Transcript Highlights:

• I will do zero budgeting.
• I will pay, I will do a zero budgeting.
• I will do a zero budgeting.
• trust fund. ...the millions that we anticipate.
• We'll call it the Burner trust fund. But no, I do sincerely want to appreciate the entire panel.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee held a panel discussion on Florida’s mental health and substance abuse system, with representatives from DCF, AHCA, two managing entities, and two providers describing how the state’s behavioral health network is funded and operated. Members focused on the implementation of prior legislative investments, especially the $50 million in recurring funding from Representative Maney’s bill and the earlier $126 million community behavioral health appropriation. Witnesses said the newer funds were used mainly for crisis beds, discharge planning, outpatient services, regional collaboratives, and a USF Marchman Act report, while the larger behavioral health appropriation supported CAT, FACT, FIT, forensic teams, residential and outpatient services, and crisis care, with most dollars going directly to services and only a small share to administration. A major theme was access to crisis care and the role of mobile response teams, 988, and central receiving facilities in diverting people from Baker Act admissions and reducing readmissions. DCF and providers said mobile response teams have expanded, are being used to de-escalate crises and connect people to care, and have shown strong diversion results and reductions in Baker Acts in some regions. Members also asked about waitlists, children in crisis, and how to handle people without housing or support; providers said discharge planning is individualized but often constrained by homelessness, transportation, and a lack of safe placements, and several witnesses identified housing as one of the biggest barriers to recovery and stability. The committee also examined provider sustainability, reimbursement, and funding gaps. Witnesses described delays caused by contract timing, cost allocation rules, and Medicaid reimbursement rates that do not always keep pace with labor and operating costs, especially for smaller providers and rural networks. DCF and AHCA said managing entities can provide advances, retroactive rate adjustments, and technical assistance, and that Medicaid managed care plans have network standards and complaint/dispute processes. Members raised concerns about a reported $7 million loss in federal non-sustainable funds, provider closures, and whether there is a formal ombudsman process for disputes; DCF said the federal reductions were known and tied to one-time funds, and that the department generally handles provider issues informally while working with managing entities to preserve continuity of care.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, we would prefer to save our trust funds for, in the case of collateralization, we would
• just like to have an alternative source as opposed to our trust funds, which we do actually actively
• collateral Source other than our trust collateral Source other than our trust funds<00:32:21.039
• It could if the trust is for a person who was not a Hawaii resident. Yes, that is true.
• apparently overcorrected dropped to zero apparently overcorrected dropped to zero in<01:39:13.360

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing and moved quickly through a long agenda, beginning with HB 606 on the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. DHHL and several community testifiers strongly supported the bill, describing it as a way to fulfill long-standing promises to Native Hawaiians, reduce the DHHL waitlist, keep families in Hawaii, and support housing production and the broader economy. Testifiers emphasized the cultural and economic importance of stable housing and noted the large number of people still waiting for DHHL homes. The committee then heard HB 1086, also relating to DHHL, which would allow the department to use a $75 million appropriation from the dwelling unit revolving fund as collateral for loans. DHHL, HHFDC, and other supporters said the measure would help DHHL obtain better loan terms and preserve trust funds for other uses. Members asked detailed questions about how the collateral would work, whether other agencies use similar structures, and what would happen if the collateral were drawn upon; staff explained that the funds would be encumbered for the loan and that a similar model had been used for a HUD-backed project. The committee also heard HB 739, which would create the COM homes program to fund counties to buy voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homeowners or buyers. Supporters said the program could help keep local workers in Hawaii by using existing housing stock and cited examples from places like Aspen and Vail. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to remove duration requirements to avoid right-to-travel concerns, and the Tax Foundation suggested clarifying the conveyance tax exemption so it also covers the instrument imposing the restriction. Members asked whether tax dollars would be used to buy homes, who would be eligible, and how enforcement would work; supporters said the program is voluntary and income-blind, with restrictions tied to living and working in the state. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Question zero nays. BR has been adopted.
• I I know where you know, I I trust you.
• I trust you, and I trust what your intentions are here.
• I I trust you and I trust what time.
• I I trust you and I trust what your<02:29:27.760> intentions<02:29:28.160> are<02:29:28.319

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Record the vote: 98 yeas, zero nays.
• Nays zero.
• Nays zero.
• Nays zero.
• zero naz HB 249 has been concurred. zero naz HB 249 has been concurred.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s four to zero. Oh, four to zero. Excuse me. Yes, four to zero. I’m sorry. Four to zero.
• It's five to zero. That measure is out five to zero.
• That bill passes seven to zero. File item number 11, AB 1611. That bill passes seven to zero.
• Seven to zero. That bill is out seven to zero. File item number 13, AB 1633 by Mr. Haney.
• That bill is out seven to zero. That bill is out seven to zero.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• faces distinct challenges and then addresses them through thoughtful coordination, partnership, and trust
• faces distinct challenges and then addresses them through thoughtful coordination, partnership, and trust
• Please lock the board and record the vote. 39 yays, zero nays, Mr. President.
• Please lock the board and record the vote. 38 yays, zero nays, Mr. President.

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer, pledge, doctor-of-the-day introduction, and several recognitions, including a Founders’ Day tribute to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a welcome to a nationally ranked student debater in the gallery. The chamber then took up a committee report on 52 gubernatorial executive appointments; after explanation by the Ethics and Elections chair, the Senate adopted the report and confirmed the appointments by a vote of 39-0. The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities. Senator Simon described it as a broad “Rural Renaissance” package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program, housing and transportation investments, education funding, and rural health care improvements. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping health-care provisions in light of new federal rural health funding and to update hospital funding amounts. Senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing the bill’s focus on rural infrastructure, health care access, and local flexibility. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then considered CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gates explained that the bill responds to Auditor General concerns by separating scholarship funding from public-school funding, tightening enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees, requiring student identification numbers, improving reimbursement processes, and directing the Department of Education to develop a business plan for scholarship funding organizations. Three amendments were adopted, including removal of a declining-enrollment provision from the bill, with that issue expected to move elsewhere. Senators discussed transparency, accountability, and protections against overpayments and unverified enrollments, while also noting the need to preserve support for school districts. The bill passed 38-0. After both bills passed, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify SB 250 and CS/SB 318 to the House. The chamber also heard announcements recognizing Palm Beach County Day at the Capitol and scheduled a group photograph for the following Thursday before adjourning until January 22 or upon the President’s call.

Transcript Highlights:

• As chair, she could always always be trusted to have thought through all the angles of the difficult
• I'm, um, I'm gonna trust that you'll follow my instruction. Raise your right hand, please.
• pre-election report disclosed $2,006.25 in contributions maintained, but all subsequent reports were zero
• Yes, there was uh $2000 in contributions maintained that all subsequent reports were zero reports, so

Transcript Highlights:

• non-taxable land from the University of Minnesota Forestry Center, DNR parcels, and federal Indian trust
• Our patient mortality rate due to suicide remains at zero, and that is just one of our outcome measures
• They're an organization that cares—they build trust, they work hard, and they have fun.
• They could occur at any time, day or night, and at any time of year, including sub-zero conditions, which

Bills: HF568, HF433, HF1689, HF3135, HF3137, HF3145, HF2887, HF2819, HF2802, HF2664, HF2267, HF799, HF800, HF3049, HF296, HF580, HF1438, HF1237

Keywords: special education, education funding, construction, Minnesota, regional educational programs, HF433, Cloquet Area Fire District, fire station, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, general obligation bonds, public safety, emergency services, fire protection, local infrastructure, Minnesota capital budget, DEED grant, municipal facilities, station construction

Transcript Highlights:

• There be 11 ayes and zero nays, the motion prevails.
• It comes from experience, accountability, and trust. There are better ways to reach that goal, Mr.
• They have zero liability. For the amount that we're asking, we basically take on all liability.
• If the state trusts a retailer with a BG or BQ permit to sell wine with a 17% ABV like we have safely
• We have zero desire for that. So, I'm happy to answer any questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• BUT, AS A TRUSTED COMMUNITY PARTNER TO SUPPORT STATEWIDE LAND CONSERVATION MEANING OTHER LAND TRUST CONSERVANCY'S
• BREAKING THAT DOWN A BIT WE AS A NONPROFIT LAND CONSERVANCY AND AS ALL OF THE LAND TRUST ACROSS THE STATE
• NOW, WHEN WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR STATE PARTNERS AND THAT FOR US AS THE LAND TRUST MEANS WE START FROM
• LAND TRUST SERVE LANDOWNERS IN MANY WAYS AND ALTHOUGH I AM AN ATTORNEY AND ALSO MANY OF US ARE ATTORNEYS
• HAVING A BACKGROUND IN BEES WILL HELP WITH THE BEEKEEPING ACADEMY SERIES STARTING FROM GROUND ZERO. >

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Counselors and psychologists outside the profession often struggle to gain trust, and we have been.
• Counselors and psychologists outside the profession often struggle to gain trust and relate to someone
• And information and science and trust and facts are really important.
• I have an amendment that ends in point zero four. Give me just a moment, sir.
• So we trust the water providers to give us good pressure on those hydrants then?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Trust Fund.
• So, starting on slide 13, as I mentioned, we administer the New Mexico Housing Trust Fund.
• On $135 million to keep up with the demand that's currently on the Housing Trust Fund.
• So that's the Housing Trust Fund at over the last three years.
• So that's the Housing Trust Fund at Housing New Mexico.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're requesting an increase of $50 million in appropriation from the Uniform Tax Rate Trust Fund to
• None with zero appeals to the FCC; the FCC approved.
• None with zero appeals to MCC, federal FCC approved. So they're taking these phones.
• in on our senior citizens, racketeering from fraud to, you know, zeroing in on our senior citizens from
• And again, I trust you all to pin that down.

Summary: The committee first filed a report on the executive protection detail and then reviewed a long list of House and Senate bills that were ready for action, with members instructed to hold any items they wanted removed. The committee then took up several agency requests to amend bills: the Auditor of State’s request for a $370 increase for special deputy expense allowance, the Administrative Office of the Courts’ requests for additional funding for court interpreters and substitute court reporters, and requests tied to local sales tax refunds, county property tax redistribution, emergency medical and law enforcement support, and Northwest Arkansas Community College tornado-related repairs. All of those amendments were adopted, and one amendment on House Bill 1034 was held over at Senator Johnson’s request. A major portion of the meeting focused on an amendment for the Department of Corrections to fund a pilot program using mobile technology to identify and disable illegal inmate cell phones at Varner and Cummins prisons. The bill sponsors and Corrections officials described the problem as a serious public safety issue, saying inmates use contraband phones for criminal activity, trafficking, scams, and outside coordination. Members asked about FCC rules, procurement, whether the system would jam or only identify phones, whether it would affect staff or nearby users, how quickly it would work, whether it would be a one-time or ongoing cost, and whether the department had existing budget authority. Officials said the proposal would require an RFP, that current funding was not available in the department’s budget, and that the technology would be a two-year pilot. The committee ultimately adopted the amendment and then gave the underlying bill a do-pass recommendation. The committee also considered an amendment for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, which sought a $4 million increase in appropriation authority. Senators discussed the division’s role in county extension offices, 4-H, research, and salary competitiveness, while others questioned why the division needed more appropriation room when it already had about $10 million in headroom and had requested a different funding level through higher education. Division representatives said the increase would help with salaries and provide flexibility for future funding, and Higher Education staff clarified the original request and recommendation amounts. After extensive discussion, the committee adopted the amendment and gave it a do-pass recommendation. Finally, the committee began acting on governor’s letters, adopting amendments for a homestead property tax credit increase, insurance department conference travel, property appraisal analysis support, career and technical education professional development, regulatory and casino gaming appropriations, a new program integrity line for the Department of Inspector General, consolidation of licensing board appropriations, deletion of a completed Fort Chaffee Readiness Center appropriation, and a revised reappropriation package for prison expansion that included special language limiting use of the funds. Members asked several questions about the prison reappropriation, including whether it still related to the earlier Calico Rock project and whether special language should be considered separately; the committee moved the governor’s letters forward for drafting and further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're here to talk about the four-day work week, but we're also here to talk about trust. both in
• So we're here to talk about the four-day work week, but we're also here to talk about trust, So we're
• here to talk about the four-day work week, but we're also here to talk about trust, common sense, and
• But talking about the four-day work week and why this is important, it builds trust, and it prioritizes
• loss of productivity... ...program, and not only has there been zero loss of productivity in the pilot

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development heard testimony on several workforce-related bills, with most of the hearing focused on ESOL and apprenticeship legislation, followed by testimony on a four-day workweek pilot and paid prenatal leave. On ESOL, witnesses including the Boston Foundation, Skillworks, MassINC, MIRA, JVS Boston, Eastern Bank, immigrant advocates, employers, and legislators supported H.2080/S.1326, arguing that Massachusetts has a large backlog of limited-English-proficiency residents waiting for classes, that ESOL is essential to economic mobility and immigrant integration, and that the state needs a coordinated, statewide strategy with more vocational and workplace-focused English instruction. Testifiers cited long waitlists, fragmented delivery across agencies, labor shortages, and examples of workplace English programs helping immigrants gain jobs, advance careers, and support businesses. Committee members asked questions about how vocational ESOL differs from standard classes, and witnesses explained that it focuses on job-specific language and workplace scenarios. The committee also heard strong support for H.2085/S.1303, which would require more use of registered apprentices on public construction projects over $1 million. Labor leaders from the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and Massachusetts Building Trades, along with electricians and apprentices, said the bill would help apprentices complete training by ensuring enough job-site hours, expand access to good union careers, and strengthen the construction workforce for housing, infrastructure, and clean energy work. Several witnesses defended existing apprenticeship ratios and electrical licensing standards, warning against deregulation and emphasizing safety. Committee members asked about project thresholds and apprenticeship ratios, and witnesses said the bill’s phased apprentice-hour requirement was intended to cover most public projects under current cost conditions. The committee then heard testimony on S.1330, a four-day workweek pilot program. Senator Dillon Fernandez and Representative Shirley Arriaga described the proposal as a response to burnout, affordability pressures, and changing workplace norms, arguing that a pilot would let Massachusetts study whether shorter workweeks improve productivity, retention, and worker well-being. Witnesses said the model could help families balance caregiving and commuting while maintaining or improving output. Finally, the committee took testimony on S.1361, establishing paid prenatal leave. Parents, health advocates, March of Dimes, and others said paid leave would help pregnant workers attend critical prenatal appointments, reduce missed care, and improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Several speakers shared personal stories about high-risk pregnancies, pregnancy loss, and the financial strain of taking unpaid time off. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and asked a limited number of questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So therefore, you should be able to be trusted and you should be in the, quote, right mind in order to
• And so I feel like a way to have the whole entire state of Arkansas trust us is to be able to do this
• They don't know how to tell that somebody isn't the most trusting person.
• By a vote of 94 yeas, four nays, and zero present, the bill is passed. Mr.
• By a vote of 97 yays, zero nays, and one present, the bill is passed.

Summary: The meeting was a Girl State House session in which members received procedural guidance on chamber rules, recognition, voting, and decorum, then moved through a series of bills. The first bill, House Bill 1001, would have prohibited over-the-counter diet pills from being sold or transferred to minors; supporters argued it would protect teens from eating disorders and misuse, while opponents raised concerns about medical exceptions and the age cutoff. It failed 42-55. House Bill 1002, allowing lottery winners to keep their identities confidential for a period of time, was amended during discussion to a three-year confidentiality period and passed 79-17 after a motion for immediate consideration. House Bill 1003, requiring schools to provide resources and courses on child labor/workplace laws and readiness, drew debate over whether it should be mandatory, what age group it should cover, and whether schools could support it; it failed 22-73. House Bill 1004, the Arkansas Head Injury Act requiring helmets and protective gear for motorized cycle riders, passed 94-4 after testimony focused on safety for riders, other drivers, and first responders. Members then considered House Bill 1005, which would require a year-long personal finance course before graduation to teach budgeting, taxes, credit, and related life skills. Supporters said it would better prepare students for adulthood, while opponents argued the material is already covered in existing classes and raised concerns about scheduling and implementation; it failed 35-60. House Bill 1006 increased the teacher classroom investment income tax deduction from $500 to $1,000, with supporters emphasizing teachers’ out-of-pocket spending on classroom supplies and student needs; it passed 97-0. House Bill 1008 sought to limit the number of national franchise businesses in an economic zone to encourage local entrepreneurship and protect small businesses, but opponents argued it could hurt jobs, limit consumer options, and was unclear in scope; it failed 23-69. The House then passed House Bill 1009, creating a voluntary blue envelope program for people with intellectual disabilities to help law enforcement interactions, after supporters said it could reduce confusion and improve safety; it passed 87-5. The final bill introduced before the transcript ended was House Bill 2010, which would increase the income tax credit for Arkansas families supporting a child with special needs; the sponsor began by sharing a personal story about her brother with Down syndrome and the costs families face, but the discussion was cut off before debate or a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• spend too much time on it, but it's basically initial contact with the person, so the victim building trust
• The providers secure their investment through a deed of trust on the property.
• We got data on the deeds of trust in these counties and located them across the census tracts.
• you can see, in the years after the 2008 recession, the triangles are under that dotted line, under zero
• If you get a chance, go to spacenorthwest.org and look at this map, because when you zero in on it, you

Summary: The committee first heard a work session on cryptocurrency kiosks from the Department of Financial Institutions and Spokane City Councilmember Paul Dillon. DFI described crypto kiosks as licensed money transmission terminals that allow cash purchases of virtual currency, and said the main concern is fraud: scammers often pressure victims, especially older adults, to deposit cash into kiosks and send it to wallets controlled by organized crime. DFI cited a sharp increase in kiosk volume, nationwide fraud complaints and losses, and said Washington currently has licensing and disclosure rules but lacks transaction and fee limits. The department said it is seeking stronger disclosures, a $1,000 daily transaction limit, and a fee cap. Spokane described its unanimous ordinance banning new kiosks and removing existing ones after local scam reports, and members asked about how the machines work, whether the fraud is in the hardware or the transaction, and whether stronger warnings or screening could help. The committee then reviewed home equity sharing agreements, or CHISAs, based on a report by Mariana Amaram and testimony from DFI and industry representatives. The report found that CHISAs provide homeowners a lump sum in exchange for a share of future home value or appreciation, with no monthly payments, but that consumers often struggle to understand the products and settlement calculations. The report said the market has grown quickly in Washington, that costs can be hard to predict, and that early uncapped contracts could produce very high settlement amounts, especially during periods of rising home prices. DFI said it views these products as mortgage loans and is moving forward with rulemaking, including counseling and clearer disclosures, while industry witnesses said the products are equity-based rather than debt-based and asked for tailored regulation. Members discussed the need for better consumer education, clearer payoff schedules, and whether the products should be treated as mortgages or a separate category. The final panel focused on Washington’s space economy, with presentations from Amazon Leo, Blue Origin, Stoke Space, Space Northwest, and Green River College. Speakers highlighted major in-state investments in satellite manufacturing, launch systems, and workforce training, including Amazon Leo’s Redmond and Kirkland facilities, Blue Origin’s Kent headquarters, and Stoke Space’s Kent manufacturing and Moses Lake test site. Space Northwest presented data showing the sector’s growing economic footprint, high-wage jobs, and regional clusters in Kent and Redmond, and urged more workforce programs, incentives, infrastructure support, and a state space commission. The companies emphasized local hiring, apprenticeship and certification programs, and the role of Washington’s aerospace supply chain in supporting the broader space industry. No votes were taken during the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, the majority voted no on voter ID, which tells you that they don't trust our elections, and
• I don't think this will improve voter trust.
• In fact, the majority voted no on voter ID, which tells you that they don't trust our elections, and
• I don't think this will improve the voter trust.
• We have a zero-impact fiscal note on the DMV. We are neutral on SB 74.

Bills: AB534, AB562, AB595, AB597, AB600, SB74, SB226, SB422, SB488

Keywords: election reform, voter accessibility, conditional ballots, voter registration, mechanical voting systems, election audits, voter access grants, provisional ballot, voting technology, AB562, Nevada, Secretary of State, elections, elections management system, HAVA, Help America Vote Act, automatic voter registration, AVR, election technology, state appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• . $25 million appropriated at a tracking cost in total of zero, but with the offset, that would be a
• but<00:10:21.440> uh<00:10:21.839> uh<00:10:22.079> with cost in total of zero
• , but uh uh with cost in total of zero, but uh uh with the<00:10:22.480> offset,<00:10:22.959>
• , build our way out, build some trust, build our way out, build some trust, figure<01:37:19.920><
• how important relationships with trusted how important relationships with trusted adults<01:37:35.119

Bills: HF3492, HF3493, HF3494, HF3495, HF3602

Keywords: school safety, grants, education funding, Northern Lights Express, security improvements, rural schools, safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, safe schools aid, school security, mental health support, Tribal schools, cybersecurity, funding, mental health, evidence-based plans, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Trust Fund and the Affordable Housing Act.
• Based housing assistance on Section 8 and some home and National Housing Trust fund programs.
• Um, so just a little bit of history of the New Mexico Housing Trust Fund.
• Outlines the housing trust fund framework.
• We were disappointed that there were no increases to the um New Mexico Housing Trust Fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• Suppliers actually hurt people's trust in all kinds of energy programs, from municipal aggregation to
• The atomic power industry wants you to believe that it's zero carbon.
• It is only during the nuclear fission phase of nuclear power that it is zero carbon.
• Calling it zero carbon, that there's no release of carbon, is like saying that a flying fish does not
• More than a moonshot, we need a sunshot to get to net zero.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 4144, the Governor’s Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act, with the administration arguing the bill would lower bills in the short and long term while expanding clean energy supply and innovation. The Governor and Secretary said the bill would reduce or restructure charges on customer bills, reform Mass Save, expand securitization as a financing tool, speed interconnection, create energy-ready zones, strengthen consumer protections in competitive supply, and allow broader state procurement of energy resources. They said the package could save consumers billions over time and would help address high energy costs, especially during extreme heat and winter spikes. Committee members pressed the administration on several provisions, especially securitization, asking whether the bill requires an apples-to-apples comparison of total costs over time, including interest and lost tax revenue, versus paying through rates. Administration witnesses said DPU review and public comment would be required and said they would work to clarify the language if needed. Members also questioned the bill’s solar and procurement provisions, including reduced net metering compensation for some large facilities, the scope of all-resource procurements, and whether hydro, solar, and nuclear would be included; the administration said those resources were contemplated and that procurement would still be reviewed by DPU. Other questions focused on the short-term relief from bill changes, the treatment of low- and moderate-income discounts, and whether the bill’s heat pump and Mass Save reforms would help customers who cannot afford upfront costs. Several witnesses and committee members discussed Mass Save reforms, including securitization of program costs, on-bill financing, pre-approval of rebates, and shifting program administration away from gas utilities. Administration witnesses said the changes were intended to reduce volatility, lower administrative costs, and better align costs with long-term savings. Questions also touched on geothermal permitting, municipal participation in offshore wind procurement, and the proposed repeal of the ballot requirement for nuclear power, which the administration defended as preserving future options under heavy review. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described. Supportive testimony came from labor, environmental, business, planning, and development groups. The AFL-CIO, NECA, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts backed the bill, emphasizing lower bills, job creation, labor standards, just transition protections, and cleaner energy. NAIOP, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and MAPC supported provisions on energy-ready zones, interconnection reform, microgrids, extreme-heat shutoff protections, and Mass Save improvements. A HEET representative praised the bill’s use of securitization, geothermal, and utility financing tools but urged guardrails and workforce protections. Overall, testimony was broadly favorable, with most witnesses calling for refinements rather than opposing the bill outright.