Transcript Highlights:

• Montgomery sharing in my... Mr.
• Montgomery sharing in my... >> If I may share that, it Haidt who wrote the book Anxious Generation, he
• Montgomery sharing in my... >> If I may share that, it Haidt who wrote the book Anxious Generation, he
• </c> on, I think it's important that we share on, I think it's important that we share that that that
• <c> share</c><00:26:52.520><c> Yes.

Keywords: Judiciary, Division A (Part 2) - Room 409, 3 March, 2026; 4:15 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we did put in an amendment for that in the fair share budget.
• We share it with all of you.
• The second thing I want to share is people get busy.
• So I'll share that with the group later.
• So I'll share that with the group later.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The commission met to approve prior minutes, note attendance, and discuss updates on its work to plan a Cape Verdean Culture Center/Museum in Massachusetts. The minutes from the March 11 meeting were reviewed and accepted by motion and vote, with one correction noted about duplicate section numbering. Members also discussed a vacancy left by Julius Brito’s inability to accept appointment, and the need to potentially extend the commission’s deadline and broaden the window for adding commissioners. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on funding and legislative strategy. Staff reported that an amendment to extend the commission’s sunset date from December 31, 2026 to December 31, 2027 was filed in the Senate’s fair share budget but was not accepted. Commissioners and legislators discussed other possible vehicles for the extension, including the regular budget, supplemental budgets, or other moving bills, and also reviewed past and possible future funding sources for a feasibility study, including House and Senate earmarks, a bond bill, and eventually a nonprofit structure that could fundraise. Members emphasized the need for a consultant to support a feasibility study and for public pressure or commissioner advocacy if needed. The bulk of the meeting was a brainstorming session on community engagement and outreach. Commissioners discussed a three-part approach involving site visits, traditional listening sessions, and outreach at existing Cape Verdean events, with possible additions of social media, a website, surveys, recordings, and canvassing. Suggested locations included New Bedford, Cape Cod, Boston, Brockton, Taunton, and potentially Rhode Island sites such as Pawtucket, with several members stressing the historical importance of New Bedford and Cape Cod. Participants also raised the importance of historical accuracy, youth engagement, visibility, and involving existing Cape Verdean organizations and museums. The meeting ended with agreement to continue refining the engagement framework, compile event lists, and return with more concrete dates and plans at the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do the cost-share percentages need to be adjusted?
• Next on cost share.
• You clearly can't afford the cost share percentage.
• the project through their cost-share program.
• That would be a 60% cost share from the department.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to receive interim status updates on several water-related studies and Department of Water Resources projects. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and then heard updates on the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study. Staff reported that the committee had already received the testimony contemplated in the study plans, including input from state agencies, local governments, and out-of-state entities, and that any further action would be at the committee’s discretion. The Department of Water Resources then provided project and budget updates on NAWS and the Southwest Pipeline Project. Reese reported NAWS is expected to serve about 81,000 users, with a total projected cost of about $571 million and about $96 million remaining, while the Southwest Pipeline Project is estimated at $1.06 billion total with about $409 million remaining. Members asked about funding sources, capacity needs, and whether current and future construction is being designed for increased demand; department staff said current work is designed for ultimate capacity, but some future components may need redesign based on new requests. The committee also discussed local cost shares, Minot’s role in NAWS funding, and whether the system is adequate for peak demand. A major portion of the meeting focused on the department’s cash management, carryover, and long-term water funding outlook. The department said Resources Trust Fund revenues are tied to oil extraction taxes and are affected by stripper well exemptions and future oil price declines. Members expressed concern about large carryover balances and whether the state is obligating more money than can realistically be spent in a biennium. The department reported about $340.6 million in remaining carryover and said it is trying to reduce that through a two-tier pre-construction/construction process and closer project vetting. The department also summarized the Deloitte studies on regional governance and finance and on cost-share policy. Stakeholders generally favored keeping the current governance structures for NAWS and Southwest with improvements, while Red River stakeholders leaned toward a different option; the department said it will bring an implementation plan back in September. On cost share, Deloitte’s recommendations would reduce some percentages, prioritize projects differently, and use other measures to close a projected long-term funding gap. Members debated affordability, local burden, deferred maintenance, and whether statutory changes may be needed to allow the commission more flexibility in prioritizing and funding projects. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's not just urban revenue sharing; it's also state-shared revenues and TPT collections from online
• I think you said something about the state-shared revenue, and the state-shared revenue increase—is that
• There's urban revenue sharing, which is the percentage of income tax collections, and there's state-shared
• We do contribute a small share of our wastewater funds to the general fund, but it's a 4% share, and
• Urban revenue sharing, state shared revenue all increased as well.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2780, a technical cleanup measure related to Arizona’s judicial tax lien foreclosure process. The sponsor and a witness explained that it would clarify when a foreclosure should proceed as a public sale, standardize how excess proceeds are distributed, and resolve inconsistencies left from prior reforms. Members asked about the intent to protect lienholders while ensuring former property owners can receive excess funds; the bill was then returned with a due pass recommendation on a 9-0 vote. The committee then took up House Bill 4029, as amended, which would require the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee to evaluate the revenue impact of federal tax conformity changes earlier in the year, and would require the Department of Revenue to issue tax forms consistent with current statute. The amendment added reporting deadlines and a trigger for the governor to assess whether a special session is needed if the revenue impact is at least $100 million. Supporters argued the bill would force earlier action on conformity and prevent tax forms from being issued based on changes not yet enacted; opponents said it added bureaucracy and could delay the long-standing practice of preparing forms based on expected conformity. The committee adopted the amendment and then approved the bill as amended on a 5-4 vote. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4030 and the related HCR 2052, which would impose a moratorium from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030 on local increases in municipal and county fees, transaction privilege tax rates, and utility rates. Supporters said the measure would protect taxpayers from higher costs of living and prevent local governments from using utility rates or fees to offset other revenue needs. Opponents from cities, counties, and advocacy groups warned it could limit funding for water, wastewater, roads, public safety, and other infrastructure, especially for fast-growing or rural communities that rely on rate studies, grants, and enterprise funds. After extensive testimony and debate over municipal revenue growth, utility financing, and local control, the committee moved the bill forward; the transcript ends during the roll call and does not clearly state the final vote on HB 4030 or HCR 2052.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we did put in an amendment for that in the fair share budget.
• We share it with all of you.
• The second thing I want to share is people get busy.
• So I'll share that with the group later.
• So I'll share that with the group later.

Summary: The commission met to approve prior minutes, hear updates on funding and deadline extensions, and continue planning for a Cape Verdean Culture Center/Museum in Boston. Members reviewed the commission’s charge, including developing an organizational structure, governance model, feasibility study, community engagement plan, and possible nonprofit structure. The minutes from the March 11 meeting were approved after a motion and second, with one noted correction about duplicate section numbering. A major discussion focused on legislative and budget options to extend the commission’s deadline from December 31, 2026 to December 31, 2027 and to preserve or secure funding for a feasibility study and related work. Legislators said an amendment to the fair share budget was not accepted, but they would continue looking for a vehicle such as the regular budget, supplemental budget, or another bill. Members also discussed the possibility of future earmarks or bond funding, and the need to fill a current vacancy on the commission. The bulk of the meeting was a brainstorming session on community engagement. Commissioners supported a three-part approach involving site visits, listening sessions, and outreach at existing Cape Verdean events, with added emphasis on social media, a website, surveys, canvassing, and other tools to reach people across the diaspora. Members suggested prioritizing locations such as New Bedford, Cape Cod, Boston, Brockton, and possibly Pawtucket, and discussed working with existing Cape Verdean organizations, museums, and historical groups. There was also discussion of best practices from other cultural institutions, the importance of historical accuracy and youth engagement, and whether to involve the Cape Verdean government after upcoming elections. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• If anybody wants to share... Yeah, I can share.
• I'm honored to share my experience as a community school principal and to share the key elements we believe
• That shared power cannot just be rhetoric.
• And so again, back to the shared mindset and shared infrastructure. So it's that village mentality.
• And I want to share how our work through community schools and shared decision-making can make schools

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've asked the members to share the... ...to move them into action, which we have.
• We've asked some members to share the work.
• share with our community.
• would share them out by email to the commissioners and advisory group.
• Any other updates or comments, or any initiatives you want to share?

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met in June, approved the March meeting minutes, and heard a chair’s report on recent “Meet the Moment” community conversations, including a successful Lowell event and plans for a July 14 event in Northampton. The chair also announced the Commission’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebration on October 7 at the State House, which will include a MassAbility partnership panel on artificial intelligence and disability, and noted ongoing efforts to livestream future events when possible. A major presentation came from the Supplier Diversity Office on the Empowering Abilities in Contracting and Employment (EAC) program. The coordinator described the program’s history from a 2016 law and 2018 pilot to its statewide launch on July 1, 2025, and said it now applies to all new statewide goods and services contracts. The program’s goals are to increase certification and contracting opportunities for disability-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, improve workforce development and disability employment among vendors, and build a resource network for employers. Reported figures included about 292 active certified businesses, roughly 40 vendors currently on EAC contracts, a projected increase to about 80 by July and more than 130 by November, and a long-term goal of 3% disability representation in vendor workforces. Commissioners praised the program and asked about comparisons with other states, geographic reach, and the mix of disability-owned versus veteran-owned businesses. The Commission also received updates from its advisory council and subcommittees. The advisory council has been sharing expertise across employment, housing, transportation, health equity, technology, and AI, and two members will help plan the October employment event. The employment subcommittee discussed transition-to-employment barriers, the disability employment tax credit, veteran services, and a State Exchange policy brief that members want reformatted into a more usable data table. The workforce supports subcommittee reported on a May 28 webinar about apprenticeships as a strategy to address workforce shortages in disability services, with more than 45 participants and examples of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship models. The long-term services and supports/health equity subcommittee heard from the Department of Public Health’s CCATR resource center and from the Autism Self-Advocacy Network about COVID-era health care barriers and ongoing advocacy. The executive director also reported on meetings with MassHealth-related groups, caregiver organizations, agency leaders, MassAbility, and AI stakeholders, and the meeting ended with announcements and unanimous adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we did put in an amendment for that in the fair share budget.
• So we did put in an amendment for that in the fair share budget.
• We share it with all of you. We share it with all of you.
• The second thing I want to share is people get busy.
• So I'll share that with the group later.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission approved the minutes from its March 11 meeting after a motion by Jeannie Costa and a second by Senator Michael Brady, with members noting a few possible corrections to attendance and wording. The meeting then focused on updates about the commission’s timeline and funding. Staff reported that an amendment to extend the commission’s deadline from December 31, 2026 to December 31, 2027 was filed in the Fair Share budget but was not accepted, and members discussed pursuing the extension through other budget vehicles, including the regular budget, a supplemental budget, or other legislation. Commissioners also discussed the need to fill a vacancy left by Julius Brito and to potentially extend the deadline for appointing new commissioners. A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to brainstorming the commission’s community engagement plan for the proposed Cape Verdean Culture Center. Members revisited a three-part approach involving site visits, traditional listening sessions, and outreach at existing Cape Verdean events, while also emphasizing historical accuracy, youth engagement, visibility, and regional collaboration. Commissioners suggested using surveys, canvassing, social media, a website, and other digital tools to reach people across the diaspora, including those unable to attend in person. Several members recommended specific locations and institutions for engagement, including New Bedford, Brockton, Boston, Cape Cod, and Rhode Island, with references to museums, historical societies, clubs, and cultural organizations already doing related work. Testimony and comments also addressed funding and organizational structure for the future center. Legislators described possible funding sources such as House and Senate earmarks, a bond bill, and a nonprofit structure that could later support fundraising and operations. Members discussed examples from other cultural institutions, including the Holocaust Museum, the African American History Museum, and the Haitian Toussaint Louverture Cultural Center, as models for governance and public support. The group also raised the possibility of future collaboration with the Cape Verdean government and institutions in Cabo Verde, though one member urged waiting until after upcoming elections there before making formal contacts. No additional votes were taken beyond approving the minutes and adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do the cost-share percentages need to be adjusted?
• Next on cost share.
• looking at where our cost share program was compared.
• be their 60% share, and still working with that.
• That would be 60% cost share from the department.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the information shared.
• Data sharing mandates: all of the people who shared data with us do it voluntarily.
• We ask hospitals to share data with us for public health reporting, and then they share the same data
• Ninety-five percent of the hospital beds share data with us, but they don't share a complete data set
• And, Madam Chair, again, thank you to each of you for sharing. and those who are online also for sharing

Transcript Highlights:

• Does anybody want to share? Yeah, I can share.
• I'm honored to share my experience as a community school principal and to share the key elements we believe
• That shared power cannot just be rhetoric.
• And so again, back to the shared mindset and shared infrastructure. So it's that village mentality.
• And I want to share how our work through community schools and shared decision-making can make schools

Summary: The joint informational and oversight hearing focused on community schools in California, with members emphasizing that the purpose was to examine effectiveness, implementation, and sustainability rather than the Governor’s budget proposal. The California Department of Education described the California Community Schools Partnership Program, created in 2021 and funded with more than $4 billion, including planning, implementation, extension, and county coordination grants. Officials said nearly 2,500 schools are participating and highlighted the statewide technical assistance structure, including the State Transformational Assistance Center, eight regional centers, county offices, and CDE support. Researchers from the Learning Policy Institute and UCLA presented early findings and implementation data. LPI reported reductions in chronic absenteeism and suspensions, along with gains in math and English language arts, with especially large benefits for Black students and other historically underserved groups. UCLA described the Annual Progress Report as a statewide improvement tool showing growth in capacity-building, shared decision-making, whole-child supports, and continuous improvement. Members asked about how the reports measure outcomes, how to interpret outliers, and how to distinguish community schools effects from other concurrent initiatives; presenters said matched comparison methods and deeper case-study work are being used, with additional statewide findings expected in June. Panelists from Oakland Unified, LAUSD/UTLA, San Diego Unified, and advocacy organizations described key elements of success: integrated student supports, strong family and student engagement, collaborative leadership, community partnerships, and school-site decision-making. They gave examples such as wellness centers, dual enrollment, student senates, parent leadership, and community campaigns that built trust and increased participation. Members also raised concerns about sustainability, implementation fidelity, and whether community schools improve participation in LCAP processes. Presenters said major barriers include unclear early guidance, the need for a mindset shift away from top-down models, and uncertainty about long-term funding for coordinators and other staff. The panel’s recommendations centered on stable ongoing funding, stronger technical assistance, shared governance, and embedding community schools practices into district and county systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've asked the members to share the... To move them into action, which we have.
• We've asked some members to share the work.
• And then is definitely a connection to that, and we post whatever you share with us that we can share
• And members will also continue to share upcoming events... October.
• Any other updates or comments, or any initiatives you want to share?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met virtually and in person for its June meeting. Members approved the March meeting minutes and heard a chair’s report on recent “Meeting the Moment” community conversations, including the successful Lowell event and plans for a July 14 Northampton event and an October National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebration at the State House. The October event will include a panel with MassAbility on artificial intelligence and its impacts on people with disabilities, with discussion of both accessibility benefits and risks such as bias and discrimination. A major presentation came from the Supplier Diversity Office on its Empowering Abilities in Contracting and Employment (EAC) program. Staff described the program’s evolution from a pilot launched after 2016 legislation to a statewide policy now included in new state contracts. The program aims to increase certification of disability-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, expand workforce participation by people with disabilities, and use vendor reporting to track progress toward a 3% workforce goal. The office reported about 292 active certified businesses, roughly 40 vendors currently on EAC contracts, and expectations that the number of participating vendors will grow to about 130 by November. Commissioners praised the program and asked about its reach, data, and potential replication in other states or institutions. The advisory council update highlighted broad engagement across topics including accessibility, employment, youth transition, housing, health equity, transportation, technology, AI, and supported decision-making. Members were asked to share fact sheets and resources for posting on the commission website, and two council members will help plan the October employment event. Subcommittee reports followed: the employment subcommittee reviewed transition-to-employment barriers, the disability employment tax credit, veteran services, and a SEED policy brief; the workforce supports subcommittee discussed apprenticeships and a May webinar on addressing workforce barriers through apprenticeships; and the long-term services and supports/health equity subcommittee heard about care coordination training resources and a presentation on post-COVID health care inequities for people with disabilities. The executive director also reported on ongoing work with state agencies, MassHealth-related conversations, caregiver and aging issues, and AI planning. The meeting ended with commissioner announcements on the Paul Spooner Generational Leadership Summit and a Medicaid summit, followed by adjournment by vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to share with you briefly, last year we did pull several of our...
• So I wanted to share with you some of the data from last year.
• I wanted to share with you where we are receiving these reports.
• This was filed on to share with you an update.
• Some early findings that we wanted to share with you: Duval shared that 62.5% of their youth have not

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs received three presentations and took no bill votes. The Department of Children and Families gave an extensive update on human trafficking prevention and services, describing Florida’s statutory framework, hotline and investigation data, placement options such as safe houses and safe foster homes, new adult safe house certification rules, expanded screening tools for vulnerable adults, and prevention efforts including youth-led outreach and training. Members asked about whether current funding is sufficient, how DCF addresses grooming and re-victimization in residential settings, and how long youth typically remain in safe-house placements; DCF said funding is only one part of the support system, that families and youth receive prevention resources even when allegations are not substantiated, and that placement length varies by child. OPPAGA then presented its 2024 annual report on commercial sexual exploitation of children. The report found that verified CSE victims slightly declined in 2023, with Broward, Miami-Dade, Duval, Hillsborough, and Escambia among the highest-prevalence counties. Most verified victims were community youth rather than children already in care, though dependent youth had higher rates of prior maltreatment. OPPAGA also reported continued concerns about limited placement capacity, especially for less restrictive Tier 1 safe houses, and service gaps such as the need for survivor mentors. Its recommendations focused on expanding placement options, improving data collection, and strengthening collaboration to support survivor mentors. Finally, DCF presented the Step into Success pilot program for current and former foster youth ages 16 to 26. The program combines workforce education, professional development, and paid internships with mentor support; the first cohort launched in 2024 with 15 participants, all of whom secured placements, and the department reported strong satisfaction and early outcomes. Committee members asked about scalability, costs, and whether the model could be moved beyond DCF-run operations into community-based providers. DCF said the program was designed to be scalable, currently costs about $500,000 annually for the pilot, and could be expanded statewide with additional funding and partner support. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• But this is revenue sharing, and it's revenue sharing, let's be clear, that is state money.
• This is revenue sharing. This is revenue sharing.
• This is revenue sharing. This is revenue sharing.
• And as far as the cost shared, it's a shared cost analysis.
• I just wanted to share from my perspective, not in opposition, but wanted to share overall.

Bills: SR119, SCR65, HCR47, HB196, HB218, HB256, HB325, HB352, HB434, HB448, HB476, HB608, HB624, HB626, HB632, HB749, HB818, HB1059, HB1112, HB1242, HB1249

Keywords: SR119, Senate Resolution 119, D-D Breaux, Sara Breaux, LSU gymnastics, LSU Gymnastics Training Center, LSU Board of Supervisors, facility naming, honorary resolution, public buildings and grounds, women's athletics, Title IX, college gymnastics, SEC gymnastics, Louisiana State University, Tiger Athletic Foundation, women in sports, coach recognition, sports legend, campus naming

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with four members present and took up a long agenda of education-related bills. Early items included SCR 65, which would create a K-12 student success task force to study statewide career and academic pathway advising; the committee adopted a substantive amendment adding designees and then reported the resolution favorably. The committee also reported favorably on SCR 119, honoring Coach D.D. Breaux, after brief remarks about her LSU gymnastics legacy and the request that LSU study naming its gymnastics training facility in her honor. Several bills affecting school operations and student support were heard and reported favorably, including HB 434 on probationary school bus driver employment and superintendent authority over dismissal; HB 484 expanding scholarship benefits for children and spouses of fallen or disabled firefighters and police officers; HB 749 and HB 1059 on savings accounts and TOPS math eligibility alignment; HB 218 adding food insecurity questions to student questionnaires, which was amended and reported favorably; HB 325 expanding TOPS Tech eligibility through dual enrollment and part-time use; HB 476 requiring Safe Haven law postings in middle and high school restrooms; HB 1249 clarifying access to school-based health centers, with an amendment adopted; HB 1242 allowing more than one early learning center license at the same location under certain circumstances; HB 632 improving data protections and functionality for LA First; and HB 352 on behavioral health services for public school students, which was amended to address IEP and dispute-process concerns before being reported favorably. Two bills drew extended debate over transparency, privacy, and school autonomy. HB 608 would create confidentiality for intercollegiate athletics revenue-sharing documents; LSU representatives argued the bill was needed to protect student-athletes and competitive information, while PAR and the Louisiana Press Association opposed it as an improper secrecy carve-out for state-generated revenue. Despite the opposition, the committee reported HB 608 favorably. HB 1112, which would exempt BESE-approved non-public pre-K programs from certain licensure and safety requirements and adjust related definitions, was amended and then heard with testimony from the Pelican Institute in support, arguing it corrects overreach from prior law and protects private school autonomy and parental choice.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's not just urban revenue sharing; it's also state-shared revenues and TPT collections from online
• I think you said something about the state-shared revenue, and the state-shared revenue increased—is
• There's urban revenue sharing, which is the percentage of income tax collections, and there's state-shared
• We do contribute a small share of our wastewater funds to the general fund, but it's a 4% share, and
• Urban revenue sharing and state-shared revenue all increased as well.

Bills: HB2780, HB4029, HB4030, HCR2052

Keywords: judicial foreclosure, tax lien, redemption rights, excess proceeds, property auction, income tax, federal tax conformity, revenue analysis, legislative session, tax reporting, municipal fees, county fees, utility rates, moratorium, tax classification, local government, inflation, economic stability, tax increases, cost-of-living protection

Transcript Highlights:

• As I shared with you, Leo is traveling today. Rep.
• I'd be happy to share.
• But I just wanted to put that out there to share with people.
• And there is strength in sharing our concerns. There is strength in sharing the stories.
• And I just thank you for sharing those stories.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held its quarterly meeting virtually and in person at the State House. The commission approved the March minutes and elected its officers by unanimous roll call vote: Denise Garlick as chair, Chris White as vice chair, Carl Richardson as treasurer, and Osmondahar as secretary. The meeting also welcomed several new commissioners, including Rep. Jay Livingstone, Rep. Vanna Howard, Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, Rep. John Marzi, and Leo Sarkisian, with brief introductions from the new legislative members. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the commission’s current work and the broader policy environment affecting people with disabilities. Commissioners and subcommittee leaders raised concerns about federal threats to Medicaid/MassHealth, Section 504 accessibility protections, DEI-related rollbacks, immigration policy impacts on the direct care workforce, and the loss of funding for youth employment and vocational rehabilitation programs. Members also discussed ableist language in public discourse and the need for stronger advocacy and communication in response to these developments. Subcommittee reports highlighted recent activity on disability employment, workforce supports, and long-term services and supports/health equity. Presentations included veterans with disabilities, employment programming for young adults with disabilities, immigration and labor protections, MassHealth’s PCA working group, and a health equity roundtable. The commission also discussed future plans to create an advisory board, develop successor and mentoring planning, and launch regional “meeting the moment” listening sessions across the Commonwealth to strengthen outreach and leadership development. The meeting ended with an open invitation for commissioners to share urgent information with staff for broader distribution and a unanimous motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've asked the members to share the... To move them into action, which we have.
• We've asked some members to share the work.
• And then is definitely a connection to that, and we post whatever you share with us that we can share
• would share them out by email to the commissioners and advisory group.
• Any other updates or comments, or any initiatives you want to share?

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities opened its June virtual meeting with roll call and approval of the March minutes. The chair reported on recent “Meeting the Moment” community conversations, noting strong attendance and positive feedback from the Lowell event, and announced the next community conversation will be held July 14 in Northampton. The commission also previewed its National Disability Employment Awareness Month event for October 7 at the State House, which will include a panel on artificial intelligence and its impact on people with disabilities. A major presentation came from the Supplier Diversity Office on its Empowering Abilities in Contracting and Employment (EAC) program. The coordinator described the program’s history from a 2016 law and 2018 pilot to its statewide launch on July 1, 2025, and said it now applies to new statewide contracts. She reported about 292 active disability-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses certified, about 40 vendors currently on EAC contracts, and growth expected to about 80 by July and more than 130 by November. The program’s goals include increasing certification and contracting opportunities, improving workforce participation, and reaching a 3% disability workforce goal among vendors. Members praised the program and asked about the mix of disability-owned and veteran-owned businesses, geographic reach, and how the model might be replicated elsewhere. The advisory council update highlighted ongoing collaboration across access, employment, youth transition, housing, health equity, transportation, technology, and AI, with members sharing resources and planning to support the October employment event. Subcommittees then reported on recent work: the disability employment subcommittee heard about transition-to-employment barriers, the disability employment tax credit, veteran services, and a State Exchange policy brief on disability employment; the workforce supports subcommittee hosted a webinar on apprenticeships as a response to workforce shortages in disability services; and the long-term services and supports/health equity subcommittee heard presentations on care coordination resources and on health care inequities for people with disabilities during and after COVID. The executive director also reported on ongoing meetings with state agencies and advocacy groups about MassHealth, caregiving, aging, AI, and employment barriers such as the benefit cliff. The meeting ended with commissioner announcements on the Paul Spooner Generational Leadership Summit and a Medicaid summit, discussion of housing and transportation as employment-related issues, and a motion to adjourn, which passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to hearing our panelists share their expertise.
• I look forward to hearing our panelists share their expertise.
• Thank you for the opportunity to share my perspectives. My name is Annie Chang.
• Today, NFF would like to share data on two important topics.
• Another issue is the sharing of information.

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly select committee hearing focused on the challenges facing California nonprofits in 2025 and possible state responses. Opening remarks emphasized the sector’s size and importance, the impact of federal funding disruptions and tax policy changes, and the need for stronger public-private partnerships, especially in disaster response and recovery. Witnesses from community foundations, food banks, Cal OES, long-term recovery groups, CalNonprofits, and nonprofit finance organizations described funding uncertainty, delayed reimbursements, reduced indirect cost coverage, staffing strain, and the effects of climate disasters and immigration-related fear on service delivery. Testimony highlighted several policy ideas, including advance payments for state grants and contracts, prompt payment standards, sustainable indirect cost rates, contract flexibility in emergencies, streamlined registration and reporting, and a possible new Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to serve as a central point of contact and coordination within state government. Speakers also described how nonprofits and VOAD networks support wildfire response and long-term recovery, but noted that recovery groups often lack stable operating funding even when they are recognized as best practice. A food bank leader described federal food aid cuts and disruptions to deliveries, while other witnesses stressed that nonprofits are increasingly forced to use reserves, loans, or service reductions to manage cash flow gaps. Committee members generally expressed support for the sector and asked how the state could better partner with nonprofits during both disasters and budget crises. Several members raised the possibility of incremental steps if full legislative changes are not immediately feasible, and witnesses suggested pilots, better sharing of best practices, and stronger state leadership on payment timelines. Public commenters echoed the need for better contracting practices, support for community-based organizations, and attention to nonprofit worker compensation and protections. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the hearing, which concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we shared this with her.
• consent requirements that sharing is subject to.
• On sharing, we’ve accepted that this bill will go beyond the CCPA by applying sharing limitations.
• On sharing, we’ve accepted that this bill will go beyond the CCPA by applying sharing limitations to
• On sharing, we've accepted that this bill will go beyond the CCPA by applying sharing limitations to

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee heard several bills, with most of the discussion focused on insurance transparency, claims handling, privacy, and regulatory enforcement. SB 877 and SB 878 by Senator Pérez addressed post-disaster claims practices: SB 877 would require insurers to disclose original and revised loss estimates and related claim materials to policyholders, while SB 878 would add automatic interest penalties for delayed claim decisions or payments and require written identification of disputed items. Fire survivors, consumer groups, AARP, the Department of Insurance, and other advocates supported both bills, while insurer groups moved to neutral after amendments. Both bills were voted out on roll call and reported to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 1054 by Senator Cabaldon, which would expand data sharing and reporting to improve workforce program evaluation and help counties verify work requirements for Medi-Cal and CalFresh using employer-reported hours worked. County officials, workforce advocates, and the Department of Insurance supported the measure, and no opposition was heard. The bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to the Committee on Labor and Employment. SB 1209 by Senator Allen, presented with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, would give the commissioner stronger enforcement tools to require insurers to carry out corrective actions identified in market conduct examinations, including fines and hearings for noncompliance. The commissioner and author said the bill would close an enforcement gap and improve accountability; there was no opposition testimony, but the bill was left on call after the roll. The committee also heard SB 354 on insurance privacy, presented by Senator Padilla on behalf of Pro Tem Limón, which would modernize insurance privacy rules by expanding consumer rights over personal data, limiting sale and use of sensitive information, and increasing disclosure requirements. Supporters said the bill updates outdated 1980s-era rules, while insurers, agents, and business groups raised concerns about scope, compliance burdens, and small-business impacts. Members indicated the bill was still being negotiated and would return in a revised form in the Privacy Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• But this is revenue sharing, and it’s revenue sharing—let’s be clear—that is state money.
• This is revenue sharing. This is revenue sharing.
• So money collected by the state government to pay rev share—rev share is private donations, network deals
• And as far as the cost shared, it's a shared cost analysis.
• I just wanted to share, from my perspective, not in opposition, but wanted to share overall.

Keywords: 974, senate, all