Transcript Highlights:

• State Building Code Council to adopt, amend, or update the state building code to authorize point access
• State Building Code Council to adopt, amend, or update the state building code to authorize point access
• State Building Code Council to adopt, amend, or update the state building code to authorize point access
• State Building Code Council to adopt, amend, or update the state building code to authorize point access
• <00:46:02.800> block authorize point access block authorize point access block construction

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard HCR 66, which asks the State Building Code Council to update the state building code to allow point access block construction for residential buildings up to six stories. Testimony was generally in support, including from Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, and OPSD, with one registered opponent. No questions were raised, and the joint committee later adopted a recommendation to pass the resolution as is. Because the housing committee lacked quorum at that time, final action on the resolution was deferred to the housing-only agenda. On the housing-only agenda, the committee first heard HTR 78, which states the intent that housing projects qualifying for credits under Act 31 remain eligible for those credits after the act’s repeal. Testimony was in support from HHFTC and the DIY chapter, and there were no questions or opposition noted. The committee then took up Governor’s Message 592, confirming Lisa Darcy to the HPHA board. Support came from HPHA board members and several individuals, and Darcy said she accepted the nomination and emphasized her experience and interest in HPHA’s work. Members questioned her about the HPHA board’s oversight role, the 10,000-unit RFQ, and media coverage of Kuhio Park Terrace relocations; she said she supports the project, values transparency, and would push for better context and accountability, though some members felt she had not directly answered concerns about on-the-ground oversight. The committee also heard Governor’s Message 736, confirming Grant Chun to the HHFDC board. Support testimony highlighted his experience in nonprofit housing, real estate, and leadership roles, and Chun said he was pleased to serve the state. Members asked about his residence and his perspective on senior care at Hali Makua, where he said his family found the care compassionate and thorough, while noting staffing shortages. The transcript ends before any final vote on the housing-only items is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can't live in modern America today without clean water, and you can't live here without access to
• As you just said, Chair, these investments are really critical in order to maintain a level of access
• deliver funding soon, but also, importantly, solutions soon to communities that are still without access
• It might be whoever has the most ability to quickly access those funds, et cetera.
• These are essential for all families and schoolchildren to have access to, or who have unreliable access

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on water and coastal resilience heard an overview of the governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan, with presentations from the Department of Finance, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and later coastal agencies. Members discussed the water chapter’s major allocations for drinking water and wastewater, recycled water, tribal water infrastructure, groundwater recharge and SGMA implementation, dam safety, flood protection, integrated regional water management, Salton Sea projects, and water data/stream gauges. The LAO noted that many programs are established and have clear funding processes, but some newer or less-defined programs may warrant more detailed future budget requests and reporting. No votes were taken on the agenda items. Members raised concerns about groundwater subsidence, water deliveries from the Delta, the pace of water storage investments, instream flows, and whether bond dollars were being used to backfill General Fund reductions. Administration witnesses said groundwater recharge spending is being paced because prior years already funded substantial SGMA work, that Delta operations are governed by water quality, salinity, and species requirements, and that Proposition 1 storage projects have moved slowly because they are locally led and require permitting and financing. The Water Board and DWR said they use public needs assessments, annual plans, and existing grant processes to prioritize projects, and Finance said some General Fund programs were shifted to Proposition 4 to help balance the budget. Members also asked for clearer public tracking of bond spending and more concise future reporting. In the coastal resilience portion, the Ocean Protection Council and Coastal Conservancy described Proposition 4 funding for sea level rise adaptation, coastal flood management, habitat restoration, public access, and San Francisco Bay projects, with a multi-year rollout based on project readiness and recent large state investments. The Conservancy said it would use its existing rolling grant process, while OPC said its sea level rise grants would build on existing programs and new technical assistance. The Department of Fish and Wildlife explained its proposed use of bond funds for climate-ready fisheries, hatchery modernization, salmon monitoring, whale- and turtle-safe fishing gear, and a specific hatchery operations request tied to the Friant settlement. The LAO said the coastal chapter’s proposed first-year spending is relatively modest but generally reasonable given staffing and project readiness, while members emphasized oversight, transparency, and coordination across agencies and jurisdictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• They can be on the Canton network, and so can an open access developer tool where anybody can access
• their own access and disclosure policy. their own access and disclosure policy.
• 15.839> use anybody can access it, anybody can use anybody can access it, anybody can use it.<
• <00:43:16.720> Could already accessed the network. Could already accessed the network.
• >> If it is permissioned for the regulator to have full access, then they would have that full access

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call and approval of the prior meeting minutes, which passed unanimously. Members then introduced the day’s presentations, including one on the Canton network and another on tokenizing real-world assets, with a focus on how blockchain systems can support regulated financial institutions and asset tokenization. Julie, the director of policy and government affairs at Digital Asset, presented on the Canton network, describing it as a privacy-enabled public blockchain designed for regulated finance. She said tokenization should preserve the same legal and economic rights as the underlying asset, and argued that blockchain-based books and records can shorten settlement times, improve 24/7 trading, and reduce friction in capital markets. She identified three main barriers to institutional adoption of public blockchains: lack of privacy, limited throughput/scalability, and lack of control for compliance purposes such as freezing assets, pausing transactions, and meeting AML/sanctions obligations. She explained Canton’s structure as a public, permissionless network with application-level privacy controls, a global synchronizer, and super validators chosen by vote. She also highlighted current ecosystem participants and use cases, including Broadridge, Circle, and the DTCC’s planned tokenization of U.S. Treasuries on the network. Members and online participants asked about the relationship between tokenized assets and the Clarity Act, tokenized deposits, safeguards for faster settlement, and whether the platform could be used for municipal or property records. Julie said Digital Asset was not taking a position on rewards, but supported clearer statutory definitions because tokenized securities should carry the same rights as the underlying assets and investors need to know whether a token is a true tokenized security or a synthetic/reference token. She said the company is agnostic on whether the cash leg is stablecoins or tokenized deposits, though it expects both to develop. In response to concerns about rapid settlement, she pointed to institution-level permissions and SEC disclosure expectations as safeguards. She also said the technology could be used for other records, including potentially property-related records, if those assets can be tokenized.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't want to say exclusively, but for those in that community, and so that they can access...
• I don't want to say exclusively, but for those in that community, and so that they can access...
• um low cost and no cost accessibility um low cost and no cost accessibility improvements<00:56:31.319
• we got relative to the accessibility we got relative to the accessibility study<00:56:56.880>
• <00:57:38.079> study<00:57:38.760> are of this accessibility study are of this accessibility

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If this family district could access.
• <00:40:33.359> to could become more accessible to could become more accessible to children
• All pupils have the right to website.
• years are available on the DOE website. years are available on the DOE website.
• <03:35:31.120> in various aspects of unequal access in various aspects of unequal access in

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 69, including a germane amendment about local school boards’ acceptance or rejection of gifts and donations and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Rep. Cordelli said the early literacy proposal was a modified version of an earlier kindergarten readiness bill, would rely on gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements. Members questioned the shift from a broader technology program to an online-only model, the lack of detailed evaluation metrics, how long children would use the program, and whether it was appropriate for very young children. Cordelli said the change was intended to avoid government dependence and still allow the program to be offered next school year. Several members raised concerns about the gift-acceptance language on the underlying bill, including whether school boards would need to vote on small donations, whether gifts could be handled in blocks or at regular meetings, and how anonymous donations would work under right-to-know laws. Rep. Han noted that some gift discussions might belong in non-public session under RSA 91-A, while Rep. Cornell said acceptance or rejection of gifts could be handled at regular meetings and suggested a dollar threshold could be added later. The New Hampshire School Boards Association said it was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails, policy guidance, and clarification on timing, anonymity, and public-meeting requirements. Supporters of the early childhood program, including Waterford.org, said the proposal would provide an evidence-based, adaptive online literacy program with family engagement for four- and five-year-olds, and that it could help close early learning gaps. Waterford said it could work collaboratively with school districts and IEP teams, and that it would provide devices and internet access for families who need them. Committee members pressed on how the program would interact with existing special education services and whether districts could use it as part of an IEP; the response was that it would be supplementary and not an approved special education service. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair indicated the committee would later executive the bills and try to get reports filed promptly.

Transcript Highlights:

• need your authorization to u access need your authorization to u access those<00:15:47.040> funds
• accessible to the clerk's offices. accessible to the clerk's offices.
• I have no access to any database that would give not always accurate.
• I have no access to any database that would give immigrate.
• So, if I to have full access to it.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:01 Recognition of New Members: 00:01:17 Disaster Response: 00:01:41 Pretrial Discussion: 00:31:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee first established a quorum, approved the minutes from the November 7, 2024 meeting, and then heard an update on disaster response and courthouse recovery efforts after the April flooding. Representatives from the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Franklin County Circuit and District Court Clerk’s office, and the Franklin Circuit Court described damage in Perry, Hardin, and especially Franklin counties. Perry County had limited roof and water infiltration issues with no operational impact. Hardin County’s justice center basement took about 18 inches of water, affecting court records and mechanical/electrical equipment, and court operations were briefly suspended. Franklin County’s courthouse was far more severely damaged, with about four feet of water on the first floor, forcing relocation of court operations to temporary sites, including AOC space and the regional jail for custody proceedings. Witnesses said damaged files from Hardin and Franklin counties were removed, sent to an out-of-state vendor for drying and remediation, and would be returned or destroyed as appropriate. They estimated combined costs for file restoration, building repair, and remediation at about $11 million, with insurance through KCOJ/KO expected to cover only part of the losses and FEMA reimbursement still pending a federal disaster declaration. They also said the Franklin County courthouse’s first floor remains gutted, electrical panels and HVAC systems need major replacement, and the second and third floors may be used temporarily once power and data are restored. Members asked about roof damage in Hardin County, the status of FEMA applications, digitization of court records, and whether Senate Bill 25 restricted funds could be used to cover the funding gap; staff said the funds cannot be spent without General Assembly authorization. The committee also discussed broader record-retention and e-filing issues, with members noting the limits of paper filing and the need for better digitization as a backup in emergencies. AOC staff said they are working with the Supreme Court and state law librarian on what records can be digitized and how long hard copies must still be retained. After the disaster-response presentation, the committee moved on to a separate informational presentation on pre-trial services, with introductions from the executive officer of pre-trial services, the president of the Kentucky District Judges Association, a circuit judge, and the manager of pre-trial services, who began explaining how the pre-trial system works for newer committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Financial information is difficult to access. Financial information is difficult to access.
• The concern is not access in principle; it's the lack of safeguards.
• The concern is not access in principle. It's the lack of safeguards.
• In lines 59 through 62, the bill references free and timely access...
• So we really need to have access to the line-item budget.

Summary: The committee first heard SJR 1104, a proposed constitutional amendment on voluntary religious expression in public schools. Senator Massullo said the measure would protect students and school personnel from discrimination for lawful religious expression, while not requiring prayer or religious activity. Questions focused on whether the proposal would change existing law, whether it could be used to protect coercive conduct by school officials, and whether the staff summary accurately reflected the bill. Public testimony included support from religious-freedom advocates and opposition from American Atheists and some senators who said the measure could make minority-faith students uncomfortable. The committee voted to report SJR 1104 favorably. The committee then took up SB 1738 on educational facilities, which directs state education offices to review facility requirements and recommend design and construction practices to improve safety and accountability. Senator Yarborough offered and the committee adopted an amendment removing crime-prevention-through-environmental-design language and adjusting the bill to preserve safe spaces during emergencies. The bill was reported favorably after brief discussion about balancing transparency, access control, and emergency safety. The committee also adopted a delete-all amendment to SB 824 on charter schools, replacing it with a transparency measure requiring districts to submit annual reports on unimproved land holdings to the Department of Education, which would publish a statewide report; the amended bill was then reported favorably. The committee next approved confirmation recommendations for appointees on tabs 7 and 8, then took up SPB 7036, a committee bill sponsored by Chair Simon. The package included school turnaround and early literacy changes, updates to school safety and health policies, early learning revisions, instructional changes, and educator pipeline provisions. The most contentious part was a proposal to let the state develop instructional materials; several senators questioned costs, guardrails, and whether the state should enter the textbook business. Simon said that portion was still being considered and that the bill would need safeguards if it moved forward. The committee adopted a motion to submit the bill as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 1620 on public education, described by Senator Leak as a “school board members’ bill of rights.” The bill would give individual board members direct access to district documents and staff, limit district attorneys’ ability to represent both the board and administration, strengthen nepotism rules, and prohibit nondisclosure agreements for employees. Testimony from Volusia County board members, educators, and advocates was sharply divided: supporters argued the bill would improve transparency and protect minority board members, while opponents warned it could undermine superintendent authority, expose confidential student or personnel information, and create confusion in district operations. After debate, the committee voted to report SB 1620 favorably. The committee then heard SB 1170 on cameras in self-contained special education classrooms, with an amendment changing the proposal from a statewide mandate to a district policy allowing parents of students with disabilities to request cameras. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, centered on protecting non-speaking and vulnerable students and documenting abuse; one witness opposed the bill as an unfunded mandate. The committee was still in debate on the bill when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The subcommittee posted a public hearing notice on the Legislature's website on Tuesday, March 25th,
• The enabling statute, Chapter 3, Sections 63 and 64, also empowers the committees to obtain access to
• The committees to obtain access to books and records, to compel witnesses to testify, and so forth.
• transparency issues—so if Elon Musk were to propose to audit Congress and to say, you know, give me access
• rules requiring an annual fiscal year audit to be performed by a CPA and posted on the General Court website

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The subcommittee hearing focused on whether the Office of the State Auditor may constitutionally audit the Massachusetts Legislature under Chapter 250 of the Acts of 2024 and what such an audit could include under generally accepted government auditing standards. Chair Cindy Friedman opened by explaining the background: voters approved Ballot Question 1 in November 2024, the law took effect in January 2025, and the Auditor then initiated audits of both chambers. The chair said the subcommittee was seeking expert testimony because the proposed audit scope, constitutionality, and possible bias concerns remained unresolved. Public testimony was invited, but no members of the public pre-registered; written testimony remained open for a short period after the hearing. The hearing then proceeded with invited experts on constitutional law/state government and auditing-related issues. Professor Lawrence Friedman testified that the ballot initiative’s approval by the Attorney General and by voters did not resolve constitutional questions, and he argued Chapter 250 violates the Massachusetts Constitution. He said the Legislature has constitutional authority to set its own rules and manage its proceedings, and that an executive-branch audit would intrude on legislative deliberation, speech and debate protections, and separation of powers. He also warned that even audits of supposedly administrative matters could become a vehicle for repeated document demands and litigation that would indirectly burden legislative functioning. In questioning, senators pressed him on the line between administrative and deliberative functions, the role of the Attorney General versus the courts, the possibility of retroactive audit scope, and whether prior legislative consent to audits mattered; he said prior consent would not bind future legislatures and that constitutionality is ultimately for the courts. Professor Ray La Raja also opposed the audit, framing it as a threat to institutional independence and representative democracy. He argued that allowing an executive-branch official to audit the Legislature without consent would upset separation of powers, chill internal debate, and create a precedent for broader executive intrusion. He said voters often support “transparency” reforms without fully appreciating institutional consequences, and that legislatures should defend their autonomy, especially amid what he described as broader executive overreach nationally. Senators asked about chilling effects, the practical distinction between administrative and core legislative functions, and whether the courts or the Legislature should resolve the issue; he said the courts would ultimately adjudicate disputes, but the Legislature should not waive its constitutional authority lightly. Jean Kempthorne took the opposite view, arguing the audit is permissible and should proceed. She said the state auditor is a constitutional officer accountable directly to the people, that the audit power can be expanded by statute, and that separation of powers does not require watertight compartments. She contended the audit would not displace core legislative powers because the auditor can only evaluate operations, report findings, and make recommendations. She also argued the Legislature itself already conducts audits of other branches, so it is inconsistent to claim an audit of the Legislature is unconstitutional. In response to senators’ questions, she said there are guardrails against truly intrusive requests, but that the administrative-versus-legislative distinction is not a workable bright line; she suggested disputes should be handled case by case, with objections, negotiation, or litigation if specific requests go too far. No votes or formal actions were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• in our communities will be the ones with the least amount of information, with the least amount of access
• :26:27.640> of information, with the least amount of information, with the least amount of access
• to think about, "Wait, man, I can access to think about, "Wait, man, I can buy<00:26:30.120> these
• We will put notices out on our<00:31:30.720> website,<00:31:31.240> we'll<00:31:31.360>
• , we'll our website, we'll do GovDelivery, we'll do<00:31:32.640> tax<00:31:32.920> law

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 18 was taken up in committee, with the chair noting a preference to hear testimony from people who had traveled farther before hearing from lobbyists or other local witnesses. Representative Engan presented the bill as a family-support measure that would exempt certain infant care items from sales tax, arguing that the cost of raising children has risen sharply and that the bill would provide immediate relief to parents. He cited examples of potential savings on cribs, mattresses, strollers, and baby bottles, and said he was open to expanding the list of covered items. Chair Gomez offered a DE1 amendment that would replace the blanket sales tax exemption with an expansion of Minnesota’s child tax credit, arguing that the child-rearing cost burden is better addressed through targeted assistance rather than a broad exemption that could also benefit higher-income purchasers. After discussing the policy differences and the fiscal impact, Gomez withdrew the amendment. Members then asked questions about the bill’s scope, whether luxury items should be excluded, and why the exemption was limited to baby items rather than older children’s needs. Engan said he would be open to excluding luxury items and to discussing broader expansions, including school supplies. The committee then heard testimony in support from Sarah Gangelhoff of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, who said the bill would help families facing high housing, food, and child care costs and would especially benefit women and single-mother households. Maggie Hanggi of the Minnesota Catholic Conference also supported the bill, saying the tax relief could help families afford essential infant items and reduce fear for prospective parents. Members raised concerns about whether tax exemptions effectively reach the families most in need, with one member noting that low-income families may not even be in a position to shop for these items; Engan responded that the savings would still be real for those who do purchase them. No final vote or disposition on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• > enrollment<00:18:46.919> the Much of that information is available on the department website
• 00:19:05.159> on<00:19:05.280> the<00:19:05.400> department<00:19:05.799> website
• <00:19:06.200> they available on the department website they available on the department website
• c> literacy<00:31:46.639> Specialists<00:31:47.639> um<00:31:47.840> who access
• to literacy Specialists um who access to literacy Specialists um who can<00:31:48.200> provide

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Policy Committee met for its first hearing of 2025 and began with member and staff introductions, along with opening remarks from Chair Peggy Bennett about her first time chairing the committee. Members briefly described their districts and backgrounds, and the chair also reviewed committee rules and procedures, including deadlines for bill requests, amendments, testifiers, and handouts. Nonpartisan House Research then provided an extensive overview of the committee’s jurisdiction and the education code. The presentation covered the Department of Education’s duties, including supervision of public schools, rulemaking under legislative authority, state and federal education funding and compliance, standards and assessments, accountability systems, student discipline, and model policies. It also discussed related entities such as PELSB, the Board of School Administrators, the Perpich Center, regional centers of excellence, Compass, MTSS, and the READ Act. The committee asked questions about zoning for school sites and about teacher licensure changes, including the tiered licensure system and recent adjustments affecting special education teachers and standards of effective practice. No bills were heard and no votes were taken. The meeting was primarily organizational and informational, focused on orienting members to the committee’s work and the structure of Minnesota’s education policy system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of would lose access to paid leave.
• would be left without access during this critical period.
• A person's access to paid leave should not depend on the goodwill of their employer.
• I've got Colorado's website pulled up.
• I heard Colorado's website pulled up.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Right, and that would be available on their website, and I don't have that with me here today.
• So, yeah, I would definitely take a look at and keep up to date on the website and the programs that
• Then I think on your website it said it was a consultation, and we were like, whoops—this is huge.
• Prior to Wojou, it was kind of during the wake of DAPL, so the Dakota Access Pipeline happened.
• During Dakota Access Pipeline, we had a lot of people that came through.

Summary: The Tribal and State Relations Committee met at Standing Rock and heard extensive comments from tribal council members, state legislators, and tribal program leaders about ongoing state-tribal coordination issues. Early discussion focused on the committee’s purpose, the need for better communication, and frustration that the meeting agenda and time allotted did not include enough state department heads or program experts to address child welfare, ICWA, Medicaid, and other human services concerns. Tribal leaders emphasized that Standing Rock wants more direct, regular communication and more practical follow-through from prior meetings. A major theme was health and human services, including concerns that the state’s rural health transformation efforts and human service zone structure do not fit tribal needs, especially for a direct-service tribe that relies on federal funding and Indian Health Service. Members also raised foster care delays, housing shortages that force children off-reservation, substance abuse treatment capacity, and the need for cultural competency in child welfare and education. Other issues included missing and murdered Indigenous people, law enforcement cooperation, extradition and banishment ordinances, cross-deputization, roads, water and sewer infrastructure, census accuracy, and the need for updated lists of tribal liaisons and bills affecting tribes. Economic development and sovereignty issues were also discussed. Standing Rock leaders raised concerns about e-pull-tabs and charitable gaming, saying state regulation has reduced tribal gaming revenue and that e-tabs should be treated as Class III gaming. They also objected to county-issued fireworks and liquor permits that affect reservation communities, arguing that state and county authority often conflicts with tribal sovereignty. In response, legislators said e-tabs and charitable gaming were likely to return as legislative issues and suggested possible solutions such as restricting e-tabs near tribal lands. The committee also discussed the need for more information on tribal-related bills and for legislators to receive cultural and treaty training. Several tribal projects and programs were presented. Joseph McNeil described Sage Development Authority’s 235-megawatt wind project, which is paused because of federal permitting delays, and asked for state support to move it forward. Dave Arshambo described Wojou’s land regeneration, buffalo, food sovereignty, youth, and wellness programs. Later, Cheryl Carey of Sacred Pipe Resource Center introduced the needs of the urban Native population in Bismarck-Mandan and statewide, noting that many Native people live off-reservation and often fall through the cracks in state-tribal discussions. The committee adjourned for lunch and planned to continue with additional presentations afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have concerns about the taking of the public access, basically taking of rights of the public, of the
• you can also see this on their website you can also see this on their website that<01:24:33.520>
• <01:41:01.040> over<01:41:01.679> um if the intent is to allow access over um if the
• intent is to allow access over um public<01:41:02.159> water<01:41:02.400> bodies,<01:
• Um, I think that there access rights.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began with introductions and a description of the day’s process: a full committee work session on four bills, with no public testimony, followed by caucus and then executive action. The first bill discussed was HB 113, concerning OHRV operation on certain highways in Windsor. Representative Nab presented an amendment that would require a public hearing and Department of Transportation approval, modeled on procedures used in Coös and Grafton counties. Members discussed whether Windsor had already held a local vote or hearing, whether minutes from a town meeting existed, and whether the amendment truly preserved local control. A Windsor resident testified informally that the town had not taken a final vote and that the matter had been left to the state. Committee members also raised concerns about noise, dust, public safety, and the fact that the road in question would connect OHRVs on a state road rather than a trail system. The chair closed the work session on HB 113 and said the committee would return after caucus to vote on the bill and amendment. The committee then took up HB 595FN, relative to coastal resilience zones. Representative Nat said the bill addressed flooding concerns in both coastal and inland New Hampshire, but that the sponsor viewed it as too complex and had recommended breaking the issue into separate parts in future legislation. On that basis, Nat said it was appropriate to ITL the bill, and noted that the sponsor supported that course. No further discussion followed, and the work session was closed. Next was HB 629FN, funding the operation, maintenance, and repair of state dams. Representative Darby explained that the original bill had proposed both a waterfront frontage tax and a $5 charge tied to boat registration, but that the amendment would replace the bill by removing the frontage tax, moving the $5 dam-maintenance fee to the boat decal section of statute, and changing the effective date to January 1, 2027. Darby said the larger fee had raised concerns about impacts on current-use property and enforcement, while the revised $5 fee would raise roughly $500,000 to $600,000 annually. Representative Dunn thanked Darby and said the Marine Trades Association supported the revised approach. A question was raised about whether the original prime sponsors supported the amendment; the chair said they were on board, and Darby added that the proposal reflected recommendations from a prior study committee. The committee then closed HB 629FN and opened SB 27FN, relative to dwellings over water. On SB 27FN, Representative Derby said he opposed the bill because it would take away public access rights and amounted to a one-off legislative solution for a private concern. Representative Donnelly asked how many similar structures might be affected and whether the Department of Environmental Services knew of other cases; DES responded that there was one other related case under settlement compliance and no other active cases with the same issue. In follow-up discussion, DES clarified that the proposal was not a shoreland 50-foot setback issue, but rather involved structures extending over public water. The discussion remained focused on the scope of the bill and its potential precedent-setting effect, with no vote taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are all on our website that we've got.
• Those are all on our website videos.
• Those are all on our website that<00:08:43.760> we've<00:08:43.919> got.
• We need to make sure that providers allow reasonable access to the business location.
• ><00:11:56.800> to<00:11:56.959> the<00:11:57.200> business allow reasonable access

Bills: HF729

Keywords: human services, provider enrollment, medical assistance, healthcare, housing stabilization, substance use disorder, vulnerable adults, fraud prevention, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to those funds last year on their website.
• One of the things we work really hard on is protecting access to Arizona's great outdoors for hunting
• It was sold to the BLM and created access to 32,000 acres for hunting and outdoor recreation.
• Every one of those opened up access.
• Every one of those opened up access.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Federalism Committee considered only Senate Bill 1281, which would require legislative and gubernatorial approval before private Arizona real property could be sold, transferred, gifted, or otherwise conveyed to the federal government. The bill also set up notice and review procedures for such transactions, required state employees to report certain federal land-trust notices involving Indian tribe settlement lands, and imposed civil penalties for noncompliance. The chair explained a seven-page amendment that added exemptions for certain federal purchases, congressionally or agency-approved land exchanges, and reclamation of abandoned mines, while also expanding reporting and notification requirements for covered federal designations. Public testimony was uniformly opposed. Speakers from the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter and the Arizona Wildlife Federation argued the bill would interfere with private property rights, add unnecessary bureaucracy, and obstruct conservation projects that have improved public access to hunting, fishing, and recreation lands. A private citizen also urged a no vote, saying federal land acquisitions can protect habitat and public access. Committee members raised questions about the governor’s role, the scope of the amendment, federal law enforcement, tribal acquisitions, and whether the bill would affect detention-center-related property purchases. After discussion, the committee adopted the Fincham amendment and then voted on SB 1281 as amended. The bill received a do pass recommendation by a 4-3 roll call vote, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• handle income verification as opposed to the local assessor, who often does not have the same level of access
• by Senator Sepulveda, an act to amend the real property tax law in relation to providing language access
• The plan is currently static, but by adding a consumer-friendly website and an updated implementation
• tracker accessible to all, we can increase engagement, advocacy, and ultimately enhance our shared efforts

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Aging Committee met on March 10, 2026, with a quorum present and considered 10 bills focused on services and supports for older New Yorkers. The agenda included measures on dementia information access through New York Connects (S.118A), expanded informal caregiver training (S.903), elder abuse prevention training (S.3180), creation of an Office of Older Adult Workforce Development (S.3750), state handling of income verification for the senior citizen tax exemption (S.4805), a filing extension for the enhanced STAR exemption (S.5069), language access services for senior and disability-related tax abatement programs (S.5280), and sustainability planning for senior centers (S.7160). Committee members and sponsors described these bills as recurring priorities that had passed in prior years, with several aimed at improving access, administration, and outreach. The committee also advanced S.9091, which would establish a state master plan on aging dashboard to improve transparency, accountability, and public tracking of implementation; supporters cited backing from the Statewide Senior Action Council and Livable New York. The final bill, S.9165, would require the Office for the Aging to issue an annual report on budget expenditures for the senior population, with the sponsor saying it would help identify whether resources are adequately reaching older adults across agencies. Several bills were noted as having previously passed the committee and/or floor, and one was described as having been vetoed in prior years despite agreement on the policy goal. All 10 bills were approved by the committee, with most reported to the floor and S.3750 reported to the Finance Committee. No opposition or substantive amendments were recorded during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Step-by-step tutorial videos that are evergreen remain on the website that people can access on their
• Step-by-step tutorial videos that are evergreen remain on the website that people can access on their
• Step-by-step tutorial videos that are evergreen remain on the website that people can access on their
• Step-by-step tutorial videos that are evergreen remain on the website that people can access on their
• Step-by-step tutorial videos that are evergreen remain on the website that people can access on their

Bills: HF3378

Keywords: human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• want to ensure that artists, historians, and culture bearers in our nations and communities have access
• <00:04:45.120> to<00:04:45.360> arts<00:04:45.600> and communities have access
• to arts and communities have access to arts and culture<00:04:46.160> funds<00:04:46.479>
• <01:18:44.159> and conservation stories in accessible and conservation stories in accessible
• as one of our recognized access programs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• aren't losing access to services or<00:24:53.520> housing<00:24:54.480> uh<00:24:54.559
• Folks maybe didn't access that timely.
• Um folks maybe didn't<00:48:41.599> access<00:48:42.000> that<00:48:42.400> timely.
• <00:48:43.280> So<00:48:43.520> whatever didn't access that timely.
• So whatever didn't access that timely.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• fact those operations can be performed manually without any fees through the Secretary of State's website
• um so this can easily of State's website um so this can easily deceive<00:02:38.000> business
• it is essential for us to support access it is essential for us to support access to<01:47:31.480
• It provides for an outdoor pursuit that is accessible without great expense.
• We own this state land, and the people of Minnesota should have access to do the things they do.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all