Transcript Highlights:

• probed, and prodded from different angles as people try to solve issues by using restrictive funds or locking
• But we didn't want to lock up money in offsetting a levy and letting them tap into that until we saw

Bills: HF1049

Keywords: school library aid, education finance, school districts, charter schools, funding eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• And I mean, I'm not that smart, but I think it's coming from those places.
• Smart water management requires sound, stakeholder-driven science, and that's exactly what the Institute
• Our technologies on smart irrigation management also produce and use water more efficiently and effectively
• So if you are a really smart farmer with a big idea, or you are an... ...utilization.
• So if you are a really smart farmer with a big idea, or you are an MIT scientist with a really great

Summary: The committee met in Fargo and approved the minutes from the March 31 meeting before hearing a series of informational presentations focused on North Dakota agriculture, water, and research. NDSU President David Cook opened with remarks about NDSU’s land-grant mission, emphasizing statewide service through research, teaching, and extension, and highlighting examples such as the Lilac Agriculture startup and the university’s role in applying research to real-world problems. He said he intends to spend time listening across the state to better understand local needs. The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study projected significant potential for expanded irrigation acreage, especially in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau, and estimated major economic gains from irrigation, including higher farm returns and support for value-added agriculture. Members discussed water permits, surface water versus aquifers, infrastructure, drought resilience, and the role of legal drains in improving productivity and generating economic activity. The presenters also noted that the full report is available online. Dr. Greg Lardy followed with NDSU’s required interim report, outlining the university’s agricultural research and extension system, including the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, seven research-extension centers, and the economic importance of agriculture to the state. He highlighted recent research impacts such as new crop varieties, potato breeding successes, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, weather-network tools, and 4-H programming. He also described NDSU’s budget priorities: restoring the governor’s proposed 10% cuts, additional operating support, and deferred maintenance funding. Committee members asked about the new agricultural field lab, storage sheds, and NDSU’s partnership with Grand Farm. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor presenting water-related research, including data center cooling, water reuse, smart irrigation, and a feasibility study on co-locating data centers with greenhouse and aquaculture production. Members asked about water use, ownership, and whether the concepts were operational or still speculative. Finally, North Dakota AgTech presented its NSF-funded innovation engine work, describing startup commercialization, on-farm trials, workforce development, and partnerships with NDSU, UND, tribal colleges, and other land-grant institutions. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the prior meeting minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Blackman, this actually will only constitute an additional source of monies that will go into the SMART
• So the counties already are applying; they're allowed to do that through the SMART program.
• This just adds an additional funding source, a new funding source, I believe, right, to the SMART Fund
• I think the infrastructure swap was fantastic, really smart move.
• We have a lot of smart people in both chambers, and it's probably time that we use our brain matter to

Summary: The joint House and Senate Appropriations committees met to hear the FY 2027 budget package, beginning with the General Appropriations Act (HB 4154/SB 1847). Staff outlined the overall budget, including one-time fund transfers, lump-sum reductions, funding for state employee health insurance, school facilities, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, education and child care, and other ongoing and supplemental items. Members briefly discussed the absence of a requested $1.5 million for the oversight office, but the chair said no amendments would be taken in committee and that only limited technical changes were likely later in the process. Public testimony on the feed bill was largely supportive but focused on specific funding concerns. Testimony highlighted school safety funding, Alzheimer’s services, small business tax expensing provisions, disability oversight for group homes, county use of opioid settlement dollars, adult education/community college funding, victim notification funding, and ESA oversight. Several speakers praised the budget for funding DDD and other services, while others opposed or sought changes to items such as the COMIT group home monitoring program, Maricopa Community Colleges’ lack of operating aid, and a possible cut to the victim notification program. The chair repeatedly emphasized that changes to the negotiated budget would be difficult and should be routed through leadership. The committee then moved quickly through the remaining budget reconciliation bills. Staff summarized bills covering amusement and wagering, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, and K-12 education. Notable provisions included continued wagering assessments, highway and building renewal funding, defense innovation and economic development changes, corrections and wrongful conviction provisions, groundwater and water banking measures, health insurance oversight and opioid settlement provisions, higher education funding and ABOR operating caps, SNAP and housing trust fund changes, and a 2% inflation increase for K-12 formula components. The K-12 bill also included a biometric school safety pilot and a child sexual abuse prevention pilot. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the chair indicated the committee would continue through the remaining bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Barney Bishop, Smart Justice Association, waves in support. Charles Mogle, waves in support.
• Barney Bishop, Smart Justice Association, waves in support. Charles Mogle, waves in support.
• Barney Bishop, Florida Smart Justice Alliance, waves in support.
• Jason Main, Storm Smart Industries, waves and support.
• Now, Storm Smart Industries, waves in support. Any debate on the bill as amended?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This does not prevent visitors from keeping a firearm safely locked in a vehicle in a parking lot.
• I saw students in our glass atrium and had the other faculty lock the door behind me so I could get the
• We need a term for it. keeping a firearm safely locked in a keeping a firearm safely locked in a vehicle
• faculty lock the door behind<00:05:09.039><c> me</c><00:05:09.280><c> so</c><00:05:09.440><c> I</c><
• Lock themselves in a room? They need to get down, and there are no good solutions here.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think that necessarily would have done much because people don't keep their licenses locked up
• </c> people don't keep their licenses locked people don't keep their licenses locked up<00:36:24.720>
• When does it become the purview of that computer to lock down the entire hardware and everything that
• it less complicated to operate or providing education so that it is easier to operate. computer to lock
• down computer to lock down the<00:45:49.040><c> entire</c><00:45:49.520><c> hardware</c><00:45:50.000

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee work session focused on House Bill 293, which would prevent minors from accessing obscenity on certain internet-connected electronic devices. Chair Pardell opened by noting the bill had been discussed several times and that the goal was to find language acceptable to the committee. Representative Coutab argued the bill is important for child safety, said parents vary in technical ability, and pointed to Apple as evidence that filtering tools can be implemented. He asked whether the other members saw a path forward and what it might look like. Representatives McFarland and Tur both said they support the underlying concern but questioned the bill’s structure and practicality. McFarland emphasized parental responsibility and individual liberty, said any final language should avoid infringing on rights or creating indirect pressure on corporations, and suggested looking at other states’ approaches and Apple’s closed ecosystem as a limited example. Tur said the bill may solve one problem while creating others, especially by placing the burden on device manufacturers and browsers rather than on the content providers; he cited the recent Texas Paxton decision as an example of a more targeted age-verification approach aimed at websites. Both expressed concern that a broad device-level mandate may be difficult to implement consistently across different platforms. Chair Pardell responded that the bill is intended to add protective measures rather than impose a blanket ban, and compared it to existing restrictions on minors accessing alcohol, tobacco, or pornographic magazines. She said the proposal is meant to ask for the user’s age during device setup, not to require identification or database checks, and stressed that parents would still be responsible for entering accurate information. Members also discussed whether Apple’s tools are generalizable to Android and other ecosystems, whether the market is already developing solutions, and whether a parent-facing filter or device-level controls would be the best route. Pardell said the committee had received public feedback and that another work session would likely be held in October; no vote or final action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• other room who was addicted to opioids, and he had just managed to find a way to go out and get a lock
• 11.440><c> the</c> of people um and you know picking up the of people um and you know picking up the lock
• Zone I I remember knocking on the lock Zone I I remember knocking on the door<00:54:14.960><c> of</c
• </c><00:54:27.520><c> and</c><00:54:27.599><c> getting</c><00:54:27.760><c> a</c><00:54:27.880><c> lock
• </c> find a way to go out and getting a lock find a way to go out and getting a lock zone<00:54:28.400

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:04.080><c> at</c><00:24:04.159><c> Darmmouth</c><00:24:04.640><c> College</c> >> She's very smart
• After a while, she went to bed and she said, "I'm going to lock my door, Mom. You can let him in."
• said,<01:24:50.880><c> "I'm</c><01:24:51.360><c> going</c><01:24:51.440><c> to</c><01:24:51.600><c> lock
• </c> said, "I'm going to lock my door, Mom. said, "I'm going to lock my door, Mom. you<01:24:54.719><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about how do we pass smart policy and practice good government based on principles and do our own
• President, somebody had said something about 72% of people weren't smart enough or don't understand this
• And never once has it been said to me that the voters aren't smart enough to understand that.

Summary: The Senate took up several local and special bills on third reading and final passage. It amended and passed to be engrossed Senate 1831, a Rutland bill providing killed-in-the-line-of-duty benefits for Joanne Saundi as the surviving spouse of Detective John DeSongy, and also passed to be engrossed two Haverhill bills exempting Nick Santos and Anthony Morales from the maximum age requirement for police officer appointments. The chamber then enacted bills concerning police age requirements in Newton and Stonem, sending them to the Governor. It also adopted two congratulatory resolutions, including one for the Florence Community Band’s 25th anniversary and another recognizing the Italian Consulate in Boston and Italian National Day. The Senate suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer a House petition from Rep. Carol Fiola to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, proposing a temporary pilot to let municipalities extend liquor-license hours and allow public consumption in designated districts during summer 2026. The chamber also addressed House 5501, the fiscal year 2027 state budget, after the House nonconcurred in a Senate amendment; the Senate insisted on its amendment and appointed a conference committee, naming Senators Rodrigues, Comerford, and O’Connor. A major floor debate centered on Senate 3104, a resolution responding to the Supreme Judicial Court’s May 7, 2026 order regarding the State Auditor’s request for Senate financial records. Supporters said the resolution would provide documents in four clarified categories—budgets, audits, balance-forward transactions, and monetary settlement agreements—while preserving constitutional separation-of-powers objections to broader requests. Opponents argued the Senate should have sought the court’s guidance earlier and that the documents should be produced without further delay. The resolution was adopted on a roll call vote, 33-6. The Senate then adjourned in memory of William F. Howard of Beverly and set its next meeting for Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not only is it common sense, but it's also really smart for the state of Massachusetts to do this.
• And this just seems like, to me, like a smart thing, what would be a smart thing to do? Yeah, yeah.

Summary: The Employment Subcommittee of the Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met on May 18, approved the prior meeting minutes, and heard an introductory announcement about ASL interpretation procedures for the Zoom meeting. The first presentation was an update on the Massachusetts Disability Employment Tax Credit from MassAbility. The speaker explained that the credit, created in 2022, offers employers up to $5,000 in the first year and $2,000 in later years for hiring and retaining certified employees with disabilities. The certification process was described as intentionally simple, relying largely on self-attestation and an online application that screens applicants in through participation in disability-related programs or receipt of certain benefits. Members asked about employer awareness, the website and application process, available data, and whether credits can be carried forward; the speaker said outreach is ongoing, one employer had used the credit in the prior tax season, and some implementation questions would need to be directed to the Department of Revenue. The committee then heard from Scott Pitta of the Office of the Veteran Advocate, who described the office as an independent agency created after COVID and the state veterans home трагедies to improve veteran services and investigate problems. He focused on veterans’ disability ratings, explaining that VA disability does not necessarily prevent work, and discussed how discharge status can affect access to benefits. He highlighted vocational rehabilitation, GI Bill supports, housing and mental health services, and the role of municipal veteran service officers under Chapter 115. A major theme was professional licensure and employment barriers for veterans, especially in nursing and other trades; members discussed whether Massachusetts is doing enough compared with other states and whether the office could connect with workforce and licensure stakeholders. Pitta said his office is beginning a narrow review of nursing licensure issues and invited follow-up through regional liaisons and the office inbox. In the final portion of the meeting, members turned to a SEED policy brief and related future work. Because time was short, they deferred a full discussion to a later meeting and agreed to revisit the brief at the August 31 meeting. The group identified two likely areas of focus: the “benefit cliff” and youth/young adult pathways into employment, including apprenticeships. Members discussed the need to map existing services, gather information from partner agencies, and possibly develop a white paper or spreadsheet-style summary for appointing authorities. The meeting ended with a request for members interested in the benefit cliff work to contact the co-chairs, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is an incredibly smart investment in an organization. Young people.
• It is an incredibly smart investment in an organization that is a force multiplier, and so with that
• As legislators, we have a responsibility as a state to craft smart, science-backed policies, to bolster

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then took up several floor items. AB 108, a budget bill, was presented as a one-time $25 million grant program through HCAI to help severely distressed nonprofit and public hospitals with less than 10 days cash on hand and limited other options, along with a technical fix for the property tax postponement program. Senators Laird and Jones spoke in support, and the bill passed 36-0 with immediate transmittal granted. The chamber then adopted a series of resolutions recognizing CASA Appreciation Day (SCR 162), California Wildfire Preparedness Week (SCR 165), California Rail Month (SCR 84), the National Day of Prayer (SCR 153), and Mother’s Day (SCR 167). Floor remarks highlighted the role of CASA volunteers, year-round wildfire risk and local preparedness efforts, rail’s importance to mobility and climate goals, faith and prayer as sources of guidance, and the contributions of mothers and mother figures. All of these resolutions passed, with SCR 153 receiving one no vote and the others passing unanimously or near-unanimously. The Senate also passed SB 1175, which moves lobbyist registration and related filings directly to the Secretary of State to improve timeliness and transparency; SB 949, designating the Santa Cruz Mountains as a landscape of statewide significance; SB 1038, strengthening CalPERS audit notice requirements for unions; and SB 965, making it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to obtain library cards without a parent physically present. Each measure received supportive remarks and passed on strong roll calls. Later, the Senate adopted SR 106 marking Black April Memorial Month and honoring Vietnamese refugees and the Vietnamese American community, with members speaking about the fall of Saigon, refugee sacrifice, and the community’s contributions. The session concluded with committee announcements and an adjournment in memory of Dan Hughes, a former reserve officer, firefighter paramedic, and longtime parks district board member. The Senate announced it would reconvene on Monday, May 11, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is an incredibly smart investment in an organization. Young people.
• It is an incredibly smart investment in an organization that is a force multiplier, and so with that
• As legislators, we have a responsibility as a state to craft smart, science-backed policies, to bolster

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a smart bill a year ago. It's still smart today.
• I think this is a smart bill.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation convened with a quorum, reviewed housekeeping rules for testimony and position letters, and reminded the public that bills with revenue impacts over $150,000 would be sent to the suspense file rather than voted on immediately. The chair noted that no bills on the agenda would be eligible for a vote that day because they would automatically be referred to suspense. The committee then heard several tax-related measures, with testimony generally split between bill authors/supporters emphasizing affordability, public safety, or conservation, and opponents arguing the proposals were inefficient tax expenditures better handled through existing programs or direct budget funding. AB 1565 proposed a $5,000 tax credit for small businesses that hire formerly incarcerated people within a year of release and keep them employed for at least six months. Supporters said the bill would reduce recidivism, help small businesses manage hiring risk, and save the state money by avoiding incarceration costs; one witness described personal experience overcoming a felony record. The California Tax Reform Association opposed the measure, arguing employment tax credits are ineffective and that existing programs are more targeted. Members from both parties expressed support, but the bill was referred to suspense. The committee also heard AB 1596, which would create a five-year sales tax holiday for infant car seats; AB 1668, which would extend a welfare tax exemption for land trust-held open space; AB 1690, which would expand the Young Child Tax Credit to families with older children; AB 1698, which would create a tax credit for small restaurants that comply with food handler certification requirements; and AB 1620, which would allow a deduction for homeowners’ insurance premiums on primary residences. Supporters framed these bills as relief for families, small businesses, and land conservation efforts, while opponents repeatedly argued the tax code should not be used to subsidize these costs and that existing programs or market solutions were preferable. Each bill was ultimately referred to the suspense file, and the committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a smart bill a year ago. It's still smart today.
• I think this is a smart bill.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In closing, this legislation is, I believe, smart climate policy, smart economic policy, and smart fiscal

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And let's be smart. Let's be smart about it. Let's be smart about the development.

Transcript Highlights:

• TELLS US WE HAVE HUMIDITY ISSUE OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IT'S THE TRANSITION TO SMART
• WOULD YOU SAY IT'S PURSUANT TO STATUTE GEO SAID IT WOULD BE SMART IF THEY DID, IT WOULDN'T BE SMART IF

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I believe so deeply that we are smart enough and capable enough, and the people at these companies
• And I believe so deeply that we are smart enough and capable enough. and the people at these companies
• I believe so deeply that we are smart enough and capable enough, and the people at these companies are
• smart enough and capable enough that we can do that.
• Wearing AI-powered smart glasses that appear completely ordinary, leaving those around them with little

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on artificial intelligence, child safety, mental health, and privacy. SB 574 by Senator Umberg would require transparency and human oversight when attorneys, judges, and court neutrals use AI; it drew support from privacy advocates and committee members, with no opposition. SB 1276, the End Child Exploitation Act, would update child sexual exploitation laws to cover live-streamed and AI-generated abuse material and clarify that viewing such content can be criminally punishable; prosecutors, child advocacy groups, and others supported it, while no one appeared in opposition despite opposition on file. SB 813 would create a California AI standards and safety commission and a voluntary two-tier certification framework for AI safety standards; supporters said it would create scalable, independent oversight, while TechNet and CalChamber opposed it as duplicative, under-defined, and likely to create a de facto mandate. The committee discussed market pressure, federal preemption concerns, and the role of voluntary standards, but no final vote was taken in the excerpt. Senator Padilla also presented SB 300, which would strengthen protections for minors from sexually explicit chatbot content by moving from a reasonableness standard to an affirmative duty to prevent such exposure and to prohibit facilitation. Supporters said new evidence showed greater risks and that companies can and should build stronger safeguards; opponents, including TechNet and CCIA, argued the bill was premature because SB 243 had only recently taken effect and warned it could create strict-liability-like exposure. Padilla then presented SB 903, which would bar AI chatbots from being advertised as therapists, require licensed clinician oversight and informed consent for AI use in psychotherapy, and protect patient confidentiality; it received broad support from mental health professionals and labor groups, while industry and health associations were opposed unless amended over triage and crisis-detection language. The committee members emphasized the need for human judgment in mental health care and noted ongoing negotiations on amendments. The committee also heard SB 1119, a companion to AB 2020, which would require annual risk assessments, crisis-response protocols, default child settings, parental controls, limits on data use, public incident reporting, and third-party audits for chatbots used by children. Supporters argued the bill would address documented harms and improve transparency, while industry groups objected to ambiguous standards, liability exposure, and the private right of action. A roll call vote was taken on SB 1119 after quorum was established; the motion to pass to Appropriations succeeded on a 5-1 vote, with one no vote and the measure left on call for absent members. Finally, SB 354, a privacy bill for insurance consumers, would modernize outdated insurance privacy rules, bar sale of personal information, and expand consumer rights to know, correct, and delete data. Supporters said it would implement Proposition 24’s privacy mandate, while a large coalition of insurers, agents, brokers, and related businesses opposed unless amended, mainly seeking a small-business exemption and narrower treatment of publicly available information; members and the author said negotiations were ongoing and the bill had already been substantially revised.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> Guard</c><00:16:15.600><c> who</c> >> Um, that actual amendment, which provided money for the smart
• amendment which provided money<00:16:42.000><c> for</c><00:16:42.160><c> the</c><00:16:42.399><c> smart
• c><00:16:42.639><c> kids</c><00:16:43.680><c> is</c><00:16:44.000><c> eliminated</c> money for the smart
• kids is eliminated money for the smart kids is eliminated in<00:16:44.880><c> this</c><00:16:45.040>

Bills: SB79, HB379, SB253, HB278, HB438, HB233, SB79, HB379, SB253, HB278, HB438, HB233

Keywords: sex-based terminology, gender identity, male, female, man, woman, boy, girl, single-sex spaces, women's rights, privacy, safety, fairness, anti-discrimination, vital statistics, birth certificate, intersex, DSD, differences in sex development, transgender

Transcript Highlights:

• It is smart. It is responsible and it is evidence-based policy that works.
• It<00:17:53.520><c> is</c><00:17:53.679><c> smart.
• <c> responsible</c><00:17:55.440><c> and</c><00:17:55.679><c> it</c><00:17:55.840><c> is</c> It is smart
• It is responsible and it is It is smart.

Keywords: 1183, house