Transcript Highlights:

• It started four years ago out of a diversity, equity, and inclusion goal.
• In fact, Senator Putnam was there, and we looked at the achievement gap and the diversity and equity
• c><00:58:56.520><c> of</c><00:58:56.640><c> a</c><00:58:56.839><c> diversity</c><00:58:57.440><c> equity
• </c> years ago uh out of a diversity equity years ago uh out of a diversity equity and<00:58:58.039><
• That Rotary District goal was a national goal: diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also repeals changes to the renewable energy fund with money that does not exist.
• It also repeals changes to the renewable energy fund with money that does not exist.
• By investing in projects that are funded by the renewable energy fund.
• It also repeals changes to the renewable energy fund with money that does not exist.
• </c> healthcare, energy, property taxes. healthcare, energy, property taxes.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and the Environment and the Energy, and the Environment and the House<00:35:33.840><c> Environment<
• </c> and adds solar combined with energy and adds solar combined with energy storage<00:35:47.920><c>
• Uh, Education, Energy, and the Environment, report number 15. amendments to the bill or its title?
• Uh<00:39:00.160><c> Education,</c><00:39:00.520><c> Energy,</c><00:39:00.760><c> and</c><00:39:00.840
• ><c> the</c> Uh Education, Energy, and the Uh Education, Energy, and the Environment,<00:39:01.359><c

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened with a quorum present and then proceeded through committee reports, largely adopting favorable reports and amendments without objection. Early measures included SB 530, which funds grants for multigenerational social connection programs for older adults; SB 731, clarifying the legal status of the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council; SB 809, directing a feasibility study on a caregiver infrastructure program; SB 860, creating an Aging Resilience Fund with reporting and budget protections; SB 910, requiring insurance reimbursement for services provided by graduate-level clinical interns under supervision; and SB 972, making several Baltimore City alcoholic beverages licensing changes. Each of these bills was advanced to third reading after committee amendments were adopted. The Finance Committee also advanced SB 555, establishing a Dementia Services and Brain Health Program and a provider resource toolkit for dementia care; SB 757, creating a Maryland Local Sourcing Portal to connect businesses with local sources for tariff-impacted goods; SB 772, creating an employment training and opportunity database to help people qualify for or maintain Medicaid and SNAP; SB 792, requiring hospitals to adopt and train staff on immigration-enforcement policies consistent with Attorney General guidance; SB 869, establishing a workforce training pilot program through Commerce and community colleges; SB 905, creating an advanced manufacturing grant program through TEDCO; and SB 974, changing who may serve as inspector for the Caroline County Board of License Commissioners. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or narrowing amendments and then ordered printed for third reading. Budget and Taxation advanced SB 28, which would create binding arbitration for state employee collective bargaining impasses and include a proposed constitutional amendment requiring funding in the Governor’s budget; SB 466, expanding a physician preceptor tax credit and adjusting training-hour requirements; and later SB 704, concerning estate tax treatment for qualified agricultural property transferred to an LLC. SB 557, a gaming-related bill, was laid over until the end of the evening at the majority leader’s request. In the Education, Energy, and the Environment report, the committee advanced SB 35 on a state natural science museum designation, SB 166 on shellfish aquaculture permit sanctions, SB 189 on municipal drainage inlet safety requirements prompted by a child’s death, SB 242 on civil relief for service members and spouses, SB 266 on local regulation of invasive trees and tree-of-heaven, and SB 267 on a corporate rental-property registry and local housing application review process. SB 267 drew a brief question from the minority leader, who asked whether prior opposition remained and how the amended bill differed; the sponsor said the opposition had gone away and described the bill as now focused on a responsible-owner registry and an administrative review process.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:49.760><c> policy</c><00:26:50.240><c> advocates</c> 2002, the energy policy advocates 2002
• Uh, it's a bigger question raised by the energy policy decision by the Supreme Court from two to three
• policy advocates case and as the energy policy advocates case and as the legislature<00:35:13.599><c
• Um the way that the energy<00:35:46.480><c> policy</c><00:35:46.800><c> advocates</c><00:35:47.359><c
• > decision</c><00:35:48.480><c> uh</c> energy policy advocates decision uh energy policy advocates decision

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They may send it to a waste-to-energy plant to be burned and used to create energy.
• The solvent-based paint is then sent for waste-to-energy recovery so we can extract the energy from the
• ><c> solvents</c> extract the energy uh from the solvents extract the energy uh from the solvents in<
• Then there's energy, uh, incineration with energy recovery, and then it's landfilling.
• Then there's energy, uh, incineration with energy recovery, and then it's landfilling.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 451, which would create a postconsumer paint stewardship program in New Hampshire. Prime sponsor Representative Karen Ebel described the bill as a bipartisan, broadly supported model based on PaintCare programs used in other states. She said consumers and businesses could drop off leftover paint at participating retailers or municipal household hazardous waste sites, with the paint then collected and recycled by the stewardship organization. She emphasized that the program is intended to reduce landfill disposal, improper dumping, and contamination of groundwater and soil, while also helping municipalities save on hazardous waste handling costs. Members asked several questions about how the program would work and how it would be funded. Ebel explained that the program would be financed by a small fee charged at the point of sale on paint products, not a general sales tax, and that retailers could either list it separately or roll it into the price. She said the fee would cover the Department of Environmental Services’ administrative costs, which were described as minimal, and that the program’s structure was developed with DES and industry input. Questions also addressed whether cans would be recycled and how collected paint would be processed; Ebel said the ACA and PaintCare representatives could provide more detail, but that the paint and containers would be handled through recycling or other approved disposal methods rather than landfilled. Representative Judy Aron, a co-sponsor and chair of the House Environment and Agriculture Committee, testified in support, saying the bill had been developed over several years with stakeholders and would keep toxic paint out of landfills while saving municipalities and taxpayers money. Representative Peter Bixby, the ranking member of Environment and Agriculture, also supported the bill, saying his committee had heard it many times and that it had strong bipartisan enthusiasm. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it still changes the name of the equity to access, but it's less restrictive than it was yesterday
• </c><03:06:23.359><c> there</c> of the office of health equities there of the office of health equities
• There's a new 1328 on the Office of Health Equity. Um, and that's in our stapled package here.
• </c> uh 1328 on the Office of Health Equity. uh 1328 on the Office of Health Equity.
• <04:13:16.800><c> to</c><04:13:17.120><c> health</c> equity to health equity to health access.<04:13:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in Division 3 work session on HB 2 and began by noting a delayed start to allow the Legislative Budget Assistant to finish a large packet of updated amendments and revisions. The chair said the goal for the day was to move as many items as possible, with any cleanup deferred to a Friday follow-up. Members also discussed the process for handling public and department testimony on selected items before votes. Several early amendments were taken up and voted on. The committee unanimously recommended items dealing with repealing the liquor transfer to the alcohol fund and redirecting liquor-related revenue to the general fund, and it also approved an amendment revising Granite Advantage funding so there would be no automatic transfer from the liquor fund, instead using a general fund appropriation. Members then approved repealing the foster grandparent program by a 5-4 vote, and later approved an amendment requiring DHS contractors to comply with the patients’ bill of rights by a 9-0 vote. The committee also approved incorporating House Bill 94 on Medicaid coverage of circumcision by a 5-4 vote, while deferring the Wick Farmers Market Nutrition Program repeal for more discussion. The committee spent substantial time on the youth risk behavior survey amendment. Supporters said the change was intended to clarify opt-out procedures and ensure parents, guardians, and students are clearly notified that they may opt out without negative consequences. Some members raised privacy concerns and said the language could add administrative burden, but the amendment was ultimately recommended to Finance by a recorded vote of 8-1. Another amendment on civil rights and contractor standards for DHHS was discussed but not voted on after concerns were raised about vague enforcement language and possible penalties. The committee also struck amendment 1026 as redundant, with members noting related work in existing law and Senate Bill 134, and then moved on to other items, including a revised equity/access-related amendment that was postponed for later discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• First order of business is Department of Energy 25-220.
• Energy Energy uh<00:04:21.480><c> 25-220.
• energy rule and still want to review the rules and have time to work with the agency.
• </c><00:04:56.480><c> department</c> are involved in that energy department are involved in that energy
• department uh<00:04:57.560><c> energy</c><00:04:57.880><c> rule</c><00:04:58.680><c> still</c><00:04

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and consent calendar, then moved through several Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid-related rules. Rule 25-220 from the Department of Energy was postponed until June so stakeholders would have more time to review revised language. Rule 25-240, involving Medicaid income verification and deductible provisions for medically needy applicants, was adopted after staff noted the cited sections had expired but the agency said it had continued operating under federal law and the state plan; the agency also said it had begun rulemaking on the cited provision. Rules 25-265 and 2633 were also adopted, with staff explaining that although parts of the rules had expired, the agency had continued implementing the policies through the Medicaid state plan, billing manuals, and related rules. The most extended discussion centered on rule 25-304 from the Bureau of Aging and Adult Services, which covers case management services for the CFI program. Staff and the agency explained that the amended conditional approval request clarified how case management agencies indicate staffing capacity, how telehealth decisions are evaluated, and that the department—not the case management agencies—sets the timeline for accepting or denying cases. The agency said the rule is intended to ensure participants are not pushed into telehealth when they do not want it or cannot use it, while leaving technical and clinical telehealth decisions to the provider. A case management provider testified in opposition to parts of the rule, arguing that the committee should not require agencies to admit unverified patients, that reimbursement-rate issues belong in legislation, that the quality-management section duplicates existing licensure oversight, and that the telehealth language improperly gives case managers authority over how other licensed providers deliver services. Committee members questioned whether the telehealth language was simply allowing case managers to determine whether telehealth fits a person’s care plan, and agency representatives responded that this was the intent. No final vote on rule 25-304 is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• process for light mitigating technology that is required to be installed at certain wind-powered energy
• </c><01:58:06.320><c> generation</c> certain wind powered energy generation certain wind powered energy
• Um, Senate Trans<03:44:37.680><c> Transportation</c><03:44:38.319><c> Energy</c><03:44:38.720><c> will
• </c><03:44:38.880><c> be</c> Trans Transportation Energy will be Trans Transportation Energy will be
• Senate Transportation and Energy will be meeting 15 minutes upon adjournment of the committees.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> committee, Rusty Bell, CEO of Energy committee, Rusty Bell, CEO of Energy Capital<00:37:17.440><
• Most of the energy that's coming out of southwest Wyoming goes to the Pacific Northwest.
• Most of the energy that's coming out of southwest Wyoming goes to the Pacific Northwest.
• </c><01:18:54.880><c> So,</c><01:18:55.040><c> they're</c> Wyoming energy authority.
• So, they're Wyoming energy authority.

Bills: HB0150

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: Wyoming business council, economic development, task force, evaluation, policy reform, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I started in Commerce, I spent the last term in Science, Technology and Energy, and now I'm very happy
• I started in Commerce, I spent the last term in Science, Technology and Energy, and now I'm very happy
• I started in Commerce, I spent the last term in Science, Technology and Energy, and now I'm very happy
• I started in Commerce, I spent the last term in Science, Technology and Energy, and now I'm very happy
• </c> term I served on Science Tech and energy term I served on Science Tech and energy and<00:13:50.839

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met for an organizational opening session in which the chair, Ken Weyler, called the committee to order and members introduced themselves. The introductions established the committee’s leadership and membership, including Vice Chair Dan McGuire, ranking member Mary Jane Wallner, deputy ranking member Karen Eil, clerk Jerry Griffin, and other members from both parties. Many members briefly described prior legislative service and professional backgrounds, with several noting prior experience on Finance or related budget committees. Chair Weyler then outlined committee procedures and expectations. He emphasized that Finance handles spending bills and fiscal notes, that bills will generally be heard by the full committee and then referred to the appropriate division, and that executive sessions may be used to save time when positions are clear. He reviewed rules on attendance, dress, phones, paperwork handling, committee replacements, conflict of interest and recusal, and the process for testimony, including that members should listen without debating witnesses and that sponsors of bills must recuse themselves from questioning witnesses on their own bills. He also described the committee’s structure and workload, noting three divisions and the role of legislative budget staff. Weyler said the committee would likely see bills from many policy committees that have fiscal impacts, and he encouraged policy committees to find offsets within their own areas rather than assume new spending will be added. No bills were heard and no votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• e e Good morning, everyone, and welcome to our informational briefing of the Joint Committees on Energy
• everybody's able to make it because we're also busy this time of year, but I am Chair Nicole Lowen of the Energy
• We have the H-POWER waste-to-energy facility, and we have the Waimanalo Gulch landfill for disposal.
• We have the H-POWER waste-to-energy facility, and we have the Waimanalo Gulch landfill for disposal.
• </c> if we had had a better waster energy if we had had a better waster energy plan<01:16:27.520><c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The informational briefing focused on the City and County of Honolulu’s effort to site a replacement landfill for Oahu before Waimanalo Gulch landfill closes in 2028. Department of Environmental Services officials outlined the solid waste system, including curbside collection, convenience centers, transfer stations, H-POWER, and the existing landfill, and explained that H-POWER reduces the volume of waste going to the landfill by about 90%. They reviewed the siting history, including the 2019 Land Use Commission deadline, the 2020 enactment of Act 73 with landfill setback and conservation-district restrictions, and the 2021-2022 landfill advisory committee that evaluated six sites but recommended none because they were within the Board of Water Supply’s no-pass zone. The city said it ultimately selected a site in central Oahu, on agricultural land near Wahiawa and the Dole Plantation, as the best legally permissible option and described it as requiring about 150 acres, with 90 acres for the landfill itself. City officials also described the proposed landfill design and safeguards, emphasizing a modern sanitary landfill with double liners, leachate collection, groundwater monitoring wells, and post-closure monitoring. They said the ash from H-POWER is dry and that leachate would be pumped to a wastewater treatment plant. They stated the site is away from residences and groundwater wells, accessible by highway, and can be permitted under state and federal rules, though they acknowledged that a full environmental review, public hearings, and multiple permits would still be required. When asked whether the new landfill could be operating before the 2028 closure date, the city said it did not yet know and that an extension of Waimanalo Gulch might be needed if the new site is not ready in time. The Board of Water Supply strongly opposed the city’s decision to site a landfill above Oahu’s freshwater resources. Its representative said the agency’s mission is to protect safe, dependable water for the future and that it had disapproved all six previously proposed sites because they were located over freshwater aquifers. In response to questions from legislators, the Board said it could not guarantee the liner system would remain impermeable forever and warned that leachate can contain hazardous chemicals, including so-called forever chemicals. The Board characterized the proposal as a long-term risk to the island’s drinking water supply and compared the decision to past infrastructure choices that later proved problematic. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wednesday, December 3, 2025, the time within which the Committee on Telecommunications, Utility, and Energy
• Wednesday, December 3, 2025, the time within which the Committee on Telecommunications, Utility, and Energy

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules reports. It adopted resolutions commending Plymouth on becoming the 451st International City of Peace and honoring the Massachusetts Pain Initiative for recognizing September 2025 as Pain Awareness Month. The House also adopted orders extending reporting deadlines for the committees on Community Development and Small Businesses, Education, Environment and Natural Resources, Health Care Financing, and Telecommunications, Utility, and Energy. The chamber concurred in a Senate referral sending a petition on modernizing permitting for certain transportation loads to the Committee on Transportation. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 for several petitions, including proposals on pipe-fitting exemptions, Hispanic-serving institutions in higher education, and adding bone marrow and organ donation to the Paid Family and Medical Leave Program. The House then approved a slate of bills for consideration, including measures on gender-neutral election-law language, several Haverhill civil service exemptions, improved headlight safety, a Natick civil service exemption, and a sick leave bank for Aidan Daniels. After suspending Rule 7A, the House gave second reading and ordered several bills to a third reading. It then passed to engrossment local bills concerning the Natick town home rule charter, Rochester governance, and Leicester stabilization funds. On House No. 3392, designating September as PCOS Awareness Month, the House adopted an emergency preamble amendment offered by Representative Walsh and then passed the bill as amended to engrossment. The House also observed a moment of silent tribute requested by Representative Jones for political activist Charlie Kirk, with remarks condemning the killing and calling for civil discourse. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet again Wednesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• He is on the OERB, that's the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board of Directors, and wants to attend OU to
• That's the Energy Committee meeting in Room 206, so I think you're confused, Representative Dollens.

Bills: HB3725 , HB3260 , HB3660 , HB3369 , HB3370 , HB2937 , HB3419 , HB3264 , HB3266 , HB3267 , HB3268 , HB3310 , HB4311 , HB3841 , HB3024 , HB3075

Keywords: labor, e-verification, immigration, employers, employment eligibility, Department of Labor, penalties, funeral licensing, continuing education, Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, professional development, licensing requirements, HB3660, natural organic reduction, human composting, soil reduction, green burial, funeral services, cremation, burial permit

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> Natural</c><00:07:38.560><c> Resources</c><00:07:39.120><c> and</c> The Natural Resources and Energy
• Gives some help to consumers when there is a sudden spike in the cost of energy.
• there is a sudden spike in the cost when there is a sudden spike in the cost of<00:09:55.760><c> energy
• Uh what you have in sometimes of energy.
• Committee, we will not meet Energy Committee, we will not meet tomorrow. tomorrow. tomorrow.

Keywords: Convene 00:00:00 Senate Message 00:04:53 Calendar/2nd Readings 00:05:27 Report of Committees 00:06:16 Orders of the Day 00:08:42 SB 172 00:08:54 HB 392 00:11:47 HB 529 00:16:02 HB 456 00:22:04 HB 424 00:25:27 HJR 50 00:30:04 HB 577 00:32:29 HB 213 00:36:10 HB 58 00:40:22 HB 10 00:45:23 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 01:04:32 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 01:17:33 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 01:20:15 ConC/Rules Report 01:25:00 Floor Amendments 01:26:56 Adjournment 01:27:21, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:22:26.240><c> and</c> you meow for the committee on energy and you meow for the committee on
• energy and intergovernmental<00:22:27.159><c> Affairs</c><00:22:28.080><c> we'd</c><00:22:28.320><c>
• Services with comments, and Grow Growth Energy with comments.
• Next is the Hawaii State Energy Office.
• </c> you next is the Hawaii state Energy you next is the Hawaii state Energy Office [Music] thank thank

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered SB 1023, which would create a spay-neuter special fund to reduce pet overpopulation and free-roaming cats, with funding sources including an income tax checkoff. The Department of Taxation had no substantive comment, while the Hawaii Invasive Species Council supported the measure but opposed any trap-neuter-release or re-release approach, saying spay-neuter is important but release does not reduce cats on the landscape. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii raised concerns about creating another special fund and tax checkoff, saying the fund may not meet statutory criteria and could create administrative burdens. The Hawaiian Humane Society strongly supported the bill, arguing the state currently provides little funding for animal overpopulation control and that the measure would help nonprofits and align conservation and animal welfare goals. Several other supporters testified, including a cat sanctuary representative who described the need for a dedicated funding mechanism and a possible Oahu sanctuary to remove cats from sensitive areas. After questions about the effectiveness of trap-neuter-release and the need for alternative management tools, the committees voted to recommend passage with amendments, including blanking appropriation amounts, moving them into the committee report, setting the effective date to July 1, 2050, and noting Budget and Finance concerns; the recommendations were adopted in both committees, with some members voting with reservations. The hearing then moved to SB 1120, relating to transportation and a clean fuel standard. The Department of Transportation said it supported the intent but wanted more information on economic impacts. Electrify America and Neste supported the bill, saying a clean fuel standard would help finance EV charging, encourage investment, and expand lower-carbon fuel options such as renewable diesel. In response to questions from senators about rural and agricultural transportation needs, witnesses said the standard could support both electrification where feasible and cleaner liquid fuels in the interim for equipment that cannot yet be electrified. DOT also described county transit efforts and said it was working with Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island on assessments for zero-emission bus replacement and charging infrastructure. The committees also heard testimony on SB 586, relating to climate change and zero-emission buses by 2045, with the State Procurement Office supporting the intent but suggesting the language be moved to a different statute; DOT said it was providing pass-through funding to counties and had some zero-emission bus purchases and charging stations on order. The discussion emphasized infrastructure costs and implementation challenges, but no final vote on SB 1120 or SB 586 was described in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it going to be low-cost energy or the high-cost energy that we see so much during the Biden era?
• Is it going to be low-cost energy or the high-cost energy that we see so much during the Biden era?
• Is it going to be low-cost energy or the high-cost energy that we see so much during the Biden era?
• Start with energy.
• Start with energy. Once everything. Start with energy.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of our larger customers include Metropolitan Council, Metro Mobility, Platner Energy, 4.0 School
• Services, Minneapolis Public Schools, Palmer Bus Service, and CenterPoint Energy, along with the Food
• ,</c><00:41:30.320><c> 4.0</c><00:41:31.080><c> school</c><00:41:31.600><c> school</c> Platner Energy
• , 4.0 school school Platner Energy, 4.0 school school services,<00:41:33.320><c> Minneapolis</c><00:41
• along with the Food Group located Energy along with the Food Group located right<00:41:40.320><c> up

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Subdivision seven is for energy proposals. This includes $773,000 for two appropriations.
• </c><00:15:07.480><c> This</c><00:15:07.680><c> includes</c> is for energy proposals.
• This includes is for energy proposals.
• 00:45:58.600><c> fish</c><00:45:58.800><c> and</c><00:45:58.920><c> wildlife,</c><00:45:59.520><c> energy
• </c> know, land, fish and wildlife, energy know, land, fish and wildlife, energy resiliency,<00:46:00.560

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, let's jump back into Education, Energy, and the Environment. This is report number six.
• Senate Bill 184, Chair, Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, Office of the Attorney General
• 184</c><00:34:03.519><c> is</c><00:34:03.840><c> hereby</c> >> Senate Bill 200, Chair, Education, Energy
• Chair of Education, Energy, and the Environment. Uh, thank you, Mr. President.
• We've got uh mostly environmental bills, but we do have the governor coming in on his energy bill. 108

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

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation by Reverend Jod Gun, whose prayer was journalized by unanimous consent. The chamber then recognized several guests, including representatives from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, who were present for a resolution honoring Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week, as well as former Delegate and physician Dan Moheim, Towson University students, a veteran guest, and parents and young children visiting for Maryland Family Network’s Day in Annapolis. The Senate adopted a resolution recognizing the National Alliance on Mental Illness for its advocacy on tardive dyskinesia screening, early detection, and treatment, and designated May 5–9 as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. The resolution was read and adopted without objection. The chamber also unanimously welcomed the guest groups and thanked them for their service and advocacy. In second-reader action, the Senate advanced several bills with committee amendments adopted without objection. Senate Bill 113, the Longevity Ready Maryland Act, was amended to refine aging-related planning, website reporting, and Commission on Aging membership, then ordered to third reading. Senate Bill 123 updated the membership of the Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities and was also sent to third reading. Senate Bill 336 extended the Task Force on the Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances for one year and added an HBCU representative. Senate Bill 394 expanded expedited partner therapy to bacterial vaginosis and added licensed certified midwives as authorized practitioners. Senate Bill 444 changed certificate-of-need requirements for certain intermediate care facilities, and Senate Bill 461 conformed the SNAP Heat and Eat Program to federal eligibility rules; both were advanced to third reading. The Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee then took up Senate Bill 108, which would authorize the Maryland Department of the Environment to impose administrative penalties for certain water, wetlands, dam, and riparian-rights violations and expand administrative enforcement tools. Several senators raised concerns about the scope of the bill, its effect on shoreline restoration, dams, stormwater and wetlands enforcement, and whether it could allow penalties without adequate process or encourage payment instead of correction. The floor leader responded that the amendment requires notice, an informal meeting, and consideration of good-faith efforts before penalties are imposed in certain cases, and said the bill does not change permit requirements. The debate continued as members sought clarification on how the bill would apply to private dams, HOAs, farmers, and shoreline projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senate Bill 70, Chair, Education, Energy, and Environment Committee, Adult Education, High School
• Senate Bill 164, Chair, Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, Natural Resources, Pamela J
• Clerk, read the next bill. >> Senate Bill 207, Chair, Education, Energy and Environment Committee, Higher
• Clerk will read the first bill. >> Senate Bill 32, Chair, Education, Energy, Environment Committee, State
• Clerk will read the next bill. >> Senate Bill 192, Chair, Education, Energy, and Environment Committee

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.