Transcript Highlights:

• year 2025 and a 95% increase for fiscal year 2027 over fiscal year 2026.
• year 2025 and a 95% increase for fiscal year 2027 over fiscal year 2026.
• 2025 and a 95% increase for fiscal year 2027 over fiscal year 2026.
• 2025 and a 95% increase for fiscal year 2027 over fiscal year 2026.
• and a 95% increase for fiscal year 2027 over fiscal year 2026.

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:

• And uh we will await the fiscal note. So, um thank you so much. Chair: Thank you.
• And uh we will await the fiscal note. So, um thank you so much.
• And uh we will await the fiscal note. So, um thank you so much. Chair West: Okay.
• And uh we will await the fiscal note. So, um thank you so much. Chair West: Okay.
• I would like to add that we have requested a fiscal note.

Bills: HF3665, HF3002, HF4217, HF4125, HF4174

Keywords: foster care, early childhood education, child care programs, placement plan, social services, extended foster care, kinship care, relative custody, permanent legal and physical custody, Northstar kinship assistance, independent living plan, transition services, youth aging out of care, medical assistance, Medicaid, child welfare, children youth and families, out-of-home placement, case plan, relative placement

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll mention that in your packet is a fiscal note that shows no fiscal impact.
• mention uh in your packet is a fiscal mention uh in your packet is a fiscal note<00:30:30.440>
• note that shows uh no fiscal note that shows uh no fiscal impact<00:30:33.919> um<00:30:34.480
• note.
• He said he hopes fiscal notes are treated fairly and not used as “death by fiscal note.”

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm glad we're managing our finances fiscally responsibly.
• Please note, this study is independent.
• Number one, a true fiscal impact analysis.
• Number one, a true fiscal impact analysis.
• But that is not the full fiscal picture.

Summary: The committee met for public testimony on the Finance budget, with the main discussion focused first on funding for disability services and then on the LA GATOR scholarship program. Several individuals testified in support of fully funding Families Helping Families and Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), describing how advocacy, transition services, and direct support workers help people with disabilities access education, employment, and independent living. Witnesses urged the committee to preserve or increase state general funds to draw down federal matching dollars, and provider groups said current reimbursement rates and staffing shortages are leaving agencies in deficit, creating waitlists, overtime costs, and difficulty retaining workers. Committee members thanked the speakers and noted that the testimony would be used to compare the governor’s, House, and remaining budget requests. The committee then heard extensive testimony in support of increasing funding for the LA GATOR scholarship program. Supporters included policy groups, school leaders, parents, and students who argued that the program expands educational choice, helps low-income and special-needs students find schools that fit their needs, and should be fully funded at the level of demonstrated demand. Speakers from Catholic and Christian schools said GATOR funding had helped students thrive academically and spiritually, but that shortfalls left many eligible students without awards, hurt kindergarten enrollment, and forced schools to raise private donations to cover gaps. Several witnesses emphasized that the program is not a zero-sum attack on public schools, but a way to let education dollars follow students. A few committee questions focused on the fiscal impact and on whether choice programs improve outcomes without harming public schools. Testimony cited enrollment growth, parent demand, and data from other states to argue that school choice can improve student and parent outcomes and may also strengthen traditional public schools through competition. No votes or formal actions were taken during the public testimony portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• You brought up the mention of the fiscal note, which few do.
• <04:18:15.520> note, mention of the fiscal note, mention of the fiscal note, >> which
• note says the u the cost for the fiscal note says the u the cost for the<04:18:28.000> department
• Um fiscal note for the judicial branch.
• can't speak on the DOJ's fiscal note. can't speak on the DOJ's fiscal note.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There was no opposition, no fiscal note, and it passed unanimously.
• There was no opposition, no fiscal note, and it passed unanimously.
• There was no opposition,<00:47:05.680> no<00:47:05.839> fiscal<00:47:06.240> note
• note uh impact and opposition, no fiscal note uh impact and it<00:47:07.920> passed<00:47:08.160
• As the official commemorative days and months in Maryland, as you'll find in your fiscal note, it is

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation by Rabbi Ari Goldstein, whose remarks were journalized at the request of the senator from District 33. The chamber then recognized the doctor of the day, Dr. Maryann Lamont, for her 50 years in medicine and her work in neurology and stroke care, and also thanked a legislative aide, Samantha Briggs, who is leaving for law school. The presiding officer noted a quorum was present and moved into the day’s floor work. The Senate handled several messages and committee reports, including a conference committee appointment on Senate Bill 18, which concerns provisional social work licensure. In Finance, the chamber advanced Senate Bill 246 on Health Services Cost Review Commission member terms, Senate Bill 370 on acupuncture board revisions, Senate Bill 564 creating a Division of Data Protection in the Attorney General’s office and a related work group, Senate Bill 782 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, Senate Bill 808 on health insurance provider panel requirements, Senate Bill 849 on agricultural equipment warranties, Senate Bill 867 on the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission, and Senate Bill 982 on mutual insurance holding companies converting back to mutual insurers. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or conforming amendments, which were adopted without objection, and each was ordered printed for third reading. The committee also considered several House bills with Senate cross-files or identical measures. These included House Bill 118 on money transmitter licensing, House Bills 339 and 512 on Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners compensation, House Bill 1100 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, House Bill 1395 on agricultural equipment warranties, House Bill 1473 creating Maryland’s Future Board, House Bill 226 on Department of Disabilities housing programs, House Bill 278 codifying the Longevity Ready Maryland plan, and House Bill 746 on collaborative care model coverage and cost-sharing limits. In each case, the committee reports were adopted, amendments were approved where offered, and the bills were advanced to third reading or passed for third reading, with no recorded opposition on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not referenced in the fiscal note because we don't know about fees they're going to set yet, because
• It's not referenced in the fiscal note because we don't know about fees they're going to set yet, because
• It's not referenced in the fiscal note because we don't know about fees they're going to set yet, because
• All the fiscal note bills should be ready to exec when we come back.
• note bills if you want to see a fiscal note bills if you want to see a list<00:48:39.319> I<00

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• note and we worked with the agency on it and so the committee sub helps address the fiscal note but
• What I don't understand is the fiscal note that is $811,000. $811,000 in the first biennium and I'm confused
• Why is there such a huge fiscal note? Yes, that's a good question.
• There is not. not a cost to the client services that is included in the fiscal note. We do.
• My question, well, I have several, but one of them was also on the fiscal note.

Bills: HB26, HB140, HB141, HB142, HB215, HB26, HB140, HB141, HB142, HB215

Keywords: Medicaid, nutrition support, maternal health, chronic conditions, pilot program, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, child abuse investigations, child neglect, child exploitation, advisory committee, Family and Protective Services Council, council abolition, foster care, due process, investigative procedures, child welfare, parental rights, family preservation services

Transcript Highlights:

• State Auditor's presentation of two recent reports: State Auditor's Office cybersecurity update for fiscal
• present our annual cybersecurity audit reports for state agencies and local governments covering fiscal
• Starting with our state agency audit report for fiscal year 2025, these audits were completed at seven
• I do want to note that we specifically approached the penetration testing from an external perspective
• However, I do want to note that there are still considerable need for guidance and resources in this

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s Office cybersecurity performance audits for fiscal year 2025, covering both state agencies and local governments. SAO staff explained that the audits are conducted independently under Initiative 900 and are kept confidential at the entity level, with detailed findings shared directly with the audited organizations. They reported that state agency audits found nearly one-third of assessed safeguards fully implemented on all systems and 227 vulnerabilities across seven agencies, including three critical and 21 high-severity issues. For seven local government cybersecurity audits, nearly a quarter of safeguards were fully implemented on all systems, and auditors identified nearly 300 vulnerabilities, including nine critical and 47 high-severity issues. SAO also summarized its ransomware resiliency audits and critical infrastructure audits for local governments. In six ransomware audits, a little over 35% of assessed safeguards were not in place, while about 60% were at least partially in place. In 39 critical infrastructure audits, focused largely on water and sewer providers, auditors found over 260 vulnerabilities and said more than 10% were critical or high. Staff highlighted that these audits have led to improvements, including one vendor making security changes after SAO testing that were later echoed in a federal advisory. They also described related services such as cybersecurity checkups, policy guidance, and other cyber-related work by the office. Washington Technology Solutions’ state chief information security officer, Ralph Johnson, praised the audits and said they help protect essential public services. He cited a sharp national rise in ransomware incidents against governments and said Washington has used more than $11 million in federal and state cybersecurity grant funds for over 200 projects. In response to questions from Representative Scott, SAO and WOTEC discussed options for addressing urgent vulnerabilities, including compensating controls, grant funding, and low-cost mitigation steps. The committee also discussed how Washington’s program compares nationally, with Johnson saying Initiative 900 is unusually comprehensive and that local governments often seek audits voluntarily. No votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony was offered but none was given.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll note for the record that a quorum is present.
• So we saw about an 18,000-student net gain from fiscal year 24 to fiscal year 25, that first year of
• <00:58:44.240> year<00:58:44.480> fiscal recently completed fiscal year fiscal recently
• /c><01:04:40.039> year<01:04:40.319> fiscal that um for this past fiscal year fiscal that
• you you see noted here with the fiscal you you see noted here with the fiscal year<01:10:27.600>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• amending fiscal notes, is that the amending fiscal notes, is that the amendment<00:57:02.799>
• c> would<00:57:03.920> have amendment to the fiscal note would have amendment to the fiscal
• bill based on the original fiscal note. bill based on the original fiscal note.
• Uh so I I eliminates the fiscal note.
• think that um the getting a new fiscal think that um the getting a new fiscal note<00:59:27.760>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then looking at the fiscal note. Rep. Freeman, one minute. The member is out of time.
• Looking at the fiscal note, I believe you said criminals 14 to 13, civil's 12 to 9.
• But the fiscal note says something different.
• The fiscal note—and so I don't know if this is, it said it was the engrossed fiscal note, but maybe it's
• Well, I just want to clarify because the fiscal note says something different.

Bills: HR265, HR266, HR267, HR268, HR269, HR270, HR271, HR272, HR273, HCR107, HCR108, HCR109, HCR110, HCR111, HR257, HR258, HR259, HR260, HR261, HR262, HR263, HCR105, HCR106, SCR30, SB57, SB157, SB202, SB237, SB276, SB450, SB465, SB501, SB525, HR3, HR80, HR197, HR243, SCR5, SCR35, HB4, HB623, HB944, HB986, HB1098, HB1222, SB34, SB164, SB172, SB198, SB208, SB232, SB281, SB286, SB317, SB322, SB334, SB380, SB385, SB409, SB417, SB421, SB430, SB439, SB447, SB458, SB510, SB398, HB646, HR84, HR188, HR205, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, SCR2, SCR20, SCR24, HCR6, HB301, HB359, HB657, HB675, HB680, HB727, HB302, HB819, HB1257, HB1258, SB8, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB14, SB16, SB17, SB18, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB40, SB48, SB55, SB69, SB75, SB77, SB78, SB85, SB102, SB115, SB133, SB140, SB148, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB185, SB197, SB200, SB217, SB235, SB278, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB315, SB324, SB330, SB411, SB416, SB420, SB436, SB438, SB449, SB455, SB456, SB477, SB489, SB521, SB45, SB58, SB71, SB81, SB92, SB100, SB109, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB204, SB205, SB207, SB213, SB214, SB216, SB229, SB257, SB274, SB290, SB304, SB374, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB429, SB479, SB522, HCR72, HB633, HB603, HB940, HB251, HB775, HB998, HB1191, HB625, HB1255, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, HB258, HB842, SB149, SB382, SB441

Keywords: Pineville High School, Lady Rebels, softball, LHSAA, Louisiana High School Athletic Association, Class 5A, state championship, high school sports, student athletes, commendation, resolution, athletics, girls softball, championship team, Pineville, school recognition, sportsmanship, coach Allison Frye, Louisiana legislature, House Resolution

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the pledge, roll call, and several personal privileges recognizing visitors and special observances, including Transportation Day and a day without child care at the Capitol. Members also honored the Southern University Laboratory School track teams, early childhood educators, and later offered condolences and tributes, including a memorial resolution for Derek Butler’s family and birthday recognitions for members and staff. The chamber received Senate messages, committee reports, and introduced or adopted several resolutions and bills throughout the day. A major portion of the floor was devoted to retirement-system cleanup and funding bills, including Senate Bills 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, and 21. Members and authors explained these measures as technical changes to simplify contribution formulas, separate funding for COLAs and benefit increases from debt paydown, and update reemployment or benefit rules for retirees in various systems. Most of these bills passed with large margins after brief questions about whether they would affect automatic debt reduction; authors repeatedly said they would not stop debt paydown. Other measures passed on topics such as emergency vehicle procedures, international driving reciprocity with Ireland, seat belt use, port commission appointments, GOHSEP cybersecurity authority, storage facility rental rules, biomarker testing coverage, DNA sample collection procedures, and a law-institute bill on movable-property leases. The House also adopted HCR 72, the Jonas A. Feeley Act, which memorializes Congress to expedite research and treatment development for acute myeloid leukemia in honor of a deceased veteran, and H.B. 1258, which directs the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on handling unlawfully possessed sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife. Another notable bill, Senate Bill 200, created a process for expropriating property tied to foreign adversaries near military bases, with amendments allowing voluntary divestment before expropriation. Most measures were adopted by wide margins, with co-author votes taken on some resolutions and bills tabled or returned to the calendar when requested. The most extended debate centered on Senate Bill 217, which would reduce the number of judges in Orleans Parish courts based on a statewide workload study. Supporters said the National Center for State Courts study showed Orleans had more judges than comparable parishes and that the bill would right-size the courts and save about $2.1 million. Opponents questioned the study’s methodology, the lack of Orleans delegation involvement, the counting of cases, the absence of uniform statewide clerk-of-court standards, and whether reducing criminal judges made sense given crime concerns. Despite the criticism, the bill was advanced after lengthy questioning, while the chamber continued to move other bills and resolutions forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a fiscal note uh that shows the first year about $100,000 and increases $100,000 each year up
• There's a fiscal note<00:04:29.600> uh<00:04:29.680> that<00:04:30.000> shows<00
• note. but I I'm in a vacuum.
• <00:14:24.240> note.
• But I do know that Keys did request for fiscal year 27.5 million, and in fiscal year 28 they've requested

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:42.360> overview, provide us with a fiscal overview, provide us with a fiscal overview
• Uh we occurred in state fiscal year '23.
• So just to note that. And then to also note again the importance of maximizing 4E claiming.
• Money may on today's a new fiscal year.
• in what would be our fiscal year partial mostly<00:54:50.240> fiscal<00:54:50.600> year

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:19 DCBS 00:01:58, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For FY25, the GRT estimate was increased by $76 million over the December fiscal year.
• The fiscal impacts were a little lower than expected because of taxpayer activity.
• And as we always note with this slide...
• In fiscal year 2026, early childhood funding amounted to $918 million.
• I would just note that Montessori is not part of that; Waldorf's not part of that.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there was a fiscal note that I appreciate at zero cost, Chair.
• And there was a fiscal note that I appreciate at zero cost, Chair.
• And there was a fiscal cultured food.
• And there was a fiscal note<00:43:50.319> that<00:43:50.640> I<00:43:50.960> appreciate
• I’m glad you pointed it out, and I’d like everyone to note this moment of bipartisan hazing.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I didn't put it in there because they'll get me on a fiscal note if I do that.
• I worked out these without a fiscal note and I, uh, left off anything that was going to get me a fiscal
• That, well, I wouldn't think that would raise a fiscal note.
• So this would add a $1 million fiscal note as you might expect.
• Rep Guilhan doesn't want a fiscal note to tank the bill.

Bills: HB304

Keywords: franchise tax credit, food desert, grocery store, healthy corner store, nutrition assistance, economic development, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• Please note that the House is not responsible for any bad connection or other issues to be able to give
• this in the um the I didn't note this in the um the governor<00:21:46.440> it's<00:21:46.520>
• Thank you for your testimony today. fiscal year 2026 and 16.5 in 2027 and fiscal year 2026 and 16.5 in
• vote I representative loan I noting vote I representative loan I noting Representative<00:30:42.120
• peruso no and noting Representative peruso no and noting representative<00:30:45.519> quinland

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But the fiscal note isn't on the A4.
• The fiscal note was not complete last The fiscal note was not complete last time<00:59:19.760> it<
• Um but the fiscal note isn't on the A4. Um but the fiscal note isn't on the A4.
• Turner can for a fiscal note and Mr.
• The fiscal note came back zero.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know if staff can answer this, but I was wondering if that fiscal note will include the amount
• I requested a fiscal note, but I did it before the amendment, so the one I requested would not.
• Regarding the fiscal note... She's putting it on the spot, Simone. That's okay, Mr. Chair.
• Yes, we'll find out what the fiscal impact is.
• However, at this time, I want to know, and after the fiscal note, I perhaps will change my mind.

Bills: SB1010, SB1035, SB1058, SB1077, SB1093

Keywords: Charlie Kirk, Loop 202, Arizona highways, transportation, renaming, Arizona Department of Corrections, ADC, corrections, prison, jail, correctional officers, prison guards, staffing, retention, salary increase, pay raise, wage increase, general fund, appropriation, state budget

Summary: The Public Safety Committee met to introduce staff and pages, then heard several bills. SB 1010 would designate Loop 202 as the Charlie Kirk Highway and require signage; an amendment to rename it the Freedom of Speech Highway failed, and the bill received a do-pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote after testimony both supporting the honor and objecting that it could affect existing freeway names, including the Ed Pastor Freeway. SB 1077 would impose felony penalties for using an interactive computer service to facilitate prostitution, pandering, or child sex trafficking, and to require age verification for harmful sexual material; it passed 5-2 after a brief clarification about the law-enforcement defense. SB 1093 would expand the definition of riot to include acts or threats causing property damage and add riot to racketeering and conspiracy provisions; one public commenter opposed it as overbroad and anti-protest, but the bill still passed 4-3. The committee also heard SB 1058, the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, which would bar government firearm registries and restrict merchant category codes tied to firearm purchases. A firearms industry representative said the bill protects financial privacy, and it passed 4-3. SB 1035 would appropriate funds for a 5% salary increase for correctional officers and department civilians; the sponsor and correctional employee representatives said raises are needed for retention, while others argued the increase should also cover private prison employees to preserve parity. The committee adopted a Payne amendment extending the raise to private prison workers under contract with the department, and the amended bill passed 4-3. The committee then adjourned.