Transcript Highlights:

• A champion of environmental and social justice, Costello worked with local organizations for over 40

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and several ceremonial recognitions. Members welcomed championship student-athlete teams from Medfield and Georgetown High School, including Georgetown’s 2025 MIAA Division 4 boys basketball champions, and presented citations. The chamber also welcomed former U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, with remarks highlighting her labor and worker-protection record. On formal business, the Senate adopted a Ways and Means report on House No. 4010, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill, amended to insert Senate Document No. 2512 and providing $1,283,200,000 in direct appropriations. The Senate also adopted an order placing the bill on the Orders of the Day for Thursday, May 8, 2025, for immediate consideration, with amendments in order. The Senate then adopted an order to adjourn and reconvene the following Monday at 11:00 a.m. without printing a calendar. Members also approved a motion to adjourn in memory of former state representative, state senator, Amesbury mayor, and civic leader Nicholas J. Costello, followed by a moment of silence in his honor.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3007 is the extension of the sunset on the Environmental and Natural Resources Advisory Council

Bills: HB3000 , HB3001 , HB3002 , HB3003 , HB3004 , HB3005 , HB3006 , HB3007 , HB3008 , HB4319

Committee: House Administrative Rules

Keywords: cosmetology, barbering, massage therapy, State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, Service Oklahoma, license renewal, license reinstatement, licensing fees, sunset extension, board membership, human trafficking, victim services, beauty school, barber school, esthetics, manicurist, eyelash extension, blow-dry styling, makeup artist, occupational licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• She is studying at OU and she is studying environmental sustainability.

Bills: SB1519 , SB1775 , SB1900 , SB1948 , SB2080 , SB1226 , SB1456 , SB1462 , SB1463 , SB1980 , SB1479 , SB1608 , SB1923

Keywords: municipal zoning, home-based businesses, no-impact businesses, local government, regulation, short-term rentals, municipal ordinance, municipal court, court of record, court not of record, city penalties, fine limits, penalty cap, ordinance enforcement, state statute, traffic offenses, speeding, parking, DUI, DWI

Transcript Highlights:

• Two of those are SESHA, which is the Semiconductor Environmental Safety and Health Association, as well

Committee: Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee convened and announced that Senate Bill 1041 would not be heard that day, with the meeting limited to a presentation to keep the agenda moving. Brian Jenkins of Nalco Water/Ecolab gave an informational presentation on the company’s work in the microelectronics and semiconductor industry, especially in Arizona. He described Ecolab’s role in helping fabs maximize chip production while reducing water and energy use, including data management, water reuse and recycling, and optimization of cooling towers and chillers. He emphasized the rapid growth of semiconductor manufacturing in Arizona, citing SEMI data projecting four additional fabs in the state over the next several years. Jenkins explained that semiconductor fabs are major water and energy users because of the extreme precision of chip manufacturing and the need to rinse wafers and maintain clean-room conditions. He said Ecolab works with customers to identify reusable water streams, model reuse options, and design, install, and support reuse systems. He gave examples of reclaiming process streams such as hydrogen fluoride, CMP wastewater, and neutralized acid waste. He also presented a case study in which Ecolab helped a fab reduce water consumption by 11 million gallons annually, cut contaminant discharge by 64%, and save about $675,000 per year. Committee members thanked Jenkins for the presentation and referenced a prior tour of the facility, noting its relevance to Arizona’s water challenges and the importance of innovation in supporting growth in chip manufacturing and data centers. Jenkins invited members to visit Ecolab’s facility in Naperville, and the chair encouraged follow-up questions offline. No votes were taken, and the meeting segment concluded with adjournment before the room was reset for the next group.

Transcript Highlights:

• Have you, has the Department of Environmental Protection had input on this amendment or what's their

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard four bills. SB 810, as amended, addressed stormwater management and flooding prevention after recent hurricanes by requiring annual inspections of certain municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) and identifying infrastructure vulnerable to blockage, deterioration, failure, or flooding. Senator Burgess said the amendment narrowed the bill, removed a notice requirement to DEM, and was still being refined with stakeholders and counties; Senator Smith asked about prioritizing high-risk systems and DEP’s role. The committee adopted the amendment, heard one opposition appearance from the Florida Stormwater Association, and reported the bill favorably as C.S. for SB 810. SB 994 by Senator Collins revised driver education requirements. It would require applicants age 18 and older to complete a traffic law and substance abuse education course unless they had previously been licensed or completed a Department of Education driver’s ed course, and it would require learner’s permit applicants to complete a DHSMV-approved classroom driver education course. The bill had one supportive appearance from A BET Florida and was reported favorably without debate. The committee also approved two transportation facility designation bills. SB 662 designated a portion of West Beaver Street in Duval County as Harry Frisch Street in honor of the Jacksonville businessman and philanthropist, and SB 706 designated a portion of U.S. 92/Gandy Boulevard as the Senator James A. Sebesta Memorial Highway, recognizing Sebesta’s public service and work on transportation issues. Both bills had no opposition or debate and were reported favorably. The committee then adjourned and noted it would meet again Wednesday to take up additional bills and begin budget rollout.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:33:48.480><c> it</c> state's ability to borrow bonding, it state's ability to borrow bonding
• The bond rating agencies had commented on the assumed rate of return.
• The bond rating agencies had commented on the assumed rate of return.
• The bond rating agencies had commented on the assumed rate of return.
• The bond rating agencies had commented on the assumed rate of return.

Committee: Joint Finance

Keywords: Finance - Room 216, 20 January, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 52:37.359><c> capital</c><00:52:37.680><c> investment</c><00:52:38.079><c> or</c><00:52:38.240><c> bonding
• </c><00:52:38.760><c> Bill</c> state capital investment or bonding Bill state capital investment or bonding
• Bonding was mentioned, and the proposal from the governor is cutting transportation over 1,228 million
• <01:01:48.599><c> a</c><01:01:48.720><c> billion</c><01:01:49.079><c> dollar</c><01:01:49.640><c> bonding
• </c><01:01:50.160><c> was</c> half a billion dollar bonding was half a billion dollar bonding was mentioned

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• original Browerville School District, went to the polls in the fall of 2023 and voted on a $16 million bond
• </c><00:05:00.720><c> a</c><00:05:00.800><c> $16</c><00:05:01.400><c> million</c><00:05:02.039><c> bond
• issue to uh to uh on a $16 million bond issue to uh to move<00:05:05.000><c> forward</c><00:05:05.600
• But we also have a senior population that overwhelmingly supports every bond and levy we put for our
• But we also have a senior population that overwhelmingly supports every bond and levy we put for our

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:42:12.560><c> of</c> things on issues like the bond of things on issues like the bond of children
• One of them is to assess the bond of the child with the parents. >> Yes.
• One of them is to assess the bond of the child with the parents.
• So just to name a few that come into question is assessing the bond between child and each parent and
• </c> the bond of a parent and a child. the bond of a parent and a child.

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have some bond initiatives. This is Calendar 8. Clerk will read the bond initiatives.
• We have some bond standing committees.
• Number will read the bond initiatives.
• They reading of the bond initiatives.
• </c> Baltimore City bonding initiatives. Baltimore City bonding initiatives.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, January 29, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened after a snow delay, heard an invocation from Reverend Scott Shelton, and conducted several floor introductions and recognitions, including birthday wishes for staff, a welcome for a temporary office staffer, recognition of the Center for Urban Families, and introduction of the week’s pages. The chamber then approved the prior journal and moved through bill and bond initiative readings, referring the listed measures to their standing committees or the capital budget subcommittee. The first substantive action was adoption of a favorable committee report on Senate Bill 17, an emergency bill authorizing the Baltimore City Board of Licensed Commissioners to issue a related event promoters permit for the CIAA tournament. The floor leader said the bill had no amendments, no fiscal impact, and no opposition in committee. The Senate adopted the report without objection and ordered the bill printed for third reading. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 1 from the Judicial Proceedings Committee, which would require the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to adopt a statewide policy on law enforcement face coverings, apply it to state, local, and federal officers in Maryland, and enforce violations through a civil citation and discipline. The committee report included two amendments: one technical and one making the policy statewide and preempting local policies. During extended debate, the bill’s sponsor argued that masks undermine transparency and trust and that the measure would create a uniform standard. A senator from Frederick County questioned whether the bill would effectively create a policy for federal agents without Maryland-specific training and raised concerns about enforcement, temporary detention, complaints, and possible conflicts with federal authority. The sponsor responded that officers would retain discretion, that the bill would be enforced through civil citations, and that similar civil enforcement mechanisms have been upheld in Maryland. No final vote on the amended report is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Select HB number 18 by Bond, relating to the authority of the comptroller to provide funding for the

Bills: HB4 , HB4

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Texas Legislature, elections, 2020 Census, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This approach has the potential to become one of the most environmentally responsible methods of critical
• mineral production anywhere in the world. ...to become one of the most environmentally responsible methods
• Amanda Bloom, with the California Association of Environmental Health Administrators, in support.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 1921 on video game shutdowns. The author and Consumer Reports supported requiring game operators to give 60 days’ notice before ending server support and to offer a menu of remedies, including refunds or playable/offline alternatives, while the Entertainment Software Association opposed the bill as an unwarranted new standard for digital products and raised safety and legal concerns about community servers. Members questioned the scope of refunds, copyright, and community-server issues, and the author said he was open to further amendments. The bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and placed on call. AB 1965, dealing with cannabis testing, was presented as a measure to strengthen the Department of Cannabis Control’s authority over testing labs and improve product safety and transparency. The California Cannabis Operators Association supported the bill, saying it would help ensure consistent standards and protect consumers in a market with a large illicit component. There was no opposition, and the bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and placed on call. The committee also heard AB 2141, which would allow the Board of Pharmacy to resolve certain disciplinary matters through a voluntary pre-accusation settlement process. The author and a supporting pharmacist said it would speed resolution of smaller, technical cases and reduce costs, while a member raised concerns about transparency and whether the public would have less information about licensee misconduct. The bill passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations, with Senator Menjivar voting no, and was placed on call. AB 2163, creating strategic clean energy and critical mineral development zones, was supported by the author and Imperial County as a way to prioritize geothermal and lithium development in areas like the Salton Sea region; it passed on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. Later, AB 1990 on compounded weight-loss drug advertising drew significant debate. Supporters argued it would curb misleading ads and require disclosures about risks and non-FDA approval, while opponents from the compounding pharmacy community said it would create burdens, duplicate existing false-advertising law, and could harm patient access. Members questioned whether the bill actually addressed targeting minors and whether it would force use of FDA-approved labeling; the author said the bill was meant to add specificity and guardrails. The bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Senate Judiciary, with some no votes, and placed on call. The committee also heard AB 2783 on court reporters, which would add a national certification pathway and extend a remote reporting pilot; it drew support from court reporting stakeholders and passed unanimously on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations, placed on call. Finally, AB 2771, the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education sunset bill, and AB 2772, the interior design certification sunset bill, were presented and heard with mixed testimony: AB 2771 received support from student and borrower advocates and was moved to Senate Education, while AB 2772 drew both support and strong opposition over CCIDC governance and accountability, with the committee hearing extensive public comment before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• These claims can mislead consumers who, like us, are trying to make environmentally responsible choices
• foundation for stronger government-to-government partnerships today in areas like economic development, environmental
• The motion is due pass to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. Umberg. Aye. Niello. Aye.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Calendar 955, Senate Print 1043, Senator May, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law
• The bill is passed. >> Calendar 963, Senate Print 1072, Senator Bottcher, an act to amend the Environmental
• Conservation Law. 1072 SENATOR BOTTCHER, AN ACT TO AMEND THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and handled several motions to discharge and substitute identical Assembly or Senate bills, along with a number of amendments. The chamber also welcomed student visitors from the League of Women Voters’ Students of Albany program and a group of Staten Island titleholders, and later adopted previously approved resolutions honoring Dorothy E. Reid for her role in Brown v. Board of Education and recognizing Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on Delta Day, with multiple senators speaking in support of both recognitions. The bulk of the floor session was devoted to third-reading votes on a large number of bills, most of which passed with broad support. Measures addressed public health, workers’ compensation, education, environmental conservation, insurance, labor, criminal procedure, domestic relations, tax, municipal authority, and correction law. Several bills were explained by sponsors as advancing stormwater management authority, labor-law transparency, public health protections, and stronger penalties for trafficking-related offenses; one bill on immunization in summer camps drew a defense from Senator Skoufis as a child-protection measure, while another on correction law passed with some Republican opposition. The chamber also took up a controversial public health/electronic health records bill by Senator Fernandez. Senator Martin questioned the bill at length about redacting certain categories of information, emergency access, provider obligations, and the impact on doctors’ ability to see complete medical histories. Fernandez said the bill was intended to protect patients from discrimination and to limit access to a small list of sensitive services, while also noting emergency exceptions and support from more than 200 health care providers. The debate remained focused on balancing privacy protections with concerns about continuity of care and record integrity.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our environmental systems course focuses on the health, safety, and welfare of occupants.
• Our environmental systems course focuses on the health, safety, and welfare of occupants through appropriate
• This is a year-long project where we apply the findings of environmental and behavior research to a hypothetical

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee continued a public hearing on House Bill 2897, which would expand optometrists’ scope of practice. Supporters, including Dr. Kelly Deering, said optometrists are trained to perform the listed office-based procedures, that rural Missouri lacks access to ophthalmologists, and that the bill would reduce wait times, travel burdens, and costs while helping retain students and practitioners in the state. Opponents, including representatives of the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, argued the bill does not guarantee rural access and said the procedures should remain within the medical/surgical training of physicians. Members also questioned training on live human eyes and how suspicious lesions would be handled. No vote was taken, and the hearing on HB 2897 was closed. The committee then heard House Bill 2353, which would create a licensing and sign-and-seal framework for interior designers and move oversight to the board that includes architects, engineers, land surveyors, and landscape architects. Sponsor Rep. Sherri Gallick and supporters said the bill modernizes regulation, recognizes accredited education and NCIDQ testing, and would let licensed interior designers take responsibility for non-structural interior design work without hiring an architect to stamp plans. Opponents from the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers and others said they were still negotiating but remained concerned about scope-of-practice language, especially phrases like “all interior design of buildings” and “publicly occupied buildings,” which they said could create overlap with architecture and engineering or unintended obligations for public entities. Testimony also focused on whether unlicensed interior designers would still be allowed to work under carve-outs. No final action was taken. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2241, which would create a separate framework for certain faith-based residential child care facilities to operate without a state license while registering with the state and meeting background-check, reporting, and oversight requirements. Sponsor Rep. Jamie Gregg and MACA representatives said the bill is intended to expand foster placement capacity for children in need while preserving the religious mission of Christian homes, and they cited federal and state initiatives encouraging partnerships with faith-based providers. Opponents argued the bill would create a two-tier system, weaken state licensing protections, and risk placing vulnerable children in facilities without the same direct oversight, inspections, and reunification safeguards as licensed foster homes. Members raised concerns about abuse history at some faith-based homes, the role of the proposed board, and whether religious practices or other mission-based rules would conflict with child welfare standards. The hearing continued with additional testimony; no vote was reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this program now funds our environmental protection in our state going forward in history.
• We also formed an environmental advisory council led by Jeff Molina to help guide our comprehensive strategy
• Over 600 community proposals came in to Jeff and his team for environmental projects reflecting local

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I added the teachers' obligated contract, and then there was a bond. It was a principal bond due.
• It was a principal there was a bond. It was a principal bond<00:20:16.720><c> due.
• So that roughly bond due. I added that.
• </c> might find yourself under some big bond might find yourself under some big bond obligation<01:16
• </c> bond that they previously agreed to? bond that they previously agreed to?

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The last area is lump-sum bond funds to continue long-term improvements in our facilities throughout
• We've been continuing to try and care for them over the years, and this lump-sum bond funding helps us
• funds to continue long-term bond funds to continue long-term improvements<01:16:37.199><c> in</c><01
• </c><01:16:57.239><c> funds</c><01:16:57.560><c> helps</c> um and so this lumpsum bond funds helps um
• </c><06:16:28.040><c> funds</c> there CIP and their longer bond funds there CIP and their longer bond

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Law Enforcement on its priorities following the January 1 transfer of law enforcement assets into the department, including the sheriff’s division, narcotics enforcement, criminal investigations, homeland security, and the inspector general’s office. DLE said its goals are to improve public safety, accountability, communications, training, and standards. The department outlined planned initiatives such as stronger federal partnerships, narcotics and gun-violence enforcement, an agricultural crime unit, traffic and commercial vehicle enforcement, an explosive/fireworks enforcement section, gun buybacks, new police facilities in the airport area, Aahu, and the leeward side, a state training center, upgraded law-enforcement IT, and efforts to narrow salary gaps with county departments to improve recruitment. A major portion of the discussion focused on illegal fireworks enforcement after the recent explosion tragedy. DLE said its current task force is small and relies on ad hoc support from HPD, the Attorney General’s office, criminal investigations, and sheriffs, which is not sustainable. The department requested eight FTEs for the effort—one administrator, two clerical staff, and six investigators—plus funding for a laboratory, equipment, storage, disposal, vehicles, safety gear, and a criminalist. DLE said the explosive enforcement section would use an existing facility and that the initial lab startup cost is about $2 million. Members asked for follow-up materials, and DLE said it would send the explosive enforcement forms and additional details to the Finance and Judiciary chairs. Members also questioned staffing vacancies, interagency coordination, and whether new specialized units could be filled. DLE said it has about 119 vacancies and that recruitment is hindered by a roughly $28,000 starting pay gap with county police departments; academy classes are down to about 12 to 14 recruits. The department said it is streamlining hiring, using QR-code recruitment, and hopes specialized units will attract applicants. On coordination, DLE said it works closely with HPD and other agencies on operations such as fireworks enforcement and public events, and that DOCARE remains a case-by-case partner but is not currently moving into DLE. The committee also received updates on the Silver Alert program, which is nearing rollout with county MOUs and a coordinator expected later in the month, the special duty officer program, which is being moved to a web-based vendor-managed system at no cost to the department, and the SaferWatch school safety system, which is being deployed statewide with annual software costs of $3,500 per school in the first year and $2,500 thereafter. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, right now, the Trump administration is not allowing bond hearings for people.
• So the only way to get out is Administration is not allowing bond hearings for people.
• previous administrations, would have been released on their own recognizance or even on a minimal bond
• So if you train people for a bond hearing and then bond hearings are no longer a thing, and habeas is
• Through the detention representation project, ILD was able to represent our clients on bonds, so they

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It eliminates a tool boards use to balance budgets and stabilize rates. support strong bond ratings and
• low support strong bond ratings and low borrowing<00:43:56.640><c> costs</c><00:43:57.400><c> because
• 17 to 20% So, compare that with the 17 to 20% recommended<00:44:23.600><c> by</c><00:44:23.760><c> bond
• rating agencies and recommended by bond rating agencies and commonly<00:44:25.600><c> done</c><00:44
• </c> bond agencies. bond agencies.

Keywords: 1189, house, all