Transcript Highlights:

• DESE operates 29 schools and the Department of Social Services operates 15 schools.
• DESE operates 29 schools and the Department of Social Services operates 15 schools.
• They have over 1,000 public entities throughout the state—school districts, county governments, road
• ambulance districts.
• schools, which is approximately $7.67 billion to 518 public schools...

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got 66 school districts, including districts like Minneapolis, St.
• We've got 66 school districts, including districts like Minneapolis, St.
• We've got 66 school districts, including districts like Minneapolis, St.
• The schools in my district use I Love You Guys as part of our safe school planning, but they both advocate
• They were built and operated by the local school districts.

Bills: HF3220

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• district.
• This includes traditional public schools, vocational technical schools, and charter schools.
• This includes traditional public schools, vocational technical schools, and charter schools.
• And while some Delaware school districts experience a 15% annual teacher turnover and the replacement
• His wife was a teacher for 21 years in the Indian River School District.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:39.839><c> bill</c> to be happy we pass a bonding bill to be happy we pass a bonding bill
• This bill also establishes a permanent and ongoing aid to school districts, 36 of the 330 school districts
• of</c><00:44:46.800><c> the</c><00:44:46.960><c> school</c> to school districts to 36 of the school to
• school districts to 36 of the school districts<00:44:47.599><c> out</c><00:44:47.760><c> of</c><00:44
• </c><01:11:10.560><c> systems</c> public and and charter school systems public and and charter school

Transcript Highlights:

• union with the school district.
• Their contract is with the school district, not with the charter school.
• district, not with the charter school.
• Johns County School District.
• that a school district dispose of property.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The committee heard and acted on a long agenda of local, housing, education, construction, and claims bills. It first took up SB 1730 on affordable housing/Live Local changes, adopting an amendment that narrowed and clarified several provisions, including density, height, parking, attorney fees, and exclusions for certain protected areas, then reported the bill favorably. It also approved SB 1674, which clarifies that local investment restrictions cannot block Israel bonds, after a clarifying amendment. SB 140 on charter schools was reported favorably after significant debate over school conversion, teacher contracts, local control, and the use of surplus school property for housing or other public purposes; several speakers opposed it as harmful to public schools, while the sponsor said it preserved district authority and added options for municipalities and job creation. The committee also passed SB 96 and SB 4, two local claims bills, and SB 1714, which allows SHIP funds to help mobile home owners with lot rent and requires local housing plans to address mobile home park closures.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes an entire K through 12 school district, a hospital, and a parochial school, all of which
• We have included letters in your packet of support from the county, the school district, the hospital
• and</c><01:12:01.480><c> a</c> School District a hospital and a School District a hospital and a parochial
• </c><01:13:14.880><c> district</c><01:13:15.280><c> the</c> the county the school district the the county
• the school district the hospital<01:13:15.840><c> the</c><01:13:15.920><c> nursing</c><01:13:16.280>

Bills: HF458 , HF459 , HF461 , HF449 , HF450 , HF965 , HF1280 , HF612 , HF615 , HF616 , HF622 , HF650 , HF651 , HF1045 , HF972 , HF851 , HF644 , HF1050

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• I love special obligation bonds versus general obligation bonds.
• The language in there was worked on with our Council of Presidents in the higher ed bonding capital bond
• I think it's important to make a distinction between the '08 bond bill and this bond bill.
• I think it's important to make a distinction between the '08 bond bill and this bond bill.
• I think it's important to make a distinction between the '08 bond bill and this bond bill.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Summary: The committee heard testimony on the BRIGHT Act, a higher education capital bill that would use Fair Share surtax revenue to fund major repairs, modernization, and decarbonization projects across UMass, state universities, and community colleges. UMass leadership described a $4.8 billion deferred maintenance backlog, aging buildings, and the need to modernize facilities, improve accessibility, and reduce emissions. Administration officials said the bill would authorize $2.5 billion in capital funding, split roughly 50-50 between UMass and the rest of public higher education, plus additional targeted funding for housing planning, smaller modernization projects, campus master plans, and workforce skills grants. They emphasized that the financing structure is modeled on the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and would not raise student costs, while also supporting affordability through financial aid and free community college. Members raised questions about regional equity, the distribution of funds among the five UMass campuses and the 24 state university/community college campuses, project labor agreements, whether the bill would unlock private or federal matching funds, and how the system is preparing for AI and changing workforce needs. UMass officials said project selection is data-driven, based on deferred maintenance, safety, accessibility, sustainability, and programmatic needs, and that the flagship campus in Western Massachusetts would likely receive a large share because of its size and needs. They also said UMass Boston would receive its own share and would not be shortchanged by the Bayside project. On labor, they said PLAs are commonly used and they would follow existing board and building authority policies. On affordability, they said the university has shifted hundreds of millions into need-based aid and that the state’s recent support has helped keep tuition low for many students. DCAMM and higher education officials said the state’s public campuses account for a large share of state-owned building space and a disproportionate share of operational carbon emissions, making decarbonization a major driver of the bill. They said the legislation would allow larger, more comprehensive projects that can address deferred maintenance, energy efficiency, and program needs at the same time, while also making some projects shovel-ready through the Fair Share supplemental funding already appropriated. A later panel from the State Universities Council of Presidents argued the bill’s authorization is still too small to meet long-term needs and urged the committee to increase the bond cap and ensure a more equitable distribution among segments. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this bonding package, we've seen other bonding—or not bonding, I'm sorry— we've seen other trust
• He's the District Engineer for District 3, and our commissioner is Hilma Chinoweth.
• But District 3 is the smallest district.
• We also have one other item, which is a school district co-op agreement, and there are three projects
• We have several entities, and then two entities, Los Lunas schools and Belen schools, for the school

Summary: The committee first took up HB 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund. The sponsor offered and the committee adopted an amendment striking the section that would have imposed a 1% gross receipts tax on electricity sales. After a recap of the bill’s remaining provisions, including a $400 million seed amount and future transfers from motor vehicle excise tax revenue, the committee heard brief support from Associated Contractors of New Mexico and the Asphalt Pavement Association and no opposition. The amended bill then passed on a roll-call vote. The committee then heard HB 270, a public works/apprenticeship bill that would require contributions to approved apprenticeship and training programs or to the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund for public works construction projects, while eliminating an exemption for certain road, highway, utility, and maintenance work. Supporters, including union carpenters, electrical workers, the building trades council, and apprenticeship advocates, argued the bill would expand training, help address labor shortages, and provide a return on public investment. Opponents from utility contractors, highway contractors, and Associated Contractors of New Mexico said they already operate federally approved in-house training programs, warned the bill would raise project costs, and argued some trades have no accessible approved programs. Members questioned how the bill would interact with existing in-house programs, whether rural contractors and nonunion firms would be affected, and whether the state-approved fund and federal highway training requirements could conflict. A proposed amendment to exempt projects of $50 million or less was introduced but tabled. After extensive debate, the committee voted 6-5 to pass HB 270. The meeting also included discussion of a prior procedural error in which HB 270 had been heard before being properly assigned, which the chair said rendered that earlier action void. At the end of the meeting, the committee received a brief New Mexico Department of Transportation District 3 presentation on district projects, budget, and construction status.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think what really concerns me is I looked at Transportation District No. 2, which is my district
• plus, and out of $1.5 billion in bonding, only $85 million would go back to District 2... ...maybe touch
• For a school that gets to choose who they enroll, I mean, the traditional charter school doesn’t get
• For a school that gets to choose who they enroll, I mean, the traditional charter school doesn't get
• was a bond, and now it's bond plus tax plus fees, plus this, plus that.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Charles area and tied to school districts.
• This section again shall only apply to a school district in which a majority of the district is located
• By supporting this amendment, you are saying that it doesn't matter what school district it is.
• Who are paying those bonds and putting those school board people.
• We're paying for the school districts and for the education process in our schools and for our county

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got with us three cheer squads and two pom squads from the Moore Public School District in the
• Competed at the NCAA High School Virtual Nationals.
• I am a senior at Edmond Santa Fe High School.
• I'm a Union High School senior from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
• Bonds to the Corporation Commission, and they are not paying surety bonds to Department of Wildlife also

Bills: HB1937 , HB2153 , HB3674 , HB2978 , HB3885 , HB3671 , HB3261 , HB3021 , HB3029 , HB4274 , HB3701 , HB3076 , HB2299 , HB3852 , HB3244 , HB3345 , HB3114 , HB3764 , HB4144 , HB3304 , HB2939 , HB4227 , HB3262 , HB2941 , HB3498 , HB4343 , HB4425 , HB3386 , HB3087 , HB3062 , HB3431 , HB4141 , HB3581 , HB4237 , HB2960 , HB3645 , HB3648 , HB3974 , HB3045 , SCR18 , HCR1024 , SJR39 , SJR49 , HB4486 , SB1130 , SB1131 , SB1132 , SB1133 , SB1134 , SB1142 , HB1823 , HB4476 , HB3378 , HB3880 , HB3031 , HB3369 , HB3429 , HB3657 , HB4215 , HB3624 , HB1170

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered the daily prayer, and recognized a series of guests and special introductions, including Langston University Day, Moore Public Schools cheer and pom squads, a student shadow, former Senator Connie Johnson, Brazilian missionaries, and a long-serving mental health employee. The chamber also heard introductions from the day’s pages. The Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 18, recognizing April 21, 2026, as National Lineman Appreciation Day, and House Concurrent Resolution 1024, designating Route 66 Day at the Capitol and honoring the highway’s centennial. Senators then advanced Senate Joint Resolution 49, which revokes a Wildlife Department rule requiring oil and gas companies to post a surety bond, after discussion clarified the measure was intended to eliminate duplicative regulation; the resolution advanced on a 42-3 vote. The Senate also passed House Bill 4486, authorizing the State Capitol Preservation Commission to arrange a privately funded Gold Star Family Monument near the Capitol Square Arch, and approved several appropriations measures tied to ARPA interest or excess funds. These included Senate Bill 1130 for the University of Oklahoma Hospital Trust Authority’s Child Behavioral Health Project, Senate Bill 1131 for the Office of Juvenile Affairs’ Youth Services Program, Senate Bill 1132 for the Rural Hospital Rebuild Program, Senate Bill 1133 for Griffin Memorial Hospital replacement capacity, Senate Bill 1134 for the Human Performance Project and Pharmaceutical Expansion Project, and Senate Bill 1142 for grants to the Boys & Girls Club and YWCA. Most of these bills were adopted with emergency clauses after roll-call votes, with some members changing votes before final emergency passage. The Senate then announced committee meetings and adjourned until the next scheduled session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Short-term and medium- to long-term, we purchase geo bonds and educational technology notes for our school
• We were one vote short of making it mandatory in the local school districts at the local option.
• I'm very proud that we have moved in the right direction of having 48 of New Mexico's 89 school districts
• School students in the state with financial literacy, but it should not matter what school district you
• There's no reason not to have it, and now 50% of all of our school districts already have it.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:22:39.360><c> bond</c><00:22:40.000><c> school</c> interactions with the school bond school interactions
• with the school bond school building<00:22:40.640><c> bond</c><00:22:40.960><c> agricultural</c><00:
• It would reduce voter-approved school district referendum rates by up to 50% in school districts with
• c> with</c> in school district with districts with in school district with districts with large<00:55
• , and school district.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• with a general obligation a TIF district with a general obligation bond<00:15:23.800><c> and</c><00:
• We made the cities make whole school districts by having what the cities called an LGA penalty.
• As soon as we were able to overhaul the property tax system with regard to school districts in 2001,
• </c><00:48:05.080><c> districts</c> make whole school districts make whole school districts um,<00:48
• </c><00:48:16.480><c> districts</c><00:48:17.080><c> in</c> with regard to, um, school districts in with

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• In fiscal year 2025, the Bond Commission managed 55 series of bonds, totaling $6.5 to $6.6 billion in
• Here in this state, every school district does its own purchasing.
• But each school district is autonomous with its school lunch programs, overall guided and dictated by
• Here in this state, every school district does its own purchasing.
• But each school district is autonomous with its school lunch programs, overall guided and dictated by

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first heard the House Fiscal Division’s FY 2027 budget presentations for the State Treasury, Public Service Commission, Department of Civil Service, and Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Treasury’s recommended budget was about $15 million with 74 positions, funded largely by self-generated revenue. Treasury staff highlighted strong investment returns, record unclaimed property recoveries, a new ACH option to speed and reduce the cost of payments, a School Transparency portal that helped uncover questionable school spending, and a new online portal that has sped up processing of cooperative endeavor agreements and related payments. Members praised the transparency work and faster payments, and asked about bond ratings, CEA oversight, and the public accessibility of the transparency site. The Public Service Commission’s FY 2027 budget was presented at $11.5 million, entirely self-generated, with most spending on personnel; commissioners said salary and market adjustments were needed to address heavy attorney and auditor turnover. Civil Service’s FY 2027 budget was presented at $28.7 million, with major funding from interagency transfers and general fund, and officials explained recent pay-plan and special entrance rate changes intended to improve recruitment and retention across state agencies. Members asked how those compensation changes were developed and whether market studies supported them. The Agriculture and Forestry budget was presented at $91.4 million, with major funding from statutory dedications, general fund, and federal dollars, and the commissioner described severe pressure on farmers from low commodity prices, drought, freezes, wildfires, storm damage, and labor shortages. The Agriculture and Forestry discussion was the longest and most detailed. The commissioner said the state is working to expand markets, reduce costs, and help farmers through federal assistance, while also seeking more equipment and fuel for wildfire response after a severe fire weekend and ongoing drought conditions. Members raised concerns about storm-damaged timber, soil and water conservation funding, and the loss of federal dollars that depend on local technicians. The commissioner explained the wildfire suppression subfund, the role of severance taxes, and the limits of current firefighting equipment and staffing. He also discussed the seafood sector, especially shrimp and crawfish, saying imported seafood, currency changes, tariffs, and H-2B worker shortages are hurting Louisiana producers and processors. He said the department is testing imported seafood for antibiotics, wants more authority to hold contaminated product, and is pursuing legislation to support seafood promotion and testing. Members also asked about wood chips, rail transport, timber severance reporting, and incentives for wood pellet use, and the commissioner said the department is exploring new markets, including overseas buyers for wood and agricultural products. No formal votes or bill actions were taken in the portion provided; the meeting consisted of budget presentations, agency testimony, and member questions and comments. The tone throughout was supportive of the agencies’ work, with repeated praise for Treasury’s transparency efforts, Civil Service’s compensation reforms, and Agriculture and Forestry’s advocacy for farmers, foresters, and seafood producers.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do, to your point, land equipment from patrol to patrol, even district to district as needed.
• Obviously, we passed out the bond, transportation bond through this committee.
• NMSIA received premium revenue from school districts, charter schools, and other participating entities
• The cost will be borne by the school districts and the charter schools. The 80-20.
• The cost will be borne by the school districts and the charter schools themselves. Okay.

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• District. Thank you, Mr. President. The District. Thank you, Mr. President.
• We the district the Senator from District 42 and I were just glad that he could come. St.
• . district. district.
• </c> from 6th District as the floor leader. from 6th District as the floor leader.
• , a Baltimore County public High School, a Baltimore County public school. school. school.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Father Mark Bilek of Westminster, introduced by the Senator from the 42nd District and praised by members for his community service and Lenten message of reconciliation. The prayer was journalized. The chamber then recognized several guests, including interns, family members, a shadowing student, and the doctor of the day, Dr. Ann Benfield, before moving to floor business. A scheduling note indicated a light floor agenda, with committee work later in the day and a longer floor session expected the next day. The Senate considered several second-reading committee reports and moved multiple bills to third reading, generally without objection. These included House Bill 229, increasing Maryland Transportation Authority bond capacity from $4 billion to $5 billion; House Bill 266, allowing resource-sharing revenues to support state communications infrastructure, with an amendment conforming it to Senate Bill 85; House Bill 472, extending and adjusting the theatrical production tax credit; House Bill 607, setting constitutional officers’ salaries; House Bill 810, creating a study on blockchain-based lease recordation verification with an amendment adding the Maryland Blockchain Association; House Bill 1095, granting a Calvert County property tax credit for former tobacco barns; House Bill 1142, creating a task force on county and municipal revenue structures; and House Bill 1165, addressing apprenticeship program accountability and completion. The Senate also advanced Senate Bill 956, authorizing the Maryland Transportation Authority to waive portions of video tolls or civil penalties on delinquent accounts, with a sponsor amendment. Members briefly joked about April Fools’ Day during the proceedings, but the chamber continued to adopt reports and amendments without recorded opposition. At the end of the session, leaders announced committee schedules for the afternoon and the next day, including Finance, Triple E, Budget and Taxation, and Judicial Proceedings meetings. The Senate then held a quorum call, confirmed 45 members present, and adjourned until Thursday, April 2 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• and in Senator Dolly's district.
• Municipal Water District and the Santa Clara Valley Water District, in support.
• My district has everything. I know Senator DeRazzo's district is the same.
• true with any bond.
• I don't know where it should land exactly, but we all know that whether it's school bond issues or just

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1135, which would reestablish the California Wildlife Coexistence Program to promote nonlethal human-wildlife conflict reduction and support coexistence efforts for species such as wolves, bears, and mountain lions. Supporters, including wildlife groups and local government representatives, said the prior program was effective and that proactive tools like fladry, guardian animals, deterrents, reporting, and outreach reduce conflicts and costs. Ranching and agricultural groups were opposed unless amended, saying they supported the concept but wanted changes to the wolf-livestock compensation program, including clearer practicability standards, protection of compensation funds, and more flexibility on nonlethal requirements. The bill was moved to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote, with the measure left on call. The committee then took up SB 1085, which would preserve water supply assessments for large development projects even when those projects are exempt from CEQA, so local agencies still receive information about whether sufficient water exists for the project. The author and sponsor argued the bill would keep water planning and land use planning linked and prevent “paper water” problems, while the California Building Industry Association opposed it, warning it could add delay, uncertainty, and litigation risk for housing projects already subject to other water-supply safeguards. Members discussed how the bill would affect different local structures, especially cities that also operate their own water systems, and whether the assessment adds value in those cases. The bill passed 4-1 to Local Government and was left on call. SB 1270 was next, expanding the California wildfire mitigation home-hardening pilot beyond the original six counties to include four additional high-risk counties identified by Cal OES and Cal Fire, and directing future funding toward those areas. Supporters said the recent Los Angeles fires showed the need to broaden access to home-hardening assistance, while members discussed whether the program should remain geographically targeted or be made available statewide based on need. The bill was amended in committee and passed 5-0 to Emergency Management, left on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 895, a major proposal to place a $23 billion bond on the ballot to create a California Foundation for Science and Health Research and stabilize scientific research funding in the state. The author, UC, UAW, and many research, labor, health, and university groups supported the measure, arguing that federal cuts and instability threaten California’s research workforce, innovation, and economy. Some members raised concerns about the size of the bond and about political issues involving one sponsor, but the author said the foundation would operate under California law and the bill is intended to keep science funding open and collaborative. The bill was moved out of committee on a 5-0 vote and left on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• school district.
• what they want their school district to do.
• Only district schools. Why, oh, why are they only cutting money from district schools?
• If a school district...
• facilities needs of our district schools.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and an electronic roll call showing 24 members present and six excused. After approving the journal, the body recessed for a performance marking America’s 250th birthday, then returned for introductions and recognitions, including Hispanic Leadership Institute Day at the Capitol, Children’s Health Day advocates, guests of members, and the doctor of the day. The Senate also handled routine calendar items, including gubernatorial nominations and bill referrals, and appointed Senator Shope to temporarily serve as vice chair of the Finance Committee for the day. The main floor action was on SCR 1032, a measure relating to school district budgets and classroom spending. The bill, as amended, would require larger school districts to spend at least 60% of operational spending on direct instructional expenses, with a step-in penalty reducing classroom site fund allocations for continued noncompliance. Senator Hoffman explained the amendment as a moderated version that exempted certain rural/smaller districts and phased in penalties over several years; supporters argued it would ensure more money reaches classrooms and teachers. Opponents, including Senators Epstein, Miranda, Kuby, and others, argued it would micromanage local school districts, ignore important non-classroom costs such as nurses, transportation, counselors, and librarians, and unfairly target district schools while excluding charter schools. The Senate adopted the committee and floor amendments and then passed SCR 1032 on third reading by a vote of 16-12, with 2 not voting, sending it to the House. The Senate also considered SB 1071 concerning the Arizona Rangers. Supporters said the bill was not a full repeal but would create external oversight, improve background checks, and increase accountability and training transparency. Some members said they expected the House to further amend the measure. SB 1071 passed on third reading by a vote of 17-11, with 2 not voting, and was transmitted to the House. The session concluded with caucus and committee announcements, a recognition of World Down Syndrome Day advocates, an invitation to SRP Day at the Capitol, and adjournment until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• what they want their school district to do.
• money from schools, but only district schools.
• Only district schools. Why, oh, why are they only cutting money from district schools?
• If a school district...
• facilities needs of our district schools.