Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you.
• Thank you.
• Thank you. >> Thank you. And thank you, Senator Scarcella-Spanton.
• THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU, SENATOR SCARCELLA-SPANTON.
• Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then took up a series of previously adopted resolutions recognizing individuals, communities, and state traditions. The chamber honored Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis posthumously after his Medal of Honor recognition, with remarks from Senator Scarcella-Spanton and others praising his sacrifice and welcoming his parents. Senators also celebrated New York maple producers and Maple Weekends, Bangladesh Independence Day and the contributions of Bangladeshi New Yorkers, York Middle/High School girls varsity volleyball for winning a state championship, Pavilion/York Air Rifle for winning the state invitational championship, and Tartan Day. These resolutions were adopted, and the sponsors opened them for co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved through the regular calendar and passed multiple bills, including measures on environmental conservation, personal property, agriculture and markets, insurance, state law, executive law, workers’ compensation, election law, correction law, public health, and parks/historic preservation. Most passed with broad support, though some drew a handful of negative votes. One bill on election law, allowing certain 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they will be 18 by the general election, prompted supportive floor debate from several senators and passed 43-17. Another bill on correction law also passed after debate. A notable controversy arose over Calendar 227, a Public Authorities Law bill related to school energy planning and electric buses. Senator Borrello challenged an amendment as nongermane, the Chair ruled against it, and the Senate voted 22-0 to sustain the ruling. The underlying bill then passed, despite criticism from senators who argued the state should repeal the electric bus mandate and instead study safer, more practical alternatives for school districts. The Senate then completed its business and adjourned until March 24 at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• And under the leadership of, you know, you, Senator Miranda and many on this call, Representative Ferguson
• Thank you. Can you all hear me okay? Sorry, I'm calling from daycare pickup.
• Thank you for calling on me.

Summary: The Ellen Story Commission for Postpartum Depression held its spring meeting with a large turnout, beginning with roll call and a review of the agenda. Co-chairs Representative Brandy Fluker-Reid and Senator Liz Miranda highlighted progress from the recently enacted maternal health omnibus law and the Moms Matter Act, including creation of a midwifery board, expansion of out-of-hospital birth options, doula services, lactation support, MassHealth coverage changes, and a trust fund for community-based behavioral health and substance use grants. Members also discussed implementation of the new law, the commission’s annual report, and the need to continue supporting birth centers and perinatal mental health services. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on commission membership and vacancies. Commissioners discussed whether to remain on the body, the need to fill several open seats, and whether the commission’s statutory composition should be updated to better reflect current practice and expertise. Members suggested adding more clinicians working directly with perinatal families, infant mental health experts, and a representative from PSI of Massachusetts, while also noting the value of having regulators and professional society representatives at the table. Several participants said any changes to membership would likely require legislation, and the co-chairs said they would explore options and possibly circulate a flyer or other invitation process for nominations. The commission also discussed meeting structure and future planning. Members generally supported moving to quarterly virtual meetings, with a preference for a 4 p.m. start time, and some suggested one annual in-person gathering. The group agreed to postpone the usual May Advocacy Day because the Great Hall was unavailable and instead aim for a fall event, with volunteers stepping forward to help plan it. Commissioners raised top-of-mind issues including postpartum depression screening reimbursement, care for people after miscarriage or abortion, access for undocumented pregnant people, and the impact of federal cuts. The meeting ended with agreement to crowdsource legislative priorities for the next quarter, consider future presentations from outside organizations, and send updates between meetings, followed by a motion to adjourn that passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• So how do you see where this can, you know, where you can balance the two?
• Members, the motion before you is that Senate Bill 1046 be returned with a do pass recommendation.
• So often when I'm talking to lay people—I'm not calling you all lay people; I know you understand this
• What do you see? What do you see?
• Thank you so much for coming. I really appreciate it. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. Thank you.

Bills: SB1046

Committees: House Science & Technology , House House Science & Technology Committee of Reference

Keywords: telecommunications, broadband, internet infrastructure, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, national security, foreign adversary, China, Chinese equipment, supply chain security, network equipment, microchips, Arizona Corporation Commission, telecommunications provider, communications infrastructure, Huawei, ZTE, state-owned enterprise, sanctions, infrastructure security

Transcript Highlights:

• member I suppose you could go before before before them<00:31:17.720><c> all</c><00:31:17.799><c> right
• You are aware we have a president who calls the Green New Deal a scam and it's anti-science, and it's
• ><00:41:08.000><c> list</c><00:41:08.280><c> of</c> want to ask you to dig into a list of want to ask
• </c><00:59:39.640><c> current</c><00:59:40.160><c> role</c> you further um before my current role you
• Before wrapping up, I'm going to turn it over to Mike to update you on implementation of 2024 law.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• you yes thank you go now we can hear you yes thank you thank<00:02:41.959><c> you</c><00:02:42.120><c
• </c><00:39:08.960><c> you</c><00:39:09.079><c> chair</c> are oh I was going to call you chair are oh
• I was going to call you chair Scott<00:39:09.560><c> so</c><00:39:09.760><c> yes</c><00:39:09.920><c>
• you madam chair uh<00:53:46.280><c> before</c><00:53:46.559><c> this</c><00:53:46.720><c> I</c><00:53
• Thank you for kind of pitching in and taking care of it before we head it up there.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• I mean, if you want students to have their classes done before... 26.
• I mean, if you want students to have their classes done before.
• Thank you. Thank you. Let's call the committee back to order. Okay, we got everybody here.

Summary: The committee met to discuss higher education funding and capital building policy. Members first heard an update from NDUS Deputy Commissioner Lisa Johnson on low-producing academic programs. She described a proposed board policy using a five-year rolling window and thresholds of fewer than 10 undergraduate graduates or fewer than 5 graduate graduates, with programs flagged for three consecutive review periods going to the board. Possible outcomes would include continuation, continuation with modifications, inactivation, or termination. Members asked about how the review would account for program costs, service to other students, workforce demand, and the difference between inactivation and termination. Johnson said the board would consider broader factors and that campuses already do detailed program analysis. Several members also asked about cost savings and staffing impacts from program terminations, and Johnson said the board would try to provide more information later. The committee then received a report on the Capital Building Fund from Jamie Wilkie. He reviewed the program’s history, matching requirements, and recent uses, noting that about $334 million in state and matching dollars has been invested overall, with most going to deferred maintenance and extraordinary repairs. Members discussed whether the program is reducing deferred maintenance and requested updated systemwide data on deferred maintenance and campus space utilization. Wilkie said the board is considering a new study to update deferred maintenance figures, which are based on information more than 12 years old. He also reported that several institutions have used current biennium funds for projects such as residence hall renovations, health sciences housing, generators, and building repairs. Later, the committee began a detailed walkthrough of a draft bill that would replace the current higher education funding formula with an FTE-based model and also revise the capital building fund structure. The draft would use fall enrollment FTEs, add completion incentives for degrees in in-demand fields, and create a separate research funding component for UND and NDSU tied to doctoral completions and external research expenditures. Members raised concerns about the use of older data in the formula, the treatment of waivers, the weighting of professional and health sciences programs, and the use of CIP codes to define CTE and education incentives. The bill draft would also combine capital building fund tiers, broaden eligible uses for deferred maintenance and legislatively authorized projects, change matching requirements, repeal the old formula chapter and the capital pool, and transfer funds from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund into the capital building fund. No final votes were taken during the portion provided; the meeting was primarily discussion and review.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you dig a little deeper into that word supervision? What exactly does it mean?
• Before you can even apply to the program, you have to complete a number of requirements that basically
• Thank you for being here, sir. Thank you. Thank you for being here, sir.
• I mean, one of them, Frank, said, “You call me the moment that legislation passes and the rules say I
• Thank you for your care, and I hope you vote up on this bill. Thank you.

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. HB 21 would create a new licensed profession of dental therapy under the Department of Health and Board of Dentistry, allowing trained dental therapists to provide a limited scope of care under a supervising Florida-licensed dentist through a collaborative management agreement. Sponsor Rep. Cheney argued the bill would help address severe dental shortages and improve access in underserved areas; opponents from the Florida Dental Association and oral surgery groups warned that the bill would allow irreversible procedures by less-educated providers and could compromise patient safety. Supporters, including dentists, hygienists, and community health center leaders, said dental therapists would expand access and free dentists to handle more complex care. An amendment was adopted to require proof of local anesthesia training, adverse-incident reporting, and updated background screening language. The bill was reported favorably as amended by a 14-1 vote. The committee then considered HB 27, which creates the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact to allow licensed social workers to practice across member states, including through telehealth, and to help military families and address workforce shortages. Supporters from the National Association of Social Workers and other advocates said the compact would improve mobility, reduce administrative burdens, and expand access to mental health services, especially in underserved and rural areas. A technical amendment restoring model language and setting an effective date of July 1, 2025 was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 29, the public-records companion to the social work compact, which creates exemptions needed for compact compliance and allows the compact commission or its committees to meet in closed session when discussing information exempt under law. After a technical amendment authorizing closed meetings for exempt matters was adopted, the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't feel comfortable calling you by your first name, former Senator Frockt.
• So I am excited to be before you as a goober.
• One building is calling for heating and cooling. Thank you.
• May we have the gubernatorial appointments before us? Thank you, Madam Chair.
• May we have the gubernatorial appointments before us. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee first waived the five-day notice rule and held a public hearing on Substitute House Bill 2525, which would establish a Heritage Orchard Program at Washington State University. Staff explained the bill was narrowed from the original version and would require WSU to maintain a registry of heritage orchards and a list of rare and lost apple varieties, with a null and void clause and fiscal note available. Representative Gloria Mendoza testified in support, describing Washington’s apple history and the effort to identify and preserve old apple trees still found on farms and trails around the state. Members asked questions about how the program would locate trees and preserve historic varieties, but no vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard several gubernatorial appointments to higher education boards. Representative Deborah Inteman was nominated to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, Bryce W. McKibben to the Pierce College Board of Trustees, former Senator David Frockt to the Western Washington University Board of Trustees, and former Senator Christine Rolfes to the Olympic College Board of Trustees. Each appointee described their background in higher education, public service, and community college or university advocacy, and members asked about attendance, board service, and how they would help bridge legislative and institutional priorities. The committee also held a work session on Central Washington University’s geothermal and decarbonization efforts, with staff explaining the university’s open-loop geothermal system, planned geo-eco plants, and climate action goals tied to state clean building and decarbonization mandates. CWU officials said the project is intended to reduce emissions, support campus heating and cooling, and serve as a living laboratory for students. In executive session, the committee moved to report a panel of gubernatorial appointments, including the higher education appointments heard that day, with a recommendation that they be confirmed. The motion passed by voice vote, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. 15 The Chair also calls Sarah Sandifer with Dallas Water Utilities. Thank you.
• You have to figure out the concentrate disposal before you...
• that's been a chronic issue for a long time way before I was sitting here and probably before you were
• to something that you might not use but when it floods and then you'd have to treat it before you inject
• Thank you, panel. And now we're going to go to our final panel for the day. The chair calls...

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• If you have signed up today, you'll be called on at the end.
• to testify before you today.
• Sorry I did not call you out. Thank you, Senator. Thank you, thank you.
• But if you think about it, what you call people is how you treat people.
• Thank you. Thank you. And next, previously I called Lindsay Lucasson.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities held a hearing on a broad slate of disability-related bills. Topics included creating a permanent Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Board (H. 231/S. 134), establishing a system for compensating guardians who serve incapacitated, unbefriended individuals through MassHealth (H. 253/S. 154), expanding Nikki’s Law to require MassHealth day habilitation programs to use the abuse registry (S. 165 and related bills), modernizing and streamlining the Disabled Persons Protection Commission’s statute and procedures (H. 243/S. 139), updating the definition of developmental disability to align more closely with federal law and include people such as those with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (H. 276/S. 150), removing outdated and offensive terminology from the General Laws (H. 232/S. 137), and an autism education reform bill (H. 286). Several bills had no sign-ups, and the committee also noted related measures on cueing and prompting in PCA programs (H. 277/S. 157).

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> point so thank you Mr chair thank you point so thank you Mr chair thank you representative<00:04
• Representative Anderson, did you want to respond to public testimony before we move into amendments?
• </c><00:10:19.240><c> that</c> work thank you thank you Mr Bruce that work thank you thank you Mr Bruce
• </c> Karan thank you chair um and just you Karan thank you chair um and just you know<00:40:16.040><c
• </c><00:41:25.720><c> thank</c><00:41:25.839><c> you</c> the A9 thank you thank you the A9 thank you

Bills: HF1 , HF98

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The green are modeled buffer zones that were created by a firm called Vibro And you can see that fire
• Madam Chair, thank you. Before you go on, I just want to comment.
• Now, you know, before the fire, it got to a point where people couldn't afford it either.
• Before you, you have a presentation that will give you the history and overview of the Fair Plan that
• And so, with that being said, the original legislation called for you know money for a backstop, changes

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• If you could give how much was dispersed last year and the year before.
• The bill is on call. Thank you. Thank you. I enjoyed being here in education.
• Thank you. Motion has been made and seconded. Madam Secretary please. Please call the roll.
• The bill is on call. Thank you very much.
• Thank you. Thank you. Madam Secretary please. Please call the roll.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Forgive our bitter spirits which threaten to poison the very people you have called us to serve.
• it socialism, calling it communism, calling it whatever you think you can use to deflect from what is
• it socialism, calling it communism, calling it whatever you think you can use to deflect from what is
• it socialism, calling it communism, calling it whatever you think you can use to deflect from what is
• I want to again call on my friend from South Florida. But before I do that, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have set before them.
• AND WHEN YOU'RE AN EDUCATOR, YOU UNDERSTAND THIS. YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING CALLED A BRAIN DRAIN.
• You can call this whatever you want to call it, but it is book banning. We are banning books.
• Will you please stand up when I call your names?
• And before I get into explaining the optometry bill, I see you and you look up there.

Bills: HB29 , HB 125 , HB145 , HB171 , HB255 , HB50 , HB796 , HB363 , HB 116 , HB491 , HB589 , HB1495 , HB368 , HB 1285 , HB1905 , HB1360 , HB2002 , HB917 , HB2723 , HB2067 , HB 1238 , HB2337 , HB745 , HB 1188 , HB1606 , HB2003 , HB2147 , HB2391 , HB2355 , HB2546 , HB2495 , HB2818 , HB2249 , HB1749 , HB3109 , HB3228 , HB3240 , HB1507 , HB658 , HB1748 , HB1851 , HB1922 , HB2001 , HB2798 , HB 107 , HCR29 , SB5 , SB262 , HB 11 , HJR72 , HB 106 , HB18 , HB48 , HB27 , HB37 , HB1481 , HB581 , HB1696 , HB2216 , HB 1035 , HB1633 , HB742 , HB754 , HB1689 , HB1690 , HB2669 , HB391 , HB517 , HB 1024 , HB1607 , HB252 , HB1716 , HB1562 , HB4116 , HB1866 , HB1741 , HB2103 , HB2637 , HB2884 , HB503 , HB 1089 , HB2986 , HB972 , HB502 , HB29 , HB 125 , HB145 , HB171 , HB255 , HB50 , HB796 , HB363 , HB 116 , HB491 , HB589 , HB1495 , HB368 , HB 1285 , HB1905 , HB1360 , HB2002 , HB917 , HB2723 , HB2067 , HB 1238 , HB2337 , HB745 , HB 1188 , HB1606 , HB2003 , HB2147 , HB2391 , HB2355 , HB2546 , HB2495 , HB2818 , HB2249 , HB1749 , HB3109 , HB3228 , HB3240 , HB1507 , HB658 , HB1748 , HB1851 , HB1922 , HB2001 , HB2798 , HB 107 , HCR29

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Summary: The Florida House of Representatives conducted legislative business including prayer, pledge, and voting on multiple bills. Key legislation included HB 1105 expanding Florida Bright Futures Scholarship eligibility, HB 443 on charter school regulations (passed 83-23), and HB 1539 on materials harmful to minors (passed 81-29) after extensive debate about book challenges in schools. Other bills addressed education funding, law enforcement benefits, parole guidelines, and various local issues. The Speaker announced budget negotiations with the Senate have stalled, with disagreements over spending levels and tax cuts. The House will not meet this weekend as originally planned. Session adjourned until tomorrow at 10 AM.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in building this budget proposal that you all will have before you today, I think it's important for
• see before you today with a clear set of principles from him and in conversation with him about how
• Before you today with an urgent plea to prioritize a $21 million investment in crime victim services
• Thank you. Well, it's not my birthday, but I was very happy to have my name called.
• Thank you. Thank you. Let's see. Okay, let's call up Ryan Mello.

Bills: SB5998

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• And so if you can please share any data that you have about that, I would love to see it before it comes
• With that, Madam Secretary, could you call the roll?
• With that, Madam Secretary, could you call the roll?
• How long is it before you can get another— if you get another point, then you start to experience the

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to let you know that before we get into the summary of the PERF changes, this has been a really
• I forget, you called it, it started with an "O" study. I didn't write it down; I forgot it.
• Chair, you had said that some of these pilot programs hadn’t been evaluated before.
• I've talked to you about this before. We have revamped that whole process.
• Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to go over some stuff before I really ask questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank<00:13:02.240><c> you.</c> Thank you. Thank you.
• Um you you went a for for infertility. Um you you went a long<00:40:41.119><c> way.
• thank</c><00:43:00.480><c> you,</c> Thank you, chair, and thank you, Thank you, chair, and thank you
• from people concerned about, got calls from people concerned about, you<01:02:18.640><c> know,</c><01
• So I think you know as before.

Bills: HF4609 , HF4401

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The letter before you is a clear and urgent call for action.
• :54:54.319><c> and</c><00:54:54.480><c> urgent</c><00:54:54.880><c> call</c> before you is a clear and
• urgent call before you is a clear and urgent call for<00:54:55.319><c> Action</c><00:54:55.680><c> the
• The letter before you is more than a set of signatures; it's a resounding call from those of us responsible
• So today I stand before you alive.

Summary: The House Finance Committee opened a public hearing on House Bills 1 and 2, which concern the governor’s proposed FY 2026-2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee must fit the budget to House Ways and Means revenue, which is about $800 million below the governor’s estimate in an almost $16 billion budget. He also noted a projected current-budget overspend, the impact of recently passed legislation, possible fee updates, no new tax proposals at that time, and the importance of federal funding and Medicaid stability. Testimony was limited to three minutes, with the chair asking speakers to avoid duplication. Much of the testimony focused on Medicaid, disability services, and home- and community-based care. Speakers urged the committee to restore or protect funding for transportation, Medicaid, day programs, in-home supports, and behavioral health services. Several individuals and providers described how cuts would affect people with disabilities, medically fragile children, and families who rely on services to remain employed and avoid institutional care. A home care provider argued that a proposed 3% Medicaid cut would increase hospitalizations and costs, while a behavioral health representative asked for sustainable Medicaid rates, uncompensated care support, housing resources, and continued funding for community behavioral health clinics. Another major topic was the Group II retirement provisions in HB 2 for public safety workers. Representatives from police, fire, corrections, probation/parole, and related associations testified in support, saying prior pension changes hurt recruitment and retention, pushed experienced workers to neighboring states, and should be reversed to restore promised benefits. They argued the provisions would help keep public safety careers viable and honor commitments made to first responders. An executive counselor also warned that when the state shifts costs away from itself, local property taxpayers bear the burden, and she opposed cost shifts such as Medicaid premiums and universal vouchers. A separate speaker urged funding public schools rather than universal vouchers, arguing vouchers can leave other students behind as resources are diverted.