Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I think that we just got to be really careful in how we go about trying to mitigate this problem.
• <00:32:22.000> I<00:32:22.240> think<00:32:22.320> the ...to mitigate this problem
• <01:56:07.920> Um And to consider mitigating the impact of cats and the effects upon native
• The mitigation efforts can help with managing these species.
• <01:57:04.719> Um mitigated? Um mitigated?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1552, which would make the attorney general the interim chief election officer if that office becomes vacant until the Elections Commission appoints a replacement. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, saying it could create a conflict of interest if the attorney general were both the state’s lawyer and the chief elections officer in any related litigation. The League of Women Voters supported having some interim backup for the office, but said it was not necessarily advocating that the attorney general fill the role. Several other testifiers, including the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, opposed the bill, arguing the current law already provides for a prompt commission appointment and warning about partisan bias and concentration of power. Supporters, including Indivisible Hawaii, said an interim mechanism is needed to ensure election certification in a crisis. The chair also asked whether any statutory acting capacity already exists, and the attorney general said none was known. The committee then took up House Bill 2125, which would bar corporations operating under state law from engaging in election activity. The attorney general opposed the bill, citing Citizens United and arguing that corporations have First Amendment-protected political speech rights and that the bill would likely be unconstitutional. Indivisible Hawaii supported the measure, saying it would keep elections focused on the will of the people rather than corporate influence. Libertarian Party testimony was mixed: one witness supported the goal of reducing corruption but warned the bill could suppress organized dissent and sweep too broadly by treating many associations as corporations. The bill’s introducer asked whether the legislature could still enact it as a policy matter, but the attorney general maintained federal constitutional law would control. No vote was taken on either bill during the portion of the hearing provided. The committee also heard House Bill 2493 on wrongful imprisonment, which would set procedures and compensation for people whose convictions are reversed or vacated on grounds consistent with innocence and whose charges are dismissed. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation supported the bill’s intent but objected to language assigning it responsibility for helping released individuals secure housing, identification, health coverage, and other reentry needs, saying it no longer has jurisdiction after release and suggesting the courts or a community-based contractor handle that role. The Office of the Public Defender strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the harm of wrongful conviction and the need for compensation, case management, and medical coverage after release. No action or vote was reported on this measure in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• had prior interventions that have been insufficient, and the protective factors are unlikely to mitigate
• had prior interventions that have been insufficient, and the protective factors are unlikely to mitigate
• had prior interventions that have been insufficient, and the protective factors are unlikely to mitigate
• had prior interventions that have been insufficient, and the protective factors are unlikely to mitigate
• had prior interventions that have been insufficient, and the protective factors are unlikely to mitigate

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first heard brief presentations on Kentucky’s 2025 Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant and Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant. Department for Public Health staff explained that the preventive health block grant provides about $2.3 million annually and supports programs such as accreditation and performance improvement, local health department grants, community health workers, prescription assistance, asthma and COPD programs, workforce development, and a sexual assault programs set-aside. They said the Title V block grant provides about $11.7 million, with 35% directed to children and youth with special health care needs and 65% to maternal and child health populations, largely through local health departments and a five-year needs assessment process. After no questions, a motion was made and seconded to approve both block grants. The roll call vote passed 19-0, and the two block grants were approved. The committee then approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The next item was a discussion of the child waiver created in House Bill 6. Committee members raised concerns that the proposed 1915(c) waiver did not match the legislature’s intent, which they said was to move children from the Michelle P. waiver to free slots for adults. Cabinet officials from DCBS, behavioral health, and Medicaid described the proposed “Community Health for Improved Lives and Development” waiver as a targeted home- and community-based program for children under 21 with severe behavioral health or developmental needs, including those stepping down from inpatient or residential care or at risk of out-of-home placement. They said the waiver is designed for about 100 slots, uses a standardized needs-based assessment, and includes case management, community living supports, home modifications, respite, supervised residential care, and clinical therapeutic services. Officials said the public comment period ended July 15, responses are being compiled for August submission to CMS, and the waiver is part of the broader Families First initiative.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's some items in our budget that are trying to mitigate steep fiscal cliffs that are caused by either
• growth going forward so mitigate growth going forward so individualized<00:34:45.079> home<00
• This proposal provides a one-time $6 million investment to mitigate or slow down that cliff.
• 01:00:05.079> um<01:00:05.440> investment<01:00:06.440> to<01:00:06.880> mitigate
• million doll um investment to mitigate million doll um investment to mitigate or<01:00:07.960>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , it directs the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission to add victimization to the list of mitigating
• I would note that the sentencing guidelines have nine mitigated departure grounds.
• I would note that the sentencing guidelines have nine mitigated departure grounds.
• I would note that the sentencing guidelines have nine mitigated departure grounds.
• <01:59:43.239> leniency<01:59:44.239> potential mitigation leniency potential mitigation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I agree with you guys on trying to mitigate that.
• And I agree with you guys on trying to mitigate that.
• these projects, they’re waiting on Corps permits and DNR permits, and once they establish, like, mitigation
• Once they establish mitigation, they have to have the monies to be able to purchase mitigation, which

Summary: The committee met for an informational hearing focused largely on the state capital outlay process and House Bill 2. Roger Husser and Matt Baker of the Division of Administration/Facility Planning and Control described how the office prepares and administers the capital outlay bill, said the bill has grown substantially over five years, and argued that recent changes in culture, staffing, project management, cash-flow analysis, and use of third-party support have more than doubled project expenditures and improved delivery. Members asked about the use and cost of third-party project managers, delegation of smaller projects to agencies, hiring difficulties, and whether the changes represented better interpretation of existing law versus statutory changes. Husser said some statutes were amended, some internal customs were removed, and the office would provide a list of those changes. He also explained that the office is trying to move away from overly rigid practices and toward faster project completion while still following public-bid and oversight rules. A major portion of the discussion centered on the size and structure of the capital outlay bill, especially the gap between Priority 1 cash capacity and the much larger Priority 5 backlog. Husser said the current annual Priority 1 limit is tied to construction inflation and is about $574 million, with additional surplus funds also available, but that the bill contains far more Priority 5 funding than can realistically move in a five-year plan. He and members discussed dormant projects, scope creep, legacy projects that have sat in the bill for years, and the problem of false expectations for non-state entities. Proposed solutions included limiting Priority 5 to five times Priority 1, requiring annual re-endorsement by members, setting district or project caps for non-state projects, requiring time limits and reporting for grant-like non-state projects, placing matches in escrow, requiring design readiness before submission, and consolidating the many existing reporting requirements into one clearer report. Members also discussed bundling multiple projects under one agency project, which the House had begun piloting for LSU, UL Lafayette, Southern, and DOTD, and which Husser said could improve flexibility, reduce overappropriation, and better reflect actual spending. Baker then explained cash-flow management and the commitment process, saying FPC now analyzes projects annually to estimate what can actually be spent in the next fiscal year and uses commitments to allow projects to proceed when future-year funding is expected. He said overappropriations can result from poor cash-flow estimates, delays, dormant projects, or projects coming in under budget, and that the office is already reworking cash-flow assumptions and reappropriating savings where possible. Members also raised concerns about change orders and low bids; staff said project managers review change orders closely, require concurrence on non-state projects, and sometimes reduce scope to keep projects within budget. After FPC’s presentation, the committee heard the beginning of Louisiana Economic Development’s capital outlay discussion, where LED explained that its projects generally fall into three categories, including the Economic Development Awards Program and Site Readiness Program, both used to support targeted economic development and job creation.

Transcript Highlights:

• deal, but again, looking at it through the lens of what is that fiduciary responsibility and risk mitigation
• sure to that point I have seen some solar farms that have not stayed up to date with their fire mitigation
• There is no discretion, no way to mitigate its impact, and no possibility that it can be made to work
• We reviewed increasing the risk that public safety and environmental hazards are not mitigated. So.
• And environmental hazards are not mitigated.

Bills: HB2150, HB2262, HB2267, HB2268, HB2351, HB2425, HB2426, HB2427, HB2755, HB2781, HB2913, HB2943, HB2956, HB2975, HB2985, HB4009

Keywords: state land department, mineral lease, renewals, indexed royalties, land use planning, auditor general, five-year plans, geospatial data, Arizona Geological Survey, resource analysis, geographic information systems, wildlife protection, public nuisance, renewable energy, wind farm, solar farm, residential property, public health, local regulations, state land

Transcript Highlights:

• risks of escape, violence and contraband introduction that we will need to determine how we can best mitigate
• 12:02.320> proposal<00:12:02.720> is that we will need to determine how we can best mitigate
• determine how we that we will need to determine how we can<00:12:48.880> best<00:12:49.279> mitigate
• <00:12:49.760> those<00:12:49.920> risks<00:12:50.399> moving can best mitigate
• those risks moving can best mitigate those risks moving forward.<00:12:51.440> our<00:12:51.760

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But you help me mitigate and improve the bill, and as I heard earlier, we're stepping toward the right
• But you help me mitigate and improve the bill, and as I heard earlier, we're stepping toward the right
• help me<01:02:54.160> you<01:02:54.480> help<01:02:54.839> me<01:02:55.839> mitigate
• c><01:02:56.480> and<01:02:56.960> improve<01:02:57.359> the me you help me mitigate
• and improve the me you help me mitigate and improve the bill<01:02:58.400> and<01:02:58.720><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The college has funded the required investigation and mitigation work to date.
• more comprehensive testing by LSC and potentially even some preliminary site cleanup activities to mitigate
• preliminary site cleanup<00:15:29.920> activities<00:15:30.320> to<00:15:30.560> mitigate
• <00:15:30.959> impacts cleanup activities to mitigate impacts cleanup activities to mitigate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Enforcement Special Fund to the Department of the Attorney General for enforcement of the chapter, mitigation
• Enforcement Special Fund to the Department of the Attorney General for enforcement of the chapter, mitigation
• general for enforcement of<00:32:41.720> the<00:32:41.799> chapter<00:32:42.200> Mitigation
• <00:32:42.639> Of of the chapter Mitigation Of of the chapter Mitigation Of nuisances<00:32

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees considered a large number of Senate bills, with many measures advanced either unamended or with technical or substantive amendments. Early action included SB 88 and SB 11 SD1, both passed unamended, and SB 562 SD1 and SB 642 SD1, which were passed with amendments reflecting agency testimony. SB 1133 SD1 was amended to remove duplicative county requirements and clarify tax credit carry-forward eligibility, while SB 1569 SD1 on sports wagering was deferred. Later, SB 933 on nonprofit/federal funding support drew strong testimony from nonprofit and health advocates emphasizing the risk of federal funding freezes and the importance of protecting services such as early learning, domestic violence support, housing, and workforce supports; the committee recommended amendments to define eligible organizations, require reporting, and include the Judiciary. SB 934 and SB 935 were also amended, with SB 934 tying mass transit funding to Honolulu project milestones and SB 935 revising retirement-system language to change “fewer than five years” to “five or more years.” The committees then took up additional measures with targeted amendments. SB 1033 was amended to clarify that the bill applies to legal entities, not individuals, though members noted concerns about closely held family corporations and asked that the issue be reflected in the committee report. SB 1166, SB 1249, and SB 1256 were advanced with amendments or committee-report notes reflecting concerns from the Attorney General, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and Hawaii Farmers Union United, respectively. SB 1432 and SB 137, both relating to electric utilities, were amended to require retention of covered employees after mergers or acquisitions and to direct the PUC to consider whether proposed transactions further state policy goals. SB 157 on antitrust was narrowed to focus on coordinator conduct in rental housing markets, SB 252 on invasive species received a defective effective date, and SB 336 on defense of state employers and employees passed unamended. SB 536 on the Hawaii Community Development Authority was deferred to a later hearing, and SB 1064 on medical cannabis was heavily amended to authorize cultivator licenses with limits on canopy size, license counts, physician fees, and a special-fund appropriation for enforcement. In the Ways and Means portion, the committee passed several bills unamended, including SB 19, SB 124, SB 264, SB 345, SB 422, and SB 741 and SB 747 later in the agenda. SB 361 was amended to remove references to the attorney general and delete an appropriation section, SB 438 was amended to redefine buffer zones and landfill-unit language, and SB 441 and SB 494 were amended to blank appropriations and, in SB 494, assign charter-school audit responsibility to the state auditor. SB 659 was substantially amended to promote local procurement, including county-level geographic preferences and higher thresholds for locally sourced purchases, and SB 732 was amended to adjust film tax credit provisions, including the streaming-platform definition and sunset-related language. SB 819 was amended to replace references to “educators” with “teachers.” Throughout, most measures were adopted without recorded opposition, though several members noted reservations on particular bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you think you might be able to make some cuts in the ensuing months to mitigate that?
• ensuing<00:48:19.839> months<00:48:20.319> to<00:48:20.800> to<00:48:20.960> mitigate
• <00:48:21.960> that<00:48:22.960> uh ensuing months to to mitigate that uh ensuing
• months to to mitigate that uh well<00:48:23.240> representative<00:48:23.760> McGuire<00
• project, believing the theory that dental care is good health care, and if we can get our dental cases mitigated

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee heard a briefing from the governor on her recommended fiscal years 2026-2027 budget. She described it as a “recalibration” that reduces general fund spending by about $150 million from the prior budget, avoids tax increases, and aims to protect vulnerable residents while supporting the economy. She said the proposal addresses a projected current-biennium deficit, cites lower-than-expected revenues and off-budget spending, and includes a hiring freeze and other spending reductions. The governor also said the budget is built on current revenue estimates developed with the Department of Revenue Administration and the state’s chief economist. Major policy areas discussed included education, public safety, health and human services, housing, and workforce development. The governor said the budget increases spending on public education and special education, expands Education Freedom Accounts to public school students, funds a cell-phone-free classroom grant program, continues the community college tuition freeze, and supports workforce training. She also highlighted investments in the Group II retirement system for first responders, Northern Border Alliance and drug interdiction efforts, child advocacy and victim services, mental health services, developmental disability services with no wait list, and a streamlined housing permitting process with a 60-day review target. Committee members raised questions about the fiscal assumptions, the impact of possible federal funding changes, the Education Freedom Account expansion, dam infrastructure funding, and workforce issues such as state employee pay and vacant positions. The governor said the budget continues funding for federal programs currently assumed, and that she would advocate for block grants and other federal flexibility. On dams, administration officials said the budget includes about $13 million in capital funding, with possible fee increases under consideration. On staffing, the governor said the budget funds the previously bargained 12% state employee increase, includes eight position reductions tied to program changes, and would allow those employees to be rehired if openings arise. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can tell you that there was not a teacher that didn't try to mitigate some of those social things that
• I can tell you that there was not a teacher that didn't try to mitigate some of those social things that
• try<00:50:34.760> to not a teacher that didn't try to not a teacher that didn't try to mitigate
• 35.799> those<00:50:36.640> um<00:50:37.200> social<00:50:37.760> things mitigate
• some of those um social things mitigate some of those um social things that<00:50:38.160> were

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• relating to education appropriations for the Department of Education to evaluate school needs to mitigate
• Education to evaluate School<00:58:02.599> needs<00:58:03.000> to<00:58:03.359> mitigate
• /c><00:58:04.039> the<00:58:04.280> impact<00:58:04.760> of School needs to mitigate
• the impact of School needs to mitigate the impact of the<00:58:05.079> planned<00:58:05.599><
• c><01:12:47.080> to Senate Bill 533 appropriates funds to DOE to evaluate school needs to mitigate

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the traditional aggravator-mitigator way in the process would not apply in this instance.
• required a finding of guilt first and then consideration of additional factors, aggravating and mitigating
• , that are... ...and then consideration of additional factors, aggravating and mitigating, that a jury
• required a finding of guilt first and then consideration of additional factors, aggravating and mitigating
• that are... and then consideration of additional factors, aggravating and mitigating, that a jury could

Summary: The House convened with prayer, pledge, quorum call, approval of the journal, and adoption of the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day. The chamber then took up House Bill 1B, the immigration bill, and members were told they would have one opportunity to question the sponsor on both the House version and the anticipated Senate changes. Representative McClure described the bill as a major immigration-enforcement package creating a chief immigration officer housed in the Department of Agriculture, an Office of State Immigration Enforcement, a local law enforcement grant program, a state immigration council, and new penalties and enforcement tools. He also outlined anticipated Senate language, including stronger 287(g) participation requirements, enhanced penalties for unauthorized aliens, a mandatory death penalty provision for certain capital offenses, and additional coordination with federal agencies. The bill drew extensive questioning from Democrats about due process, constitutional issues, school and workplace impacts, and the treatment of people whose immigration status changes over time. Members asked about birthright citizenship, TPS, asylum seekers, pretrial detention standards, the lawful basis for detaining someone based on suspected status, and whether teachers, social workers, school resource officers, and even children could be required to cooperate with immigration enforcement. McClure and Representative Garrison repeatedly said the bill would require cooperation with federal authorities, that status determinations would be handled under existing court procedures, and that the Senate death-penalty language was intended to fit within Hurst by requiring a jury finding beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was an unauthorized alien. They also said the bill did not provide DMV funding, did not address teacher shortages, and included appropriations such as $25 million for the local law enforcement participation incentive program and broader funding for enforcement and training. Several amendments were considered. Representative Chambliss offered an amendment to protect schools, churches, and places of worship from enforcement activity; supporters argued it would preserve trust in sacred and educational spaces, but the amendment failed. Representative Escamani offered an amendment to preserve in-state tuition for Dreamers; supporters emphasized the educational and economic contributions of Dreamers and the hardship of higher tuition, but that amendment also failed. The debate ended with no bill vote in the excerpt, but the House completed the amendment votes and continued consideration of the immigration measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent communities in Northern California that have been on the front lines of catastrophic wildfires
• Without this extension, victims of catastrophic wildfires would again have their relief payments subject
• Without this extension, victims of catastrophic wildfires would again have their relief payments subject

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 27, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• term for where we're going if we do decide to build a facility in Northern Kentucky, reason to help mitigate
• closer to the October date. >> And it just to add to it, uh, KDVAA is doing several things to help mitigate
• University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville and doing studies on how to uh continually mitigate
• ><01:14:17.600> things<01:14:17.880> to<01:14:18.000> help<01:14:18.240> mitigate
• doing several things to help mitigate doing several things to help mitigate suicide<01:14:19.680

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesotans to have access to this critical information, which will help promote practices that can mitigate
• :45:32.880> practices<00:45:33.440> that<00:45:33.640> can<00:45:33.960> mitigate
• <00:45:34.400> the promote practices that can mitigate the promote practices that can mitigate
• Minnesota River Basin's largest systems would allow the state and the public to better understand and mitigate
• Minnesota River Basin's largest systems would allow the state and the public to better understand and mitigate

Bills: HF4211, HF3426, HF4819, HF3466, HF3793, HF3339

Keywords: air pollution, lead emissions, continuous emissions monitoring system, CEMS, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, MPCA, environmental monitoring, emission compliance, air quality, public health, industrial pollution, permitted facility, residential exposure, toxic metals, emission limits, pollution control, stack monitoring, real-time emissions monitoring, natural resources, environment

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is inherent in every single audit at every entity, and we do design those procedures to mitigate
• , to ensure that risk is mitigated.
• And that is inherent in every single audit at every entity, and we do design those procedures to mitigate
• , to ensure that risk is mitigated.
• , to ensure that risk is mitigated. >> Thank you and thank you. >> Thank you for your question. >> Have

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on January 23, 2026, approved the December 19, 2025 minutes, and adopted the remaining items on the consent calendar after noting several withdrawals. The committee then took up Department of Safety item FIS 26007, which involved Homeland Security/FEMA grant funding for equipment and UAS-related activities. Senators asked whether any of the funding would support federal civil immigration enforcement or shared operations with federal agencies, and about privacy protections for drone data. The department said the grant is governed by federal parameters, that the state uses the remaining 20 percent after federally directed uses, and that privacy law in this area is evolving. The item was adopted on an 8-2 vote. The committee next considered Department of Environmental Services item 26003, which had been withdrawn by the Senate. A senator said concerns about using the funds for a different project had been resolved after speaking with the commissioner, and the item was adopted without further debate. The committee then moved to Department of Health and Human Services item 260005, a request for about $700,000 in remaining ARPA-related funds for the Hampstead children’s facility project. Commissioners explained that the project had been funded in stages because the original appropriation was based on estimates and bid assumptions, and that the remaining money would cover alternates and finish the project without using general funds. Senators raised concerns about repeated requests for additional money, the adequacy of security, site-selection costs, and why the project had not been fully funded at the outset. The department said the project had been intentionally structured to proceed in phases and that required security would be provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there wetland areas that would have to be mitigated?
• Uh, and try to help mitigate that concern. But it is truly a genuine issue.
• Uh, and and try<00:40:48.960> to<00:40:49.119> help<00:40:49.440> mitigate<00:40
• <00:40:51.040> But try to help mitigate that concern.
• But try to help mitigate that concern.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee received an update from Secretary Jeff Noel of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, joined by Matt Wingate and Terry Bradshaw of the Kentucky Association of Economic Developers, on the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI) and the closing fund. The presentation focused on how KPDI helps communities develop shovel-ready industrial sites by funding infrastructure, engineering, geotechnical work, and other site-preparation costs. Noel emphasized that the program is designed to reduce uncertainty for companies, improve speed to market, and support statewide job creation and investment, especially in rural and eastern Kentucky where development costs are often higher. Testimony highlighted the complexity and expense of preparing sites, with examples of road, water, power, and rock-removal costs, and the importance of third-party evaluation in scoring applications. Noel said the program has 116 total projects statewide, with 20 active projects stemming from pilot efforts and 35 projects already resulting in about 6,381 jobs and $4.4 billion in investment. He cited examples including Crown Holdings, Flash Metals, Phoenix Paper, Pratt Paper, AESC, Sound Elements, Kitchen Foods, Latte, Krueger, Biomass, and Anna Munsman. Bradshaw added that even communities that have not yet landed a project have benefited by building spec buildings or improving access to industrial property. The speakers said the last KPDI round drew $81 million in requests but only $35 million in available funding, and they urged lawmakers to consider whether additional funding or program adjustments are needed. Suggested changes included modestly increasing eligibility or funding flexibility for rural and eastern Kentucky, while maintaining third-party performance metrics, and continuing to prioritize finishing existing parks and creating strong regional sites. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• areas became so small was that larger areas may have resulted in the need for what was deemed as mitigation
• and the possibility of closing other areas in the ocean for mitigation and the possibility of closing
• This work includes stock surveys, habitat mapping, gear innovation, and bycatch mitigation.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Atlantic sea scallop fishery, with particular attention to Massachusetts ports, federal scallop management, the proposed reopening of the Northern Edge on Georges Bank, and permit stacking/consolidation. The chair opened by noting the hearing would take written and oral testimony, that time was limited, and that the discussion was intended to inform legislative engagement with federal regulators rather than decide the issue directly. Dan McCarron of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and Dr. Kate O’Keefe of the New England Fishery Management Council outlined the federal management structure under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the role of annual catch limits and rotational closures, and the economic importance of scallops to New Bedford, Gloucester, and other Massachusetts ports. O’Keefe said the council’s current scallop framework is based on annual management, research surveys, and public input, and that recent environmental changes and uncertainty are affecting catch advice and biomass. Dr. O’Keefe and later Dr. Kevin Stokesbury of UMass Dartmouth described the fishery’s recent condition: abundance has increased in some areas, but biomass has fallen because many scallops are still too small to harvest, and changing ocean conditions and natural mortality are affecting the stock. They said the Northern Edge action was considered as a joint scallop/habitat framework but was discontinued in 2024 because the council could not reconcile competing objectives involving scallop yield, habitat protection, and impacts on other species such as cod, lobster, and herring. Stokesbury emphasized the long-running collaborative survey work with industry, said the fishery remains highly productive, and argued that the science supports careful rotational management and that the Northern Edge could be highly productive for scallops, though he acknowledged habitat tradeoffs. Committee members pressed both witnesses on why the issue had remained unresolved for so long and whether the council could revisit it through a future framework. Representatives of the Sustainable Scalloping Fund, including attorney Drew Kavage, John Lees, Sam Blasley, and Tony Alvernes, urged support for reopening the Northern Edge and for permit stacking, which would allow more than one scallop permit on a vessel while keeping ownership caps in place. They argued the fishery is a major economic driver, that industry-funded research has supported sustainable management, and that stacking would help family-owned operators reduce costs, improve safety, and avoid financial distress. They also stressed the need to protect working waterfront infrastructure in New Bedford and other ports. The chair said he was not opposed to stacking in principle but wanted to avoid a slippery slope toward excessive consolidation or private equity control; he noted that any stacking change would require an amendment to the fishery management plan or federal action. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded with an invitation for continued engagement and future updates on the council process.