Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to take up tab 1, CS for SB 56 on geoengineering and weather modification activities by Senator
• Despite the millions of dollars invested in weather modification programs across the country, there is
• So State Statutes 403.211 through 403.411 pertain to existing weather modification regulations that this
• I also don't know why the state would get rid of reporting requirements where any weather modification
• I also don't understand why, if the state is concerned about weather modification, they wouldn't have

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and heard extensive debate on SB 734, which would repeal Florida’s wrongful-death medical malpractice exception that bars certain adult children and parents from recovering noneconomic damages. Senator Yarborough presented the bill as a fairness and accountability measure, while many family members testified in support, describing deaths they believed were caused by medical negligence and arguing the current law denies equal justice. Opponents, including physician and insurer representatives, warned the bill could increase malpractice exposure, premiums, defensive medicine, and physician shortages. The committee also considered two late-filed amendments: Senator Burton’s amendment would make Department of Health investigative findings admissible in court, and Senator Martin’s amendment to that amendment would broaden admissibility/discoverability to additional disciplinary and prior-adverse-incident records and insurance coverage facts. After debate, the Martin amendment was adopted, but the Burton amendment as amended failed on a roll call vote. The committee then reported SB 734 favorably without the amendment. The committee next unanimously reported CS for SB 86 favorably. That bill, by Senator Burgess, expands peer support protections for first responders to include support personnel; there was little debate and several law-enforcement-related organizations indicated support. The committee also took up SB 316 on series limited liability companies. Senator Berman explained that the bill creates rules for series LLCs in Florida, and a late-filed amendment, requested by the Secretary of State, delayed implementation by one year. The amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS for CS for SB 384, which requires municipalities seeking to annex state-owned land to notify the relevant county legislative delegation when the first public hearing is advertised. Senator Burton presented the bill briefly, there was no opposition or debate, and the committee proceeded to vote on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is a modification of the Construction Trade Licensing Act to be able to...
• Okay, agenda item number 10: draft legislation, Consumer Protection Modifications.
• Okay, agenda item number 11, draft legislation: Insurance Code Modifications.
• Okay, agenda item number 11, draft legislation: Insurance Code Modifications.
• So I'll just give a brief overview of Insurance Code Modifications.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have recommended a few modifications with the bill, and those modifications are in our testimony,
• have recommended a few modifications have recommended a few modifications with<00:02:31.520>
• with the bill and those modifications with the bill and those modifications are<00:02:33.080>
• <00:20:38.440> that asking or suggesting a modification that asking or suggesting a modification
• That was the only proposed modification, but if that's not agreeable, then I understand.

Bills: SB3263, SB3261

Keywords: student-athletes, name image likeness, NIL, compensation, transparency, University of Hawaii, Title IX, funding, protections, athlete agents, student athletes, endorsement contracts, professional representation, registration requirements, sports law, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on Senate Bill 3263, which would create a state-supported endowment for University of Hawaii athletics NIL (name, image, and likeness) funding. University of Hawaii Athletics Director Matt Eliott supported the bill, saying NIL requires both immediate funding and a longer-term sustainable solution. He asked for several changes: lowering the initial endowment target from $10 million to $2 million so the fund could start sooner, allowing NIL reporting by team rather than by individual student-athlete, and clarifying that athletes may choose whether to use an agent, while still allowing certified agents or a parent/guardian if desired. Committee members raised concerns about using taxpayer dollars for athlete compensation, the burden on a small-state budget, and whether the university could realistically raise the required matching funds. Several senators questioned whether the university had a concrete fundraising plan and whether the endowment would meaningfully help UH compete with larger programs. Eliott said UH is already fundraising privately for current NIL obligations, had raised more than $1.6 million toward a $3 million annual goal, and would continue fundraising for both short-term needs and the endowment match. He also said the university is not trying to compete with Power Five schools on the same scale, but to be successful at its own conference level. Members also discussed transparency and privacy, with some senators arguing that if state money is used, the public should know how it is spent, while Eliott said individual student-athlete NIL information should remain private and team-level reporting would be preferable. He confirmed international student-athletes are eligible for NIL and said about 60 to 70 UH athletes are currently participating, with more than 100 expected next year. The discussion also touched on UH’s Mountain West media rights and local TV rights, with Eliott explaining that the conference distribution is expected to remain around $3.5 million and that local TV rights would be negotiated separately. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• No modifications are made to the original language for section 21H-38B to make the following modifications
• No modifications are made to the original language for section 21H-38B to make the following modifications
• Um, no modifications are made to the original language for section 21H-38B to make the following modifications
• No modifications are made to the original language for section 21H-38B to make the following modifications

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Housing heard and then took action on a series of housing-related bills concerning HHFDC, HPHA, inclusionary zoning, nonprofit housing trusts, housing project exemptions, the rental housing revolving fund, and a new for-sale housing program. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC and HPHA, with additional support from groups such as Hawaii YIMBY, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Hawaii Appleseed, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Holo Collaborative, the Kobayashi Group, and others. On SB 2424, the Kobayashi Group argued the bill would help open housing to a broader pool of local households, including buyers slightly above income limits who still cannot afford market-rate housing. On SB 2342, the chair asked HHFDC for final figures on rental housing revolving fund appropriations since 2016 and was told the amount was about $1.1 billion, including conveyance tax revenue. In decision-making, the committee recommended passage of SB 2189 with amendments, noting concerns about transparency and accountability in HHFDC’s loan-award process; SB 2190 with amendments; SB 2234 with amendments; SB 2177 with amendments; SB 2194 unamended; SB 2342 with amendments; SB 2060 with amendments; and SB 2070 with amendments. The committee deferred SB 2195 and SB 2196 after testimony comments, and deferred SB 2063 because the chair said SB 2060 would be used instead as the vehicle for mixed-income subaccount changes. SB 2424 was discussed in hearing but then deferred in decision-making pending legal advice on issues including owner-occupancy, county income restrictions, buyback rules, and county council approval. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2062 and its proposed SD1, but deferred that measure because the relevant changes had already been incorporated into SB 2060 SD1.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 1 through 4, 6 through 15, 19, and 21 through 23 are related to case mix classification modifications
• c> 23 um are related to case mix 23 um are related to case mix classification<00:04:14.599> modifications
• modifications for federal Conformity<00:04:17.440> supplemental<00:04:18.040> nursing<
• <00:10:41.000> to<00:10:41.240> the 98 these are uh modifications to the 98 these are
• uh modifications to the Children's<00:10:41.720> Mental<00:10:41.959> Health<00:10:42.160

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 103 is a modification to the originally Senate proposal.
• -<00:13:26.400> uh<00:13:26.720> the uh modif- uh the uh modif- uh the modification
• of a house cancellation modification of a house cancellation dealing<00:13:30.760> with<00:13
• Section 1 of that article makes modifications to the community grants statute, and those changes can
• to the governor's there's modifications to the governor's proposals. proposals. proposals.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The working group on the Omnibus Environment Bill opened with remarks from House and Senate co-chairs describing the agreement as a compromise with wins and tradeoffs for both sides, and thanking nonpartisan staff and administration agencies for helping negotiate the package. Staff then walked through the finance spreadsheet, explaining that the agreement met the group’s general fund target by combining new spending with cancellations and fund shifts across the Pollution Control Agency, DNR, BWSR, Metro Parks, the Zoo, the Science Museum, and other entities. Major fiscal items included PCA operating and permitting-efficiency funding, PFAS-related and mercury-related provisions, county feedlot reductions, closed landfill and remediation fund changes, groundwater and aquatic invasive species fee increases, DNR groundwater and AIS spending, ATV trail grants, watercraft enforcement, and several one-time appropriations and extensions for specific water quality and conservation projects. The policy walk-through covered Article 3’s community grants changes, including a requirement that grants benefit all regions of the state, permission to use some funds for trail maintenance and AIS management, prohibitions on awards to certain entities, and a DNR reporting requirement. Article 4 contained a range of natural resources and environmental policy provisions, including abandoned watercraft seizure and forfeiture authority, higher watercraft AIS surcharges, disabled veterans license fee reductions, a county-based replacement for the shotgun zone, a one-year crossbow extension, a continuous bass season, increased water use permit fees, PFAS sales exemptions for certain products, creation of the Sustainable Foraging Task Force, and a moratorium on DNR foraging rules shortened to July 1, 2026. Article 5 addressed state lands, including an additional Cass County land sale authority. Article 6 focused on PCA permitting reform, requiring more emphasis on complex Tier 2 permits in annual reporting, giving applicants five business days to fix deficiencies, allowing the PCA to decline expedited permitting when it lacks capacity, and letting the agency retain certain fees if expedited permits are completed early. It also included changes to environmental review procedures, feedlot permitting, and EQB rules. During member questions, Senator McEwen asked about the $952,000 ATV trail appropriation and whether projects must have permits before receiving funds; DNR Assistant Commissioner Bob Myers said no project list had been finalized and that grants would go through the existing process, with environmental review and readiness considered, but he said he would need to verify the exact permitting policy and follow up with the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• This ensures that future modification proceedings have clear guidance when evaluating past modifications
• overcome by a clear and convincing evidence standard in the chapter of the Family Code governing modification
• Modification suits, which is the same burden of proof required to overcome a rebuttable presumption established
• existing fraudulent lien statute under Section 51.901 of the Government Code, but with necessary modifications

Bills: SB302, SB1335, SB1734, SB1760, SB1975, SB2127

Keywords: probate court, statutory judge, reimbursement, court costs, court proceedings, judicial assignments, judge assignment, cost reimbursement, judicial expenses, estate management, statutory requirement, court expenses, estates, inheritance, representative duties, court authority, personal representative, real property, deed fraud, title fraud

Summary: The committee heard several probate, family law, judicial, property, and contract-related bills. Senate Bill 1335, relating to decedents’ estates, would remove outdated references to a clerk’s certificate, allow courts to remove personal representatives on their own motion with notice by qualified delivery method, and add independent administrators to provisions that referenced only independent executors; an estate-planning attorney testified in support, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1760, concerning guardianship transfer fees and procedures, was described as setting a $45 filing fee for transferred guardianship cases and clarifying completion and dismissal procedures; it received no testimony and was left pending. Senate Bill 2127 would shorten the eligibility period for retired judges to serve as visiting judges from eight years to six, restrict practice in their assigned region for two years, and require conflict-related certification; it also was left pending without testimony. Senate Bill 302 would shift the cost of a traveling probate judge to the requesting estate or parties rather than the county; one witness registered in favor, no one testified, and the bill was left pending. The committee then considered a committee substitute for Senate Bill 252, which would clarify the parental presumption in conservatorship cases, require non-parents seeking relief against a parent to file an affidavit showing significant impairment to the child if relief is denied, require courts to state specific findings when overcoming the presumption, confirm the clear-and-convincing standard, and clarify that agreed prior orders do not defeat the presumption. The substitute was explained as consensus language from a work group, public testimony was reopened, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1734, on deed fraud, would create a streamlined ex parte process for property owners to have fraudulent deeds declared void, modeled on the fraudulent lien statute; county clerk and title association representatives testified that it would provide a low-cost self-help remedy for a growing problem, and the bill was left pending subject to the chair. Senate Bill 1975 would prevent Texas contractors from being forced to litigate disputes in foreign jurisdictions and require disputes to be handled in the county where the project is located; it was presented as a repeat of a previously vetoed bill and was left pending. Finally, the committee took up a substitute for Senate Bill 1940, concerning transfer-on-death style beneficiary designations for manufactured homes. The substitute would allow one or more beneficiaries instead of only one, transfer the interest to surviving designated beneficiaries who survive by 120 hours, extend the application period for transfer to 365 days, void the designation if not timely filed, and require mailing by certified or registered mail with return receipt requested. The substitute was adopted without objection. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> We need to make a few modifications. There are many federal laws.
• We're making a modification to bring it back in line with the one year, and you'll hear further with
• the amendments. can also make modifications for the can also make modifications for the purpose<00:44
• We're making a making a modification.
• We're making a modification<00:44:56.240> to<00:44:56.480> bring<00:44:56.640> it

Bills: HB161, HB146, HB289, HB290, HB31, HB146, HB289, HB290, HB31

Keywords: consumer protection, app store, age verification, parental consent, data protection, minors, HB146, ivermectin, pharmacist, standing order, prescription drug, non-patient-specific order, dispensing, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, licensed health care provider, pharmacy board, medical licensure, disciplinary action, drug access

Transcript Highlights:

• loan modifications with the homeowners.<01:44:00.800> That's<01:44:00.880> what<01:44:
• <01:44:20.880> So, they are denied a loan modification.
• So, they are denied a loan modification.
• ,<01:45:27.760> as<01:45:27.920> I they're denied a loan modification, as I they're
• denied a loan modification, as I touched<01:45:28.239> on,<01:45:28.320> but<01:45:28.560

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also provides that future modifications of the homestead exemption could be made by the county with
• This modification reducing their federal taxable income... ...and limited liability corporations.
• This modification reducing their federal taxable income was first authorized in 2019 and expired for
• This statute now will provide that, to be eligible for the modification, the business must be new between
• Finally, the bill makes the entitlement to the modification reducing federal taxable income retrospective

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. It then reconsidered Committee Substitute for House Bill 5212, noting that an Education Committee amendment had been inadvertently omitted the day before; the vice chairman withdrew the prior motion to report the bill, and the committee returned to the bill with the technical Education Committee amendments pending. The transcript then moved through a long agenda of bills and supplemental appropriations, with the committee generally hearing brief explanations from counsel, occasional member questions, and then voting to adopt amendments and report measures to the full Senate. Among the substantive policy bills, the committee advanced House Bill 4007 on the Industrial Access Road Fund, allowing an additional possible $3 million transfer in a fiscal year, expanding eligible uses, and increasing county/municipal spending limits; House Bill 4765, which raises salaries for state police, teachers, and school service personnel and, via a strike-and-insert amendment, creates a market pay enhancement tied to county and regional income data; House Bill 5162, recodifying tax lien sale procedures and clarifying ownership and government-property tax treatment; House Bill 5382, extending the Neighborhood Investment Tax Credit Program to July 1, 2031; House Bill 5685, authorizing up to $150 million in revenue bonds backed by excess lottery funds for State Culture Center improvements; House Joint Resolution 42, placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot to raise the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000; House Bill 4010, creating an airport hangar grant program and fund; House Bill 4404, increasing from $500 to $5,000 the amount volunteer fire departments may spend on training and fire prevention materials; House Bill 4592, requiring standardized campus safety mapping data for higher education institutions; House Bill 4784, extending and making retroactive a qualified opportunity zone business tax modification; and House Bill 5088, increasing retirement benefits for Division of Natural Resources police officers, with a one-time $4.25 million cash injection. The committee also reported several supplemental appropriations and originating bills, including Senate Bill 842 for the Spay Neuter Assistance Fund, Senate Bill 846 for Culture and History capital repairs, Senate Bill 872 for Natural Resources capital repairs (reduced to $10 million in committee substitute), Senate Bill 876 for Department of Health facilities, Senate Originating Bills 1 through 5 covering Culture and History, road funds, corrections IT and services, tobacco education, and the Adjutant General’s armory board transfer, respectively. Most items were adopted by voice vote; House Bill 4765’s strike-and-insert amendment was adopted after a division vote of 10-6. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also provides that future modifications of the homestead exemption could be made by the county with
• zone business, must be a newly registered business in West Virginia to qualify for a reducing modification
• zone business, must be a newly registered business in West Virginia to qualify for a reducing modification
• The modification reducing their federal taxable income was first authorized in 2019 and expired for the
• This statute now will provide that, to be eligible for the modification, the business must be new between

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The committee first reconsidered House Bill 5212, restoring a technical amendment from the Education Committee, then reported the amended bill to the full Senate with a do pass recommendation and adopted the title amendment. It also heard and advanced House Bill 407 on the Industrial Access Road Fund, allowing an additional possible $3 million transfer in some years, expanding eligible uses, and raising county/municipal spending caps; the Economic Development Committee’s technical amendment was adopted before the bill was reported. The committee then took up House Bill 4765, which would raise salary schedules for state police, teachers, and school service personnel and was amended with a strike-and-insert provision creating a market pay enhancement tied to county and regional income data. Several senators objected that the proposal would benefit only some counties, but the amendment was adopted by division vote, 10-6, and the bill was reported. Other bills reported included House Bill 5162 on tax lien sale procedures, House Bill 5382 extending the Neighborhood Investment Tax Credit Program to 2031, House Bill 5685 authorizing up to $150 million in revenue bonds for State Culture Center improvements backed by excess lottery funds, House Joint Resolution 42 raising the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000, House Bill 4010 creating an airport hangar grant program, House Bill 4404 increasing volunteer fire departments’ spending cap for training and promotional materials, and House Bill 4592 requiring standardized campus safety mapping data at higher education institutions after an amendment changed the requirement from permissive to mandatory. The committee also reported House Bill 4784 extending the qualified opportunity zone business tax modification, House Bill 5088 increasing benefits in the DNR police officer retirement system with a $4.25 million cash injection, and several supplemental appropriations: Senate Bill 842 for the Spay-Neuter Assistance Fund, Senate Bill 846 for Culture and History repairs and equipment, Senate Bill 872 for DNR repairs and equipment after reducing the amount to $10 million, Senate Bill 876 for three state hospitals, Senate Originating Bill 1 for Culture and History, Senate Originating Bill 2 for highway spending authority, Senate Originating Bill 3 for corrections IT and special services, Senate Originating Bill 4 for tobacco education, and Senate Originating Bill 5 for the Armory Board. The committee adjourned after reporting all listed measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um the next item, budget reserve adequacy report date modification, was a Senate-only provision.
• Um the next item, budget reserve adequacy report date modification, was a Senate-only provision.
• was a senate only modification was a senate only provision.<00:03:16.400> Next<00:03:16.720><
• The uncollectible debt report<00:04:06.879> date<00:04:07.200> modification<00:04:08.159
• > and<00:04:08.560> the report date modification and the report date modification and the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 2657 allows modifications. It exempts the city of St.
• Paul from the statutory requirement to adopt a resolution in support of modifications to a local sales
• The modifications must be subject to voter approval. For the modifications to the half-cent St.
• Um, we put in our bill House File 387, Blaine, Representative Norris, Albert Lea, with the modification
• We did make a modification to that. City of Austin. Okay, that was 4583 for Audubon LST. Yes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• based on their specific needs, so they use those as a base, and then they make modifications.
• What was your first recommendation for modification?
• Answer. recommendation for modification?
• I would probably make a modification there on where we're going to go and allow that city to make modifications
• To adopt a newer version of the code doesn't say anything about modifications or additions to the 2009

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 148, Senator Kagan, Income Tax Subtraction Modification, Public Safety Employee Retirement
• income Senate Bill 148, Senator Kagan, income tax<00:10:22.840> subtraction<00:10:23.360> modification
• ,<00:10:23.960> public tax subtraction modification, public tax subtraction modification,
• colleagues, look, in 2021, I remember being on this floor and us really working hard to make some modifications
• colleagues, look, in 2021, I remember being on this floor and us really working hard to make some modifications

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate reconvened with a quorum and took up Budget and Taxation matters first. The chamber considered Senate Bill 283, the Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2026, with the capital budget subcommittee chair describing a $5.7 billion capital program focused on jobs, reliability, and infrastructure, including funding for transportation, state facilities, local projects, and legislative bond initiatives. The committee report and reprint were explained, and the bill with its 291 committee amendments was special ordered until the next day for further amendment work. The Senate then adopted the favorable committee report for Senate Bill 769, the University System of Maryland Academic Facilities Bonding Authority, and ordered it printed for third reading. On the third reading calendar, the Senate passed Senate Bills 84, 618, 932, 148, 202, and 623 by constitutional majorities. SB 84 concerned collective bargaining for graduate assistants; SB 618 addressed a public ethics exemption for General Assembly members and certain state and local employees; SB 932 dealt with social media platforms displaying user location; SB 148 created an income tax subtraction modification for public safety employee retirement income supporting 911 specialists; SB 202 reinstated an order-to-show-cause process in police discipline, which drew floor opposition from a senator who argued it would revive an unnecessary exception to the streamlined police accountability process; and SB 623 created the Maryland Premium Cigar Lounge Act of 2026. The Senate also handled Senate Bill 463, a second-reading bill on municipal vagrancy and local authority to prohibit it, which the committee chair moved to special order for the following Tuesday without objection. The session concluded with announcements about caucus meetings, a quorum call, and adjournment until Tuesday, March 24 at 11:00 a.m., along with thanks to the secretary’s office, DLS staff, and pages for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, Senator Westrom, Senate File 1515, definition of sustainable aviation fuel modification. sound
• Senate Next up, Senator Westrom, Senate File 1515, definition of sustainable aviation fuel modification
• Senate file 17 1970 Awards modification Senate file 17 1970 from<00:35:28.359> Senator<00:35:
• Chair, any update on whether any modification or amended language has been worked out between parties
• Certainly. any modification or amended language any modification or amended language worked<00:36:29.000

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor is recommending a modification for fiscal year 26 only.
• governor is recommending a modification governor is recommending a modification for<00:32:13.000
• that we're proposing to the modification that we're proposing to the achievement<00:48:53.680> and
• So if you look, for example, at line nine that says compensatory revenue modification, and that should
• including those paper forms modification including those paper forms once<00:59:28.880> more<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <04:23:11.000> like requiring costly modifications like requiring costly modifications like
• All this is doing is just saying we paid out of a different pot for the same modifications.
• The reference to VA hospital system modification appears to mean HISA grants.
• However, some of these veterans may not need such extensive modifications.
• The reference to VA hospital system modification appears to mean HISA grants.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The modifications for the formula were generally made in an attempt to continue to.
• The most recent modification was in 2015-16, which I then referred to as a modified formula.
• freeze that would be kind of an ongoing set payment and then in addition we're proposing to make modifications
• We recommend some simple modifications to the governor's proposal. The first is reject.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On line 814 is House File 102, which is the child support modification item on change of circumstance
• <00:04:08.239> item a the uh child support modification item a the uh child support modification
• to equa grant reporting modifications to equa grant reporting requirements.<00:08:32.880> Uh<
• This allows for the modification Curran.
• Section 2 is a modification of House File 656 from Representative Zeleznikar.

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, 1183, house