Video & Transcript Research : 'faithless delegates'
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VA
Virginia 2026 Regular Session
House Select Committee on Advancing Rural and Small Town Health Care Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Delegate Willett? Here. Delegate O'Quinn? Here. Delegate Clark? Delegate Cole? Present.
- Delegate Laufer? Here. Delegate Henson? Delegate McGuire? Here. Delegate Franklin? Here.
- Delegate McLaughlin? Here. Delegate Wachsmann? Here. Delegate Runion? Here. And Delegate Walker?
- Now we'll go to Delegate Laufer. Thank you. The returning delegate. I'm returning.
- Chair, Delegate Waxman. And that is... Absolutely, Mr. Chair, Delegate Waxman.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- >> House 1604, Delegate Kerr, House Rules. >> House 605, Delegate Griffith, House Rules.
- House 606, Delegate Odum, House Rules. House 607, Delegate ODM, House Rules.
- Good morning, Delegate.
- the delegate from Baltimore City. the delegate from Baltimore City.
- Delegates. Delegates.
Summary:
The Maryland House met in session with 122 members present, received the journal, introduced several House bills and Senate Bill 37, and referred bond initiatives and executive nominations to committee. The chamber then took up a series of third-reading bills. House Bill 146, concerning on-site wastewater system inspection and pumping requirements and implementation dates, drew extended debate. Supporters described it as a consumer protection and water-quality measure, while opponents argued it would add significant costs to home sales and rentals, especially in rural areas. After discussion of septic-system costs, enforcement, and the pace of replacement approvals, the bill passed 93-36.
House Bill 220, dealing with individual water submeters, also prompted debate over a $1 monthly administrative fee and a provision affecting unpaid water bills in eviction proceedings; members clarified that the eviction language had been struck by floor amendment. Some members argued the bill could raise housing costs, while the sponsor said it mirrored existing electric and gas submetering law. The bill passed 95-34. House Bill 236 on blood-testing timing for contestants before the State Athletic Commission passed 130-0, House Bill 241 extending sunset provisions for state boards and commissions passed 130-0, House Bill 242 on unemployment insurance confidentiality passed 130-0, House Bill 259 revising the Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund passed 120-10, and House Bill 308 on private mailboxes for associations passed 120-2.
During the floor session, members also discussed septic-system policy more broadly, including the cost of inspections, the need for timely repairs, and whether government should intervene in real-estate transactions. One member explained that a floor amendment had removed a disputed provision from HB 220, which is why it did not appear in the reprint. The House also received a gubernatorial message with executive nominations, referred it to House Rules, and then heard committee and subcommittee announcements about upcoming votes, budget hearings, and caucus meetings.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- my first time ever testify as a delegate my first time ever testify as a delegate um<00:05:10.960
- for speaker prom for my friend Delegate for speaker prom for my friend Delegate Luke<00:08:44.080
- Delegates. Delegates. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations.
- Ferguson IV as President. of delegates delegates moon and buckle of delegates delegates moon and buckle
- Maryland House of Delegates. Maryland House of Delegates.
Summary:
The House convened for the first day of session and first elected Delegate Luke Clippinger as Speaker Pro Tem. Members nominated and seconded him with remarks praising his leadership, work on Judiciary Committee issues, and ability to mentor colleagues. Nominations were then closed, the House voted by voice, and Clippinger was sworn in.
The chamber then opened nominations for Speaker of the House. Multiple members spoke in support of Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk, highlighting her personal story, legal background, public service, and committee leadership. Speakers emphasized her work on major policy areas including education, police reform, racial and economic justice, reproductive freedom, and support for historically Black colleges and universities. One member from the minority party also seconded the nomination, saying she had been inclusive and respectful in committee work and legislative process.
After nominations were closed, the House voted by voice and elected Peña-Melnyk Speaker of the House of Delegates. She was sworn in and thanked members for their support, reflecting on the diversity in the chamber and the significance of the moment. In her remarks, she also praised outgoing Speaker Adrienne Jones and recognized family members, dignitaries, and colleagues in attendance.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh the delegate from Southern Maryland. Uh the delegate from Southern Maryland.
- delegate from Frederick County. delegate from Frederick County.
- delegate from Frederick. delegate from Frederick.
- Recognizing the delegate from Frederick. Recognizing the delegate from Frederick.
- Permission to use the delegate name? Permission to use the delegate name?
Summary:
The House took up the Appropriations Committee’s report on the fiscal 2027 budget, including Senate Bill 282, the budget bill, and Senate Bill 284, the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act. The floor leader described a balanced budget with a $282 million cash surplus, $2 billion in rainy day reserves, and no new fees or taxes, while highlighting funding for child care scholarships and credentials, behavioral health services in schools, Medicaid and SNAP-related outreach, DDA services, domestic violence and rape crisis services, energy assistance, local government disparity grants, and private-sector investment. Both budget measures were special ordered until Wednesday, March 25, and the House adopted the committee’s motion in each case without objection.
The chamber also considered several committee reports from Economic Matters, Government, Labor, and Elections, and Health. Among the measures advanced were House Bill 1529 on a Baltimore County local commission on common ownership communities; House Bills 571, 892, 893, 994, 1120, 1166, 1351, 1362, and 883; and health-related bills including House Bills 446, 658, 698, 1015, and 1048. Most bills were amended and then given favorable reports, with the House adopting the amendments and ordering the bills printed for third reading.
Several bills drew brief floor questions. House Bill 994 would create a $300 annual registration fee for travel services providers, but the sponsor said it would not add new penalties beyond existing consumer protection laws. House Bill 1166 on front license plate display clarified that a signed statement can shift responsibility to the driver when a front plate cannot be installed, while the existing $500 fine for noncompliance remained current law. House Bill 1351, dealing with disaster mitigation services and MHIC licensing, was explained as bringing those providers under home improvement licensing rules after a transition period, and was special ordered until the end of the session at a delegate’s request. House Bill 1048 on sodium and added sugar warning icons was amended to include a QR code and remove some reporting and education provisions; members also clarified that the bill still uses a 25-gram threshold and that restaurant groups did not support the bill, though it had been worked through with them.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- The House appoints Delegate Moon chair, Delegate Carden, Delegate Valentine.
- The House appoints Delegate Moon chair, Delegate Carden, Delegate Valentine.
- ><00:58:48.480>
Delegate Boyce chair, Delegate Baylor, Delegate Boyce chair, Delegate Baylor, - Delegate Cardin, Delegate Valentine. Delegate Cardin, Delegate Valentine.
- The House has appointed Delegate White Holland, appointed Delegate White Holland, Delegate Riley, Delegate
Summary:
The Senate reconvened with a quorum and began by reading House messages and first-reading bills, including SB 8 on identity fraud and deepfakes and HB 145 on election misinformation and deepfakes, which was referred to Rules. The chamber then handled several concurrence and conference matters. On HB 154, the Open Meetings Act bill for county boards of education, the Senate initially moved to recede from its amendments and accept the House version, but debate centered on a Senate transparency amendment limiting school boards’ ability to censor recordings. A motion to reconsider the amendments was laid over for 15 minutes. On SB 514, a third-degree assault bill, the House refused to recede and a conference committee was appointed. A guest introduction also welcomed a 10-month-old visitor to the gallery.
In second-reader business, the Senate adopted committee amendments and advanced SB 504, which strengthens data privacy protections and limits use of personal data for immigration enforcement, and SB 790, the Public Health Reform Act, which revises the Commission on Public Health, updates the Maryland Medical Reserve Corps, adds health equity review processes, and makes related administrative changes. Both bills were reported favorably with technical and conforming amendments and ordered printed for third reading. The chamber then took up HB 191, which would require merchants to accept cash for essential consumer goods and set related rules and exceptions; members questioned its scope, exemptions, and enforcement, and the bill was laid over pending clarification about whether stadiums are covered. Finally, HB 564 on pet cremation and burial services added consumer protection and disclosure requirements for pet cremation providers; its technical amendment was adopted and the bill was ordered passed for third reading.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Delegate from to green, Mr. Speaker. Delegate from Baltimore<00:18:34.800>
County. - Delegate from Western Maryland. Thank Delegate from Western Maryland.
- Which bill number again, delegate? Which bill number again, delegate?
- The delegate from Harford. Thank please. The delegate from Harford.
- The delegate from Harford. Thank you, The delegate from Harford.
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum and then moved through messages from the Senate, introducing several Senate bills and referring them to committees. It then took up multiple third-reading calendars and considered a large number of bills across public health, criminal law, education, estates and trusts, social services, and state government. Most bills passed with broad margins, including measures on fiduciary attorney-client privilege, food labeling and prohibited ingredients, human trafficking awareness training, pharmacy prescriber-pharmacist agreements, provisional social work licensure, structural racism training funding sources, youth delinquency prevention funding, menstrual hygiene product labeling, school resource officer sexual activity prohibitions, nurse licensure enforcement, physician delegation changes, child support income definitions, AI-related child sexual abuse material, trauma-informed care resources, restrictive housing for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities, open movie captioning, autism and dementia police training, gift card fraud, scholarship eligibility, retention proceeds, graduate scholarship eligibility, intercepted communications penalties, benefits for children in custody, juvenile supervision petitions, institutional debt reporting, contraception access reporting, surgical smoke evacuation systems, tax foreclosure notice requirements, special police officer study, child advocacy center standards, victim notification at charging, human trafficking reporting, drug dispensing cost surveys, school board nominating commission changes, the Henrietta Lacks Commission, ID card photograph requirements, and several others.
A few bills drew substantive floor discussion. House Bill 963 on appointment of personal representatives was supported as a way to help families and heirs access assets, including in cross-border situations. House Bill 877 on institutional debt reporting prompted debate over whether the bill was useful and whether it would burden colleges; supporters said it would create needed aggregate data and a data dictionary to better understand debt incurred directly from institutions. House Bill 1076 on over-the-counter contraception access and reporting was clarified as a reporting measure that harmonizes prior reporting requirements and does not use taxpayer funds to purchase contraception, though grants had supported vending machine installation. House Bill 288 on extending a state of emergency for schools was explained as applying to natural disasters, civil disasters, public health emergencies, or specific security threats, with one member expressing concern about state involvement and learning loss from prolonged closures. House Bill 746 on the Medicaid/health insurance collaborative care model was briefly delayed by a computer issue, then passed after a short pause.
Several members announced vote changes after the roll calls, including corrections on House Bills 65, 771, 769, 900, 1058, 1076, 1490, 1540, and 1554. Final actions on the floor were overwhelmingly favorable to the bills considered, with only a handful of measures drawing notable negative votes, including House Bills 410, 963, 1042, 1058, 1076, 1152, 1540, and 1554. The House also passed a number of local and policy bills with strong bipartisan support, and no amendments or motions to postpone were recorded in the excerpt.
VA
Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Commission on Unemployment Compensation Jul 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling present. Thank you. Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling present.
- Delegate Chris Runion present. Delegate Kimberly Pope Adams present. Delegate Mike Jones present.
- Thank you, Delegate Martinez.
- Then we have Delegate Martinez.
- Thank you, Delegate. Absolutely.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Recognizing the delegate from Carl County. >> Um, the District 5 delegation.
- First, on behalf of myself and may I use two delegates names. >> Yes. >> Delegate Ruff and delegates
- First, on behalf of myself and may I use two delegates names. >> Yes. >> Delegate Ruff and delegates
- >> Happy birthday, delegate. >> Happy birthday, delegate.
- delegate from Prince George's County? delegate from Prince George's County?
Summary:
The House convened with 117 members present, then 123 after a quorum call, and proceeded through routine introductions and referrals, including introductory House bills 959 through 1018, House Joint Resolution 8, House Simple Resolution 1, several Senate bills, and bond initiatives referred to Appropriations. The main floor item was House Bill 1, concerning investor-owned electric and gas utility cost recovery limitations, which was on third reading and final passage.
Debate on HB 1 focused on whether the bill would meaningfully lower utility bills and whether it was necessary given existing Public Service Commission authority. Supporters argued the bill would prevent ratepayers from bearing the cost of executive bonuses and other compensation above $250,000, saying utilities can still pay those costs from shareholder profits and that the measure would save money for customers, even if only modestly. Opponents argued the PSC already has authority to review executive compensation, warned the bill could be largely symbolic or misleading, and said it might encourage utilities to shift bonuses into base salaries or harm recruitment and service quality. Several members also argued the bill did not address other drivers of high bills, such as riders and program costs, and one member said the General Assembly itself was responsible for rising energy costs.
No final vote on HB 1 was shown in the transcript excerpt, but members on both sides stated their intended positions, with supporters urging a yes vote and opponents indicating they would vote no. The discussion ended with another member beginning remarks about taking on concentrated corporate power and standing with working people.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- doctor delegate. doctor delegate.
- The House has appointed Delegate Allen, chair, Delegate Healey, and Delegate Jakez.
- The House has appointed Delegate Ampry, chair, Delegate Sharudian, and Delegate Wyel.
- The House has appointed Delegate Boyce, chairman, Delegate Baylor, and Delegate Naraki.
- delegate Barnes, and Delegate Solomon. delegate Barnes, and Delegate Solomon. said<01:10:14.400>
Summary:
The House convened with 122 members present, heard a prayer, and the Speaker urged members to remain respectful as difficult bills were expected later in the day. The chamber then moved through several ceremonial floor presentations honoring retiring members, including Delegate Barry S. Celebrity and Delegate Pam Queen, with resolutions read congratulating each on their years of service and lasting impact. The House also recognized an “interim birthday caucus” with a lighthearted resolution celebrating members born outside the session, followed by remarks and thanks from the Speaker and members.
After the presentations, the House turned to business, including concurrence and nonconcurrence actions on Senate amendments. The chamber refused to concur in Senate amendments to House Bill 339 and House Bill 512, while House Bill 512 was then concurred in, read for final passage, and passed with 118 votes in favor and none opposed. The House also received messages indicating conference committees for several bills, including House Bills 107, 153, 769, 1063, and 1118.
The House adopted favorable committee reports on a series of bills, sending many to third reading. These included measures on earned wage access, security guard certification renewal, county board and alcohol licensing matters, animal regulation, veteran status notation, procurement transparency, Public Information Act divorce records, election board qualifications, and a local sourcing database. During discussion of the local sourcing database bill, the minority whip asked whether business groups that had opposed the bill remained opposed after amendments; the floor leader explained the amended bill would require the Department of Commerce to create a searchable Maryland Local Sourcing Portal to connect businesses with local sources of tariff-impacted goods and services.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- 03:54.799>
Environment >> House 870 delegate Corman Environment >> House 870 delegate - <00:05:01.199>
Good delegate from Anorando County. Good delegate from Anorando County. - going to be other bills, delegate. going to be other bills, delegate.
- >> Welcome<00:39:41.760>
delegate. >> Welcome delegate. - Please join myself, Delegate Clippinger, and myself, Delegate Eden, in welcoming Dr. Aaron my.
Summary:
The House convened with 130 members present, approved the previous day’s journal, and read several groups of introductory House bills and a bond initiative, referring them to the appropriate committees. Senate bills were also introduced in the House and assigned to committees. The chamber then took up House Bill 1, concerning limits on cost recovery for investor-owned electric and gas utilities, with debate focused on whether the bill would reduce ratepayer costs or interfere with utility compensation and grid reliability.
Two amendments to HB 1 were debated and both failed by roll call after floor leaders argued they would undermine the bill’s purpose of protecting ratepayers. One amendment would have allowed utilities to seek approval from the Public Service Commission to exceed pay or bonus limits for vital workers; supporters said it would preserve flexibility to retain critical employees and maintain reliability, while opponents said any extra compensation should come from shareholders, not ratepayers. A second amendment sought to exempt frontline workers involved in system reliability, emergency response, and storm restoration; supporters said it would protect the grid and allow quick response in emergencies, while opponents again said it would shift costs back onto ratepayers. The House also heard extended questioning about utility rates, PSC approval, and broader energy costs, including references to Empower charges and infrastructure expenses.
After the amendment debate, the House voted to special order HB 1 for a later time, allowing additional amendment opportunities, and the bill was set aside. The session then moved to committee announcements, including briefings and bill hearings for Appropriations, Economic Matters, Environment and Transportation, Government, Labor, and Elections, Health, Judiciary, and Ways and Means, along with several subcommittee meetings later in the day.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee Mar 4th, 2026
Constitution, Campaigns and Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- Attempting to predetermine how delegates Attempting to predetermine how delegates would<00:29:39.360
- delegate convent if the convention. delegate convent if the convention.
- Respectfully, John. selecting delegates. There might be they selecting delegates.
- <00:43:18.720>
Most delegation from being seated. Most delegation from being seated. - So if I'm one of the delegates and I'm not popular with other delegates, the other delegates remove me
Keywords:
tax distribution, Talladega County, economic development, public safety, rural infrastructure, HB443, Underground Damage Prevention Program, One-Call Notification System, 811, utility locate, dig law, excavation safety, damage prevention, underground utilities, pipeline safety, public utilities, buried facilities, excavation notice, demolition notice, Alabama Public Service Commission
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- delegate from Baltimore County. delegate from Baltimore County.
- [laughter] [gasps] Any other delegation announcement? Any other delegation announcement?
- hire the delegate in the back. hire the delegate in the back.
- Senator Nick Charles and delegate N. Senator Nick Charles and delegate N.
- to use the delegates name. to use the delegates name.
Summary:
The House convened with 124 members present, opened with prayer, and approved the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted a congratulatory House resolution honoring the Kent Island High School boys lacrosse team for winning the 2025 Maryland Class 2A state championship. The House also journalized Baltimore City 2026 bond/loan authorization resolutions and moved a series of introductory House bills and bond initiatives through first reading and committee referral without objection.
On the special order calendar, House Bill 28, concerning higher education/private career schools advertising, received a favorable report and was ordered printed for third reading. House Bill 226, creating a Department of Disabilities housing programs and affiliated foundations structure, was also reported favorably as amended. Two floor amendments were adopted to that bill: one clarifying that any affiliated foundation may only raise funds or provide support and may not run programs or set policy, and another restoring conflict-of-interest and ethics protections, including limits on family members and public ethics application requirements. A later amendment to HB 226 was rejected by a recorded vote of 95 in the negative, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading.
The most extended debate centered on House Bill 229, which increases the Maryland Transportation Authority’s revenue bond limit from $4 billion to $5 billion to help finance the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild. One amendment sought to prohibit toll increases without General Assembly approval; its sponsor argued the added borrowing would likely lead to future toll hikes and that elected representatives should vote on them. The floor leader opposed the amendment, saying it would weaken MDTA’s independent rate-setting authority, harm its bond rating, and increase financing costs, while noting the bill is intended to cover bridge reconstruction costs and federal reimbursement timing. After debate, the amendment failed on a recorded vote, and HB 229 was ordered printed for third reading.
VA
Transcript Highlights:
- Delegate O'Quinn and Delegate Kilgore. I'm proud to introduce Josh Newberry.
- Former delegate Arnold.
- Thank you, Delegate. Thank you, Delegate. ...our General District Court.
- Thank you, delegate. Any other comments? Oh, yes. Delegate Thornton.
- Thank you, Delegate.
VA
Virginia 2026 1st Special Session
Commission on Unemployment Compensation Jul 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Delegate LeVere Bolling. Present. Thank you. Delegate LeVere Bolling. Present. Delegate Runion.
- Delegate Martinez. Present. Delegate Pope Adams. Present. Senator DeF. Senator DeF. Senator Craig.
- Thank you, Delegate Martinez.
- Then we have Delegate Martinez.
- Thank you, Delegate. Absolutely.
Summary:
The Commission on Unemployment Compensation met, established a quorum, and elected Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling as chair and Senator Mike Jones as vice chair. The commission also adopted its electronic meeting policy and heard introductions from new members, staff, and officials from the Secretary of Labor’s office and the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). Secretary Jessica Lumen outlined the administration’s workforce and labor priorities, including supporting workers, employers, and program transparency, while members raised concerns about business climate, job losses, labor participation, and the implementation of paid family and medical leave.
Staff provided legislative updates on recent unemployment-related bills. These included increases to the weekly unemployment benefit amount enacted in 2025 and 2026, a bill on labor dispute disqualification that changed how lockouts are treated for benefit eligibility, and a budget item providing $75,000 for actuarial support to the commission. The commission also discussed the 2025 work group on annual adjustments to weekly benefit amounts; staff reported that the work group did not complete its charge, and members agreed to revisit whether to reconstitute it at a future meeting. Delegate Martinez expressed support for continuing the work, and the chair said the issue would be taken up at the next meeting.
Deputy Commissioner Joanna Darkus gave a detailed presentation on Virginia’s unemployment insurance system, including current claims data, eligibility rules, employer tax structure, benefit levels, trust fund solvency, fraud prevention, and customer service operations. She reported that Virginia’s unemployment rate remains low, weekly claims are modest, the current weekly benefit range is $160 to $478, and the trust fund balance factor is projected at 50.9 percent, near the threshold for additional employer charges. Members asked about the taxable wage base, trust fund solvency, the effect of benefit increases, fraud controls, and the planned paid family and medical leave program. VEC said it is implementing that program through regulations, staffing, IT procurement, public listening sessions, and consultation with other states. A public commenter from the Virginia Poverty Law Center urged the commission to strengthen state investment in unemployment insurance and warned that federal support is uncertain. The commission then adjourned without taking further action.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh permission to use delegates' name. >> Yes. >> Granted. >> Thank you.
- and<00:02:50.160>
the <00:02:50.319>AAPI Delegate Mark Chang, and the AAPI Delegate - Okay, delegation<00:05:45.039>
announcements. - Permission to use delegates colleagues. Permission to use delegates names. names. names.
- <00:07:53.919>
Prince >> Recognizing the delegate from Prince >> Recognizing the delegate
Summary:
The House of Delegates met with 131 members initially present, opened with the pledge and prayer, and then approved the previous day’s journal. The main floor recognition was for Korean American Day, with Delegate Mark Chang and the AAPI caucus honoring Linda Han and Alana Lee and reading a resolution congratulating Global Han Yundai for its leadership in celebrating Korean American Day and assisting Korean immigrants in Maryland.
Committee announcements followed, including an Appropriations briefing on the effects of federal budget cuts on Maryland health and nutrition, an Economic Matters briefing on seasonal and migrant farmworker housing, and an Environment and Transportation energy briefing series. Ways and Means announced bill hearings, while Government, Labor, and Elections, Health, and Judiciary said they would not meet that day; Health subcommittee chairs were scheduled for analyst training.
During personal and caucus announcements, members noted upcoming meetings for the Howard County delegation, the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, and the Veterans Caucus, and introduced the doctor of the day, Dr. Padmei Ransani Rana Singh of Johns Hopkins. The House also adopted a committee change appointing Delegate Susan K. McComas to the Judiciary Committee. After a final roll call showing 132 members present, the House remained in session and the majority leader moved adjournment until Wednesday, January 21 at 10:00 a.m.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you so much, Delegate.
- >
gorgeous Recognizing the delegate from gorgeous Recognizing the delegate from gorgeous Baltimore - delegate from Harford County. delegate from Harford County.
- adds all of our local House of Delegates adds all of our local House of Delegates initiatives.<00
- other delegate from Frederick.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, quorum call, and approval of the previous day’s journal, then received Senate Bill 890 and several House committee reports. The first major measure taken up was House Bill 627, which establishes a Commission on Histories, Culture, and Civics in Education. Committee amendments clarified the commission’s purpose, membership, and charge to review curriculum materials and school calendars and make recommendations to the State Board of Education and the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Additional amendments added a disability community expert and preamble language. The bill prompted extended debate about whether the commission would promote diversity in curriculum, how it would address religious and ethnic representation, and whether it would include Christian or Catholic perspectives; supporters said it was meant to reflect communities that had requested inclusion and to improve the completeness of Maryland history, while critics questioned the need for a new commission and raised concerns about identity politics and curriculum control. The bill was ordered printed for third reading after second-reader consideration.
The House also considered House Bill 1582, the Education Program Accountability, Comprehensive Outcomes and Measures of Progress for Supporting Schools (COMPASS) Act. An amendment removed references to advanced professional certificates and national board certification from school quality indicators and required annual reporting on the relationship between composite scores and concentrations of low-income students. During discussion, members asked whether the bill was changing the scoring system and how much weight academics would carry; the response was that academic indicators would remain a majority of the score, but no single indicator could exceed 20% of the composite. The amendment and favorable report were adopted, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading.
The House then took up House Bill 1514 concerning Calvert County county officials and Board of Education salaries and benefits. Committee amendments were technical and removed a benefit provision related to a former commissioner; both the amendment and favorable report were adopted without opposition, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. Finally, the chamber moved to special order calendar item Senate Bill 283, the Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2026. The House Appropriations Committee presented 198 amendments to the capital budget, describing them as balanced across regions and within debt affordability limits, and began moving the amendments in groups, starting with a technical amendment.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- With the delegation authority, do APRNs...
- You mean can we delegate to someone else? No ma'am, cannot delegate to anyone else. Okay.
- That delegation comes from a surgeon with no anesthesia training, writing a simple order of delegating
- If somebody delegated, because you have to have a delegation.
- The delegation fees for the APRNs and... Correct.
Bills:
HB35, HB4490, HB4454, HB2188, HB3078, HB4743, HB2556, HB46, HB5342, HB4783, HB3785, HB5278, HB1639, HB2581, HB4224, HB4070, HB4099, HB4882, HB3794, HB46
Keywords:
peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, disclosure, next of kin, public information, deceased persons, privacy rights, patient solicitation, marketing practices, healthcare regulation, task force, deceptive advertising, nurse aide, certification, Texas Board of Nursing, healthcare workforce, nursing standards
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Delegates of Maryland offers a sincerest Delegates of Maryland offers a sincerest congratulations<00:
- >> Any other delegation announcement? >> Any other delegation announcement?
- Delegate Miller. >> No offense, Dr. Miller. Delegate Miller.
- Permission to use the delegates names. Permission to use the delegates names.
- 15:46.480>
Clippinger, of myself, Delegate L Clippinger, of myself, Delegate L Clippinger, Delegate
Summary:
The House convened with 127 members present, heard a prayer, and then recognized 2025 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools and the Maryland Municipal League on its 90th anniversary. The Blue Ribbon resolution named Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Diamond Elementary School, Little Flower School, Meyersville Elementary School, St. Louis School, Stoneleigh Elementary School, and Wilson Whims Elementary School, with principals introduced from the gallery. The MML resolution honored the league’s service to Maryland’s cities and towns and invited members to meet municipal officials after the floor session. The clerk also noted a second printing of the 2026 rule book due to a table-of-contents error.
The chamber then took up House Bill 80, the Residential Leases Fee Disclosures bill. Floor debate focused on what fees must be disclosed, what counts as a utility versus a fee, whether the bill applies to oral leases, and how the measure applies to landlords with four or more units. Supporters said the bill is intended to ensure tenants know all upfront fees before signing and to create a clear enforcement pathway; opponents raised concerns about penalties, affordability, and the burden on landlords. The bill passed on third reading by a vote of 95-34.
The House next considered House Bill 153, which requires air conditioning in newly constructed residential rental units and units undergoing specified substantial renovations, with the standard that habitable spaces be kept at 80 degrees or lower. Members asked whether window units would satisfy the requirement, how the bill interacts with older buildings and ongoing renovations, whether it applies retroactively, how enforcement would work, and whether it references federal refrigerant rules; the sponsor said it does not require central air and is prospective only. Supporters argued it reflects existing practice in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and clarifies habitability standards, while opponents cited costs and concerns about older homes. The transcript ends during debate on this bill, before a final vote is recorded.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Delegate Patterson.
- Delegate Patterson.
- Recognizing the delegate from you. Recognizing the delegate from Howard. Howard. Howard.
- Delegates. Welcome. Delegates. Welcome. [applause]<00:25:23.200>
Welcome. - And Delegate Robbyn Lewis.
Summary:
The House convened with 132 members present, offered prayer, approved the previous day’s journal, and adopted a House resolution honoring United Communities Against Poverty for 60 years of service in Prince George’s County fighting poverty. The organization’s board members were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then handled introductory business, including first-reading referral of House Bills 1587-1596, two introductory House bond initiatives referred to Appropriations, and Senate Bill 25 and other Senate bills received in the House and referred to committees.
The House also took up committee reports and special orders. The Economic Matters Committee reported favorably on several bills, including House Bills 236, 241, 242, 259, and 308, all of which were adopted and ordered printed for third reading. On House Bill 146 regarding on-site wastewater systems, a friendly amendment was adopted to allow repair or replacement of failed drain field components needed to meet the bill’s requirements. On House Bill 220 concerning individual water meters/submetering, a substitute amendment was adopted to strike a provision related to eviction proceedings and keep the bill aligned with existing law; the bill was then ordered printed for third reading.
Members also made several announcements recognizing visiting groups and observances, including the ALS Association, Career and Technology Education Month, Economic Development Day, Developmental Disabilities Day, Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day, the start of Ramadan, and Easter season. The House heard a Black History Month-style recognition of Ethel Beh Hill and welcomed multiple delegations and student groups. Committee and subcommittee meeting announcements followed, and with 134 members present, the House remained in session before the majority leader moved adjournment until Thursday, February 19 at 10:00 a.m.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- 09.440>
McComas <00:05:10.040>has career, Delegate Delegate McComas has career, Delegate - Delegate Delegate related matters.
- Esold, chair, Delegate Vogel, and Delegate Hornberger.
- say delegates' names? say delegates' names?
- use the delegates' names? use the delegates' names?
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer, then the Speaker noted a long day ahead and asked members to be patient as the chamber worked through several remaining bills. The House then handled routine business, including reading the journal and taking up a resolution honoring Delegate Susan K. McComas for her 24 years of service representing Harford County. Members from the Harford County delegation praised her work on behalf of families and children, her service as a former mayor of Bel Air, and her long legislative career. McComas briefly spoke in response, reflecting on her service and thanking colleagues.
The chamber then moved through a series of consent calendar items and Senate amendments. House Bill 193 on state procurement transparency, House Bill 261 on competitive proof-of-concept procurement, House Bill 266 on the Information Technology Investment Fund, House Bill 998 on Baltimore City alcoholic beverages districts, and House Bill 1422 on procurement and personnel liquidated damages all received concurrence in Senate amendments and were passed, with roll calls showing overwhelming support; HB 1422 drew nine negative votes, and HB 266 drew one negative vote. The House also received committee reports advancing several Senate bills, including measures on child care credential funding, speed monitoring systems, driver skills examinations, school bus fire safety, veterans cemeteries, IT investment fund uses, Baltimore City alcohol regulations, hospital immigration enforcement policies, and board of education compensation changes.
Later, the House considered additional amended bills and adopted the committee amendments before advancing them to third reading. These included Senate Bill 212 on tuition exemptions for spouses and dependents of safety employees and the Maryland Fallen Heroes Death Benefits Act, House Bill 1599 and Senate Bill 558 creating a Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program and Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund, Senate Bill 366 establishing an intelligent speed assistance pilot program, Senate Bill 431 on endangered and threatened species and migratory birds regulations, Senate Bill 947 on Maryland Transit Administration reform, Senate Bill 480 on physician licensure for foreign-trained doctors, Senate Bill 898 on Medicaid reimbursement for registered behavior technicians, Senate Bill 204 on the Maryland Civic Excellence Program, and Senate Bill 890 on captive insurer premium tax study. In several cases, amendments were described as technical or as clarifying reporting, deadlines, eligibility, or program structure. One member asked about SB 890 after amendments removed the proposed tax moratorium, and the floor leader explained that the bill was now only a study requiring a report back to the General Assembly. The session ended with a quorum call showing 133 members present and the House still in session.