Transcript Highlights:

• So, we just recommend an addition to make sure that those offenses are both tiered.
• , um which is it also needs to be tiered, um which is the<00:56:30.040> 846E-10.
• <00:56:35.440> way<00:56:35.840> of Tiered is just the statute's way of Tiered is just
• offenses are both tiered. offenses are both tiered.
• tiered tiered and<01:20:17.280> to<01:20:17.440> make<01:20:17.640> the<01:20:17.800

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 963, which would make crimes against elders age 60 and over strict liability offenses by removing the requirement that the perpetrator knew or should have known the victim’s age. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that removing the state-of-mind element would create unfair and subjective results and suggesting sentencing enhancements or broader vulnerability-based language instead. Supporters, including Sandy Wong and another testifier with elder-abuse experience, said the current knowledge requirement creates a loophole that lets offenders avoid the elder enhancement even when they target vulnerable older adults. No vote was taken on the measure in the portion provided. The committee also heard HB 384, which increases penalties for promoting minor-produced sexual images, extends probation terms for felony obscenity offenses, tolls the statute of limitations during a victim’s minority, and requires sex offender registration for certain felony obscenity offenses involving minors. The Public Defender opposed the bill as overly broad and warned of absurd results, while the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney supported it, saying the bill addresses sextortion and other exploitation cases where adults solicit images from minors and that the 3-year age-gap threshold preserves ordinary teen relationships. Committee members questioned whether the bill was aimed at adults only and whether the age-gap carveout was narrow enough; the prosecutor said it was intended to cover adult predators and not consensual peer conduct. No final action was reported. HB 1100, which renames the Neighbor Islands Blind and Visually Impaired Service Pilot Program to use “low vision” instead of “visually impaired,” was supported by the Department of Human Services and disability advocates, who said the current term is derogatory and that the change responds to the blind community. The department said it was beginning work on administrative rules and expected to seek an appropriation, with implementation hoped for in 2026. The committee then heard HB 1283, exempting paternity proceedings from mediation when domestic abuse is alleged; the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and others supported it as consistent with divorce law and important for survivor safety. HB 689, creating safe harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement help, drew support from HPD, Emua Alliance, the Judiciary, and others, who said it would prevent traffickers from using prostitution charges to silence victims. Finally, HB 383, reinstating mandatory minimum jail terms for successive violations of protective orders and removing the court’s ability to suspend those minimums, drew opposition from the Public Defender, who said some repeat violations stem from mental health or substance use issues, and support from the Prosecuting Attorney, who argued the bill treats protective orders like temporary restraining orders and preserves judicial discretion within a misdemeanor framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, when we think about that three-tiered delivery model, we often go to just those levels of tiered
• with autism through a multi-tiered with autism through a multi-tiered system<00:41:13.440> of
• with how we build in the support at tier with how we build in the support at tier one.<00:41:31.880
• And when we think about providing support through our tier two and tier three interventions, we're really
• tier two and tier support through our tier two and tier three<00:42:48.440> interventions,<00:

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Following that, Senate Bill 325, an act relating to the regional planning in Act 250 tier jurisdiction
• <00:11:32.720> jurisdiction in Act 250 tier jurisdiction in Act 250 tier jurisdiction jurisdiction
• of Conference report on Senate Bill 325, which is an act relating to regional planning and Act 250 tiered
• Senate Bill 325 is an act relating to regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction.
• regional planning and Act 250 tier regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction. jurisdiction

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a moment of silence, then reported favorable on House Bill 954, relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the town of Stowe, and referred it to Ways and Means. Members then adopted JRS 54, a joint resolution setting weekend adjournment so the two houses would reconvene no later than Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Several announcements followed, including a Memorial Day remembrance, which was journalized, an art project in the card room, and a recognition of Harwood Union High School athletes and one individual champion. The House also heard a farewell and birthday acknowledgment for a departing member from Bennington. The calendar was then announced, with House Bill 932, Senate Bill 325, and Senate Bill 323 slated for consideration. The House suspended rules to take up House Bill 932 immediately and concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment. The bill concerns regulation of forestry under Act 250, and the Stowe member explained the amendment was a narrow technical revision developed with the Land Use Review Board and the Agency of Natural Resources. The House then suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 325, heard a 6-0 committee of conference report on regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction, and adopted the report after brief questioning about noise limits. The House also suspended rules to message its action to the Senate forthwith. Senate Bill 323 was postponed to the afternoon session, and the House recessed until 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• For Tier One employees, we've moved the retirement requirement from 25 years of service to 30.
• We changed the retirement age from 52 years to 55 years, and this is for Tier One employees.
• You have to be a classroom teacher for Tier... You have to be a classroom teacher for Tier Two.
• Small increases will boost the state's contribution to the tier one rate, which would go up by...% and
• the tier...

Bills: SB45, SB73, SB169, HB243, SB177

Keywords: athlete agents, commission, state regulation, Alabama, higher education, athletics, membership diversity, catastrophe savings account, catastrophe fund, storm savings, disaster savings, hurricane, windstorm, floodwaters, hail, tornado, property insurance, homeowners insurance, insurance deductible, FORTIFIED

Transcript Highlights:

• S. 325, an act relating to planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction, introduced by the Senate Committee
• S. 325, an act relating to regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction.
• If it fell within a Tier 1A area.
• The amendment that's coming will make a change to this section, removing the reference to Tier 1A.
• <00:31:11.360> 1A<00:31:11.920> areas, exceptions, Tier 1A areas, exceptions, Tier

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House began with a devotional and then took up several Senate bills for first reading and referral: S. 323 on miscellaneous agricultural subjects, S. 325 on regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction, and S. 328 on housing and common interest communities. The chamber then adopted House Resolution 16, reaffirming Vermont’s friendship with Taiwan and supporting stronger bilateral relations and Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after its reading, and remarks followed welcoming guests from Hazen Union School and Director General Charles Lao of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston. During the action calendar, the House postponed action on H. 657, relating to services for unaccompanied homeless youth, for one legislative day. It then passed H. 727 on sustainable data center deployment, H. 935 on emergency management, and H. 938 establishing the Vermont homelessness response continuum. The House also committed H.R. 15, another Taiwan friendship resolution, to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development. The main substantive debate centered on H. 941, relating to municipal regulation of agriculture. The committee explained the bill as a response to a Vermont Supreme Court ruling and described it as restoring limits on municipal regulation of farms while allowing narrow local exceptions and creating a stakeholder group to continue studying the issue. Testimony came from a broad range of agricultural, municipal, and policy stakeholders, and the committee reported a 7-0-1 vote. An amendment offered by Representative Durfee, based on feedback from the House Environment Committee, replaced a Tier 1A concept with parcel-size-based exceptions, clarified state authority over growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers, and adjusted the stakeholder charge; the House adopted the amendment and ordered the bill to third reading. The House also heard announcements about committee appointments, caucus meetings, a public hearing on community safety concerns, and then adjourned until April 1, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• 4, the Tier 4 diesel train exemption.
• But aren't you incentivizing non-Tier 4 purchases with this?
• If you ran a Tier 3 system, for example, you would receive no benefits from this bill.
• They would be Tier 4. It's not zero-emission, right?
• system improvements on Tier 4 systems, entirely 100% exclusively used by Tier 4 locomotives, you have

Summary: The committee first established a quorum, adopted the consent calendar for SB 423 and SB 581, and then heard a series of bills, most of which were presented as streamlining or safety measures tied to transportation, climate, public lands, health care, and higher education. SB 71 by Senator Wiener would extend and expand a CEQA exemption for sustainable transportation projects, adding modes such as microtransit, paratransit, shuttles, and ferries, while also accepting committee amendments that narrowed a Tier 4 diesel rail provision, restored existing right-of-way language with utility protections, and set a new sunset date. Support came from transit agencies, local governments, and advocacy groups; some members raised concerns about the diesel rail language and possible interactions with housing-related legislation, but the bill advanced on a due pass vote as amended. The committee then heard SB 614 by Senator Stern on carbon dioxide pipeline safety. The bill would direct the State Fire Marshal to adopt safety standards for intrastate CO2 pipelines, building from federal draft rules and adding state discretion and possible enhanced protections such as planning zones and more detailed exposure modeling. Supporters argued California needs to fill a federal regulatory gap to advance carbon capture and climate goals, while environmental justice and conservation groups opposed unless amended, citing risks from CO2 leaks and asking for stronger siting restrictions and more specificity. The bill passed on a due pass vote to Appropriations, with members noting the need for continued work on the safety provisions. Senator Arreguín also presented SB 304, which would temporarily lift public trust use restrictions on specific land at Jack London Square to allow the Port of Oakland more leasing flexibility under conditions and annual reporting. The measure was described as a limited, time-bound effort to address high vacancy and revitalize the waterfront, and it drew support from Oakland city and county representatives with no opposition in the room. The committee then approved SB 304 on a due pass vote. Arreguín’s SB 830 followed, creating CEQA streamlining for Sutter Health’s new Emeryville hospital campus and designating the City of Emeryville as lead agency; supporters said it would preserve East Bay hospital access before seismic deadlines, and the bill passed with broad support and no opposition. Finally, Senator Caballero presented SB 486, a higher education planning bill intended to align UC and CSU enrollment growth with regional sustainable communities plans and to remove the need to analyze a no-project alternative in certain long-range development plans. Supporters said the bill would better integrate university enrollment forecasting into regional planning, while opponents warned that eliminating the no-project analysis could weaken accountability for housing and infrastructure impacts around campuses. Committee members expressed mixed views and asked for further clarification, but the bill was moved out on a due pass as amended vote to Appropriations. The transcript then shifted to SB 629, a fire response and rebuilding bill, with the author describing amendments to apply fire safety requirements in wildfire-burned areas, update fire mapping, and require annual defensible space inspections, though the discussion was cut off before any final action was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are working on reforming those tiers.
• That this tier, these tiers, this 50,000, is that operating or is that assets and operating for a small
• As you know, certain tiers are dependent on progress in...
• Tiers.
• From my understanding, most of the tiers are kind of your lower level, tiers one through three.

Transcript Highlights:

• We rely on Math Corps to support our Tier 2 students.
• math core to like Barnum we rely on math core to support<00:03:03.480> our<00:03:03.680> tier
• 2 students math core support our tier 2 students math core approach<00:03:06.799> includes<00
• program allowed me to obtain my tier program allowed me to obtain my tier three<01:57:32.719>
• um<01:58:48.639> the as a tier tier one teacher um the as a tier tier one teacher um the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Wellesley High School Girls' Indoor Track and Field Team won their eighth consecutive MIAA Division II

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and briefly recognized the Wellesley High School Girls’ Indoor Track and Field Team for winning its eighth consecutive MIAA Division II State Championship. The team was welcomed to the State House and noted as touring with Representative/Leader Peisch and head coach John Griffin. The main legislative action was a Rules Committee report recommending suspension of Joint Rule 12 on a petition by Representative James J. O’Day to establish a sick leave bank for Dana Johnson, an employee of the Department of Children and Families, and to send the matter to the Committee on Public Service. The House voted to suspend the rules and then suspended Joint Rule 12. The House also adopted an order to adjourn when it recessed that day and to reconvene on Thursday at 11 a.m. The chamber then voted to adjourn, with notice given of a Democratic caucus scheduled for Wednesday at noon in Room A1.

Transcript Highlights:

• And some of it's just, "I certify I have this much money" at the lowest tier, right?
• And as you go up the tiers to tier six. you're getting closer and closer to a full financial audit.
• We basically walk them through how to get into OSA and submit those tier certifications, those AUPs,
• We walk them through what an example contract would look like and what they should be doing for tier
• Certain things just to even be in a Tier One, it's not.

Transcript Highlights:

• than what Social Security is, because our latest TRS, uh, we call them account types, but benefit tier
• And we already have 22% of our active members in that tier.
• Even that latest tier is a very good, solid benefit for our teachers. Very good.
• uh the actual cost of it at benefit tier uh the actual cost of it at that<00:03:28.319> point
• So uh and 95% of our that tier.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance heard testimony from Bo Barnes, deputy executive secretary and general counsel for the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), on the TRS budget request for the upcoming biennium and how it compares with House Bill 500 as introduced. Barnes emphasized that the bill fully funds the system’s additional funding request to pay down TRS’s legacy unfunded pension liability, which he described as critical to the system’s long-term funding plan. He also explained that the pension and health insurance requests are broken into several line items, including legacy benefit items, state shared-responsibility payments for retiree health insurance, and reconciliation items that adjust for prior over- or underpayments. Barnes said the state portion of shared responsibility for retiree health insurance was funded below the request in House Bill 500, but he described the health insurance trust as a success story under the post-2010 shared-responsibility model. He said the trust is projected to be fully funded in about two years if medical inflation and federal subsidies remain stable, and he noted that any shortfall in the current budget would be reconciled later and could reduce investment income. In response to questions, he explained that the legacy benefit items are treated as part of the total actuarially determined employer contribution and that unpaid legacy benefits would have the same impact on the retirement trust as unpaid ADC amounts. Barnes also addressed questions about whether the $47.2 million SEEK-related teacher contribution reconciliation could be split between fiscal years, saying it could be done but would reduce investment income and potentially increase future contribution needs. He said the pension fund is currently about 61% funded and that TRS has received full funding for the pension for 10 straight years, with the state having provided full additional funding and more in recent budgets. He concluded by asking the committee to consider TRS’s original budget request, warning that underfunding now would be reflected in future actuarial calculations and could cost the Commonwealth more over time.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Kendricks with e ii and zero nay unanimously passed.

Bills: HJR1096, HJR1097, HJR1098, HJR1099, HJR1100

Keywords: Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, OMMA, medical marijuana, cannabis, marijuana regulation, administrative rules, major rule changes, joint resolution, legislative rule approval, Title 75, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC, licensing, compliance, enforcement, dispensary, grower, processor, patient access, health care authority

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:54:26.400> Um um by uh creating a fifth tier. Um um by uh creating a fifth tier.
• Creating a fifth-tier income tax and increasing the income thresholds for the lower four tiers will provide
• Creating a fifth-tier income tax and increasing the income thresholds for the lower four tiers will provide
• A fifth tier income individual level.
• top tier rate in the country.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, nothing was closer to Adrienne's heart than walking down the end of her street to the World War II

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then considered a motion by Senator Collins to adjourn in memory of Ms. Adrian M. Morrissey of South Boston. The chamber heard a detailed remembrance of Morrissey’s family, her devotion to her grandchildren, her Irish heritage, her involvement in the South Boston Irish American Society, and her appreciation for military service and veterans’ traditions. The motion was approved, and the Senate observed a moment of silence in her memory. Senator O’Connor then offered an order for the Senate to adjourn and reconvene on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. The order was adopted by voice vote. Senator O’Connor subsequently moved that the Senate adjourn, and that motion also passed by voice vote, ending the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• previous Tier 1 through 3 TRS members.
• <00:06:55.400> TRS previous tier tier 1 through 3 TRS previous tier tier 1 through 3 TRS members
• Because that is the cash-out value at the end for retirement for TRS tiers 1 through 3 members.
• Again, I go back to TRS Tier 1 through 3.
• Because right now with Tier 4, that's been a tough conversation for us to be able to have.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee opened with roll call, recognized homeschool families and Military Kids Day guests, and then took up two bills sponsored by Senator Matt Nunn. Senate Bill 124 would let local school districts create an optional sick-leave cash-out program for teachers, with payouts at current salary rates, a 15-day minimum remaining balance, and a cap discussed in the testimony. Supporters, including Scott County Superintendent Billy Parker, said the measure is intended to reduce substitute shortages, give teachers more flexibility, and avoid adding state pension liability; committee members also noted a related provision allowing use of sick days for religious holidays not on the school calendar. The committee adopted a sub on Senate Bill 124 and then passed the bill unanimously after a motion, second, and roll call vote. During discussion, members emphasized the compounding value of the cash-out option for teachers and the potential benefit to families, while Senator Higdon and others praised the bill as a win-win for districts and staff. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 101, also by Senator Nunn, and adopted a committee substitute by voice vote. Nunn said the sub removed a provision that would have allowed county attorneys to charge some 14- and 15-year-olds as adults. As amended, the bill requires local boards to adopt a policy imposing at least a 12-month expulsion for students in grades 6-12 who assault, batter, or abuse school personnel without provocation, with an exception for disability-related conduct under an IEP, and requires immediate reporting of intentional assaults or attempted assaults on school employees to law enforcement, with penalties for noncompliance. Nunn and a teacher who submitted a written statement described the bill as a response to repeated assaults on educators and the fear and injuries that can drive teachers from the profession. Members began questioning the bill, with Senator Carroll asking about alternative school options for expelled students; discussion was still underway when the transcript ended, and no final vote on Senate Bill 101 was shown in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next slide looks at our 2024 preliminary findings by tier, and when we say tier, we're breaking out
• So our tier one is counties that have a population of 120,000 or more.
• Tier two is less than 120,000 all the way down to 20,000, and tier three is less than 20,000.
• one and Tier 2 and any other Rate levy that's that goes into the total school district rate.
• Tier one property taxes is through compression over a homestead exemption.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next slide looks at our 2024 preliminary findings by. tier.
• And when we say tier, we're breaking out the counties by population.
• So our tier one is counties that have a population of 120,000 or more.
• Tier 2 is less than 120,000. the way down to 20,000, and Tier 3 is less than 20,000.
• But those exemptions apply to both Tier 1 and Tier 2. and any other rate levy that's that goes into the

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to the permission granted in clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, May 26, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:57:15.640> you get the gold or the platinum tier, you get the gold or the platinum tier
• tiers or designated<00:58:54.080> these<00:58:54.280> two<00:58:54.440> tiers<00
• one<02:42:47.600> RPS for our tier one RPS for our tier one RPS not<02:42:49.800> by
• <03:00:18.360> one uh the SRECs which are the tier one uh the SRECs which are the tier one
• <03:00:22.240> one solar wrecks the the non uh tier one solar wrecks the the non uh tier one

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, April 2, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation by Reverend J.C. Austin of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, and journalized the prayer. Members also introduced several guests and interns, including a shadow from the 45th District, a Legislative Black Caucus fellow, a ninth-grade author from Annapolis High School, a World Autism Acceptance Day group in the gallery, and a student shadowing the Senator from District 30. The chamber then moved to House bills on second reading and Senate bills on third reading. The Senate adopted favorable committee reports and passed several House bills without objection, including measures extending the Maryland Horse Industry Board sunset, requiring housing counseling information for certain first-time homebuyers, expanding the educator expense tax subtraction to full-time pre-K teachers, increasing funding for the State Library Resource Center, extending agricultural use assessment eligibility for community solar projects, allowing the Seat Pleasant Police Department to join the Law Enforcement Officers Pension System, authorizing changes to a tax sale legacy protection program, and granting special taxing authority for the Village of Drummond. The chamber also adopted seven amendments to Senate Bill 1007 on state debt authorizations and ordered it printed for third reading. On final passage, Senate Bill 956 on Maryland Transportation Authority video toll collections passed with 44 affirmative votes. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 841, a major energy affordability and utility reform bill, with two committee amendments adopted. The bill was described as providing short-, medium-, and long-term rate relief, including changes to EmPOWER Maryland, utility cost recovery, data center tariffs, net metering, solar policy, transmission planning, battery storage, nuclear incentives, and low-income assistance. Debate began on the amended report, and a motion to lay the bill over was withdrawn while members discussed waiting on additional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• And for the Tier 2 program, $142 million was awarded when the total demand for Tier 2 funds was over
• Appreciate it. demand for tier 2 Funds was over $330 demand for tier 2 Funds was over $330 million<00
• c> priority as is and just expand it to priority as is and just expand it to that<00:28:03.440> tier
• 2 program thank you very much that tier 2 program thank you very much thank<00:28:06.440> you
• The House has expressed our position on Tier 2 and the rental revolving fund already in HB 432, which

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing-related measures. SB 38 SD2 drew mixed testimony on changes to 21H projects, with HHFDC supporting and county and community groups split between support and opposition. In discussion, members focused on how county legislative bodies can alter projects in ways that increase costs, including changes to AMI mixes and fee waivers. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, limiting county changes that would impose stricter conditions than HHFDC, stricter AMI requirements, or reduced fee waivers; the motion passed with one member voting with reservations and two members excused. A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 71 SD2, which would revise the rental housing revolving fund. Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi YIMBY, and NAAP Hawaiʻi opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken support for deeply affordable units, eliminate the 5% set-aside for households at or below 30% AMI, and create a funding gap for households between 60% and 120% AMI. Supporters of the bill, including public housing and some development interests, emphasized the need to redirect funding and make the program more flexible. In decision-making, the committee described the bill as making comprehensive changes that would narrow Tier 2 toward higher-income projects and favor shorter loan terms, then moved it out with amendments. The committee also heard and advanced several other measures with little or no opposition: SB 40 SD2 on state finances, SB 378 on HHFDC, SB 572 SD1 on housing, SB 1229 ST2 on the dwelling unit revolving fund, and SB 602 on the Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority all received support testimony and were moved forward. For SB 65 SD2, HPHA and other agencies supported the measure, and HPHA testified it sought roughly $8 million to $10 million for repair and maintenance of units not covered by CIP funds. The committee also took up SB 826 SD1 on the low-income housing tax credit, where HHFDC, the Tax Foundation, and DHHL expressed confusion over the bill’s intent and whether it would bar state agencies from using LIHTC financing; no action was taken on that item in the excerpt. SB 944 SD2 on LIHTC transferability drew support and a suggestion to keep clarifying language that notifies the tax department, and the committee indicated it would keep the provision in.