Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, thank you for the efforts this session to improve the lives of Texans all across the state
• Well, we appreciate, first of all... But your written testimony. Members, any other questions?
• So, on the first page, the two discrepancies are listed. So, I think it's an easy fix.
• Okay, so we're going to call a digital witness first.
• What we need is that wet signature; that's the important part for first-time registrants.

Bills: HB311, SB447, SB505, SB2217, SB2753, HB311

Keywords: voter registration, electronic, Texas election law, Signature verification, DPS, internet application, Texas Election Code, signature verification, online application, data security, electronic application, Department of Public Safety, information security, electronic voter registration, voting technology, voter access, state election laws, digital signature, election irregularities, audit

Transcript Highlights:

• My first job where I received a real paycheck...
• My first paycheck was for Conoco when they were in Crown Point, New Mexico.
• This is my first House committee, so I'm really excited to be here.
• This is, first and foremost, a supply chain issue.
• I just graduated from Robertson High School in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Transcript Highlights:

• So now is the time that we lead with purpose, to put families first and put people over politics, and
• Barbara Schmidt on behalf of First 5 California in support. Thank you.
• This credit is the first and only tax credit in the nation for current and former foster youth.
• You see, 2023 was the first year the foster youth tax credit became available.
• I'm here on behalf of First 5 California in support. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services met to hear several measures focused on children, foster youth, farmworker families, and disaster assistance. AJR 12, recognizing May 2025 as Head Start Month and urging Congress and the President to protect and increase Head Start funding, was presented by Assemblymember Hadwick on behalf of Assemblymember Arambula. Testimony emphasized Head Start’s role in early education, health, and family support, especially in rural and low-income communities. The resolution passed 6-0. The committee also heard SB 624, which would expand access to the California Foster Youth Tax Credit by requiring counties to mail notices and provide guidance to non-minor foster youth about filing taxes and claiming the credit. Supporters from John Burton Advocates for Youth and former foster youth described the credit as a meaningful poverty-reduction tool that helps with rent, transportation, and other basic needs. Members praised the bill, and it passed 7-0 as amended to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. SB 778 would broaden eligibility for the Migrant Child Care and Development Program by redefining migrant agricultural worker family and allowing self-certification of income eligibility. Support came from the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, California Citrus Mutual, and First 5 California, with witnesses saying the changes would ease enrollment for farmworker families facing seasonal and verification challenges. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing SB 444, SB 471, and SB 792, all on a 7-0 vote. Finally, SB 739 would authorize the Department of Social Services to check whether counties in disaster areas can provide timely CalFresh and Disaster CalFresh services, aimed at improving coordination when local systems are damaged or overwhelmed. Supporters said the bill would help protect access to food benefits after disasters, and members noted its importance in light of recent Los Angeles County emergencies. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations, and the meeting adjourned after all items were acted upon.

Transcript Highlights:

• My first one is about SBAB 130 on the housing measure.
• I would like to point to two sections first.
• I assume by out-of-market you mean outside of the LA region, correct?
• First, I just wanted to provide some general comments.
• First, I just want to express our immense gratitude.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And first of all, the chair calls Jennifer Alman. John Seago. Chelsea Y Yeoman. There's Miss.
• the standard of law, uh, that physicians are to use their reasonable medical judgment to determine, first
• The first to provide clarity was actually the Office of the Attorney General in June of 2022.
• De la Garza Baron, welcome. Introduce yourself and go ahead. Thank you, Senator.
• Uh, my name is Heather De la Garza Barron.

Bills: SB 31, SB 33, SB 510, SB 871, SB 1868, SB 2024, SB 2166, SB 2309, SB 2880, SJR 27, SJR 39, SJR 40

Keywords: SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability, health care liability claim, aiding and abetting, Texas Medical Board, State Bar of Texas, continuing medical education

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you want the amendment first, Senator? It's very simple.
• Well, to be honest, go ahead and give the amendment first.
• First, let me give you a little context.
• I'll say that first.
• Registered, sorry, the first one is four. Six, 12.

Bills: SB20, SB53, SB86, SB96, SB129

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• My first legislative assistant My first legislative assistant, Elizabeth, she was always nervous for
• The first $5 million was the hardest.
• That's the first part of this amendment.
• We support our first responders.
• And we have been... in the first place.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal for the prior day by a vote of 118-1. The rest of the session was dominated by points of personal privilege, including farewell remarks from several outgoing members. Those speeches focused on service, family, staff, veterans, law enforcement, integrity, and concerns about lobbyist influence, with members also thanking legislative assistants and recognizing guests and family members in the chamber. The chamber then took up several bills. Senate Bill 1019, dealing with hospital finance and investment authority, was amended to align workplace violence, telehealth, prior authorization, physician licensure, and Lyme disease language, then passed 110-31. Senate Bill 1572, a pensions bill affecting police retirement, MOSERS, EMPERS, and related board provisions, drew extended debate over how to handle retirement overpayments; amendments were adopted to address technical and policy issues, and the bill passed 129-14. Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1196, concerning workforce diploma programs, Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grants, workforce Pell Grants, higher education funding, and university board residency rules, was amended and passed 115-20, but its emergency clause failed 2-132. The House also granted further conference on Senate Bill 1020. Committee reports were read on several other measures, including bills recommended to pass by Fiscal Review. Later, the House began considering Senate amendments to House Bill 2508, an LLC-related bill involving certificates of good standing, court dissolution of LLCs in limited circumstances, and a St. Louis County property-management affidavit process for repeated ordinance violations.

Transcript Highlights:

• LA and Boe High, South LA and Watts.
• So we're not the first.
• We must think of our children first.
• First of all, I understand how this came to be, right?
• the first time that it's being reflected.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 1067, which would require annual math screening for students in kindergarten through second grade beginning in 2028-29 to identify early numeracy difficulties and connect students to evidence-based support. Senator Weber and supporters, including EdVoice and UC Davis researcher Dr. Charles Wilkes, argued that California’s math outcomes are too low and that early screening is a quick, developmentally appropriate tool that would not mandate curriculum or high-stakes testing. Opponents, including the California Mathematics Council, county superintendents, and CTA, said the bill adds a mandate without funding, could narrow instruction, and may lead to premature labeling or deficit-based thinking. Committee members discussed how the screeners would work and whether they would identify disabilities or simply flag students needing further assessment; the bill was left on call due to lack of quorum at the time of the hearing. SB 1110 was also presented as a child care subsidy administration measure that would stabilize funding for alternative payment programs and better distinguish administrative overhead from direct family services. Senator Becker and witnesses from the Child Care Resource Center and Every Child California said the bill would help providers manage enrollment, compliance, staffing, and payment timelines as the state transitions to enrollment-based funding. No opposition testimony was offered, and the bill received a favorable committee comment, but no vote was taken because quorum had not yet been established. The committee then heard SB 1374, which would allow public higher education institutions to seek temporary restraining orders on their own behalf when they face credible threats of violence not directed at a specific person. CSU and San Diego State University representatives described incidents where threats against a campus could not be addressed through current restraining-order law, and said the bill would close that gap and improve campus safety. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill was left on call pending quorum. Later, the committee discussed SB 1321, which would direct the State Auditor to review remedial education and student preparedness at selected UC and CSU campuses after a UC San Diego report showed a sharp decline in incoming students’ math preparation. Supporters, including the author and a community college union representative, said the audit would help identify the scope of basic-skills gaps and inform policy. Some members raised concerns about bypassing the usual audit-request process, but the bill was placed on hold for absent members. The committee also heard SB 1086 on microschools, which would direct model ordinances and statutory definitions for these small learning settings; after extensive questioning about definitions, oversight, and local land-use issues, the bill was moved on a do-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and placed on call. Finally, SB 1181 was presented as a limited pilot program to allow Central Valley schools to communicate with regional threat assessment centers about credible safety concerns, with the author and a victim’s mother describing it as a prevention tool after a student homicide; committee members expressed support for stronger coordination and guardrails, and the bill was discussed further as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll begin today with our first panelists, and we have two. So our first, let's...
• With our first panelists, and we have two.
• In LA County, we are working hard to change that reality.
• That's the first thing.
• First, just a little bit about the department.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the role of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs), CalVet’s support for them, and the growing problem of for-profit, unaccredited claims companies. Committee leaders and witnesses emphasized that CVSOs are often the first point of contact for veterans and their families, helping with disability claims, education benefits, survivor benefits, housing, health care, and other wraparound services. Testimony highlighted the return on investment from CVSO work, with witnesses citing hundreds of millions in new federal benefits secured for California veterans and arguing that current state funding is too low relative to the workload and need. County representatives from Nevada, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo described local models of service. Los Angeles County highlighted a “no wrong door” approach, peer navigators, suicide review work, justice-involved veteran services, and homelessness coordination, while San Luis Obispo described rural outreach, mental health partnerships, and high suicide rates in its county. Nevada County stressed that smaller counties can be disadvantaged by workload-based formulas and that additional funding would expand access, especially in rural areas. Several witnesses said veterans often need more than claims help and should be connected to mental health, employment, food, and family supports. Much of the discussion centered on predatory claims consultants, which witnesses said charge veterans for services that accredited CVSOs provide free. Members and witnesses described cases involving requests for VA and banking logins, misleading advertising, and contracts that can take a percentage of veterans’ benefits. Committee members expressed support for legislation to curb these practices and for increased funding for CVSOs, including the Legislature’s intent to fund 50% of county veterans’ services operations. A CalVet deputy secretary also testified that California’s accreditation and training system improves claim quality and appeal outcomes, and that CalVet works with CVSOs through training, district offices, and appeals representation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one is HB 1894 HD1 SD1 regarding braille literacy.
• agenda is HB 1605, first measure on the agenda is HB 1605, HD1<00:42:25.840> SD1.
• Uh, first we have House Bill 549, HD3, SD1.
• We first item... So, first item. No, no, no. Uh, 3263, please. 3263.
• Okay, first bill is Senate Bill 3263, SD2, HD2. This is the NIL bill for the House.

Bills: HB2241, HB1163, HB1514, HB1696, HB2021, SB2135, SB2466, SB2727, SB3082, SB3097, SB2861, SCR100, SB3096, SB99, SB2138, HB2289, HB2319, HB1711, HB2270, SB3138, SB3076, HB1642, HB2338, HB2171, HB1785, SB2881, HB2505, SB2552, HB1518, HB1815, SB3125, SB3234, SCR162, SB2614, SB3118, SB2053, SB2494, SB2851, SB3073, HB1678, HB1721, HB2475, HB2246, HB1667, HB1516, SB2532, SB3131, SB3154, HB2297, HB1737, SB2143, SB2398, SB2623, HB1740, HB1920, HB1682, SB2153, SB3140, HB2158, HB1718, HB2207, HB1801, SB3229, SB2338, SB3069, SB2600, HB2300, HB1800, HB1960, SB2999, SB2060, SB2866, SB2239, HB1741, HB1713, HB2023, HB2417, SB2877, SB2598, SB2921, SB2645, HB2547, HB2275, HB2452, HB2329, HB2339, HB1838, HB1509, HB1661, HB2271, HB2272, HB2344, HB1888, HB1707, SB2340, HB2474, HB1576, HB1853, HB1804, HB1854, HB2095, HB2050, HB472, SB3215, SB2247, SB2400, HB1618, HB1802, HB1969, HB1541, HB2310, HB2498, HB2443, HB2218, HB649, HB2104, HB1710, SB2802, HB1973, HB1974, HB1894, HB1891, HB1890, SB177, SB2101, SB3320, SB2487, HB2429, HB1870, HB1839, HB2583, HB1391, HB2094, SB2671, SB2673, SB2892, SB2057, SB3245, HB306, HB2592, SB3157, SB3204, SB3324, SB2580, SB2074, SB411, SB3025, SB2934, SB2567, SB2125, SB3238, SB2367, SB2599, SB3007, SB2001, SB2756, SB3029

Keywords: renewable energy, income tax credit, solar energy, wind energy, low-income households, energy policy, commercial drivers license, non-domiciled, federal regulations, commercial learner's permit, citizenship, lawful residency, Department of Transportation, workers' compensation, vocational rehabilitation, injury recovery, employment services, return to work, commercial driving, driver's license

Transcript Highlights:

• First up for HB 982 HD1, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs with comments.
• step to restoring our credit first step to restoring our credit rating<00:23:05.520> so<00:23
• But yeah, legislatively, we would need it approved here first, which kind of begs the question though
• Motta, but I want to follow up on one of her questions first. Rep.
• Okay, yeah, we'll clarify, but Representative La, we think you're correct.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on HB 982 HD1, a wildfire-related measure aimed at creating a wildfire recovery fund and a financing structure to address future catastrophic wildfire liability. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Division of Consumer Advocacy, and the Public Utilities Commission submitted comments and were available for questions. Supporters included IBW Local 1260, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, Clearway Energy Group, Hawaiian Electric, Par Hawaii, and others, while Charter Communications and the Hawaii Association for Justice opposed or raised concerns. Life of the Land supported the bill but urged changes to the definition of a catastrophic wildfire and noted concerns about prudency review language. IBW Local 1260 asked to restore language from the original draft, and Charter warned the bill could impair existing contract and indemnity rights unless amended. A major focus of the hearing was Hawaiian Electric’s position on the HD1 version. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the original bill but objected to the HD1 requirement for an additional $500 million shareholder contribution, arguing it was not feasible and could delay or prevent the fund from operating. The company said the bill would help protect customers and improve credit ratings by creating a dedicated revenue stream and a bankruptcy-remote financing structure, which it said would lower borrowing costs over time. Members questioned how the $1 billion securitization amount was chosen, whether credit rating agencies had indicated it was sufficient, and how the bill would work in bankruptcy; Hawaiian Electric said the amount was a balance among interests, not based on a specific agency directive, and that it would follow up on bankruptcy questions. Opponents and skeptics raised concerns about liability caps, the new claims process, and unclear language on damages above the fund’s limits. The Hawaii Association for Justice argued the bill limits victims’ remedies and gives too much authority to the new entity without clear guardrails. Committee members also pressed Hawaiian Electric on comparisons to California, the feasibility of the shareholder contribution, and whether alternative capital-raising or divestiture options had been considered. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided; testimony and questioning continued with follow-up information requested from Hawaiian Electric and others.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we want to be the first line of defense as we see it happening.
• That was, in fact, the first bull test.
• First time in Tucumcari. I was hoping to get here earlier.
• The first topic is: What could Virtual Power Plant legislation do?
• So, first of all, United Solar United Neighbors, they are a non-profit.

Transcript Highlights:

• We call the first bill, 85. >> I'll be glad to thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee.
• Travis Travis Travis >> here first >> late<00:03:55.920> breakfast<00:03:56.239>
• <00:04:01.840> We<00:04:02.000> call<00:04:02.319> the<00:04:02.640> first
• We call the first bill >> All righty. We call the first bill 85.
• They used to have LA-200 and sell everything on the shelf all the time.

Bills: SB85, SB85

Keywords: vaccination exemption, religious exemption, medical exemption, vaccine mandate, testing requirement, public schools, K-12, students, parents, guardians, higher education, college enrollment, university attendance, public institutions of higher education, immunization, religious tenets, sincerely held belief, school health policy, Alabama, AHSAA physical form

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, first up is GM 630.
• Uh, first up is GM 630.
• this your second term or first? Yeah. this your second term or first? Yeah.
• <01:09:23.120> First or reappointment? First term. First or reappointment? First term.
• First up is GM 630.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology met on February 25, 2026, to consider gubernatorial nominees to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council under GM 630, GM 628, and GM 631. The chair explained hearing procedures, noted backup reconvening plans in case of technical failure, and said decision-making would occur after testimony if time permitted. Testimony on all three nominees was overwhelmingly supportive, including from Department of Labor and Industrial Relations officials, Workforce Development Council representatives, and various outside supporters. For GM 630, Carrie Miro described decades of work on career pathways and emphasized applied learning, internships, and stronger links between education and employers. Senators questioned how to restore hands-on trade and career education and how to connect students to real workforce opportunities; Miro said businesses should help shape training and that students need both credit and employment incentives. For GM 628, Rona Fukumoto said her experience leading Lanakila Pacific and working in homeless services would help the council better understand the needs of people with disabilities, older adults, and other vulnerable populations, and she stressed educating employers and the public. She also said youth programs, apprenticeships, and early intervention for “opportunity youth” are important, and noted that college-based programs like those at HCC can still provide effective hands-on pathways. For GM 631, Keith Dlo, who is seeking reappointment, said the Workforce Development Council should help create a future in Hawaii for younger generations by aligning schools, agencies, employers, and communities. He said his work on American Job Centers and the council’s convening power show it is an active body, not just a reporting mechanism. Senators pressed him on how to measure success beyond federal compliance, and Dlo said the council needs Hawaii-specific metrics focused on participation, completion, job placement, and retention of young residents, while also adapting to changes like AI. No votes or final confirmations were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, let's welcome our first panel up. Okay.
• Let's turn to Senator Kilbottman first. Thanks. Mr.
• First, home hardening.
• The nonprofit Department of Angels has surveyed LA fire survivors and found that 70% of insured LA fire
• That'll be the first thing.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate hearing of the Natural Resources and Water Committee and the Emergency Management Committee focused on wildfire resilience, with members discussing the SB 254 report on enhancing California’s response to natural catastrophes. Opening remarks emphasized the scale of wildfire damage, the need for prevention and preparedness, and concerns about the affordability and insurability crisis. Senators repeatedly contrasted the relatively small share of funding going to community hardening with the much larger amounts spent on utility wildfire mitigation and landscape-scale projects, and several members raised concerns about CEQA delays, one-time funding, and the need for more sustainable, ongoing financing. The Legislative Analyst’s Office presented an overview showing about $4.7 billion in state wildfire resilience appropriations from 2018-19 through 2025-26, with funding shifting from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to the General Fund and then to Proposition 4. LAO noted that only about $65 million had been specifically targeted to community hardening, while most funding went to forest health, fuels, research, and related programs. LAO also said one-time funding will decline in coming years and that future GGRF support is uncertain, though General Fund use is not legally precluded. Members asked about maintenance costs, polluter-pays ideas, and whether performance metrics should focus more on property and community risk reduction than acres treated. Cal Fire’s State Fire Marshal described the state’s community wildfire preparedness strategy, centered on home hardening, defensible space, and neighborhood-scale mitigation. He said roughly 4 million homes are in the wildland-urban interface, most built before modern fire-resistant standards, and argued that the state must move from response to prevention. He said Cal Fire is incorporating the SB 254 recommendations into its updated action plan, has streamlined some fuel-reduction projects under a recent executive proclamation, and is shifting some grant funding toward maintenance of existing treatments. Cal OES described the AB 38 pilot and FEMA hazard mitigation work, saying the pilot helped build tools and standards for home hardening but that federal approval delays remain a major barrier; the agency reported 155 hardened properties, 19 under construction, and 370 assessed and waiting. The Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force said it has coordinated more than $6 billion in state and federal investments, is moving toward regional block grants and better data-driven prioritization, and is developing separate community and landscape strategies. The hearing ended with discussion of modeling, data gaps, utility coordination, contractor capacity, and possible legislative or budget changes to better align funding and metrics with community safety outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:29:08.039> up<00:29:08.240> Hawaii<00:29:08.720> Housing testimony first
• Representative La is excused. Representative Muraoka: Aye. Representative Peric is excused.
• The first half of your answer was very compelling.
• The first half of your answer was very compelling.
• The first half of your answer was very compelling.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The meeting included a joint public hearing of the House Housing and Transportation committees, followed by a Transportation Committee hearing. In the joint hearing, members considered SB 662 SD1, which concerned transportation and included two parts: transferring certain streets to the city and clarifying police authority on state streets. The chair recommended moving the bill out as an HD1 with Part One removed, explaining that the street-transfer issue should be worked out by the county and state and that removing it would improve the bill’s chances. The committees voted to pass the measure with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The Transportation Committee then heard several bills. SB 1095, relating to license plates, would increase decal size restrictions for special number plates; the Department of Transportation offered written comments, with testimony split between two individuals in opposition and one in support, and no questions were raised. SB 344 would require skateboard users under 16 to wear helmets; DOT supported the bill, as did TRIAA Hawaii, the Injury Prevention Coalition, and other individuals, while two individuals opposed it. SB 30 would require all moped riders to wear helmets regardless of age; DOT supported it, but Moped Doctors and Hawaiian Style Rentals and Sales opposed it, arguing the bill was overreaching, could be hard to enforce, and should be more narrowly targeted or replaced with education efforts. The committee also heard SB 1216, which would tighten noisy muffler and exhaust enforcement by conditioning inspection certificates, adding inspection-station penalties, increasing fines, and prohibiting repair or installation of noisy systems. DOT supported the measure, and Waiʻanae Neighborhood Board testified in support, while Moped Doctors and the Motorcycle Industry Council opposed it, saying the bill would burden inspection stations, create liability concerns, and raise questions about insurance-related language as applied to mopeds. The hearing included discussion of enforcement, inspection burdens, and whether the bill’s insurance references applied to mopeds. No final vote was taken on the Transportation Committee bills in the portion provided, and the hearing adjourned after testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, first up, SB 2283 relating to prescription drugs. First up, DCCA Board of Pharmacy in support.
• So, first up, SB 2283 relating to prescription drugs. First up, DCCA Board of Pharmacy in support.
• First up, DHS in health insurance.
• First up, um, relating to domestic violence. First up, we have Darcia Forester in support. Aloha.
• It's called LA Lima.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a large number of health-related measures, with the most extensive discussion on SB 2283, which would expand mail-order pharmacy access for prescription drugs. Supporters including HMSA, the Board of Pharmacy, and health plan groups said mail order could lower costs, improve adherence, and reduce hospitalizations, while independent pharmacies and rural neighbor-island providers warned it could harm local pharmacies, reduce access for patients who rely on face-to-face service, and create delivery and storage problems for medications. No vote was taken on SB 2283 during the excerpt, and the chair moved on after hearing testimony. The committee also heard SB 2855 on opioid antagonists, with the Insurance Division and HMSA noting that medically necessary opioid antagonists are already covered and suggesting the issue may be addressed through education or administrative fixes. Fentanyl and substance abuse groups supported the measure. SB 3045 on health insurance coverage for continuous glucose monitors drew broad support from diabetes and health organizations; HMSA said it had already expanded coverage for members on injectable insulin but raised concerns about supply constraints and said it had not yet seen an auditor study referenced in discussion. Members asked whether the bill would extend coverage beyond current policy. SB 2843 on domestic violence received support from the Public Defender’s Office, prosecutors, and victim-related organizations, who said the pilot program for misdemeanor domestic violence cases had reduced backlogs and improved court efficiency. A prosecutor also supported retaining coercive control as a petty misdemeanor tool in larger domestic violence cases. SB 2845 on healthcare facility access drew strong support from many health, legal, and advocacy groups, who said it would protect patients and staff from disruptive interference at healthcare facilities; one opponent argued it would chill lawful speech and protest and unfairly exempt labor demonstrations. The committee then heard SB 2854 and SB 3202, both healthcare-related measures, with testimony largely in support. SB 2854 drew comments from health and dental groups, and SB 3202 focused on workforce and licensing issues, including support for retired physicians volunteering, preceptor tax credits, and adding advanced midwifery and physician assistant-related provisions. The chair repeatedly enforced a one-minute testimony limit and moved through the agenda without recorded votes in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• okay, let's do introductions first. okay, let's do introductions first.
• The Las Vegas is watching us. We are a The Las Vegas is watching us.
• First one for the pages.
• First one for the pages. >> All right. First one for the pages.
• Clerk will read the first bill. Clerk will read the first bill.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, confirmed a quorum, and welcomed several guests and groups, including Maryland Library Association members, Stephen Decatur High School’s boys soccer team, Clarksburg High School’s girls flag football team, NAMI representatives, Baltimore Promise, local soil conservation district representatives, and a 911 center leader. The chamber also journalized the invocation and prepared for the Governor’s upcoming State of the State address by exchanging messages with the House and appointing Senate members to escort the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. The body then took up a series of Finance Committee bills, most of them receiving favorable reports and being ordered to third reading without objection. Measures discussed included SB 14 on small business health insurance SHOP enrollment effective dates; SB 22 on Department of Disabilities housing programs and affiliated foundations; SB 134 on Medicare supplement policy enrollment periods; SB 139 on third-party administrator enforcement; SB 199 on the Individuals with Disabilities and Service-Disabled Veterans Voting Fund; SB 205 codifying federal mental health parity requirements; SB 216 on unemployment insurance confidentiality; SB 43 on the Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund; SB 46 on state veterans cemeteries interment provisions; and SB 226 on the Maryland Heritage Area Authority. Several bills had brief amendments or procedural issues. SB 22 received a technical amendment changing “Attorney General” to “Office of the Attorney General.” SB 199 received an amendment adding a co-sponsor, and SB 46 was briefly set to lie over under the rule after a senator requested time to review a technical clarification. The chamber also received House Bill 1, which was referred to committee, and SB 624 was reassigned to the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee. Most committee reports were adopted unanimously or without objection, and the Senate repeatedly congratulated the honored school teams and library advocates.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we all remember the discussion we had with La Pel irrigation district and similar districts throughout
• I think we all remember the discussion we had with La Pel irrigation district and similar districts throughout
• Your first name was Haley. >> Yeah. Haley Mortimer. >> Mortimer. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you.
• Ma'am, I'm sorry.<00:09:46.240> Your<00:09:46.399> first<00:09:46.560> name<00:09
• Your first name was Haley. sorry. Your first name was Haley.

Bills: SF0050, SF0068, SF0084, HB0087, HB0029, HB0061, HB0090

Keywords: groundwater, water resource management, state engineer, aquifer study, corrective controls, monitoring wells, public reporting, irrigation, water management, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, water conservation, Colorado River, drought, water rights, voluntary program, interstate agreements, water development

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, I would like to let you know that all our committee meetings are webcast.
• And so, Micaela, why don't you go first? Hi, my name is Micaela Gonzales.
• That was the first community solar project to go live.
• So the next steps for us because what we have just gone through was the first phase of the first amount
• That is one of the lessons learned from this first round.

Keywords: 996, all