Transcript Highlights:

• So, Rossino, would you care to debate on the amendment? Waives.
• Senator Weaver, Senator Pugh, do you care to vote? Senator Weaver, do you care to vote?
• This is my 3rd term on the athletic commission.
• However, I've known her and her family for quite a long time.
• I did not know really what that term even meant.

Bills: HB2933 , HB3041 , HB3048 , HB3081 , HB3297 , HB3338 , HB3673 , HB3790 , HB3983 , HB4105 , HB4139 , HB4203 , HJR1023

Committee: Senate Business and Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• HRAs, cities with double A bond ratings or over 100,000 population, to utilize certain high-quality long-term
• It just creates this option for a win-win situation where cities can utilize some of their long-term
• utilize<00:10:09.320><c> some</c><00:10:09.480><c> of</c><00:10:09.560><c> their</c><00:10:09.680><c> long-term
• </c> utilize some of their long-term utilize some of their long-term investments<00:10:10.720><c> into
• </c> showing up in our homelessness system. showing up in our homelessness system.

Summary: The conference committee on House File 1141, the Omnibus Housing Finance and Policy Bill, reviewed the fiscal spreadsheet and policy language for the agreement. Staff explained the major funding items, including appropriations for greater Minnesota workforce housing, manufactured home park infrastructure grants, family homelessness prevention, supportive housing, a tenant hotline, and housing infrastructure bonds, along with a cancellation of unused Tyler settlement funds and a reallocation of Housing Development Fund earnings. Staff said the package was budget neutral over the forecast window. The policy walk-through also covered provisions on livestreaming Housing Finance Agency board meetings, limits on administrative retentions for new grant programs, restrictions and reporting on Housing Development Fund transfers and earnings, clarifying language for local public housing, an exemption related to lived-experience engagement, and access for legislative fiscal staff to agency accounting information. Members then considered several amendments. The A12 amendment, allowing certain local governments to invest long-term funds in housing-related investments, was adopted after a roll call showed support from all three caucuses. The A16 manufactured housing bill of rights amendment, which would have addressed park-owner practices, purchase opportunities, enforcement, and rent increases, was not adopted. The A18 amendment to allow additional flags in HOAs and other areas was also not adopted. The A17 amendment to limit private equity ownership of single-family homes to 100 units was not adopted. The A13 amendment to preempt local rent control was not adopted. Members on both sides said some of the rejected issues warranted further discussion in future sessions, while supporters argued they were needed to address housing affordability and ownership pressures. In closing discussion on the bill as a whole, members from both chambers praised the bipartisan process, the staff work, and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency’s collaboration. Supporters said the agreement would help build thousands of homes across the state, assist vulnerable Minnesotans, and improve transparency and accountability in housing programs. They also noted the bill’s mix of single-family, multifamily, manufactured housing, homelessness prevention, and policy reforms. The committee expressed intent to move the agreement forward to the House floor and ultimately to the governor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, what it says is the greatest long-term use, right, for our industry and our state.
• But one of the main areas is this change in the state endowment land objective from long-term financial
• They are trust assets, and the Constitution requires that they be managed for that long-term financial
• And so their decision related to that maximum long-term financial benefit, not to the Admissions Act.
• And to speak to that, switching from the terminology... ...long-term benefits, especially timber and

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are not... ...the system in order to accomplish two things.
• because the systems and parts for these vehicles are disappearing.
• It's a project with great long-term environmental benefits.
• nation's interstate system.
• So we've been like this all day long.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several transportation, climate, and vehicle-related bills. SB 1087 by Senator Cabaldon proposed modernizing SB 375 regional planning by moving plans from a four-year to an eight-year cycle, clarifying agency roles, aligning funding programs with regional climate plans, and reducing duplicative process costs. Supporters from MPOs and environmental groups said it would improve efficiency and implementation; opponents warned it could weaken climate accountability, expand vehicle miles traveled concerns, and reduce public participation. SB 1315, also by Senator Cabaldon, would require manufacturers to report software updates for semi-autonomous vehicle features to the Insurance Commissioner to build data for future policy; it drew no opposition. SB 1275 by Senator McNerney would replace the state sales tax on motor vehicles with a higher vehicle license fee to preserve a federal tax deduction and reduce money sent to Washington, with LAO providing technical testimony on the tax structure. The committee also heard SB 1287 by Senator Hurtado, which would create a tax credit to spur private investment in short-line railroad infrastructure. Supporters said it would improve freight efficiency, safety, emissions, and rural economic development; there was no opposition. SB 1064 by Senator Daly would reduce the frequency of clean truck checks for very low-mileage heavy-duty and off-road diesel vehicles, with supporters saying it would save time and costs and opponents asking for CARB analysis before taking a position. SB 1375 by Senator Cortese would streamline environmental review for certain transit and rail projects that have already undergone extensive prior review, while preserving other environmental laws; it received broad support and no opposition. SB 1392, also by Senator Cortese, would expand the smog exemption for certain collector vehicles used mainly for shows, parades, and historic display; classic car and lowrider supporters backed it, while air quality groups opposed it as likely to increase emissions and weaken smog-check accountability. After testimony, the committee took up motions and later completed roll calls once a quorum was established. SB 1213 was placed on the consent calendar and approved. SB 1087, SB 1315, SB 1275, SB 1287, SB 1423, SB 1064, SB 1375, and SB 1392 were all reported out of committee, generally to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with SB 1392 receiving the closest vote and some opposition from members. The committee also briefly discussed another bill on active transportation funding tied to SB 79 areas, and that measure was approved after amendments and a roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 671, Delegate Shetty, Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, mandatory appropriation, favorable
• include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of at least $2 million to support the Office of the Long-Term
• > Procurement,</c> Delegation, Calvert County Procurement, Delegation, Calvert County Procurement, Long-Term
• <02:35:19.520><c> Contracts</c><02:35:19.840><c> for</c><02:35:20.080><c> Infrastructure</c> Long-Term
• Contracts for Infrastructure Long-Term Contracts for Infrastructure and<02:35:20.800><c> Assessment<

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation by Rabbi Ari Goldstein, whose remarks were journalized at the request of the senator from District 33. The chamber then recognized the doctor of the day, Dr. Maryann Lamont, for her 50 years in medicine and her work in neurology and stroke care, and also thanked a legislative aide, Samantha Briggs, who is leaving for law school. The presiding officer noted a quorum was present and moved into the day’s floor work. The Senate handled several messages and committee reports, including a conference committee appointment on Senate Bill 18, which concerns provisional social work licensure. In Finance, the chamber advanced Senate Bill 246 on Health Services Cost Review Commission member terms, Senate Bill 370 on acupuncture board revisions, Senate Bill 564 creating a Division of Data Protection in the Attorney General’s office and a related work group, Senate Bill 782 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, Senate Bill 808 on health insurance provider panel requirements, Senate Bill 849 on agricultural equipment warranties, Senate Bill 867 on the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission, and Senate Bill 982 on mutual insurance holding companies converting back to mutual insurers. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or conforming amendments, which were adopted without objection, and each was ordered printed for third reading. The committee also considered several House bills with Senate cross-files or identical measures. These included House Bill 118 on money transmitter licensing, House Bills 339 and 512 on Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners compensation, House Bill 1100 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, House Bill 1395 on agricultural equipment warranties, House Bill 1473 creating Maryland’s Future Board, House Bill 226 on Department of Disabilities housing programs, House Bill 278 codifying the Longevity Ready Maryland plan, and House Bill 746 on collaborative care model coverage and cost-sharing limits. In each case, the committee reports were adopted, amendments were approved where offered, and the bills were advanced to third reading or passed for third reading, with no recorded opposition on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• to do the right thing, such as gravel dredging and other activities that really do not support the long-term
• The system is a little better than the appropriations room system, I must say, but maybe has a different
• We use a two-way radio system with long and short-range walkie-talkies, which is an essential part of
• The camp is a month long.
• I've heard of those systems doing that, especially these tornado-type systems.

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• Didn't have to pay anyone because he stayed within the system.
• It's about benefits access, health care, and support services.
• In doing a fully developed claim, our average claim packet may be 50, 60 pages long.
• In doing a fully developed claim, our average claim packet may be 50 or 60 pages long.
• Or advising, or have the term that they use to help their veterans, right?

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs met with a quorum and first approved its consent calendar, which included AJR 15, SB 56, SB 296, and SB 855, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee then heard SB 694 by Senator Archuleta, a bill aimed at protecting veterans from unaccredited claims representatives and other for-profit entities that charge fees to assist with VA disability claims. The author and supporters, including county veterans service officers and veterans organizations, argued the measure would curb predatory practices, restore accountability, and steer veterans toward free, accredited assistance through CVSOs and other authorized representatives. Testimony in support emphasized that veterans are often targeted online and may pay large fees for services that are available for free, while supporters said unaccredited firms lack transparency and can exploit vulnerable veterans. Opposition witnesses, including representatives of claims-assistance companies and individual veterans, argued the bill would eliminate choice and that some contingency-based firms provide useful services, better outcomes, and faster claims processing. Committee members debated whether the bill would unlawfully bar legitimate assistance or whether it was needed to stop illegal business practices, with several members noting the issue is also being litigated in federal court and that an accreditation process already exists through the VA. After discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 694 and refer it to the Committee on Judiciary. The final vote was 6 ayes, with some members not voting. The committee then completed the consent calendar vote, which passed with eight votes, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• For a 42-inch long interior support grill.
• terms.
• We talk about term limits all the time in here.
• They provide a check and balance system.
• You take care of your family.

Bills: HB 9 , HB 22 , HB 908 , HB 1392

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 16-1622, Idaho Code, to revise provisions regarding parental rights and extended foster care
• I think we can move it into statute to make sure we have, long-term, the ability to control these predators
• I think we can move into statute to make sure we have long-term the ability to control these predators
• Again, it puts it from rule into statute, so we're able to protect that and control it long term.
• Prayer has always been in school as long as there’s been tests. So I have truth, right?

Transcript Highlights:

• the federal classification system, which is based on the nice classification system, which is updated
• Now they want to back out of that agreement with complete disregard for long-term viability, the Amish
• When breeders SpaceX essential legislation year after year, long-term capital investment will become
• Chair because you gave for too long.
• Cared.

Transcript Highlights:

• Long. Here. Maggard. Here. Porris. Here. Here. Here. Redondo? Rizzo? Rosenwald. Rosenwald. Salzman.
• So this has been a long time. It's like these policies have not been revisited.
• Long? Yes. Maggard? Yes. Porras? Yes. Wadondo? Yes. Rizzo? Yes. Rosenwald? Yes. Salzman? Yes.
• Like every other profession in health care.
• Long? Yes. Maggard? Boris? Yes. Widando? Yes. Rizzo? Yes. Rose and Walt? Yes. Yes. Rizzo?

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered several health-related bills. HB 887, reducing medical marijuana registry card fees to $15 for honorably discharged veterans, drew support from veterans’ advocates and cannabis groups as a way to lower a financial barrier to care; it passed 18-0 and was reported favorably. HB 733, a Department of Health bill covering medical marijuana treatment center setbacks, physician certification renewals, low-THC/cannabis definitions, emergency license suspension for certain murder-related arrests, dental loan repayment area definitions, Early Steps policy cleanup, and autism microcredential eligibility, received mixed testimony from cannabis advocates who objected to some marijuana-related changes and zoning impacts; it also passed 18-0. HB 259, removing the $1,500 cap on pre-treatment funds held in trust by chiropractic physicians, was described as a free-market change supported by chiropractic groups and passed 18-0. The committee also approved PCS for HB 1443, creating a statewide Parkinson’s Disease Registry within the existing Parkinson’s Disease Research Institute and adding appointments to the consortium board, with USF support and no opposition; it passed 18-0. HB 1445, the related public records exemption for the registry, adopted an amendment adding the required public necessity statement and sunset date of October 2, 2031, then passed 18-0. HB 1309, which would standardize and speed patient access to medical records and align nursing home timelines with federal requirements, drew opposition from an information systems group concerned about data mining and portal access, while supporters argued it would improve patient access and care coordination; it passed 17-1 and was reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they are for only two terms max.
• This will be my third term.
• of higher education, with an emphasis on core principles, affordability, and long-term strength.
• Pemberton. ...term strength.
• I want to try to be careful how I close this debate.

Bills: HB1937 , HB2153 , HB3674 , HB2978 , HB3885 , HB3671 , HB3261 , HB3021 , HB3029 , HB4274 , HB3701 , HB3076

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee first considered a series of executive nominations, including Brian Bobeck to the State Board of Education, Jonathan Daniels to the Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools, Cody Swanee to OETA, Randy Squires to the Western Oklahoma State College Board of Regents, Dwight Spencer to the Carl Albert State College Board of Regents, V. Lee to the Oklahoma Arts Council, Adisha Chapman to the Murray State College Board of Regents, Trevor Pemberton to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Jennifer Carlson and Melissa Yvonne to the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability, Kevin Gross to the Tulsa Community College Board of Regents, and Barbara Myers to the Oklahoma Arts Council. Most nominees briefly described their backgrounds and reasons for serving, and the committee approved each nomination, with votes ranging from 8-1 to 10-0, sending them on to the full Senate or floor as applicable. The committee then took up several education bills. House Bill 1937, dealing with the Communications with Students Act, was amended to require corroborated evidence before immediate suspension and to narrow the definition of student; it passed 9-0. House Bill 2153, which would subject OSSAA meetings and hearings to the Open Meetings Act and repeal the statutory one-year sit-out rule for transfers, drew questions about recruitment and FERPA but passed 7-3. House Bill 3674, requiring school resource officer training on sexual assault and violence, annual continuing education, mandatory reporting, and closure of contractor loopholes, passed 9-0. House Bill 3885, setting a graduated discipline framework for third through fifth graders, prompted debate over classroom safety and student rights and passed 9-1. House Bill 3671, allowing a receiving district to accept a transferring teacher’s career status, passed 10-0. House Bill 3261, assigning employee numbers to school support staff such as coaches and bus drivers for tracking across districts, passed 10-0. Several other bills generated more extensive discussion. House Bill 2978, which would impose annual library audits, public online catalogs, a formal challenge process, and funding penalties for noncompliance, faced repeated questions about how it differed from existing policy and who could challenge materials; it failed 4-5. House Bill 3021, revising graduation requirements and preserving flexibility for applied math/science and local course approval while removing some language requirements, passed 8-2. House Bill 3029, requiring the Department of Education to develop a four-year plan, passed 9-1. House Bill 4274, expanding school choice options for military-dependent students living on base, passed 10-0. The committee also began consideration of House Bill 3076, which would clarify alternative teacher certification provider definitions and OEQA oversight, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• When we look at the long-term global data, several things stand out about greenhouse gas initiatives.
• Those are long-term global data.
• </c><01:01:01.400><c> Those</c><01:01:01.680><c> are</c><01:01:01.800><c> long-term</c> talking points
• Those are long-term talking points. Those are long-term global<01:01:02.840><c> data.
• . care. care.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was here last term and loved it.
• I got my training in electronics and communications and went on to a nice long career in it.
• There are funds that come from the federal government in terms of VA per diem.
• to the least in terms of the 2024-25 biennium.
• system system um<00:40:28.280><c> we</c><00:40:28.560><c> propose</c><00:40:28.960><c> that</c><00:40

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> no experience in providing this care. no experience in providing this care.
• If we truly want to reduce overdose deaths, strengthen our health care system, and keep our doctors in
• </c> teachers retirement system. teachers retirement system.
• </c> of care first of all the scope of care of care first of all the scope of care is<01:31:23.520><c
• </c> care and kind of take that scope of care care and kind of take that scope of care and<01:32:12.000

Summary: The subcommittee met on October 14, approved the minutes, and then took up a large group of staff-suggested amendments to multiple regulations. Those staff amendments were approved without objection and were described as technical changes needed to comply with KRS Chapter 13A and other governing law. The committee then moved out of order to consider Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure regulation 2011 KAR 9:270, which governs buprenorphine prescribing and related standards. Board representatives said the regulation has been updated over time since 2015 and that the current amendments are intended to streamline the rule, remove outdated federal references such as the X-waiver, narrow education requirements to addiction-related topics, and create exceptions for settings like emergency rooms and certain pain treatment situations. The agency amendment would also allow buprenorphine monoproduct for up to 30 days when a patient is transitioning from a full opioid agonist, and would add physicians certified in addiction medicine as eligible specialty consultants. Board officials said the regulation was developed through a two-year process with a work group, informal outreach to medical organizations, and multiple comment periods, and they argued the rule is working because overdose deaths have declined and provider numbers have increased. Several witnesses and committee members raised concerns that the regulation remains too restrictive. Senator Rocky Adams noted that major medical organizations had said the proposed language could restrict access and worsen overdose risk, and he questioned whether the committee was being asked to choose between conflicting expert views. Opponents, including a medical student, a recovery advocate, and Dr. Colleen Ryan of the Kentucky Society of Addiction Medicine, argued the rule is outdated, creates unnecessary barriers to buprenorphine treatment, and should be repealed or substantially revised to align with federal guidance and evidence-based care. They said rigid requirements can discourage treatment and that addiction should be treated like other chronic illnesses. No final vote on the medical licensure regulation is reflected in the transcript excerpt, and the discussion ended with the chair preparing to hear from additional opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• But as large as the system is, and as much as the MTA has made efforts to modernize the system, my belief
• Have you guys actually been there to see that new system?
• Those experiences taught me the importance of accountability, collaboration, and long-term planning in
• So we've got the longer-term picture and the shorter-term picture.
• So we've got the longer-term picture and the shorter-term picture.

Summary: The joint meeting of the Senate Finance, Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, and Transportation committees considered four nominations to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board: Melanie Hartzog, Jeanette Sadecott, Matthew Rand, and James O’Donnell. Each nominee gave opening remarks describing their public service or transportation-related experience and their interest in issues such as affordability, accessibility, state of good repair, regional connectivity, and transit safety. Senators also raised concerns about MTA transparency, the 2025-29 capital plan funding gap, fare and toll evasion, worker safety, and the need for better service in underserved areas. Members pressed the nominees on several policy questions, including the feasibility of free or reduced-fare buses, expanding bus service and bus lanes, restoring Hudson Valley and Harlem Line service, improving west-of-Hudson and Rockland County transit, and advancing the Second Avenue Subway and accessibility projects. The nominees generally said they were open to studying these ideas, emphasized collaboration with the MTA, governor, mayor, and legislature, and supported greater transparency and investment in transit infrastructure. Senators also highlighted labor concerns, including the MTA workers’ contract and safety for bus operators and other transit workers. At the end of the hearing, the committees voted separately on each nomination. Melanie Hartzog, Jeanette Sadecott, Matthew Rand, and James O’Donnell were each approved by the committees and advanced to the Senate floor. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> And sir, thank you and care com on that. >> Thank you.
• How long they'll even do things like how long with someone on the phone? It's a variety of things.
• , in-cabin camera or monitoring systems.
• So everybody uses the system.
• And just this past August, we completed the system with our northern expansion and extending the system

Transcript Highlights:

• It is long overdue, and it is important—something we can all be proud of.
• I've known them a long time, and I rely on their expertise as great confidants.
• All of this is taken care of in House Bill 2.
• importance of public education, and what these dollars mean, not only to our kids in the next biennium, but long-term
• . long-term systemic change.

Keywords: public education, HB2, teacher salaries, special education, emergent bilingual programs, Texas legislature

Summary: The meeting primarily revolved around the discussion of HB2, which aims to increase funding for public education in Texas. Key points included enhancements to teacher salaries, special education funding, and initiatives to support emergent bilingual programs. Legislators highlighted the need for collaboration and leadership in addressing the challenges faced by public schools, noting the vital role that education plays in the state's future. Speaker Burroughs expressed confidence in achieving significant improvements for Texas students through this legislation, which has been deemed one of the most consequential bills of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even after he left office, he remained deeply engaged in civic life long after his term ended.
• He believed that government Long after his term ended, he believed that government should serve the needs
• Under Alameda Health System in 2013.
• How do we keep health care in Winters?'
• Eventually, we started getting bigger, and we ended up being a federally funded health care system, which

Summary: The Assembly convened in Sacramento with an initial quorum call, then established a quorum and proceeded with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine opening business. The chamber dispensed with reading the prior journal, deferred introductions and references of bills, and reported no Governor or Senate messages. Procedural motions were approved, including suspending rules to allow adjournment-in-memory remarks and guest access, and withdrawing S.J.R. 7 from committee and placing it on the third reading file. Members then recognized several guest groups, including Grace Valley Christian School, College of San Mateo student-athletes, the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Agricultural Leadership Class, the Light of the World youth group, and exchange students from Germany and Tajikistan. There was no substantive floor debate on legislation; daily file and several file items were passed, retained, or continued without further action. The main floor activity centered on adjournment-in-memory tributes. Assemblymember Ortega honored former San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy for his public service, school and hospital advocacy, and civic leadership. Assemblymember Wilson honored Joseph R. Martinez, a Solano County agricultural leader and advocate for rural health care. The Assembly observed moments of silence for both individuals. The session concluded with announcements, including a reminder that FPPC Form 700 was due that day, notice of committee meetings, and an adjournment motion carrying the House until Thursday, March 5 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even after he left office, he remained deeply engaged in civic life long after his term ended.
• Long after his term ended, he believed that government should serve the needs of all people, not just
• Under Alameda Health System in 2013.
• How do we keep health care in Winters?
• Now eventually we started getting bigger and we ended up being a federally funded health care system,