Transcript Highlights:

• So this just ensures that both parties are in agreement that this is serious enough that we're willing
• So this just ensures that both parties are in agreement that this is serious enough that we're willing
• If there can't be agreement between the two departments, then that will go to the Board of Examiners,
• Current statute directs the... ...agreements to the controller's office.
• if an agency fails to report within the required timeframe, the controller will then give them a written

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, as I committed to on Tuesday and before and prior months, we will never bring a grant agreement
• , a provider, to execute a grant agreement before you guys without fully evaluating them.
• , a provider, to execute a grant agreement before you guys without fully evaluating them.
• This particular issue, though, with Navitus, we just weren't able to come to any kind of agreement to
• You have a review of an agreement in there, and I'll need a motion to file this as reviewed.

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you were not able to testify or sign up in advance, we always welcome the submission of written testimony
• And if you have longer thoughts to share, again, we encourage you to submit them via written testimony
• And feel free to submit longer comments via written testimony.
• I will add that our written testimony includes recommendations for further local option revenue raisers
• We will be providing written comments and testimony on other sections of the act that we support, as

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on several property and local tax bills. The main focus was H.56, the Municipal Empowerment Act, which the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, MAPC, and Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo supported as a package of local options and administrative reforms. Supporters said municipalities need more tools to relieve pressure on property taxes and fund services, citing proposed increases to local meals and lodging taxes, a new local vehicle excise surcharge, senior property tax relief, one-year override flexibility for emergencies, and central valuation of telecom and utility property by DOR. The administration said the bill was based on municipal listening sessions and was intended to give cities and towns optional, not mandatory, revenue tools. Opponents, including the National Federation of Independent Businesses, argued the tax increases would hurt restaurants, hotels, tourism, and small businesses and add to affordability concerns. The committee also heard testimony on H.3211, dealing with deeds excise receipts, from Norfolk County Commissioner Richard Staidi. He said Norfolk County is financially stable but needs additional revenue for major capital needs at its agricultural school, especially a new cafeteria and other aging facilities, and also to support county programs such as veteran transportation services. On S.2020, a bill to allow settlements of tax liability, Greater Boston Legal Services, the Asian American Civic Association, and several individual taxpayers urged creation of a more workable offer-in-compromise process at DOR. They said the current system is too subjective, requires an unaffordable $5,000 threshold, lacks clear standards and appeal rights, and leaves low-income taxpayers stuck with unmanageable debt, license suspensions, or business closures. Supporters said the bill would give both taxpayers and DOR a practical way to resolve liabilities and bring people back into compliance. The committee also took testimony on S.1966, which would require nonprofits selling property to disclose any back-tax obligations to buyers. Senator Peter Durant said the bill was prompted by a personal experience in which a tax bill arrived after a nonprofit property purchase was already completed, and he argued the disclosure would prevent buyers from being surprised by retroactive tax liability. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair closed the session after hearing from all scheduled witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• By requiring the principal or administrator to provide written certification that includes prescribed
• In addition, providing written documentation would ensure that teachers have the necessary support in
• Providing written documentation would ensure that teachers have the necessary support in managing their
• Effective discipline requires collaboration, not rigid mandates written in statute.
• It was written in DEA. That was a mistake.

Committee: Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard a presentation from Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne on school safety, academic improvement, career and technical education, ESA oversight, and teacher pay. Horne argued that students cannot learn if schools are unsafe and urged more funding for school police officers, described efforts to expand Project Momentum and tutoring, supported keeping cell phones out of classrooms, promoted the Student Industry Partnership, and called for renewing Proposition 123 with more money directed to teacher raises. In response to a question, he said the department is using AI tools, residency checks, and investigators to monitor ESA fraud and abuse. The committee then considered SB 1074, which would require written certification from a principal or administrator before a student removed for discipline could return to class. Horne and the sponsor said the bill would support teachers and improve accountability, while the Arizona Education Association opposed it as unnecessary, punitive, and potentially inconsistent with existing practice and FERPA concerns. After debate, the committee voted 4-3 to give SB 1074 a do pass recommendation. Members also heard SB 1327, as amended, requiring public universities to adopt and post research security policies and report on foreign grants and security practices. ABOR and a national security advocate supported the measure as a way to strengthen protections against foreign adversary influence, and the committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and advanced the bill 5-2. The committee then approved SB 1475, which bars students convicted of certain serious offenses from participating in school-sponsored interscholastic activities, 4-3 after discussion about second chances, counseling, and whether the bill was too punitive. Finally, the committee advanced SB 1582 and SB 1583, both related to school safety interoperability funding and fund administration, with technical discussion about correcting bill language and returning unspent monies to the fund. It also approved SB 1598, which appropriates $500,000 for grants to school districts and charter schools to create community gardens; supporters described the gardens as hands-on learning spaces that teach science, nutrition, and teamwork and can also serve as calming spaces for students. The committee adjourned after the last vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• that arose from that, but alarming they found evidence that quote your legal analysis quote were written
• I suppose for clarity I should point out that the letter the ranking member quoted from, written to Hilbert
• Are you committed to implementing this final rule as written? Oh yes, I am.
• And I know that you've written about this, but I think you've indicated in your testimony that you will
• Congress as a whole and this committee strongly support it and I don't know that I've personally written

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Keywords: transportation, air traffic control, safety regulations, Boeing 737 MAX, Department of Transportation, infrastructure funding, public safety, legislative oversight

Summary: The committee meeting addressed several pressing issues concerning transportation, particularly focusing on the need for improved safety standards and efficient management at the Department of Transportation. Specific discussions revolved around air traffic control, with members highlighting the urgency for a significant upgrade in systems and personnel. Notably, concerns were raised regarding past practices, especially the handling of safety regulations during the Boeing 737 MAX incidents. The committee expressed a clear intent to ensure rigorous safety oversight moving forward, emphasizing that the health and safety of the public must remain the top priority in all legislative and funding decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And many licensed occupations operate with a compact agreement.
• And things like compacts and reciprocity agreements are so important. ...and are here two or three years
• , and things like compacts and reciprocity agreements are so important.
• And, Chair, would you appreciate attaching the written testimony as well? Thank you.
• We have a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense, or as it may be known now, the Department

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But my experience starts in May of 2008, and I have written in a personal journal here.
• It limits fees to a reasonable one-time amount, and it requires a written agreement signed by the veteran
• I've submitted written testimony, but... is a preventative measure.
• I've submitted written testimony, but I'm going to try to be brief.
• I think there's probably universal agreement that that is the case. How do we do it?

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• was the Attorney General I've been I've been on the court though since 2018 and in that time I've written
• . agreements, production sharing agreements, they're complicated, even though when presented to the school
• I have written, I've got. extensive record and even I don't remember what all's in it so but I'm happy
• I've had written testimony for you as well. Thank you very much. Thank you much.
• Now if you've got any written information you want to leave with us. I'll provide it to you.

Committee: Senate Nominations

Keywords: Texas Water Fund, water management, infrastructure funding, local governments, workforce development, community colleges, educational programs, sustainability

Summary: The meeting focused on several crucial issues, including the Texas Water Fund and its implications for development in the state. Various members highlighted the critical need for effective management of water resources, discussing the role of the Water Development Board and their strategies for outreach to local governments. The committee engaged in a thorough examination of funding projects and the sustainable financing necessary for communities facing challenges in meeting their infrastructure needs. Additionally, there was notable discussion regarding promoting workforce development and the alignment of educational programs with the demands of the job market as indicated by recent trends in community colleges.

Transcript Highlights:

• G. for House Bills, and all written testimony received by the committee will be made publicly available
• His name is Howard Caris, and he will be submitting written testimony.
• Caris will be submitting his own written testimony.
• I will be submitting written testimony with more explanation.
• I'll file more extensive written testimony on that.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

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:

• And then you can submit written testimony for the members of the Commission, and we'll go through it.
• If you could submit written as well, because I like the way you kind of broke it all down.
• If you could submit written as well, because I like the way he kind of broke it all down.
• Components, and obviously the EPC is submitting more detailed written comments.
• They can submit written testimony. But we will have one more public hearing date to be determined.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses held a public hearing focused on interchange fees, sales tax and tip processing, chargebacks, fraud, surcharging, and the broader future of payment systems. Chair Paul Feeney and co-chair Rep. Jamie Murphy opened by explaining the commission’s charge and inviting testimony from small businesses, industry groups, banks, and policy experts. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that Massachusetts tourism depends on universal card acceptance and stable interchange, and urging the commission not to disrupt the current system ahead of major events expected to bring millions of visitors to the Commonwealth. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates describing thin margins and the burden of paying percentage-based processing fees on sales tax and tips that are not business revenue. Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, Kerry Colzer, and others said restaurants often operate on very small profits and that processing fees on taxes and gratuities can amount to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Ryan Lotz also urged reforms to chargebacks, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, and limiting repeat abuse. Commission members pressed witnesses on whether tax and tip amounts could be separated at the point of sale, and several witnesses said current consumer card systems do not transmit that level of detail. Testimony from credit union, banking, and payments representatives largely opposed state-level changes that would carve out taxes or tips from interchange, warning of compliance burdens, higher costs, reduced rewards, and possible effects on fraud protection and access to credit. Alex Verine of America’s Credit Unions and Deb Peters and Keely McEwen of the Electronic Payments Coalition said the payment system is complex, that interchange funds fraud prevention and network infrastructure, and that new state mandates could create operational and legal uncertainty. Dan Swanson argued states have authority to act and pointed to Illinois litigation and federal court rulings, while Julian Morris and Brad Popolado emphasized the benefits of card acceptance, the decline of cash, and the need to consider other payment methods and check fraud as well. Several witnesses discussed international payment systems, instant payments, and QR standards as possible future directions. The chairs and members engaged in extended back-and-forth with witnesses about whether Massachusetts could exempt sales tax from swipe fees, whether surcharging should be revisited, and whether vendor compensation or other targeted relief might be more workable than broad changes to interchange. No votes were taken. At the close of the hearing, the chairs said the commission would hold one additional public hearing date to be determined, after which members would begin developing next steps and a report.

Transcript Highlights:

• About the scoring of written assessments.
• This statute is written differently; it has a different phrasing.
• It is written in such a way that it doesn't do that.
• Yes, sir, that's the way the bill's written. And can...
• We've actually come to an agreement to have better language.

Bills: HB8 , HB12 , SB 3 , HJR1 , SB 11 , SB 16 , SB 14 , HB8 , HB 12 , SB3 , HJR1 , SB11 , SB16 , SB14

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> submitted my written testimony as well. submitted my written testimony as well.
• :30.880><c> in</c><01:08:30.960><c> strong</c> on our written testimony in strong on our written testimony
• </c> currently has be in previous agreements currently has be in previous agreements between<01:25:59.520
• </c><01:53:32.640><c> of</c> written testimony in support of written testimony in support of amendments
• So, we addressed this in our written testimony, but didn't highlight in our written testimony.

Bills: HCR13 , HCR61 , HCR136 , HCR185 , HCR155 , HCR68 , HCR174 , HCR178 , HCR179 , HCR91 , HCR103 , HCR115 , HCR199 , HR15 , HR128 , HR175 , HR147 , HR62 , HR164 , HR168 , HR169 , HR83 , HR95 , HR107 , HR189

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: coral reefs, sunscreen, environmental education, student stewardship, marine conservation, reforestation, Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources, native forests, climate resilience, sustainable practices, economic opportunity, biodiversity, wildland-urban interface, WUI, wildfire mitigation, wildfire safety, Maui County, County of Maui, Kauai

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on March 31, 2026, and heard testimony on several resolutions. HCR 13/HR 50, which asks DLNR to work with DOE and the Public Charter School Commission on a student coral stewardship program, drew comments from DLNR, which said it stood on written testimony and had proposed amendments, and from supporters in the room. HCR 61, urging investment in reforestation policies, workforce, nursery capacity, and related support for public and private lands, received strong support from DLNR and multiple testifiers, including members of a reforestation policy hui, a resident, and others who emphasized watershed protection, flood and fire resilience, and the need to upgrade nursery infrastructure and staffing. Committee members asked questions about nursery modernization, staffing, island-specific needs, and whether reforestation could reduce wildfire impacts; the DLNR witness said all islands need investment, with especially large opportunities on Hawaiʻi Island, and that healthier forests improve resilience though they cannot eliminate climate-related risks. The committee then heard HCR 136/HR 128 on wildland-urban interface safety standards for Maui plantation towns, but no one testified. It also heard HCR 185/HR 175, which urges denial of permits for ICE detention-related warehouses; Chris Coffey of Immua Alliance testified in support, saying migrant survivors of exploitation are harmed when ICE detains people and that Hawaii would not be the first place to take such action, citing examples from other states and cities. In questioning, members explored whether a local facility would keep people closer to families and services or instead increase local detention; Coffey said detention generally cuts off access to services and can intensify fear, and that a local facility could incentivize more detention and make survivors less likely to come forward. Finally, the committee heard HCR 155/HR 147 supporting the Hawaii Water Safety Coalition’s Hawaii Water Safety Act. Testifiers included Allison Shapera, who described the statewide water safety plan, Hawaii’s high drowning rate, the economic and human costs of drownings, and her personal loss of her daughter in a preventable drowning; Kirsten Hermstead and Kalani Vierra of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association said the plan’s recommendations need legislative recognition to help with implementation and grant funding; and Jessamine Town Horner testified by Zoom as a co-founder and bereaved family advocate. The transcript provided does not show any votes or final committee actions on the measures discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, an opposition or at least as written. Caitlyn Bowler, U.S.
• , and we respectfully ask that you consider an amendment or vote no on the bill as written.
• , and we respectfully ask that you consider an amendment or vote no on the bill as written.
• , and we respectfully ask that you consider an amendment or vote no on the bill as written.
• </c> requires the state to provide written requires the state to provide written notice<01:24:10.920>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard SB 1231, which would repeal the Parentage Uniform Act of 1973 and update Hawaii’s parentage laws, including parts of the Uniform Parentage Act of 2017. Supporters said the current statutes are outdated and do not adequately address assisted reproduction, surrogacy, and modern family formation. The Attorney General’s office supported the bill with technical amendments, including conforming changes to the Probate Code and child support provisions, and several testifiers urged passage as a needed modernization of the law. A major point of disagreement was Part 10, which concerns donor anonymity. Some supporters, including members of the task force, the Uniform Law Commission, fertility and family law practitioners, and LGBTQ+ advocates, backed the bill as written or said it should move forward even if Part 10 is removed. Others, including donor-conceived adults, parents, and advocacy groups, opposed Part 10 and urged the committee to adopt the 2024 version of Article 9 or delete Part 10 entirely, arguing that anonymous donation harms donor-conceived people’s access to genetic, medical, and identity information and that anonymity is not realistic in the DNA-testing era. One task force member and attorney said she supported the bill but preferred removing Part 10 if necessary to pass the rest. The hearing included extensive public testimony both in support and opposition, with many individuals describing personal experiences with adoption, IVF, surrogacy, and donor conception. No committee vote or final action on the bill was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't have written road maintenance agreements, and everything's kind of voluntary.
• They don't have written road maintenance agreements, and everything's kind of voluntary.
• road maintenance agreement.
• of an HOA or a written road maintenance agreement.<04:26:10.399><c> Um,</c><04:26:11.120><c> inviting
• Um, inviting, you know, agreement.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• purpose of this hearing, we are accepting witness testimony in person, and we are also accepting written
• Clarify that Sections 1553 and 19230 of the Elections Code do not prohibit agreements between elections
• Clarify that Sections 1553 and 19230 of the Elections Code do not prohibit agreements between elections
• Clarify the language that allows the Secretary of State and Attorney General to object to a written authorization

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on May 6, 2026, with a quorum present and heard one bill, SB 73. The author described the measure as a response to perceived threats to California elections, including restrictions on armed or non-uniformed personnel at polling places, protections for ballots and voting equipment, and limits on law enforcement access to election materials without a court order. The chair reviewed a set of agreed amendments, including removing a section conflicting with AB 1664, deleting proposed criminal penalties, clarifying the role of the Attorney General and Secretary of State, and refining language on signature challenges, law enforcement support, and certified voting technology. Supporters, including AAPI Force, CHIRLA, the League of Women Voters of California, and Common Cause, argued the bill would protect voters from intimidation and preserve election integrity. Opponents from CALA argued the bill was unnecessary, would hinder legitimate investigations, and reflected distrust of law enforcement and federal oversight. Committee discussion focused heavily on whether the bill was responding to real-world threats and on the ballot seizure in Riverside County. Members questioned how the measure would affect signature challenges, chain of custody, and investigations into possible fraud. The author and supporters said ballots should remain in election officials’ custody and that federal or local agents should not be able to interfere with election materials or intimidate voters. The chair and other members also discussed the urgency clause and the need to move the bill quickly despite the proximity of the June election. The committee voted to do pass and re-refer SB 73 to the Committee on Public Safety. The roll call initially showed the bill passing 5-1, then after the absent member arrived, the final vote was 6-2, and the bill was reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• purpose of this hearing, we are accepting witness testimony in person, and we are also accepting written
• the Elections Code; clarify that Sections 1553 and 19230 of the Elections Code do not prohibit agreements
• Clarify that Sections 1553 and 19230 of the Elections Code do not prohibit agreements between elections
• Clarify the language that allows the Secretary of State and Attorney General to object to a written authorization

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But this, the way it's written right now, would prohibit us from interviewing that child or seeing that
• Okay, this listing the written notice required by subsection 3 shall include the following description
• So this is existing administrative agreement... existing administrative agreement between every county

Bills: HB493

Committee: House Children and Senior Advocacy

Keywords: child advocacy centers, certification, funding allocation, Alabama Network, forensic evaluation, children's welfare, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This lens on critical pedagogy was written by Dr.
• This lens on critical pedagogy written by Dr. Jeff Duncan Andrade and Dr.
• This lens on critical pedagogy, written by Dr. Jeff Duncan-Andrade and Dr.
• Senate Bill 1172 by Senator Hurtado, relating to tax sharing agreements.
• This bill does not eliminate tax sharing agreements.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The statute tells financial institutions don't validate the written certification, don't ask for a death
• If they comply with the law as written, they are not liable.
• And the statute as written before this committee would have made them.
• And I imagine that in those situations, they have some amicable agreement where they're paying and no
• I imagine that in those situations, they have some amicable agreement where they're paying and no one's

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a multitude of concerns that will be reflected in our written testimony that I'll submit after
• and significant improvements in energy efficiency just over the last decade, which will be found in written
• property or rights-of-way for new transmission corridors for public use, enter into contracts and agreements
• concerns over the scope of the requirements laid out in Sections 12 and 13, and have submitted some written
• There's an agreement with Sea-Tac Airport to attempt to limit the landings over our homes to just three

Bills: SB6124 , SB5652

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: appliance affordability, cost index, energy efficiency, consumer protection, Washington state, aviation, airport noise, air pollution, environmental justice, health disparities, public health, ultrafine particulate matter, black carbon, nitrogen dioxide, volatile organic compounds, asthma, heart disease, cancer, sleep disruption, hypertension