Transcript Highlights:

• I can't imagine any counties are willfully non-compliant with equal.”
• </c><01:12:04.320><c> I</c><01:12:04.400><c> can't</c><01:12:04.680><c> imagine</c><01:12:05.160><c>
• I can't imagine any be happening.
• I can't imagine any counties<01:12:05.680><c> are</c><01:12:05.800><c> willfully</c><01:12:06.240><c>

Bills: HF4407 , HF4382

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child welfare, African American children, racial disproportionality, family preservation, reunification, foster care, kinship care, relative placement, noncustodial parent, guardian ad litem, ombudsperson, Department of Human Services, county social services, active efforts, reasonable efforts, child protection, placement, out-of-home placement, Northstar kinship assistance, data disaggregation

Transcript Highlights:

• I would imagine that we would be looking at those numbers.
• I<00:23:11.880><c> would</c><00:23:12.040><c> imagine</c><00:23:12.679><c> that</c><00:23:12.960><c>
• we</c><00:23:13.160><c> would</c><00:23:13.560><c> be</c><00:23:13.760><c> looking</c> I would imagine
• that we would be looking I would imagine that we would be looking at<00:23:14.560><c> those</c><00:23

Bills: HF1767 , HF2068 , HF4725 , HF4637 , HF4638

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: human services, community support, integrated care, disability services, stakeholder consultation, homeless youth, grants, funding, Minnesota, mental health, substance use disorder, education, workforce development, licensure, direct care services, healthcare, long-term care, personal care assistants, employment support, medical assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• Imagine your own home mortgage or car payment jumping in price like this.
• February 26 and and are now $1,000 per February 26 and and are now $1,000 per ton.<00:04:52.639><c> Imagine
• Imagine your own home mortgage or ton.
• Imagine your own home mortgage or car<00:04:54.560><c> payment</c><00:04:54.880><c> jumping</c><00:04

Bills: HF2103 , HF4508

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, elk, cervidae, cervid importation, chronic wasting disease, CWD, animal health, livestock, wildlife disease, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, state veterinarian, zoo, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, AZA

Transcript Highlights:

• housing, buy a car, get a Social Security number, open a bank account, all of those things you can imagine
• those things open a bank account, all of those things you<00:06:32.800><c> can</c><00:06:32.880><c> imagine
• c> without</c><00:06:34.120><c> a</c><00:06:34.160><c> US</c><00:06:34.480><c> credit</c> you can imagine
• without a US credit you can imagine without a US credit history.<00:06:35.280><c> So,</c><00:06:35.440

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because imagine, for example, you pass this bill and then there's a different, better, higher standard
• <01:09:14.319><c> because</c> to see how that plays out because to see how that plays out because imagine
• :16.000><c> you</c><01:09:16.239><c> pass</c><01:09:16.560><c> this</c><01:09:16.799><c> bill</c> imagine
• for example you pass this bill imagine for example you pass this bill and<01:09:18.080><c> then</c><

Bills: SF1750 , HF4250 , HF3938 , HF3904 , HF3642

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: common interest community, CIC, homeowners association, HOA, condominium, planned community, cooperative, unit owner, association board, declarant, declarant control, special declarant rights, assessment lien, foreclosure, late fees, fines, attorney fees, resale disclosure, annual report, maintenance plan

Transcript Highlights:

• I was just imagining in my head, like, counting it out, you know, it's a little odd, but cool. >> There's
• </c><01:18:54.000><c> I</c><01:18:54.040><c> was</c><01:18:54.160><c> just</c><01:18:54.280><c> imagining
• I was just imagining in my so tickled.
• I was just imagining in my head<01:18:55.120><c> like</c> head like head like counting<01:18:57.040><

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• I never imagined I'd be standing in a preschool prepared for the possibility that ICE might show up.
• </c><00:06:40.120><c> I</c><00:06:40.200><c> never</c><00:06:40.480><c> imagined</c><00:06:40.960><c>
• I never imagined I'd be standing at all.
• I never imagined I'd be standing in<00:06:41.680><c> a</c><00:06:41.720><c> preschool</c><00:06:42.720

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Imagine you're a pet groomer. You make a minimum wage at &gt;&gt; Okay.
• </c><00:05:22.960><c> Imagine</c><00:05:23.360><c> you're</c><00:05:23.520><c> a</c><00:05:23.759><c>
• Imagine you're a pet or pay provision?
• Imagine you're a pet groomer.<00:05:24.720><c> You</c><00:05:24.960><c> make</c><00:05:25.120><c> a</

Bills: HF3889 , HF2567 , HF3878

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: workforce development, grant program, employment, economic development, funding, employment contract, labor policy, employee rights, unconscionable provisions, public policy, legal enforcement, airport workers, wage standards, labor rights, minimum wage, economic equity, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As you<00:10:17.400><c> can</c><00:10:17.600><c> imagine,</c><00:10:18.040><c> it</c><00:10:18.160><c
• > takes</c><00:10:18.400><c> quite</c><00:10:18.640><c> a</c><00:10:18.680><c> while</c> you can imagine
• , it takes quite a while you can imagine, it takes quite a while to<00:10:19.040><c> do</c><00:10:19.240
• Yeah, I cannot imagine being a foster child, having a disagreement with your caretaker, and just navigating

Bills: HF3877 , HF3714 , HF3750 , HF3024

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: public authorities, dissolution cases, court system, child protection, legal notice, foster care, child welfare, enrollment priority, education programs, child care assistance, foster youth, extended foster care, bill of rights, out-of-home placement, Minnesota Statutes chapter 260C, social services agency, caseworker, permanency team, sibling visitation, relative contact

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can imagine, and as Attorney General Ellison noted, referrals this year are up dramatically.
• As you can imagine,<00:45:05.280><c> and</c><00:45:05.440><c> as</c><00:45:05.680><c> Attorney</c><00
• :45:06.000><c> General</c><00:45:06.319><c> Ellison</c> imagine, and as Attorney General Ellison imagine

Bills: HF3423 , HF2354 , HF3634

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, provider enrollment, medical assistance, legislation, state funds, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, service verification, Medicaid, human services, electronic documentation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Medical and caring leaves are shorter for reasons you can probably imagine, right?
• are shorter for reasons you<00:39:42.079><c> can</c><00:39:42.240><c> probably</c><00:39:42.640><c> imagine
• </c><00:39:43.119><c> right</c><00:39:43.520><c> uh</c> you can probably imagine right uh you can probably
• imagine right uh medical<00:39:44.079><c> conditions</c><00:39:44.480><c> are</c><00:39:44.640><c> more

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I can't imagine someone without, you know, a full massage therapist training knowing how to do what was
• involved<00:52:56.400><c> I</c><00:52:56.559><c> I</c><00:52:56.960><c> can't</c><00:52:57.119><c> imagine
• </c><00:52:57.680><c> someone</c> involved I I can't imagine someone involved I I can't imagine someone

Bills: HF362 , HF2590 , HF2760 , HF3444

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: massage therapy, Asian bodywork therapy, massage therapist, Asian bodywork therapist, licensure, professional licensing, health occupations, Department of Health, commissioner of health, advisory council, protected title, unlicensed practice, scope of practice, consumer protection, background check, professional liability insurance, continuing education, credentialing examination, state preemption, municipal regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• commissioners, even if it's going to happen in a municipality, which has brought forward an issue, as you can imagine
• an issue as which has brought forward uh an issue as you<00:26:05.919><c> can</c><00:26:06.159><c> imagine
• c> and</c><00:26:07.679><c> the</c><00:26:07.840><c> interest</c><00:26:08.080><c> of</c> you can imagine
• uh and the interest of you can imagine uh and the interest of the<00:26:08.559><c> municipalities</c

Bills: SF0045 , SJ0001

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Keywords: pari-mutuel wagering, simulcasting, historic horse racing, HHR terminals, horse racing, gaming commission, Wyoming Gaming Commission, local control, city approval, county approval, municipal approval, permit renewal, gaming permit, wagering regulation, racetrack, live pari-mutuel event, district court appeal, public notice, land use, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• But imagine that this requires viewpoint neutrality. First Amendment is already protected.
• But imagine<00:36:08.160><c> that</c><00:36:08.400><c> this</c><00:36:08.800><c> requires</c><00:36:09.359
• ><c> viewpoint</c> imagine that this requires viewpoint imagine that this requires viewpoint neutrality

Bills: SF0035 , SF0090 , SF0072

Committee: House Education

Keywords: education, cell phones, smart devices, school policy, student conduct, school property, rental fees, youth activities, education policy, Wyoming legislature, teacher licensure, teacher mobility, interstate compact, education compact, licensure reciprocity, reciprocal certification, teacher certification, professional teaching standards board, out-of-state teachers, military spouse

Transcript Highlights:

• But as you can imagine, the clinic had not kept good records.
• </c><01:24:20.320><c> can</c> paid by the clinic but as you can paid by the clinic but as you can imagine
• 24:21.199><c> had</c><01:24:21.440><c> not</c><01:24:21.600><c> kept</c><01:24:21.920><c> good</c> imagine
• the clinic had not kept good imagine the clinic had not kept good records.<01:24:23.120><c> Um</c><01

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I can't even imagine the level of service.
• who are soldiers who are I<01:10:47.360><c> can't</c><01:10:47.520><c> even</c><01:10:47.840><c> imagine
• c> level</c><01:10:48.960><c> of</c><01:10:49.120><c> ser</c><01:10:49.360><c> I</c> I can't even imagine
• the level of ser I I can't even imagine the level of ser I mean<01:10:49.679><c> I</c><01:10:50.159>

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, and we can uh I think that's part of just an analyzing there's going to be, I imagine there's going
• there's going<00:10:28.000><c> to</c><00:10:28.079><c> be</c><00:10:28.320><c> I</c><00:10:28.480><c> imagine
• /c><00:10:28.800><c> there's</c><00:10:29.040><c> going</c><00:10:29.120><c> to</c> going to be I imagine
• there's going to going to be I imagine there's going to be<00:10:29.279><c> a</c><00:10:29.440><c> gap

Bills: SF0102 , SF0113

Committee: Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Keywords: energy transmission, load growth, Wyoming energy authority, transmission planning study, public utilities, regional cooperation, hand count audit, ballots, election integrity, transparency, voting system, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've looked at earlier bills introduced in prior sessions, and a lot of the testifiers imagined this
• 00:06:40.240><c> of</c><00:06:40.319><c> the</c><00:06:40.800><c> testifiers</c><00:06:41.840><c> imagined
• </c> lot of the testifiers imagined lot of the testifiers imagined um<00:06:43.919><c> this</c><00:06

Bills: HB1604 , HB1713 , HB1722 , HB2270 , HB2401 , HB2515 , HB1979 , HB1593 , HB1743 , HB2122 , HB1756 , HB1837 , HB1729

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: agriculture, housing, workforce, land use, zoning, public-private partnerships, tax credit, school impact fees, impact fee exemption, school facilities authority, residential development, housing shortage, affordable housing, infill housing, land dedication, fee in lieu, school construction, developer exactions, fair share contributions, education contribution agreement

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1604, which would create an agricultural workforce housing group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to address shortages of farmworker housing. The department said it supported the bill’s intent but emphasized that the group’s early work should focus on gathering data and surveying farm operators to assess actual demand, to avoid “mission creep.” Testimony from the City and County of Honolulu Office of Economic Revitalization, Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, and the Maui Chamber of Commerce was in support, with one witness suggesting a housing advocacy nonprofit be added to the working group for balance. The committee then discussed HB 1713 on school impact fees, which would clarify exemptions for certain affordable housing projects and exempt new residential developments of fewer than 100 units. The Attorney General’s office said the bill should define “low to moderate income households” because that term is not defined in chapter 302A. HHFDC, the School Facilities Authority, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, and others supported the measure, arguing it would reduce administrative burden and remove barriers to housing. Members questioned whether the bill should instead repeal the school impact fee entirely; supporters said they also favored full repeal but viewed this bill as a more feasible step. The School Facilities Authority also explained that about $28 million in school impact fees had been collected across four districts and none had yet been spent, and discussed how recent nexus requirements limit how the funds can be used. HB 1722, relating to residential condominiums, drew extensive testimony and questioning. HCDA supported the bill and explained that it amends the 99-year leasehold pilot program created by Act 97 of 2023 by reducing owner-occupancy restrictions from 100% of units to 60%, allowing some rental or subleasing flexibility for the owner-occupied units, and permitting up to 40% of units to be sold to qualified residents after being on the market for more than 60 days. HCDA said the original restrictions, combined with rising construction costs, higher interest rates, and competition from nearby projects, made the pilot project difficult to market and finance; it said the changes are needed to make the project feasible and competitive. Supporters including AP Hawaii, Kila LLC, and project representatives said the amendments would help make the demonstration project in Kakaʻako viable. Some members raised concerns that the changes could weaken long-term affordability and questioned why certain ownership language was being deleted if rentals would still be restricted. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I would imagine that having an introductory section that tells the story about how taxation and Hawaiian
• out.<01:20:15.199><c> Um,</c><01:20:16.159><c> I</c><01:20:16.400><c> would</c><01:20:16.560><c> imagine
• Um, I would imagine that out.
• Um, I would imagine that having<01:20:19.040><c> an</c><01:20:19.199><c> introductory</c><01:20:20.000

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on bills addressing tobacco/vape enforcement, psychology licensure, hospital price transparency, prior authorization, and medical cannabis. The chair opened by explaining the one-minute testimony limit and that written testimony had been reviewed. For SB 2175 on disposable electronic smoking devices, the Department of Health said the bill’s placement in litter-control law was not a good fit because disposable e-cigarettes contain hazardous materials like lithium and nicotine, but it supported the intent and pointed to a related measure. Public health and tobacco-control advocates strongly supported the bill, citing youth use, toxic waste, battery fires, and the need to tighten definitions and remove exemptions; a long list of organizations and individuals were noted in support, with no opposition mentioned. For SB 2410, which would create a state directory and enforcement tools for authorized e-cigarette products, the Attorney General’s office strongly supported the measure and said it would help enforce the FDA-authorized list of products through certification, inspections, and civil penalties. The Department of Health said thousands of illegal products remain on the market and cited youth usage rates, while public health groups also supported the bill. One tobacco industry-related witness was noted in opposition. SB 2080, the psychology interjurisdictional compact, drew support from the Department of Corrections, which said it had severe staffing shortages and that the compact would help fill gaps, especially for forensic psychology and neighbor island facilities. Some committee members raised concerns about whether the compact would loosen licensure standards and reduce licensing revenue, and the Board of Psychology was said to be meeting and had not taken a formal position; testimony also noted the need for resources if the compact were adopted. The committee also heard SB 2276 on surgical assistance, with DCCA in opposition and a supporter from the field, but little discussion followed. SB 2277 on hospital price transparency drew support from consumer and patient advocates, who argued that clearer pricing would reduce medical debt and help patients shop for care; DCCA and the Department of Health offered comments, with the department suggesting an alternative enforcement model using outside review entities and noting that implementation would require significant staffing and funding. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, saying federal transparency rules already cover the issue and state law could create duplication. SB 2282 on prior authorization received comments from insurers and providers; HMSA asked that the bill be set aside pending the report of the prior authorization working group created by Act 151, while the Hawaii Medical Association said prior authorization is a major burden but deferred to regulators on resources. Finally, SB 2413 on medical cannabis was supported by the Office of Medical Cannabis and others, who said the bill would close a patient-access gap by allowing viable seed sales; one witness suggested clarifying jurisdictional language and allowing dispensaries to sell seeds to each other. The committee then began SB 2425 on health insurance, where an addiction treatment provider testified that insurers’ refusal to honor assignment-of-benefits payments can delay reimbursement and create relapse risk for patients, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I imagine that wouldn't require added burden in terms of the extra reporting.
• </c><00:54:29.839><c> So,</c><00:54:30.640><c> I</c><00:54:30.880><c> imagine</c><00:54:31.359><c> that
• So, I imagine that over a square mile.
• So, I imagine that wouldn't,<00:54:32.400><c> um,</c><00:54:32.720><c> require</c><00:54:33.599><c> add

Bills: SB2350 , SB2349 , SB2407 , SB3320

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, agribusiness, Department of Agriculture, regulatory functions, employee benefits, restorative practices, sustainability, environmental stewardship, local food systems, Native Hawaiian, workforce development, agricultural development, Hawaii Island, property manager, state employment, SB3320, Hawaii, Agribusiness Development Corporation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SP 2350, which would transfer oversight of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Division and the aquaculture and livestock support services branch to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. The Department of Agriculture and ADC both testified, with ADC opposing the bill as written while supporting the goal of strengthening agriculture. ADC said the transfer could create federal operational and coordination risks, jeopardize federal funding and program continuity, and was unnecessary because ADC is a business development entity, not a regulatory agency. The Hawaii Farmers Union also expressed concern that moving the programs could weaken the department’s ability to access federal resources, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted written testimony and the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and H-Plan were noted as supporting the measure; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was noted as opposing it. Much of the discussion focused on aquaculture’s economic potential and the role of regulation, permitting, and funding. Committee members questioned why aquaculture had not grown faster, citing current gross revenues of about $66 million last year, a prior high of $82 million, and a possible long-term target of $500 million. Testimony identified permitting and feed costs as major barriers, along with market conditions and water quality issues affecting producers. ADC described ongoing efforts on feed development, permitting streamlining, coastal-state collaboration on seaweed and restorative aquaculture, and national advocacy for more parity in seafood import standards. Members also pressed the Department of Agriculture on its leadership and priorities, criticizing the lack of bills and resources dedicated to aquaculture and asking whether the department should have more authority to pursue land purchases and development opportunities. The department said it relies on divisions and industry feedback for bill ideas, noted it funds an annual aquaculture survey, and said it was pursuing congressional earmarks and other funding for aquaculture parks, research, and export/import issues. ADC said it would work with the department if the bill passed, but that its current statute does not give it regulatory authority and any such change would require a statutory amendment.