Transcript Highlights:

• We take a second cut and bring it in and say what could be a housing unit by integrating that building
• So, for instance, in 2020 we had 568 housing units; now we have 817.
• That we are tracking as many housing units as possible through the delivery sequence file.
• We, for example, look at our records, and if a three-unit house in the Back Bay turned into one, or one
• We map every unit of a house in every parcel and every change that happens. Got it.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on census preparation, focusing first on testimony from U.S. Census Bureau staff James Whitehorn and Andrea Grace Johnson. They described the Bureau’s decade-long geographic and redistricting programs, including the Boundary and Annexation Survey, School District Review Program, Participant Statistical Area Program, and Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA), along with the Block Boundary Suggestion Project and voting district collection. They emphasized that Massachusetts has been a strong partner in these efforts and explained how the Bureau is using updated street data, building footprints, machine learning, and change detection to improve address lists and track new housing. Whitehorn also reviewed the 2030 redistricting data program, the legal basis for it under PL 94-171, the role of state nonpartisan liaisons, and the expected timeline for data delivery. He noted that OMB’s revised race and ethnicity standards will merge those questions into one and add a Middle Eastern/North African category. Committee members asked about the new standards, state contacts, and how boundary updates are submitted, and the witnesses said they would provide the slide deck and contact information. Wendy Underhill and Helen Brewer of NCSL then testified about why census preparation matters for states, stressing its impact on data, federal funding, and political representation. They outlined optional steps states can take before 2030, including staying in touch with Census Bureau staff, identifying state and local personnel involved in census work, supporting local participation in Bureau programs, and creating complete count committees or commissions. They cited Massachusetts’s prior complete count committee and grantmaking efforts as an example and said such efforts can improve self-response and overall accuracy. They also noted that state legislatures can act as conveners and trusted messengers, and they discussed broader issues such as privacy protections, differential privacy, budget uncertainty, and the possibility of future litigation or a citizenship question. Secretary of State William Galvin then gave extended remarks on Massachusetts’s 2020 census experience and the need to prepare early for 2030. He said the state faced major challenges in 2020 from the pandemic, litigation, and rhetoric about citizenship, and that Massachusetts relied heavily on local records, university data, and community outreach to document residents, especially students and non-native-born populations. He argued that the state should strengthen local recordkeeping now through LUCA, annual resident lists, assessors’ and zoning records, and other local data sources, and he urged support for a proposed $500,000 appropriation for census-related grants and technical assistance. Galvin said better preparation is needed because housing patterns, population shifts, and local administrative capacity have changed since 2020, and he emphasized that the goal is to improve the completeness of the records the Census Bureau will use in 2030.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will be in order.
• on the United States of America.
• Unite us as a people common enemy.
• </c> the House for one minute and reise. the House for one minute and reise.
• House. Clerk, report the title of the House.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, July 16, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• United Mine Workers in 1947.
• House of Representatives.
• </c> US versus United Mine Workers in 1947. US versus United Mine Workers in 1947.
• States president observed the United States president observed the United<00:16:21.600><c> States</c
• </c> defend the Constitution of the United defend the Constitution of the United States.<00:23:52.159

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the rule of law with U.S. Representative Ed Case. Chair Carl Rhodes opened by explaining the purpose of the briefing, noting it was being livestreamed and that public testimony would not be taken in the usual way. He described the rule of law as central to democracy and introduced Case, who was invited to discuss the concept and its relevance to recent federal actions affecting Hawaii. Case framed the rule of law as a durable system grounded in the Constitution, federal laws, separation of powers, and checks and balances, with each branch of government and the public itself playing a role. He emphasized that Congress makes the laws, the president executes them, and the courts decide whether the Constitution and laws are being followed. He also stressed that elected officials swear to uphold this structure and that the rule of law is distinct from ordinary policy disagreements. Case then argued that the Trump administration has undermined the rule of law through actions such as dismantling or weakening agencies created and funded by law, withholding appropriated funds, removing inspectors general and other independent officials, ignoring or challenging court orders, weakening the independence of agencies like the Department of Justice and the Federal Reserve, and intimidating dissenting voices, the press, and other opponents. He said these actions have harmed Hawaii and reflect a coordinated effort to concentrate power in the executive branch. He noted that Congress has not been serving as an effective check, while federal courts have been the main remaining check through more than 46 lawsuits, and he identified voters as the ultimate check and balance, briefly correcting the timing of the next midterm election to 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am proud to tell the story of our community on the floor of the United States House of Representatives
• </c><02:10:05.040><c> States</c><02:10:05.280><c> House</c><02:10:05.520><c> of</c> the United States
• House of the United States House of Representatives<02:10:06.159><c> to</c><02:10:06.400><c> ensure<
• I cannot believe in the year 2025 I have to stand here on the House floor of the United States to defend
• I cannot believe in the year 2025 I have to stand here on the House floor of the United States to defend

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the third meeting of the 2025 session of the House Standing Committee on Veterans, Military
• We're going to jump right on into bill for consideration: House Bill 369.
• House Bill 369 is a straightforward bill that clarifies an ambiguous part of state law.
• </c> 27 years in the other a the United 27 years in the other a the United States<00:08:39.880><c> Air
• </c> and little bit of Madison uh United and little bit of Madison uh United States<00:09:55.480><c>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection met for its third meeting of the 2025 session. After opening formalities, the committee took up House Bill 369, sponsored by Representative Hart and presented with Sean Butler of the Kentucky Police Chiefs Association and Ashland Police Chief Todd Kelly. They explained the bill clarifies KRS 95.495 regarding vacation or annual leave for police chiefs and local agencies by providing guidance on how the 15 days of leave may be administered. Representative Blandon asked whether the issue was in statute or tied to the retirement system, and Representative Moore asked whether the bill could affect officers’ ability to take time off in emergencies; the sponsors said it would not and would instead allow local policy to address those situations. The committee then voted on HB 369. The motion passed unanimously with favorable expression, with all members voting yes. Representative Wesley requested permission to explain his vote after the roll call. Following the vote, the committee shifted to a Military Kids Day recognition segment, with members and guests introducing themselves and sharing their military service backgrounds and family connections to the armed forces. The remainder of the meeting was largely ceremonial, featuring remarks from legislators, military families, and children describing their parents’ service in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, National Guard, and related branches. The chair thanked the families for their sacrifices, noted activities planned for the day, and recognized the Adjutant General’s wife, Miss Lamberton. At the end of the meeting, a motion to adjourn was made and seconded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one is last week on the House floor we had the revenue estimates from the House Ways and Means
• The response was that there were three bills on the calendar: House Bill 704, House Bill 751, and House
• unit as well.
• The high security unit, yes.
• So the accounting unit exists.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: Division 3 opened a work session focused on direct care agencies, with the chair saying the day would center on the Veterans Home and other state hospitals and homes. Members first discussed the upcoming Finance Committee process, including how many bills would be assigned to Division 3, whether they would appear on the House calendar, and how much time would be allowed for each bill. The chair said the division would likely spend about an hour on each bill, then return for a second day of review before making recommendations. Staff later identified three bills expected on the calendar: House Bills 704, 751, and 54. Members also raised a question about the use of educational trust fund money in the budget, but that issue was deferred. The main presentation came from Kim McKay, commandant of the New Hampshire Veterans Home, who described the facility as a long-term care intermediate facility serving eligible veterans. She said the home is licensed for 250 beds, budgeted for 225 veterans, and currently has 135 residents with four more scheduled to arrive. McKay highlighted improvements over the last two years, including a reduction in the admission wait list from more than a year to about three to six months, the creation of an LNA training program, energy-saving and Wi-Fi upgrades, and a new electronic learning management system that will provide mandatory training and continuing education units for staff. She said the home’s long-term goal is to return to a 225-bed census, but staffing remains the biggest hurdle. Members asked about admissions, wait times, staffing, vacancies, and the home’s use of contract nurses. McKay explained that the wait time is measured from the initial application date, not from a completed packet, and that staff now help families gather records and paperwork more quickly. She said the home averages about 45 deaths per year, residents stay about 2.5 years on average, and the vacancy rate is around 35 percent, though some positions are intentionally held open until census grows. She attributed staffing shortages largely to retention problems, citing higher private-sector pay, bonuses, and more flexible hours, and said the home has a handful of contract nurses, mainly on second shift. On finances, she said pharmacy services are contracted, the VA reimburses some medication costs based on disability, and the home is pursuing federal changes to cover high-cost medications and catastrophic disability cases. The discussion also covered the home’s off-book donation account, which is overseen by the state and transferred into the state system when funds are spent.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, the funding is in House Bill 1, not in House Bill 2. Okay.
• So, essentially a 50-50 unit.
• Um we can fund accounting unit unit unit 2928.<01:53:49.280><c> Is</c><01:53:49.520><c> that</c><01:53
• So if you go to page unit.
• </c> of the dollars in that accounting unit. of the dollars in that accounting unit.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first revisited HB 781, the cell phone bill, after previously retaining it. On reconsideration, members moved to OTP the bill, and it passed unanimously. The committee then moved into the budget tracking packet and adopted an amendment to HB 2 to add the same cell phone policy language, also unanimously, and separately reduced HB 1 by $1 million to match the policy change. Members noted the cell phone language had already been stripped of grant funding language in the House version and that the policy and funding pieces were being aligned across the budget bills. The committee then took up a Department of Education technical amendment to HB 2 on charter school grants, which made timing and administrative changes without altering grant amounts, and adopted it unanimously. Members also discussed but held other education-related items, including adequacy grants, pending broader decisions on overall education funding. Another HB 2 item concerning E-911/state police radio communications prompted a longer discussion about whether E-911 surcharge funds were being used for purposes that should instead be general-funded. After debate over whether to leave the current practice in place or split the funding 50/50 between E-911 and general funds, the committee adopted a joint HB 1/HB 2 change to shift the funding source to a 50/50 split and delete the HB 2 language authorizing the prior use; the motion passed 7-0. The committee also discussed but did not act on several lottery-related provisions, including the video lottery terminal amendment, the increase in maximum ticket price from $30 to $50, and related tax split changes, with members planning to hear from the Lottery Commission on Monday. The meeting ended with the committee beginning review of new amendments in the tracking packet, including a Department of Education request related to Public School Infrastructure Commission grant administration, but no action was taken on that item in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will be in order. Remember... The House will be in order.
• So welcome to the House of Representatives.
• The House concurs. The House will stand at ease for a brief recess.
• House Bill 5358, local approval received, and the House bill authorizing the transfer of a certain parcel
• Frost of Auburn now moves that the House stand adjourned.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed several guest groups, including a fourth grade class from Howard Manning School and the 2026 Hopedale Junior and Senior High School girls basketball team, recognized as Division 5 state champions. The House then adopted several congratulatory resolutions, including honors for Girl Scouts Gold Award recipients and the Worcester Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club on its 150th anniversary. Members also approved a House order extending the Education Committee’s reporting deadline on House No. 5454, concurred with a Senate petition on wake-surfing fines for motorboat operators, and suspended Joint Rule 12 on a Fiola petition to allow municipalities to opt into a temporary pilot extending liquor license hours and permitting public consumption in designated districts. That Fiola matter was referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee reported several local bills for consideration, including measures for Berkeley and Bolton liquor licenses, Newton municipal charge liens, and a Marion land transfer; the House ordered these bills to a third reading. On final action, the House adopted the emergency preamble for House Bill 5375, financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges, and passed House Bill 3929 on third reading, which changes the minimum age requirement for original appointment as a police officer in Worcester. The House also adopted an order to adjourn to Thursday at 11 a.m., observed a moment of silent tribute for Charles “Charlie” Van Dini of Plymouth, and then adjourned to meet Thursday next at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House will come to order. Prayer by the chaplain.
• To the flag of the United States of To the flag of the United States of America<00:02:19.280><c> and<
• First reading of House File 3347. There is a resolution.
• And I recognize the United States.
• </c> and the house stands in recess. and the house stands in recess. [Music] [Music]

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• c> housing</c><00:51:11.920><c> that's</c> 45 new units of housing that's 45 new units of housing that's
• This was 60 units of supportive housing selected in 2022 with $4.9 million in housing infrastructure
• This was 60 units of supportive housing selected in 2022 with $4.9 million in housing infrastructure
• This was 60 units of supportive housing selected in 2022 with $4.9 million in housing infrastructure
• This was 60 units of supportive housing selected in 2022 with $4.9 million in housing infrastructure

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2935 is left pending. The chair lays out House Bill.
• also in the United States Army.
• House Bill 3227 does this.
• I'm testifying for myself and for House Bill 3227. House Bill 3227.
• Hearing none, House Bill 370 is left pending. Thank you. The Chair lays out House Bill 738.

Bills: HB370 , HB738 , HB2935 , HB3227 , HB4103 , HB5259 , SB519 , SB1350 , SB1247 , SB1248 , SB2112 , HCR81 , HCR83 , HCR84 , HCR59 , HCR109 , HCR111 , HCR135 , SCR6

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: HB 370, Events Trust Fund, Texas events funding, sports eligibility, women's sports, girls' sports, biological sex, transgender athletes, sex-segregated sports, athletic competition, event subsidies, tourism funding, site selection organization, anti-trafficking plan, female athletes, public funding, economic impact, sports policy, Rosenwald Schools, historical preservation

Transcript Highlights:

• Local land use rules often prevent the housing types that are cheapest per unit, particularly dense housing
• So if your municipality had a goal of 100 workforce housing units under the bill as currently written
• housing units under the of 100 workforce housing units under the bill<04:20:39.680><c> as</c><04:20:39.920
• For example, I'm from Hampton: our target this year were 100 workforce housing units, and if we fell
• For example, I'm from Hampton: our target this year were 100 workforce housing units, and if we fell

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• working with nonpartisan, I was able to do an estimate on how many units of housing this is going to
• </c><00:26:11.840><c> of</c><00:26:12.000><c> housing</c> estimate on how many units of housing estimate
• </c> 2,000 to 2200 units of housing in the 2,000 to 2200 units of housing in the state<00:26:18.320><
• needs all across the state. units of housing and uh both to units to units of housing and uh both to
• </c><00:38:15.839><c> housing</c> we have we have a 100,000 unit housing we have we have a 100,000 unit

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I also have the privilege of laying out House Bill 120.
• , but actually larger volumes of blood, eight, nine, or ten units.
• They've all been typed, and 80% of these units are...
• In the United States, only 3% of eligible people donate blood.
• they get the unit of blood.

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House side.
• House Amendment Barcode 656-697. House Amendment Barcode 656-697.
• House Bill 6011.
• House Amendment Barcode 135551. House Amendment Barcode 135551.
• House Amendment Barcode 898007. House Amendment Barcode 898007.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, that's not a citizen of the United States.
• If we could pause just to— I now move that the House Committee substitute for House Bill 3491 be adopted
• I now move that the House Committee substitute for House Bill 3491 be voted do pass.
• House Bill 3491. Okay, so House Committee substitute for House Bill 3491 do pass.
• Okay, we will now open the hearing on House Bill 2139 and House Bill 2175, sponsored by Rep.

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that the House grant permission for all committees and subcommittees to meet while the House is
• About 1 in 700 babies born in the United States have Down syndrome.
• In November 2024, the United States Veterans Affairs.
• Welcome him to his Texas house.
• The House stands adjourned.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House be in order. House be in order. District 27: Mr.
• The question is, House Bill 704, pass the House.
• The majority having voted in favor of House Bill 704, House Bill 704 is passed by the House.
• Question: House Bill 700, pass the House. Pass the House.
• Majority having voted in favor of House Bill 700, House Bill 700 has passed the House.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House is now convening. The House will come to order.
• The House will now proceed to register.
• Welcome to your House. Thank you, Doctor. Welcome to the House. Points of personal privilege.
• Welcome to the House. Welcome to the House. Thank you. Welcome to the House. Senator Bliss. Mr.
• Appreciate all of you, and welcome to your house. Welcome to the House.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please read the House bill.
• as long as all the parties are United States citizens or United States residents?
• CS for House Bill 351.
• CS for House Bill 851.
• House Amendment Barcode, 135-55-1. House Amendment Barcode, 135-551.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored retiring Senate staffer Susan Miller and recognized a veteran injured in combat. After routine announcements, the chamber moved to returning messages from the House and began taking up bills and amendments. The Senate concurred in House amendments and passed SB 118 on RV park assessments and SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, both by 38-0 votes. It then took up the elections bill, CS/CS/HB 991, which drew extensive debate. Supporters said it would strengthen election integrity by tightening citizenship verification and ID rules; opponents argued it would burden eligible voters, especially students, seniors, disabled voters, and others without the newly required documents. The bill passed 27-12. The chamber also passed the education package SB 182 after adopting a Senate amendment to the House amendment, and approved SB 474 on military affairs, SB 425 on historic cemeteries, HB 929 on local regulation of chickees, and HB 35/SB 1370 on habitual traffic offender designation, all with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The Senate then considered SB 902/ HB 733, the Department of Health package. Members adopted an amendment and amendment-to-amendment that preserved most Senate provisions while modifying or removing several House additions, including some early steps and medical marijuana-related changes, and the bill passed 37-0. The chamber also began work on HB 905, the foreign influence bill, with a strike-all amendment offered to expand restrictions on foreign influence, sister-city agreements, linkage institutes, and related activities, but the debate on that measure was still underway when the transcript ended. Several other returning messages and bills were temporarily postponed, and the Senate recessed briefly before resuming business.