Transcript Highlights:

• The Conference Committee on Senate Bill 1 will come to order. The clerk will please call the roll.
• Welcome to the first meeting of the Conference Committee on Senate Bill 1.

Summary: The Conference Committee on Senate Bill 1 convened for its first meeting and established a quorum. The chair explained that the committee’s purpose is to resolve differences between the Senate and House versions of Senate Bill 1, the General Appropriations Bill, and emphasized the importance of producing a final budget that remains within constitutional and statutory spending limits while meeting state needs. The chairs then announced the conferees assigned to each article. On the Senate side, Senator Schwertner will handle Articles 1, 4, and 5; Senator Kolkhorst Article 2; Senator Creighton Article 3; and Senator Nichols Articles 6, 7, and 8. On the House side, Vice Chair Gonzalez will handle Articles 1, 4, and 5; Representative Orr Article 2; Representative Kitzman Article 3; and Representative Walle Articles 6, 7, and 8. No testimony or substantive debate occurred at this meeting. After introductions and assignment of responsibilities, the committee stated it would begin working on the differences between the two budget versions and then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think our ladies are headed to Searcy later today to run in a conference track and cross-country
• 25 losses in 2024-25 season to a team with an impressive 28 wins and five losses and an overall conference
• Okay, after conferring with the House of Representatives and determining there is no further business

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The Senate convened for the final day of the fiscal session of the 95th General Assembly, with routine introductions and recognitions of guests, students, athletes, and staff. Members also received notice of several bills already signed by the governor and House-passed Senate bills returned for enrollment. The chamber then moved into its budget agenda, where Senator Dismang presented House Bill 1100, the Revenue Stabilization Law measure that creates funds, makes transfers, and carries an emergency clause. Senator Penzo explained his procedural vote on the companion Senate bill, and Senator King spoke against the bill, arguing that declining turnback percentages have reduced funding for counties and cities and worsened local fiscal pressures. Despite that criticism, HB 1100 passed 32-0 and its emergency clause was adopted. The Senate next approved a batch of House budget bills by a 34-0 vote, including appropriations for the Department of Education, Arkansas Development Finance Authority, Department of Human Services, Treasurer of State, Department of Health programs, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, DFA Disbursing Officer, and the Department of Energy and Environment’s Division of Environmental Quality. Members then adopted House Concurrent Memorial Resolution 1001 honoring Bishop Kenneth Lindell Robinson, Sr., with remarks from Senator Love and a brief statement from Dr. Robinson. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 32 recognizing the Parkview Arts and Sciences Magnet High School boys basketball team as the 2006 Class 5A state champions, followed by comments from Coach Jason Harrison and a short recess for photographs. After returning to session, the Senate moved into Committee of the Whole to select its President pro tempore designee for the 96th General Assembly. Senator Blake Johnson nominated Senator Breanne Davis, and Senator Ron Caldwell also announced his candidacy. On a division vote, 20 members stood in support of Senator Davis, and she was declared the President pro tempore designee. She thanked members for their support and emphasized cooperation among senators. The Senate then reported back into session and moved to adjourn sine die, with leaders noting that a special session was expected early the following week and that staff and outgoing members would be honored then.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are reconvening the committee conference on Senate Bill 210, having to do with cyberbullying.
• So just to let everyone know, yesterday during the HB2, HB1 committee of conference, Senator Carson put
• So just to let everyone know, yesterday during the HB2, HB1 committee of conference, Senator Carson put

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The committee conference first returned to Senate Bill 210 on cyberbullying. Members discussed whether to keep the bill focused on prevention and school action or instead add a study committee. House members said they were willing to remove the open enrollment portion and return to the original intent of the bill, while Senate members argued that bullying is already addressed in existing law and DOE guidance but that the legislature still needs to take action. Several members emphasized that bullying and related mental health harms are occurring in schools and that parents, teachers, and students are asking for stronger accountability now, not just another study. Others said the current bullying statute is not being implemented properly and that revising language without enforcement changes would not solve the problem. The House side noted that the amended bill would require additional reporting from districts, including information about police being called to schools, and would address parent notification issues. Despite those points, the Senate position remained that the House and Senate were not in agreement and that the bill should revert to the original version. The committee ultimately agreed to a non-concur report, with members indicating consent for that action. The meeting then briefly turned to Senate Bill 206. Members said the issue had already been addressed because a cell phone use policy amendment had been added to HB2 during the budget conference, making further discussion unnecessary. Because the chambers still needed to choose one of the formal conference options, the committee agreed to file a non-concurrent report on SB 206 as well, with consent from the House-side members.

Transcript Highlights:

• And with me today is Matt Kremens, director of the California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers
• Matt Kremens here on behalf of the California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers.
• Matt Kremens here on behalf of the California Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers.

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee met on March 19, 2025, adopted its rules, and approved the consent calendar before hearing several bills. AB 538, by Assemblymember Berman, would require awarding bodies on public works projects to make a timely attempt to obtain certified payroll records from contractors when the public requests them, rather than simply saying they do not have the records. Supporters said it would clarify existing prevailing wage enforcement; county, city, special district, and housing groups opposed it over workload, privacy, and potential funding risks. The bill passed the committee on a do-pass recommendation to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 485, authored by Chair Ortega, which would direct state agencies to deny or renew business licenses for employers with outstanding wage theft judgments unless the judgments are satisfied or bonded. Supporters, including labor groups and a caregiver who described delayed recovery of unpaid wages, said the bill would give workers meaningful leverage to collect judgments. The California Hospital Association opposed it, warning that license action could threaten patient access to care. The bill passed on a do-pass recommendation to Appropriations. AB 596, by Assemblymember McKinnor, would codify workers’ right to wear a face covering or respirator at work unless it creates a direct safety hazard. Supporters said the measure would protect workers from illness, wildfire smoke, and employer restrictions after prior Cal/OSHA protections expired; the Chamber of Commerce opposed it narrowly, asking for an exception where masks are infeasible for certain tasks. The committee supported the bill and sent it to Appropriations. The hearing concluded with the roll kept open for absent members and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Usually, if that occurs, it occurs at a prehearing conference or after a prehearing conference.
• Most cases end up at a prehearing conference, not all cases, but many.
• conference or after prehearing<05:27:06.718> conference<05:27:07.718> uh<05:27:07.840>
• up at a prehearing conference not all up at a prehearing conference not all cases<05:27:10.878> but
• We conduct, as part of our operations, prehearing conferences, status conferences, and pre-election conferences

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed House Bill 1, focusing on the legislative branch budget, especially the Senate and House lines. Members discussed that the Senate’s fiscal year 2025 adjusted authorized amount was higher than 2024 actual spending, largely due to personnel, benefits, and travel, and one member proposed a $500,000 annual cut. Staff explained that any reduction would need to be allocated across specific line items such as personnel, benefits, and travel, and noted that the Senate budget is entirely General Funds. After discussion of how the adjusted authorized figures were calculated and why the branch no longer staffs some joint committees as it once did, the committee moved on without taking a vote on that section. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from the New Hampshire Retirement System. NHRS officials described their statutory administrative budget, which is funded through the retirement trust rather than the General Fund, and said the FY 2026-2027 increase is driven by IT modernization, cybersecurity, a new strategic plan, and additional staff positions. They also reviewed the system’s funding progress, clean audit opinions, investment performance, and changes to asset allocation, while noting that several recent pension-related laws required major database changes. Members questioned the large increase in salaries and benefits, the need for new employees versus contractors, the purpose of training costs, and the source of the Group Two benefit funding. NHRS said the governor’s budget includes General Funds for Group Two benefit changes, with $5 million in FY 2026 and $27.9 million in FY 2027, and that the figures reflect the governor’s recommendation and related HB 2 provisions. Committee members also asked about employer and employee contribution rates for Group Two police and fire members, which NHRS said were not included in the budget document but were about 31.2% for police and 30.35% for fire, with employee shares around 11.55% and 11.8%. The committee did not make a decision on the NHRS budget during this exchange and indicated it would review the details further before returning to it later. The committee then heard from the Community Development Finance Authority on the State Treasury Department budget line for the required state match to administer the federal Community Development Block Grant program. CDFA explained that its $280,000 annual request for FY 2026 and FY 2027, totaling $560,000, supports administration, technical assistance, contracting, and monitoring of roughly $19 million in annual federal CDBG funds. Members asked about the leverage of the state match, oversight of projects, staffing, and grant prioritization. CDFA said it has 18 employees, uses public hearings and a scoring system to prioritize awards, and conducts both desk and on-site monitoring, with annual audits to ensure compliance. No vote was taken on the CDFA item in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Higher Education Budget Conference Committee is called to order.
• This concludes the final higher education budget conference committee.

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Conference Committee met to review and compare House and Senate counteroffers on the higher education budget, implementing bill, conforming bill, and related provisos. Members noted that several items were now in agreement and marked closed, including specific lines in the implementing bill, multiple lines in the conforming bill, and a number of budget and proviso items that had moved closer between the chambers. Remaining unresolved items were set aside to be bumped to leadership for further negotiation. Senator Harold thanked the committee and staff, expressing confidence that the final budget would support a strong higher education system and that the outstanding issues would be resolved soon. The chair also thanked House and Senate staff for their work and announced that future meeting notices would be posted, with the committee operating on one-hour notice. No public testimony was taken, no questions were raised, and no formal vote on the budget items was recorded. The meeting concluded with a motion to rise.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Higher Education Budget Conference Committee is called to order.
• This concludes the final higher education budget conference committee.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Higher Education Budget Conference Committee is called to order.
• This concludes the final higher education budget conference committee.

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Conference Committee met to review the House and Senate counter-offers on the higher education budget, related projects, the implementing bill, the conforming bill, and proviso language. Members noted that several items were now in agreement and marked closed, including implementing bill lines 1-4 and 6, conforming bill lines 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 13, and a number of proviso items that moved closer between the chambers. Remaining disagreements on the budget and bills were set aside to be bumped to leadership for resolution. Senator Harold thanked the committee and staff, expressing confidence that the remaining issues would be resolved soon and that the final budget would support a strong higher education system. The chair also thanked House and Senate staff for their work and said the committee had reached the end of this conference meeting. No public testimony or member questions were raised. The committee announced that future meeting notices would be posted, that the committee would be on one-hour notice, and Senator Calatayud moved that the committee rise.

Transcript Highlights:

• Convening our Public Safety Conference Committee.
• Today is Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 1:50 p.m., in Conference Room 016.

Bills: SB2876, SB3253, SB2125, SB2781, HB549, HB1768, SB2053, SB2494, SB2851, SB3073, HB1678, HB1721, HB2475, HB2246, HB1667, HB1516, SB2532, SB3131, SB3154, HB2297, HB1737, SB2143, SB2398, SB2623, HB1740, HB1920, HB1682, SB2153, SB3140, HB1515, SB2835, HB2282, SB3083, SB2031, SB2519, SB2667, SB2140, SB2544, SB2069, SB2697, SB874, SB2043, SB888, SB2721, HB2152, HB1334, HB2385, HB1643, HB2314, HB1688, HB1692, SB2568, SB2983, SB2108, SB3136, HB1959, SB3156, HB1511, HB1753, HB1824, HB2137, HB1810, HB2279, HB2309, HB1548, HB2078, HB2293, SB3262, SB2169, SB2607, SB2964, SB3255, HB2576, HB1481, HB1864, HB1550, SB2818, SB3067, SB2061, HB1728, HB1881, HB2361, HB2395, HB1823, SB2050, SB2397, SB2175, SB2852, SB847, SB3001

Keywords: natural hair braiding, hair braiding, braids, braider, braiding license, cosmetology, barbering, barber board, Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, registration, licensure exemption, sanitation training, health and safety, hair extensions, cornrows, twists, locks, protective hairstyles, beauty industry, occupational licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• Harrell: WELCOME TO THE HIGHER EDUCATION APPROPRIATION CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, I AM DELIGHTED TO SEE EVERYONE
• CHAIR, REPRESENTATIVE BLANCO NAMES SENATOR HARRELL CHAIR OF THE CONFERENCE ON HIGHER EDUCATION, WITHOUT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• mayors from cities, towns, and villages across Louisiana convened in Alexandria at the Louisiana Conference
• of Mayors, Louisiana convened in Alexandria at the Louisiana Conference of Mayors to establish a unified
• The Speaker appoints the following conferees to confer on the disagreement to Senate Bill 149 by Senator
• A message from the Senate: The Senate has appointed the conference committee members to the disagreement
• President's Senate has appointed the Conference Committee members to the disagreement of Senate 1.49

Bills: HR244, HR245, HR246, HR247, HR248, HR249, HR250, HR251, HCR101, HCR102, HR223, HR224, HR225, HR226, HR227, HR229, HR230, HR231, HR232, HR234, HR235, HR236, HR237, HR238, HR239, HR240, HR241, HR242, HR243, HCR94, HCR95, HCR96, HCR97, HCR98, HCR99, HCR100, SCR31, SCR33, SCR35, SCR37, SCR56, SCR57, SB171, SB251, SB252, SB353, SB367, SB433, SB461, HR170, HR191, HR206, HR207, HR208, HR217, HCR11, HCR53, HCR60, HCR66, HCR68, HB66, HB153, HB165, HB326, HB387, HB454, HB455, HB484, HB513, HB603, HB660, HB719, HB762, HB766, HB793, HB802, HB816, HB833, HB940, HB947, HB950, HB975, HB1028, HB1039, HB1051, HB1053, HB1080, HB1201, HB1215, HB1228, HB1251, HB1252, SCR2, SB26, SB28, SB29, SB30, SB41, SB44, SB64, SB84, SB87, SB93, SB98, SB107, SB118, SB142, SB192, SB195, SB199, SB219, SB222, SB234, SB241, SB255, SB275, SB277, SB292, SB294, SB306, SB314, SB482, SB233, SB326, HR171, HCR49, HCR65, HCR72, HR37, HCR64, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, HB64, HB68, HB92, HB130, HB258, HB633, HB801, HB89, HB341, HB451, HB456, HB579, HB595, HB621, HB818, HB841, HB1064, HB1101, HB1191, SB47, SB82, SB106, SB206, SB210, SB248, SB305, SB376, SB397, SB441, SB2, SB19, SB24, SB50, SB70, SB96, SB101, SB103, SB104, SB114, SB122, SB159, SB160, SB173, SB180, SB182, SB260, SB412, SB418, SB424, SB442, SB460, SB476, SB1, SB23, SB32, SB42, SB43, SB46, SB51, SB110, SB113, SB150, SB154, SB161, SB218, SB220, SB221, SB253, SB289, SB310, SB351, SB399, SB404, SB502, HCR32, HB955, HB284, HB617, HB730, HB926, HB1125, HB1194, HB1203, HB798, HB998, HB1084, HB1223, HB646, HB824, HB901, HB79, HR20, HR74, HB59, HB306, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB911, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1234, HB1240, SB89, SB68, SB149

Keywords: disclosure, local law, public notice, legislative transparency, Artists at the Capitol Day, art education, Louisiana Art Education Association, recognition, community engagement, House Resolution 247, HR247, Laura Lewis, birthday commendation, 104th birthday, centenarian, longevity, St. James Parish, Louisiana House of Representatives, Mount Calvary Baptist Church, ceremonial resolution

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we could ask the LBA, but I'll just say that in the committee of conference for HB 2021, it was agreed
• of conference for HB 2021, 2021, 2021, it<00:16:25.440> was<00:16:25.600> agreed<00:16
• If all you want is the 20-year term, we can adopt the committee of conference report from House Bill
• And if so, we will also be having that discussion again with the Senate in a committee of conference.
• And if so, we will also be having that discussion again with the Senate in a committee of conference.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason fiscal committee was mentioned was almost a default during the committee of conference with
• both the House and Senate. >> And they kept going through — or I was on that committee of conference
• a default um during the committee almost a default um during the committee of<00:44:17.520> conference
• with um with both the of conference with um with both the house<00:44:19.680> and<00:44:19.920
• We kept going through conference.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sander was elected by the members of the League of Cities in September in Owensboro at our annual conference
• Uh, Mayor Sander, uh, was conference.
• in September in Owensboro at our Cities in September in Owensboro at our annual<00:16:13.600> conference
• > be<00:16:14.399> the<00:16:14.639> president<00:16:15.519> of annual conference
• to be the president of annual conference to be the president of KC.<00:16:17.040> Uh,<00:16:17.600

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:13 Roll Call 00:00:24 Approval of Minutes from September Meeting 00:02:10 Presentation of Special Purpose Governmental Entities Report 00:03:19 Presentation of Kentucky League of Cities Legislative Platform for the Upcoming 2026 Session of the General Assembly 00:15:37 Discussion of Centralized Collection of Net Profits and Occupational License Taxes 00:37:05 Adjournment 00:55:53, 958, all

Summary: The committee received reports on special purpose governmental entities from the Department for Local Government and the Fire Commission. DLG staff described SPGEs as limited-jurisdiction political subdivisions and reviewed the department’s registry, reporting portal, compliance monitoring, and planned system upgrades such as a two-way message center, automated noncompliance notices, and tracking for new entities and board expirations. They reported that, as of October 10, 2025, 69% of SPGEs were active and discussed compliance data by cycle, fiscal year, and district type. The Fire Commission reported that fire department mergers have reduced the number of departments by 16 since last year, largely because of volunteer staffing shortages, while financial disclosure compliance had risen to 94%. The commission also noted 509 compliance reviews, 19 in-house inquiries, seven referrals to outside agencies, and one recent federal prison sentence in a theft case. Members asked whether DLG advises SPGEs on tax rates; staff said it only performs calculations and the entities set their own rates. Questions to the Fire Commission focused on whether department reductions meant station closures; officials explained that most changes were mergers that keep physical buildings in place while combining personnel and finances to meet minimum staffing requirements. They said the trend is spread across the state but is especially pronounced in rural areas. The Kentucky League of Cities then presented its 2026 legislative agenda. Its priorities included modernizing city revenue options, increasing equity in road funding, fixing tax increment financing issues, addressing transient room tax collection from web-based platforms, strengthening emergency response coordination, clarifying massage parlor regulation preemption, correcting unintended consequences of House Bill 606, improving newspaper publication rules, and modernizing procurement statutes. KLC also said it supports allowing all cities to collect restaurant tax revenue, wants cities to receive a larger share of road funds and EV-related revenues, and seeks state collection and remittance of any future local sales tax to comply with the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement. Members asked about best-value bidding, road-fund equity, Airbnb tax litigation, EV prevalence, and disaster funding applications; KLC said cities currently must accept the lowest bid, the road split should better reflect city street costs, the Airbnb tax case remains pending, EV data by locality has not been studied, and allowing cities to apply directly for disaster funds would reduce reliance on county officials. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the September meeting minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll have the Catholic Conference of Bishops up and the Texas Private School Association, the Texas
• You'll hear, I'm sure, from the Catholic Conference that we'll talk at length about that.
• You'll hear, I'm sure, from the Catholic Conference that we'll talk at length about that.
• Megan, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the SCLC, Martin, And in Carson v.
• Well, if it's not, ACE and the Catholic Conference are there to provide it.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Several senators emphasized support for public education, teacher pay and safety, parental choice, and the combined K-16 jurisdiction of the committee. The chair also reviewed hearing procedures, including public testimony registration and time limits. The main item was Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, laid out by Chairman Creighton. He described the bill as an education savings account program intended to expand school choice, with a $200 million universal eligibility pool and an additional $800 million targeted to students with disabilities and lower-income families. He said the bill includes anti-fraud safeguards, criminal background checks for vendors, reporting requirements, data protections, and annual testing for participating students, while not imposing STAAR on private schools or homeschoolers. He also said the bill removes a prior hold-harmless provision for public schools and is separate from public school funding and teacher pay legislation. Members questioned the bill’s income threshold, lottery and priority structure, treatment of homeschoolers, microschools, charter schools, religious freedom protections, citizenship/lawful presence language, cybersecurity, open records, and disability-related issues, including whether 504 students and foster children should be included. Creighton said the bill is designed to prioritize former public school students with disabilities or lower incomes, while also allowing universal eligibility within the program’s first funding tier, and that the Comptroller would oversee vendor screening and cybersecurity rules. He said the bill does not direct curriculum or interfere with religious beliefs and that amendments may be offered later on citizenship and other issues. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, starting with EdChoice representative Robert Inlow, who testified in support of SB 2 and cited national growth in school choice programs and studies he said show positive effects for students and public schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is April 17th, 2026, and we're in Conference Room 225.
• In the unlikely case of technical failures, this meeting will reconvene here in Conference Room 225 at

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Labor and Technology Committee met on April 17, 2026, and considered HCR 112, which asks the Department of Human Resources Development to work with state departments, agencies, and labor organizations to complete a comprehensive review of classification and compensation systems for civil service positions. DHRD, represented by Malia Donlon on behalf of Director Chiba, testified in support, and HGEA also supported the measure. No opposition was noted. The committee initially recessed to obtain a quorum before taking action. After reconvening, the chair recommended passing HCR 112 unamended. The committee voted to adopt the recommendation, with the chair, Vice Chair Lamosao, and Senator Fevella voting aye; Senators Ihara and Moriwaki were excused. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> GOOD AFTERNOON THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE MEETING WILL NOW COME TO ORDER.
• IF THERE IS NO FURTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THAT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE McCLURE MOVES WE ADJOURNED

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll call the conference committee on SB 2297 to order, and I'll have the clerk call the roll.
• That was worked on with an attorney from the Catholic Conference and Legislative Council, and that's

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee on SB 2297 was called to order, and members from both chambers were present. House members explained the proposed amendments, including moving language about a guardian acting under a valid court order to a higher priority position in the bill and adding references to psychiatrist or psychologist in the provisions dealing with determinations of incapacity. A Department of Health and Human Services attorney testified that the added professions were intended to align the bill with other parts of the code and noted one remaining place on page 2, line 4, where the same language had been omitted and should be added for consistency. After discussion, a motion was made and seconded to accept the amendment adding psychiatrist or psychologist to the missing section. The committee took a roll call vote and the amendment passed. Members then discussed procedure for the bill as amended and noted that, based on a prior meeting, only one vote was needed. Representative Hendricks was designated as the House carrier. With no further business, the committee closed on SB 2297.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, it said held in trust, but when they had their past conferences, and that is the general body
• <01:42:09.120> to with the United Methodist Conference to with the United Methodist Conference
• :42:11.680> and disaffiliate from the conference and disaffiliate from the conference and retain
• It was put in statute when the General Conference or, in this case, the Baltimore Annual Conference,
• The conferences decide what to do, but not by this statute.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened on March 10, 2026, established a quorum, and began with an invocation by Reverend Damien Flowers, which was journalized without objection. The chamber then recognized several guests and honorees, including Dr. Courtney Glickman for being named 2025 Play Therapist of the Year, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Dr. Sonja B. Santelises for her leadership of Baltimore City Public Schools, students shadowing legislators, Navy Alliance representatives, the Maryland Alliance for Advocacy for Sickle Cell, and Ms. Kimberly Body for her lupus advocacy. The Senate also journalized prior remarks about the 6888 regiment. The Finance Committee report then moved several bills forward. Senate Bill 348 would allow hospitals and freestanding birthing centers to contact, rather than only call, patients after high-risk pregnancies; its amendments were adopted and the bill was ordered to third reading. Senate Bill 390 on Wicomico County liquor licenses was laid over under the rule. Senate Bill 492, addressing massage therapy advertising and prohibiting misleading sexual-service advertising, was amended and sent to third reading. Senate Bill 562, concerning pharmacist-prescriber agreements for opioid use disorder treatment, was amended and advanced. Senate Bill 773 would let pharmacists order certain vaccines, including intranasal flu vaccines, for self-administration and was advanced without amendment. Senate Bill 53, on Maryland Port Administration land acquisition notice in Anne Arundel County, was amended and advanced. Senate Bill 428 would bar cost-sharing for collaborative care model services under Medicaid and private coverage and was advanced without amendment. Senate Bill 473 would require human trafficking awareness training for for-hire and transportation network drivers; its amendments were adopted and it was sent to third reading. Senate Bill 585 would shift administration of the human relevant research fund from Health to Agriculture and was advanced. Senate Bill 606, the Easy Pass Commuter Fairness and Transparency Act, would require an MDTA report on commuter plans and unused trips; its amendment was moved as the transcript ended. During debate on Senate Bill 917, which would expand the definition of audiology practice to include certain screenings and non-radiographic imaging, a senator questioned whether the bill would make Maryland the only state restricting a health occupation from performing Medicare-required screenings. The floor leader said the committee had heard that claim in testimony but had not verified it, and the senator moved to special order the bill for amendment, which was granted without objection. Most other bills were reported favorably, with committee amendments adopted without objection and several bills ordered printed for third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• If conference room tables could speak, the House and Ways and Means suite could share a million stories
• If conference room tables could speak, hours and ways of means suite could share a million stories about
• the PAPIS Rehabilitation Center, the many conversations we took place around the Ways and Means conference
• Ways and Means conference table opened up doors to this budget to ensure that this budget has something

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up a long series of FY26 budget amendments during debate on the Ways and Means budget bill. Early on, an amendment on debt service and the Debt Affordability Committee was rejected. A major education amendment offered by Senator Lewis and supported by Senator Comerford was then adopted; it directs DESE to begin a public process, with $200,000 in funding, to review and recommend updates to the Chapter 70 municipal contribution formula and related school funding structures as the Student Opportunity Act nears full implementation. Senators argued that school districts across the Commonwealth are under severe fiscal strain, citing rising special education, transportation, health insurance, and Proposition 2 1/2 pressures, and that the current formulas are increasingly out of alignment with local needs. The chamber also considered and voted on many other amendments, with several adopted and several rejected. Adopted amendments included measures on public payroll transparency, regional EMS, a small business group purchasing cooperative pilot, simplifying Medicaid eligibility determinations, and early education background checks. Rejected amendments included proposals on first-time homebuyer savings accounts, population change studies, competitiveness studies, emergency contract reform, natural gas cost containment, a $200 per pupil aid increase, regional school reimbursement increases, a Foundation Budget Review Commission-related study, special education service studies, welfare benefit audits, short-term capital gains, and an MBTA sustainability plan. Senator Durant also spoke in support of Amendment 766, which would create a crumbling concrete assistance fund for homeowners affected by pyrrhotite, with tax-exempt aid, federal funding applications, audits, and a stakeholder working group. Near the end of debate, Senator D. DiDomenico praised the Shannon Grant program for gang violence prevention, and the Senate adopted a final corrective amendment containing technical fixes and local earmarks. The bill was then ordered to a third reading and, after a roll call on engrossment, passed to be engrossed by a vote of 38-2. The Senate also approved a motion to adjourn to the following Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. and recessed in memory of Yaron Lashinsky, Sarah Lynn Milgram, and Leslie A. Feeney.