Transcript Highlights:

• amendments, 154 without amendments, 28 without amendments, 26 without amendments, 110 without amendments
• amendments, 160 without amendments, 173 without amendments, 18 without amendments 18 without amendments
• 17 without amendments 18 without amendments, 18 without amendments, 12 without amendments, 410 without
• amendments, Senate Bill 2 without amendments, Senate Bill 19 without amendments, 24 without amendments
• Bill 19 without amendments, 24, without amendments, 50, without amendments 70, without amendments, 96

Bills: SCR63, SCR12, HB89, HB451, HB595, HB617, HB621, HB730, HB1064, HB1125, HB221, HCR58, SB106, SB206, SB248, SB441, SB104, SB122, SB180, SB260, SB424, SB476, SCR9, SCR30, SB57, SB414, SB525, SB35, SB65, SB135, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB276, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB484, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB501, SB513, HCR31, HB462, HB547, HB613, HB691, HB712, HB720, HB723, HB728, HB735, HB747, HB759, HB825, HB845, HB846, HB903, HB904, HB907, HB923, HB929, HB941, HB962, HB965, HB1036, HB287, HB370, HB515, HB521, HB570, HB1200, HB29, HB39, HB58, HB67, HB73, HB76, HB77, HB82, HB112, HB121, HB125, HB132, HB134, HB151, HB154, HB155, HB161, HB166, HB187, HB191, HB207, HB211, HB224, HB238, HB241, HB242, HB250, HB260, HB265, HB275, HB300, HB320, HB338, HB339, HB349, HB379, HB399, HB427, HB463, HB464, HB468, HB545, HB550, HB551, HB565, HB588, HB639, HB725, HB782, HB805, HB808, HB834, HB847, HB853, HB858, HB861, HB883, HB916, HB937, HB977, HB1012, HB1027, HB1044, HB1054, HB1091, HB1117, HB90, HB127, HB138, HB150, HB201, HB268, HB273, HB285, HB315, HB354, HB355, HB360, HB376, HB445, HB506, HB606, HB649, HB665, HB681, HB721, HB746, HB757, HB781, HB835, HB844, HB857, HB872, HB886, HB889, HB892, HB982, HB987, HB1037, HB1068, HB1072, HB1078, HB1085, HB1132, HB1137, HB1167, HB1174, HB1232, HB1238, HB23, HB136, HB17, HB21, HB51, HB55, HB74, HB106, HB108, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB168, HB215, HB226, HB263, HB296, HB299, HB322, HB364, HB519, HB535, HB538, HB568, HB571, HB622, HB635, HB676, HB772, HB784, HB1006, HB1018, HB1033, HB1034, HB1043, HB1070, HB1134, HB1237, HB1239, HB36, HB119, HB126, HB129, HB245, HB271, HB280, HB337, HB351, HB677, HB726, HB789, HB850, HB956, HB966, SB149, SB382

Keywords: fiscal notes, legislation, legislative auditor, state policy, conflict of interest, logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, HB89, Act 615, district attorney, assistant district attorney, retiree health insurance, group health insurance, retirement benefits, public employee benefits, Third Judicial District, Thirtieth Judicial District

Summary: The Senate convened with 32 members present, heard a guest prayer from Pastor Dr. Michael Linton, and proceeded through routine journal approval and legislative bureau reports. The chamber received numerous House messages on passed Senate bills and House bills, introduced several resolutions and concurrent resolutions, and recognized Former Legislators’ Day with remarks honoring deceased former members and welcoming back past legislators and other officials. The Senate also adopted SCR 63, which asks the Legislative Auditor to review how fiscal notes are developed and prepared, after an amendment clarifying the study’s scope and a 33-0 vote. The body then took up a series of Senate bills returned from the House. It concurred in House amendments to SB 106 (crime scene recordings/public records), SB 206 (blood pressure testing in schools, narrowed to athletes), SB 248 (polling place closures for very small precincts), SB 104 (highway memorial designation), SB 122 (bridge preservation), SB 180 (disabled veterans’ homestead exemption transfer language), SB 260 (youth athletics safety training/Coach Safely Act), and SB 476 (garnishment service wording). It rejected House amendments to SB 441 on pre-kindergarten programs. SB 57 on nutrition cleanup, SB 414 on medical debt protection, SB 525 on unclaimed property purchases, SB 501 on postsecondary health information postings, and SB 276 on bail bond producer affidavits all advanced or passed, with SB 57 and SB 414 ultimately passing and SB 525 and SB 501 also receiving final passage. The Senate also adopted SCR 30, a resolution urging Congress to ensure accountability and release of Epstein-related files, and later took up SB 513, a pilot program involving average bid/design-build contracting for certain airport-related projects, which passed 25-10 after extended questioning about its purpose and safeguards. SB 484, revising higher education governance and removing LUMCON language in favor of a study commission, passed 36-1. In personal privilege remarks, senators recognized Louisiana Arts Day and introduced guest Ed Tillman. The chamber then began a long series of House bills, including HB 462 on the Capital Area Road and Bridge District board composition, HB 547 on photographing voter registration information, HB 613 on marking driver’s licenses with citizenship status, HB 691 on voter-roll verification through the federal SAVE system, and HB 712 waiving certain OMV fees for homeless individuals; several of these bills were explained and moved toward final passage as the session continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:23.800> and voted on the A2 author's Amendment and voted on the A2 author's Amendment
• just I I think the amendment just I I think the amendment does<00:16:03.160> uh<00:16:03.360
• The amendment is adopted.
• <00:27:10.760> years needed drugs until the contract years needed drugs until the contract
• <01:11:55.280> be that uh Senate file 1481 is amended be that uh Senate file 1481 is amended

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's amendments that were offered, and I know maybe not all amendments can be taken, but I think maybe
• Feldman noting that we have taken amendments.
• Amendment adding urgency? Yes. Okay. So with that amendment, a motion? We have motion and a second.
• Feldman noting that we have taken amendments.
• Would there be First Amendment issues?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 99, which would require courts and law enforcement to better recognize military protective orders in domestic violence cases and allow civilian judges to consider those orders when reviewing restraining order requests. Supporters, including the Department of Defense and military-related organizations, said the bill would close jurisdictional gaps that leave military families vulnerable off base. The bill drew no opposition and was approved on a unanimous vote, with members also expressing support for the author’s request to be added as coauthors. Members then heard SB 1237, a pay equity reporting enforcement bill that would increase penalties for repeat noncompliance with California’s employer pay-data reporting requirements. The author and supporters from Power California Action and HOPE argued that stronger penalties are needed because the state is still missing pay data for hundreds of thousands of workers and wage gaps persist, especially for women of color. There was no opposition testimony, but one member voted no; the bill passed to Appropriations and was placed on call. SB 1387 followed, proposing to allow Jewish identity to be reported as an ethnic category in state demographic data collection. Supporters said the change would improve data accuracy and help identify discrimination, while opponents from Jewish Voice for Peace and other Jewish speakers argued the bill was unworkable, unnecessary, and could be harmful or exceptionalizing. The committee approved the bill on a unanimous vote to Privacy. The committee also approved SB 932, which would require assignees filing civil actions to identify the original party in the case caption, after testimony that the change would improve transparency and help courts, the public, and journalists track assigned claims. SB 988, an auto glass industry bill, drew the most extensive debate: the author and the National Insurance Crime Bureau said it would curb fraud, restrict certain assignment-of-benefits practices, and improve consumer safety, while independent glass shops and their associations warned it could restrict consumer choice and favor insurers or large networks. Despite those concerns, the bill passed to Appropriations. SB 1296, requiring landlords to disclose pet policies before collecting application fees, also passed after supporters described the bill as a narrow transparency measure and opponents raised concerns about pet addenda and eviction procedures. Finally, SB 747, the “No Kings Act,” would create a state cause of action for constitutional violations by federal officers; supporters cited abuses by ICE and Border Patrol and the need for accountability, while law enforcement groups warned about uncertainty around qualified immunity and retroactivity. The bill was supported by several members, but the transcript ends before a final committee vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The following amendment. The clerk will read the amendment. Amendment by Bryant.
• The following amendment, the clerk will read the amendment. Amendment by Turner.
• The following amendment. The clerk will read the amendment. Amendment by Ancia.
• The following amendment to the amendment, the clerk will read the amendment to the amendment.
• Wu on the amendment to explain the amendment. On the amendment, to explain the amendment.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation and pledges, and received several announcements and recognitions before moving to legislation. Members honored the UTRGV chess team for winning a share of the 2025 President’s Cup, educator Jessica Lopez, the late Jennifer Maddenly, Jeanette Valdez Duran and Mobile Blessings from the Heart, TAMAC’s 50th anniversary, and journalist Bernardine Steptoe’s retirement. The chamber also adopted motions allowing committees to meet, setting a local and consent calendar, and suspending posting rules for a Public Health hearing on SB 2721. The House then considered a long series of Senate and House bills on third reading, with many passing by wide margins. Measures included SB 906 on Ysleta del Sur Pueblo peace officers; SB 1229 designating Veterans Memorial Highway; SB 855 on foster care medical costs; SB 703 on massage therapy licensing and trafficking protections; SB 1025 on tax-increase ballot language; SB 1119 on water park liability; SB 1080 on provisional occupational licenses for people with criminal convictions; SB 929 on lien deadlines; SB 1355 on liquor sales credit disputes; SB 2231 on fee waivers for college applications; SB 1877 on Public Utility Commission data access; SB 1998 on pediatric preceptorships; and several House bills on topics such as bond forfeiture notice, health workforce planning, civil commitment counsel, expunction of contempt records, consumer transactions, nuisance birds, theft venue, military grant applications, AI cancer-detection grants, cybersecurity contract language, military-related tuition, utility recovery mechanisms, psychedelic therapy studies, teacher retirement funding transparency, election procedures, juvenile parole eligibility, and more. Some bills drew notable debate or amendments. HB 200, creating a “second look” parole process for certain juvenile offenders after 20 years, prompted extended discussion about serious offenses and juvenile rehabilitation before passing 102-4. HB 2298 on AI-assisted cancer detection passed 85-62 after the sponsor emphasized “augmented intelligence” and physician oversight. HB 5247 on utility capital recovery saw a failed amendment to require ratepayer credits, then passed. HB 3045, a franchise tax exemption for spaceport operators, initially failed 73-74 but later passed after verification showed a 70-69 result. SB 2420, regulating app stores and mobile software distribution, was postponed for later consideration after substantial debate over age verification responsibilities. Several other measures were postponed, including SB 888, SB 552, SB 17, and SB 2420, while HB 1128 on election judges carrying concealed handguns passed 85-57 after a withdrawn point of order.

Transcript Highlights:

• > amendment<05:05:28.440> yeah on the amendment on the amendment yeah on the amendment
• The speaker then asks to offer an amendment to HB 163, Amendment 2025-086H. offering another amendment
• offer amendment to U HP 163 amendment offer amendment to U HP 163 amendment number<05:11:51.840>
• Okay, now the amendment is back to offering. You want to make a motion to OTP as amended?
• by Amendment 2025-086H.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting featured presentations from the Department of Administrative Services and the Treasury Department on state revenue reporting and unclaimed property. State Comptroller Dana Call explained DAS’s role in compiling statewide revenue reports, including the annual revenue plan set through the budget process and the monthly revenue focus reports that track cash receipts. She noted that unrestricted general fund revenue is about $2 billion annually, while miscellaneous other revenue is a much smaller and less predictable category, averaging roughly $30 million to $32 million a year. She also described two more material internal revenue lines: statewide indirect cost recoveries and post-retirement benefit recoveries, which are billed to agencies and often tied to federal reimbursement rules. Members asked about the interest line in the revenue charts and about how the figures were presented, and Call clarified that the totals were in millions and that the interest item would be explained by the Treasurer. She also explained that the indirect cost and post-retirement recoveries are internal cost allocations that flow back into the unrestricted revenue pool and are reflected in agency budgets as interagency costs. Treasurer Monica Meissner then outlined Treasury Department functions, including bank deposits, statewide disbursements, banking relationships, investments, debt management, compliance, the FONA College Savings Program, the ABLE Plan, scholarship programs, and the abandoned property program. In discussing unclaimed property, she said holders report property after a five-year dormancy period, the state uses automated systems and outreach to locate owners, and claim activity has increased. In fiscal year 2024, the state returned about $12.2 million to citizens through roughly 12,000 claims; over the last 10 years, about $72.6 million has been returned. She also said the state escheated $19.9 million to the general fund and $1.8 million to counties last year, and explained that securities-related proceeds are harder to estimate because they depend on market conditions. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Greenman, to your bill as amended. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Did you prepare an amendment? I did not, since I just read that.
• I did not, since I prepare an amendment?
• Hearing none, the motion prevails, and you are on your way as amended. Any opposed?
• Hearing none, the motion prevails, and you are on your way as amended.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's codified by the First Amendment.
• Under that program, students enter into an educational contract while they are in school.
• contract with a freshman or sophomore. contract with a freshman or sophomore.
• Thank you, Senator. >> Sounds like an amendment forming. >> Uh, Coach Hickden. >> Thank you, Mr.
• They can actually, if they have, I think most superintendents work 240-day contracts.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Rep. Ashley Tacket Laferty on a bill to expand minimum hazardous-duty retirement and health benefits for certain public safety workers injured in the line of duty. She used a video and examples from Floyd County to describe officers and an emergency management director who were catastrophically injured but did not qualify for existing hazardous-duty coverage because their employers had enrolled them in non-hazardous retirement plans. The bill would provide a minimum benefit of 25% of pay, plus 10% for dependent children and limited health coverage, for eligible workers who cannot return to hazardous work. Laferty said the proposal would apply retroactively through a five-year window, estimated to affect a limited number of workers statewide, and would be funded by small increases in employer contribution rates. Committee members questioned how many former employees might qualify, how the bill interacts with the pension system, and who would pay the added cost. Discussion also noted that local governments choose whether to place employees in hazardous or non-hazardous coverage, largely based on cost. The sheriff’s association was present online in support, and no vote was taken. The committee then heard Rep. Daniel Gber present a revised bill allowing teachers and school district employees to use accumulated sick leave to observe religious holidays not already on the school calendar, if they provide a personal statement and sufficient advance notice. He said the measure is intended to address the rigid school calendar and the difficulty teachers face in observing non-school holidays without losing service credit toward retirement. He noted that the earlier version of the bill had allowed make-up work time, but the current draft is shorter and focused on sick leave use. He also referenced a supporting letter from a constituent who could not attend because of weather. The bill was presented for discussion only, with no committee action reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, MassHousing has been in a federal contract, and so we are tied to the administrative contract for
• The City of Boston has a contract with Metro Housing for about 600 families.
• The City of Boston has a contract with Metro Housing for about 600 families.
• The City of Boston has a contract with Metro Housing for about 600 families.
• The City of Boston has a contract with Metro Housing for about 600 families.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing opened its second hearing of the session with remarks from Chairs Haggerty and Cyr emphasizing that the hearing was a broad look at Massachusetts’ housing crisis rather than a single bill. They highlighted topics including zoning, permitting, rental assistance, public housing, homelessness prevention, and housing production. The first witness, Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus, reviewed implementation of the Affordable Homes Act and the state’s new housing plan, citing a 1.6% vacancy rate, a projected need for 222,000 new homes over 10 years, and ongoing efforts such as ADUs by right, fair housing enforcement, eviction record sealing, seasonal communities planning, and new funding for affordable housing, public housing, and the Momentum Fund. He also discussed infrastructure support for municipalities, technical assistance for ADUs, and concerns about possible federal funding cuts. Committee members questioned the secretary about ADU financing and technical assistance, the likely unit yield from the Affordable Homes Act, infrastructure barriers in suburban and rural communities, public housing waitlist management, supportive housing, and federal budget risks. MassNAHRO then testified that public housing authorities are facing rising operating and capital costs, a statewide waitlist nearing 300,000, and uncertainty over federal Section 8 and HUD funding. Witnesses described recent state support for operating subsidies, capital improvements, vacancy turnover teams, and resident service coordinators, while warning that proposed federal cuts could sharply affect voucher issuance and agency operations. CDAC’s executive director Roger Herzog described the agency’s role as a quasi-public source of early-stage financing and technical assistance for nonprofit housing developers, noting its loan capital, supportive housing bond programs, home modification loans, and preservation work under Chapter 40T. He said CDAC has helped produce or preserve more than 55,000 units and stressed the importance of patient capital and preservation tools. CHAPA CEO Rachel Heller urged the committee to focus on production, preservation, planning, and political will, supporting goals for affordability, supportive housing, and homeownership, and endorsing policy changes such as YIGBY, clearer site plan review rules, stronger fair housing funding, and more support for vouchers and public housing. MassHousing then outlined its financing role, including mortgage lending, down payment assistance, the Community Climate Bank, and the Momentum Fund, while noting that permitting delays, capital gaps, and possible federal changes could affect production. Members also asked about transparency, prevailing wage compliance, and a recent internal restructuring related to diversity and business engagement.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I understand that the ICE contract with the government is very long, but the contract with CoreCivic
• Our contract is not brief with MTC.
• in violation of their contract or their?
• The beds are set per the The contract is both with ICE and the facility, and the contract I think you
• What we're talking about here is public Contracts at the state and local level.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's what section 16, which is amending whatever it amends there, 75-.7, does.
• <01:09:46.960> 75-.7 amending whatever it amends there 75-.7 amending whatever it amends there
• So this amendment is Okay. So this amendment is section<01:24:11.520> three.
• What are the contracts?
• . amendment. amendment.

Keywords: 10am HB 1 & HB 2, 928, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference on HB 1 and HB 2 reviewed comparison documents and worked through a long list of House and Senate positions, agreeing on some technical or already-enacted items while setting aside others for later discussion. Early on, members agreed to delete a House Bill 2 section tied to a bill already passed into law, and a representative explained a technical amendment to the EFA provisions clarifying enrollment-cap repeal language and compulsory attendance rules for EFA students. That amendment was discussed but a vote was postponed because not all members were present. The committee also noted that the overall EFA budget numbers had already been settled separately. Several items were either agreed to or held for further negotiation. Members agreed to delete sections already covered by other enacted bills, including BTLA-related language, and to accept a technical amendment changing "municipalities" to "political subdivisions" in a section affecting funding eligibility. They also agreed on some items involving workers’ compensation second injuries, certain pilot-program language, and some sections related to state loan repayment and other technical corrections. In contrast, they set aside or disputed items involving site evaluation, lottery-related provisions, opioid abatement, the Commission on Aging, Granite Advantage premium costs, renewable energy/offshore wind funding, special education funding, and several education trust fund and unique-fund provisions. The committee spent substantial time on policy disputes. The House side argued against keeping money in dedicated Fish and Game funds rather than increasing the main Fish and Game fund, while the Senate side defended its approach and raised concerns about fee impacts, including one tied to the fishing license. The members also discussed a housing appeals board proposal, with one member suggesting a possible compromise that would preserve some function while shifting duties and possibly sunsetting the arrangement later; the contracts for the positions were noted as running through June 30, 2028 and June 30, 2029. Another extended discussion concerned the child advocate records-access section, which one side wanted removed as policy that should go through the normal bill process, while another member asked to hold it and suggested a possible middle-ground, time-limited approach. Later, the committee agreed to remove sections already handled in other bills, including House sections 254 and 255, and discussed but did not resolve disputes over liquor licensing functions, cannabis-related language, cost containment, special education, and several fee and fund provisions. The Senate explained its position on the governor’s commission language, saying opioid abatement trust funds could not be used for that purpose and that the commission should continue to be funded through 5% of gross liquor profits; it also described renaming the body the Commission on Addiction Treatment and Prevention and expanding its scope to include problem gambling. The meeting ended with several major items still open for later negotiation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is adopted. There are amendments at the desk.
• The amendment is adopted. There is an amendment at the desk.
• The amendment is coded A8. discussion to the amendment? discussion to the amendment?
• The chief clerk will report the amendment. amendment. amendment.
• The amendment is adopted. There is an amendment at the desk.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 4760, a public safety package, and first adopted an amendment to insert House language into the Senate file. Members then heard brief explanations of several included provisions, including a section from House File 3870 that would make Office of Justice Programs research and victim-related data private, clarify privacy for data collected by the Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls office and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives office, and remove outdated statutory language. Representative Novotny also described the package as combining a number of previously passed stand-alone bills and a few additional provisions. The chamber then adopted amendments A5, A7, and A8. A5 inserted House language and adjusted an effective date related to public employer discretion in hiring; A7 allowed the Office of Legislative Auditor to request BCA fingerprinting and federal tax information as required by federal rules; and A8 clarified language affecting jail medical services and custody-related safeguards after collaboration among Representative Witty, the sheriffs association, the Department of Corrections, and advocates. Representatives Hansen, Moller, and Witty all urged support for those changes. A proposed A3 amendment from Representative Duran, which would have kept the current age of delinquency rather than implementing the previously enacted change, drew extensive debate. Supporters argued counties, law enforcement, and other stakeholders were not ready for the change and lacked infrastructure, while opponents said the 2024 law was intended to address serious gaps in juvenile justice and child welfare and should take effect as planned. After a roll call, the House rejected A3 by a vote of 66 yeas to 67 nays. The transcript then indicates another Duran amendment, A2, was called up, but the excerpt ends before its disposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:33.039> to testimony offering an amendment to testimony offering an amendment to exclude
• Also, adopt the attorney general's amendment, which makes it clear that existing contracts are not affected
• several u amendments. several u amendments.
• Senate draft 2 to pass with amendments. Senate draft 2 to pass with amendments.
• recommend the same amendments. recommend the same amendments.

Bills: HB1853, HB1591, HB1961, HB1854, HB1965, HB1962, HB1959, HB2505, HB2576, HB1801, HB1804, HB1864, HB2319, HB2314, HB2115

Keywords: HB1853, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, memory care, memory clinic, Hanai Memory Network, Executive Office on Aging, aging services, kupuna, caregiver support, long-term care, elder care, geriatrics, public health, dementia screening, care coordination, referral network, neighbor islands, rural health

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2047, relating to pharmacy benefit managers. The Insurance Division said the bill would require new enforcement resources and estimated an appropriation of about $1.5 million and five positions. Kaiser Permanente asked for an amendment to exclude HMOs from the definition of third-party PBMs, saying the bill should not interfere with integrated care models. PCMA and the Hawaii Pharmacist Association supported narrowing amendments, with pharmacists objecting to section 3 and warning the bill as amended could create major operational burdens and a significant general fund cost. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and the chair moved on to the next measure after questions. The committee then took up SB 2080, which would allow Hawaii to join the psychology interjurisdictional compact. Supporters, including DCR, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, the Grassroot Institute, and others, said the compact would expand access to psychology services, especially for people in rural areas or those needing continuity of care while traveling. Opponents, including the Board of Psychology and a Shamanad University psychology professor, raised concerns about client safety, crisis-response procedures, enforcement costs, FBI background checks, and possible loss of state control over training and specialization standards. The board said Hawaii’s current 1,900-hour internship/postdoc requirement is higher than the compact’s standard and that the state is still implementing a separate provisional licensing law that may address some access issues. The discussion focused on whether the compact would meaningfully reduce shortages and whether Hawaii should instead pursue changes within its existing licensing system. Finally, the committee heard SB 2277 on hospital price transparency. The Office of Consumer Protection initially noted the bill could require significant staffing, but later testimony from SHIP suggested the measure could be handled more simply by working with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii and publicly posting violations. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, arguing hospitals already must comply with federal CMS transparency rules and that adding state requirements would increase costs and legal exposure, especially if violations were treated as unfair or deceptive trade practices. Steve Fenberg testified in support, saying the bill would simply codify existing federal requirements in state law and that he was open to amendments removing state enforcement and the unfair trade practice language. No final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments deemed adopted.
• Recent amendments address all stakeholder concerns.
• AB 2624 has been, we've taken clarifying amendments in order to address feedback from First Amendment
• Sheva: I took extensive amendments in committee and have committed to additional amendments over in the
• this gap by The total cost of these contracts.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened in session, established a quorum, offered a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a very large third-reading file while urging members to be at their desks for their bills. The day featured many support measures on housing, health care, public safety, local government, labor, education, and consumer protection, with repeated reminders that absent authors would have their bills skipped. Several bills were passed temporarily or retained on file, but the chamber spent most of the time taking up individual measures and voting on them. Among the bills discussed were measures on land surveying, nurse midwifery access, historic-district transit zoning, EV charging infrastructure, foreclosure equity protections, tribal inclusion in interstate cannabis commerce, outdoor advertising permitting delays, commercial building permit timelines, DUI penalties, farmworker disadvantaged-community designation, restaurant reservation bots, open-space tax exemptions, pop-up business permits, anti-hate training for officials, sideshows and street takeovers, utility rate transparency, CalWORKs eligibility, dynamic electricity rates, interior designer licensure, compost contamination, modular housing standards, small claims limits for businesses, Native American Day as a paid state holiday, rural maternity care funding, protective orders tied to defendant release, immigrant service provider privacy under Safe at Home, mentally disordered offender evaluations, compounded weight-loss drug regulation, plasma donation center rules, missing persons DNA database updates, AI chatbot safeguards for children, an official state apology to California Native peoples, foster youth housing navigation, CTE teacher credentialing, Medi-Cal protections against federal cuts, CalFresh protections, public hospital physician employment authority, child care, and film tax credit changes for post-production work. Testimony was generally supportive from authors, who framed the bills as cleanup, modernization, consumer protection, or targeted equity measures. A few measures drew notable opposition or debate, especially AB 2624 on Safe at Home privacy protections for immigrant service providers, where opponents argued it could chill journalism and transparency while supporters said it was needed to protect people facing doxing and threats. AB 2208 and AB 2299 were presented as responses to federal HR 1 impacts on Medi-Cal and CalFresh, and AB 2023 on AI chatbots drew emotional support centered on child safety and a reported suicide case. The chamber also heard strong advocacy for Native American recognition bills, rural health access, and housing affordability. Most bills passed with little or no opposition, often unanimously. Recorded votes included AB 1933 (48-0), AB 1696 (49-0), AB 2415 (54-0), AB 1820 (50-0), AB 1957 (53-0), AB 2506 (60-0), AB 2024 (58-0), AB 2418 (61-0), AB 1578 (44-17), AB 1600 (46-9), AB 1661 (44-10), AB 1715 (46-7), AB 1755 (66-0), AB 1787 (43-5), AB 1796 (45-6), AB 1812 (47-1), AB 1815 (57-0), AB 1827 (59-0), AB 1841 (64-0), AB 1868 (61-0), AB 1882 (64-0), AB 1889 (69-0), AB 2624 (49-19), AB 1897 (57-1), AB 1990 (52-0), AB 2009 (65-0), AB 2018 (60-0), AB 2023 (58-8), AB 2115 (65-0), AB 2162 (60-0), AB 2206 (62-0), AB 2208 (42-17), AB 2237 (54-0), AB 2241 (62-0), AB 2246 (56-1), AB 2249 (51-0), AB 2299 (51-1), AB 2311 (65-0), and AB 2314 (68-0). The session ended with the Assembly still working through the file, including the opening of AB 2319 on film tax credits.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have contract attorneys.
• <01:30:36.400> attorneys group we have contract attorneys group we have contract attorneys
• if there's a conflict we have a contract if there's a conflict we have a contract attorney<01:31
• <01:31:08.000> to the cases but they have a contract to the cases but they have a contract
• cases at a higher rate than the contract cases at a higher rate than the contract Council<01:31:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• execution of our recent labor contract execution of our recent labor contract between<00:14:30.600
• <02:21:48.600> and we're proposing is some amendments and we're proposing is some amendments
• online yes yes so we have a contract online yes yes so we have a contract with<02:39:00.120>
• Amendment Amendment and<02:46:49.640> in<02:46:49.800> fact<02:46:50.000> for<02
• If not, Vice Chair—thank you, Chair. with amendments chair votes I Vice chair with amendments chair votes

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committees on Health and Labor heard testimony on HB 1244, a measure relating to labor standards at health care facilities and nursing staff ratios. Committee members opened by explaining hearing procedures, including a suggested two-minute testimony limit and Zoom rules. The bill drew extensive testimony from hospitals, nursing organizations, unions, and individual nurses, with the central debate focusing on whether staffing ratios should be set by statute or left to collective bargaining and unit-level staffing decisions. Opponents included the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Straub Benioff Medical Center, Hawaii Pacific Health, Kapiolani Medical Center, and Queen’s Health Systems. They argued that fixed ratios are too rigid for the changing conditions of hospital care, could worsen workforce shortages, and should be handled through labor negotiations, staffing committees, and existing agreements. Several also pointed to investments in nursing education, loan repayment, and workforce development as better solutions. Queen’s said it had recently reached an agreement with nurses after more than 40 meetings that included a staffing framework, and Kapiolani and others emphasized the need for flexibility in emergencies and specialty care. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Pride at Work Hawaii, the Hawaii Nurses Association/American Nurses Association chapter, Hawaii Nurses Association Local 50, UNAC/UHCP, and individual nurses, said unsafe staffing levels contribute to burnout, turnover, errors, and patient harm. Testifiers described chronic short staffing, emotionally and physically exhausting workloads, and situations in which nurses were responsible for too many patients at once. Supporters argued that safe ratios are necessary to protect both patients and nurses, and that collective bargaining has not been enough to ensure safe conditions statewide, especially in facilities without unions. No vote or final committee action was announced in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• of amendment L3. of amendment L3.
• vote on this amendment. vote on this amendment.
• vote on this amendment. vote on this amendment.
• There's no<03:31:21.600> amendment. no amendment. no amendment. >> Yeah.
• House Bill 1389 as amended<04:33:12.240> passes. amended passes. amended passes.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House opened with the national anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call establishing a quorum. Members then approved the journal of April 8, 2026, and heard several introductions and tributes, including recognition of Home Education Day in Colorado, a welcome to Sigma Lambda Gamma members, and a reminder about an education luncheon. The chamber then recessed briefly before moving into second reading and floor consideration of bills. The main substantive debate centered on House Bill 1357, which phases out the Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) program. Supporters said the program serves a relatively small number of students, costs more per student than community college alternatives, and should be wound down so limited state education dollars can go to core services and the school finance formula. Opponents argued the state had promised the program to students who planned their education around it, including some who turned down scholarships, and said the change would harm future teachers and should have been treated as a pause rather than an end. The House adopted an appropriations amendment (L003), withdrew a proposed substitute amendment (L005), and then passed HB 1357 as amended. The House also passed House Bill 1358, which reduces the appropriation for the Colorado Academic Accelerator Grant Program by $5.2 million in general fund. The sponsor described it as a grant program supporting community learning centers and math/STEM enrichment, but said funding will end after the following fiscal year and the program must step down so families can seek other services. The bill was adopted without further opposition. Finally, the House considered House Bill 1359, which redirects certain revenue from public school land natural resource removals to the state public school fund rather than the permanent fund, with projected transfers of $25 million in FY 2025-26 and $45 million in FY 2026-27. Supporters said the measure is needed to help balance the budget. An opponent raised concerns about impacts on a constituent ranch lease tied to a proposed green energy project, but the sponsor clarified the bill applies only to royalties and leases on state-owned public school lands. The House then adopted HB 1359.

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment, Amendment 1, would...
• Amendment number 60.
• And if this amendment is adopted, there will be. I hope the amendment is adopted.
• The amendment is adopted. The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
• I hope the amendment is adopted. Question comes on adoption of the amendment.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate considered a series of amendments to a primary care health care bill and also took up a separate literacy bill. Several amendments were withdrawn, including one on artificial intelligence in health care and others related to cost controls, direct primary care, and provider studies. The Senate adopted amendments on preserving access to treatment for serious mental illness, modernizing the definition of primary care, clarifying payment rates for community health centers, excluding pharmaceutical spending from primary care expenditure calculations, and strengthening health equity reporting. Other amendments on rate bands, alternative payment systems, private equity reporting, scope of practice, and ownership disclosure were rejected. The Senate then approved the Ways and Means amendment and ordered the primary care bill to a third reading. The chamber also took up final passage of An Act Relative to Teachers Preparation and Student Literacy, with senators describing it as a long-awaited compromise focused on improving early reading outcomes. Supporters said the bill requires evidence-based K-3 literacy curricula, regular student screening and family notification, dyslexia screening protocols, professional development for teachers, and a free state-developed curriculum option. Senators emphasized the need to address declining third-grade reading proficiency and equity gaps. The bill passed to be enacted by a unanimous roll call and was sent to the Governor. After the literacy bill, the Senate returned to the primary care bill, where senators again debated cost containment, innovation, and access. The final version included the adopted amendments and was passed to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 35-4. The Senate then adopted an adjournment order and recessed, adjourning in memory of Henry Thomas III, former Representative Ben Swan, and Mr. Dennis Frane.

Transcript Highlights:

• Show the amendments are adopted. We're now back on the bill as amended.
• There is an amendment. On the bill prior to the amendment. There is an amendment.
• Additional questions before the amendment. There is an amendment.
• Additional questions before the amendment. There is an amendment.
• Senator DeSigley are recognized to explain the amendment. Amendment.

Bills: S2500, S2502, S2504, S7028, S2506, S2508, S2510, S2512, S2514, S2516, S2518, S0482, S0678, S0984, S1016, S1074, S1706, S7030

Keywords: budget, appropriation, education funding, healthcare, environmental protection, infrastructure, local government, Appropriations Act, funding, education, rural development, economic assistance, collective bargaining, state employees, labor relations, impasse resolution, negotiations, retirement, elected officials, Deferred Retirement Option Program

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2026-2027 budget, SPB 2500, with chairs outlining major spending in K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Highlights included a $115 billion overall budget, pay raises for state employees and public safety workers, major K-12 funding increases and enrollment supplements, higher education workforce and nursing investments, expanded Medicaid/KidCare and behavioral health funding, corrections and law enforcement operational funding, transportation and housing investments, and significant environmental and water quality spending. Members asked about civic education funding, declining enrollment, professor retention, APD waiver waitlists, cultural grant allocations, and other line items. Public testimony also addressed HIV/AIDS drug assistance funding and prison air conditioning. SPB 2500 was adopted as a committee bill after amendment consideration and a roll call vote. The committee then took up implementing and related budget bills, including SPB 2502 (implementing the General Appropriations Act), SPB 2504 (state employee bargaining placeholder), SB 7028 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and related retirement changes), SPB 2506 (fuel tax distributions), SPB 2508 (state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge), SPB 2510 (termination of an unused court trust fund), SPB 2512 (new judgeships), SPB 2514 (K-12 conforming changes), SPB 2516 (higher education conforming changes), and SPB 2518 (health conforming changes). Most were explained as technical or conforming measures tied to the budget, and all were reported favorably as committee bills, with SB 7028 amended to direct a portion of increased contributions to disability and line-of-duty death benefits in the FRS investment plan. The committee also heard and passed several member bills, including CS for SB 1074 on rounding rules for cash transactions in a world without pennies, CS for SB 678 restoring the alcohol loss deduction framework for distributors, and SB 964 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention. SB 964 drew the most discussion, with questions about the one-year death-benefit window, the separate $25,000 cancer diagnosis payment, and whether the bill could create gaps in coverage for firefighters diagnosed or dying just outside the new time limits. Firefighter representatives testified in support, saying the bill would provide clearer protections for members and families. All of these measures were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there an<01:13:02.560> amendment? an amendment? an amendment?
• amendment 2025-0656H to amend House Bill 385.
• amended on House Bill 270 with amendment amended on House Bill 270 with amendment 2025-0153H.<01
• pass as amended pass as amended hearing?
• amendment?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's an A2 amendment.
• A2 is amended and to your bill as... A2 is amended and to your bill as...
• I think it's an A2 amendment. Uh think. I think it's an A2 amendment.
• your bill as amended.
• amendment opts in. amendment opts in.

Bills: HF4110, HF2113, HF4569, HF4414

Keywords: workplace regulations, employee rights, meal breaks, rest breaks, exemptions, paid leave, small employers, employment law, Minnesota Statutes, workforce development, HF4569, Minnesota Paid Leave Law, protected leave, seasonal employee, seasonal worker, hospitality, hospitality industry, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer certification