Transcript Highlights:

• Soarpa is good in terms of that.
• Maybe we're looking at early next year in terms of substantial completion on all of those projects.
• That'll be a new route that'll start pending, of course, the congressional resolution of the Department
• Some of these funds move into the long-term revolving fund to allow us That time to go ahead and be able
• Atoka is one of those that was impacted by the congressional Cr.

Committee: House A&B Transportation Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• rely on and that supports long-term student success.
• rely on and that supports long-term student success.
• Long-term care is a continuum.
• costs for limiting prevention and early intervention.
• Cutting therapy will cost the state long term.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on proposed substitute House Bill 2289, the House operating budget. Budget staff Mary Monroe gave a detailed overview of the proposal’s near general fund outlook, reserve levels, major revenue assumptions, and major spending and savings items. She highlighted assumed revenue from capital gains and a proposed “millionaires tax,” a transfer from the budget stabilization account, administrative reductions across agencies, and several major policy shifts, including changes affecting Working Connections Child Care, K-12 education, higher education, long-term care, behavioral health, wildfire response, and state employee compensation. Members then asked questions, including about the higher education building account/operating fee swap and its interaction with the capital budget and Climate Commitment Act funds. The committee also announced amendment deadlines for the budget process. The bulk of the meeting was public testimony, with many speakers generally supporting or opposing specific parts of the budget. Supportive testimony praised funding for wildfire prevention, public health, reproductive health, civil legal aid, the Poison Center, some higher education institutions, and certain disability and child welfare services. Many speakers urged restoration or protection of funding for K-12 education, especially transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, bus depreciation, and Running Start; others opposed cuts to child care, early learning, public defense, long-term care, adult day and home care services, occupational/physical/speech therapy for Medicaid patients, and community and technical colleges. Several local government, health, and nonprofit representatives also asked the committee to preserve public works, homelessness, energy assistance, environmental justice, and recovery/diversion programs, while some business and public safety groups sought continued funding for organized retail crime prevention and related initiatives. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee recessed briefly and later resumed with virtual testimony, where additional witnesses repeated concerns about education cuts, long-term care, health care access, disability services, dispute resolution, early childhood programs, and the need for ongoing or increased funding in those areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 434 by Representative Wilder, school bus operators, probationary period, term of employment
• House Bill 557 by Representative DeWitt, long-term care, definition, long-term care pharmacy.
• House Bill 434 by Representative Wilder, school bus operators, probationary period, term of employment
• House Bill 557 by Representative DeWitt, long-term care, definition, long-term care pharmacy.
• Wyrtsim DeWitt, long-term care, definition, long-term care, pharmacy, health and welfare with amendments

Bills: HR65 , HR66 , HR67 , HR68 , HR69 , HCR33 , HCR34 , HB1006 , HB1007 , HB1008 , HB1010 , HB1011 , HR58 , HR59 , HR60 , HR61 , HR62 , HR63 , HR64 , HCR32 , SCR2 , SCR5 , SCR6 , SCR11 , SCR16 , SCR17 , HB43 , HB447 , HB573 , HB1000 , HB1001 , HB1002 , HB1003 , HB1004 , HB1005 , SB8 , SB10 , SB12 , SB16 , SB20 , SB21 , SB22 , SB29 , SB32 , SB41 , SB42 , SB44 , SB49 , SB58 , SB68 , SB75 , SB77 , SB81 , SB97 , SB103 , SB159 , SB163 , SB172 , SB180 , SB182 , SB244 , SB248 , SB253 , SB254 , SB279 , SB306 , SB318 , SB334 , SB380 , SB385 , SB397 , HB53 , HB57 , HB64 , HB100 , HB102 , HB106 , HB111 , HB137 , HB152 , HB155 , HB177 , HB238 , HB256 , HB258 , HB272 , HB337 , HB350 , HB359 , HB363 , HB386 , HB434 , HB445 , HB546 , HB557 , HB584 , HB661 , HB697 , HB726 , HB727 , HB747 , HB752 , HB756 , HB758 , HB759 , HB765 , HB767 , HB825 , HB858 , HB930 , HB941 , HB957 , HB964 , HB203 , HB228 , HB234 , HB260 , HB268 , HB271 , HB285 , HB289 , HB351 , HB400 , HB413 , HB469 , HB534 , HB551 , HB552 , HB574 , HB576 , HB634 , HB649 , HB677 , HB735 , HB739 , HB779 , HB784 , HB796 , HB842 , HB850 , HB919 , HB8 , HB9 , HB10 , HB15 , HB16 , HB17 , HB18 , HB19 , HB22 , HB33 , HB34 , HB35 , HB44 , HB46 , HB47 , HB48 , HB61 , HB101 , HB126 , HB135 , HB142 , HB164 , HB185 , HB215 , HB226 , HB232 , HB233 , HB242 , HB284 , HB292 , HB297 , HB301 , HB334 , HB436 , HB468 , HB548 , HB571 , HB582 , HB593 , HB594 , HB609 , HB613 , HB712 , HB722 , HB732 , HB746 , HB827 , HB845 , HB848 , HB921 , HB923 , HB951 , HB953 , HB999 , HB733 , HB875 , HB952 , HB868 , HB119 , HB140 , HB52 , HB901 , HB193 , HB570

Keywords: condolences, Sam Goodwin, Northwestern State University, football coach, athletic legacy, obituary, ShaMonica Huggins, Louisiana, community support, public service, law enforcement, memorial resolution, Louisiana Legislature, tribute, centenarian, community recognition, Louisiana history, birthday celebration, Jeanerette, French bread

Transcript Highlights:

• that could be accumulated would limit the total fiscal impact of the program long term, but wouldn't
• I'm going to use the term, and this is not the right term, liquefy them so that it could be cash, right
• with the current federal administration, the Legislature could consider funding this program on a limited-term
• These represent functions and efforts that were previously funded on a limited-term basis and do not
• Please limit your remarks to one minute.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an informational update from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development on the state’s Jobs First economic development strategy and related budget requests. Go-Biz described its regional planning process, priority sectors such as ag-tech, space defense, life sciences, and semiconductors, and requests including an extension of the CalCompetes tax credit, support for export promotion, additional film commission staff, innovation and emerging technology capacity, and a California brand campaign. Members questioned the campaign’s purpose, with some supporting efforts to counter misinformation about California and others warning it should not obscure regulatory and business-climate concerns. Go-Biz said the campaign would be nationally focused, could include business attraction efforts, and was intended to complement—not replace—policy work on permitting and workforce development. The item was informational only. The committee then heard from the California Office of the Small Business Advocate on the California RISE program, the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, and the Technical Assistance Program/Capital Infusion Program. CalOSBA reported that California RISE’s first round awarded $16.9 million to 61 employment social enterprises, which collectively increased revenue, secured contracts, and employed thousands of people facing barriers to work; a second round is being launched with a new administrator and expanded services. For the performing arts payroll fund, the office said all 100 awardees had been paid, but demand far exceeded available funding, and the program was oversubscribed within days. California for the Arts testified that the sector remains fragile after COVID and urged statutory changes to simplify eligibility and stretch dollars further. SBDC representatives described TAP/SIP as a statewide network supporting small businesses, capital access, and disaster recovery, emphasizing their role in underserved communities and the leverage of federal matching funds. Committee members focused on whether these programs produce durable outcomes and reach smaller or disadvantaged businesses. Questions centered on long-term job retention in California RISE, outreach to ethnic and community media in the civic media program, and whether TAP/SIP are accessible to entrepreneurs with limited capital or capacity. CalOSBA and its partners said they rely heavily on local community organizations for outreach, provide one-on-one counseling and training, and are working to collect more longitudinal data. The committee also discussed the film and television tax credit program, for which Go-Biz requested funding for three permanent positions and ongoing program support. Film Commission staff said the expanded program is tracking demographic and career-pathway data, with most productions opting into new diversity provisions, and that a formal report to the Legislature is expected in 2027. The item concluded without a vote, as the hearing was for oversight and budget discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• This committee hearing is 90 minutes, and we will allow for a one-minute time limit for all testifiers
• This committee hearing is 90 minutes, and we will allow for a one-minute time limit for all testifiers
• There will be a one-minute time limit for all testifiers. So we have 10 bills on the agenda today.
• of is it an effective um in in terms of is it an effective program<00:09:48.760><c> creating</c><00:
• </c><01:09:36.759><c> to</c> ingredients including but not limited to ingredients including but not limited

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard testimony on several bills, with much of the discussion focused on Enterprise Zones and related economic development measures. On SB 125, the committee heard support from DBEDT, the Department of Taxation, the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, and the Farmers Union. Members questioned how the bill would affect job-creation requirements and learned that existing companies and new companies are treated differently under the program, with existing companies generally subject to a 15% annual employment increase and new companies to a 10% increase, while the bill would extend the program period from seven to nine years. DBEDT also said the program has been effective, citing 1,162 jobs created or maintained at a cost of about $1.2 million, and noted that agriculture, manufacturing, and wholesaling are the main sectors involved. The committee then took up SB 729, also relating to Enterprise Zones, which would expand eligibility to better accommodate local manufacturers and value-added businesses that sell directly to retail rather than only wholesale. Testifiers from the Holua Collaborative and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau supported the measure, saying it would help small manufacturers and agricultural producers add value and adapt to internet-era sales patterns. A committee discussion clarified that the bill would add value-added processing as an allowable activity within the zones, and DBEDT explained that the current rules were written for a wholesale-dominated market. The Attorney General’s office also testified, raising a supremacy clause concern and recommending language changes to avoid conflict with federal law. On SB 129, relating to labeling requirements for fish, the Attorney General and the Department of Agriculture both raised concerns about federal preemption and enforcement. The AG explained that federal law governs fish labeling but includes an exception for processed fish, and recommended narrowing the bill to processed fish and defining that term to fit the federal carve-out. The Hawaii Longline Association supported the bill but suggested excluding canned tuna while including products such as poke, sashimi, and sushi. The Department of Agriculture said it does not currently enforce this kind of labeling requirement and would need to determine whether another agency should handle enforcement. The committee also heard SB 581, which would establish an aerospace and aeronautics development program within DBEDT. Testimony was generally supportive, but members pressed for a fiscal estimate, and the bill’s sponsor said a prior version of the office had operated on about $400,000 annually with a small staff. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• that could be accumulated would limit the total fiscal impact of the program long term, but wouldn't
• I'm going to use the term, and this is not the right term, liquefy them so that it could be cash, right
• with the current federal administration, the Legislature could consider funding this program on a limited-term
• These represent functions and efforts that were previously funded on a limited-term basis and do not
• Please limit your remarks to one minute.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview from Go-Biz Director D.D. Myers on the administration’s economic development strategy, centered on the California Jobs First framework. Myers described regional planning across 13 regions, the Jobs First Council, and pilot sectors including ag-tech, space and defense, life sciences, and semiconductors. She also outlined budget requests for CalCompetes, CalExport, the California Film Commission, innovation/emerging technologies, and the California Civic Media Fund, along with the new California brand campaign. Committee members raised questions about misinformation about California, regulatory burdens, tourism versus broader economic messaging, and how the brand campaign would highlight underrepresented communities. No vote was taken; the item was informational. The committee then reviewed CalOSBA’s work on small business support, including California RISE, the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, and TAP/SIP technical assistance and capital infusion programs. CalOSBA reported that California RISE’s first cohort awarded $16.9 million to 61 employment social enterprises, with growth in revenue, contracts, and jobs; the performing arts payroll fund paid all 100 recipients but was heavily oversubscribed; and TAP supported more than 112,000 businesses in the past year, helping leverage federal and local funds. Testimony from program partners emphasized the importance of small business counseling, community-based outreach, and support for arts organizations facing post-pandemic and AB 5-related cost pressures. Senators pressed for more data on long-term job retention, better outreach to smaller and ethnic media, and possible program changes to speed grants and stretch funding further. Finally, the committee heard Go-Biz’s request for additional staff and funding for the California Film and Television Tax Credit Program. Staff said the request would support application review, DEIA implementation, and data tracking. The Film Commission reported that about 147 productions had been approved and roughly 90% were opting into the new diversity provisions, with career pathways reporting to include demographic and participation data and a future report expected in 2027. Senators asked about accountability, apprenticeship and internship hours, and whether the program was producing real career pathways and inclusive hiring outcomes. The item remained informational, with no vote or action taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they said, 'Well, let's put in a limit.'
• And then, yeah, I'm still competing against a juggernaut in terms of my sales and my size.
• Is there a limit on how much an individual school district can apply for? I think so.
• It's not subject to congressional budgets.
• A long-term license to manage it.

Committee: House A&B Select Agencies Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill creates a ten-year statute of limitations for each penalty, ladders, and enhancements for various
• What this bill does is align state law with current federal law regarding congressional testimony, which
• is limited to testimonial immunity.

Bills: SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB34 , SB18 , SB 2 , SB 3 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 10 , SB 14 , SB 16 , SB 18 , SB 34

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And because of our 90-minute time limit for hearings, there will be a two-minute time limit for all testifiers
• Molokai Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board, gubernatorial nominee Faith Tui Pulotu, for a term
• HB 1603 HD1, which repeals the requirement for land covered by an ag park lease with the remaining term
• So let's say half a million, and then if there's, we can tell you next year if what To do in the limit
• I believe they set the limit at $900,000, which we may want to tweak a little bit to match our current

Summary: The committee first considered three gubernatorial nominations. GM510, Faith Tui Pulotu to the Molokai Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board, received strong support from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, though the nominee was not present online. GM614, Mark Gordon to the Environmental Advisory Council, also drew unanimous support from state and private testifiers; Gordon described his environmental health and safety background and said he could commit the time needed. GM696, James Falconer to the Advisory Board on Pesticides, was supported by the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau; Falconer discussed his long experience in coffee and sugar, including work responding to coffee leaf rust and the need for timely pesticide tools. All three nominations were recommended for advise and consent and were adopted by four-member votes. The committee then heard several agriculture bills. HB 1603 HD1 would allow the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to extend agricultural park leases without the current county-population restriction; supporters called it an equity measure and asked that it apply to all ag park leases, while the department gave standard testimony. HB 1707 HD1 would create a local agricultural transportation cost reimbursement program; supporters said transportation is a major production cost and suggested amendments to define “necessary supplies” and explicitly include honey. HB 2155 HD1 would establish an agricultural statistics program, with supporters emphasizing the need for better data to guide planning. HB 2594 HD1 would direct a study on insurance coverage for small producers, which supporters linked to recent storm damage and the lack of tailored insurance products. HB 2595 HD1 would create a regional agricultural feasibility and food systems production working group; supporters said it should consider markets as well as crop suitability and regional conditions. Members asked questions about lease competition, transportation reimbursement amounts and anti-double-dipping safeguards, the usefulness of agricultural data, and whether state or federal insurance models could be used as templates. Testifiers generally said the bills would help reduce costs, improve planning, and support small and neighbor-island producers, while noting that implementation details and funding levels would need further work. The committee then voted to pass all five bills with amendments, generally including a deferred effective date of July 1, 2050, and in the case of HB 1707, the committee adopted the suggested amendments to define necessary supplies and add honey to the covered commodities.

Transcript Highlights:

• So just in terms of cost, Maine proposed $4.8 million to retrofit all of their buses in the entire state
• I began my career running Ian Bowles' primary campaign in the 10th Congressional District.
• In doing so, this addresses the growing crisis that is straining school district budgets and limiting
• Financial strain is not limited to any one district.

Bills: S2743 , S2861 , S3021

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: domestic violence, police training, suspicious deaths, homicide investigation, victim support, school bus safety, commission, student safety, operator training, safety standards, Legislative oversight, public health, student transportation, school bus, school pupil transportation, pupil transport, child passenger safety, school van, transportation contractor, motor vehicle safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Abatement limitation recommends that the bill be amended as follows.
• We should have website postings, but we don't want to limit it to web postings.
• We should have website postings, but we don't want to limit it to website postings.
• Children have an extremely limited right in terms of the First Amendment.
• This bill is not limited to the school or the library context.

Summary: The Senate met in several Committee of the Whole sessions to consider a large number of bills, with most measures receiving do-pass recommendations and several being amended before advancing. Early action included bills on fentanyl penalties (SB 1061), firearm suppressors/prohibited weapons (SB 1069), DCS attorney appearance and hotline/case-history access (SB 1081 and SB 1174), mandatory reporting and scrap metal theft (SB 1127 and SB 1128), and a narcotic-drug-to-minor offense bill (SB 1170). Senators Ortiz, Kuby, and others argued against the drug bills as harmful mandatory-minimum policies that would reduce judicial discretion and worsen addiction and incarceration outcomes, while supporters framed them as public-safety measures. SB 1170 ultimately failed on third reading; SB 1061, SB 1069, SB 1127, SB 1128, SB 1171, SB 1174, and SB 1188 passed, while SB 1021 later failed after concerns were raised about possible federal anti-kickback conflicts. The chamber also advanced health-care and regulatory measures, including chiropractic board compliance training (SB 1021), radiation protection and health-care institution requirements (SB 1120 and SB 1121), health care cost containment system changes (SB 1171), and pharmacy scheduling/prescription authority (SB 1188). Several of these bills were amended with technical changes or rulemaking authority, and most passed on third reading. SB 1243 and SB 1244 on court-ordered treatment also moved forward after amendments; supporters said the changes would improve notice and allow guardians or agencies to act more effectively, while opponents warned about due-process concerns and expanded coercive treatment authority. In later calendars, the Senate considered local planning and permitting (SB 1241), school access and GED preparation (SB 1166 and SB 1370), water and groundwater issues (SB 1202 and SB 1287), tax and finance measures (SB 1180, SB 1221, SB 1293, SB 1294, and SB 1429), and a constitutional resolution on legislative boundaries (SCR 1031). SB 1166 was amended to limit GED preparation to grades 11 and 12, SB 1241 and SB 1287 received technical amendments, and SB 1180 was clarified to align tax forms with federal conformity. SB 1075 on foreign entities and land sales drew the most debate: an Ortiz amendment would have shifted it toward corporate homebuyer restrictions and housing affordability, but that amendment was defeated on a roll call vote before the bill advanced as amended. Most remaining measures passed their third readings, with the Senate adopting Committee of the Whole reports and transmitting the approved bills to the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, if passed, HB 234 will be passed. 32 would block opportunities for immigrant students, limit
• The sky is the limit, you know? Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions? Thank y'all very much.
• There is no time limit. and possibly claw back tuition if things change.
• Housekeeping to do here with you in terms of how you were registered. Against House Bill 1794, 84.
• There was unanimity across, again. and from A to Z in terms of support for this legislation.

Bills: HB232

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: disaster recovery, natural disaster, weather disaster, emergency relief, flood relief, hurricane relief, storm damage, wildfire, tornado, hail, windstorm, extreme heat, ice storm, snowstorm, property damage, personal injury, temporary housing, relocation assistance, lost wages, state emergency management

Transcript Highlights:

• The president said in congressional testimony recently that while negotiations are ongoing, answering
• Laying out House Bill 1729 on behalf of Senator Huffman. to implement term limits for Freeport commissioners
• Specifically, House Bill 1729 would make a person who had two or more full terms as a Freeport commissioner
• Completing the remainder of an unexpired term by a person elected or appointed to fill a vacancy would
• not constitute... service for a full term.

Bills: HB647 , HB791 , HB 1242 , HB1729 , HB2003 , HB2029 , HB2061 , HB2775 , HB3751 , HB4804 , HB3611

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• So >> we are we we loved RV would go out West where there's very limited to no service.
• I'm limited that we have here today.
• You can see the numbers there in terms of investment, an exit, some of the companies that we work with
• And the companies that have been involved are really at the forefront of what we're doing in terms of
• It's about a 30% increase year-over-year in terms of numbers of projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are terms that are ambiguous, and in our position letter we made the point that the terms of the
• . ...below EU limits.
• Now, contrary to what you may hear, limits are feasible.
• and limitations associated with meeting them.
• Obviously, they're the ones who will set these limits.

Summary: The committee heard AB 1795, which would create statewide standards for testing, inspection, remediation, and insurance handling of wildfire smoke damage in homes. The author and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said the bill is needed because survivors face inconsistent claims practices and no enforceable standards for determining when homes are safe. Supporters included the City of Los Angeles and a wildfire survivor who described health problems and disputed remediation results; opponents from the insurance industry said the bill could create broad new exposure and worsen affordability, though they continued to negotiate amendments. The committee recommended the bill do pass with urgency, and it passed on a 4-0 vote, with the roll held open for additional votes. The committee also heard AB 1612, which would create a centralized process for law enforcement to transfer seized controlled substances such as fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin to the Department of Justice for disposal after the state’s last in-state incineration facility closed. The author said the bill would address unsafe storage and inconsistent disposal pathways. There was no opposition in the room, and the committee sent the bill to the Assembly Public Safety Committee on a do pass vote. AB 2322 would standardize the definition of commercial, industrial, or institutional sites for municipal stormwater permits by tying it to assessor land-use codes and excluding residential parcels. Supporters said the bill would reduce patchwork enforcement and improve consistency, while stormwater and city representatives asked to keep working on regional flexibility concerns. The committee approved the bill 4-1 and sent it to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 2245, a producer responsibility bill for vehicle lubricant products and their containers, intended to expand collection and recycling using existing household hazardous waste and used oil infrastructure. Supporters said it would reduce landfill disposal and align with existing EPR frameworks, while retailers and industry groups raised concerns about overlapping obligations, unclear definitions, and compliance costs. The author said negotiations would continue, and the committee sent the bill to Natural Resources on a do pass vote. The committee also heard AB 1603, which would phase out PFAS-containing pesticides over time and require disclosure and permitting for their use. Supporters argued PFAS pesticides contaminate food and water and pose health risks; agricultural and chemical industry opponents said the bill could remove many products from the market and lead to harmful substitutions. The chair expressed support for reducing PFAS but raised concerns about replacement chemicals, and the bill was sent to Appropriations on a do pass vote. Finally, AB 2034 was introduced to increase transparency around food additives and GRAS ingredients by creating a state database of chemicals that bypass FDA premarket review; supporters said it would close a federal loophole, while consumer brands opposed a duplicative state system and warned of costs and confusion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because I sit there and see those senators, those congressional people who represent the state of Alabama
• those Because I sit there and see those senators,<00:10:59.480><c> those</c><00:10:59.880><c> congressional
• </c><00:11:00.680><c> people</c><00:11:01.600><c> who</c> senators, those congressional people who senators
• , those congressional people who represent<00:11:02.360><c> the</c><00:11:02.440><c> state</c><00:11:
• </c><00:57:21.040><c> districts,</c> impacted in the congressional districts, impacted in the congressional

Bills: SB1

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, she also was a professional staffer on military readiness for the Congressional House Armed Services
• 32.000><c> the</c> staff on the military readiness for the staff on the military readiness for the Congressional
• <00:08:32.880><c> House</c><00:08:33.200><c> Armed</c><00:08:33.599><c> Services</c> Congressional House
• Armed Services Congressional House Armed Services Committee.<00:08:35.200><c> She</c><00:08:35.519><

Summary: The Maryland Senate met on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with a quorum present. The session opened with an invocation by Chaplain David Stadler, followed by journalization of his remarks and several introductions recognizing guests in the chamber, including dentists, an intern, a former legislative staffer, and representatives from the University System of Maryland and other groups. Senators also noted upcoming committee meetings and a Legislative Black Caucus photo the next day. The main floor action centered on a resolution honoring Maryland Career and Technical Student Organizations for Career and Technical Student Organization Week. The sponsor described the role of CTSOs in serving more than 12,000 students statewide and in building leadership, professional, and career skills. The resolution was read in full and adopted unanimously, with the Senate expressing congratulations and appreciation for the organizations’ work with young people. The Senate then took up layover items and calendar bills. Senate Bill 56, concerning Maryland Longitudinal Data Center external data sharing for multi-state reporting, was special ordered for one day after members raised privacy-related questions. Senate Bill 99, the Open Meetings Act/Local Board of Education Transparency Act measure, was also special ordered for one day after discussion of its committee amendment. The chamber also received administrative corrections from the Governor and referred them to the Executive Nominations Committee, and the majority leader later moved adjournment until February 19 at 10:00 a.m., which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but it's something that even myself has been reluctant to come to terms with.
• ,</c><00:12:16.639><c> your</c> your for lack of a better term, your your for lack of a better term,
• I have a copy Congressional Genius Act.
• I know the term was didn't adopt it.
• I know the term was used<00:24:47.600><c> the</c><00:24:47.760><c> wild</c><00:24:48.080><c> west.

Bills: HB259 , HB206 , HB207 , HB259 , HB206 , HB207

Committee: House Financial Services

Keywords: income tax credit, tax incentive, recruitment, remote work, remote worker, recruited worker, rural counties, small counties, county population tiers, opportunity zone, teacher recruitment, nurse recruitment, law enforcement recruitment, workforce development, economic development, relocation incentive, Alabama Department of Revenue, nonrefundable tax credit, tax carryforward, state income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker pro tempore: The Chair announces the Speaker's appointment, pursuant to section 803-A of the Congressional
• order of the House of January 3, 2025, of the following member on the part of the House to the Congressional

Transcript Highlights:

• However, I noticed in the bill that there is no particular income limitation.
• Is there a particular reason why you didn't put an income limitation in this bill?
• The bill is also carefully constructed with guardrails, transparency, ownership limits, limits on political
• We rank in the bottom 10 of U.S. states in terms of journalists per 100,000 people.
• 10 of U.S. states in terms of journalists per 100,000 people.

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee heard a series of bills focused on nonprofit tax status, housing, tribal land return, tax relief, economic development, journalism, reparations, manufacturing investment, and pawned property sales tax. The chair explained the committee’s suspense file process and noted that only AB 2270 and AB 2641 were eligible for immediate votes; other measures were referred to suspense after presentation. AB 2084 (Bauer-Kahan) would give the Franchise Tax Board discretion to delay or review revocation of state nonprofit tax-exempt status when federal status is revoked, and AB 2167 (Macedo) would clarify that tribally chartered corporations are eligible for existing tribal conservation land return tax exemptions. Both drew support from nonprofit and tribal representatives and were sent to suspense. AB 2270 (Arambula) sought to improve farmworker housing access to low-income housing tax credits by adjusting scoring criteria to reflect rural agricultural realities. Supporters said current amenity-based scoring disadvantages projects near farmland; the bill passed the committee 4-1 and was sent to Housing and Community Development. AB 2336 proposed excluding the first $25,000 of overtime pay and pension income from taxation; supporters framed it as affordability relief, while an opponent warned of major General Fund losses and a member raised the lack of an income cap. AB 2205 would reinstate the New Employment Credit to encourage hiring in high-unemployment areas, and AB 2222 would create refundable tax credits for local news organizations hiring journalists; both received strong support from business, labor, and media advocates and were referred to suspense. The committee also heard AB 2186, which would exclude future reparations payments from state income tax, with supporters arguing reparations should not be reduced by taxation; it was sent to suspense. AB 2377 would accelerate depreciation deductions for manufacturing equipment, with a larger benefit in high-need areas, and AB 2641 would extend the sales tax exemption for people repurchasing their own property from pawnbrokers, with the author agreeing to a five-year sunset amendment. AB 2641 passed 4-0 and was sent to Appropriations. After taking up the remaining roll calls for absent members, the committee adjourned.