Transcript Highlights:

• Any requests for leave at this time? Senator Blake Johnson, you're recognized.
• Any other requests for leave? Seeing no other, Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
• So is it appropriate? Years of service for the state of Arkansas.
• So is it appropriate for me to read, or what? Yep, all right.
• Arkansas State Library appropriation for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thanks for joining us. morning for the Legislative Black Caucus morning for the Legislative Black Caucus
• </c> to their appropriate standing to their appropriate standing committees. committees. committees.
• </c> it's appropriate. it's appropriate.
• </c> appropriate time uh Tuesday. Tuesday. appropriate time uh Tuesday. Tuesday.
• </c> bill at the appropriate time on Tuesday? bill at the appropriate time on Tuesday?

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

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation from Pastor Delman Coates, and received several guest introductions, including the doctor of the day, student visitors, homeschool advocates, community leaders, and the Braver Angels group. The chamber also journalized remarks welcoming Dr. Coates and recognized a prayer breakfast, with members offering brief thanks and acknowledgments before moving to legislative business. The Senate handled several messages and nominations, including withdrawal of an appointment, Johns Hopkins Police Accountability Board nominations, and Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners nominations, all referred to Executive Nominations. The chamber also received House Bill 156 and an Executive Nominations Committee report recommending confirmation of a slate of appointments, which was special ordered for later consideration. A motion to return Senate Bill 463 to second reader and special order it for Tuesday was adopted without objection, and Senate Bill 473 was also special ordered for Tuesday. On third reading, the Senate passed a large number of bills, including measures on ignition interlock participation, school construction, port hearing notice, veteran status notation for educators, correctional officer scholarships, benefits exploitation, veterans trust fund applications, presidential electors, advance enrollment for children of active service members, retired law enforcement handgun permits, high-risk pregnancy discharge communication, charitable organization audit thresholds, child care criminal history checks, water pollution discharge permits, blockchain task force creation, franchise registration reform, licensing portability for foreign service members and spouses, Medicaid collaborative care cost-sharing, gift card fraud, school for the deaf board membership, vehicle dealer hearings, massage therapy advertising, protective body armor reporting, lithium-ion battery safety, pharmacy prescriber agreements for opioid use disorder treatment, human relevant research fund contributions, state and higher education email requirements, and auto insurance producer commissions. Most passed unanimously or by wide margins; Senate Bill 348 and Senate Bill 585 passed with 30 and 32 votes in favor, respectively. Senate Bill 140, concerning benefits exploitation, drew extended debate over constitutionality and pending litigation, with one senator citing an Attorney General opinion and another citing a Supreme Court case on neutral principles in church property disputes; the bill ultimately passed with 40 votes. Members later changed several votes on the floor, including on Senate Bills 172, 376, 428, and 48. The session ended while the clerk was beginning to read Senate Bill 629, with the remaining calendar not completed in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a request up here.
• That's a good legislative question.
• So we've got—it's coming in two tranches, that's how it was appropriated.
• legislative session?
• One where the legislature would appropriate direct funding to the GMAs.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriate way in which they can understand it.
• appropriate way in which they can understand it.
• culturally appropriate way in which they can understand it.
• There's also a lack of appropriate support for less severe incidents as well.
• This immediate, culturally appropriate response is life-changing.

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Both bills share the same legislative intent.
• I just want to thank Senator Pizzo for this good legislation.
• I would respectfully request that we temporarily postpone this bill.
• the center in 2023 with non-recurring appropriations of $1 million.
• And if more are needed, then DCF must either request funding by legislative budget requests or reallocate

Summary: The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions and introductions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. The chamber then took up a motion to reconsider the prior day’s failed vote on CS for SB 1080 (local government land regulation), which was adopted without objection, and moved into the special order calendar. A series of bills were debated and mostly passed, often after substituting House companions. Measures approved included funding for expedited DNA testing grants, additional aggravating factors in capital cases, fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients, commuter rail indemnification, migrant vessel disposition, specialty license plates, an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign, relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University, charter school changes, sexual offender registration updates, utility worker assault/battery penalties, juvenile justice revisions, student mental health outcome reporting, foster home licensure transfers, water access facilities, Florida Virtual School changes, school readiness resources for children with disabilities, sexual images/child exploitation penalties, tampering with electronic monitoring devices, certified recovery residences, the FSU Election Law Center, the Office of Faith and Community, and bonuses for county tax collector/property appraiser employees. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, benefits for certain officers injured in the line of duty, school social workers, and brownfields. Debate centered on public safety, health care access, education, recovery housing, and government administration. Some of the most substantive discussion came on the Office of Faith and Community bill, where an amendment to bar political activity by office staff was offered and defeated after extended debate over election-related communications and the proper scope of existing ethics laws. The certified recovery residences bill also drew extensive support and testimony about addiction recovery and housing stability. Most bills passed on strong bipartisan votes, with a few receiving notable opposition, including the charter schools bill, the aggravating factors bill, and the Office of Faith and Community bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here's why the legislation helps keep our community safe. This legislation.
• This legislation tells Idahoans we're enhancing penalties on lawbreakers, The legislation tells Idahoans
• that they wanted this legislation moved.
• And in addition to this legislation, they also wanted anti-Semitism legislation moved.
• look at the legislation, So if we do go to line 15, and if we look at the legislation as it currently

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from January 19, 2026, and then introduced RS 32876 on human trafficking with an amendment. The bill would allow local law enforcement to submit human trafficking investigations to the Attorney General’s office, which could prosecute at its discretion. The sponsor said the measure is meant to help with complex interstate and intercounty cases and modeled it on the ICAC program; the motion to introduce the RS with the amendment carried. The committee then heard House Bill 489, which would add a sentencing enhancement for crimes committed while wearing a mask or other face covering. The sponsor and supporters, including several law enforcement officers and private citizens, argued it would deter masked criminal conduct, protect victims, and help identify offenders. Opponents and some members raised concerns about vagueness, unintended consequences, unequal enforcement, impacts on protests, religious or medical coverings, and the lack of an explicit intent requirement. A motion to send the bill to amending order failed 6-9, and the committee then approved HB 489 for the floor with a due pass recommendation by an 8-7 vote. After a short break, the committee took up House Bill 491, which would expand Idaho’s Good Samaritan framework to include mental health and suicidal crises and encourage bystanders to intervene without fear of liability. The sponsor described the bill as a response to Idaho’s high suicide rates and said it would support training and crisis response efforts; supporters from suicide prevention organizations and the public testified in favor. The committee then adopted a due pass recommendation for HB 491 by roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this legislation removes the PUC's review process.
• So moving forward to the next legislative... ...statute.
• The rural telecommunications companies were consulted on this legislation.
• Where the public hospital is appropriately reliant on public funds.
• However, the legislation doesn't do that.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee heard several print hearings and gubernatorial appointments, with most early legislation advancing without opposition. RS 33743, the Idaho Student Safety and Educator Disclosure Act, would require school applicants to disclose past investigations or disciplinary actions and require prior employers to respond; RS 33744 would move certain federally qualified and rural health center scope-of-practice rate changes into code; RS 33721 would extend certain state endowment land commercial leases from 49 to 99 years; and RS 33660 would expand disclosure requirements for paid signature gatherers and paid candidate advocates. All four RS measures were sent to print. The committee also heard from and later resumed testimony on several gubernatorial reappointments, including Jerry Doppie to the Endowment Fund Investment Board, Skip Smeiser to the Lottery Commission, and Nicaela Black Abrams to the Racing Commission; those votes were deferred to a later meeting. House Bill 674, which would remove the Public Utilities Commission’s role in reviewing certain telecommunications service discontinuances and rely on the FCC process instead, drew significant testimony. The sponsor and telecom representatives said it would eliminate a duplicative state process and speed broadband and infrastructure investment while preserving FCC protections. Opponents, including former telecom workers and a trial lawyers representative, warned it could leave rural copper-line customers and emergency users without adequate service or local oversight. After questions about the federal language and whether the bill might invert the current review process, the committee voted to hold HB 674 subject to the call of the chair. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 1391, a technical fix preserving lawful entry authority for publicly employed land surveyors, and Senate Bill 1389, which would provide liability protection for churches, grange halls, and other property owners who voluntarily serve as polling places. HB 860, revising the medical parental rights law and related emergency treatment and hotline provisions, received supportive testimony from the Idaho Medical Association, a teen advocate, and the 988 crisis hotline director, and was sent to the 14th order for possible amendment. HB 549, which would remove property-owner signatures from petitions to dissolve hospital taxing districts, drew divided testimony: supporters said the current process is unworkable in places like McCall, while the Idaho Hospital Association urged a higher threshold and warned of inconsistency with other district laws. The committee voted to send HB 549 to the 14th order for possible amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this legislation removes the PUC's review process.
• This legislation was worked on with stakeholders.
• So moving forward to the next legislative statute.
• The rural telecommunications companies were consulted on this legislation.
• However, the legislation doesn't do that.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State legislators committed.
• $330 million without legislative approval.
• So you as legislators have a much...
• It is our job to appropriate the money.
• They are reviewing that request right now.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> appropriation in this bill. appropriation in this bill.
• </c><01:11:42.239><c> date</c> request um uh between the request date request um uh between the request
• And this is the type of legislation legislation legislation that<01:48:11.040><c> they</c><01:48:11.280
• This committee then legislation.
• </c> reputation for our esteemed legislation. reputation for our esteemed legislation.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also expands escorted leave requests to include an individual participating in reentry programs
• Where the funds come from, but it is not being appropriated for that.
• That this is all based on the lowest risk and the appropriateness of their leaving.
• of their leaving. that this is all based on the lowest risk and the appropriateness of their leaving
• So if these are requesting a Hawaii vacation, that's not what this program's about.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met in executive session to review several bills, with one bill on the DCYF Oversight Board (SB 5942) held until the following week so additional stakeholder input could be incorporated. Staff briefed bills on escorted leaves for incarcerated individuals (SB 5873), extraordinary medical placements (SB 5895), financial stability for youth in DCYF care receiving Social Security benefits (SB 5911), an extended foster care housing pilot (SB 5940), changes to the persistent offender definition and resentencing (SB 5945), adding positions to the Office of Homeless Youth Advisory Committee (SB 5957), and medically tailored meals for Apple Health enrollees (SB 5966). Several of these bills had multiple proposed amendments, many offered by Senator Christian, addressing eligibility limits, monitoring, location restrictions, time limits, liability, victim notification, and funding contingencies. In executive action, the committee adopted only the chair’s technical amendment to SB 5873 and rejected the other proposed amendments, then advanced the bill as a proposed substitute to the Rules Committee. SB 5895 also moved forward as a proposed substitute after most amendments were rejected and one was withdrawn; the committee sent it to Ways and Means. SB 5911’s amendment clarifying protected accounts for youth benefits was adopted, and the bill was advanced to Ways and Means. SB 5940 was also advanced to Ways and Means after adoption of the substitute. SB 5945’s proposed substitute was adopted and the bill was sent forward, while SB 5957 and SB 5966 were briefly discussed in briefing but not acted on during the portion of the meeting captured here. The chair noted that any remaining executive bills not completed would be taken up at the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have SCR 21 SD1 requesting the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, East Hawaii Regional Health Care
• We have SCR 21 SD1 requesting the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, East Hawaii Regional Health Care
• So, the request of the resolution is very much in alignment with the strategic plans for the region.
• I also respectfully request two amendments.
• Fink. be appropriate. So thank you. be appropriate. So thank you.

Bills: HCR18 , HCR32 , HCR35 , HCR105 , HCR173

Committee: House Health

Keywords: hospice, health care, aging population, regulations, Medicare, working group, fraud prevention, quality of care, mental health, recidivism, civil commitment, Hawaii State Hospital, justice system, shelter, treatment pathways, biomarker testing, health insurance, precision medicine, healthcare access, medical necessity

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SCR 21 SD1, which asks Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s East Hawaii Regional Health Care System to study the feasibility of a rural health clinic or similar access point for the Volcano community. Testimony in strong support came from HHSC representatives, Volcano residents, the Volcano Health Collaborative, the Rotary Club of Volcano, and others, who said the area has a clear need and that local primary and urgent care would align with regional plans. HHSC said it had already looked at the area, found no suitable temporary buildings, and would need a longer-term, capital-intensive solution, but that the study could help accelerate next steps. The committee then took up SCR 50 SD1, proposing a Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design a basic affordable health plan for residents. Dr. Jack Lewin of SHIPTA said the state faces a growing uninsured population and argued for a short-term, lower-cost plan focused on preventive and primary care, drawing on the old State Health Insurance Plan as a possible model. Members asked about whether that prior program still exists and whether the working group should include the Hawaii Medical Association and Hawaii Primary Care Association; Dr. Lewin said the statute still exists but is unfunded, and that the group should be inclusive. The Department of Labor and other organizations also provided comments. For SCR 75 SD1, which urges a coordinated interdepartmental effort to reduce fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, Dr. Lewin and others said prevention, prenatal screening, and early intervention are needed because FASD is often hidden until later problems appear. Amanda from Hawaii FASD Action Group said current implementation under Act 192 is still largely a landscape analysis and that Hawaii lacks the infrastructure and specialists for a full system. Darlene Chance Govor urged adding the judiciary as a partner so juvenile justice and probation staff can be trained and referral pathways improved, while the Department of Health said it supports prevention but prefers a broader, systems-based approach focused on child needs and upstream care. The Disability Rights Center supported the resolution and asked for an earlier reporting date. The committee also heard SCR 149 SD1, which seeks an informal working group to address complex patients with multiple diagnoses involving substance use, mental health, or chronic physical illness. The Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition and Ke Nui Malo strongly supported the measure, saying current siloed systems leave people bouncing between medical, mental health, and substance use providers without coordinated care, often ending up in crisis, emergency rooms, or the justice system. They said integrated residential care and a coordinated working group could improve outcomes and align with federal funding opportunities. The transcript ended before any final vote or action on the measures was announced, and SCR 109 was noted as withdrawn from the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• systems, and I only pull this out because there's every year, it's perennial that we hear some legislation
• I, I'll just mention one more thing, which is that, um, As part of your Perfro appropriation for this
• And this is, this is uh rooted primarily in some, some legislation that you've all considered over the
• We have legislation a year or two ago that was doing some of this. It came through very late.
• Uh, that was the concern when this came through as legislation in the past.

Transcript Highlights:

• by the legislative body. by the legislative body.
• legisl legislation has come why uh this legisl legislation has come forward?
• </c> the request. the request.
• Um should be would be appropriate. days. Um should be would be appropriate.
• . legislation. legislation.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so every viewpoint, in my opinion, is appropriate to be expressed and to be heard by the legislators
• </c> this legislation. this legislation.
• </c> I could share them with legislators. I could share them with legislators.
• But it's a request.
• But it's a request. homeschooling them? But it's a request.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Along with that, we also have to submit a fiscal impact to the Legislative Research Commission.
• </c> Legislative Research Commission. Legislative Research Commission.
• </c> the legislative research commission. the legislative research commission.
• There's a legislative Medicaid impact notice.
• <c> Med-</c><00:07:39.480><c> Medicaid</c> Uh there's a legislative Med- Medicaid Uh there's a legislative

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee for Health and Family Services met for its first meeting, established quorum, and heard a presentation from Department for Medicaid Services Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Becktold. The department reviewed its compliance with House Bill 695, which requires legislative approval before certain Medicaid eligibility, service, benefit, or waiver changes, along with fiscal impact reporting to the Legislative Research Commission. They described current waivers, including home and community-based waivers, managed care and transportation waivers, and the 1115 re-entry waiver, and said the community engagement waiver is in public comment and on track for submission to CMS. They also said required reports and other HB 695 tasks, including a pharmacy rebate fund, budget analyses, expenditure reports, and a behavioral health scorecard, are underway or completed as required. The CFO outlined Medicaid’s budget, saying the department has two appropriation units and projecting near-full use of state funds while leaving some federal funds unspent because of matching-rate differences. They reported roughly 211 filled positions and 11 vacancies. Members asked about the vacancy makeup, the behavioral health scorecard, and whether a provider involved in quality metrics could have a conflict if used in the scorecard process; the department said it would follow up. Members also asked about the community engagement waiver and its interaction with federal policy, and the department said CMS guidance is still pending and that it will proceed under HB 695. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on federal Medicaid policy changes under a reconciliation bill, including possible limits on provider taxes, directed payments, cost-sharing, and community engagement requirements. Department officials said the final federal impact is still uncertain because the Senate bill is not finalized, but they have modeled several scenarios and warned that any reduction in federal support or benefits would be harmful, especially for hospitals and rural hospitals. They estimated Medicaid benefits are funded about 80% federal and 20% state overall, with expansion populations closer to 90% federal funding, and said administrative costs would also rise if federal requirements change. Members also asked about work requirements and eligibility. The department said the community engagement waiver would mainly affect the expansion population, which they estimated at about 450,000 people out of roughly 1.5 million total Medicaid enrollees, and that many groups are exempt, including children, the aged, blind, disabled, and people in substance use disorder treatment. Officials said they can provide data on how many enrollees are working or work-ready and explained that their eligibility system is designed to prevent duplication by automatically placing people in the correct category and correcting errors quickly. They also noted a federal proposal to require expansion eligibility reviews every six months, compared with current annual renewals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our current request, or our BCP request, is for a North State office, as well as more analytical support
• And so that is our budget request related to AB 8 here.
• So what we're requesting is staff to form a civil enforcement unit.
• And so that is our budget request related to AB8 here.
• The request will support 12 positions and operational expenses.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for informational purposes, the clock in here on the wall is incorrect, and so we have a service request
• Then we opened up a survey and requested that... Website so anybody could access it.
• Then we opened up a survey and requested that, if after reviewing the report you have anything that was
• Right now we have two pieces of legislation that are working their way through the legislature.
• services process, that EALS process, to bring any additional legislation that would be needed.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The Senate Agricultural Committee approved the minutes from its February 17 and February 19, 2026 meetings and then heard a presentation from the Department of Water Resources and the Langdon Group on a proposed merger of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission into the Department of Water Resources. The presenters described an eight-to-ten month evaluation process that included stakeholder interviews, a broad survey, and a workshop, and said the goal was to preserve the commission’s non-regulatory identity while gaining administrative efficiencies and technical support. They recommended placing the merged commission within IDWR, retaining commission oversight of programs and funding, preserving branding and legislative reporting, and formalizing a conservation partnership framework to protect the voluntary nature of the commission’s work. Committee members asked about the cost of the study, which was reported at about $90,000 total, split between the two agencies, and about expected savings. Director Weaver said the current legislation and fiscal note anticipate about $110,000 in immediate personnel savings from eliminating the administrator position, with additional modest savings possible over time in operations, equipment, IT, and office space. He also explained that the bureau chief would be hired with commission participation in the selection process, similar to the existing relationship with the Idaho Water Resource Board. Weaver said the merger has received broad support from stakeholders, including the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts, while the Idaho Farm Bureau had initially opposed it but later became neutral. He said the next steps are to complete the pending legislation, work through the executive agency legislative services process, and return with additional statutory changes and a combined budget in 2027. The meeting ended with a brief water supply update noting statewide snowpack at about 74% of normal and concerns about a warm forecast and possible drought conditions later in the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will read: On page 2, line 21, after 7, insert the request. Last line.
• It has been changed by legislation that was passed last year.
• During last year's committee exec vote on this bill, several legislators voted no.
• Friday, January 16th, the fifth legislative day, hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Friday, January 16th, the fifth legislative day, hearing no objection, so ordered.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer, approved the prior day’s minutes, and announced caucuses before moving through introductions, committee reports, and second reading bills. The chamber considered three bills on second reading: HB 1175, allowing small business establishments in residential zones; HB 1376, allowing voluntary prepayment of capital gains tax up to six months early; and HB 1500, concerning resale certificates for units in common interest communities. HB 1175 received Amendment 1461, which added a population-estimate reference for small communities, and then passed 94-2. HB 1376 passed 97-0 after supporters said it would let taxpayers capture a federal deduction by paying earlier, while still preserving state revenue. HB 1500 received a technical striking amendment updating condo-law language and then passed 85-12; supporters said it would improve access to complete resale certificates for condo sales, while some members raised concerns about added regulation and costs. The House then took up third reading bills. Substitute HB 1302, which would let local governments waive utility connection charges for certain green technology or industrial symbiosis projects, passed 76-21 after supporters emphasized environmental benefits and opponents warned it could shift costs to other ratepayers. HB 1796, allowing school districts to bond against capital levy collections to speed projects and reduce inflationary costs, passed 78-19; supporters said it would save taxpayers money and help districts complete needed construction sooner, while opponents argued it could bypass voter intent and increase indebtedness without renewed approval. Finally, Substitute HB 1980 was returned to second reading for a striking amendment, which was adopted, and then passed 97-0. Supporters described it as a pilot program to help employers and transit agencies work together to move workers more efficiently in congested areas, using existing transit/HOV infrastructure. The House also re-referred HJM 4010 and HB 2402 to different committees, then adjourned until the following Friday morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:25.400><c> and</c> tuition funds state Appropriations and tuition funds state Appropriations
• So I’d like to put a plug in for our system’s critical infrastructure request.
• I'm also one of the two faculty legislative liaisons.
• I'm also one of the two faculty legislative liaisons.
• I'm also one of the two faculty legislative liaisons.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all