Transcript Highlights:

• That was a $6 million subsidy for the affordable housing units compared to what I'm paying, what I'm
• In this case, the developers will pay the bonding company a fee or premium to issue the bond much like
• relationship and what happens when a, when a tenant overstays their, their, uh, Um, their lease or is not paying
• disputes where there's an actual dispute about unpaid rent or about a lease that's been violated and differentiating

Transcript Highlights:

• housing units that was a $6 million subsidy for the affordable housing units compared to what I'm paying
• In this case, the developers will pay the bonding company a fee or premium to issue the bond, much like
• landlord-tenant situation. ...relationship and what happens when a tenant overstays their lease or is not paying
• where there's an actual dispute about unpaid rent or about a lease that’s been violated, and it differentiates

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And because the developer needs to pay back, they tend to develop in what I would call businesses that
• The Opportunity Enterprise prioritization policies do not differentiate by industry.
• I want them to differentiate and prioritize.
• So, page one, the red underlined portion, we're talking about being able to pay administrative costs
• So yes, the bulk of what we pay for is. The development and installation of these projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill makes sense for several reasons besides helping to ensure low-income people can afford to pay
• My child support obligations began in 1995, and over time, as I could not pay the full amount, my child
• child support in paying that child support.
• I would expect to say that PTs are trained in schooling and thereafter in differential diagnosis.
• And then my next question is, how do you differentiate dry needling from acupuncture?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We obviously know pay is one of them.
• Chief Rosie Medina: I think it's differentiating.
• We were paying for everything for this young man.
• We're trying to pay for this. If you don't want it, just tell me.
• Wood: doesn't differentiate between the two? Linda Garcia: Correct. Mr. Wood: OK.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paying five years is actually still fairly expensive in this case.
• Paying five years is actually still fairly expensive in this case.
• Paying five years is actually still fairly expensive in this case.
• <00:11:19.360> for<00:11:19.920> every have to pay for every have to pay for every
• sellers who don't follow any laws or pay sellers who don't follow any laws or pay taxes<00:48:18.280

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 655 would limit collection of unpaid motor vehicle taxes, fees, and penalties to the most recent five consecutive years of delinquency. The Department of Transportation opposed the bill, saying it could significantly affect state and county revenues and that the fiscal impact was hard to estimate. The Tax Foundation noted the bill would shorten the existing collection period, while an individual testifier supported it as a narrow measure that would help owners of old or inherited vehicles. In questioning, the department said it could not quantify the cost but suggested it would prefer case-by-case flexibility rather than a fixed five-year limit. HB 697 would authorize Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement personnel to inspect and certify evidence from automated speed enforcement systems and would appropriate funds for the program. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, citing the workload created by the red-light camera pilot and the need to assist police and prosecutors. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended technical amendments so the verification language would apply consistently across the chapter and allow the appropriate reviewing entity to act. The committee also heard support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and opposition from three individuals. HB 711 would require defendants convicted of causing the death of a parent or legal guardian of a minor child while driving under the influence to provide financial support to the surviving child. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that criminal restitution must be tied to verified losses and that this type of long-term support is better handled in civil court, where trusts, conservatorships, and insurance claims can be addressed. The Department of Transportation supported the bill as a deterrent to impaired driving, and police, prosecutors, and an injury prevention group also submitted support. Members questioned whether the measure was better suited to civil litigation, and the public defender agreed that the civil system was the proper venue. HB 108 would allow direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees and require county liquor commissions to adopt rules. The Attorney General raised constitutional concerns, saying the bill’s different treatment of out-of-state manufacturers could violate the dormant Commerce Clause and recommended revisions. Brewers and distillers testified in support, saying the bill would put beer and spirits on a similar footing with wine direct shipment, help small producers reach consumers, and support the local economy without increasing underage access. They also said the bill should be amended to address grandfathering language. No final votes or committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Where there is no guarantee of the volume or complexity of requests submitted, the ability to pay the
• <00:47:47.119> for this is a real differentiator for this is a real differentiator for attracting
• Um the new uh new market paying jobs.
• who pay the non-resident entertainer<01:15:05.280> tax.
• So, we're going to pay $3 million Okay.

Bills: HF2048, HF2360, HF2006, HF950, HF912, HF3140, HF2931

Keywords: individual income tax, retirement contributions, tax corrections, annuity contracts, tax year attribution, tax credit, economic development, community investment, data disclosure, Minnesota regulations, tax increment financing, municipal authority, job creation, transferred increment, public hearing, nonresident employees, income tax exemption, Minnesota taxation, employment duties, tax withholding

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:19.080> both paying they're going to be paying both paying they're going to be paying
• Also, that is now 80% of all of our Social Security recipients pay no taxes on their benefits.
• Also, that is now 80% of all of our Social Security recipients pay no taxes on their benefits.
• charge that to the consumer how to pay charge that to the consumer how to pay that<01:15:06.040>
• withhold on your income so you can pay withhold on your income so you can pay that<01:39:14.119>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee met to hear a presentation from the Commissioner of Revenue on Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s tax proposal, with members told no public testimony would be taken because bill language was not yet available. The commissioner said the proposal would lower the statewide sales tax rate by 0.75 percentage points while expanding sales tax to selected professional services such as legal, brokerage, banking, and accounting, with several carve-outs. He emphasized that the plan would not add business-to-business sales taxes, arguing that taxing business inputs leads to tax pyramiding and higher hidden consumer costs. The commissioner said the rate cut would be the first sales tax rate cut in state history and estimated it at about $95 million annually, while the service expansions would raise about $203 million to $205 million annually, for a net increase of roughly $110 million per year. He said the proposal is part of the governor’s broader budget, which he described as addressing long-term structural deficits and funding other priorities such as an R&D credit, an expanded sustainable aviation fuel credit, fraud prevention, and service-member retention bonuses. He also said the carve-outs and exemptions would be reflected in the revenue estimate. Members questioned whether the proposal was truly a tax cut or instead a tax increase, and several asked for a revenue-neutral rate if all or more services were taxed. One member raised concerns about how pro bono legal work with a fee would be treated, and another asked about possible streamlining issues and whether fees are treated as taxes in statute. The commissioner said a fee would be taxable depending on the arrangement and that the department would review the language carefully once drafted. He also said the department would provide more detailed estimates later, including what the rate would be if the tax were made revenue neutral. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• No differential tuition. Okay. Because there are a lot of our universities around here.
• Good-paying job as compared to 15, 20, 30 years ago.
• But other than that, it's almost like you get what you pay for.
• But then the student ends up having to pay more. Is that correct?
• Yeah, the consumer would pay more. Okay. So that, how would you plan... ...consumer would pay more.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 399 by Senator Bass, which would create the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to review and potentially block certain gifts, contracts, academic partnerships, and research partnerships involving foreign adversary sources. Bass said the bill is intended to protect university research, intellectual property, and students from foreign influence, and would also require public disclosure of certain foreign-linked arrangements and a plan to eliminate foreign-adversary-linked software. Supporters from State Armor argued Louisiana universities have been vulnerable to Chinese Communist Party influence and intellectual property theft. Representatives from Tulane University and Lenovo raised concerns that the bill could create duplicative review, delay research, raise costs, and sweep in legitimate private or multinational entities; a proposed amendment to exempt entities operating under a CFIUS national security agreement failed 4-8. After debate, the committee moved SB 399 favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 310 by Senator Cloud, presented by Representative Carlson, which would require public school and college health centers to display information about pregnancy resources available in Louisiana. Supporters from Louisiana Right to Life said the bill would help connect pregnant students with existing state and private assistance programs, while the ACLU submitted a red card in opposition without speaking. The bill was moved favorably without objection. The committee also advanced House Resolution 171 by Representative Turner, which calls for a study of the workforce-oriented TOPS Tech and M.J. Foster programs, with business and workforce groups supporting the study as a way to measure outcomes and return on investment; it was moved favorably. Next, the committee took up House Bill 1084 by Representative Turner, a tuition autonomy bill for public post-secondary institutions. An amendment was adopted to add a conceptual framework for tuition-setting considerations, but the bill would still remove the existing 10% over two years cap and allow institutions to set tuition more freely. Turner argued universities need more flexibility because state funding has declined and campuses face deferred maintenance and operating pressures. Several members, especially Representative Carlson, warned that higher tuition could reduce access and that the bill did not address broader structural problems in higher education. Despite those concerns, HB 1084 was moved favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 351 by Senator Jackson Andrews, which would let families apply for child care assistance through CCAP once pregnancy is known, rather than waiting until after birth, to help move them up the waiting list. An amendment was adopted to have BESE, rather than the department, handle rulemaking and to allow the House and Senate education committees to approve the implementation process. The bill was then discussed as a way to help parents return to work sooner, and the hearing continued with questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• These bonds can be up to $15,000, and if you're required to pay them online, you could be forced to pay
• Members, House Bill 377 concerns the State Examiner and Deputy Examiner pay structure.
• Pay Plan.
• HB 377 removes those restrictions, and it does not give a pay raise.
• But does your bill differentiate between public employers and private employers? It does not.

Bills: HR153, HR154, HR155, HR156, HR157, HR158, HCR57, HCR58, HCR59, HR133, HR134, HR135, HR136, HR137, HR138, HR139, HR140, HR141, HR142, HR144, HR145, HR146, HR147, HR148, HR149, HR150, HR151, HR152, SCR28, SB141, SB169, SB206, SB233, SB417, SB421, SB429, SB437, SB477, SB510, SB521, HR1, HR17, HCR5, HB55, HB385, HB394, HB396, HB406, HB608, HB622, HB676, HB772, HB897, HB902, HB943, HB1030, HB1035, HB1038, HB1045, HB1049, HB1056, HB1058, HB1059, HB1092, HB1100, HB1117, HB1160, HB1161, HB1162, HB1177, HB1180, HB1189, HB1216, HB1239, HB1240, SB127, HB284, HB1, HB2, HB3, HB312, HB313, HB383, HB314, HCR3, HB983, HB1126, HB21, HB24, HB29, HB31, HB39, HB45, HB77, HB136, HB150, HB263, HB273, HB299, HB315, HB376, HB377, HB431, HB444, HB450, HB519, HB533, HB538, HB559, HB562, HB663, HB664, HB715, HB717, HB805, HB822, HB823, HB834, HB864, HB867, HB1017, HB1018, HB1068, HB1134, HB1137, HB1234, HB1235, HB1236, HB211, HB27, HB71, HB214, HB225, HB241, HB244, HB306, HB345, HB366, HB446, HB511, HB514, HB655, HB730, HB743, HB1027, HB1037, HB1043, HB1082, HB1091, HB1096, HB1103, HB1167, HB1174, HB1175, HB1230, HB1237, HB1238, SB162, SB349, SB350, SB382, SB383, HB401, HB51, HB58, HB140, HB982, HB1010, HB132, HB193, HB635, HB690, HB1003, HB750, HB911, HB151, HB180, HB192, HB310, HB961, HB1146, HB977, HB181, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB9, HB393, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB615, HB682, HB733, HB773, HB996, HB1113

Keywords: commendation, robotics, high school, competition, education, Tomato Festival, community celebration, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, fundraising, local heritage, Holocaust, remembrance, Yom HaShoah, Jewish history, condolences, community service, law enforcement, legacy, Shreveport, D.A.R.E. Program

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the pledge, and then spent much of the day recognizing visiting groups and designating several appreciation days and local observances, including Arc Appreciation Day, Film Louisiana Day, Iberville Parish Day, and others. Members also welcomed groups such as the Arc of Louisiana, Teach for America, occupational therapists, Beta Club members, and various local delegations and honorees. Several personal privilege remarks highlighted community service, local festivals, and memorial recognitions, including a resolution honoring Judge Alvin Batiz Jr. on his retirement and a memorial bridge designation for Lance Corporal Justin D. McLeese. The chamber received Senate messages and referred a number of Senate bills to committees, while also adopting or concurring in numerous House and Senate resolutions. Among the substantive floor actions, the House adopted bills and resolutions dealing with retirement systems, local government boards, court costs and fees, public records, education, insurance, and criminal justice. Notable measures included bills on teacher retirement reemployment, municipal police retirement changes, fire and police civil service updates, judicial expense funds, juvenile court filing fees, and a bill creating a homeless diversion pilot program in Orleans Parish. The House also debated and passed several local and statewide bills by wide margins, including measures on aerial applicator safety, cell-cultured food labeling, alcohol permit restrictions in Shreveport, waste collection contract renewals, and a backdrop retirement option for certain judges if their positions are abolished. One notable bill, House Bill 444 on the East Baton Rouge Recreation and Park Commission, drew opposition over board appointments and failed 37-49. Another bill, House Bill 284 on expropriation by declaration of taking, had previously failed and was returned to the calendar. Most other bills considered were adopted or passed, often with technical amendments, and many were moved to third reading or had titles adopted later.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I think that's a major differentiator there.
• And so I think that's a major differentiator there.

Bills: SB156, SB467

Keywords: gun violence, firearm safety, special counsel, data collection, community initiatives, grants, Attorney General, public safety, suicide prevention, cybersecurity, information security, state agency, data protection, confidentiality, 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• only a three-year program, number two, and the fact that we will be looking at the fees they'll be paying
• We have differentiated ourselves as non-physician osteopaths, ensuring that we distinguish our role as
• So I'm looking for the kinds of differentiations between the different services offered so that the public
• inconsistent guidance, administrative backlogs, and in some cases as little as 24 hours notice before pay
• You can't take my house away from me for not paying the bill, that kind of thing.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Expanded Learning Opportunities Program is the state's primary before- and after-school program, and it pays
• On differentiated assistance, we just flag that while we are supportive of the three-year time period
• We would want to ensure that the Legislature maintains, in any updated differentiated assistance system
• Early in my career, I was a cafeteria manager, and I witnessed that if a student couldn't pay for the
• meals, it became student debt, and if they couldn't pay for that meal right there, then we would give

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what is the differentiation? You use both terms, so I would know.
• Over the many years that I've been exposed to this process, there was some differential number of bridge
• The operations and maintenance costs pay for everything that you might imagine it takes to operate a
• fall of 2027 to actually have commitments from the Oregon and Washington side for the mechanism to pay
• for operating... ...from the Oregon and Washington side for the mechanism to pay for operations and

Summary: The Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee met for a work session and public hearing on the Interstate 5 bridge replacement program. Program staff outlined major milestones, including the recent biological opinion, the Coast Guard’s opening of a public comment period on the Navigation Impact Report, expected decisions in early 2026 on navigational clearance and the final supplemental environmental impact statement, and a possible amended record of decision in 2026. They also discussed the Bridge Investment Program grant amendment deadline, the need for an initial finance plan, and ongoing community outreach and contractor engagement. Greg Johnson announced he was stepping down as program administrator, and Carly Francis introduced herself as interim administrator. A large portion of the meeting focused on design and cost questions. Staff said the program is studying fixed and movable spans, single- and double-deck configurations, and one versus two auxiliary lanes, with final recommendations to be made through the federal environmental process. They said the Coast Guard’s decision is central to what bridge configuration is permittable and to the timing of the updated cost estimate, which has not yet been released. Members pressed for more detail on cost drivers, potential impacts to businesses upriver, and whether the states would need to seek additional funding. Staff said they had reached agreements with four impacted river users, but the underlying evaluation materials are protected and not publicly releasable. The committee also reviewed transit-related questions. Staff explained that light rail remains part of the modified locally preferred alternative and that ridership and operations estimates are being updated using federal modeling methods. They said projected opening-day transit operations and maintenance costs have dropped from an earlier estimate of $21.8 million to about $10.3 million annually because the current model assumes lower frequency, with Oregon and Washington shares split by geography and fare recovery. Members raised concerns about TriMet’s financial stability and the need for a funding plan by fall 2027, ahead of a planned federal transit funding application in fall 2028. During public testimony, several speakers criticized the delay in releasing a new cost estimate and argued the project scope should be reduced if costs continue to rise. Testifiers from City Observatory and the Just Crossing Alliance said the project appears to be avoiding bad news, urged the committee to consider scope reductions, and questioned whether the active transportation and freeway components align with the project’s core purpose. The meeting ended with thanks to Johnson for his service and a transition to public hearing testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• As one police officer put it, quote, police dogs are not trained to differentiate between a young child
• As one police officer put it, quote, police dogs are not trained to differentiate between a young child
• help these community members already, letting them know that they can't increase rent to be able to pay
• You know, they can't increase rent to be able to pay for things like maintenance to the property that
• AB 247 would increase the additional pay during active fire deployment.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety-related bills. AB 383 by Assembly Member Davies would expand and clarify firearm restrictions tied to juvenile adjudications, allow certain minor firearm possession for hunting or training with guardian approval, and authorize warrants in some domestic violence-related firearm surrender situations. Supporters, including a district attorney representative, argued it would close gaps in existing law and improve public safety; opponents said it would over-criminalize youth and disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 400 by Assembly Member Pacheco would require law enforcement K-9 units to meet statewide POST standards covering training, use of force, and handler skills. Supporters said the bill would create consistency, accountability, and safer deployments; opponents argued the standards were inadequate and would legitimize harmful canine practices. After debate over whether the bill expanded canine use or simply standardized it, the committee approved AB 400 and sent it to Appropriations. AB 380 by Assembly Member Gonzalez would extend price-gouging protections during emergencies, including for hotels, food, essential goods and services, and commercial property, and would remove the 12-month lease limit loophole for rent gouging. Supporters said the bill responds to wildfire-related exploitation and provides clarity for disaster victims; business and landlord groups warned it could amount to commercial rent control and create uncertainty for future emergencies. The author said he would continue working on amendments, and the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 358 by Assembly Member Alvarez would create a narrow exception to Cal-ECPA so law enforcement could inspect tracking or surveillance devices found in a person’s home, vehicle, or property with the finder’s consent. Supporters said the change would help stalking and domestic violence victims preserve evidence quickly; privacy advocates argued warrants and existing emergency exceptions already cover these situations. The chair proposed narrowing the language to “tracking or surveillance device,” and the bill was held on call after an initial roll with only three votes in favor. The transcript also began AB 247, which would raise pay for incarcerated hand crew firefighters, with testimony from formerly incarcerated firefighters in support, but the discussion was not completed in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• For somebody not on jailcar and not concerned about license fees, but rather taxpayers paying out of
• He said the licenses would be paying for it.
• <04:18:37.439> a because our remoteness we people pay a because our remoteness we people pay
• Um, Dover pays about 28% of the county cost in Strafford County.
• in just in Stratford County um they pay in just in Stratford County um we<04:41:18.080> pay<04

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee discussed House Bill 185, which would amend RSA 3109 to add timelines for OPLC’s complaint review and investigation process. Members reviewed the existing five-year limitation period for misconduct complaints and noted that the bill would add a 30-day deadline for the office to make a recommendation to the board and a 90-day deadline to complete investigations. Some members raised concerns that the new deadlines could conflict with the existing statute of limitations, create pressure to dismiss cases too quickly, and potentially undermine the separation between OPLC’s investigative role and the boards’ adjudicatory role established by House Bill 655. Nicholas Fry, OPLC general counsel, testified that the agency’s fiscal note originally assumed it would need roughly double its staff to meet the proposed deadlines, though a later amendment reduced that estimate somewhat. He said OPLC would still need additional personnel, including investigatory paralegals and a physician investigator for the Board of Medicine, to meet the timeframes. He also explained OPLC’s current complaint and hearing procedures, including new consumer-friendly correspondence, website guidance, and efforts by the enforcement division to improve transparency and communication with complainants and licensees. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors testified in support of the bill’s basic goal of speeding up intake and investigation, saying the 30-day intake/review period was reasonable and that the bill would not change OPLC’s role in that first step. He argued, however, that the investigation step is where delays occur, especially for lower-priority complaints, and that some cases have remained unresolved for years. Committee members also questioned how the added staffing costs would be paid, with discussion of whether they would come from license fees or the general fund. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're not paying attention standard?
• <03:21:24.399> And<03:21:24.560> those they're not as differentiated.
• And those they're not as differentiated.
• that's already more differentiated that's already more differentiated avoids<03:22:36.800> some
• Sometimes it starts building bone within that heart because it hasn't differentiated enough.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• paying attention to? paying attention to?
• horsepower behind a pay wall." horsepower behind a pay wall."
• to pay for it. Mhm. to pay for it. Mhm.
• guess you got to pay extra for football. guess you got to pay extra for football.
• which is twice what you were paying." which is twice what you were paying."

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Be able to have an audit of each one of those to see what the differential is.
• why there's that's why I said a small, medium, large kind of model because that'll give us a differentiator
• why there's that's why I said a small, medium, large kind of model because that'll give us a differentiator
• why there's that's why I said a small, medium, large kind of model because that'll give us a differentiator
• That's why I said a small, medium, large kind of model, because that'll give us a differentiator to why

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Performance Audit and Oversight Committee approved the November 7 minutes with three abstentions and then received status updates on several ongoing audits. Audit staff reported that the special education oversight audit was in report-writing, with 34 of 71 observations completed and a draft expected in the second quarter and a final report in the summer. The education freedom accounts audit had 22 of 41 observations completed, with a draft also expected in the second quarter and a final report in the summer. The Doorway program audit had 5 of 13 observations completed, with a draft expected by the end of February and a final report by April or May. The committee then discussed possible new oversight topics, prompted by concerns about fraud in other states and the need to ensure New Hampshire programs are not vulnerable. Members suggested hearing from DHS officials, contract administrators, and possibly the Department of Justice Medicaid fraud unit about SNAP and other programs, as well as reviewing staffing levels in HHS contract management. There was also discussion of whether to revisit the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, though members noted that prior work on that area had been suspended because of litigation. A representative from HHS, Teresa Narrow, briefed the committee on the Bureau of Developmental Services. She said the state had been in compliance with CMS since July 1, 2023 after resolving issues tied to a system redesign and billing changes, and that provider-side billing problems had also been fixed. She also described three existing bodies involved in developmental disability housing oversight, including the Council on Housing Stability, the ABLE Housing Task Force, and a legislative study committee created by HB 168 in 2024. Committee members asked for her notes to be shared. The committee spent substantial time debating whether to pursue a new special education audit at the school-district level. Members discussed the need to examine why some districts have much higher special education rates and costs than others, and whether a statistically selected sample of schools could be used. Audit staff said no new audits could begin until about May or June and that only a couple of auditors would then be available. Members also noted that a legislative study committee is already working on special education and may issue a report later this year, and the committee appeared to leave the school-level audit idea as a potential future item rather than taking immediate action.

Transcript Highlights:

• that you use to pay for everything else. that you use to pay for everything else.
• and pay my my property taxes? and pay my my property taxes?
• fundamental differentiation fundamental differentiation between<01:20:29.320> philosophies,
• And we try to pay not for one mass transit system with the state of 6.3 million people; we try to pay
• worse, because now we also have to pay worse, because now we also have to pay for<01:28:10.880><

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, March 12, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House met in Annapolis on February 27, 2026, with 128 members present. After a prayer, the chamber adopted the previous day’s journal and recognized a resolution honoring Brunswick High School’s first Tech Challenge team, Minerva’s Mechanics, for winning the FTC Regional Championships and qualifying for the World Championship in Houston. The resolution was read and adopted with applause. The main legislative item was House Bill 355, concerning the Education, Sexual Abuse and Assault Awareness and Prevention Program and human and sex trafficking; the House adopted the favorable committee report and ordered the bill printed for third reading. The next bill, House Bill 534 on nonpublic school transcripts and prohibiting punitive measures related to student debt, also received a favorable report. Debate then centered on an amendment offered to HB 534 that would have tied school funding to student choice for students in repeatedly one-star-rated schools and allowed parents of habitually violent or disruptive students to consider military boarding school options. The sponsor argued Maryland’s public schools, especially in Baltimore City, were failing students despite heavy spending, citing low literacy, violence, and the book Failure Factory; several members echoed concerns about school performance, bureaucracy, and the need for educational freedom. Opponents and procedural speakers said the amendment was not germane to HB 534, which they described as a narrow bill about transcript access for students leaving nonpublic schools with unpaid fees, often students with disabilities. The floor leader urged the body to resist the amendment and stick to the bill’s actual subject. Despite multiple members explaining their votes in support of school choice and criticizing the Blueprint and school outcomes, the House ultimately took a roll call on the amendment after a voice vote was challenged. The transcript cuts off during the roll call and does not show the final recorded result on the amendment.