Transcript Highlights:

• You've had say on it through the entire process. We need it.
• 00:02:43.880> through<00:02:43.959> the<00:02:44.080> entire<00:02:44.360> process
• <00:02:45.400> Um say on it through the entire process.
• Um say on it through the entire process.
• medical cannabis after the submission of the applicant's certification form while waiting for confirmation

Bills: SB2057

Keywords: immigration enforcement, sanctuary policy, detainer, ICE, federal immigration authorities, 8 U.S.C. 1357(g), 8 U.S.C. 1373, 8 U.S.C. 1644, deportation, undocumented immigrants, noncitizen, migrant rights, local police cooperation, law enforcement cooperation, hold request, judicial warrant, probable cause, civil immigration enforcement, county police, state police

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met on Thursday, March 5, for a series of decision-making agendas and considered a long list of Senate bills. Early measures included SB 2151, which clarifies state and local authority during emergencies and revises the definition of “emergency”; the committee agreed to restore the broader, long-used definition and add a sunset date, then passed the bill with amendments. SB 3055, concerning false impersonation of an employee organization representative, was amended to remove liquidated damages and passed. Several technical or conforming bills also advanced, including SB 3067, SB 3077, SB 3131, SB 3134, SB 3144, SB 3152, SB 3154, and SB 3249, with most passed with technical amendments or unamended; some members noted reservations on SB 3249. The committee also took up bills affecting public safety, health, and education. SB 3083 was amended to narrow notice requirements for protective orders involving military-affiliated individuals to a designated military security force, and SB 3118 on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children passed as is. SB 3134 modernized emergency medical services statutes, while another SB 3134 item addressed dangerous intoxication and civil protective custody. SB 3262, requiring the Hawaii State Teachers Board to submit nominees to the Board of Education, was amended to include a defective effective date. SB 3315, allowing a one-time medical cannabis purchase while registration is pending, was also amended to a delayed effective date and passed. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on law enforcement and immigration-related proposals. SB 3322, which restricts facial coverings by law enforcement, requires visible identification, and sets agency policies on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, was amended to remove an affirmative defense, make the penalty a misdemeanor, and incorporate exceptions for undercover work and related preparation; it passed with one no vote. SB 3251, barring certain former ICE and Border Patrol personnel from employment in specified state agencies, was narrowed to apply to those with more than 90 cumulative days of such work during a defined period and passed with reservations. SB 2057, a reconsideration measure limiting use of state personnel and funds to assist federal immigration agents beyond their authority, was further amended to clarify definitions, protect First Amendment activity, and preserve cooperation required by federal law; it then passed without objection. The committee adjourned after adopting each measure considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, welcome to the confirmations committee. If you will join me in prayer, I will open this up.
• Ladies, welcome to the confirmations committee.
• We will recognize you in the gallery and let you see your confirmation go through the Senate if your
• Welcome to the confirmations committee.
• Any more work for the confirmations committee today? Hearing none, we are adjourned.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, welcome to the confirmations committee. If you will join me in prayer, I'll open this up.
• Ladies, welcome to the confirmations committee.
• We will recognize you in the gallery and let you see your confirmation go through the Senate if your
• Welcome to the confirmations committee.
• Any more work for the confirmations committee today? Hearing none, we are adjourned.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Persons-Mulicka: The bill modernizes various statutes to provide a more efficient hearing process as
• the Legislature are considered a financial urgency and provides for an expedited impasse resolution process
• this section of law hasn't been updated in many years and there are archaic provisions and from a processing
• , unions subsidize part of that cost, and in others, taxpayers shoulder it, but either way it's a process
• to confirm the status of registration.

Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to this good bill continuing moving through our process.
• I look forward to this good bill continuing moving through our process.
• I look forward to this good bill continuing moving through our process.
• It's just simply not a fair process. So this bill attempts to address those.
• They confirm the speed with their radar that they're trying to use.

Bills: S0382, S0628, S0654, S0696, S0880

Keywords: transportation facility designations, road naming, highway designation, honorary designation, memorial highway, memorial boulevard, memorial interchange, airport naming, FDOT markers, Florida Department of Transportation, State Road 80, SR 80, U.S. 90, U.S. 41, A1A, Turnpike interchange, Kissimmee Park Road, Bobby Bowden, Donald Trump Highway, President Donald J. Trump Highway

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met with a quorum and considered five bills, all of which were reported favorably. First, SB 628 designated a portion of South Navy Boulevard in Pensacola as “Warrior Sacrifice Way” to honor Ensign Joshua Watson, Petty Officer Muhammad Hatham, and Cameron Walters, who were killed in the 2019 Naval Air Station Pensacola attack. Senators spoke in support, emphasizing remembrance and support for the families. The committee then heard CS/SB 382 on electric bicycles and scooters. The bill would require riders on shared pathways to yield to pedestrians, sound an audible signal before passing, and limit speed near pedestrians, while creating an e-bike safety task force and reporting requirements. Law enforcement, local officials, and school board representatives supported the bill and described safety concerns and data gaps, while several senators raised questions about enforcement and asked that e-scooters be addressed more explicitly. The bill was reported favorably. Members also approved SB 880, creating a Miami Northwestern Alumni Association specialty license plate to fund scholarships and school programs, and SB 696, which allows online trademark registration applications and updates Florida’s trademark classification and verification procedures. Finally, the committee took up CS/CS/SB 654 on traffic infraction enforcement cameras for red light, school zone speeding, and school bus violations. The bill and an amendment added guardrails on data use, hearings, reporting, signage, and contract limits; senators raised concerns about privacy, surveillance, and school zone enforcement, and a Hillsborough County sheriff’s representative testified that all-day school zone enforcement has improved safety. All measures were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after recording additional affirmative votes on SB 628 from Senators Martin and Smith.

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff did confirm that the awards that are included here applied before the deadline the council set
• This is a very arduous process, and we really want to thank Amy Smith for taking on this task.
• So I would encourage, if you're in the process of training this individual, that you reach out to CID
• We started the process of getting on the priority listing for consideration for this funding.
• It will be a separate process.

Transcript Highlights:

• That may be part of this process, right?
• You worked with them for this process? No.
• And that you're there to help manage that process and engage with that process, and keeping the goals
• Have you been involved in this process? Yeah.
• This is what regulations are, and this is the process.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring. Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere. Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:40.839> Senator process Senator process Senator aler<00:10:42.839> thank<00:10:43.000
• happen and it can be a lengthy process happen and it can be a lengthy process understood<00:15:44.600
• <01:26:16.960> so voice in uh that challenge process so voice in uh that challenge process
• That's one concern that we have. etc those process is already in place etc those process is already in
• parents and follow the whole process parents and follow the whole process that's<02:10:12.159>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um it has better processes in place.
• And they asked for process um going.
• And most of them come to us with no processing history. They've never processed a loan.
• They've never processing history.
• Um and and processes there.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 409, 22 January, 2026; 1:30 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Mississippi Auctioneer Commission, which requested level funding. PJ Lindsay reported the agency granted 29 new auctioneer applications and 9 new firm applications, received 3 complaints, resolved 1, signed 1 consent order, and issued 1 suspension. Members questioned the commission about its cash balance, reserve levels, and a large variance between prior spending and the FY26 request; staff explained the difference was tied to technology and contractual costs, including planned computer system updates and out-of-state conference travel for board members. The commission also noted that auctioneering oversight is important because an estimated $4.5 billion will flow through Mississippi escrow accounts in 2025. The Board of Optometry then presented its budget and organizational changes. Board leaders said the board had transitioned away from a state employee model to a management company arrangement with JBAR/Cornerstone, which they said saved about $43,000 and improved service and efficiency. They described the creation of a licensing database and a new back-end system, and said the board was generally seeking level funding with a small increase for computer equipment tied to the new system. Committee members asked about the impact on PERS contributions, the former employee’s retirement, the board’s cash balance, lease arrangements, and whether licensees had complained; the board said the change required legislative approval, the former employee retired, the cash balance was about $399,900, and service complaints had decreased. The Mississippi Board of Licensure for Engineers and Surveyors reported a busy FY2025, including moving most licensure applications online, accepting supporting documents by email, expanding K-12 and college outreach, hosting student interns, visiting ABET-accredited schools, decoupling the surveyor exam registration process, and awarding about $400,000 in grants to engineering programs. The board said it licenses about 15,000 engineers and surveyors plus 8,500 interns, with most registrants from out of state, and that its fees are among the lowest nationally. For the budget, the board requested level funding overall but also sought a new investigator position, 5% salary progressions, increased travel funding for national meetings and STEM outreach, more contractual money for internships and IT modifications, additional supplies, and restoration of a $600,000 grant program that is funded every other year to support university and community college engineering and surveying programs. The board said its operations are supported by fees and that its cash balance is about $1.6 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• How are we addressing the intervention process?
• <00:17:43.120> Are addressing the intervention process?
• Are addressing the intervention process?
• <00:18:20.799> requirements processes requirements processes requirements and<00:18:22.799>
• <00:39:57.119> and that for their own processes and that for their own processes and procedures

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission met to approve the November 21, 2025 minutes, making several clerical corrections before adopting them as amended. The edits included adding the date, correcting a misspelled name, clarifying references to a scholarship fund representative’s title, removing an incorrect “DOE” reference, and fixing a few wording errors. The minutes were approved with one abstention from members who were absent. The bulk of the meeting focused on organizing the commission’s work under SB 57 and identifying which special education cost issues should be prioritized for research and reporting. Members discussed a long list of topics, including student referral rates, why students are classified as other health impaired, increases in referrals since school closures, interventions before referral, costs of non-medically necessary services in IEPs and 504 plans, differences between federal and state requirements, reporting of special education costs, out-of-district and residential placements, dispute resolution, Medicaid and insurance use, graduation rates, and adult learning participation. Several members emphasized the need to combine or narrow topics and to gather better data before the report due July 1, 2026. Representative Ames highlighted HB 742, which would eliminate prorated special education aid payments when state appropriations fall short, and explained that the Education Funding Committee recommended interim study. He argued that local districts are bearing too much of the cost and that the state and federal governments should provide more support. Other members raised concerns about rising special education identification rates, possible overidentification, school climate and mental health factors, bullying, staffing, speech therapy access, and residential placements. One member cautioned that DOE website numbers may be inflated or at least difficult to interpret because of how students are counted. Department of Education staff then explained how special education data and costs are monitored. They said student counts are tied to IEPs and SASIDs in the state system, districts are checked through both desk audits and on-site monitoring, and billed services are compared against IEP requirements. They also described IDEA funding, noting that most DOE special education staffing is federally funded, with a large share of federal money flowing through to local education agencies and the remainder supporting administration, monitoring, and training initiatives. Members discussed whether more staff and more robust oversight would improve accuracy and accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a process. This is not going to break the insurance companies.
• I sit on Appropriations, and my vote has been consistent through the process.
• Madam President, my response to that would be, as this bill has made its way through the entire process
• Madam President, my response to that would be, as this bill has made its way through the entire process
• But somewhere in the process, I don't know where, it seems to have changed that we're just getting rid

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened and handled several House messages and conference committee appointments before taking up a series of bills. It appointed conference committees on Senate Bill 2265 and House Bills 1454, 1448, and 1524. The chamber also adopted a Senate amendment to House Bill 1216, delaying its effective date for the copay accumulator prescription drug bill to January 1, 2026, with later renewal timing for non-PERS plans. House Bill 1216 then came up for final passage. Senators debated whether allowing copay accumulator programs to count manufacturer coupons toward deductibles would help patients with expensive drugs or unfairly shift costs to insurers and other policyholders. Supporters said it would help people afford life-saving medications and that the coupon payments go to pharmacies, not insurers; opponents argued it could raise premiums and create perverse incentives for drug pricing. The bill passed 29-18. The Senate also concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 2160, which changes health insurance benefits under the Uniform Group Insurance Program to move from a grandfathered to a non-grandfathered plan, with supporters emphasizing added benefits and flexibility and opponents warning of higher costs and irreversible changes. That bill passed concurrence 33-14 and final passage 39-8. The Senate next concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 2339, the wildfire mitigation bill, which requires utility mitigation plans to be updated every two years, incorporate national electric standards, and creates a rebuttable presumption of reasonable care if the plan is followed. The bill then passed final passage 46-1. The chamber also adopted conference committee reports and passed House Bill 1460 on adult foster care and monitoring devices, House Bill 1440 on cigar lounge tobacco use, and Senate Bill 2374 on insurance-related provisions including property insurance arbitration, managed repair programs, and surplus lines issues; SB 2374 also added a study on towing and recovery coverage. The session ended with announcements of upcoming conference committee meetings and adjournment until April 22, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of bias can call the process into question.
• This codifies the process that some courts already do into law.
• And it protects the process for all parties.
• I'm a member of the Arizona Process Service Association.
• I'm the administrator of the Arizona Process Service Association.

Bills: HB2043, HB2045, HB2046, HB2048, HB2064, HB2074, HB2126, HB2133, HB2144

Keywords: felony murder, unborn child, homicide, Arizona Revised Statutes, life imprisonment, death penalty, drive-by shooting, gun violence, firearms, felony, vehicle forfeiture, driver license revocation, drive by shooting, public safety, criminal penalties, education, funding, school districts, state aid, education reform

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard a series of bills dealing largely with sexual exploitation, homicide, reproductive issues, child support, venue changes, domestic violence service of process, probation notice, and traffic offenses. HB 2133 would require websites distributing sexual material to verify age and consent for each depicted person, including AI-generated or altered images; it drew opposition from Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice over added complexity, and support from survivors and trafficking advocates, and passed 7-1. HB 2043 would expand felony murder to include the death of an unborn child; reproductive rights groups and defense attorneys raised personhood and abortion-related concerns, while prosecutors and victims’ advocates supported it, and it passed 6-2. HB 2144 would allow child support calculations to begin during pregnancy and limit pregnancy-related orders to medical and related expenses; supporters framed it as responsibility and support for pregnant women, while opponents warned about fetal personhood and abortion-related implications, and it passed 6-2.

Transcript Highlights:

• It confirmed drought and wildfire risks.
• They are in the process of reviewing the content that the other...
• That person will be involved in our peer review process we will need to do...
• Again, there are federal requirements with respect to NEPA-like processes.
• It's quite a process, and I now understand the challenges with that process.

Transcript Highlights:

• and contract execution process a lot more efficient.
• and contract execution process a lot more efficient.
• <00:15:29.680> and invoicing and procurement process and invoicing and procurement process
• And we have a standardized process Javs.
• So, there's some through that process.

Keywords: 00:10 Call to order and Roll Call 01:06 Information Items and Introduction of Kentucky Court of Justice 03:02 Discussion of Interpreter State and National Contractor Rates 06:35 Discussion of Certifications 08:44 Discussion of AI use in Interpretation 13:56 Software Service Initiatives 16:47 Data Security and AV system Upgrades 24:38 Drug Court Issues 28:43 Discussion of Jefferson County Record Storage 35:33 Boyle County Courthouse Construction 39.26 KY State Police Driver Testing 45:22 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard a budget overview from the Kentucky Court of Justice focused on mandated services and several growth items in the judicial branch budget. Court officials said the requests were driven by legal and contractual obligations, including higher contractor rates for court interpreters and IT support, annual software-as-a-service costs, and upgrades to the court’s audiovisual record system (JAVS). They also discussed local facilities needs tied to Jefferson County lease space and the Boyle County Courthouse, though the bulk of the presentation centered on the court’s technology and service-delivery costs. Members asked detailed questions about interpreter services, including whether services are provided in person, by phone, or by Zoom, and whether Kentucky could train and certify more local interpreters instead of relying on contractors from around the country. Court officials said the certification process is rigorous, that the branch is working with the National Center for State Courts on an apprenticeship program, and that they believe Kentucky may have flexibility to develop state-level certification if it meets court needs. They also said they are exploring technology and AI tools for translation, but have not found a solution that reliably handles complex courtroom context. Representative Sharp asked whether cases had been delayed for lack of interpreters; officials said they could provide aggregated data later. The court also described its major IT modernization effort, including a statewide case management system, e-filing, and maintenance of many legacy applications. Officials said contractor rates need to be raised to compete for skilled labor during the implementation phase, but that those costs should decline once the new systems are fully built and only maintained. They explained that part of the request covers three SaaS initiatives: ongoing subscription costs for existing systems, annual fees for the CaseWorks system used in pretrial and specialty courts after federal grant funding ends, and adoption of DocuSign to streamline invoicing, procurement, and contract execution. In response to questions from Representative KC Carney, they said cybersecurity is taken seriously, that they recently conducted a tabletop exercise, and that some risk shifts to cloud vendors under contract, though no separate cybersecurity line item was included. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on the JAVS audiovisual court-record system. Court officials said not all courtrooms are on the same version, and they want funding to bring all locations up to the current version and prepare for version 9, which they said would standardize the system statewide and support the official court record. When asked about costs, they said each upgrade can cost about $70,000 to $80,000 per system, that they aim to upgrade about 50 per year, and that the request reflects the need to keep pace with a four-year refresh cycle. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• How are we addressing the intervention process?
• Are addressing the intervention process?
• <00:18:20.799> requirements processes requirements processes requirements and<00:18:22.799>
• > aid<00:36:12.880> and<00:36:13.119> I've process special education aid and I've process
• <00:39:57.119> and that for their own processes and that for their own processes and procedures

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission met to review and amend the minutes from its previous meeting, correcting the date, several spelling and wording errors, and clarifying references to a scholarship fund and a member’s title. The minutes were then approved as amended, with some members abstaining because they were not present at the prior meeting. The chair then turned to the commission’s work plan under SB 57, emphasizing the need to prioritize the statutory topics and identify which issues require additional research, documentation, and possible spreadsheets. Members discussed a broad range of special education cost drivers and policy questions, including student referral rates, why students are classified as other health impaired, whether referrals increased after COVID school closures, intervention processes before referral, the cost of services required under IEPs and 504 plans, differences between federal law, state law, and DOE rules, reporting of special education costs, out-of-district and residential placements, district sharing of resources, dispute resolution, graduation rates, and adult learning outcomes. Several members raised concerns that school environments, mental health, bullying, and possible overidentification may be contributing to rising special education numbers and costs, while others cautioned that some reported district percentages may be inflated or unclear because of how the data are counted. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 742, which would eliminate prorated special education aid when state appropriations are insufficient and require the governor to draw a warrant to cover shortfalls. Representative Ames explained that the bill had been recommended for interim study because the commission is already examining special education costing, and he highlighted the gap between FY24 special education costs of about $977.1 million and state aid of $33.9 million for catastrophic aid, $67.4 million for differentiated aid, and $50.8 million in federal IDEA funds, leaving local districts to cover about $825.1 million. He argued the commission should ultimately make clear that both the federal government and the state should contribute more. The Department of Education, through Melissa White, answered questions about data and oversight. She said special education counts come from IEPs entered into the state system using SASIDs, that DOE monitors districts through both desk audits and on-site visits, and that billing is checked against the services listed in each student’s IEP. She also said DOE’s special education work is largely federally funded, with roughly $56.7 million received through IDEA this year and about $49.1 million flowing through to LEAs, while the department retains a small amount for administration and statewide support activities. Members also discussed how adequacy calculations use special education counts from the state system and how those figures are reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• processes they've set up. processes they've set up.
• expedited grants process? expedited grants process?
• It's always a learning process.
• It's always a learning process. feel. It's always a learning process.
• the RFP process. the RFP process. >> Representative<01:09:19.120> Nelson.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the March 3 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on state grant-management requirements. Deputy Legislative Auditor Katherine Tyson outlined the main controls agencies must follow, including pre-award risk assessments for grants of $50,000 or more, reimbursement as the preferred payment method, limits and documentation requirements for advance payments, and monitoring obligations for active grants. She emphasized that these controls are intended to reduce improper payments and fraud, but also require staff time and strong internal systems. In response to questions, she said advance payments are used in some grants but reimbursement is more common, and noted that agencies can add controls such as retaining a portion of funds, surprise visits, or audits. She also said surety bonds are required in some state programs, but not generally for grants, and that this could be a policy discussion for the executive branch. The committee then received a Department of Natural Resources presentation on the new Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund community grant program created in 2023 law. DNR officials said the program is intended to expand access to ENRTF funding, especially for communities affected by pollution and environmental degradation, and to support projects such as environmental education, resource restoration, trail work, and aquatic invasive species management. They said the department will use the same grants team that handles Outdoor Heritage Fund and LCCMR grants, which already manages a large volume of grants, and that the advisory council application is open through April 10. DNR described its implementation plan as similar to the Conservation Partners Legacy program, with both standard and expedited grant rounds, technical assistance, and use of technical experts. Differences include no match requirement, allowance for fiscal agents to help smaller organizations, and more flexibility for administrative expenses to reduce barriers to participation. Officials said the program will follow state grant rules, including pre-award financial reviews and monitoring, and will use the 5 percent administrative allowance to support both oversight and grantee assistance. They also said the report’s suggestion of advance payments for grants under $50,000 was raised for discussion, but they did not dispute the auditor’s emphasis that reimbursement is the preferred approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's a process. It's, you know, what happened last year was... >> Has the process started?
• >> Yes, I confirmed. Yes. >> Yes, I confirmed. Yes.
• >> Not my laws, but I'll try to confirm >> Not my laws, but I'll try to confirm that
• Notwithstanding any law to process K.
• award and they're able to just process award and they're able to just process in<01:10:31.520>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint House committees on Housing and Education heard HB 1713, HD1, which would repeal school impact fees and transfer remaining balances in the school impact fee and certain fair share accounts to the school facilities special fund. The Department of Education testified in opposition, while the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, the Attorney General’s office (with comments and suggested constitutional amendments), the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the School Facilities Authority, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, NAP Hawaii, Avalon Development Company, Mark Development, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Landis Research Foundation, BIA Hawaii, and others testified in support. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered comments. The DOE said the bill would weaken a key tool for matching school facilities to residential growth, while supporters said the current program leaves funds unused or restricted in ways that limit their effectiveness. A lengthy discussion followed about the difference between the older school impact fee program and the separate fair share agreements tied to land use entitlements and change-of-zone approvals. DOE Deputy Superintendent Jesse Suki explained that fair share funds are tied to the district where they were collected, may be too small to build a full school on their own, and are held until needed for projects such as Core Ridge, Central and West Maui, and other planned schools. Committee members pressed DOE on why funds had remained unspent for years, how much money was in the accounts, and whether the department had reviewed audit findings about the program. Members also questioned whether homeowners ultimately bear these costs through developers passing them along. The committee did not take a vote during the portion of the meeting provided. The discussion ended with members and DOE debating whether the current statute should remain in place, whether past entitlements should be affected, and whether the bill should be amended to better address remaining construction-related obligations and the use of collected funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 13 of the Constitution of Maryland, I submit the following appointments nomination for confirmation
• Section 13 of the Constitution of Maryland, I submit the following appointment nomination for confirmation
• 11.160> for following appointments nomination for following appointments nomination for confirmation
• by the Maryland State confirmation by the Maryland State Senate.<00:03:13.480> Thank<00:03:13.720
• for confirmation by Maryland State<00:04:19.720> Senate.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, March 27, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate met in a brief pro forma session. After roll call, the chamber welcomed a guest, recognized two senators’ birthdays, and approved the prior day’s journal. The main business was transmitting messages to the House of Delegates on Senate Bill 282, the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, and Senate Bill 284, the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2026; in both cases, the Senate refused to concur with House amendments and requested that the House recede, while also naming conference committee members and advisory members. The Senate also received a message from Governor Wes Moore submitting Supplemental Budget No. 2 as an amendment to the FY 2027 budget, which was journalized and referred to the Budget and Tax Committee and the conference committee later that day. In addition, the Governor sent one executive nomination for Senate confirmation, which was referred to the Executive Nominations Committee, and a separate notice withdrawing a previously submitted nominee, also referred to that committee. No substantive debate or votes occurred beyond adopting the messages and ordering them journalized. The session concluded with thanks to the pages and a motion, adopted without objection, to recess until 6:30 p.m. Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• And how you think that you can improve that process in your department?
• I wanted to just talk about the concept of time is money in this process.
• Somebody's in charge when an interagency process fails or derails or delays.
• That's the actual work part of the process.
• I just want to confirm that it's part of a larger picture.

Keywords: surface transportation, infrastructure reauthorization, bipartisan collaboration, safety, federal programs, funding challenges, bureaucracy, transportation needs, critical projects, public testimony

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the development of the next surface transportation reauthorization bill. Discussions centered around key principles aimed at improving the safety and reliability of the transportation network, reforming federal programs for efficiency, and addressing the diverse transportation needs across various states. Members emphasized the importance of bipartisan collaboration to streamline processes, eliminate bureaucratic delays, and ensure timely funding for critical infrastructure projects. There were also notable conversations about specific projects and funding challenges, reflecting the urgency for action and commitment to modernizing America's infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is streamlining the comp plan process.
• Some of the process still has challenges with it.
• What is the purpose behind changing the F-CORR appointment process?
• So there is a process to do that.
• State court first, then they go through the administrative process.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, pledge, and several recognitions, including remarks from Senator Berman on Democratic priorities and introductions of military leaders and an intern. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar, with many bills substituted to House companions, amended, and passed, while several others were temporarily postponed. Major measures approved included the dangerous dogs/Pam Rock Act (SB 572/HB 593), which tightened penalties and procedures for dog attacks and passed 36-0; local government land regulation (SB 1080), which was amended to remove agricultural enclave language and passed 26-8; vessel/freedom-related legislation (SB 1388/HB 1137), which passed 35-0; blood clot screening and treatment (SB 890/HB 1421), which added registry and training provisions and passed 36-0; fleeing or eluding law enforcement (SB 468/HB 113), which increased offense levels and passed 36-0; concealed carry/licensing for certain officers and service members (SB 490/HB 383), which passed 33-3; timeshare management (SB 496/HB 897), which clarified governance and annual meeting requirements and passed 36-0; background screening education (SB 614/HB 531), which created a public webpage and passed 36-0; utility service restrictions (SB 1002/HB 1137), which preempted local energy-source restrictions and passed 36-0; Medicaid oversight (SB 1060), which created a joint oversight committee and passed 35-0; health facilities authorities (SB 68), amended to make fentanyl urine screening more discretionary, and passed 36-0; and veterans’ nursing home beds (SB 78/HB 797), which authorized veteran- and spouse-designated beds and passed 36-0. The chamber also passed disability history and awareness instruction (SB 540/HB 447), a highly personal bill honoring Evan Hartzell that drew extended debate about disability language, inclusion, and education; it passed 35-0 after 35 co-sponsors were added. Manufacturing policy bills SB 600 and SB 602 were approved after amendments to add reporting, ranking metrics, and fee-use restrictions, both passing 35-0. Educational opportunities for military children (SB 1528) passed 36-0 after testimony from student sponsors and senators praising the bill’s origin. Several other bills, including Medicaid oversight, mammograms, Parkinson’s disease, condominium/cooperative associations, waste management, human trafficking, and Bright Futures, were postponed or not taken up during this segment.