Transcript Highlights:

• Could it have been done in the budget?
• Why didn't you just ask for it in the budget instead of asking for a bill?
• Why didn't you just ask for it in the budget instead of asking for a bill?
• But it hasn't really been faster. >> Got the budget from the House. Thank you. I have a question.
• >> Got the budget from the House. Thank you. I have a question. Have a seat.

Bills: HB1730, HB1985, HB1749, HB1921

Keywords: cesspool, wastewater systems, public health, environmental protection, affordable upgrades, coral reefs, water quality, Hawaii legislation, cesspools, wastewater, environment, pollution, Hawaii, sustainable development, sewerage system, real estate, disclosure, environmental impact, wastewater management, housing

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several cesspool-related measures. HB 1730 HD2 would create a cesspool conversion implementation working group to help the Department of Health review rules and practices and develop changes to make conversions more affordable. DOH and DLNR stood on written testimony, while environmental and wastewater advocates strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the need for dedicated staffing, technical expertise, and smaller, more focused advisory groups. Members discussed the high cost of upgrades and the need for new technologies that reduce excavation and leach field costs. The bill was passed with amendments, including clarifying the DOH director’s discretion over the size of the working group, and the committee noted DOH’s appropriation request for consideration. HB 1985 HD1 would extend certain cesspool conversion deadlines and authorize funding for consultants, while also advancing outreach and education. Testimony split sharply: advocates supported the education component but opposed deadline extensions as premature, arguing the state still has many years before the 2050 mandate and should not weaken the conversion timeline. The committee agreed to amend the bill to delete the deadline-extension portion, keep technical changes, and note DOH’s position request. HB 1749 HD2 would require sellers to disclose cesspools to buyers before a real estate purchase contract is executed and direct DOH and the Real Estate Commission to create a standardized form. Realtors supported the intent but asked to avoid duplicative statutory form requirements, and advocates stressed that disclosure should be prominent and not buried in paperwork. The committee adopted amendments removing the standardized-form mandate and passed the bill. HB 1921 HD2 would allow certain existing cesspools in priority level three areas to continue serving dwellings with additional bedrooms under conditions. DOH brought the measure, and supporters from the real estate and environmental sectors discussed innovative wastewater technologies, retrofits, and composting toilets as ways to reduce costs while improving treatment. The committee amended the bill to require DOH director-approved wastewater technology using solid waste separation for bedroom-count increases and to clarify priority-level determinations using block-level data from the Hawaii cesspool prioritization tool, then passed it. The committee also heard HB 2310, an emergency appropriation for the Department of Human Services to restore funding used to keep SNAP benefits flowing during the federal shutdown; DHS, public health, children’s advocates, and others supported it, and members questioned why it was not handled through the budget. The discussion clarified that the bill sought new money to move quickly for ACA-related premium support. No final vote on HB 2310 was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• residential care leadership and advocacy for policies that protect both residents' dignity and system stability
• Rising operational costs will limit access, reduce choice, and threaten the stability of homes that residents
• Grounded in the belief that protecting older adults means preserving choice and stability.
• program and veteran services healthcare systems, ensuring residents receive coordinated care, housing stability
• We are proposing an amendment to the Senate budget that would ask the committee to redraft H. 5243 and

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Aging and Independence held a hearing on two assisted living bills, Senate 3057 and House 5376, which would create an Assisted Living Residence Trust Fund to support certification staffing, compliance reviews, complaint investigations, ombudsman services, public reporting, appeals, and oversight. Testimony from MassALA, AARP, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman generally supported the bills and the dedicated funding stream, but MassALA urged amendments to expand career pathways for staff through certified medication aides and to add guardrails on the use of fines as a funding source. The Ombudsman supported the fund and emphasized the need for additional staffing to better serve the state’s assisted living residents. Committee members asked for draft amendment language, and the chairs indicated they were open to further discussion, especially on fines and CMA language. The committee then heard testimony on Senate 3056 and House 5243 regarding medication administration in rest homes. Providers, including the Massachusetts Association of Residential Care Homes, LeadingAge Massachusetts, and several rest home operators, opposed proposed Department of Public Health changes that would eliminate the long-standing “responsible person” model and move rest homes toward the Medication Administration Program (MAP). Witnesses said the current model has been used for decades, is tailored to rest homes, and is essential to affordability, staffing stability, and resident continuity of care; they warned that replacing it with MAP or nurse-only administration would raise costs, worsen workforce shortages, and could force closures or resident displacement. They asked the committee to support legislation preserving responsible persons’ authority to administer medications while improving training and oversight. Committee members asked questions about the history of the responsible person model, how medication administration works day to day, whether other states use similar systems, and whether data exist comparing medication error rates under MAP and the current model. The chairs said they were still reviewing building-code-related recommendations raised in the assisted living discussion and noted that some issues might be better addressed through a task force. The hearing concluded after testimony and questions, and the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• community, school, promote interagency collaboration, and are designed to improve functioning and stability
• community, school, promote interagency collaboration, and are designed to improve functioning and stability
• community, school, promote interagency collaboration, and are designed to improve functioning and stability
• Promote interagency collaboration and are designed to improve functioning and stability while reducing
• I checked with the budget analysts on the House side, and this money is going straight from the Treasury

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Salzman: For the record, I am over all the budget. Just kidding. I love you all very much. Rep.
• privatization statute that maintaining adequate liability insurance is a component of providing safety and stability
• are critical to developing commonsense solutions that protect children while maintaining system stability
• access to food assistance is a key component of successful reentry, public health, and community stability
• Hart Lowman: improves employment outcomes, and supports family stability.

Transcript Highlights:

• All workers deserve stability and benefits that we can all certainly agree on that.
• All workers deserve stability and idea.
• Nor does it ensure stability for a receiving school community.
• Nor does it ensure stability for a receiving school community.
• <05:19:40.958> the elderly residents by stabilizing the elderly residents by stabilizing the

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Show us how you're going to budget this.
• They have a $0 budget.
• , absenteeism, workforce reliability, and operational stability.
• Um, worth 11% of your budget?
• So this is more about budget things and money.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• biennial budget that we're currently in.
• So you're going to see just a four-year impact when we review the budget impact slides.
• We're itemizing the estimated impact of the general fund state budget, as well as local government budgets
• However, it's kind of a big however, we're in some pretty challenging budget times.
• And I think maintaining that stability for the program would be important.

Summary: The Pension Funding Council met on October 8 with introductions from council members and staff, then received a detailed presentation from the Office of the State Actuary on long-term economic assumptions and the state pension systems’ financial condition. OSA reported that the combined pension systems are currently 100% funded on a smoothed basis, with open plans above 95% funded, and that legacy Plan 1 systems remain on a path toward full funding under current policy. The actuaries recommended updating assumptions to 3% inflation, 3.5% general salary growth, and a 7.25% investment return, while keeping Plan 1 membership growth at 1%. They also explained asset smoothing, the role of recent strong investment returns, and the expected budget impacts of the recommended changes. Representatives from the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council and the State Investment Board offered supporting perspectives, generally describing the assumptions as reasonable and consistent with their own outlooks. The council also heard an overview of the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Program (WACares) from DSHS and OSA. Program staff described the program’s social insurance structure, premium collection, benefit eligibility, and upcoming implementation milestones. OSA reported that the program’s first actuarial valuation showed a positive actuarial balance under the base scenario and recommended no change to the current 0.58% premium rate during the program’s early learning phase, noting that future changes would depend on experience and the program’s risk-management framework. OSA also said the recommendation would remain the same regardless of the outcome of the pending ballot measure affecting investment options. During public comment, a representative of the Washington State School Retirees Association urged continued work on Plan 1 funding and related legislation, while the Association of Washington Cities cautioned against increasing pension assumptions in a way that could raise future employer costs and reduce flexibility for current local government services. In action, the council adopted a motion to maintain the current long-term economic assumptions by a 4-2 vote, adopted the recommendation to keep the WACares premium rate at 0.58% by a 6-0 vote, and then elected Katie Chapman as council chair by unanimous vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to have to leave a little before lunch to get to Revenue Stabilization at the Capitol, but
• I've just been reading this since you brought it up, and also there was money in our budget for beaver
• If that's at the clinic, it won't be taken away from us during budget cuts.
• I know legislative prerogative and legislative budgets, we understand, but that is what...
• Over the course of five years for rural hospital stabilization.

Transcript Highlights:

• and housing for families and stability and housing for families and this<01:01:46.880> bill<01
• We're simply stabilizing that fee at $17.
• We're simply stabilizing that fee bill. We're simply stabilizing that fee at<01:04:23.839> $17.
• It is a primary determinant of financial stability, educational continuity, workforce participation,
• We ran our budget bills together. Not gobble gobble, but cockadoodle do. I move to concur.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the corrected journal, and made several announcements, including recognition of Liberty Common High School seniors and Canyon Creek Elementary students visiting the Capitol. Committee meeting notices were also given for Judiciary and Transportation, Housing, and Local Government. The chamber then took up House Joint Resolution 1027, a Holocaust remembrance resolution sponsored by Representatives Weinberg and Woodrow and Senators Weissman and Ball. The resolution emphasized the history of the Holocaust, the rise in anti-Semitic incidents in Colorado and nationally, the importance of Holocaust and genocide education, and the need to combat bias and hate. Several members spoke in support, including personal reflections from Representatives Woodrow, Weinberg, Goldstein, and others about family history, survivor testimony, and the importance of remembrance and prevention. The House adopted HJR 1027 by vote, and Representatives Rutnell and Lindsay were added as co-sponsors. The chamber then set a slate of bills as special orders for April 14, 2026. In committee-of-the-whole action, House Bill 1288 on jury selection was amended and passed; the amended bill creates a jury selection working group to study voir dire, juror questionnaires, and related issues, with a public report and Supreme Court review of any proposed rule changes. House Bill 1224 on financial protections for mobile home park residents was also taken up, with committee reports adopted and discussion focused on transparency in park sales, resident purchase opportunities, disclosures, and due diligence protections. Representative Richardson offered amendment L006 to adjust how a state registration fee is allocated, describing it as a flexibility and transparency measure, while the sponsor responded that the bill was keeping the fee structure stable and that the existing split had been negotiated with stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no ownership means stability.
• stability as well. stability as well.
• Senate file 1671 is a housing stability Senate file 1671 is a housing stability and<00:49:47.000
• housing stability for housing stability,<00:55:04.120> housing<00:55:04.720> health,<00
• :55:05.320> and<00:55:05.520> housing stability, housing health, and housing stability,

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:54.959> This<00:09:55.279> plan<00:09:55.519> also financial stability
• This plan also financial stability.
• Budgets are about priorities and make.
• Budgets are about priorities and respectfully,<00:18:00.960> other<00:18:01.360> plans<
• year and there told it was a non-budget year and there was<00:42:30.960> no<00:42:31.200>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our in our budget on this side. our in our budget on this side.
• employees added to the state's budget. employees added to the state's budget.
• to this budget. to this budget.
• Thank you. should be given in a budget. It just should be given in a budget.
• budget, which is 2 years. budget, which is 2 years.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I did have a particular question on page three about the member equity stabilization fund. Yeah.
• <00:08:01.760> So, equity stabilization fund. Yeah. So, equity stabilization fund. Yeah.
• out of their existing budget. out of their existing budget. Comments. Comments. Comments.
• So you're amending<01:13:12.680> the<01:13:12.760> capital<01:13:13.200> budget<
• Necessary [laughter] to amend the budget. Do I have a second? Yes. All right.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We represent workers at Avis Budget, a water treatment plant in Lynn, library workers, and I forget one
• In my job, I provide housing stabilization for long-term homeless individuals, primarily living in the
• requiring the prevailing wage calculation to include... disputes and providing critical economic stability
• my union brothers and sisters who work as bus drivers and movers, and threatens their financial stability
• Meanwhile, their employers face tens of thousands of vacancies, threatening the stability of the entire

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid hearing on legislation concerning unemployment insurance, non-compete agreements, prevailing wage, and minimum wage issues. Committee leaders outlined the hearing process, asked witnesses to keep oral testimony to three minutes, and invited written testimony through November 20. No votes were taken during the hearing; it ended with a motion to adjourn and notice of the next hearing on November 20. Much of the testimony focused on bills to expand unemployment insurance for striking workers, including H. 2168 and S. 1319. Labor leaders, union members, and legal advocates argued that workers who are out on strike for more than 30 days should be able to receive UI benefits, saying the policy would help workers and families meet basic expenses, reduce employers’ ability to “wait out” strikes, and encourage good-faith bargaining. Speakers cited recent strikes, including the Republic Services strike, and said the proposal would not meaningfully increase strike activity or strain the UI trust fund. Another major topic was minimum wage legislation, especially H. 2107/S. 1349 to raise the minimum wage to $20 by 2029 and index it to inflation, and H. 2191 to create a $25 enhanced care worker minimum wage. Supporters said current wages are not keeping pace with housing, food, and childcare costs, and that care workers, direct support staff, and human service employees face chronic vacancies, burnout, and turnover. Testimony also supported H. 2126 on prevailing wage by adding apprenticeship and training contributions to the wage calculation, and H. 2159 and S. 1363 on prevailing wage-related issues. One witness, Russell Beck, testified against S. 1336, which would ban non-competes, and against H. 2118, arguing Massachusetts’ current non-compete law is a balanced compromise that should not be disrupted.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I hope everybody will pass budget.
• <00:40:51.040> This governor's budget has provided. This governor's budget has provided.
• We're passing the budget today, but the budget doesn't take effect till October.
• So it comes after budget stabilization, after ENT.
• This is the Education Trust Fund budget, and this is the budget where we do not need a BIR.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HOUSE APPRECIATES THE SENTENCE FIRST OFFER AND WE ARE PREPARED TO MAKE THE HOUSE'S FIRST OFFER ON THE BUDGET
• BEGINNING WITH THE BUDGET, MEMBERS, THE HOUSE'S FIRST OFFER IS LOCATED IN THE FAR RIGHT COLUMNS OF THE
• IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BUDGET SPREADSHEET IS THE HOUSE'S STATEWIDE SUMMARY OF OUR FEFP.
• FOR THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE ORIGINAL BUDGETS PUTS FORTH REDUCTION OF THOSE WEIGHTS.
• ROW 31 A IS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR BUDGET OFFER IN THE HOUSE FEFP REGARDING THIS ITEM WE WILL CONTINUE TO

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• available at the time of the uh budget available at the time of the uh budget making<01:02:27.200
• been moving forward budget right because budget<01:29:40.080> right<01:29:40.239> now<
• appropriated in the budget yeah uh drawn appropriated in the budget yeah uh drawn down<02:00:06.040><
• looked in much detail into our budget looked in much detail into our budget into<02:01:13.719>
• budget budget for Manchester this is the budget budget for Manchester so<04:43:25.878> the<04

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 193, which clarifies that dual and concurrent enrollment courses may not exceed four credits. Members said the bill came from the community college system and was intended to preserve the program’s high school-to-college pathway. An amendment changing the effective date to passage was adopted 18-0, and the committee then voted 18-0 to recommend OTPA on the bill as amended, with the bill placed on the consent calendar. The committee then retained HB 295 and HB 366, both related to school building aid, after members said the issues were complex and needed more work. Both motions to retain passed 18-0, leaving the bills in committee without reports. The chair also said HB 354 would not be taken up that day because of possible changes from the Department of Education and others. HB 494, funding the math learning communities program, was then amended to flat-fund the program rather than increase it, with members citing budget uncertainty. The amendment passed unanimously, and the committee then voted 18-0 for OTPA on the bill as amended, placing it on consent. Finally, HB 515, which would repeal charter public school eligibility for state school building aid, drew debate over whether charter schools should be treated differently from traditional public schools. The committee voted 10-8 for inexpedient to legislate, sending the bill to the regular calendar; Representative Damon was assigned the minority report and Representative Popovic the majority report. The committee then began HB 716, an appropriation for the dual and concurrent enrollment program, where members discussed flat-funding the program at $2.5 million per year and the potential impact on course availability, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• That being said, on the right, you can see that there is relative stability or even growth among some
• That being said, on the right, you can see that there is relative stability or even growth among some
• That being said, on the right, you can see that there is relative stability or even growth among some
• and salary caps in the budget.
• because we do not have lumpsum budgeting because we do not have lumpsum budgeting to<01:03:02.240

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think when we say we look at our budget, yes, we absolutely have to when it’s increased so much over
• He said that when they look at the budget, they have to recognize how much it has increased over the
• He said that when they look at the budget, they have to recognize how much it has increased over the
• He said that when they look at the budget, they have to recognize how much it has increased over the
• He said that when they look at the budget, they have to recognize how much it has increased over the

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 771, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion. The bill would create a state supplemental grant program to build on LIHEAP, with the goal of expanding energy assistance beyond the winter season to cover summer cooling needs and reduce utility shutoffs. Representative Craft said the proposal would use existing LIHEAP systems, help more eligible households, and support related services like weatherization. The committee adopted the author’s amendment, DE2, without objection. Supporters testified that energy costs remain unaffordable for many Minnesotans, especially in rural areas and among low-income households, seniors, and people using delivered fuels. Annie Levenson-Faulk of the Citizens Utility Board said only about a quarter of eligible households receive assistance, summer shutoffs are common, and cooling needs have grown significantly. Trisha Leite of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association, Amanda Macky of Minnesota Valley Action Council, and Ken Schum of the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association all supported the bill, saying year-round assistance would help households, reduce disconnects, stabilize demand for aid, and ease pressure on utility rates. Michael Schmitz of the Department of Commerce said Minnesota has received about $112 million in LIHEAP funds so far this year and is awaiting additional federal money; he also noted recent funding has been lower than in prior years and inflation has reduced its value. Members discussed the scale of utility shutoffs, the increase in cooling demand, and whether the bill addresses root causes or serves as a temporary fix. Representative Weiner argued that the state should focus on keeping more money in taxpayers’ pockets and reducing the need for subsidies, while Representative Craft responded that the underlying issue is low incomes and widening wealth inequality, and that policies like the child tax credit are better ways to address poverty. The chair also asked how LIHEAP dollars flow, and Commerce said most benefits are paid directly to utilities on behalf of households rather than as direct cash payments to recipients.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we saw this past winter, funding programs using charges based on energy use can break a budget when
• It would then either approve or modify that program, and then you would have a budget.
• It would then either approve or modify that program, and then you would have a budget.
• And the rationale for that is that they could improve reliability, stabilize prices, and decarbonize
• But beyond that, the competitive market also allows for more price stability as well.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 4144, the Governor’s Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act, with the administration arguing the bill would lower bills in the short and long term while expanding clean energy supply and innovation. The Governor and Secretary said the bill would reduce or restructure charges on customer bills, reform Mass Save, expand securitization as a financing tool, speed interconnection, create energy-ready zones, strengthen consumer protections in competitive supply, and allow broader state procurement of energy resources. They said the package could save consumers billions over time and would help address high energy costs, especially during extreme heat and winter spikes. Committee members pressed the administration on several provisions, especially securitization, asking whether the bill requires an apples-to-apples comparison of total costs over time, including interest and lost tax revenue, versus paying through rates. Administration witnesses said DPU review and public comment would be required and said they would work to clarify the language if needed. Members also questioned the bill’s solar and procurement provisions, including reduced net metering compensation for some large facilities, the scope of all-resource procurements, and whether hydro, solar, and nuclear would be included; the administration said those resources were contemplated and that procurement would still be reviewed by DPU. Other questions focused on the short-term relief from bill changes, the treatment of low- and moderate-income discounts, and whether the bill’s heat pump and Mass Save reforms would help customers who cannot afford upfront costs. Several witnesses and committee members discussed Mass Save reforms, including securitization of program costs, on-bill financing, pre-approval of rebates, and shifting program administration away from gas utilities. Administration witnesses said the changes were intended to reduce volatility, lower administrative costs, and better align costs with long-term savings. Questions also touched on geothermal permitting, municipal participation in offshore wind procurement, and the proposed repeal of the ballot requirement for nuclear power, which the administration defended as preserving future options under heavy review. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described. Supportive testimony came from labor, environmental, business, planning, and development groups. The AFL-CIO, NECA, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts backed the bill, emphasizing lower bills, job creation, labor standards, just transition protections, and cleaner energy. NAIOP, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and MAPC supported provisions on energy-ready zones, interconnection reform, microgrids, extreme-heat shutoff protections, and Mass Save improvements. A HEET representative praised the bill’s use of securitization, geothermal, and utility financing tools but urged guardrails and workforce protections. Overall, testimony was broadly favorable, with most witnesses calling for refinements rather than opposing the bill outright.