Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:41:26.960><c> issues</c> correspondence on sens sensitive issues correspondence on sens sensitive
• A CDC official discussing transparency.
• </c><00:54:14.559><c> or</c> quote she should not be discussing or quote she should not be discussing
• So it's a draft, but it's based on what we discussed previously.
• </c> on what we discussed previously. on what we discussed previously.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The New Hampshire House Special Committee on the COVID Response Efficacy met to continue its fact-finding review of the state’s pandemic response, with the chair restating the committee’s mission and focus on federal guidance, federal funding, emergency use authorization vaccination efforts, long COVID, patient rights, and vaccination policies. The chair said the committee had previously reviewed materials about the U.S. Supreme Court declining to hear a COVID vaccine case and CDC internal emails about vaccine risks, and introduced additional research on CDC testing and communications failures. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to summarizing articles and a recent U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations report titled *Unmasked: How Biden Health Officials Purposely Turned a Blind Eye Toward COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Signals*. The chair argued that CDC testing and guidance were flawed, citing delayed data publication, confusing guidance, a faulty early COVID test, missed opportunities to study silent spread, and alleged suppression of safety information. The Senate report was described as alleging that FDA and CDC officials knew their surveillance systems could mask vaccine safety signals, that officials discouraged internal analysis from being shared externally, and that newer analytical methods identified multiple statistically significant adverse-event signals. The chair also discussed the V-safe system, VAERS, and claims that federal officials downplayed or concealed adverse-event data. Members and the chair connected these federal issues to New Hampshire, noting changes in the state’s health care landscape since the pandemic, including more urgent care facilities and satellite ERs. The chair suggested New Hampshire should develop independent scientific assessment resources to validate federal information in future emergencies. Representative Wheeler noted that the materials would be entered into the committee record and made available on the House website. No votes were taken; the committee discussed the materials, invited further questions, and indicated that a proposed committee communication would be revisited later after additional supporting information is gathered, with a goal of issuing a statement by the end of June.

Transcript Highlights:

• plenty of time, but I'm thinking that, uh, we're probably going to have some testifiers and some discussion
• I'd like to finish testimony and discussion on our first item on the agenda and stop at about 2:00.
• The first item on the agenda is a discussion and review of the GTAC recommendations report from DNR.
• </c><00:07:29.360><c> uh</c> up that first item is a discussion uh up that first item is a discussion
• </c> found several resources discussing found several resources discussing leadfree leadfree leadfree

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, let's open it up for discussion.
• Um, let's open it up for discussion.
• Well, I would like to discuss an exception. Uh, and I think that we should discuss it right now.
• Discussion. Thank you very much.
• Uh, discussion.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 206, which requires public schools to adopt policies limiting student cell phone use. Supporters argued that cell phones and personal devices contribute to student mental health problems, bullying, distraction, and disruptive behavior, and said teachers and administrators want a clear statewide rule rather than having to enforce policies themselves. Opponents raised concerns about local control, the breadth of the term “personal communication device,” and whether the bill would interfere with instructional uses of devices, especially in schools that rely on bring-your-own-device or have limited access to school-issued laptops. Members debated Amendment 2249H, which added an exception for teacher-led instruction and clarified that superintendent-approved exceptions could still apply for medical, disability, or language-proficiency needs. After discussion about whether the amendment was too restrictive or too broad, the committee adopted the amendment on a 9-8 vote, with one member not voting. The committee then voted 9-8, with one not voting, to recommend Senate Bill 206 ought to pass as amended. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 96, concerning mandatory disclosure by school district employees to parents. The sponsor offered Amendment 2199H to replace language that would have required referral to DCYF whenever an educator withheld information due to concern about possible abuse at home. The amendment instead allows a district to withhold information if a reasonably prudent person would believe disclosure would result in abuse, abandonment, or neglect, and requires the decision to be documented in the student record. The amendment was discussed as a narrower, more workable safeguard, and the committee was still in discussion on the bill at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• While we can't address this in this current vehicle, I look forward to having further discussions as
• We have spent the last three days discussing how to spend 63.3... actually reduce revenue.
• We have spent the last three days discussing how to spend 63.3 ...discussing how to spend $63.3 billion
• We have spent not one minute discussing any measures that could provide tax relief for the folks that
• This scroll and this edict has taken away the ability to discuss these forms of tax relief.

Summary: The Senate continued debate on the FY27 state budget, with several distinguished introductions and a series of amendment actions. Early amendments from Senator Collins on restoring DCF social worker funding and educator pay were withdrawn without objection. The Chair then sustained a point of order that a group of tax-related amendments, including proposals on teacher tax relief, tips, overtime, estate tax, and income tax rates, were out of order because they would create money bills that must originate in the House; the Senate voted 35-4 to uphold that ruling. Senator Tarr’s gas tax suspension amendment and several other amendments were defeated, while Senator Fattman’s amendment extending domestic violence leave protections to contract employees was adopted unanimously, 39-0. The Senate also adopted Senator Fernandes’ amendment creating a commission to study the adequacy, reliability, and distribution of unrestricted general government aid (UGA), after debate focused on inequities in local aid distribution and the need for a modern formula. The chamber then took up House No. 5375, the Chapter 90 municipal roads and bridges bill, and passed it to be engrossed. Additional amendments were considered on the budget, including a community programming amendment and a Senate Ways and Means amendment, both adopted, after which the Ways and Means amendment as amended was adopted and the underlying budget was ordered to a third reading. The Senate also handled several procedural matters, including concurrence in a House referral for a bill on poverty-related legislation and ordering a sick leave bank bill for Carla Johnson to a third reading. After extensive closing remarks from the Ways and Means chair, minority leader, and others praising the collaborative budget process and highlighting investments in local aid, education, public safety, and other priorities, the Senate voted on final passage of House No. 5501, the FY27 appropriations bill. The roll call showed 40-0 in favor, and the bill was passed to be engrossed. The Senate then adopted an order to reconvene the following Tuesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned in memory of Trooper Kevin Thomas Traynor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any other<00:16:41.680><c> discussion</c> Other discussion before we vote on final passage of Senate
• </c> other discussion on the A20? other discussion on the A20?
• </c> interest in this discussion. members. interest in this discussion. members.
• </c> discussed here today. Thank you, Mr. discussed here today. Thank you, Mr. President.
• That is part of the discussions.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today's hearing is an opportunity to really come together to discuss health equity and how it impacts
• So perhaps it's fitting that I helped set the context for today's discussion.
• We have to talk about why we're even here to have the discussion about health equity.
• We have to talk about why we're even here to have the discussion about health equity.
• It's been such an exciting discussion so far. My name is Erica Nimerallens.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held a public hearing focused on health equity for people with disabilities. The chair opened by explaining that the session was not about specific legislation, but about sharing data, lived experience, and strategies to inform more inclusive health systems. Presenters included representatives from the Health Equity Compact, the Department of Public Health, MassHealth, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts, UMass Chan Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation, and the Arc of Massachusetts/Operation House Call. Speakers described how structural racism and ableism contribute to poor health outcomes, unemployment, poverty, and barriers to care for disabled people, especially disabled people of color. Testimony highlighted access problems such as inaccessible medical equipment, transportation, inadequate provider training, lack of culturally competent care, and insurance barriers. Several speakers emphasized the importance of collecting and disaggregating disability data, training providers in disability-competent care, and screening for accommodation needs. MassHealth described its Quality and Equity Incentive Program under the 1115 waiver, including disability-related metrics on data completeness, staff training, and accommodation screening, and reported early increases in hospitals collecting self-reported disability data. Brain injury advocates focused on inequities in rehabilitation access, including the impact of CMS’s “three-hour rule,” which they argued denies needed inpatient rehab to people with severe traumatic brain injury. They called for policy changes, a TBI task force, and possibly bipartisan legislation if CMS cannot revise the rule. Other testimony described DPH efforts such as one-to-one navigation, health promotion workshops, mini-grants for accessible recreation, and the Massachusetts Health and Disability Partnership. The hearing also highlighted medical education efforts like Operation House Call, which uses home visits and disability-led teaching to reduce bias and improve provider competence. No votes were taken and no formal actions were announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• While we can't address this in this current vehicle, I look forward to having further discussions as
• I look forward to having debates in future settlement of budgets discussions this session.
• We have spent the last three days discussing how to spend 63.3... actually reduce revenue.
• We have spent the last three days discussing how to spend 63.3 Discussing how to spend $63.3 billion,
• This scroll and this edict has taken away the ability to discuss these forms of tax relief.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not a great thing to have to be discussing, as you can see by the definitions in code.
• Any discussion? I can add discussion too if I can briefly. Please do. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Any further discussion? Properly before the committee is a motion to...
• Any further discussion? Properly before the committee is a motion to. Any further discussion?
• Chairman, will there be no opportunity to discuss the motion? We're really very short on time.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from March 5, 2026, then took up House Bill 681, which would remove the statute of limitations for aggravated lewd conduct with a child and for producing or making sexually exploitive material. The sponsor and the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association said the bill would help prosecute serious child sexual abuse cases, including cases involving delayed reporting and AI-generated child sexual abuse material. A motion to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation passed unanimously. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Bill 822, a parental rights bill requiring schools and health care providers to notify parents when a minor requests assistance with social transition or related changes. Supporters argued it protects parental rights and prevents secret transitions; opponents said it could endanger vulnerable youth, create vague reporting duties, and expose providers and schools to excessive penalties. After debate, a motion to hold the bill in committee failed 12-4, and the original motion to send it to the floor with a due pass recommendation passed. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 1296, which updates Idaho’s criminal trespass law to create a specific offense for disrupting worship services at houses of worship and sets misdemeanor penalties for intentional interference. Supporters said it would protect churches from harassment and disruption while preserving lawful protest. After limited testimony, the committee voted unanimously to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> THANK YOU FOR THE DISCUSSION. I WILL BE BRIEF.
• ON SENSITIVE TOPICS. HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THAT?
• BECAUSE OUR KIDS ARE FACED WITH REAL WORLD DISCUSSIONS ON THE TYPES OF TOPICS YOU MENTIONED. >> Chair
• YOUR EARLIER QUESTION, WHEN THIS FOR BID US DISCUSSING AN ISSUE THAT MAY BE A CHALLENGE?
• THAT DEALS WITH THE SUBJECT MATTER THAT WE SHOULD DISCUSS WE HAD THE NEED TO PROTECT WOMEN.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm very sensitive to that concern.
• I just have concerns about the vehicle that we're discussing.

Bills: SB1969, SB1953, SB1277, SB1287, SB1061, SB1916, SB1589, SB2178, SB1444, SB1438, SB1501, SB1873, SB1364

Keywords: massage therapy, licensing, multistate compact, regulation, healthcare, professionals, Employer Health Plan Transparency Act, health insurance, claims data, contract provisions, health care providers, auditable materials, HIPAA compliance, insurance regulation, unemployment benefits, employment security, work search, job search, reemployment, jobless benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm always open to discuss further. Any questions or concerns you have?
• Unpermitted construction activities by the operator have severely damaged sensitive lands and endangered

Summary: The committee heard four bills. On kit homes (ESSB 5552), staff explained the bill would direct the State Building Code Council to adopt rules for residential kit homes of 800 square feet or less by March 31, 2027. Prime sponsor Sen. Jeff Wilson said the bill would add housing options and asked that kit homes be treated as a distinct category from modular or factory-built structures; members asked whether current rules exist and whether the bill would cover 3D-printed homes. The public hearing was postponed, and later one supporter testified that the bill would help create clearer statewide standards without changing local zoning or safety requirements. On SB 5467, staff said the bill raises the thresholds for water-sewer districts to sell surplus property without notice or by private sale, increasing the personal property threshold to $5,400 and the real property threshold to $7,500. Sen. Keith Goehner said the change simply updates outdated limits to reflect inflation and improve efficiency. A representative of the Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts supported the bill, noting the thresholds had not been updated since 2011 for real property and 1993 for surplus property. The committee closed the public hearing without action. The committee also heard SB 5820, which would repeal Clark County’s authority to apply a freight rail-dependent use overlay to certain lands under prior law. Sen. Adrian Cortes argued the existing exemption has harmed agricultural and forest lands, led to environmental violations, and cost taxpayers money, while local supporters said the overlay has not produced promised economic benefits and should be removed. Opponents, including a railroad operator, the Association of Washington Business, and others, said the rail line supports economic development, rail-served industrial demand, and existing contractual and public investments, and warned repeal could strand investments and limit future freight and climate-friendly transportation options. The hearing was closed with no vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 5995, which would remove the 2031 sunset from the existing prohibition on using public port funds to buy fully automated marine cargo container handling equipment, while continuing to allow zero- and near-zero-emission equipment purchases. The sponsor and labor witnesses said the bill protects family-wage jobs, keeps taxpayer money from subsidizing automation, and preserves human oversight for safety and efficiency. Port and shipping industry opponents argued the bill is premature, could reduce port competitiveness, and should remain subject to the current sunset so the policy can be revisited later. The public hearing was closed with no action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida's vulnerable populations by preventing individuals with serious offenses from working in sensitive
• And so we'll discuss that with Senator Garcia. I think that's something we would be open to.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as this committee, I'm sure, is aware, in recent years that has frequently included discussions of
• Price sensitivity leads to reduced coverage and employee harm.

Bills: HB2367, HB1974, HB2650, HB2626

Keywords: coal-fired plant, preferential treatment, energy policy, electric generation, regulatory reform, land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd rather not discuss the different options that we might have in order to bring the locals into cooperation
• in other departments and other state programs, I'm, you know, one of the things I'm particularly sensitive

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met to consider several gubernatorial appointments and routine committee actions. The committee first approved, by unanimous 5-0 votes, appointments to the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission, the appointment of Lee Herrick as California Poet Laureate, a reference of bills to committees, and floor acknowledgments. Members then heard testimony from Trista Gonzalez, nominee to lead the Department of Tax and Fee Administration, who described her long career in tax administration, efforts to improve taxpayer compliance and service, readiness for the state’s lithium extraction tax, and the department’s work on online sales tax, cannabis, and tobacco enforcement. Senators asked about responsiveness to legislators, small business support, accountability, and enforcement; public commenters from tax and accounting groups supported her nomination. Her appointment advanced to the full Senate on a 5-0 vote. The committee also heard from Aaron McGuire, nominee to lead the Board of State and Community Corrections. He discussed the board’s expanded responsibilities, including annual detention-facility inspections, large grant programs for violence intervention and reentry, and the new in-custody death review division. Members questioned him about grant oversight, audit transparency, statutory authority for in-custody death reviews, and conditions in local detention facilities, especially in Los Angeles County juvenile facilities. McGuire said the board uses screening, site visits, audits, and compliance reviews to reduce fraud and ensure grant funds are used appropriately, and that trailer bill language had clarified access to records for death reviews. He also said staffing shortages remain a major issue in some juvenile facilities and that the board continues to work with counties and the courts to improve conditions. Public support came from nonprofit reentry providers and Giffords. His appointment also advanced to the full Senate on a 5-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd rather not discuss the different options that we might have in order to bring the locals into cooperation
• in other departments and other state programs, I'm, you know, one of the things I'm particularly sensitive

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Deborah Garns, Davis Rabbit, Cindy Silva, Vincent Wells, and Lee Herrick as California Poet Laureate, all by 5-0 votes. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments, each by 5-0 vote, before moving to appointments required to appear. Trista Gonzalez, nominated to lead the Department of Tax and Fee Administration, testified about her 33-year career in tax administration and emphasized taxpayer service, efficiency, and team culture. Members asked about responsiveness to legislators, the lithium extraction tax, online sales tax compliance after Wayfair, and enforcement against illicit cigarette, tobacco, and cannabis activity. Gonzalez said the department is ready for the lithium tax, works to register businesses meeting the $500,000 threshold, and coordinates with law enforcement on inspections and seizures. Public commenters from Ryan LLC and the California Society of Enrolled Agents supported her confirmation. The committee voted 5-0 to send her nomination to the full Senate. Aaron McGuire, nominated as executive director of the Board of State and Community Corrections, described his experience at the agency and its expanded responsibilities, including annual detention facility inspections, major grant administration, and the new in-custody death review division. Senators questioned him about grant oversight, fraud prevention, public access to audits, implementation of SB 519, and conditions in local detention facilities, especially in Los Angeles County juvenile facilities. McGuire said the board uses screening, reporting, site visits, audits, and recovery actions to monitor grants, and that trailer bill language has clarified access to records for in-custody death reviews. He also said staffing shortages remain a major issue in Los Angeles juvenile facilities and that the board continues to work with the courts and local officials. Supporters from Amity Foundation, Health Right 360, Westcare, and Giffords testified in favor, and the committee approved his nomination 5-0 to advance to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just wanted to point out, Representative, that upon the discussion that we've had in debate from the
• This bill saves from repeal a public record exemption for certain sensitive business information submitted

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard several insurance- and financial-services-related bills. HB 315 was temporarily postponed. The chair also noted that, following the speaker’s remarks, members should expect additional special meetings as the committee investigates insurance-related issues and seeks transparency and the truth. HB 497, relating to nonprofit agricultural organization health coverage, was presented as a way to give Florida Farm Bureau members—especially farmers, ranchers, and small business owners—more affordable health coverage options. An amendment added statutory placement changes, disclosures that the product is not commercially sold, and annual financial audits. Members discussed ACA-related protections, fraud, and insolvency concerns, and the bill received support from Florida Farm Bureau and was reported favorably 16-0. HB 379, the annual securities package, updated exemptions, foreign jurisdiction rules, the Florida Invest Local Exemption, merger-and-acquisition broker rules, fingerprinting requirements, and technical issues in the Securities Guarantee Fund. Three amendments clarified entity definitions and fingerprint/live-scan requirements; the bill drew support from industry and OFR and passed favorably 17-0. The PCS for HB 147 on consumer debt collection clarified prohibited communications during nighttime hours, with the sponsor and supporters explaining the intent was to allow email while restricting other forms of contact and reduce litigation over passive communications. Members and public witnesses discussed ambiguity in the wording, and the sponsor said further cleanup language may still be needed; the PCS was reported favorably 17-0. HB 655 on pet insurance and wellness programs created a regulatory framework for pet insurance, drew support from industry and humane society representatives, and passed favorably 17-0. HB 367 on home and service warranty association financial requirements allowed financial compliance through multiple contractual liability insurance policies and alternative parent-company documentation; an amendment corrected cross-references and duplicative language, and after questions about consumer protections and insolvency, the bill was reported favorably 17-0. Finally, HB 7003 preserved a public-records exemption for sensitive financial technology sandbox application materials; members discussed the sandbox concept and possible future issues, but no amendments were taken and the bill passed favorably 17-0. The meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, the last section discusses economic opportunities stemming from AI.
• This is another agency that the president discussed in the executive order.
• This is another agency that the president discussed in the executive order.
• , but we have talked about them being discussed in all states, right?
• High-risk sensitive data. We have a lot of it in state government, right?

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on artificial intelligence and data centers, established a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from Majority Leader Hogue and the chair about the committee’s charge. Members said the goal was to build a factual foundation on AI, hear from experts and stakeholders, and develop practical North Dakota-focused recommendations rather than simply produce a large volume of bills. Legislative Council also reviewed interim committee rules and procedures before the informational presentations began. Staff and NCSL presenters then gave overviews of AI concepts and the state and federal policy landscape. The background memo and presentations covered AI categories and terms, state laws in areas such as consumer protection, algorithmic discrimination, deepfakes, chatbots, children’s safety, health, education, and government use, as well as data center siting and economic impacts. NCSL described a growing number of AI bills introduced and enacted across the states, with comprehensive laws in places like Utah, Colorado, Texas, California, and Illinois, and noted recurring issues around transparency, privacy, liability, and protections for minors. A major focus of the discussion was federal preemption and the tension between state regulation and national AI policy. NCSL said a recent White House executive order and related federal framework seek a light-touch, innovation-friendly national standard, with possible challenges to state laws and possible funding conditions tied to compliance, though no broad federal preemption has yet been enacted. Members asked about Commerce Clause concerns, industry pushback, oversight models, and whether AI policy is bipartisan; presenters said the issue cuts across party lines, with broad agreement on child safety and deepfake restrictions but more disagreement on broader regulatory approaches. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting, and the committee recessed briefly for technical issues during the second presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll have a discussion first. It's really discussion first. >> All right.
• </c> discussion about why this has to change. discussion about why this has to change.
• </c> &gt;&gt; further discussion. &gt;&gt; further discussion.
• So, So, So, &gt;&gt; further<01:28:51.520><c> discussion.</c> &gt;&gt; further discussion.
• &gt;&gt; further discussion.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, and thank you all for the discussion today and in the prior committees.
• Are we, we had this discussion in Fiscal Policy.
• And then the other case from 2018, CA 1446 here in Leon County also discusses that distinction.
• But again, the timeline, as I discussed earlier on another amendment, is flexible.
• But again, the timeline, as I discussed earlier on another amendment, is flexible.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Summary: The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance led by pages, and several guest recognitions before moving to the special order calendar. The chamber first took up a series of claims and relief bills, including SB 6 for L.E. against DCF, SB 26 for the estate of Mark Legata, and later other measures such as child welfare, public records, and professional licensing bills. Most of these bills were explained by sponsors as targeted fixes or relief measures, and several were substituted with identical House bills before final passage. Votes were overwhelmingly favorable on these items, including unanimous or near-unanimous approvals on the claims bills and education-related measures. A major floor debate centered on CS/CS/SB 354, the Blue Ribbon Projects bill, which would create a new framework for large-scale planned developments on at least 15,000 acres with substantial conservation set-asides. Supporters argued it would provide a structured path for long-term growth and development, while opponents from both parties warned it was too vague, could undermine local control, and lacked enough specificity on conservation, infrastructure, and land-use protections. After extensive debate, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than brought to a final vote. The Senate also passed SB 21 on land-use regulations tied to hurricane recovery, SB 530 on lottery operations, SB 556 on Special Olympics as a PE substitute for students with disabilities, SB 688 on naturopathic medicine, SB 758 on the Justice Administrative Commission, SB 830 creating public-records exemptions for certain local officials and their families, SB 878 on clinical laboratory personnel, SB 914 on dry needling by occupational therapists, and SB 1002 on child welfare and parental drug abuse. Another lengthy and contentious discussion involved CS/CS/SB 1632 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles, which included provisions on foreign law, domestic terrorist designations, and restrictions on public support for designated organizations. Senators debated an amendment to remove references to Sharia law; that amendment failed. A second amendment with broader revisions and notice procedures was then taken up, with questions focused on notice, appeal rights, and the designation process. The transcript ends during that amendment discussion, before final disposition is shown. Throughout the session, many bills were substituted with identical House companions and then passed by recorded vote, often with strong bipartisan support.

Transcript Highlights:

• And while we can't address this in this current vehicle, I look forward to having further discussions
• We have spent the last three days discussing how to spend 63.3 Discussing how to spend $63.3 billion,
• We have spent not one minute discussing any measures that could provide tax relief for the folks that
• President, it is wholly appropriate for us to discuss those things in the context of a $63.3 billion
• This scroll and this edict has taken away the ability to discuss these forms of tax relief.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate met on the FY27 budget and began with several ceremonial introductions and brief amendment withdrawals. Senator Collins withdrew amendments related to restoring DCF social worker funding and educator pay. The chamber then ruled a package of tax-related amendments offered by Senator Tarr out of order on constitutional grounds, finding they would create money-bill provisions that must originate in the House; the Senate upheld that ruling by a vote of 35-4. Senator Tarr later offered amendments on a gas tax suspension and related tax relief themes, but those were not adopted. The Senate considered and rejected several other amendments, including proposals on commemorating Commonwealth history, naming a bridge, repeat offenders, and no-cost calls. One amendment by Senator Fattman to extend domestic violence leave protections to contract employees was adopted unanimously, with 39 votes in favor and none opposed. The chamber also adopted an amendment creating a special commission to study the adequacy, reliability, and distribution of unrestricted general government aid (UGA), after extended debate about inequities in municipal aid and local budget pressures. Members from across the chamber supported the commission, while some emphasized that adequacy of funding, not just redistribution, remains a concern. The Senate then took up Chapter 90, passing the municipal roads and bridges bill to be engrossed. It also adopted a community programming amendment and a Senate Ways and Means amendment, then adopted the Ways and Means budget amendment as amended and ordered the underlying FY27 appropriations bill to a third reading. After lengthy closing remarks from the Ways and Means chair, minority leader, and the Senate President praising the budget process and highlighting investments in local aid, education, public safety, and other priorities, the Senate voted 40-0 to pass the FY27 budget bill to be engrossed. The chamber then adopted an order to reconvene the following Tuesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned in memory of Trooper Kevin Thomas Traynor.