Transcript Highlights:

• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• I move to suspend the rules for any bill... ...Committee.
• day prior to the day required under the Assembly and Joint Rules.
• The rules are suspended without reference to file. Ayes 43, noes 15.
• The rules are suspended without reference to file. Assembly Bill 126 by Assembly Member Gabriel.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a strict three-minute rule in this committee.
• That the legislative bodies made changes.
• Two, we have clear rules.
• Does this mean in the legislation?
• It's more legislative.

Summary: The committee first handled several housekeeping items, voluntarily deferring HB 123, HB 255, and HB 994 without objection. It then took up SCR 3 by Senator Brock Myers, which would delay and revise implementation of a state police rule affecting criminal history background checks for licensed ambulance personnel and certain health care workers. After adopting Amendment Set 434 to remove a provision involving parish and local law enforcement checks, the committee reported SCR 3 as amended favorably. The committee also heard HB 978 by Rep. Lecombe, which as amended raises the population threshold for municipalities required to remit certain special costs to the District Indigent Defender Fund from under 5,000 to under 9,000; with support from the town of Addis and related stakeholders, the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then considered HB 967 by Rep. Moore, which sought to remove language limiting parole eligibility for certain pre-July 2, 1973 life-sentenced offenders to those who had pleaded guilty, thereby allowing a small group of elderly inmates convicted at trial to seek parole consideration. Supporters argued the bill would only create an opportunity for review, not release, and cited rehabilitation and fairness concerns; opponents, including district attorneys and corrections officials, argued the 2022 law already addressed the intended group and that the current bill would reopen cases involving serious violent crimes. After extended debate, the motion to report HB 967 favorably failed on an 8-3 vote. Finally, the committee took up HB 1107 by Rep. Melerine, a bill on determining intellectual disability in capital cases. The bill, as amended, raised the burden of proof to clear and convincing evidence, set an IQ threshold framework, required expert reports and Daubert-type reliability review, and limited the article to post-conviction capital cases. The Attorney General’s office and district attorneys supported the bill as a way to create clearer procedures and speed resolution of Atkins claims, while criminal defense lawyers, disability advocates, clergy, and medical experts opposed it as inconsistent with current clinical standards and potentially unconstitutional, warning that rigid IQ cutoffs and presumptions could wrongly expose people with intellectual disabilities to execution. The transcript ends during closing remarks on HB 1107, with no final committee vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• pursuant to rule 40.7. Thank you, Mr. pursuant to rule 40.7. Thank you, Mr.
• pursuant to rule exc to to rule 40.7. pursuant to rule exc to to rule 40.7.
• pursuant to rule 40.7. Thank you, Mr. pursuant to rule 40.7. Thank you, Mr.
• pursuant to rule 40.7. pursuant to rule 40.7.
• pursuant to rule 40.7. Thank you, Mr. pursuant to rule 40.7. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• not currently in rule or statute. not currently in rule or statute.
• <00:04:12.680> this<00:04:13.480> uh rules must adopt rules under this uh rules must
• make some clear lines and create rules make some clear lines and create rules around<00:05:07.480
• Oh, to Rules. That's cuz it's a Westlin. Oh, to Rules. That's cuz it's a late<00:08:28.760> bill.
• So this legislation legislation legislation provides<00:35:21.200> state<00:35:21.560> agencies

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• um there are a couple states legislator um there are a couple states legislator legislators<00:41
• I just wonder the rules that we're waiting for may well impact any legislative decisions that we make
• Um, you do have oversight in the legislative process in terms of the rules.
• Um, you do have oversight in the legislative process in terms of the rules.
• Um, you do have oversight in the legislative process in terms of the rules.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Through the rule process, the way the rule process works is that the board would authorize the commencement
• I mean, not the code, I'm sorry, by their rules.
• This legislation does not eliminate accountability.
• It's not a bad piece of legislation.
• We heard this in Rules.

Bills: SB246, SB146, SB300, SB301, SB309, SM17

Keywords: massage therapy, licensure, health and safety standards, continuing education, establishment licensing, civil rights, sovereign immunity, damages, public body, lawsuit limitations, legal notice, child welfare, computing infrastructure, data management, Department of Health, appropriation, foster care, Indian children, cultural competency, training services

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation is needed because without concurrent legislative jurisdiction, juvenile misconduct is
• This legislation is needed because without concurrent legislative jurisdiction, juvenile misconduct is
• Japsi nullified the rule in the passage of this legislation, and that is the bill.
• And you've always been a legislator and a friend who has said, hey, I have this issue. ...a legislator
• Even I, Miss Rule Follower, broke a caucus position to support this legislation.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, several introductions, and an announcement that there would be no conference that weekend. The chamber then took up a long special order calendar and passed a series of bills, often by substituting House companions. Early measures included trust law modernization to create a nonjudicial trustee discharge process, military affairs changes expanding leave and retirement-related provisions, a bill to prepare for the end of penny use by standardizing cash rounding, and a podiatric medicine bill regulating cellular or tissue-based products and informed consent. The Senate also approved veterans court expansion, RV park assessment clarification, alcohol-loss tax deduction authority, bail bond and pretrial release revisions, and a military-installation jurisdiction bill to allow juvenile cases on bases to be handled in state juvenile court under certain conditions. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, with the bail bond bill passing 36-1 after questions about charitable bail bonds and confirmation that existing law on return of charitable bail funds would remain unchanged. The chamber then paused for a lengthy farewell presentation honoring Senator Lori Berman, featuring a video, remarks from many senators, and Berman’s own closing speech reflecting on her 16 years of service, her legislative priorities, and her call for civility, bipartisanship, and continued support for issues such as school safety, Israel, anti-Semitism, and affordability. After the tribute, the Senate resumed and passed additional bills, including one expanding insurance coverage definitions for portable electronics and eyewear, a workforce and nursing education funding bill broadening support for health science programs, a recovery residences regulatory streamlining bill, a felony battery enhancement bill adding resisting an officer with violence as a qualifying prior offense, and a child welfare bill extending visitor thresholds in out-of-home placements, making the Step Into Success program permanent, and creating a best-practices program. The chamber also advanced a candidate qualification bill tightening party-affiliation requirements and adding a House provision on recent legal name changes; debate began on that measure as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• well as that 10% budget committee rule.
• importantly, it upholds the legislative importantly, it upholds the legislative intent<00:03:44.160
• 10% budget committee rule. 10% budget committee rule.
• where they start to reach this 10% rule where they start to reach this 10% rule as<00:11:00.400>
• have is do we really need legislation? have is do we really need legislation?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is essential in assuring that the rule is both effective and up-to-date. 2.
• It was not included in legislation in the last several years.
• The rationale behind the 48-hour rule is accountability and transparency.
• The 48-hour rule is not being followed.
• bringing that would dovetail into your legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is ordered to the Legislative Bureau.
• It is ordered to the Legislative Bureau.
• It is ordered to the Legislative Bureau.
• It is ordered to the Legislative Bureau.
• It is ordered to the Legislative Bureau.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's my first time addressing a legislative committee.
• The final rule for the backup power plan is a The final rule for the backup power plan is in front of
• It would require legislation. To incentivize utilities to do it, it would require legislation.
• We need to pass a piece of legislation.
• That was a really good piece of legislation.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And every time, the courts have ruled against those plaintiffs. ...the courts have ruled against those
• That is what you told me when I asked you if you intended to file legislation to do this in this legislative
• So my question... ...you intended to file legislation to do this in this legislative session.
• I serve on Community Affairs and Rules.
• Rules Chair, you're recognized for an introduction? Oh, yep.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest and staff introductions. The chamber then took up returning messages from the House and acted on multiple bills, with votes recorded on each. Senate Bill 628 on transportation facility designations was concurred in as amended and passed 31-4 after discussion about naming roads for deceased individuals and an exception for President Trump. The House amendment to the Live Local affordable housing package, CS/CS/HB 1389, was also concurred in and passed 35-0; Senator Claudio explained it as the fourth iteration of the Live Local Act, including new provisions allowing certain affordable housing on qualifying religious property, extending some timelines, and removing accessory dwelling unit language. CS/CS/HB 1451 on utility services was concurred in and passed 30-6 after questions about phasing out surcharges and reporting requirements. The chamber also substituted CS/CS/HB 1279 for SB 7038 and adopted an education amendment package before passing the bill 36-1, while several other measures were temporarily postponed. The Senate then considered CS/CS/SB 484 on data centers and concurred in the House amendment 383-957, passing the bill 31-6. Senator Avila said the amendment strengthened ratepayer protections, required a PSC tariff filing, and directed an OPAGA study on large-scale data centers. Several senators pressed concerns about the removal of the Senate’s nondisclosure agreement prohibition, the possibility of delayed public awareness of data center projects, and whether costs could be shifted to other ratepayers; Avila responded that the amendment preserved local land-use authority and that ratepayer costs could not be borne by the general body of ratepayers. Debate reflected a split between senators who supported the bill as a needed regulatory framework and those who objected to the transparency changes and the loss of the Senate’s original NDA language. Later, the Senate took up land use and development regulations, substituting CS/CS/CS/HB 399 for SB 208. An amendment by Senator Jones to remove language affecting a Fontainebleau Hotel water park project in Miami Beach failed 17-20 after debate over local control and preemption. Senator McLean’s amendments then added a sunset date and other changes, and Senator Claudio’s amendment preserved Miami-Dade’s urban development boundary supermajority protections and related planning provisions. The chamber then began extended debate on Senator Martin’s amendment creating a process for property owners to challenge rural boundary designations and seek compensation or removal from the designation without going to court; supporters framed it as a property-rights and due-process measure, while opponents argued it would undermine local planning, impose costs on taxpayers, and weaken voter-approved rural boundaries in Orange and Seminole counties. The transcript ends amid that debate, with no final vote shown on the rural boundary amendment in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a Rules Committee resolution at the desk to suspend Joint Rule 61.61.
• Resolve that Joint Rule 61A be suspended to permit... Okay, the clerk will read.
• Joint Rule 61 is suspended.
• That power cannot be legislated away.
• Pursuant to Assembly Rule 51, I request unanimous consent. Are you Excuse me.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the previous day’s journal. Procedural motions were adopted to allow certain members to speak on adjournment in memory and to host guests on the floor, and the chamber suspended Joint Rule 61 to allow the Appropriations Committee to meet and consider AB 1533. The majority leader also requested that SB 272 and HR 44 be removed from the consent calendar. The main floor action was the Assembly’s Pride Month observance, centered on HR 43, which recognizes June 2025 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month. Assembly Member Ward and members of several caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing LGBTQ+ history, civil rights, community contributions, and current political attacks on LGBTQ+ rights. Assembly Member DeMaio spoke in opposition, arguing the resolution was divisive and included controversial policy references. After debate, 49 coauthors were added and the resolution was adopted by voice vote. The chamber then held a Pride Month ceremony honoring 14 distinguished individuals for contributions to the LGBTQ+ community, followed by guest introductions recognizing APICA fellows, family members, educators, and community leaders. The Assembly later adopted the consent calendar, with SB 61, SB 66, SB 846, SB 229, and SCR 3 approved, and then heard adjournment-in-memory tributes for John E. Brison and former Assembly Member William T. Bagley. The House adjourned until Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the bigger ones is the family court rules, Rule 1.2, waiver of rules.
• , waive the rules of evidence, waive rules of due process, waive rules of anything.
• As good rule 1.2, okay, waiver of rules.
• The legislator, from what I can procure, added a sentence that the rule shall have the force and effect
• So all the court rules, the rules of evidence, the superior court rules, the Supreme Court rules, are

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's still legislation moving.
• All right, to speak on the legislation. Thank you. Thank you, Senator.
• Senator Taylor, speak on the legislation. Daggone it.
• Clerk will tally the rule. The machine is closed. Clerk will tally the roll.
• Members of the Senate, the Rules Committee will be set at 5:00 p.m.

Keywords: 964, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation is not the end of our work.
• This legislation is not just cosmetic.
• This is one of those pieces of legislation.
• I also rise in support of this legislation.
• I also rise to support of this legislation.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up several committee reports, resolutions, and House messages, then moved through a series of bills on the calendar. Early action included adopting a Ways and Means order on Senate Bill 2549, which promotes student learning and mental health, by substituting a new draft and setting amendment deadlines and a second reading date. The chamber also adopted congratulatory resolutions for the Sport Fish Restoration Program’s 75th anniversary and the Hawthorn Hotel’s 100th anniversary, and suspended rules on a sick leave bank petition for a trial court employee and on a House bill validating a special election in Hardwick, which was ordered to a third reading. The Senate also adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Peter Hayden Lapin of Springfield, a veteran and former public servant. The Senate then considered Senate Bill 137, renaming and updating references in the General Laws to replace outdated and offensive terms regarding people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Senators spoke at length in support of the bill, emphasizing respect, disability rights, and the work of advocates such as Melissa Riley and the Arc of Massachusetts. An amendment by Senator Creem replaced “hearing impaired” with “deaf or hard of hearing,” and a corrective amendment by Senator Lovely was also adopted. The bill was then passed to be engrossed by a unanimous 40-0 roll call. Next, the Senate considered Senate Bill 1034, which repeals archaic laws including sodomy-related provisions, the common nightwalker law, and the blasphemy statute, and creates a commission to review archaic laws going forward. Senators described the measure as a civil liberties and dignity issue, with particular attention to the misuse of the common nightwalker law against women and trans people and the historical injustice of blasphemy laws. Amendments were adopted to add the Supreme Court as a recipient of commission reports and to remove the crime of petite treason. The bill was then passed to be engrossed unanimously, 40-0. Finally, the Senate considered Senate Bill 2558, the “blue envelope” bill to improve interactions between police officers and people with autism spectrum disorder. Supporters said the voluntary program would help drivers and passengers with ASD during traffic stops and would be made permanent through the Registry of Motor Vehicles, with the State Police and advocacy groups involved. An amendment requiring in-service training by the Massachusetts Police Training Council was adopted, while a proposed yellow-dot amendment for older drivers with chronic illness was rejected 5-34. A Ways and Means amendment was then adopted, and the bill passed to be engrossed unanimously, 39-0. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair calls on the Rules Attorney. Mr.
• Chair calls on the Rules Attorney. Mr.
• Chair, calls and the rules, Attorney. Mr.
• Chair calls on the Rules Attorney. Mr.
• Chair calls on the Rules Attorney. Mr.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Rules Committee considered several bills and resolutions for whether they were constitutional and in proper form. House Bill 2076, concerning school safety and concealed firearms carried by school employees, drew a constitutional concern because its civil-liability immunity language would also cover private school employees and potentially violate the anti-abrogation clause; staff recommended limiting that immunity to public school employees. House Bill 2136, creating crimes for civil terrorism and subversion, raised due process vagueness concerns because “subvert” was undefined, and members also discussed possible First Amendment overbreadth. House Bills 2158 and 2159, both involving Mexican wolves, were flagged for federal preemption under the Endangered Species Act because the bills would authorize conduct conflicting with federal protections; sponsors were said to be considering amendments. House Bill 2497, on hunting and wildlife regulation, raised legislative entrenchment concerns because it would restrict future legislatures, with members also discussing but not resolving a possible dormant Voter Protection Act theory. House Bill 2755, allowing renewal of certain state trust land mineral leases without auction, was flagged for a possible conflict with the constitutional 20-year lease limit, and House Bill 4030 and HCR 2052, dealing with a tax and fee moratorium/referral, prompted debate over Article 9, Section 19 and whether the moratorium could reach constitutionally excluded taxes. Each of those individual measures was ultimately recommended as constitutional and in proper form by a 5-2 vote, with one member absent on each roll call. The committee also noted that House Bill 2956 was held. At the end of the meeting, the committee took a mass motion covering many additional bills, memorials, and resolutions; the Rules Attorney stated they had been reviewed and were constitutional and in proper form, and the committee approved the mass motion by a 7-0 vote with one absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a judicially created rule by the California Supreme Court.
• There was a Ninth Circuit ruling there.
• But after that ruling, we had the Ninth Circuit Court ruling that followed that ruling.
• And almost immediately, this ruling was pretty recent. That... Immediately.
• This ruling was pretty recent. That was argued March 3rd of this year.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And our enforcement position going forward is straightforward: the rules in the code are the rules we
• If the commission ever concludes a rule is too strict, the remedy is to amend the rule through the proper
• The rules in the code are the rules we enforce.
• If the commission ever concludes a rule is too strict, the remedy is to amend the rule through the proper
• Did the legislative body at one time actually excuse DOCR from administrative rule qualifications, I

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to know what the rules are.
• I just want to know what the rules are.
• Further discussion on the gentleman's legislation.
• Your legislative rules committee week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Your legislative rules committee will be going back in. We've been in recess.

Summary: The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 65th and 66th days, with the first journal approval passing by roll call 124-0. Members then offered several introductions recognizing interns and special guests, including a lengthy tribute to law enforcement officers who were wounded in the line of duty and the presentation of Capitol-flown flags to some of them. The chamber received committee reports from Fiscal Review recommending passage of several measures, including Senate Joint Resolution 87, Senate Bills 878 and 994, conference reports on House Bill 2818 and Senate Bill 973, and Senate Bill 1825. The House then took up House Bill 2818, a conference report dealing with annexation-related language for the St. Joseph Airport and added provisions affecting St. Charles and Jefferson counties. After debate about local control and development, the House approved the conference report 140-7 and then passed the bill 136-7. Members next considered Senate Bill 1825, which updates county salary commission schedules, removes sheriffs and prosecutors from salary commissions, and gives certain fourth-class counties additional time to transition to third-class status. After discussion about county pay, coroners, and local fiscal impacts, the House adopted the Senate substitute 109-35 and finally passed the bill 106-39. The House also approved House Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 87, the so-called constitutional sheriff resolution, after adopting a St. Louis City amendment clarifying the City of St. Louis sheriff provisions; the resolution passed 100-47. Finally, the House passed Senate Bill 878, which expands pharmacist authority for certain common ailments, emergency waivers, and behind-the-counter access to ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, with a House amendment adding blood pressure cuff and opioid-alternative language; it passed 132-13. Senate Bill 903, addressing theft and vandalism involving telecommunications and critical infrastructure, also passed 137-5. The House then announced upcoming committee meetings, noted additional bills to be considered upon return, and adjourned until May 12, 2026.