Transcript Highlights:

• been rightly and truly prepared, are now before the House for final passage: House 4349, an act directing
• It also responds to the federal tax changes from last year, and it takes care of some timely deficiencies
• Another $150 million will go toward funding early education child care costs, and $38 million will go
• federal changes, such as the new cap on student loan limits for social workers, educators, and health care
• amendment, which will deliver much-needed surplus funds equally to every district and provide real direct

Summary: The House convened with the Pledge of Allegiance, received and placed on file the resignation letter of Rep. Vanna Howard of Lowell, and adopted several routine committee reports. These included extensions of reporting deadlines for the Healthcare Financing and Public Health committees, concurrence with Senate petitions sent to Housing and Public Safety and Homeland Security, and suspension of Joint Rule 12 for a petition concerning children involved with DCF. The chamber also adopted a resolution commending the Admetek Foundation on Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. The main business was House No. 5264, a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill totaling about $1.8 billion. House leaders described the bill as using Fair Share surtax surplus funds for transportation and education, addressing MBTA reserves, safety and infrastructure, special education circuit breaker costs, early education and childcare, and other deficiencies such as GIC costs, sheriff deficiencies, heating assistance, and World Cup-related expenses. Members also discussed the bill’s tax conformity provisions responding to federal tax changes, with supporters arguing the bill would reduce a projected revenue shortfall and preserve competitiveness while delaying some conformity changes. The House considered several amendments to the supplemental bill. Amendment 43, which would have redirected $100 million of Fair Share funds to a per-capita municipal distribution for roads and schools, drew debate over equity and rural road needs but was rejected on a roll call, 25-128. A consolidated amendment was then adopted on a roll call, 148-0, and the bill itself was passed to be engrossed on a roll call, 150-3. The House also adopted an amendment setting the next day’s meeting time and then adjourned to meet the following day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE HAD A BACKLOG OF SCHOOLS THAT WERE IN NEED OF THIS AND HE GOT AN ADDITIONAL $7 MILLION TO TAKE CARE
• 150 MILE PER HOUR WIND AND KEPT THEM OUT OF THE ELEMENTS AND PROVIDED A DECENT PLACE TO STAY AND BE CARED
• THOSE BEING IDEALLY, DEBBIE, MILTON, THE BROWARD FLOODING BUT BROWARD AND FORT LAUDERDALE DID RECEIVE DIRECT
• WE HAVE OUR DIRECT HOUSING PROGRAMS WHAT I WILL GET TO LATER IS WHAT WE REFER TO AS SUB RECIPIENT PROGRAMS
• THERE WERE 11 ADDITIONAL DIRECT ALLOCATION MADE TO WHAT HUD REFERS TO AS ENTITLEMENT COMMUNITIES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is about setting direction.
• </c> Does anyone care to change their vote? Does anyone care to change their vote?
• </c> health care providers. health care providers.
• I just do not think this is the right direction to go. Right direction to go.
• </c> anyone care to change their vote? anyone care to change their vote?

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, April 10, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from the board and see if there's any interest from this committee on moving forward in any other direction
• And he gives some direction that way. But everything is independent in what we do.
• And now we know this is how we take care of business, and that's moving forward.
• Our mission is simple: provide a quality education in a caring environment.
• I think we can pull some of those folks that direction.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It said 600 ft, and so we clarified that language that it's 250 ft both directions.
• </c><00:03:10.879><c> So</c> that it's 250 ft both directions. So that it's 250 ft both directions.
• And sometimes people don't care at the end of the day.
• And sometimes people don't care at the end of the day.
• don't don't care at the end<00:15:27.440><c> of</c><00:15:27.519><c> the</c><00:15:27.600><c> day.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With regard to your objection, this bill is in direct reference to the HJR, which directs funding to
• Here's the change: provided that total investment amounts directed toward venture capital opportunities
• I thank my dear colleague here from western Oklahoma who would think that they have health care needs
• I don't have any real direct numbers.
• Representative Harris, do you care to vote?

Committee: House Rules

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Stannard Baker of Shelburne and be it further resolved that the Secretary of State be directed to send
• to send a Secretary of State be directed to send a copy<00:10:36.880><c> of</c><00:10:37.040><c> this
• So Vermont CARES is going to get an additional $25,000.
• </c><00:19:06.640><c> And</c><00:19:06.799><c> it</c> the Vermont CARES organization.
• And it the Vermont CARES organization.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Two different directions: Direction number one is with the funds and the resources that we have.
• That would defeat it and make it actually go the other direction.
• So, why do we care about healthy soils?
• Do you really get someone who cares about conservation, or do they care about other things that have
• We must be careful.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• According to CRB reports, the direct job growth in the data center industry helps create 7.4 ancillary
• Consumers, as you know, are demanding care for the environment as part of product and service delivery
• </c> Consumers as you know are demanding care Consumers as you know are demanding care for<00:21:30.960
• this is the direction the state needs<00:42:19.119><c> to</c><00:42:19.280><c> move.
• Immediate jobs creation will generate... congressionally directed spending from congressionally directed

Bills: HF2928 , HF2912 , HF2297

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't care what... Sorry, Mr. Chairman.
• </c> also respectfully have health care also respectfully have health care providers<01:43:52.160><c>
• I don't care about the car.
• I don't care or the person with you.
• I don't care about<01:56:53.400><c> the</c><01:56:53.480><c> car.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began as a Committee of Conference on House Bill 194, but the discussion quickly centered on whether to remove an attached bill, 504, because of concerns about a possible fee or tax and a House rule issue. Members debated the procedural posture of the bill, whether the House version had been non-concurred, and whether the conference committee could still resolve the issue by adopting the House amendment or reconsidering the non-concur. The exchange became tense, with one side warning that failing to pass the measure could jeopardize a linked rural health transformation grant worth about $20 million. The committee ultimately recessed without resolving the 194/504 dispute and planned to return the next day. The committee then opened conference on House Bill 609, which dealt with use-of-force/self-defense language and restraint/seclusion authority in health care settings. On the self-defense portion, House members argued strongly for restoring vehicle language, saying people should be able to defend themselves in a car the same way they can in a home, especially in carjacking or assault situations where no weapon is displayed. Senate members expressed concern about expanding deadly-force protections too broadly and suggested narrowing the language to focus on imminent harm to the person, not property, while also questioning where the provision should be placed in statute. The second major topic in HB 609 was who may order restraint or seclusion in clinical settings. House members argued that physicians are not always immediately available, especially in hospitals and emergency settings, and that APRNs and physician associates should be able to act in crises if properly trained and credentialed. Senate members raised concerns about scope of practice and asked whether the language implied patient consent was required; the Senate side explained that consent language was intended to address capacity and informed decision-making, not to require voluntary consent to restraint. The discussion ended with the sides still apart, though the Senate floated a compromise allowing physician associates to order restraint when no doctor is physically on the premises, while not yet extending that authority to APRNs. The committee took a short break to continue negotiations on the firearm/self-defense piece.

Transcript Highlights:

• The entire membership extends its best wishes on this memorable occasion and directs this resolution
• The entire membership extends its best wishes on this memorable occasion and directs this resolution
• The entire membership extends its best wishes on this memorable occasion and directs this resolution
• The entire membership extends its best wishes on this memorable occasion and directs this resolution
• The entire membership extends its best wishes on this memorable occasion and directs this resolution

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 42 members present and a quorum, opened with an invocation by Pastor Jaylen Robinson, and recognized several guests and honorees. Early floor remarks included a welcome to students from Forest Oak Middle School, a young Senate shadow from Woodlawn High School, and guests from Charles H. Flowers High School. The chamber also noted a doctor of the day and announced that panoramic photos in the Senate lounge were available for order by March 27, with eye exams available in the State House. The main legislative business was Senate Bill 283, the President’s Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2026. The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee presented 291 amendments, described as funding priorities for jobs, infrastructure, and reliability while staying within debt affordability limits. The amendments covered school construction, natural resources, higher education, housing, Maryland Environmental Service, miscellaneous grants, local Senate bond initiatives, jails and detention centers, and pre-authorizations for fiscal 2028. Four amendments were separated for individual roll calls: 30, 35, 46, and 241, all of which were adopted. The remaining committee amendments were adopted without objection, and the favorable committee report as amended was then taken up. During debate on the capital budget amendments, one senator raised concerns about the bill and the difficulty of tracking the amendments on the electronic system, prompting discussion about technical issues and the availability of the documents on the website and in paper form. The chair said the committee had been working on the bill for months and urged the body to proceed. A question was raised about Amendment 264, which deauthorized a Willing Helper Society renovation project in Charles County; the chair explained the money had not been spent, was about to expire, and was repurposed to a Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maryland project to keep the funding in Charles County.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then... during pregnancy and childbirth, pre and postnatal health care, and preventative care, protection
• If they can't be cared for at the site, then they go to the hospital and they get the care that they
• And they try not to delay some of that care, especially like the OBGYN care.
• And then also making sure that on the health care side, there's care coordination and case management
• , that can be delayed prenatal care or no prenatal care at all for a lot of women in the state.

Summary: The committee held its inaugural meeting and heard opening remarks from the chair and vice chair about the committee’s purpose: studying issues affecting women and children in Louisiana, including health, education, economic opportunity, safety, and criminal justice. After roll call, the committee proceeded with informational presentations rather than taking any formal votes. Members emphasized the committee’s role in gathering testimony and identifying policy solutions. The first major presentation came from the Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention. The director reviewed 2025 data showing 2,963 identified victims, 15,437 service instances, and trafficking reports in 62 of 64 parishes. She explained Louisiana’s coordinated response system, including screening tools, child advocacy center referrals, and the DCFS hotline option for trafficking reports. She also described familial trafficking, new victim outreach and identification tools, and two priority bills: HB 321, which would create immunity from prostitution offenses for child victims under Safe Harbor principles, and SB 83, which would require school board trafficking policies and expand victim advocacy services to labor trafficking victims and survivors up to age 21. Committee members asked about reporting procedures, school use of the tools, service gaps, and whether the data showed increases due to better identification. The committee then heard from the Attorney General’s office on online child exploitation and child sexual abuse material. The presenter said the Louisiana ICAC Task Force received 31,203 tips in 2025, made 545 arrests, identified or rescued more than 80 child victims, and executed over 1,500 search warrants. He described rapid tip-to-arrest responses in recent cases, the expansion of partner agencies statewide, and the creation of an Orleans Metro ICAC task force. Members asked about community presentations, the role of social media in exploitation, the use of geolocation, the prosecution of out-of-state offenders, and the need for more analysts and outreach staff. The discussion also covered sadistic online enticement, sextortion, live-streamed abuse, and the need for parents and schools to monitor children’s online activity. At the end of the meeting, the committee began receiving a legislative auditor’s presentation on the treatment and care of incarcerated women, focusing on jail policies, health care, restraint use, and reentry, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation is completed. No committee votes or formal actions were recorded in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• , send it back to the managed care organization.
• , send it back to the managed care organization.
• , send it back to the managed care organization.
• </c> be returned to the managed care be returned to the managed care organization.<00:15:11.199><c> the
• So, it's really different directions.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate Republican leaders held a press event to roll out a package of anti-fraud proposals focused on state welfare and human services programs. Mark Johnson opened by citing recent fraud scandals, including a shuttered housing program and reports of vulnerable adults being left without care while providers billed for full services, and said Republicans want top-down reform, stronger accountability, new technology, and tighter oversight of taxpayer dollars. Michael Kreun said Republicans support an independent Office of Inspector General and argued the Senate-passed bill should not be weakened in the House; he also said the Senate should restore its role in confirming agency commissioners, especially at DHS, which he described as central to the fraud problem. Jordan Rasmusson outlined a plan to stop “blank checks” for DHS and DCYF services by requiring legislative audit review when a program exceeds budget by 5 percent and legislative approval for additional spending at 10 percent over budget. He also said DHS should adopt basic integrity tools such as electronic visit verification and client sign-off. Steve Drazkowski described two bills: a statewide “do-not-pay” list to block payments to ineligible people or entities, and an “I’m Not a Robot” proposal for Medicaid managed care that would require enrollee verification forms, with a 2 percent payment withhold used to encourage compliance and potentially fund county system upgrades. Mark Krueger said the state should improve technology and data use for eligibility determinations, citing other states’ rapid fraud-fighting systems, and proposed penalties for false reporting to the Legislative Auditor after a DHS audit found falsified site-visit records. Steve Gruenhagen said his bill would require DHS and DCYF to resume annual fraud-prevention and oversight reports to the legislature, which he said had stopped after 2017 despite rising fraud cases. Michael Holmstrom proposed unannounced site visits for all DHS and DCYF providers before enrollment, reenrollment, and revalidation, funded through provider service fees, and cited a recent case involving a woman with autism who was billed for far more care than she received. In the Q&A, Kreun said House Democrats’ delete-everything amendment to the inspector general bill removed the law enforcement division and stripped the bill of its “teeth,” and he suggested the governor’s office may have been involved in efforts to replace the bill with a weaker coordination council model. No votes were taken in the press conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• independent child care providers.
• Unfortunately, it's a losing proposition for most districts and child care providers.
• There's almost no direct state support for high-quality teacher training. Why is that?
• There's almost no direct state support for high-quality teacher training.
• I mean, just because SBOE says that, The TEKS—why should we care?

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Summary: The committee continued hearing testimony on Senate Bill 2252, which would expand early literacy and numeracy screening, parent notification, intervention supports, and teacher training, including math academies and early childhood supports. Supporters from Texas 2036, Good Reason Houston, Texas Business Leadership Council, and several parents argued that early identification of skill gaps, clearer data for families, and stronger teacher preparation would improve student outcomes, workforce readiness, and long-term earnings. They cited low math proficiency statewide, the importance of early intervention, and examples of districts using screeners and data dashboards to guide instruction and resource allocation. One witness also highlighted home visiting as a family-support model, while another urged more funding for pre-K partnerships and stronger support for parents with reading materials and guidance. A district special education administrator testified neutrally, saying the bill reflects practices already used in her district but expressing concern that it could reduce local control and teacher discretion by standardizing screening and tying it to funding. A Texas Classroom Teachers Association representative supported the intent but warned that mandatory math academies and intervention academies could burden teachers if implemented like prior reading academies, and a substitute teacher/teacher-of-the-year witness asked for clearer protections around special education information and pay for alternative certification candidates. After public testimony closed, SB 2252 was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2253, as substituted, which would phase out routine hiring of uncertified teachers over time, require parent notification when a teacher is uncertified, and expand high-quality preparation pathways such as university programs, residencies, improved alternative certification, and grow-your-own programs. Senator Creighton said the bill responds to the rise in uncertified teachers and aims to strengthen the teacher pipeline with more structured preparation, mentorship, and oversight by SBEC. Invited testimony strongly supported the measure: a Texas Tech researcher said uncertified teachers and fast-track programs are associated with significant learning losses, while year-long residencies and mentored pathways produce stronger outcomes and higher earnings for students. Leaders from Dallas College and Sam Houston State University described successful residency and grow-your-own models, high completion and retention rates, and the need for paid residencies and stipends so candidates can afford to enter the profession. Committee members asked about the difference between mentorship and residency, the cost-effectiveness of paid residencies, retention incentives, and how to scale the model statewide. The committee also adopted the substitute for SB 2253 and later paused to vote out several other bills, including SB 1191, SB 1786, SB 226, SB 326, SB 570, SB 870, SB 991, SB 60, SB 365, SB 1401, and SB 1067, all of which were reported favorably, many with unanimous votes and some placed on the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• way that fosters more affordable housing, less waste, safer communities, greater access to health care
• friends and religious leaders and educators and business owners weren't willing to allow people they cared
• The dentist knows more about caring for my teeth than I do, but I'm going to go ahead and brush my own
• becoming a state park, giving both the House and the Senate continued oversight and authority to direct
• Continued oversight and authority to direct the way that history is shared.

Keywords: June 29, 2026 - Special Session 1, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• about addressing the affordability crisis here in our state, the high cost of housing, food, child care
• SB 119 in my opinion is a step in the right direction and let's continue pushing for stronger more equitable
• go hungry, we refuse to let them go without a hand up, just because the federal government doesn't care
• You can make sure that you have greater access to child care opportunities for your children, so that
• His fight for health care access became personal after he received a heart and kidney transplant in 2015

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll direct the Sergeant at Arms to please contact the Senate and please let the Senate know of the
• Taking care of those African-American families, that is their generational wealth.
• Chair and members, Rand Martin, on behalf of Aviana Health Care, one of the larger providers of services
• Chair and members, Norland Asperic here on behalf of Prime Home Health and Maxim Health Care Services
• I had an opportunity to visit the daycare centers that help take care of these medically fragile children

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee met after several delays while waiting for the Senate to finish its floor session, and the chair announced the committee would begin once a quorum was established. The committee then heard a series of tax-related bills, with most measures being held for suspense except SB 87, which was voted out. The chair also welcomed newly appointed committee member Assembly Member Juan Carrillo. SB 359 would clarify that county-run transit systems qualify for existing sales and use tax exemptions on transit fuels such as diesel and compressed natural gas. Senator Nilo and Placer County testified that the bill would correct an inequity affecting counties operating their own transit services, especially rural counties, and would not create a new state revenue loss because the tax had not been consistently collected. Support came from the California Transit Association and the California State Association of Counties; the bill was sent to suspense. SB 603 would allow county boards of supervisors in disaster-affected counties to extend by up to three years the five-year deadline for transferring a property tax base-year value to replacement property. The author and supporters, including the California Assessors Association and the California Association of Realtors, said the measure would give local governments flexibility to address post-disaster rebuilding delays. SB 293 would extend the deadline for filing intergenerational property transfer claims from six months to three years for disaster-impacted homeowners, with testimony focused on helping families in Altadena and preserving generational homes after the Eaton Fire; the committee discussed possible refinements and the bill was held in suspense. SB 353 would extend the farm-to-food-bank tax credit through 2032, with support emphasizing food security, waste reduction, and the program’s documented results; it too was sent to suspense. SB 723 would raise the threshold for property tax exemptions on low-value properties, with the author arguing it would reduce administrative costs and ease burdens on small businesses, and the committee asked for technical work before the bill was held in suspense. SB 785 would create a $5,000 tax credit for durable medical equipment used by children with complex medical conditions, with supporters saying it could prevent hospitalizations and help families keep medically fragile children at home; it was also sent to suspense. SB 87, which would extend the sales tax exemption for volunteer fire department fundraising activities for five more years, passed the committee on a 5-0 vote and was sent to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• procurement divisions and allow open enrollment contracting when in the state's best interest and permit direct
• size fits all approach that doesn't always meet individual or community needs, so the initiative directs
• And our Constitution and Declaration of Independence are under the care and custody of the Texas State
• Subsidized child care program.
• Statutorily, fraud, waste, and abuse is only addressed in the subsidized child care program.

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> American Association of critical care American Association of critical care nurses<00:24:06.679>
• I'm here to assure you that when you seek care for an illness or other health care concerns, your nurse
• </c> know I'm sorry dirting your's direct know I'm sorry dirting your's direct your<00:32:24.279><c>
• That takes care of House Bill 580.
• So that takes care of 687.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on HB 584, which would bar New Hampshire and its political subdivisions from enforcing mandates, orders, or similar directives from the World Health Organization, United Nations, or World Economic Forum. Prime sponsor Representative Green described the bill as a sovereignty measure and offered an amendment to clarify language, including replacing a reference to entities that “create and enforce policies” with language covering enforcement of policies, mandates, orders, requirements, edicts, or directives. Supporters argued the bill was a preemptive safeguard against outside influence and cited concerns about pandemic-era public health measures and international organizations. Opponents, including the American Heart Association, warned it could chill local policymaking and limit the ability of communities to use outside research or guidance. The chair closed the hearing on HB 584 after testimony concluded. The committee then moved to HB 580-FN, relative to retaliatory defamation in domestic violence and sexual violence cases. Representative Anita Burroughs, the prime sponsor, said the bill is intended to protect people who report sexual assault, sexual harassment, abuse, or domestic violence from retaliatory defamation suits, so long as statements are made in good faith and without malice. She also said the bill preserves the ability of accused persons to defend their names. Burroughs explained that the proposal was prompted by a survivor’s experience and was meant to address the chilling effect of expensive litigation on reporting misconduct. Testimony on HB 580 was generally supportive. Witnesses said the bill would help survivors speak out without fear of meritless lawsuits and described retaliatory defamation as a tool used to silence or intimidate accusers. Burroughs noted the bill was informed by anti-SLAPP principles and referenced high-profile defamation cases as examples of the cost and pressure of litigation. No vote was taken in the portion of the transcript provided; the hearing on HB 580 was opened and testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• enter into a contract on behalf of this committee, whether to expend funds from that fund, and who to direct
• enter into a contract on behalf of this committee, whether to expend funds from that fund, and who to direct
• The chair explained that the House does not do seconds, then directed the committee to go back to the
• So the contracts are taken care of there. So we got through that. Is there anything further?
• So the contracts are taken care of there. So we got through that now.

Summary: The America 250 Advisory Council met with a quorum and approved the prior meeting minutes. Staff gave a financial update showing about $344,310.88 in total expenditures to date, with roughly $64,987.14 remaining in the bottom line and an estimated $9,147 returning to the commemorative fund after two outstanding grants are resolved. Members thanked staff for getting grant money out to cities and counties and for tracking the celebration fund carefully. The council then received legal guidance from the Attorney General’s Office on how to handle contracts. Counsel Yvonne Dunbar explained that the full committee, not subcommittees alone, must decide how America 250 funds are spent and should clearly designate who is authorized to sign contracts and carry out delegated tasks. The committee voted to authorize the co-chairs to sign agreements approved by the council and to send signed agreements to the Legislative Services Office and Treasurer’s Office for recordkeeping and payment processing, with questions routed back to the co-chairs. Members also discussed a specific $20,000 celebration fund contract, but were advised no new motion was needed because the expenditure had already been approved; the contract would simply be returned for signature once finalized. An ambassador program update highlighted strong public participation, including nearly 2,000 ambassadors, 170 cities, 44 counties, 47 businesses, and 29 schools using customized logos. The council also heard about the Capitol quilt display, which grew from an expected 12 quilts to 62 and has drawn significant public attention, along with progress on the Liberty Bell carriage and a fountain project. The governor’s task force report covered upcoming America 250 initiatives such as the July 8 “Sharing the Spirit of America” reading event, the youth art project “My America, From Ground Zero to Common Ground,” America’s Potluck, and the updated Idaho and federal event websites. The federal report summarized national America 250 activities, including Idaho’s submission to the America’s Time Capsule project, the Flag Sojourn, America’s Field Trip, America Innovates, the growing congressional America 250 caucus, and the planned Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C. Finally, the council approved disbursement of grant awards requested by Power County, the City of Nampa, the City of Heyburn, and Jerome County. Members discussed scheduling the next meeting for April 20 and adjourned after brief closing remarks thanking staff and partners for their work.