Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:13.520> here<00:14:13.680> to Um of course, we're attempting here to Um of course
• We will of course invite our Commissioner of Transportation forward to kick us off.
• We will of course go to testimony.
• ><00:54:02.960> 106-year-old elected president of the 106-year-old elected president of the 106
• Uh, the infrastructure implications, of course, are tremendous, um, as well.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Excellency, the Governor, the Governor, the constitutional officers that are here, and the councillors-elect
• . ...officers that are here and the councillors-elect.
• be presenting our Governor's Councillors, who provide tremendous service to our administration, of course
• and House of Representatives: I have the honor to lay before you the returns of votes cast at the election
• Will all of the councillors-elect please meet in the well below, or stand where you are, for your swearing-in

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint session convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and remarks from the Governor and Lieutenant Governor welcoming members, guests, and the Governor’s Councillors-elect. The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the council’s role in reviewing judicial nominees and noted recent confirmations, including 50 judges over the past two years and 38 in the prior year, emphasizing the importance of the council’s work in ensuring qualified and experienced judges for the Commonwealth. The Secretary of the Commonwealth transmitted the certified returns of the November 5, 2024 election for councillors, as required by the Constitution. The councillors-elect were then sworn in, taking oaths to support the Constitutions of Massachusetts and the United States and to faithfully discharge their duties. They were reminded to sign required paperwork before leaving so their service would be official. After the swearing-in, the Sergeant-at-Arms escorted the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, councillors, and guests from the chamber. On motion by the Senator from Brockton, Mr. Brady, the joint convention voted to adjourn, and the motion carried by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, of course. So sorry.
• Yes, of course. So sorry.
• Yes, of course. So sorry.
• According to our chief elections officer, Mr.
• First up, we have... elections officer Mr Scott Nago he has elections officer Mr Scott Nago he has previously

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened its first hearing of 2025 and announced that all measures heard that day would be deferred to the next committee hearing for decision-making on Thursday, January 30. The agenda centered largely on procurement and government-operations bills, with testimony generally split between state agencies and local governments. On procurement measures, SB 254 and SB 383 would raise small-purchase thresholds; the State Procurement Office opposed both, while county officials, the City and County of Honolulu, the state librarian, and others supported them. SB 382, which would bar disclosure of a competing offeror’s proposal or evaluation score, and SB 462, which would require performance incentive contracts to specify pricing bases, goals, and formulas, drew mostly written comments and some support from agencies such as the Department of Transportation and Department of Education. SB 615, which would treat certain large change orders as new contracts, received opposition from the Comptroller and engineering interests. The committee also heard several bills on vacancies, appointments, and legislative oversight. SB 5 on state legislative vacancies had one supporting testifier, while SB 300 on deadlines for filling certain Senate vacancies drew opposition from several individuals and support from one late testifier. SB 1081, which would create a legislative budget office to provide fiscal analysis and reports on bills, received broad support from advocacy groups, civic organizations, and individuals. SB 711, requiring Senate advice and consent for certain executive-branch appointments, drew written opposition from the Governor’s Office and support from one individual. SB 375, establishing a select commission on government restructuring, had one written supporter. SB 418, which would require the Attorney General’s office to review a portion of administrative rules each year, prompted extended discussion about outdated rules, the difficulty of repealing or amending rules, and whether the bill should be refined; the AG’s office indicated the process is burdensome and could be streamlined. The committee then took up transparency and access measures. SB 55, requiring agency rules to be posted online in a digitally accessible format, received support from several advocacy and civic groups and written comment from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. SB 870 would direct the comptroller to identify state office buildings that could provide equitable telecom access for remote participation in hearings, especially for residents with disabilities; the Comptroller supported the concept, and members discussed using libraries, DAGS facilities, county facilities, and other public buildings, with concerns raised about staffing, bandwidth, and competing public use. SB 270, a sunshine-law measure allowing board members to attend informational meetings and presentations, drew opposition from the Public First Law Center, which argued it would create a broad loophole and should be narrowed to existing county-council provisions. SB 45, concerning neighborhood board meetings and third-party presentations, prompted discussion about whether it actually addressed neighborhood boards’ Sunshine Law concerns; the committee was told it was not the right vehicle for that issue. SB 406, which would cap copying fees for government records at 5 cents per page with exceptions, drew support from media and transparency groups but opposition from DAGS, which said its actual per-page cost is much higher; members discussed possible electronic-copy alternatives and asked for more cost information before the next hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, it gets out and it's all over social media.
• the course or program, a school may use funding that is generated by other courses or programs and exceeds
• a course or program that generates insufficient ADM.
• course, but it absolutely is.
• EVIT course, but it absolutely is.

Bills: HB2093, HB2370, HB2376, HB2380, HB2381, HB2383, HB2423, HB2481, HB2621, HB2895, HB4005, HB4043, HB4109

Keywords: mental health, school curriculum, education policy, instruction requirements, statute repeal, charter schools, education, weapons detection, public safety, school administration, school districts, real estate transactions, school property, bond issuance, land use approval, capital improvements, school governance, board meetings, education funding, parental notification

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:39:37.279> uh successful in finding it of course uh successful in finding it of course
• Normally, your school district treasurer is elected by the body.
• The treasurer is elected by the body.
• this actually being elected this actually being elected unfortunately<04:44:47.718> representative
• different life skills and the courses different life skills and the courses that<05:56:01.080>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Education Committee held its organizational meeting for the new term, with members introducing themselves and describing their backgrounds in teaching, school boards, special education, administration, law, and related fields. Chair Glenn Cordelli outlined the committee’s goals and procedures, emphasizing civility, professionalism, and respectful treatment of witnesses and members. He also noted that the committee has been split into two this year because of the large volume of bills, and said the committee had already sent three bills to the other education committee, with 36 bills currently assigned and more expected. The chair reviewed committee rules and logistics: hearings should start on time, members should minimize cell phone use and avoid searching during testimony, and questioning of witnesses is limited to one question at a time unless the chair allows a follow-up. Members were told to use the title “Representative,” to sign up on pink cards to testify, and to submit written testimony to the clerk. He also explained that hearings are for listening rather than debating, while executive sessions are where debate and motions occur. Possible motions include ought to pass, inexpedient to legislate, and retain in committee for further work, including subcommittees. Additional procedures covered scheduling, with the committee expected to meet Wednesday and Thursday the following week because of a holiday, and regular meetings generally planned for Monday and Wednesday. The chair also discussed the consent calendar, reports from majority and minority positions, and the expectation that members who testify on a bill should not then question other witnesses on that same bill. No legislation was voted on at this meeting; it was a procedural and orientation session for the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• establishing a medical panel for the Probate and Family Court, a bill that could have changed the course
• We're going to—we have two more people; they're virtual, and then there are some elected officials.
• We have two more people, and then we have some elected officials. I have Kelsey Forrest, who's...
• So we respectfully ask our elected officials to work with us to develop a sustainable, long-term strategy
• So we respectfully ask our elected officials to work with us to develop a sustainable, long-term strategy

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on a wide range of state, probate, and family bills, with chairs Edwards and Day outlining strict testimony limits and accepting written testimony. Early testimony focused on H. 1911/S. 1138, which would clarify that a durable power of attorney may create a trust if that authority is expressly granted; sponsors and elder law advocates said the bill would resolve uncertainty created by the Barbetti decision and align Massachusetts with other states. A major portion of the hearing centered on S. 1102, a proposal to establish medical panels in Probate and Family Court. Supporters, including attorneys, parents, physicians, and advocates, said neutral three-doctor panels would help judges resolve disputed medical issues in guardianship and custody cases involving children, elders, and people with disabilities. Testifiers described cases where medical treatment was blocked or contested by one parent or guardian, arguing the panels would provide impartial expertise and protect vulnerable people. The committee also heard support for bills addressing disability discrimination in family court, military parents’ custody rights, and a shared parenting bill, H. 1710, which drew strong opposition from domestic violence advocates and others who said a 50-50 presumption could harm survivors and children. The committee also took testimony on several probate and court-administration measures. Senator Lovely supported a bill on nominee trust partition, and Senator Comerford and probate officials backed legislation to codify additional registry staff positions and modernize registry operations. Other bills discussed included foster care liability insurance, with providers warning that rising premiums and loss of coverage could force program closures; health care proxy storage and activation; access to decedents’ email accounts; uniform trust decanting; the Uniform Voidable Transactions Act; heirs’ property partition protections; a constitutional right to health care; alimony-related reforms; child-centered family law; and a right of disposition for funeral arrangements. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee repeatedly invited written testimony and follow-up questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course. What I don't like about this legislation, I will tell... ...be doubling them.
• Of course. What I don't like about this legislation, I will tell you, is it's more than double.
• concurrently with regularly scheduled statewide primary or general elections.
• The bill outlines a procedure for staggering or changing the terms of elected municipal officers when
• the changes are being made to conform to election scheduling requirements.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a call to build a nation where the voices of the people could determine the course of their own
• From misinformation, to attacks on the very idea of fair elections, to rising division and polarization
• I'm wondering how the people of the 76 celebrate important holiday and, of course, whether the author
• And of course that didn't happen.
• So when I got elected in 2018, I decided this was the thing that I wanted to work on.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:02:50.960> and seven, corporations, elections, and seven, corporations, elections, and
• , referred Senate file 30, elections, referred Senate file 30, elections, voter<00:02:55.720>
• ,<00:03:35.480> and seven, corporations, elections, and seven, corporations, elections, and
• This particular resolution addresses only foreign money in our elections.
• Chairman, of course I can.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in France and the rest of Western Europe, and nonetheless cast ballots in the 1944 presidential election
• As we know now, in the 2024 presidential election and the last November statewide special election, many
• systems and public faith in the results of our election.
• if possible develop solid consensus among policymakers in and out of the Legislature on a specific course
• The integrity of future elections in California is at issue, and the stakes could not be higher.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:32:10.920> because and you run and you get elected because and you run and you get elected
• Over the course of my 25 years... Over the course of my 25 years...
• Over the course of my 25 years...
• They are formed by holding an election and can be dissolved by holding an election, just like this past
• <02:20:16.560> process circumvents the whole election process circumvents the whole election

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, the truancy one.
• Of course, the truancy one.
• Of course, the truancy one.
• Of course, the truancy one.
• change the position from an elected change the position from an elected position<05:54:27.680>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Education Policy and Administration Committee heard testimony on House Bill 71, which would bar public elementary and secondary schools and higher education facilities from being used as shelters for certain non-citizens, with a stated exception for short-term emergency sheltering of up to 72 hours and for community-wide emergency use. Prime sponsor Rep. Juliet Harvey-Bolia said the bill was modeled on federal and out-of-state proposals and was prompted by examples in New York and Massachusetts where schools or other facilities were used as shelters, causing disruption. She argued the bill does not truly “ban” anything, but instead places a condition on receipt of state funds, and said the fiscal note’s projected loss of federal funding was unsupported and should have been described as undeterminable. Committee members questioned the bill’s scope and practical effects, including whether it would apply to vacant school-owned buildings, schools used during summer, charter schools, and situations where other states send people without advance notice. Harvey-Bolia said vacant buildings not functioning as schools would not be covered, and that the bill would still allow short-term emergency sheltering and community-wide use during weather events. She also said the bill would not prevent remote learning, and that its purpose was to avoid displacing students. Several members pressed her on the fiscal note and whether any federal or state program would actually be at risk; she said she found no evidence that funding would be lost and that DHHS had not identified a real threat. A witness from the New Hampshire Association of School Administrators, Jerry FW, raised practical concerns about who would determine eligibility at a shelter site, how the 72-hour limit would be enforced, and whether the bill would apply to charter schools. He also noted that remote learning is no longer an option in New Hampshire, making one of the bill’s stated concerns less relevant. The discussion also included clarification of the terms “refugee” and “asylum seeker,” with members and the sponsor debating the distinction and whether refugees are vetted. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• But no United States correct the course.
• We pray for all of our elected officials and all those in authority.
• We pray for all of our elected officials and all those in authority.
• <02:59:10.640> They election. They stormed the capital. They election.
• He's lost some elections for my friends across the aisle.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Land, agricultural and rural affairs and elections. Military affairs and elections.
• Federalism, military affairs and elections. HB 2167, Attorney General. Judiciary.
• Federalism, military affairs and elections. HCM 2006, endangered species act.
• HB 2000, elections, early date. HB 2003, driverless restriction instruction.
• Speaker Pro Tem, I do, with your permission, of course.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Volunteers, of course, pay no contributions to the plan as they're volunteers.
• There are certain ones that are elective, meaning that they can opt in.
• And there is a volunteer policy that's an elective policy that can be purchased.
• you want to elect workers' comp coverage, you just pay the volunteer premium every year and elect that
• Five eligible entities elected not to apply.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee was called to order, a quorum was established, and the minutes from the prior meeting were approved. The first major presentation came from Montana Public Employees Retirement System executive director William Hollahan, who gave an overview of Montana’s Volunteer Firefighters’ Compensation Act plan. He explained that the plan covers volunteer firefighters in unincorporated areas, is funded by 5% of state fire insurance premium taxes, and currently serves 228 departments with about 2,936 active members and 1,242 retirees. He described eligibility rules, annual training and reporting requirements, benefit levels for partial and full pensions, disability, death, medical, and funeral benefits, and said the plan is actuarially sound with roughly $60 million in assets and a funded ratio slightly above 100%. Committee members asked about prior-service credit, whether EMS personnel are included, the effect on recruitment and retention, and whether expanding coverage would require a funding analysis; Hollahan said prior service is not credited, EMS is not currently included, and any expansion would need financial review. Tim Walleen of Workforce Safety and Insurance then presented a draft North Dakota workers’ compensation solution for volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMS personnel. He explained that volunteer responders are already covered by workers’ comp for medical and wage-loss benefits, but the proposal would set a minimum annual wage of $30,000 for calculating wage-loss benefits for qualifying volunteers, with the benefit paid at two-thirds of that amount. Representative Porter suggested tying the volunteer definition to existing code rather than a fixed dollar amount, and Walleen agreed. Questions focused on whether search and rescue or other volunteer emergency services could be included, whether departments would face new paperwork, and whether volunteer organizations can already elect coverage; Walleen said there would be no additional paperwork and that volunteer coverage is already available. The committee also heard from volunteer fire service representatives and the state fire marshal. An Oakes-area firefighter, Mr. Olson, testified that small departments are struggling with retention, communication, and administrative burdens, especially around separate bookkeeping and funding rules for donated or fundraising money, and he said departments need clearer guidance from the state. State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark introduced himself and outlined a broader effort to improve education, support, and coordination for fire departments, including a planned 10% audit of certificates of existence beginning in 2027, more outreach through his office, and better assistance with training, reporting, and grant access. He said his office is authorized under current law to provide these services, but the role has been vague and underused. Finally, Arnagard Rural Fire District Chief Rick Schreiber testified in favor of new recruitment and retention ideas, including retirement-style benefits, health insurance, tax incentives, scholarships, grants, and more remote or regional training. He said volunteer departments are losing members, that local tax and donation funds are already stretched, and that any new retirement or incentive program should be sustainable and likely involve a mix of state and local support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course I'll yield, Mr. President.
• Of course I'll yield. Senator Paxson, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President.
• So history in Texas is if you've got water and Lois needs it. course needs it.
• Of course I yield, Mr. President. Senator? Yes, sir.
• Of course, we want to comply with anything like that.

Bills: SJR 12, SCR 39, SB 7, SB 8, SB 27, SB 29, SB 125, SB 241, SB 371, SB 396, SB 406, SB 464, SB 568, SB 578, SB 608, SB 617, SB 660, SB 689, SB 693, SB 707, SB 731, SB 732, SB 763, SB 779, SB 836, SB 854, SB 857, SB 875, SB 878, SB 879, SB 906, SB 920, SB 921, SB 922, SB 942, SB 965, SB 985, SB 996, SB 1029, SB 1035, SB 1036, SB 1059, SB 1084, SB 1098, SB 1101, SB 1185, SB 1188, SB 1321, SB 1332, SB 1366, SB 1388, SB 1396, SB 1453, SB 1484, SB 1494, SB 1536, SB 1563, SB 1596, SB 1610, SB 1619, SB 1737, SB 1738, SB 1741, SB 1816, SB 1822, SB 1841, SB 1939, SB 2155, SB 2188, SB 2230

Keywords: parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, border security, southern border, federal immigration policy, illegal immigration, cartels, transnational cartels, fentanyl, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Operation Lone Star, Texas border, National Guard, state guard, border wall, border barriers

Summary: In this meeting, significant discussions revolved around the passage and modification of various Senate Bills, including SB1388, which pertains to family support services under the Health and Human Services Commission. Senator Kolkhorst advocated for the bill, emphasizing its focus on pro-life, family-centered care. The committee passed the bill after thorough examination, showcasing a collaborative effort among the members to ensure its alignment with successful past initiatives. In another session, Senator Hughes presented SB942, aimed at retroactive child support linked to prenatal care, which sparked a constructive dialogue reflecting bipartisan support for maternal and child welfare.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the greatest honor of my professional life to stand before you as the newly elected leader of the
• But we were all elected for the same reason: because the people of this state entrusted us to do the
• And let's remember, we were not elected to be comfortable. We were elected to be courageous.
• Of course, many of you know.
• Of course, I'm trying to get to how effective... Thank you, Mr. President.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and heard several announcements and recognitions, including remarks from the new Democratic caucus leader, Senator Berman, who emphasized bipartisan work on education, health care, the environment, and family issues. The chamber also recognized military leaders, an intern, and guests connected to later bills. No committee reports or executive messages were on the desk at the start of the session. The Senate then took up a series of bills, many of them with House companion substitutions and technical amendments. Major measures included the Pam Rock Act on dangerous dogs, which passed 36-0; a local government land regulation bill that was amended after questions about quasi-judicial hearings, impact fees, and county costs, then passed 26-8; a vessels/boating bill that incorporated related legislation and passed 35-0; a blood clot screening and treatment bill creating the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which passed 36-0; a fleeing or eluding law enforcement bill, amended to remove vehicle impoundment in the House version, which passed 36-0; a concealed carry/firearms bill for certain law enforcement and military personnel, which passed 33-3; and a timeshare management bill, which passed 36-0. The chamber also passed a disability history and awareness instruction bill, the Evan B. Hartzell Act, after extensive debate about language and the meaning of disability versus “unique abilities”; it received 35 co-sponsors and passed 35-0. Other bills passed included manufacturing and related fee legislation, public education on background screening requirements, utility service restrictions, educational opportunities for military children, Medicaid oversight, health facilities authorities, and veteran and spouse nursing home beds, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on human trafficking, waste management, Bright Futures, mammogram coverage, Parkinson’s disease, and others.

Transcript Highlights:

• The point that our office would want to make is that of course the focus on vacancies is crucial, but
• I'm making up numbers, of course, but what are our outcomes here that we're looking at?
• In response to the wildfires, of course, we're trying to figure out how do we ensure that workers that
• While state costs to administer programs, of course, have increased with cost of living and inflation
• We have a lot of work to do on DI and PFL, of course.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• priorities as an elected official?" priorities as an elected official?"
• > collective course of decades of collective course of decades of collective bargaining,<01:39
• representing 331 of our locally elected representing 331 of our locally elected school<01:42:16.000
• governance structure with elected governance structure with elected officials.<01:46:27.320>
• This has been an issue since I've been elected. Yeah.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 930 by Assembly Member Ward, an act relating to elections.
• When my own elected leaders... ...is put on the line.
• I understood that the last election was about eggs, the cost of eggs.
• The last election was about eggs, the cost of eggs, being too high.
• and Constitutional Amendments to the Elections Committee.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum after a roll call, observed a moment of silence for John Burton, and proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance and routine procedural motions. Members approved a rule suspension to allow floor amendments on SB 271 and SB 67, and several committee notices and bill referrals were handled. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading file, with many bills passed and a number of items temporarily passed or retained on file. Among the major measures approved were bills on civil rights and public safety (SB 477, SB 19, SB 36, SB 571, SB 580), health care and coverage (SB 257 on pregnancy as a qualifying life event, SB 530 on Medi-Cal access standards, SB 660 on health data exchange, SB 754 on menstrual product contaminant disclosure), housing and disaster recovery (SB 610, SB 655), transportation and climate (SB 533 on EV charging payments, SB 30 on diesel locomotives, SB 71 on CEQA exemptions for transit, SB 263 on tariff impacts), and natural resources/energy (SB 283 on battery storage safety, SB 88 on biomass emissions, SB 427 extending the Habitat Conservation Fund). The Assembly also passed urgency measures including SB 864 on tribal gaming compacts, SB 663 on wildfire-related property tax relief, SB 471 expanding DDS ombudsman authority, and SB 497 on privacy protections for legally protected health services. Several bills drew notable debate. SB 41 on pharmacy benefit managers saw opposition over concerns about moving ahead before broader PBM data and licensing reforms take effect, but it still passed. AB 1340, a concurrence item on gig worker collective bargaining rights, prompted extended debate over labor rights, consumer costs, and union influence. Other concurrence items included AB 671 on restaurant permitting, which passed without opposition. The Assembly also took up SB 640 on direct admission to CSU, SB 702 on demographic reporting for appointees, SB 710 preserving a solar property tax exclusion, and SB 793 on counterfeit lighter safety, all of which passed. The session ended with the Assembly continuing through the file, including concurrence votes and additional bill actions, with most measures approved by substantial margins.