Transcript Highlights:

• And on 89, it includes the felony provisions of 61-2, Section 10C. Just waiting on counsel.
• It includes the, go there all the way towards the end, 89, it's adding the felony provisions of 61 to

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate began with recognitions and introductions, including visiting first sergeants, congratulations to the WVU rifle team for its national championship, and a virtual introduction from France. The chamber then took up a series of House messages and conference actions on multiple bills, with Senator Lewis repeatedly explaining amendments and moving concurrence, nonconcurrence, or tabling as appropriate. On Senate Bill 197, relating to sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, the Senate initially considered a House amendment but ultimately withdrew its own amendment and tabled the bill. The chamber then passed several measures after concurring in House amendments, including SB 243 on a disaster repair and recovery tax credit, SB 427 on loan forms, SB 506 on county-owned wireless towers, SB 558 on school bus safety violations, SB 622 extending the mine safety technology tax credit, SB 705 on theft by conversion, SB 772 on moral obligations claims, SB 826 and SB 828 on supplemental appropriations, SB 886 on prescribed fire control, SB 977 on duty-related partial disability benefits, and Senate Joint Resolution 9 on a citizenship requirement for voting. Most of these amendments were described as technical or clarifying, and the bills passed overwhelmingly, often 34-0. The Senate rejected concurrence in the House amendment to SB 691 on utility relocation reimbursements, with Senator Lewis saying the House version would require reimbursement in most cases regardless of timeliness. On SB 133, clarifying the Agriculture Commissioner’s authority over state-owned land, the Senate also refused to concur in the House amendment because it would have shifted funds to general revenue. SB 890, changing school calendar requirements from days or months to hours, drew the only notable floor debate; Senator from the 13th opposed it as reducing instructional time, but the bill passed 26-8 and was made effective July 1, 2027. The session ended with a recess announcement and committee meeting notice.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, are we talking felonies, misdemeanors? Do we know how much?
• I mean, are we talking felonies, misdemeanors? Do we know that?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• offenses that elevates a subsequent battery conviction from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony
• later commits a subsequent active battery on that officer, he would be subject to a third-degree felony

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates a third-degree felony situation if a person makes a false report of an emergency that results
• It creates a second-degree felony if a person makes a false report of an emergency using the 911 system

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee heard and approved three bills. HB 1165 by Rep. Owen would authorize FDOT to issue a special blanket permit for mobile cranes and accessory support vehicles meeting specified size limits, allowing them to travel on and off interstates at all hours, including at night, while still following safety requirements and local travel restrictions. The sponsor and crane industry proponents said the bill would reduce congestion and improve emergency and disaster response. The bill was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. The committee also considered CS for HB 279 by Rep. Partington, which strengthens penalties for misuse of the 911 system. The bill adds restitution requirements for emergency response costs and creates enhanced felony penalties when a false emergency report causes great bodily harm or death. Members raised concerns about juvenile prank calls and suggested awareness efforts in schools; the sponsor said those ideas could be considered separately. A Volusia County Sheriff’s Office representative supported the bill, and it passed favorably by a unanimous vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 177 by Reps. Harris and Woodson, designating a portion of I-Drive as the Harris Rosenway in honor of philanthropist and hotelier Harris Rosen. An amendment was adopted to also designate a bridge in Duval County as the Bernard Wilkes Rebaugh River Bridge in honor of longtime coach Bernard Wilkes. Members spoke in support of both honorees and their community impact. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• accessible to convicted violent felonies accessible to convicted violent felonies living<01:39:34.159
• A person who is convicted of a second or subsequent violation is guilty of a felony.
• If you do it twice, it would be a felony. So if you do it one time, it's a misdemeanor.
• If you do it twice, it would be a felony. >> Senator Heisman. >> Thank you, Mr. President.
• If you have a second one, that would be a felony. >> Senator Heinesman. >> Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And to your point, the state is now saying it's going to participate in felonies, sex offenses, long
• It's the same for, again, felonies.
• It's the same thing.<01:58:59.080> Felonies,<01:59:00.080> uh<01:59:00.160> sex<
• Felonies, uh sex offenses, thing. Felonies, uh sex offenses, serious<01:59:02.120> crimes.
• If you look at the plain language of the bill, felon, all felonies, all long sentences, people in all

Keywords: House streaming session for Saturday, April 11, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House met in session, opened with a prayer, confirmed a quorum, and then moved through a long series of concurrence items and committee reports. Early on, the House rejected Senate amendments to House Bills 14 and 573 and sent messages asking the Senate to recede or appoint conference committees. It also entered conference on House Bill 907 (third degree assault) and on several other measures where the chambers disagreed, including Senate Bill 233 (cemeteries) and Senate Bill 626 (sex designation on birth certificates and IDs). House Bill 501, dealing with sexual offenses by a person in a position of authority, was concurred in and passed unanimously. The House then took up a large concurrence calendar and passed a number of bills with Senate amendments, including House Bill 613 on living shoreline waivers, House Bill 315 on income-based housing subsidies, House Bill 548 on development rights and the Maryland Housing Certainty Act, House Bill 571 on nonprofit housing corporation tax exemptions, House Bill 895 on predatory pricing and protected class data, House Bill 1430 on charter school facilities funding, House Bill 1076 on over-the-counter contraception access and reporting, House Bill 624 on hospital staffing committees and plans, House Bill 811 on aging-in-place and multi-generational third places, House Bill 939 on birth certificate filing time periods, House Bill 1151 on a Medicaid hospice reimbursement study, House Bill 1367 on the Commission on Reimagining Healthcare in Maryland, House Bill 828 on State Board of Education membership, House Bill 130 on deed fraud, House Bill 281 on child care provider background checks, House Bill 963 on appointment of personal representatives, House Bill 1326 on child abuse and neglect records, and House Bill 525 on phone-free schools. Several of these were briefly explained on the floor, including changes to shoreline waiver timing, housing and tax provisions, contraceptive access concerns, hospital staffing protections, and the school phone policy’s exemptions. The chamber also received committee reports that advanced additional bills for third reading, including House Bill 1020 and Senate Bill 654 on the State Police Retirement System mandatory retirement age, Senate Bill 877 on Baltimore City stop sign monitoring systems, Senate Bill 940 on water quality testing, House Bill 44 on plain-language ballot questions, Senate Bill 215 on the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund, Senate Bill 627 designating Korean American Day, and Senate Bill 634 on county discrimination complaints. No final votes were taken on those reported bills in the portion provided; the report simply adopted favorable reports and ordered the bills printed for third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• is adding the element of criminal negligence with a motor vehicle to the statute, creating an F5 felony
• they're going to be in or what call they're going to or who they're going to pull over or who's speeding
• We are trying to legislate at the speed of AI and without a start, without staking claim to some place

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and it lists the criminal convictions, for example, felonies, gun crimes, receiving... ...private
• For example, assault, gun crimes, uh felony theft, you probably don't want those people guarding your
• For example, assault, gun crimes, uh felony theft, you probably don't want those people guarding your
• Uh, and it lists the criminal convictions, for example, felonies, gun crimes, receiving... theft, you
• lists the criminal convictions, for lists the criminal convictions, for example,<00:05:22.800> felonies

Bills: HF2233, HF1524, HF1893, HF1396, HF2456, HF2959, HF2300, HF2412, HF3022, HF2825, HF1862, HF1373, HF1039, HF3070

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:09:54.880> criminal federal authorities when felony criminal federal authorities when
• She pleaded guilty to a class 5 felony, conspiracy to flee the scene of an accident with severe bodily
• The maximum sentence for this felony is three years in prison. He left her at the scene to die.
• that<03:19:18.880> embraces that embraces that embraces 34 34 34 felonies, felonies, felonies
• 34 criminal felonies to be exact. 34 criminal felonies to be exact.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and then moved out of order to consider Senate Joint Resolution 006 on immigration. The resolution reaffirmed support for immigrant Coloradans, emphasized their economic and cultural contributions, and called for transparent, accountable federal immigration enforcement, including an end to masked or unidentified enforcement tactics and limits on actions near schools, clinics, courthouses, faith spaces, and other sensitive locations. It also urged humane federal immigration reform, stronger state transparency tools, and protection of First Amendment rights and peaceful protest. Representative Joseph and Representative Brics spoke in strong support of the resolution, arguing that immigrants are integral to Colorado and that aggressive enforcement has caused fear, family separation, and harm in communities. They cited examples of alleged federal overreach and personal stories of affected constituents to argue for dignity, accountability, and reform. Representative Baron opposed the resolution as written, saying some parts were acceptable but others were too partisan; he offered an amendment that would emphasize legal immigration, federal authority over immigration enforcement, and a more bipartisan framing. The amendment debate centered on whether the proposal was truly bipartisan and whether the resolution should be narrowed to focus on legal immigration and federal jurisdiction. Supporters of the amendment said it better reflected shared values and legal realities, while resolution sponsors rejected the changes and asked for a no vote. The transcript ends during continued debate over the amendment, with no final vote on the resolution or amendment shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• In response, Senate Bill 73 made it a felony to remove voted ballots from the custody of county registrars
• Extending those provisions, Senate Bill 1418 would make it a felony to remove additional forms of election
• Extending those provisions, Senate Bill 1418 would make it a felony to remove additional forms of election

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, a CBS News article from two weeks ago entitled, 'Michigan dentist facing 43 felony charges
• A Northfield, Michigan dentist is facing 43 felony charges in an alleged Medicaid fraud scheme, Michigan
• Some states, Colorado, Washington state, allow individuals with a serious felony conviction and an unencumbered

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved several journals, and welcomed a number of guests, including Irish dignitaries, scholarship winners, interns, student pages, and members of Omega Psi Phi. After confirming a quorum, the chamber received committee reports and referred new bills and resolutions, then recessed for caucuses and committee meetings before returning to floor action. In the afternoon session, the House considered several bills and amendments. It approved amendments to House Bills 426, 1127, 2551, and Senate Bill 146, while rejecting an amendment to HB 1127 that would have tightened background-check requirements for out-of-state dentists. The chamber also agreed to HB 2234, which creates a spent grain donation tax credit and updates the malt beverage tax credit, and HB 2551, which limits text-message notices by the Turnpike Commission and other agencies about unpaid fines, fees, or tolls. Senate Bill 146, creating the Veterans Trust Fund Board, was amended to add audit-related changes and then agreed to. The House then took final passage votes on several bills. HB 133, allowing a process to petition for reinstatement of parental rights, passed 191-11; HB 138, barring parental incarceration as the sole basis for termination of parental rights, passed 200-2; HB 2207, on capital development loans, passed 202-0; and HB 2224, dealing with utility rate and tax-related changes, passed 202-0 after extensive debate over affordability, consumer protections, and tax relief. HB 2473, repealing the Flood Insurance Education Information Act of 1996, also passed unanimously, and HB 2544, addressing school administrator rights and compensation disputes, passed 141-61. The most extensive debate centered on HB 2632, which reallocates educational tax credit caps and replaces the EITC and OSTC programs with a new options tax credit framework beginning in 2027-28. Supporters said it would improve transparency, accountability, and access for the poorest students, while opponents argued it would reduce scholarship opportunities, add burdens, and harm families and schools that rely on the current programs. After lengthy debate, the House passed HB 2632 by a vote of 105-97. The chamber then announced a Finance Committee voting meeting, recommitted several bills to Appropriations, and adjourned until June 23, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be a felony under state law for someone to order, bring, or keep troops, or want to order, bring
• polling location, which actually under federal law now would be the equivalent of a third degree felony
• So I don't understand why the necessity of creating a felony in something that should be regulated well

Bills: SB23, SB221, SB261, SB264

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, misappropriation, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, racketeering, criminal penalties, New Mexico, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, election integrity, voter coercion, emergency procedures, polling place security

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and they charged him, by the way, they charged him with felony assault on a police officer.
• That's what he got charged with felony assault on a peace officer.
• does require that there is a background conducted and that there's a I, I know they can't have a felony

Bills: SB 36

Keywords: transportation, regional authorities, mobility, infrastructure, sales tax

Transcript Highlights:

• with the exception of Medicaid fraud, county attorneys are responsible for charging and prosecuting felonies
• Primary responsibility for felony-level prosecution rests with county attorneys, but under Section 8.01
• He's also, in the end, which you didn't know, he's been convicted of 21 felonies.

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates a third-degree felony if a person willingly enters or remains in a restricted area during
• outlines criminal penalties, making gift card fraud either a first-degree misdemeanor or a third-degree felony
• And then to saddle them with a felony conviction, seven years in prison, it's just too much.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a long agenda of 20 bills, beginning with CS/HB 1173 on the Florida Trust Code, which clarified that the Florida Attorney General is the only public official with standing to enforce charitable trusts administered in Florida; it was amended and reported favorably. The committee also unanimously or near-unanimously approved several claims and relief bills, including HB 6507 for Marcus Button, HB 6523 for Darlene Engerville and J.R., HB 6525 for Eric and Jennifer Miles, HB 6529 for J.N., and HB 6519 for the estate of Beniel Hambier, all involving settlements or compensation for injuries or wrongful death. Other measures reported favorably included CS/HB 213 on commercial squatters, CS/HB 1447 on trespass at large-scale ticketed events, CS/HB 515 updating the Uniform Commercial Code for virtual currency and related technologies, CS/HB 1007 on gift card fraud, CS/HB 1049 on protection of court officials, CS/HB 1219 on non-compete and garden leave agreements, CS/HB 399 on stolen valor in the ethics code, CS/HB 57 on xylazine regulation, HB 901 on court-appointed psychologists, and CS/HB 265 on enforcing terrorism-related judgments against frozen assets. Most of these bills had support from industry, law enforcement, or affected parties and passed with little or no opposition. The most contested measure was CS/HB 1517, which would expand Florida’s wrongful death statute to include parents of unborn children as survivors. Supporters argued it would allow families to recover damages when negligence causes the loss of a pregnancy, while opponents—including the ACLU of Florida, Planned Parenthood affiliates, reproductive rights advocates, and some committee members—warned it could be used to advance fetal personhood, chill medical care, and empower abusive partners or others to sue over abortion-related conduct. The sponsor said the bill remained within the wrongful death framework and included protections for mothers and lawful medical providers, but the committee still reported it favorably on a 14-6 vote. CS/HB 903, a corrections bill addressing inmate litigation, sentencing, execution methods, tracking devices, health services, and offender review appointments, also drew debate over a proposed tolling amendment and due process concerns; the amendment failed and the bill passed 16-5. CS/HB 57 on xylazine likewise saw debate over whether penalties should target users or traffickers, but the committee rejected a narrowing amendment and passed the bill 20-1. Several bills were amended in committee, often with technical or clarifying changes, including CS/HB 1219, HB 1351 on sexual offender and predator registration, and HB 901. Public testimony was generally supportive on the non-controversial bills, especially from law enforcement, business groups, and affected claimants. At the end of the meeting, Rep. Gottlieb offered a personal correction, acknowledging he had wrongly criticized FOP in a prior meeting after learning the organization had, in fact, contacted him. The committee then adjourned after completing the full agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• was the first act that he was, your son was convicted of, that within three years picked up another felony
• They don’t know the difference between felonies and misdemeanors.
• They don’t know the difference between felonies and misdemeanors.

Summary: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee met with Vice Chair Smith presiding in Chair Martin’s excused absence. After opening remarks from several senators, the committee heard a presentation from Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon on the state’s incentivized prisons program and related population-management efforts. Dixon said the department now operates eight incentivized prisons, which use enhanced privileges and programming for well-behaved inmates, and reported major reductions in disciplinary reports, staff assaults, inmate-on-inmate assaults, and uses of force compared with average institutions. He also described administrative management units for more disruptive inmates, short-sentence correctional institutions for those with less than a year to serve, and a reentry strategy that places inmates closer to home within 18 months of release. Dixon said Florida’s recidivism rate has fallen to about 21 percent, among the lowest in the nation, and emphasized that staffing, programming, and facility repairs remain ongoing needs. Committee members asked about access to education and workforce training, staffing levels, contraband, technology upgrades, heating and air-conditioning maintenance, and whether incentivized prisons could be expanded. Dixon said educational access is improving but remains limited by eligibility and staffing, that the incentivized facilities are at capacity, and that expansion depends on adding more administrative management unit beds. He also said the department is increasing use of technology, improving maintenance oversight, and continuing efforts to reduce contraband and improve staff recruitment and retention. Several senators praised the department’s work and urged more funding for prison infrastructure and officer pay. Public testimony largely supported the incentivized prisons model while calling for more seats, better staffing, and broader reforms. Family members of incarcerated people said the facilities were safer, more stable, and better for rehabilitation, though they asked for more programming, better treatment by staff, and clearer access to education and release-related opportunities. A Florida PBA representative emphasized that programs can only succeed with safe staffing levels and better pay and retention for correctional officers. No formal committee vote or bill action was taken, and the meeting ended after public testimony and closing remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• The response was that, since that time, some actions a particular inmate had been doing are now a felony
• witness said the legislature changed the law, at the department's request, making that conduct a felony

Summary: The Joint Budget Committee’s Claims Review and Litigation Oversight Subcommittee met to consider two proposed litigation settlements from the Department of Corrections and one appealed claim from the Claims Commission. In the first settlement, Caroline Arnett v. Larry Norris, et al., members asked about the underlying sexual assault allegations, whether policies had changed, and whether PREA audits and other safeguards were in place. The department said audits were underway and that steps had been taken to prevent similar conduct. The committee approved the settlement by voice vote. In the second settlement, Latasha Ridgel v. Arkansas Department of Corrections, members raised concerns about the length of the case and the fact that it involved similar allegations. The department cited attorney turnover, COVID-related delays, and scheduling difficulties; the settlement was approved by voice vote. The committee then reviewed Sharon Greer and Deanna Hayes v. Commissioner of State Lands, an appeal of a Claims Commission dismissal involving a 2009 tax sale of family property in Crittenden County. The claimants said they did not learn of the sale or the $4,200 in excess proceeds until 2025, and argued that notice was inadequate and that the overage should not have gone to the county. The Commissioner of State Lands’ office responded that notice was sent to addresses on file, certified mail receipts were returned, and a post-sale notice explained the process for contesting the sale and claiming excess proceeds. The office also argued the claim was untimely, that the commission lacked jurisdiction, and that state law bars monetary damages against the commissioner for actions related to tax-delinquent land sales. Members discussed broader concerns about the tax-sale and excess-proceeds process, including whether excess proceeds should be held longer or routed differently, but noted those issues would require legislative changes rather than action in this case. The committee then voted to affirm the Claims Commission’s dismissal of the claim. The meeting adjourned after the motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill would do would make Theft of a firearm is a Class C2 felony, regardless of the price of
• Representative, does this change any limits on any other felonies in this bill?

Bills: HB3419, HB4153, HB3430, HB3791, HB3277, HB4119, HB4408, HB3905, HB3968, HB3835, HB3386, HB2650, HB3742, HB3588, HB3748, HB4303, HB4311, HB3028, HB4428, HB4429, HB4132, HB1889, HB3265, HB1739, HB4434, HB3313, HB3852, HB4263, HB3413, HB3414, HB3415, HB3416, HB3417, HB3418, HB3420, HB2116, HB2206, HB3625, HB2939, HB3721, HB1823, HB2425, HB4440, HJR1087, HB4003, HJR1077, HB1770, HB1675, HB3627, HB3891, HJR1067, HB3462, HJR1053, HJR1054, HJR1044, HB3472, HB1225, HJR1019, HB4145, HJR1081, HB1746, HJR1069, HJR1050, HB1638, HB3327, HJR1055, HB3127, HB4488, HB2955, HB3781, HB3783, HB3802, HB2471, HB2937, SCR16, HB2960, HB3466, HB3262, HB3269, HB3152, HB4140, HB4142, HB3148, HB3378

Keywords: corruption, nonpublic information, government accountability, criminal law, public office, driver license, reading proficiency, minors, education requirements, alternative testing, attendance, remedial reading, public school, oath of enrollment, court financial obligations, cost hearing, payment plan, community service, court compliance program, debt relief

Transcript Highlights:

• Forensic Client, APD, assists those with developmental disabilities who have been convicted of a felony
• persons are securely housed and provided competency training in order to return to court to face their felony

Transcript Highlights:

• So my understanding is if everyone at the party is going to be charged with a class C felony at this
• a party and I definitely didn't know about something and then I'm putting myself in a place for a felony

Bills: SB210, SB176, SB167, SB244, SB218, SB9, SB153, SB9

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, controlled substances, unlawful distribution, marijuana, violent offense, sentencing guidelines, criminal justice, DUI, driving under the influence, drunk driving, fatal crash, vehicular homicide, child support, survivor benefits, orphaned child, guardian death