Transcript Highlights:

• And uh, I'm keeping a list of those exemptions.
• Um, and there are a number of reasonable exemptions currently in the bill.
• Um, and there are a number of reasonable exemptions currently in the bill.
• <00:45:25.760> for that there is currently no exemption for that there is currently no exemption
• 571, I'm against libraries being exempt 571, I'm against libraries being exempt from<01:20:44.320

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe these exemptions should be rare, narrow, and used only when necessary.
• I believe these exemptions should be rare, narrow, and used only when necessary.
• I believe these exemptions should be rare, narrow, and used only when necessary.
• I believe these exemptions should be rare, narrow, and used only when necessary.
• I don't like public records exemptions and use them in a very limited way.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a brief introduction of the doctor of the day before moving to the special order calendar. The chamber first took up several claims bills, including SB 6/HB 6507 for relief of L.E. through the Department of Children and Families, which was described as compensation for severe injuries after DCF returned the child to unsafe parents; the House bill was substituted and passed 34-0. SB 26 for the estate of Mark Legata, involving catastrophic injuries tied to FDOT negligence, was also substituted with the House version and passed 35-0. SB 42/HB 47 on specific medical diagnoses and child protective investigations passed 34-0 after supporters said it would require child protection teams to consider certain medical conditions that can mimic abuse. Later, SB 1002 on child welfare passed 37-0 after sponsors said it clarifies that parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect and allow earlier court intervention and services, while not changing parental rights law. The Senate then considered education and health-related measures. SB 206/HB 851 on students with autism spectrum disorder was amended to the House bill and passed 35-0; the sponsor said it expands teacher preparation, requires autism-related training, creates a loan forgiveness program, and adds salary supplements for teachers with autism endorsements. SB 556/HB 453 on high school diploma requirements passed 36-0 and would allow students with disabilities to use Special Olympics participation to satisfy PE requirements, while also fixing a marching band credit issue. SB 688 on naturopathic medicine passed 33-3, reestablishing licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors. SB 878/HB 1347 on clinical laboratory personnel passed 37-0 to address staffing shortages by aligning Florida more closely with federal CLIA standards. SB 914/HB 867 on dry needling by occupational therapists passed 37-0, clarifying authority for that treatment. SB 530 on state lotteries passed 36-0 with updates to operations, security, and retailer rules. SB 964/HB 6011 on financial disclosures and gifts/honoraria passed 36-0 after an amendment restored a percentage-based reporting option. The chamber also approved several government-administration and public-records measures. SB 326/HB 131 on curators of estates passed 36-0, updating probate rules for temporary court-appointed curators. SB 758/HB 625 on the Justice Administrative Commission passed 37-0 after an amendment broadened the judicial member to a judge or senior judge rather than only a circuit judge. SB 830 on public records passed 31-5, creating exemptions for the personal information of county and city managers and certain family members. The Senate also passed SB 21/HB 218 on land use regulations, which preserves hurricane-recovery restrictions in affected counties while lifting them later for unaffected counties, and the sponsor thanked colleagues for helping address unintended consequences from prior law. SB 354 on Blue Ribbon Projects was debated extensively over concerns about local control, conservation protections, and vague standards; after a late amendment excluding data centers from commercial areas, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than passed. Finally, SB 1632/HB 1471 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles and domestic terrorist designations drew significant debate over references to Sharia law, religious freedom, notice, and due process; one amendment striking Sharia references failed, and a second amendment with broader revisions was under discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 748 by Representative Brough is an act in Title 17 relative to toll exemptions on ferries,
• The bill expands the current law, which already provides total exemptions for students traveling to and
• from school on school buses. ...the current law, which already provides total exemptions for students
• Farm equipment remains exempt from certain portions of the law, but when operated on a public roadway
• So this Senate Bill 961 is aimed at trying to make sure our seniors who are exempt from property taxes

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And they wanted to exempt products that the military uses or needs for their work.
• Um and they wanted to exempt<01:22:25.120> products<01:22:25.760> that<01:22:26.159>
• the<01:22:26.400> military<01:22:26.880> uses exempt products that the military uses
• exempt products that the military uses or<01:22:27.440> needs<01:22:27.760> for<01:22:
• issue of exempting the feds. issue of exempting the feds. >> Yes.<01:25:11.120> Yes.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, the bill provides a few exemptions.
• a few exemptions on the bill.<00:21:11.760> Uh,<00:21:12.000> radio,<00:21:12.480>
• A website, newspaper, or magazine is exempt if the publication clearly states that the deceptive and
• It also removes the exemption of a political candidate consenting to be depicted in a manipulated ad.
• :26.320> a<00:24:26.559> political removes the exemption of a political removes the exemption

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the medically fragile definition of exemption.
• The first change is increasing work requirements and reducing work exemptions.
• So there were a series of exemptions that folks had.
• For instance, if they were over age 55, they were exempt from work requirements.
• Now they only get that exemption until age 14. The kids are age 14.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on the effects of H.R. 1 on Washington’s Medicaid, developmental disability, long-term care, and food assistance systems, followed by a separate discussion of juvenile rehabilitation caseloads and placement capacity. DSHS officials said HR1 could affect home equity rules, immigration-related eligibility, work requirements for some expansion-population enrollees, and provider taxes, while also creating a future opportunity for a new 1915(c) waiver. Advocates and providers warned that any state response that cuts home and community-based services would worsen already thin provider networks, increase waiting lists, push more people into hospitals or out-of-state placements, and strain families and workers. A pediatric behavioral health expert and a supported living provider said Medicaid reimbursement is already too low and further reductions would threaten outpatient, residential, and inpatient services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and severe behavioral needs. The committee then turned to SNAP and the state food assistance program. DSHS said HR1 would tighten work requirements and exemptions, end some immigrant eligibility for the federal program, eliminate the SNAP education program, raise state administrative costs, and eventually require Washington to share in benefit costs based on its error rate. Officials estimated large numbers of residents could lose or see reduced benefits, with significant added state costs. Anti-hunger advocates, a food bank director, and a SNAP recipient described the program as essential for low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities, and said the changes would increase paperwork, reduce benefits, and worsen food insecurity while also harming local food economies. Testimony emphasized that food banks cannot replace SNAP and that work requirements may be difficult to meet for caregivers, people with disabilities, and those facing child care or transportation barriers. In the juvenile justice portion, the Caseload Forecast Council presented the JR forecast, which is currently mostly flat through the end of the biennium but expected to grow modestly over the longer term. Members discussed how policy choices, including the 2019 JR-25 law, have increased lengths of stay for adult-sentenced youth in JR, while diversion and other reforms have affected regular JR trends. A court researcher explained the data available to help forecast admissions and noted ongoing efforts to improve data sharing with JR, AOC, and county systems, though staffing and system-lag issues limit how quickly data can be produced. Juvenile court administrators and DCYF officials described the community-based juvenile justice continuum, rising complexity in the JR population, overcrowding at Green Hill and placement constraints at Echo Glen and Harbor Heights, and the need for more flexible community transition and mental health capacity. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:25:56.400> from House Bill 1520, Courts Exemption from House Bill 1520, Courts Exemption
• veteran, applies certain exemption veteran, applies certain exemption provisions<01:26:15.160>
• > this<01:51:12.520> $750 exempt deer hunting from this $750 exempt deer hunting from this
• If we exempt exempt exempt deer<01:52:06.880> hunters<01:52:07.280> from<01:52:07.480><
• <01:53:10.680> from<01:53:10.840> this then you're exempt from this then you're exempt

Keywords: House streaming session for Saturday, March 21, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 126 members present, heard the prayer, approved the previous day’s journal, and then took up a series of Senate messages and committee reports. Senate bills on consent calendars 21 and 22 were read the first time and referred to committees. The House then adopted favorable reports, often without amendment, on a wide range of bills including workers’ compensation evaluation procedures (HB 1325), a state shark designation (HB 97), several local alcoholic beverages measures, commemorative months for Muslim American Heritage and Jewish American Heritage (HB 661), and local license commissioner changes in Anne Arundel, Worcester, Harford, Baltimore City, and Prince George’s counties. Several bills were amended before being ordered printed for third reading. HB 121 (Baltimore County alcohol sales) was amended to change the sponsor to the Baltimore County delegation. HB 1335 on Department of Information Technology workforce recruitment and retention was amended to convert the measure into a study and recommendations report. HB 1037 on PSC oversight of broadband and VoIP was similarly amended from direct oversight to a study and report. HB 1164 on water and sewage rate consolidation and limited-income mechanisms was amended to remove rate-consolidation provisions, require a PSC study, and delay implementation. HB 1381 on stopping or parking in bike lanes added exceptions for emergency, transit, disability pickup/drop-off, disabled vehicles, loading/unloading, and construction or maintenance; HB 1504 prioritized sidewalk and bicycle pathway projects near highways with complete streets or Vision Zero policies; HB 912 adjusted community cat trap-neuter-return rules; and HB 969 clarified electric vehicle charging billing and service fees. The most extended debate centered on HB 639, the Transportation Aviation Passenger Health and Safety Act. After amendments turned it into a reporting measure for fixed-base operators and aviation service companies regarding flights carrying detained individuals, warrants, refueling, and emergency-response documentation, members questioned its practical operation, safety implications, and possible federal preemption issues. The floor leader explained the bill as amended was intended to gather information for Maryland safety and emergency planning. On motion of the committee chair, the House agreed to special order HB 639 until the end of the session for further clarification. The House also amended and advanced HB 1063 on hunting management, including deer damage permits and Sunday hunting rules, and heard a brief statement from an Eastern Shore delegate about the Rural Caucus’s approach to offering amendments rather than opposing bills outright. The session ended with HB 972, creating the Maryland Fair and Agricultural Education Promise Fund, amended to rename the bill in honor of the late Delegate Charles Otto and to replace lottery funding with an annual appropriation; the House adopted the amendments and the favorable report.

Transcript Highlights:

• :20.840> this By exempting agricultural workers this By exempting agricultural workers this amendment
• So, this amendment would exempt Chair.
• So again, in an attempt to exempt small businesses from this new law is just unacceptable.
• So again, in an attempt to exempt small businesses from this new law is just unacceptable.
• So again, in an attempt to exempt small businesses from this new law is just unacceptable.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• electric rateayers money, an exemption electric rateayers money, an exemption for<01:13:59.760><
• <02:47:48.880> some uh GOP Chair Baker uh to exempt some uh GOP Chair Baker uh to exempt some
• Many of those are five employees or less, and we tried to get an exemption for that.
• Many of those are five employees or less, and we tried to get an exemption for that.
• Many of those are five employees or less, and we tried to get an exemption for that.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• FOIA has also suffered from agencies over-withholding records under the law's exemptions, and agency
• In the 2016 amendments, recognizing that unnecessary secrecy remains rampant in agency claims of exemption
• , Congress enacted the foreseeable harm requirement that exemptions not be claimed merely because they
• are not capable of making that determination. why an agency or a government entity would prefer to exempt
• are very broad, or other sorts of exemptions they're using to force us into court to fight them for

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee substitute changes subsection B to exempt land that was annexed with the landowner's consent
• It also exempts municipal services to be provided under a contract with another governmental entity or
• It's farmland, so it's ag exempt or whatever.
• It's, it's again it's ag exempt anyway.
• My bill exempts under paragraph B, this is on page 2.

Bills: HB24

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management

Transcript Highlights:

• PROHIBITS EXEMPTIONS FOR BACKGROUND SCREENINGS FOR EDUCATORS CERTIFICATION.
• CHAIRMAN, I GENUINELY DON'T LIKE PUBLIC RECORDS EXEMPTIONS SO OTHER THAN STATING THE OBVIOUS, WALK ME
• THROUGH WHY THIS PUBLIC RECORDS EXEMPTION IS PARTICULARLY NECESSARY AND IF POSSIBLE MAYBE GIVE ME SOME
• HELP ME SENATOR BURGESS BY GIVING ME ANY EVIDENCE THAT WOULD SUGGEST THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF THIS EXEMPTION
• QUESTION I WOULD SAY AND ACTUALLY CHAIR PIZZO WAS REFERENCING IF THE DEPUTY SHERIFF WHO IS OBVIOUSLY EXEMPT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So Senate Bill 268 creates a public records exemption for our governor, the cabinet, and elected officials
• We know that judges and prosecutors have exemptions for this sort of thing.
• It clarifies the application of the exemption to current public officers.
• These exemptions roll off when people vacate these positions, and it requires individuals who claim the
• exemption to provide the specific information to the public records custodian.

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and first took up SB 268, a public records exemption bill for public officers. Senator Brodeur explained the bill on behalf of Senator Jones, saying it would protect partial home addresses, phone numbers, and certain family information for the governor, cabinet members, and other elected officials because of threats and harassment against public servants. An amendment narrowing and clarifying the definition of public officer and the process for claiming the exemption was adopted without objection. Chair Fine and Senator Brodeur both spoke in support of the bill, citing personal experiences with threats and the need to protect officials and their families. CS for SB 268 was then reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then heard a presentation from Brandon Spencer, Director of State Purchasing and Chief Procurement Officer at the Department of Management Services, on state agency procurement and contracting practices, including IT procurements. He described the state’s procurement structure, including state term contracts, alternate contract sources, and agency procurements, and said the division now manages more than 960 enterprise-wide agreements, with that number continuing to grow. He also highlighted that roughly 21% of purchase order spend is on IT services, discussed statutory requirements for IT procurements, and said the division is working with Florida Digital Service to improve oversight, training, vendor accountability, and procurement options. No committee action followed the presentation, and the meeting adjourned after no further business was raised.

Transcript Highlights:

• An act exempting Stephen Justice from the maximum age requirement for appointment to the position of
• An act exempting Javier Vargas from the maximum age requirement for the position of firefighter in the
• An act exempting Britain Spruill from the maximum age requirement for the position of firefighter in
• An act exempting Freddie Castaneda from the maximum age requirement for the position An act exempting

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a recognition by Senator Driscoll of a Milton team that won its first Division II state championship, finishing 25-1-1 and defeating King Philip 2-1 at TD Garden. He thanked the players, captains Sabrina Stone and Marin Hart, and the coaching staff for the achievement. The chamber then took up several local bills on final passage, including firefighter and police age exemptions for individuals in Haverhill, a memorial overpass designation in Sandwich, a name change for the Williamsburg Board of Selectmen to Select Board, and a gender-neutral charter change for Chicopee. The Senate passed these bills to be enacted, and they were sent to the Governor. The Senate also adopted a resolution celebrating the 150th anniversary of St. Paul’s Church of Palmer. In committee and procedural business, the Public Health Committee reported a bill related to protecting Massachusetts public health from PFAS substances and referred it to Ways and Means. The Ways and Means Committee reported a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill with a substitute text, and the Senate adopted an order placing it on the Orders of the Day for second reading on April 9, 2026, with amendment rules specified. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer a House petition naming the American lobster the official crustacean of the Commonwealth to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. The Senate adopted an order to reconvene on Monday at 11:00 a.m., dispensed with printing a calendar, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I’ll briefly mention these tax exemptions that are being repealed.
• Line 6, members: this is the TPT exemption for solar energy devices.
• Repealing that exemption on line 6 would net additional annual revenue of about $30 million.
• This These tax exemptions that are being repealed.
• Line 6 members, this is the TBT exemption for solar energy devices.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I’ll just briefly mention these tax exemptions that are being repealed.
• Line 6, members, this is the TPT exemption for solar energy devices.
• Repealing that exemption on line 6 would net additional annual revenue of about $30 million.
• This These tax exemptions that are being repealed.
• Line 6 members, this is the TBT exemption for solar energy devices.

Summary: The meeting began with a JLBC presentation on the state budget proposal. Staff reviewed revenue changes from the April forecast, which lowered expected growth slightly, and then walked through major tax policy provisions. Those included full conformity with HR1 for the current tax year, a shift to the provisions of SB 1106 for future tax years, new deductions for retirement/pension distributions and Roth IRA contributions, an increase in the dependent credit, and a child and dependent care subtraction. Staff said the tax changes had an overall fiscal impact of about $1.4 billion over four years. They also described offsets from repealing several tax credits and exemptions, including solar-related tax breaks, a renewable energy production credit, a new employment tax credit, a refundable R&D credit for smaller employers, and a pollution-control device credit, totaling about $75 million in added revenue. Another budget item would redirect Arizona Commerce Authority Competes Fund lottery distributions to the general fund. Members asked questions about the budget’s effect on ACCESS eligibility checks, state employee health insurance funding, and cuts to one-time funding for area agencies on aging and Alzheimer’s programs. The committee then moved to caucus items on several bills. HB 2249, as amended by the Senate, would expand the parents’ bill of rights to include access to a child’s complete educational record and notice if school staff facilitate social transitioning, and would require investigation of prior violations; the sponsor concurred with the amendment. HB 2035 would require DCS and courts to identify and consider extended family for kinship foster care placement, with Senate changes shortening a reporting deadline and adding adopted family members to the definition. HB 2170 would bar state contracts for electronic or IT goods with PRC-controlled companies, with a certification requirement added in the Senate. HB 2573 would remove a waiting period for ignition interlock restricted licenses after DUI revocation and adjust psychotherapy language. HB 2415 on kratom would classify synthetic kratom as a narcotic drug and add advertising, packaging, and retail restrictions, but the sponsor intended to refuse the Senate changes. HB 2873 would let local petition sponsors withdraw municipal referendum petitions retroactively, which members noted could affect the Marana data center petition effort. The final bill discussed, SB 1798, would create a Financial Aid Awareness Program in the Department of Education to recognize schools that support FAFSA completion. Members questioned whether the department would need additional staff or resources, but no fiscal note had been provided. The meeting ended with recognition of interns and a brief photo opportunity before the caucus moved into closed session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Avila: To identify a surplus of affordable housing in order to opt out of the Live Local exemption
• These projects will continue receiving the exemption for each subsequent consecutive year.
• Senator Avila: That the same owner or successive owner applies for and are granted the exemption.
• With regard to sales tax provisions, the bill permanently exempts liquefied petroleum gas tanks with
• included in the temporary disaster preparedness sales tax holiday and are now being made permanently exempt

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2423 by Goodwin relating to the exemption for the definition of abortion for the treatment of miscarriage
• who referred to the Committee of Land and Resource Management HB 2481 by Carrie relating to the exemptions
• To exemption from adverarum taxation of certain property owned by a charitable organization that is engaged
• HJR 117 by Lopez and Cameron proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing legislator to exempt from
• HJR 119 by Compos proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide an exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2022, the city secured a statutory exemption for the projects to ensure they could continue working
• The bill before you today seeks to clarify requirements of the exemption.
• And so we had to bring forward an amendment to make sure that we exempted those 400 acres so that it
• AB 609 is a broad, simplified exemption for infill housing.
• prevent greenfield developments from being able to take advantage of this exemption.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development heard a long agenda focused mainly on housing production, higher education facilities, homelessness, and permitting reform. Early items included AB 6, which would direct HCD to convene a working group on allowing three- to ten-unit “missing middle” housing to be built under the Residential Code rather than the Building Code; AB 48, a higher education bond proposal that would fund campus repairs, modernization, disaster recovery, and student/employee housing; and AB 76, which would clarify a Chula Vista university innovation district exemption so the project can include academic buildings and housing without conflicting with surplus land rules. Supporters emphasized affordability, cost savings, student housing needs, and access to education, while members raised questions about implementation, affordability requirements, and project scope. The committee later took votes on these items, with AB 6, AB 48, and AB 76 all moving forward on unanimous or near-unanimous votes to Appropriations. Members also heard AB 595, which would create a state homeownership tax credit pilot to support affordable for-sale housing. The author and supporters argued that California’s homeownership rate is at historic lows and that the bill would help close racial wealth gaps by financing homes working families can buy. The committee approved AB 595 and sent it to Appropriations. The consent calendar, including several other housing-related bills, was also approved unanimously. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to AB 1165, the California Housing Justice Act of 2025, which would require ongoing state investment and a financing plan to address homelessness and housing affordability. The author and witnesses described the scale of homelessness, the limits of one-time funding, and the need for sustained, accountable funding streams. After testimony from housing advocates and people with lived experience, the committee passed AB 1165 on a 10-0 vote to Appropriations. Finally, the committee heard AB 609, a CEQA reform bill that would create a simplified exemption for qualifying infill housing projects in already developed areas. Supporters framed it as a targeted way to reduce delays and costs for housing near jobs and transit, while opponents from environmental justice, labor, and tribal groups warned it could reduce public participation, weaken protections for disadvantaged communities, and create consultation concerns for tribal cultural resources. The author said the bill would not change zoning or affordability tools and would continue to work with opponents on amendments. The bill was moved forward after extensive discussion, with members noting ongoing negotiations on tribal consultation and labor concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what this bill does is provide a public records exemption for investigators under the Agency for
• Public exemptions, public record exemptions are there for a purpose.
• Senate Bill 302 creates a public records exemption for the personal information of current and former
• This bill expands that exemption to include clerks. and others.
• This bill expands that exemption to include clerks of the appellate courts, district court of appeal,

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing guests, students, advocates, and a resolution honoring the late USF men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim. Senators also observed moments of silence for victims of recent campus violence and for former FSU President John Thrasher. The chamber then moved to special order bills, with several members explaining measures and, in some cases, substituting House companions before final passage. Among the bills passed were measures updating child care and early learning provider regulation; strengthening penalties and cost recovery for false reporting and swatting; extending protections against extraordinary medical debt collection; expanding hazardous walking condition criteria for schoolchildren; creating young adult housing support for foster and homeless students; and requiring private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to disclose which accommodations they will provide. The Senate also passed a bill adjusting interest rules for trust accounts funding legal aid, after extended debate over the impact on legal aid funding and banking practices, and a transportation package that was heavily amended to address issues such as school bus camera hearings, beach vehicle use for equipment removal, flooded-street wake restrictions, expectant mother parking permits, micromobility regulation, and traffic signal modernization. The chamber also approved public-records exemptions for Agency for Health Care Administration investigators, Judicial Qualifications Commission employees, and appellate court clerks; a municipal water and sewer rate bill affecting Miami-Dade residents near a plant; motor vehicle offenses involving impersonating law enforcement and obscured license plates; trespass penalties at law-enforcement-controlled locations and large ticketed venues; refund requirements for patient overpayments; stem cell therapy authorization with source and consent limits; and insulin administration authority for direct support professionals and relatives in group homes. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including cardiac emergencies, chemicals and consumer products, and motor vehicle manufacturer/franchise dealer legislation. Most measures passed with strong bipartisan support, though the trust fund interest bill drew notable opposition and passed 28-10, and the Family Empowerment Scholarship bill passed 37-1.