Video & Transcript Research : 'foreign entities'
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TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Apr 22nd, 2025
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- It simply ensures that TVC has the flexibility to contract with either type of entity as long as they
- Long after current entities are long gone, that This state contracts with, when I say contract with me
- , I mean enter into an MOU, uh, with only entities that are of the most highest caliber and the most
- Uh, they currently don't do that anymore, but when you have one entity representing them and earning
- Uh, because it's different entities, but we're talking, nobody's getting rich off these hourly rates,
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
April 3, 2025 - 08:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill gives liability protection for government entities or local government entities, political
- This bill gives liability protection for government entities or local government entities, political
- So all of these entities, And finally, they have to meet multi-factor authentication.
- entity?
- We are an entity encompassed of nearly, I should say we've surpassed that number.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and first postponed CS for HB 781 at the sponsor’s request. It then heard and passed CS for HB 429, which codifies the existing process for terminating or cancelling motor vehicle dealer franchises and requires manufacturers to provide written sales and service performance criteria; the bill was supported by the Florida Automobile Dealers Association and was reported favorably 12-0. The committee next took up HB 983 on homeowners associations, where the sponsor described HOA fraud and abuse concerns and proposed expanding local law enforcement authority to investigate, inspect, and audit HOAs, easing recall procedures, and allowing prevailing-party attorney’s fees in recall disputes. Two amendments were adopted: one removing constitutionality-problematic Kaufman language, and another defining financial statements more comprehensively to improve HOA transparency. The bill drew support from Miami-Dade County and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and was reported favorably as amended 14-0.
The committee also passed CS for HB 1343 on public nuisance abatement fines, which raises daily fines from $250 to $500, removes the $15,000 cap, adjusts foreclosure timing on unpaid nuisance liens, and allows attorney-fee calculations to include legal assistance time. Members discussed due process and notice concerns, and the sponsor said he would work on clarifying notice for both owners and nuisance-causing parties; the Orange County Sheriff’s Office supported the measure, citing violent crime tied to nuisance properties. CS for HB 643 on residual market insurers was then reported favorably without discussion. CS for HB 1183 on cybersecurity incident liability followed; it would shield government and private entities from liability if they substantially comply with cybersecurity standards, with the sponsor explaining that the bill was revised after a prior veto to define substantial compliance through policy letters, disaster recovery planning, and multi-factor authentication. Despite concerns about the breadth of the liability protection, the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably 13-1.
PCS for HB 915, addressing advertisements for representation services, was also reported favorably 14-0. The bill targets misleading advertising by nonlawyers and notaries, especially in immigration-related services, requiring clear bilingual disclosures and allowing damages, fees, and injunctive relief for violations; it was supported by faith-based and civil rights groups. CS for HB 585 on former phosphate mining lands was then approved 14-0; the sponsor said it would create a defense to Water Quality Assurance Act strict liability for naturally occurring substances on former phosphate mine sites, require notice recording, radon surveys, and pre-suit radiation testing, and it would not apply retroactively to pending litigation. HB 6503, a claims bill for Mandy Penny Lemon, was also reported favorably 14-0 after brief sponsor remarks describing her severe injuries and homelessness following a 2018 incident.
Finally, the committee considered HB 129 on pesticide-related products liability. A strike-all amendment was adopted that bars failure-to-warn claims for EPA-registered pesticide products when the label is consistent with EPA’s most recent human health risk assessment and carcinogenicity classification, while preserving claims if information was withheld, concealed, misrepresented, or destroyed to obtain or maintain the label. Supporters argued the bill provides certainty and respects EPA’s scientific labeling process; opponents warned it would effectively block access to courts and delay claims until after lengthy EPA investigations. After extensive debate, the committee reported the bill favorably as amended 13-1.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 19, 2025 - 09:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Under current law, government entities are only legally liable up to $200,000 per victim or $300,000
- to negotiate a higher “Foreigner,” but the portion that allows the entity to negotiate a higher claim
- The government entities like cities, the Exposure to governments.
- The government entities, like cities, the exposure to liability is immense.
- That government entities rely on.
Summary:
The subcommittee first heard HB 6507, a claims bill for Marcus Button, who suffered severe permanent injuries in a 2006 school bus crash. Representative Andrade explained that a jury awarded Button more than $2 million in 2009, but only a small amount was paid under sovereign immunity limits. He said Pasco County later reached a settlement with Button, but believed it lacked legal authority to pay without legislative approval. The bill would give the county that authority. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed unanimously, 18-0.
The committee then took up HB 301, which would substantially revise Florida’s sovereign immunity framework. Representative McFarland said the bill would raise liability caps for state and local governments from $200,000/$300,000 to $1 million/$3 million, with a later increase in 2030, align statutes of limitations with private suits, allow governments to settle above the caps without a claims bill, and prevent insurance policies from conditioning payment on legislative approval. She framed the bill as a way to reduce the need for the claims bill process and provide faster redress to injured people.
Testimony on HB 301 was sharply divided. Local governments, school districts, counties, cities, hospital groups, and insurance representatives opposed the bill, arguing the higher caps would sharply increase insurance and taxpayer costs, especially for small or fiscally constrained entities, and that the claims bill process and special masters provide useful review and leverage. Supporters, including the Florida Justice Association and several members, argued the current system is too slow and political, leaves seriously injured people waiting years for compensation, and should be modernized to better hold government accountable. No vote was taken on HB 301 in the portion of the meeting provided.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (2-6-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- You cannot take a campaign contribution from a foreign national.
- national, you have to certify that you're not a foreign national in order to donate.
- So it's not in that organization's best interest to accept donations from foreign nationals.
- <00:58:19.720>
from going to disallow foreigners from going to disallow foreigners from playing - <00:59:13.000>
National campaign they're not a foreign National campaign they're not a foreign
Keywords:
Consideration of HB 27 00:04:20
Presentation by Secretary of State 00:10:44
Presentation by Karen Sellers and Jason Denny 00:35:56
Consideration of HB 45 00:55:36, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first handled House Bill 27, which would remove the prohibition on political yard signs in planned communities statewide while still allowing communities to regulate size, placement, and duration. The sponsor said the 2023 Planned Communities Act created an unintended consequence by treating similar homeowners differently based on grandfathering dates, and a legal explanation was offered that the bill would clarify the law and avoid constitutional problems. After discussion, the committee voted 15-0 to pass the bill with favorable expression.
The next item was an update from the Secretary of State on the 2024 election and implementation of House Bill 53, which created prompt post-election audits. He said the audits were carried out smoothly, most found no discrepancies, and no election winners changed, though he recommended adding a specific timeline to the law. He also discussed voter-roll maintenance, saying Kentucky has removed more than 440,000 ineligible voters since 2020, and argued that federal law and limited access to federal databases remain the main obstacles to faster cleanup.
Members asked about the possibility of improper removals, double voting across states, and how provisional voting works. The Secretary said anyone improperly removed can reregister, that any double-voting abuse is likely marginal but still unacceptable, and that provisional ballots are available when eligibility is in doubt and can be reviewed by the county board of elections. He also urged Congress to modernize the 1993 federal voter-registration law, improve access to death and citizenship data, and create a central interstate information-sharing system for election officials.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Nov 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So, I've heard from several entities that they're using innovation zone grants to pay for personnel or
- And so, when it comes to—I'm just wondering—what those entities are telling you, maybe about how they
- All states designate which entities can serve as authorizers and also designate how many are involved
- With school voucher programs, state educational agencies are the primary entity involved with program
- While SEAs are most common across states, some states have specific entities that are different. entities
AZ
IN
Transcript Highlights:
- Foreign Agent. Senator Garten to present the report. Thank you, Mr.
- It was the Foreign Adversaries Registration Act.
- or wondering if there's any foreign agent activity in Indiana, is this threat real?
- Foreign adversaries are buying up American land.
- And when a hostile foreign government buys an acre of Hoosier farmland? Land is power.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/18/2026 - Senate Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- as the Arizona Medical Freedom Act, prohibits businesses, ticket issuers, schools, and government entities
- the bill authorizes enforcement by the Attorney General or County Attorney and requires a violating entity
- This bill doesn't specifically address that exact entity, but of course these are the people that would
- Remember, the entity that is chosen to conduct the audit, they are compensated based on what they recover
- They're both state entities.
Keywords:
orders of protection, domestic violence, court procedures, legal guardian, enforcement, healthcare, licensed health aides, scope of practice, ventilator care, training standards, medical freedom, healthcare mandates, employment requirements, public health, government regulation, elderly, physical disabilities, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, home and community based services, funding increase
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Apr 23rd, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- , We can say that skimming in all forms is very widespread and almost exclusively tied to various foreign
- But there are, I expect to have a committee substitute coming because there were a couple of entities
- that were concerned, in particular. ...critical infrastructure entities that were concerned that they
- But they wanted to be able to do that, and there were some entities that wanted to be able to buy vehicles
- Long-term interests and the short-term interests of the finances of their entity know how to do this.
Bills:
HB886, HB1514, HB2434, HB2688, HB2802, HB3161, HB3221, HB4029, HB4339, HB4591, HB4774, HB4802, HB4853, HB5627, SB1737
Keywords:
retirement, supplemental payment, benefits, Employees Retirement System, eligible annuitants, legislation, annuity, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age, DROP program, actuarial studies, pension benefits, municipal retirement
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 23 Afternoon Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB4319, HB4317, HB1225, HB3076, HB3081, HB4226, SCR17, HB4432, HB3304, HB3411, HB3435, HB4339, HB4331, HB4341, HB4342, HB1770, HB1016, HB4113, HB2950, HB4141, HB3277, HB2988, HB3029, HB3338, HB1889, HB3834, HB3831, HB2939, HB3045, HB3657, HB1739, HB3759, HB3755, HB4484, HB4486, HB4108, HB1250, HB2961, HB1219, HB3025, HB1782, HB1907, HB3718, HB4459, HB2976, HB3548, HB3545, HB2952, HB2929, HB2956, HB2973, HB3055, HB3086, HB3040, HB3794, HB4336, HB3151, HB1590, HB3581, HB3313, HB3429, HB3448, HB1752, HB2650, HB3584, HB4202, HB3586, HB4321, HB4280, HB3650, HCR1020, HB2116, HB2206, HB4301, HB3625, HB3147, HB3403, HB3498, HB3970, HB3975, HB3976, HB3980, HB4265, HB4266, HB3638, HB3880, HB3930, HB3942, HB3944, HB4191, HB3242, HB3678
Keywords:
administrative procedures, rulemaking authority, specific authority, legislative review, agency rules, accounting, CPA, licensure, educational requirements, reciprocity, professional conduct, vital records, birth certificate, birth registration, biological sex, sex designation, male, female, nonbinary, gender identity
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 23 Morning Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB4319, HB4317, HB1225, HB3076, HB3081, HB4226, SCR17, HB4432, HB3304, HB3411, HB3435, HB4339, HB4331, HB4341, HB4342, HB1770, HB1016, HB4113, HB2950, HB4141, HB3277, HB2988, HB3029, HB3338, HB1889, HB3834, HB3831, HB2939, HB3045, HB3657, HB1739, HB3759, HB3755, HB4484, HB4486, HB4108, HB1250, HB2961, HB1219, HB3025, HB1782, HB1907, HB3718, HB4459, HB2976, HB3548, HB3545, HB2952, HB2929, HB2956, HB2973, HB3055, HB3086, HB3040, HB3794, HB4336, HB3151, HB1590, HB3581, HB3313, HB3429, HB3448, HB1752, HB2650, HB3584, HB4202, HB3586, HB4321, HB4280, HB3650, HCR1020, HB2116, HB2206, HB4301, HB3625, HB3147, HB3403, HB3498, HB3970, HB3975, HB3976, HB3980, HB4265, HB4266, HB3638, HB3880, HB3930, HB3942, HB3944, HB4191, HB3242, HB3678
Keywords:
administrative procedures, rulemaking authority, specific authority, legislative review, agency rules, accounting, CPA, licensure, educational requirements, reciprocity, professional conduct, vital records, birth certificate, birth registration, biological sex, sex designation, male, female, nonbinary, gender identity
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 3882 by Lilani relates to the participation of certain juvenile justice entities in the Jobs and Education
- reimbursement Programmer for the Committee of Culture, Recreation and Tourism HB. 884 by readings of the foreign
- to the posting of certain electronic election declarations of internet websites of governmental entities
- Bernal relating to the purchase of or the acquisition of single-family homes. by certain out of state entities
- HB 4079 by Lee relates to the provision of proxy advisor services in connection with certain entities
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Steven Bradbury, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation. Feb 20th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- every regulation and as I recall in that regulation there were questions on the merits about which entities
- it should apply to and how it might apply to small businesses or small entities.
- ban some of these companies from the drones, and even though they're on the Commerce Department's entity
- So where are you when it comes to dealing with these Chinese entities, and will you work with us on this
- discuss with you yesterday the example that you gave of being proactive and actually going to those foreign
Keywords:
transportation, air traffic control, safety regulations, Boeing 737 MAX, Department of Transportation, infrastructure funding, public safety, legislative oversight
Summary:
The committee meeting addressed several pressing issues concerning transportation, particularly focusing on the need for improved safety standards and efficient management at the Department of Transportation. Specific discussions revolved around air traffic control, with members highlighting the urgency for a significant upgrade in systems and personnel. Notably, concerns were raised regarding past practices, especially the handling of safety regulations during the Boeing 737 MAX incidents. The committee expressed a clear intent to ensure rigorous safety oversight moving forward, emphasizing that the health and safety of the public must remain the top priority in all legislative and funding decisions.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (01/27/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Do you just figure out a foreign language?
- That takes away the autonomy from the teacher. like um a foreign language do you just like um a foreign
- language do you just figure<00:39:54.839>
out <00:39:55.000>a <00:39:55.119>foreign - It was a separate state, a foreign state, actually. I lived there. Yes, it still is.
- It was a separate state, a foreign state, actually. I lived there. Yes, it still is.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education to require objective, science-based evidence for pedagogical methods. The prime sponsor said the bill is a verbatim reintroduction from the prior session and argued that current federal definitions are too vague, allowing subjective surveys and other weak evidence to justify teaching methods. He said the bill is limited to pedagogy, not subject matter, and is intended to improve student outcomes, reduce fad-driven practices, and potentially save money by limiting unnecessary retraining and new materials.
Members asked repeatedly about the bill’s scope, including whether it would affect classroom teachers, curriculum content, and existing instructional approaches such as phonics versus whole language or queuing. The sponsor said the bill applies to state and local education bodies and educator training policies, not individual teachers in their classrooms, and that teachers would retain flexibility. He also said standardized testing could be part of a scientific study but is not itself a study, and that textbook providers could be asked to furnish the studies supporting instructional guidance included in their materials.
Several members raised concerns about the fiscal note and possible cost shifts to local districts and taxpayers. The sponsor disputed the idea that the bill would necessarily create major new costs or require additional staff, saying any costs would likely be limited and that the department is already applying federal evidence-based rules. He also said if some current methods are not science-based, updating them would be justified even if there were some initial expense. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 29, relating to business entities. The clerk will read the bill.
- Senate Bill 29 by Hughes relating to business entities. Chair recognizes Mr. Meyer. Thank you, Mr.
- And finally, SB 29 provides companies flexibility to resolve internal entity claims.
- HB 3526 by Capriglione, relating to fiscal transparency for bonds issued by local government entities
- HB 5008 by Bell of Kaufman, relating to the use of the skills development fund by certain entities.
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, heard the invocation and pledges, and then took up a series of memorial resolutions and recognitions. Members adopted memorial resolutions honoring former President Jimmy Carter and Dr. Alice Gail Hudgens, with remarks highlighting their public service and community impact, and adopted resolutions recognizing Victoria College’s 100th anniversary and May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month. The chamber also recognized Texas A&M system interns and later granted permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session.
The House then moved through a long third-reading calendar, passing a number of bills on wide margins. Measures approved included SB 304 on municipal court jurisdiction over nuisance abatement ordinances, SB 608 on reporting evidence collection kits, SB 2312 creating a Texas Advisory Committee on Geopolitical Conflict, SB 494 creating a petroleum theft task force, SB 530 on postsecondary accreditation, HB 45 giving the Attorney General a role in prosecuting human trafficking cases, HB 35 on peer support for first responders, HB 47 and HB 3073 on sexual assault policy and prosecution, HB 318 and HB 3000 creating rural sheriff and ambulance grant programs, HB 554 on Juneteenth fireworks sales with county opt-in authority restored, HB 705 and HB 932 joining licensure compacts for cosmetology and occupational therapy, HB 849 allowing county park boards to meet by video conference, HB 1119 on mental health bed reporting, HB 3041 on students with nontraditional secondary education, HB 713 on maternal mortality review reporting, HB 3104 on Webb County bailiff appointments, HB 3970 on electricity planning for large loads, HB 4042 on Railroad Commission safety provisions for gas distribution pipelines, HB 4490 protecting next-of-kin information, HB 1731 on the physician assistant compact, HB 2607 on Walker County Hospital District governance, HB 3689 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association funding, HB 1788 on continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists about abuse and trafficking, HB 1612 on hospital direct payments for uninsured patients, and HB 138 on health impact cost and coverage analysis.
Several bills drew extended debate or amendments. HB 353, creating a trespass offense near schools and daycares, prompted questions about constitutional concerns and property rights before passing. HB 3211 on optometrists in managed care plans received a perfecting amendment and a Medicaid-related amendment setting a minimum payment level. HB 1056 on gold and silver specie and a state-based currency prompted detailed questioning about its mechanics and fees, followed by a point of order challenging the caption. The House also adopted or postponed a number of items, including postponing HB 2520 and HB 1359 until later in the calendar before later passing both, and laying several bills on the table subject to call. Many measures passed overwhelmingly, while a few, including HB 3326 on loan forgiveness for adjunct professors and HB 3237 on energy consumption goals, passed with narrower margins.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, April 15, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- >
countries <00:55:53.440>or from those foreign countries or from those foreign countries - But this isn't just about foreign policy.
- support of my bill, the Foreign support of my bill, the Foreign Emissions<04:27:27.439>
and - are happening in Canada or other foreign are happening in Canada or other foreign sources<04:30:
- <04:55:07.200>
emissions, making clear that all foreign emissions, making clear that all foreign
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Transportation (02/11/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Among foreign-born New Hampshire residents, 61% were naturalized citizens, compared to 52% of foreign-born
- rest of the country specifically foreign rest of the country specifically foreign born<01:38:13.800
- <01:38:22.480>
born overall US population among foreign born overall US population among foreign - a foreign country and has a license<01:52:32.159>
in <01:52:32.360>that <01:52:32.599>< - If it's a foreign car, things like that, I've had that problem happen myself with tires.
Summary:
The Transportation Committee held a public hearing on HB 249, which would allow bicycles, and in the bill’s language human-powered vehicles and e-bikes, to treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs when safe. The bill sponsor, Rep. Seth Miller, said the measure is intended to improve cyclist safety and traffic flow at no cost to the state, citing Idaho and Delaware as examples where similar laws were associated with fewer crashes or injuries. He emphasized that the bill would remain optional, would not let cyclists ignore cross traffic, and would help riders avoid the unstable “wobble” that comes from repeatedly stopping and starting, especially on cargo bikes or other heavier bicycles.
Committee members raised concerns about predictability, liability, and whether the proposal creates a special class of vehicle. Rep. Crawford asked why the bill also addresses left turns on red for one-way streets; Miller said that provision is meant to address situations where bicycles do not trigger signal equipment and could otherwise be stranded at a light. Rep. Gannon questioned the lack of explicit liability language, and Miller said he did not know of a separate provision but would be open to an amendment if the committee wanted clearer language. Rep. Hill and Rep. Emble expressed concern that other drivers would not know what cyclists intend to do and that the bill could create special rules; Miller responded that cyclists would still be required to yield and that the law would not change right-of-way rules.
Several witnesses testified in support. Michael Frank, a Spofford cyclist and League cycling instructor, said the bill would help him safely commute and carry heavy groceries by reducing the effort and exposure involved in restarting after a full stop. Tim Blagden, former head of the Bike Walk Alliance of New Hampshire, said the bill reflects how many people already ride, saves energy and time, and would still require cyclists to stop at red lights unless the intersection is clear. He also noted that traffic signals often do not detect bicycles. No vote was taken during the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 04/08/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Um and then the status in a foreign war.
- <01:53:38.159>
whose the names of other entities whose the names of other entities whose employees - >
eligible with another entity that is not eligible with another entity that is not eligible for - >
send non-governmental entities who send non-governmental entities who send solicitations<01: - we'll be able to support more entities we'll be able to support more entities struggling<02:06:07.280
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- performing personal services or receiving any. financial benefit for services rendered to a business entity
- when there have been some kind of resolution, they went to the Office of Civil Rights. a federal entity
- As a result, the children of the foreign personnel stationed in Texas must enroll in school according
- military personnel. authorize the school districts, if they want to, to allow children of allied foreign
- Senate Bill 10's reintroduction of the Decalogue is not foreign. or traditionally divisive.
Bills:
HB4, HB54, SB 10, SB 24, HB4, HB54, HB775, HB850, HB 1122, HB 1249, HB1405, HB2336, HB2757, HB3372, HB3622, HB4442, HB4687, HB4893, HB5089, HB5515, HB5606, SB10, SB24, HB1573, HB3369
Keywords:
district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, citizenship, U.S. citizen, non-citizen, public office, advisory board, task force, state government, local government, political subdivision, commission board, appointment eligibility, officeholder qualifications, public service, naturalization, Texas Government Code
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- like, if you’re on Facebook and you make a post, I think there are a lot of concerns there may be foreign
- like, if you’re on Facebook and you make a post, I think there are a lot of concerns there may be foreign
- like, if you’re on Facebook and you make a post, I think there are a lot of concerns there may be foreign
- is that there will be large introduced is that there will be large out-of-state<00:21:35.400>
entities - in play looking to out-of-state entities in play looking to get<00:21:38.600>
these <00:21:38.920
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with an invocation, and welcomed guests including the doctor of the day, a Johns Hopkins student, and visiting scouts. The chamber then moved through first-reading introductions of several House bills, including measures on bullying and harassment reporting, the Family and Law Enforcement Protection Act, Baltimore County nuisance actions, parole hearing commission procedures, a blockchain technology task force, and a task force on deed fraud, all of which were referred to standing committees.
The main floor action centered on layover bills. Senate Bill 932, concerning social media platforms displaying a user’s usual location, was amended to broaden the protected location reference and to protect participants in the Secretary of State’s address confidentiality program; after discussion about whether minors and child-abuse victims were covered, the amended bill was ordered printed for third reading. Senate Bill 623, creating a premium cigar lounge alcoholic beverage license, drew multiple county-specific amendments. Howard County and Baltimore County amendments sought to give priority to existing local tobacco businesses for the new licenses. Supporters said the changes would protect established local shops from out-of-state entities, while opponents argued the bill should remain statewide and not be amended county by county. A motion to special order the bill failed, and the amendments were adopted before the bill was ordered printed for third reading.
Senate Bill 84, on collective bargaining for graduate assistants, also advanced after a committee amendment was adopted. A District 2 amendment was offered to clarify that graduate assistants are employed as teaching, administrative, or research assistants, but the floor leader opposed it, saying the bill’s definition was already clear and the change would create confusion. The minority leader questioned the definition and the relationship between graduate assistants and employees, prompting discussion of collective bargaining as bargaining by employees through representatives. The transcript cuts off before final disposition of that amendment.