Transcript Highlights:

• Why does Midland need access to a second qualified hotel?
• hotel or qualified convention center facility.
• restaurants, bars, and retail establishments located within 1,000 feet of the qualified hotel or qualified
• In my mind, we need to find ways that we can qualify and participate.
• Even if a veteran dies of a condition they should have been qualified for. qualified as 100% disabled

Bills: HB249, HB 1186, HB2313, HB2408, HB2508, HB2730, HB2974, HB3045, HB3232, HB3336, HB3710, HB4044, HB4236, HJR133, HB249

Keywords: ad valorem taxes, property taxes, homestead exemption, disabled veterans, senior citizens, tax payments, installment payments, municipal tax revenue, hotel, convention center, tax code, economic development, local government, municipality, tax revenue, qualified projects, municipal taxation, hotel project, municipality funding, veteran

Transcript Highlights:

• Petitions, memorials, and other papers.
• All in paper were reported as amended.
• <02:02:14.240> were is the adoption of the paper were is the adoption of the paper were reported
• <02:03:09.040> were is the adoption of the paper were is the adoption of the paper were reported
• The paper was reported as adopted. The ayes have it. The paper was reported as adopted.

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, March 19, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 122 members present, opened with prayer, and approved the previous day’s journal. The chamber then took up two congratulatory resolutions: one honoring Layla Wishard of Hagerstown for winning gold with Team USA at the Junior Roller Derby Association World Cup in Australia, and another recognizing Delores Millhouse as the 2026 Maryland Mother of the Year. Both resolutions were read and adopted with applause. The House then considered a series of committee reports, primarily from the Committee on Economic Matters, and advanced multiple bills to third reading after adopting committee amendments and favorable reports. Measures included consumer contract protections in House Bill 103, workers’ compensation presumptions for hypertension in House Bill 347, broadband access and affordability in House Bill 382, housing and land-use changes in House Bills 548 and 894, data privacy in House Bill 711, franchise law changes in House Bill 730, a blockchain-based real property title pilot program in House Bill 810, bankruptcy exemptions in House Bill 1098, and telecommunications infrastructure protections in House Bill 1100. Several bills drew questions and were special ordered for further review. House Bill 711, the Data Privacy Act, prompted extended discussion about whether its geolocation provisions could affect stadium and venue security tracking; the sponsor said the bill was intended to close loopholes around cell phone and vehicle location data and would not change existing permission-based rules, but the bill was still special ordered until the next day. House Bill 894, the transit-oriented development bill, also drew questions about local government concerns and was special ordered, with the floor leader saying county and municipal groups were generally satisfied with the amendments. House Bill 1100 was also taken up after the amendments were adopted, and the title amendment process began as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the paper blue sheet is blank. Thank you.
• And the paper blue sheet is blank. And the paper blue sheet is blank.
• today's world, that would not be a paper today's world, that would not be a paper of<01:43:06.560
• ,<01:48:58.639> not is actually what's on this paper, not is actually what's on this paper
• And on our paper blue sheet, we have two in support. Thank you.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• combination presents high risk and security issues to the department and challenges the ability to find qualified
• position authorization is not a position—it's not a nurse assistant, it's just a thing on a piece of paper
• It's not a nurse assistant; it's just a thing on a piece of paper.
• We're seeing the anecdotal piece, but we need to put pen to paper and start to put out that California
• We're seeing the anecdotal pieces, but we need to put pen to paper and start to put out that California

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard a budget item on vehicle license fee backfill funding, where the Department of Finance said the administration was not proposing the requested $119 million for San Mateo County, Alpine, and Mono, arguing the payment is discretionary and that existing excess ERAF formulas should remain unchanged. Senator Becker and former Senator Jackie Speier testified that the money is owed under the VLF swap arrangement and that San Mateo County faces major service cuts without the backfill; Senator Cabaldon raised broader policy questions about county boundaries and the structure of the formula. The chair held the item open after public comment. The committee then reviewed Secretary of State budget proposals. The department requested funding for SB 851 implementation, including additional duties related to election litigation notice, voting system standards, and vendor reporting, with $1.1 million General Fund in 2026-27 and $807,000 ongoing for four positions and software. Members asked about election security, federal HAVA funding, staffing, and implementation timing; the department said current federal funds are expected to run out in 2027-28 and that it hopes to hire quickly once funded. The item was held open. The Secretary of State also presented the Cal Access Replacement System (CARS), seeking $11.8 million General Fund to finish the project and begin operations, and the notary automation replacement project, seeking $9.795 million in Business Fees Fund for continued development of the outdated notary system. Members focused on project delays, stakeholder input, and whether the funding requests matched prior plans; the department said both projects were still on their original funding tracks but had shifted timelines due to planning needs and election-related workload. Both items were held open. CalVet presented its department overview and then discussed the new 240-bed skilled nursing facility at Yountville, which is nearing completion and will replace the aging Holderman Hospital building. Members asked about the future of Holderman, other campus capital projects, and a payroll/fringe-benefit issue affecting some employees; CalVet said Holderman will continue to house some functions, the roofing and steam projects remain in progress, and the tax issue has been addressed with new procedures and repayment arrangements. The committee also discussed eliminating vacant positions under Control Section 4.12, with CalVet saying the positions were long-vacant CNA and related jobs and the LAO noting the Legislature had not concurred; Senator Cabaldon said he had no objection, and the item was held open. Finally, the California Arts Council gave an overview of its work and its cultural districts program, describing grants and technical assistance in all 58 counties and citing examples of local impact. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas strongly supported additional funding, including a proposed $50 million General Fund investment and a $10 million carve-out for cultural districts, arguing the program supports economic development, preservation, and community identity; council staff said the program is currently unfunded and has only been able to designate a fraction of applicants. Senator Cabaldon noted that many parts of the state still lack cultural districts and urged broader geographic representation. The item was informational and no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Judiciary and Elections, having had under consideration SB 1057 relating to watermark paper
• your committee on judiciary elections having had under consideration SB 1057 relating to watermark paper
• just serious concern, too, about a connection with a company, the only company it seems to offer this paper
• So this vagueness, coupled with the ability of any qualified elector... I'm concerned about it.
• So this vagueness, coupled with the ability of any qualified elector...

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and several guest introductions, including recognition of Lutheran Day at the Capitol and the doctor of the day. The chamber also handled routine business such as journal approval, temporary committee substitutions, and multiple motions to move into Committee of the Whole for floor consideration of bills and resolutions. A series of election, campaign finance, immigration, and public safety measures were taken up. Bills and resolutions discussed included SB 1003 on election canvass certification, SB 1006 and SCR 1002 on campaign finance disclosure thresholds, SB 1037, SB 1040, SB 1057, SB 1060, SB 1141, SB 1168, SB 1237, SB 1289, SCR 1010, SCR 1013, and SCR 1014 on various election administration topics, plus SB 1055 and SB 1152 on immigration enforcement and benefits, SB 1058 on firearm transaction merchant codes, SB 1093 on rioting, SB 1308 on a foreign adversary fraud office appropriation, and SB 1160 on drones in entertainment districts. Most of these measures received do-pass recommendations, several with committee or floor amendments, and some were retained on the calendar. The most extensive debate centered on social policy bills affecting transgender people and minors, including SCR 1006, SB 1015, and SB 1095. Opponents argued these measures were discriminatory, harmful to trans youth and families, and an improper intrusion into medical and school decisions; supporters framed them as protecting parental rights, privacy, and children from irreversible medical decisions. SB 1049 on spousal maintenance also drew opposition over a proposed four-year cap. Later, the Senate took third-reading votes and passed SB 1049, SB 1053, SB 1415, SB 1015, SB 1095, and SCR 1006, with recorded roll-call tallies generally around 16-11 or 17-10 on the more contentious measures, and the bills were transmitted to the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, there's a lot of paper on your desk, so I'm just going to go through some of the major differences
• On this paper, on page one, Public School Support, page one, the other projected net unit changes goes
• Callie, can you direct us to the papers that we should be referring to?
• If it can be loaded, if not, you should have the paper copies.
• He said they are highly qualified and have all the structure set up to deal with that kind of work.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Current law we're reactivating, I copied it on this other piece of paper. It's RSA 32, col. 11.
• Current law we're reactivating, I copied it on this other piece of paper. It's RSA 32, col. 11.
• in local papers. Nobody knows about it. in local papers. Nobody knows about it.
• Would that qualify for a 3211 expenditure over expenditure?
• Would that qualify for those kids home.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it down to seven. um they don't qualify it down to seven. um they don't qualify for<00:14:16.880
• <00:44:46.560> or you have guidelines or that qualifies or you have guidelines or that qualifies
• In an era paper, and the spoken word.
• We saw that during COVID with toilet paper.
• Um, that during COVID with toilet paper.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a licensed and registered dietitian nutritionist, working at a federally qualified health center
• requirements to the practice of MNT, which presents a significant risk of harm if provided by non-qualified
• This bill helps health insurance companies and consumers identify qualified providers.
• authorizing practitioners to practice at the level of their training, improving timely access to qualified
• The comparison to toilet paper or soap is frequently made, and I often use it when discussing it with

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on a wide range of bills focused on environmental health, disease prevention, and access to care. Major topics included restricting polystyrene use, creating a pancreatic cancer awareness and early-detection initiative, improving indoor air quality through a task force and new regulations, expanding access to epinephrine in public places, improving access to health care for people with long COVID, creating an OBGYN loan repayment program for underserved areas, expanding access to hygiene products, modernizing licensure for dietitians and nutritionists, updating school postural screening requirements, and restricting harmful diet pills and muscle-building supplements. Several legislators also testified in support of their own bills, including measures on menstrual product access and ingredient disclosure, and surgical smoke protections. Testimony on the polystyrene bill emphasized local municipal bans and the need to reduce plastic pollution. Pancreatic cancer advocates and patients described the disease’s low survival rate, the difficulty of early diagnosis, and the need for an awareness campaign and implementation of commission recommendations. Indoor air quality supporters from environmental justice groups, public health organizations, and residents described asthma, mold, pollution, and the need for a task force with technical expertise; some witnesses urged adding remediation professionals to the task force. On epinephrine access, family members of a man who died after a bee sting and an allergy organization stressed that anaphylaxis can be sudden and fatal and that stock epinephrine in public venues could save lives. Long COVID advocates said the condition affects hundreds of thousands of residents and called for better surveillance and access to care, with a request to include MECFS in the bills’ scope. Other testimony focused on workforce and equity issues. Supporters of the OBGYN loan repayment bill said it would help address maternal health disparities and provider shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities. Hope and Comfort described widespread hygiene insecurity and a long waiting list for basic products, urging a task force to study statewide solutions. Dietitians and nutritionists supported modernization of licensure to clarify standards for medical nutrition therapy while allowing broader wellness counseling. School nurses backed reducing mandatory postural screenings, arguing the current law is not evidence-based, is not reimbursed by MassHealth, and takes time from other student health needs. On the supplement bill, the industry trade group opposed restrictions as overbroad and burdensome, while a public health expert cited research linking weight-loss and muscle-building supplements to serious harms and urged passage. The committee also heard support for menstrual product access and surgical smoke protections, with legislators and advocates describing those bills as longstanding priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other challenge is really just the hiring of qualified licensed medical professionals you know I
• Before this initiative started, all of our 68 county health departments were operating with paper files
• If we get somebody north of 20 hours, they qualify for ACA So, if we need this provision in legislation
• If we can identify that the veterans qualify, we will use the VA's contribution for their internment
• If they qualify for Medicaid, then that comes out of the Medicaid budget.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A working paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research in 2019 notes that, quote, over
• <01:11:31.360> published<01:11:31.719> by<01:11:31.840> the a working paper
• published by the a working paper published by the National<01:11:32.280> Bureau<01:11:32.640><
• for this justice as well owners qualify for this justice as well is<01:28:59.800> that<01:29:
• <01:29:26.280> company mulus and uh Bland and paper company mulus and uh Bland and paper company

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2437, the governor’s proposed tax bill, and first adopted the A25-Z42 amendment to put the bill in the desired shape. Commissioner Paul Marquardt of the Department of Revenue then presented the bill as part of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s budget, describing it as a response to budget pressures that would make the tax system more fair and stable while supporting economic development and jobs. Marquardt walked through the bill’s major provisions. These included sustainable aviation fuel policy, repeal of K-12 education credit assignment, elimination of the political contribution refund, expansion of the research and development credit, short-line railroad infrastructure modernization, changes to the state airport fund levy, replacement of attachments and appearances with distribution systems, a narrow personal property tax exception for low-income housing tenants, reduced aquatic invasive species aid, and a 34% reduction in PILT payments. He then focused on the sales tax article, saying it would lower the statewide rate by 0.75% while expanding the base to selected professional services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services, with business-to-business transactions exempt. He said the proposal would be effective for sales and purchases after September 30, 2025, and estimated a first-year rate-cut impact of about $99 million versus $215 million from the service expansion, while arguing that most households would see a net tax cut. He also noted other changes such as landlord penalty adjustments, a 30% reduction in sustainable aviation fuel incentive payments, repeal of local government cannabis aid, and repeal of the tax filing modernization account. Public testimony began with Kyle Playford of the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, who strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on professional services, especially financial planning. He argued that financial planning is an essential service for retirement, investment, and long-term financial security, and said the tax would raise costs for consumers, reduce access for middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees, and put Minnesota firms at a competitive disadvantage. The chair then indicated that additional public testimony would continue before member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And deny participation, anybody trying to deny participation of someone that's qualified.
• He described a scenario in which a real estate agent shows a buyer a home, gets the papers signed, and
• imposing requirements to maintain the interest, or refusing to grant an interest to an otherwise qualified
• Look at Pulaski County, that was in the paper.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That, and because as part of qualifying, one of the things is, there's many things they use that building
• from the facilities department that goes through and makes sure that it meets all the criteria for qualifying
• Take your Exhibit B2, whether you do it online or on paper, and read through this because it's looking
• So if there are any... take your exhibit B2, whether you do it online, whether you do it in paper, read

Summary: The House/Joint Education committee continued its adequacy study with a Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on resource allocation, focusing first on matrix spending and then non-matrix spending. Staff explained the methodology for mapping APSCN expenditure data to matrix lines, reviewed district and school categories used in the analysis, and highlighted key findings: foundation funding covered a large share of matrix costs but total spending on matrix items exceeded foundation funding, with classroom teachers making up the largest share. Members asked for additional breakdowns on waivers, superintendent survey responses, trend data, and spending by district type, size, and rural/urban status. Staff also noted limitations in tracking two matrix lines—salary enhancement for other employees and all personnel health insurance—because of coding and definition issues. The committee then reviewed non-matrix expenditures, including instructional aides, facilities, school safety, mental health, dyslexia services, gifted and talented, and career and technical education. Staff reported that non-matrix spending remained above $2 billion over the last three years, with most of it coming from other funds rather than foundation funding. Members raised concerns about dyslexia identification and funding, mental health needs, school safety, food service, athletic transportation, and whether some items should be added to the matrix. The Department of Education clarified that the building fund reflects district-held funds for construction and maintenance projects, while the facilities partnership program is a separate state process for approved projects. In the final discussion, staff summarized total spending as more than $15,800 per student in 2025, with about 69% going to matrix resources and 31% to non-matrix resources. The chair explained the adequacy process and the committee’s role in setting future funding recommendations, and members discussed the recommendations worksheet included in the binder. The chair then proposed postponing the remainder of Part Two of the presentation until a May meeting after the fiscal session, along with inviting the Department of Education back for more detailed questions; with no objections, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2022, we have authorized or requested you to authorize us for 100% of the projects that are qualified
• Us for 100% of the projects that are qualified and eligible, and this again is 113 projects that were
• down in our area, and we're going to see more problems, especially whenever your comments in this paper
• Whenever your comments in this paper that I was reading right here, it's called Earth, Wind and Fire,

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A first qualifying violation results in civil fines to reinforce accountability, and subsequent violations
• you leave the door open for everyone to Ash Bradley: have an opportunity, you get a deeper, more qualified
• Help me make us equal on this paper. That is my ask to everybody.
• Help me make us equal on this paper. This is not done yet.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you've been handed paper copies, or you can view them on laws.
• So you've been handed paper copies, or you can view them on laws.
• Chairman, would Jim qualify for some of this? Thank you for the question, Mr. Chairman.
• The gyms do qualify in the rural area.

Bills: HB1623

Keywords: HB 1623, North Dakota, rural health, rural health transformation program, medical facility infrastructure loan fund, medical facility infrastructure loan program, rural health loan program, Bank of North Dakota, Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, federal grant, health care infrastructure, rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, nonprofit health care providers, gap financing, loan fund, public health funding, healthcare financing, Medicaid

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1623, the appropriations bill tied to North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program, which is funded through a new federal rural health care grant. Senator Bekkedahl explained the bill’s background, the interim committee process that developed it, and the federal conditions attached to the award, including spending deadlines, administrative cost limits, and restrictions on uses such as new construction, supplanting existing funding, and certain other costs. Legislative staff then walked through the seven sections of the bill, including appropriation authority, transfer authority, contingent appropriations for pass-through grants, procurement and public improvement exemptions, recipient reporting, legislative reporting, and immediate effective date. Commissioner Traynor and HHS staff described how the department plans to implement the program, emphasizing that the funding is intended to improve rural access, workforce recruitment and retention, technology and data connectivity, and community health initiatives. They said the department will rely on local applications, technical assistance, templates, listening sessions, and partnerships with providers, schools, public health units, tribal entities, and other community groups. Members asked about reimbursement timing, upfront costs, administrative expenses, sustainability after the five-year grant period, and whether CTE centers, public health units, gyms, grocery stores, and other community partners could participate; the department said yes, within program rules and with a focus on measurable outcomes and sustainability. Several supporters testified in favor. Mental Health America of North Dakota and the Mental Health Advocacy Network supported the bill and urged investment in community-based mental health, crisis response, children’s services, peer support, and mobile crisis teams. HIA Health described the grant as a chance to expand home-based and hospice care, noting that rural providers already have workable models but need funding to scale them. A cybersecurity representative also supported the bill, warning that the large amount of health data and AI-related tools will require strong data protection and professional support. The hearing was closed with no opposition testimony, and the committee announced it would return later in the day for further work on the bill and other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because we have to remain lean, but we also want to make sure that we're hiring the best qualified staff
• asking all the political subdivisions to keep up with all of their campaign finance information on paper
• Pay scales remain a major challenge as we work to recruit and retain qualified auditors.
• By far, 88% of them take electronic deposits, but we're having to look at cutting paper checks again

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Counties can still hire their own clinicians, but the substitute expressly allows them to contract with qualified
• require documentation of compliance with the chapter from Municipal Public Library. libraries to qualify
• Look at the- papers you have in front of you, that is just one of eight books, and that was 17 pages
• adult section while researching a topic, particularly if they're working on a school project or a term paper

Bills: HB256, HCR19, SB2101, SB2334, SB2633, SB2637, SB2713, SB2781, SB2782, SB3059, HB1130

Keywords: severe weather, adaptation plan, vulnerability assessment, environmental protection, state agencies, federal agents, transparency, law enforcement, identification, public trust, immigration enforcement, HCR 19, Texas concurrent resolution, federal immigration enforcement, masked agents, facial coverings, visible identification, uniforms, badges, name tags

Transcript Highlights:

• prior authorization criteria, in other words, what are the things that you need to do in order to qualify
• You're saying that as a... ...able to even qualify for this medication, you're going to be participating
• But the verbiage is the same, so patients are not confused with two papers.
• Bachelor's degrees, while they look cheaper on paper, unfortunately... ...the kid won't reimburse for

Bills: HB231, HB231, HB475, HB488, HB632, HB821, HB1786, HB1955, HB2036, HB2060, HB2659, HB2677

Keywords: HB 231, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, permit exemption, dam, reservoir, erosion control, flood control, floodwater control, sediment control, watershed protection, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, local sponsor, water appropriation, small dam, water diversion, maintenance, rehabilitation

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an honor that the governor chooses you, and that's a very high honor, and you wouldn't be qualified
• It's an honor that the governor chooses you, and that's a very high honor, and you wouldn't be qualified
• Now, Regent Coleman, my papers, I've got more papers than so.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Nominations met to consider several gubernatorial nominees and first approved a slate of nominees left pending from the March 31 agenda. The committee voted 5-0 to favorably report those nominees to the full Senate for confirmation. Public testimony was then opened and later closed, with some listed witnesses not appearing. The committee heard testimony on Jerry K. Weldon II for the Brazos River Authority Board of Directors. Senators focused on stewardship of the Brazos River, the authority’s relationship to the legislature and the public, Sunset review, water quality and nutrient runoff, impaired waterways, and possible uses of constructed wetlands for aggregate mine reclamation. Weldon emphasized collaboration, transparency, and keeping the citizens of Texas as the authority’s primary customer. Commissioner Robert Vaughn was considered for reappointment to the Texas Transportation Commission. Discussion centered on TxDOT’s management, rural funding, population growth, project delivery, and the commissioner’s role on the audit committee. Doug McCreakin was considered for the Texas Tech University Board of Regents, with questions about legislative priorities, compliance with DEI-related state law, workforce development, rural medical education, and university partnerships. Jody Giles was considered for reappointment to the University of Texas Board of Regents, and Bernadette Carrasco Coleman for reappointment to the Texas Woman’s University Board of Regents; both discussed higher education priorities, PUF funding, compliance with state law, and student support programs. John Rutherford was considered for reappointment to the Teachers Retirement System Board of Trustees, with questions about fiduciary oversight, investment understanding, and keeping the retirement system solvent. Brigadier General Michael Boyd was also considered for appointment to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, where discussion focused on military retention, child care, spouse licensing, base infrastructure, and grant funding for Texas installations. The committee did not take final votes on these later nominees during the hearing and left them pending subject to the call of the chair.