Sen. Barbara Washington

Maddy summarySB 1434 authorizes a tax credit for individuals who complete qualifying firearm safety training courses. The bill directly affects residents who pay for such courses, reducing the amount of tax they owe based on their course expenses. Key provisions establish a specific credit amount per course, to be claimed when filing state income taxes. The legislation aims to incentivize firearm safety education through direct financial relief.

SB 1446 - Current law provides that the Governor shall, without delay, issue a writ of election to fill any vacancy in the General Assembly upon receipt of any resignation or notice of vacancy, or if satisfied of the death of any member of either house, during the recess. This act requires such special election to be held at least fifty days but not more than six months after receipt of the resignation or notice of vacancy. SCOTT SVAGERA

Maddy summarySB 1435 would increase the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission's membership from three to five members. This change directly affects the commission's structure and decision-making process by adding two new positions. The bill's key provision is a simple expansion of the commission's size, with no additional policy requirements or funding specified in the abstract. (Procedural bill; summary limited to 3 sentences as requested.)

SCS/SB 871 - This act modifies the "Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board" within the Department of Health and Senior Services. Under this act, board membership shall include at least one member from each congressional district and membership shall be demographically diverse, including by race, ethnicity, sex, age, and rural and urban populations. Board members are increased from no more than 18 members to no more than 22 members. Additionally, the board shall, in its study and review of maternal deaths, consider the level and timing of prenatal and postnatal care, the presence or absence of maternity care deserts, approaches taken in this state and other states to reduce or eliminate racial inequities in maternal deaths, and the adequacy of data collected by the board. Data reported by the board shall be disaggregated by race, ethnicity, language, nationality, age, zip code, and level and timing of prenatal and postnatal care. This act is substantially similar to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/HCS/HB 2372 (2026), the truly agreed to and finally passed SS#2/SB 999 (2026), SB 39 (2025), SCS/SBs 1357 & 888 (2024), and SCS/SBs 579 & 595 (2023). SARAH HASKINS

Maddy summarySB 873 proposes a tax credit for landlords or housing providers who offer shelter to victims of domestic violence. This bill directly affects housing organizations and property owners by providing a financial incentive to support survivors. The key mechanism is a tax credit that offsets the costs associated with providing safe housing, without requiring victims to pay for it directly. The bill is currently in committee review and has not yet been enacted.

Maddy summarySB 872 would remove sales tax on essential infant care supplies, such as diapers, formula, and baby wipes, directly benefiting parents and caregivers who purchase these items. The bill establishes a specific exemption from state sales tax for qualifying products used in infant care. This policy change would reduce out-of-pocket costs for families buying daily necessities for newborns and young infants. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJR 75) has a very limited description in the provided context, stating only that it "places limits on increases of the assessment of certain properties." The official abstract and summary offer no specific details about which properties are affected, the nature of the limits (e.g., percentage caps, timeframes), or the mechanism for implementation. Without additional information on the bill's provisions or scope, a substantive summary of its policy changes cannot be provided. The context indicates it is a Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) currently in early procedural stages (prefiled, first reading).

Maddy summarySB 1172, titled the "Cronkite New Voices Act," aims to protect press freedom in school-sponsored media. It directly affects students, journalists, and school media advisers by safeguarding their editorial independence from administrative censorship. The bill establishes legal protections ensuring school publications (like newspapers and websites) cannot be restricted for content unless it violates specific, non-press-related policies. (Note: The provided context lacks details on specific mechanisms or provisions beyond the stated purpose.)

Maddy summarySB 1171 would create a new criminal offense for storing firearms in a manner that endangers the community, such as leaving them accessible to children or in unsecured locations. This bill directly affects individuals who store firearms unsafely in their homes or vehicles, making such storage a punishable violation. The key provision defines "community endangerment" as unsafe storage that creates a substantial risk of injury or death to others. As a newly prefilled bill (first read on 2026-01-07), it has not yet been enacted into law.

Maddy summarySB 1173 changes the required number of hours for racial profiling training during the basic certification process for new licensed peace officers in the state. This bill directly affects law enforcement recruits who must complete this training as part of their foundational officer education. The key provision is modifying the specific hour requirement for this training component, though the abstract does not specify whether the change increases or decreases the hours. As a procedural training requirement bill, it focuses on standardizing or adjusting the curriculum for officer certification.