward when I was first starting practice and I didn't want to go into court and cross-examine
• your previous experience that you did not go into a particular area because you didn't want to cross-examine
• Then I would be having to cross-examine those officers on the opposite side.

Bills: HB3045

Keywords: accident response, motor vehicle, law enforcement, fire department, fee prohibition, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• which was in support of the appointment, and other materials submitted to the committee, and having examined
• which was in support of the appointment, and other materials submitted to the committee, and having examined
• in strong support of the appointment And other materials submitted to the committee, and having examined

Bills: SCR8, SR10, SCR90, SR85, SCR110, SR103, SCR54, SR52, SCR107, SR101, SCR178, SR173, SR76, SCR40, SR30, SCR145, SR137, SCR62, SCR95, SR90, SCR45, SR44, SCR119, SR112, SCR63, SR57, SCR21, SR18, SCR27, SR24, SCR75, SR69, SCR7, SR7, SCR149, SCR55, SR53, SCR180, SR175, SCR86, SR77, SCR59, SCR41, SR31, HB1678, HB1824, SCR177, SR172, SCR5, SCR85, SR75, SCR139, SR131, SCR146, SR138, SR84, SCR31, SR27, SCR46, SR45, SCR48, SR47, SCR9, SR11, SCR83, SR73, SCR20, SR17, SCR56, SR54, SCR87, SCR39, SR29, SCR142, SR134, SCR203, SR191, SCR200, SR188, SCR196, SR184, SCR194, SR183, SCR114, SR107, SCR166, SR157, SCR96, SR91, SCR172, SR163, SCR109, SR102, SCR50, SR49, SCR64, SR58, SCR184, SR165, SCR81, SR71, SCR19, SR16, SCR22, SR19, SCR32, SR28, SCR57, SR55, SCR58, SR56, SCR103, SR97, SCR159, SR150, SCR163, SR154, SCR169, SR160, SCR68, SR63, SCR105, SR99, SCR112, SR105, SCR198, SR186, SCR11, SR9, SCR132, SR124, SCR189, SR179, SCR26, SR23, SCR93, SR88, SCR117, SR110, SCR164, SR155, SCR165, SR156, SCR170, SR161, SCR168, SR159, SCR173, SCR197, SCR47, SR46, SCR94, SR89, SCR99, SR93, SCR100, SR94, SCR130, SR122, SCR78, SR82, SCR154, SR145, SCR195, SR192, SCR162, SR153, SCR201, SR189, SCR202, SR190

Keywords: building permits, seniors, health care, disability, safety modifications, county regulations, expedited processing, older adults, disability access, healthcare, permit processing, home modifications, kupuna, accessibility, parking, business hours, aging population, parking accessibility, private business hours, affordable housing

Transcript Highlights:

• An act to amend the Public Health Law in relation to requiring the Department of Health to examine heat
• Passed before in the Senate, requires the Department of Health to examine heat-related deaths in the
• The Senate requires the Department of Health to examine heat-related deaths in the State of New York.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health considered a series of health-related bills, many of which were reported favorably. Among the measures approved were SB 999, which would restructure Medicaid reimbursement for early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment services for children with IEPs or disabilities; SB 1816, lowering the state definition of elevated blood lead levels to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter; SB 1911A, extending due process protections for health care professionals when insurers terminate or fail to renew them; and SB 3105, allowing reciprocity for out-of-state medical cannabis patients. The committee also advanced SB 4589 on federally qualified health center rate adequacy, SB 4955B on Medicaid Inspector General audit procedures, SB 9196 to ban new for-profit hospices, SB 9237 expanding the definition of family for certain foster care health facility services, and SB 9275 requiring Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care and prohibiting related discrimination. Several of these bills were sent to Finance, while others were sent to First Reading or Higher Education as noted. The committee also discussed SB 2625, which would expand pharmacists’ authority to prescribe, administer, and dispense medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. One member raised concerns about expanding scope of practice without coordination with primary care or a holistic review of patient conditions, and indicated opposition; the bill was nevertheless referred to Higher Education. SB 5056B, requiring the Department of Health to examine heat vulnerability and heat-related deaths, prompted discussion about whether the bill should explicitly require recommendations for prevention; the sponsor said the idea was to gather data and that recommendations could be added, and the bill advanced with some reservations. Other measures included SB 7460, reauthorizing a maternal infant care centers pilot program using an existing $350,000 appropriation, and SB 9388, requiring public notice and engagement when a general hospital closes or shuts down a psychiatric, mental health, or substance use unit. The hospital closure bill drew discussion about relocations and whether moves that shift services to a new site would trigger the community engagement process; the sponsor said they would. Most bills were approved by voice vote, with some members voting no or without recommendation on certain measures, and the committee adjourned after reporting the bills onward.

Transcript Highlights:

• But, uh, I would think that certainly an examination could be done.
• But, uh, I would think that certainly an examination could be done.
• But, uh, I would think that certainly an examination could be done.
• There are examination could be done.
• do a thorough examination. do a thorough examination.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee began its first meeting on retained education funding bills, focusing on HB 366, which concerns school building aid for eligible projects, and HB 295, which would make school building aid program funds non-lapsing. The chair framed the discussion around broader questions about how school building aid should work, noting the state’s limited available funding, the existing debt service obligations, and whether the current formula should continue or be changed. He also raised concerns about the state’s overall revenue constraints and the need to consider renovation, new construction, and possibly leasing within any future program. Members and the Department of Education representative discussed whether school building aid is a state or local responsibility, the current backlog of projects, and the condition of school facilities statewide. Tim Carney of the Bureau of School Facilities described his background and answered technical questions about current programs. Representative Luno argued that under the ConVal decision the state has responsibility for school buildings, including construction and renovation, and that the program also serves an equity function by helping districts with less property-tax capacity. Representative Papich urged the committee to focus on policy structure and fairness rather than just available dollars, saying the current system creates winners and losers and suggesting a simpler per-capita or similar allocation model, while acknowledging a possible transition for projects already in the pipeline. The discussion also covered CTE facilities and leasing. Carney explained that charter schools, and possibly CTE centers, can receive limited leasing aid, and that CTE capital requests are funded through a state capital process, while federal Carl Perkins funds cannot be used for construction. He and others described a separate rotational funding approach for CTE centers, but several members said that model can leave programs waiting too long and may not match changing workforce needs. The chair and others noted that a report from a related study group on CTE policy and funding was still pending, and that its absence could affect legislation for FY28. No votes were taken and no bill was acted on in the portion of the meeting provided; the discussion ended with interest in modeling alternatives, reviewing the waiting list, and examining the tradeoffs of reducing upfront state aid versus funding more projects overall.

Transcript Highlights:

• , as a policy proposal, that will be heard or will be examined by other committees, if deemed appropriate
• > a<01:06:05.760> policy<01:06:06.119> proposal<01:06:06.599> that'll examine
• uh as a policy proposal that'll examine uh as a policy proposal that'll be<01:06:06.920> heard
• <01:07:05.359> and<01:07:05.520> how<01:07:05.640> to session uh to be examined
• and how to session uh to be examined and how to prevent<01:07:06.880> uh<01:07:07.319> fraud

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many have advanced clinical licenses requiring years of supervised experience and national examinations
• master's degree, 3,200 hours of post-master's supervised clinical practice, pass a national clinical examination
• , and maintain state licensure. ...pass a national clinical examination and maintain state licensure.
• I think that we have a responsibility to carefully examine laws like this because we want to make sure

Bills: SB231

Keywords: school social workers, salary supplement, LCSW, mental health, education funding, Delaware Code, certification, professional standards

Summary: The House Administration Committee met and first considered Senate Bill 231, which would extend the existing 6% salary supplement for school-based mental health professionals with advanced credentials to school social workers who hold licensed clinical social worker credentials and have passed the national exam. The bill sponsor and multiple witnesses described school social workers as essential to student mental health, crisis response, attendance, and family support, and argued the measure corrects an oversight and inequity in the current salary supplement structure. Public testimony was uniformly supportive, and the committee voted to release the bill. The committee then heard Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 212, a constitutional amendment to protect the rights to hunt, fish, and trap. Supporters, including sportsmen’s groups and individual residents, said the amendment would preserve longstanding traditions, support wildlife management, and guard against future threats to hunting and trapping. An opposing witness argued there was no current threat in Delaware and said the Constitution should not be used to protect trapping or elevate hunting and trapping over other wildlife management approaches. Despite the opposition, the committee voted to release the substitute bill. Finally, the committee took up Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 284, the First State Emergency Response Act, which would create a 25-foot buffer around first responders at emergency scenes after warning, with misdemeanor penalties for knowingly entering or remaining in the zone to interfere with duties. Supporters said the bill would protect police, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics from interference, while opponents from the ACLU and the Office of Defense Services raised concerns about vague terms, potential First Amendment impacts, enforcement clarity, and jurisdictional issues. Committee members also questioned how the buffer would be marked and enforced. The sponsor and staff said they would continue working on the language, and the committee voted to release the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• why we did that is that the breadth of written work for some of the individuals we were trying to examine
• with the Black historic site, and really what does that mean for us is some other things for us to examine
• And really what does that mean for us is some other things for us to examine as well.
• So we've got we've got some I'm going to be For us, as some other things for us to examine as well.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The State Commission on the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution DEIA Subcommittee met to share updates on 250th-related projects and to discuss how to ensure the commemoration is inclusive, statewide, and reflective of Black, Indigenous, and other underrepresented histories. Members described ongoing research and programming, including work in Quincy, Lexington, Bridgewater/Brockton, Mashpee, and other communities to identify Black revolutionary soldiers, Indigenous connections, and lesser-known local stories. Several members emphasized that the 250th should be framed as both commemoration and celebration, with attention to difficult histories as well as resilience, joy, and cultural contributions. Dr. Noel Trent reported on the Museum of African American History’s exhibition Black Voices of the Revolution, funded by Mass 250, which opened June 30 and will run through 2026 or into 2027. He described the exhibit’s use of AI tools, archaeological finds from Nantucket and Boston, and related programming. Other members highlighted Mass Humanities’ Expand Massachusetts Stories funding round, including support for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and likely additional Indigenous-led projects, as well as a statewide equity playbook being drafted for Mass 250 fundraising and engagement. Sheila Green of Massachusetts 250 then presented an overview of the statewide campaign, including advertising, social media, a website with events and blogs, 96 grants totaling $3 million, partnerships with sports teams and cultural organizations, and major upcoming events such as Evacuation Day, the Henry Knox reenactment, Sail Boston 250, and World Cup-related activity. During discussion, members suggested practical ways to improve inclusion and outreach, including sharing stories through blogs, podcasts, and a centralized project tracker, and highlighting museums and community programs that offer joy, rest, and cultural activities alongside historical interpretation. Dr. Trent raised concern that some Massachusetts 250 merchandise, such as T-shirts, did not adequately reflect the diversity of the state, and Green said the team was considering a redesign. The subcommittee agreed to compile a summary of stories, names, and examples for the full commission, and to continue sharing photos and materials by email for possible presentation at a future commission meeting. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, the State Auditor's Office staff are presenting their recent report examining the accuracy of
• school funding at OSPI, which is the... ...examining the accuracy of school funding at OSPI, which is
• I'm presenting today the audit on examining the accuracy of school funding systems at OSPI.
• In another example, our 2020 report on data backup and disaster recovery examined problems arising when

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee subcommittee heard a State Auditor’s Office performance audit on the accuracy and reliability of OSPI’s school apportionment system. Auditors said the system, which calculates and distributes K-12 funding using multiple feeder systems and a core apportionment engine, is outdated, unstable, inefficient, and at high risk of failure. They reported weak controls over data input, documentation, oversight, and staffing, and said OSPI relies heavily on manual workarounds, a few knowledgeable staff, and vendor support. In limited testing of three districts, the auditors found the system calculated funding correctly for the 2023-24 school year, but they identified nine small input discrepancies tied to differences between budget materials and state law, which they said could compound into larger dollar amounts. The auditors recommended replacing or modernizing the system and noted that delays in doing so prolong risk. OSPI largely agreed that the current platform needs replacement and said it has been working toward a new system for years. Agency officials clarified that the Legislature requested a feasibility study in 2022, that the study found the system at risk of catastrophic failure, and that funding for a replacement is now in the state IT pool subject to OCIO/OFM gate reviews. OSPI disputed the audit’s characterization of the rounding and budget-law discrepancies, saying the issue was an agency rule and implementation choice, not an error that caused under- or over-allocation. Officials also said the current system is too old to easily absorb future formula changes, but that the planned replacement should be flexible enough to handle a new funding model if the Legislature adopts one. Committee members asked about the amount and timing of the $16 million project funding, whether smaller districts face greater risk, how many times data is entered, and whether the funding formula should be simplified. Auditors and OSPI both emphasized that formula simplification is a policy question for the Legislature, not the audit. Public testimony came from one online witness, who urged full implementation of the audit recommendations and modernization of the system. The subcommittee took no formal vote and adjourned after the presentations and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, and so I think we need to examine everything quite frankly to determine where these soft costs
• think we<00:02:39.920> we<00:02:40.040> need<00:02:40.320> to<00:02:40.680> examine
• <00:02:41.200> everything<00:02:41.840> quite we we need to examine everything quite
• we we need to examine everything quite frankly<00:02:42.880> to<00:02:43.800> determine

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• under the office unless the board or agency has failed to remedy the same significant finding of examiners
• remedy the same significant<00:22:20.480> finding<00:22:20.880> of<00:22:21.840> examiners
• <00:22:22.480> of significant finding of examiners of significant finding of examiners of

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an original contract for medical consultant examinations, reviews, and evaluations.
• Security Administration this is with David Tesler this is an original contract for medical consultant examinations
• This is an original contract for medical consultant, examinations, reviews, and evaluations.
• This is an original contract for medical consultant examinations, reviews, and evaluations for medical

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't want members engaging in cross-examination like you would see in a courtroom.
• 38.360> in um we don't want members engaging in um we don't want members engaging in cross-examination
• committee<00:03:39.879> that<00:03:40.000> sit<00:03:40.159> in cross-examination
• committee that sit in cross-examination committee that sit in the<00:03:40.480> courtroom<00:

Keywords: Roll Call 00:30 HB 15 Discussion 04:24 HB 15 Vote 07:13 HB 161 Discussion 10:05 Hb 161 Vote 19:34, 958, all

Summary: The House Transportation Committee held its first meeting of the 2025 session, established a quorum, welcomed new members and staff, and reviewed basic committee procedures, including phone silence, speaking through the chair, and the 24-hour amendment rule. The chair then moved to the agenda, which consisted of two bills. House Bill 15, sponsored by Representative Rudy, would lower Kentucky’s learner’s permit age to 15 to match surrounding states. Supporters said it would give parents more choice and help young drivers get licensed earlier; one member explained her yes vote by describing strong support from middle school students. The bill passed the committee with favorable expression, with Representative Lehman voting no and others voting yes. House Bill 161, sponsored by Representative Jackson, would allow third-party entities to process driver’s license renewals, not initial licenses. Jackson said the goal was to improve access after the state reduced renewal locations from county offices to regional centers, creating long travel times and long waits, especially for rural and older residents. He said the third-party model could be used by approved businesses or agencies, with an average added fee of about $2 to $5, and that it would still require the same vision-screening process. Members asked about Real ID renewals, timing, local testing options, and eye exam requirements. The bill also received favorable expression, and the committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• So travel at the banking department: we send our examiners into the field, as I mentioned.
• When they go into the field, the cost of travel is fully paid by the entity we are examining.
• We also converted administrative positions into examiner positions because when we send our examiners
• administrative positions into examiner administrative positions into examiner positions<02:06:08.480
• We set that and examine these entities.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners.
• Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners. Mr.
• There's language in the bill that modifies our examination fees.
• modifies our examination fees. modifies our examination fees.
• the new structure of our examination the new structure of our examination process process process

Bills: HF1234, HF3528, HF3672, HF3679, HF3680, HF1944

Keywords: payment transparency, public contracts, contractor rights, government accountability, construction payments, barbering, licensing, examinations, barber schools, public safety, certifications, Barber Examiners Board, data transparency, Legislative Budget Office, state agencies, fiscal notes, public data, standard time, federal law, time zone

Transcript Highlights:

• But the problem, the CPA in me, the fraud examiner in me, says something has to happen now.
• But the problem, the CPA in me, the fraud examiner in me, says something has to happen now.
• Um, and that is something that we examine for.
• Um, and that is something that we examine for.
• Um, and that is something that we examine for.

Bills: HB0098, HB0075, HB0041, HB0101

Keywords: gun control, Second Amendment, constitutional rights, misdemeanor, law enforcement, virtual currency, kiosk, financial institutions, regulation, Wyoming Money Transmitters Act, penalties, death benefits, retirement, survivor support, public safety, guardianship, monitoring, ward protection, financial independence, case management