Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator Westlin. trust code and I do have um Lauren Baron trust code and I do have um Lauren
• There are some ancillary chapters of the Minnesota code that would also be affected, but all just relating
• technical changes to our trust code technical changes to our trust code which<00:03:32.519> was
• <00:03:40.840> that chapters of the Minnesota code that chapters of the Minnesota code that
• 7.26 this is Minnesota statutes chapter 7.26 this is Minnesota statutes chapter 501 501 501 c808

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill revises chapters 59, 49, and 50 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
• Chapter 5 of the Code of Criminal Procedure relates to preventing, investigating and prosecuting family
• Chapter nine of the Code of Criminal Procedure relates to trades business. and occupations injurious
• Chapter 49 of the Code of Criminal Procedure relates to death inquests and Chapter 50 of the Code of
• The bill adds 5 new chapters to the Special District Local Laws Code, one navigation district, two river

Transcript Highlights:

• How do you pay taxes? That other RVs that are pulled or driven are taxed yearly.
• Okay, that trailer is taxed, correct? And the city it resides in gets an excise tax, correct?
• Is taxed, correct? And the city it resides in gets an excise tax, correct?
• Are paid up front more than if it was real estate tax, yeah, but you're not paying a property tax.
• tax on my land.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hearing on a wide range of housing bills focused on manufactured housing, condominiums, public housing, tiny homes, and protections for elderly and disabled residents. Chairs Haggerty and Cyr opened by emphasizing the importance of these housing types and the need to hear from many speakers. Testimony on manufactured housing was especially extensive and sharply divided. Supporters of bills such as H. 1475, S. 990, and H. 1513 argued that out-of-state corporate owners are buying communities, raising rents and fees, reducing services, and exploiting legal gray areas. Residents and lawmakers from affected communities like Taunton, Middleborough, Attleboro, and Oak Point described steep rent disparities, fear of displacement, and the need for stronger protections, while Representative Hawkins urged an omnibus approach and said the bill would create a local board to ensure compliance with existing law. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Manufactured Housing Association and Hometown America’s counsel, argued that current law already provides protections, that the bills would create uncertainty or unfairly restrict owners, and that H. 1475 was intended to clarify the post-Blake legal landscape. The committee also heard testimony on condominium reform through S. 980, with owners describing lack of transparency, surprise assessments, and limited accountability, and urging updates to Chapter 183A and more owner rights. Public housing bills also drew support from housing authority advocates. MassNAHRO backed S. 955, H. 1517, H. 1512, H. 1550, and H. 1551, saying housing authorities need more flexibility to preserve and expand affordable housing. Witnesses supported tax relief for replacement public housing units and streamlined procurement rules, arguing these changes would help projects move faster and make better use of capital funds. Committee members asked questions about PILOT agreements, tax treatment of new developments, and whether state and federal public housing would be treated similarly. The committee also heard from Senator Lovely and advocates for S. 1007/H. 1525, which would prevent and respond to bullying of elderly and disabled residents in housing. Supporters described the bills as a long-needed response to harassment in senior and public housing, calling for building-level plans, staff training, and AG oversight; Jerry Halberstadt said the measure should be strengthened with enforcement and tenant advocacy support. Pamela and other witnesses described severe personal impacts from bullying and management retaliation. Another major topic was S. 1474/H. 1474 on movable tiny houses as permanent dwellings and accessory dwelling units. Supporters, including Representative DeCoste, Vera Struck, Kaylee DeCrease, and Abundant Housing Massachusetts, said tiny homes are a safe, affordable, sustainable option for seniors, workers, and others facing the housing shortage, and urged the committee to legalize them and align state rules with emerging standards. They also discussed tax classification and the need for a clear building code and DMV category. Finally, H. 1476 on pet-friendly elderly housing drew support from animal welfare groups, who said the bill would restore and modernize a prior pet program, expand access across state-aided housing, limit pet deposits, and reduce pet surrender caused by housing barriers. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• worked what hours and how many hours they worked and how much they made, so we don't make any money on taxes
• and... ...and how many hours they work and how much they made, so we don't make any money on taxes,

Bills: HB3239, HB4317, HB4321, HB4322, HB3832, HB3673, HB3783, HB3800, HB2956, HB3960, HB2471, HB3338

Keywords: veterinary medicine, definitions, animal husbandry, board of veterinary examiners, telemedicine, veterinarian-client relationship, accounting, CPA, licensure, educational requirements, reciprocity, professional conduct, elevator safety, inspections, Department of Labor, safety standards, regulatory compliance, funeral services licensing, funeral director, embalmer

Transcript Highlights:

• security. for colleges and universities can be substituted for House Bill 3741 that are vulnerable to taxed
• There's broad need for everything from tax and administrative law and personnel law and so forth, but
• On set, they build sets, and they're not building things up to codes, but they have to have some kind
• You're not running up to code. lighting, you're just running.
• And so we're just trying to ensure that these youth have that support. on this next critical chapter

Bills: HB1784, HB2088, HB3062, HB3475, HB3741, HB4279, HB4763, HB5154, HB5294, HB5508, SB1401, HB232, HB232

Keywords: students, homeless, foster care, higher education, liaison officer, housing assistance, transition support, law school, Rio Grande Valley, legal education, public university, accreditation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, mental health resources, substance abuse education, El Paso, university system, funding, public education

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Daley offers Senate Bill 1045, a bill to amend the Income Tax Act of 1967.
• Senator Daley offers Senate Bill 1045, a bill to amend the Income Tax Act of 1967.
• Calendar item 51 is Senate Bill 900, a bill to amend the Michigan Vehicle Code.
• President, calendar item 74 is Senate Bill 967, the Income Tax Act of 1967.
• Item 9-1 is Senate Bill 592, a bill to amend the Corrections Code of 1953.

Summary: The Senate met with 27 members present and a quorum, opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of motions, recesses, and introductions of bills. Several new bills were read and referred, including measures affecting the Income Tax Act, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, public utilities, nondisclosure agreements, data centers and community benefit agreements, zoning, Medicaid false claims, and the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Act, with referrals mainly to finance, energy and environment, and housing and human services committees. In the Committee of the Whole, Senate Bills 592, 49, and 50 were reported without amendment and advanced. On third reading, the Senate passed Senate Bills 900, 820, 966, 967, 968, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, and 978. SB 900 dealt with the Vehicle Code, SB 820 with election law, SB 966 and SBs 974-978 with housing and insurance-related changes, and SB 967 with the Income Tax Act. SB 966, 967, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, and 978 all passed on 20-16 votes, while SB 900 passed 35-1. Senate Bill 973, creating a state-based health insurance exchange as a nonprofit corporation, drew the most debate. Senators Weber, Lindsay, and Halk offered amendments, all of which were defeated after recorded votes; Weber argued for cost controls and consumer savings, while supporters said the bill would give Michigan more control over health care decisions and could lower premiums. Senator Irwin spoke in support of the housing-related package, saying it would help address the state’s housing shortage. Senate Bill 592, concerning the Corrections Code, was also passed after a 31-5 vote, with Senator Lindsay explaining his no vote as concern about how the bill treats juvenile offenders. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 133, urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to honor commitments to Michigan farmers participating in the Rural Energy for America Program. Senator McCann supported the resolution, citing farm losses from federal rollbacks, while Senator McBroom gave a strong no-vote explanation criticizing state energy policy and the resolution’s framing. The session ended with remarks recognizing Juneteenth and an anecdotal bipartisan exchange between senators before the chamber adjourned until June 23 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We made adjustments to the tax code to account for those in, I believe, 2018.
• Um, I believe we pretty much rewrote the tax code in 2018. So, we've accounted for that.
• We made adjustments to the tax code to account for those in, I believe, 2018.
• Um, I believe we pretty much rewrote the tax code in 2018. So, we've accounted for that.
• We made adjustments to the tax code to account for those in, I believe, 2018.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sections to comply with CARAS chapter sections to comply with CARAS chapter 13A.
• plans reviewer 1 and building code field inspector 1.
• the classifications of building code the classifications of building code plans<00:04:07.040>
• code field inspector<00:04:10.000> one.
• So that actually board of tax appeals.

Keywords: 0:16 – CALL TO ORDER 0:20 – ROLL CALL 0:56 – ELECTION OF CO-CHAIRS 1:54 – APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2:10 – OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 3:28 – PERSONNEL BOARD 4:30 – EDUCATION AND LABOR CABINET, BOARD OF EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 5:18 – PUBLIC PROTECTION CABINET, OFFICE OF CLAIMS & APPEALS 12:03 – PUBLIC PROTECTION CABINET, DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL 12:54 – CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT FOR MEDICAID SERVICES 14:54 – CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES 31:44 – NEXT MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT/ADJOURNMENT, 958, all

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met to reorganize its leadership for the new term, renewing Representative Derek Lewis as House co-chair and Senator Steven West as Senate co-chair. The committee then approved the minutes and moved through a series of agency regulations, generally adopting staff-suggested amendments without objection. Among the regulations reviewed were an Attorney General rule changing how a commission reviews and distributes funds and how grant reporting is handled; Personnel Board changes abolishing and renaming certain job classifications and adjusting probationary periods; an Education and Labor Cabinet rule removing references to local board of education members; several Public Protection Cabinet rules covering Board of Claims and Crime Victims’ Compensation procedures; an Alcoholic Beverage Control rule on direct-to-consumer shipping forms; and a Medicaid Services emergency regulation establishing the Kentucky Trauma Hospital Rate Improvement Program for rural hospitals serving many Medicaid patients. The committee also heard that the Board of Claims and Crime Victims’ Compensation regulations included both staff and, in one case, an agency amendment, which were approved. The most extended discussion came on the Department for Community Based Services’ regulation increasing per diem rates for private child-placing therapeutic foster care levels 2 and 3. Committee members questioned the estimated $10 million biennial cost, the source of the funding, and why the cabinet had not yet filed regulations implementing Senate Bill 151 on kinship care. DCBS staff said the rate increase was discretionary and intended to address placement crises for children with high needs, while acknowledging they could not personally explain the budget decisions. A kinship caregiver testified in support of the rate increase but urged the cabinet to also implement SB 151 and expand support for kinship families. The committee expressed frustration over the lack of SB 151 implementation but stated the rate increase itself was appropriate and allowed the regulation to proceed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is reported. 4040, Comrie, and that's been the Administrative Code.
• The bill is reported. 1633, Martinez, and that's no tax law.
• The bill is reported. 1633, Martinez, and that's no tax law.
• The Administrative Code of the City of New York was reported.
• And after the Administrative Code of the City of New York.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Rules met and reported a long list of bills, with most measures advancing on unanimous or near-unanimous voice votes after motions and seconding by various senators. The bills covered a wide range of topics, including Environmental Conservation, Education, Executive Law, Civil Service, Public Health, Public Service, Election Law, Social Services, Correction Law, Traffic Law, General Law, Administrative Code, Retirement and Social Security, and several chapter-amendment or authorization measures. In many cases, the chair noted the bill number, sponsor, and subject area, then asked for objections; none were recorded, and the bill was reported. A few measures were laid aside by the sponsor, including bills referenced as 5711, 5727, and 9539, though the transcript is repetitive and some bill numbers/topics are difficult to discern because of transcription errors. Several bills involved retirement-related changes, including retroactive Tier 4 membership and other retirement system provisions, while others amended existing laws or chapters. The committee also reported bills affecting city administrative code provisions, public authorities, elder law, and public officers law. No substantive debate or testimony appears in the transcript; the meeting was largely procedural, focused on motions, seconds, and reporting bills out of committee. The final action on the listed measures was committee approval and reporting, with no recorded roll-call votes or amendments described in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, let's publish the proposed amendment to Chapter 34.
• to repeal all existing rules and create a new chapter 20.
• Which is similar to what we did for the chapter 12 and 2024.
• Yeah, so as we've sort of for the past more than a year, we've been kicking through chapter by chapter
• Of course, uh, most state officers are required to file a PFS under Chapter 572 of the Government Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Association of Alabama Tax warehouse Association of Alabama Tax administrators legislative reception
• exemptions deals with property tax exemptions deals with property tax exemptions present law allows
• it's an expansion of sales tax holiday it's an expansion of sales tax holiday it's an expansion of our
• uh to further provide for the the code uh to further provide for the the code uh to further provide
• code language the current existing code code language the current existing code code language the current

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The insurance code requires the following insurance coverages.
• Delivery of Government Efficiency to delete an unused chapter in the government code that contains the
• It relates to the regulation of code enforcement officers and code enforcement officers in training.
• 151, Subchapter D to Chapter 152, Subchapter C of the Finance Code.
• their compliance obligations for U.S. tax reporting.

Bills: HB111

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Realty Transfer Tax.
• My name is Dustin Thompson, chapter director for the Sierra Club Delaware Chapter.
• That creates a higher corporate tax. 14 states extend corporate tax.
• Dustin Thompson, chapter director for Sierra Club Delaware Chapter.
• Dustin Thompson, chapter director for Sierra Club Delaware Chapter.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on energy, public safety, and environmental cleanup. House Bill 455 would create a historic preservation license plate to raise funds and awareness for Delaware preservation efforts, and House Bill 471 would tighten rules and penalties for off-highway vehicles on shared private roads, with golf carts excluded. House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 439, the Truth in E-Bike Marketing Act, would require clearer disclosures when selling electric mopeds and electric motorcycles so consumers understand classification, power, and licensing/insurance requirements. House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 407, related to the Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act and brownfields, would shift funding for brownfield cleanup from the original realty transfer tax approach to a dedicated share of the hazardous substance cleanup fund and raise civil penalties for fraudulent acts. The committee also approved the June 18, 2026 minutes once quorum was reached. Most of the meeting centered on House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 233, as amended, a large-load/data center bill intended to protect ratepayers from costs tied to massive new electricity users. The sponsor and Public Advocate said PJM’s warnings about a coming reliability backstop auction made it urgent to establish a Delaware framework now, requiring large energy users to sign utility agreements, cover their share of transmission, distribution, and capacity costs, and comply with curtailment and other protections. Supporters from environmental groups and some labor and business voices said the bill was needed to prevent cost shifts to households and small businesses, while opponents argued it was being rushed, could deter investment, and might unintentionally affect other industries; several asked for more time and clearer definitions. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee also took up House Bill 470, which would authorize Delmarva Power, with PSC approval, to build and operate utility-owned battery storage and spread costs across the customer base. The sponsor and Delmarva said the bill would improve reliability quickly and help avoid outages, while the chair expressed concern that the state had not yet fully studied whether utility-owned or competitively procured storage is the best model, noting a recent SEU storage study and broader policy questions. Supporters said utility storage could be deployed faster and help with peak shaving, while others urged a competitive process; the transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 470.

Transcript Highlights:

• 12 to title 28 code of add chapter 12 to title 28 code of add chapter 12 to title 28 code of Alabama
• of Alabama to levy an excise tax code of Alabama to levy an excise tax code of Alabama to levy an excise
• 8b to title 28 code of Alabama chapter 8b to title 28 code of Alabama chapter 8b to title 28 code of
• Page 9 brought pursuant to chapter 19 of Title 8, Code pursuant to chapter 19 of Title 8, Code pursuant
• 19 of Title 8, Code of under chapter 19 of Title 8, Code of under chapter 19 of Title 8, Code of Alabama

Keywords: 920, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Which urges Congress to amend the Internal Revenue Code.
• official citations, correct enacted codes to conform the codes to the source of law from which they
• were derived, and revised codes or parts of the code enacted during the preceding legislative session
• . are chapter by chapter and then there are some additional water districts, special districts, and river
• This bill, we call it our general code update bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have, I think the beauty of saying follow the existing chapter of the code that it applies to.
• And we have, I think the beauty of saying follow the existing chapter of the code that it applies to.
• And we have, I think the beauty of saying follow the existing chapter of the code that it applies to.
• And we have, I think the beauty of saying follow the existing chapter of the code that it applies to.
• code review board and the fire control board are in chapter law.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 94, which would prohibit municipal amendments to the state building code and move New Hampshire toward a more uniform statewide code. Senator McConi and several supporters, including the Josiah Barlo Center for Public Policy, the State Fire Marshal, the Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire, and the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association, argued that local variations create confusion, raise housing costs, and make compliance harder for builders operating in multiple towns. The Fire Marshal said the goal is a single state building and fire code with only limited administrative amendments at the local level, not technical changes, and noted that municipalities could still seek exceptions through the Building Code Review Board if needed. The chair explained that a similar House bill was already moving forward with fire code and administrative amendment language, and members agreed that retaining SB 94 would avoid conflicting bills. The committee then voted to retain SB 94 by roll call, 13-0, with no minority report. The committee then took up Senate Bill 30, which would designate the Virginia opossum as New Hampshire’s state marsupial. Senator Fenton presented the bill as a light-hearted measure inspired by Chesterfield School fourth graders, who had submitted written testimony and supported the idea. Members discussed the bill in a humorous but mostly supportive way, with one member objecting that it trivialized the legislature, while others said it could help engage students in the legislative process. The committee voted ought to pass on SB 30, 11-2, and agreed to place it on consent with no minority report. Later, the committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 95, concerning youth camp cabins and state fire/building codes. Senator McConi said the bill would exempt new residential cabins in youth recreation camps from sprinkler requirements and allow them to omit electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems, while requiring any such systems that are present to comply with state code. He said the measure was intended to resolve recurring interpretation problems that have caused expense and uncertainty for camp owners, and he praised work with the Fire Marshal’s office to reach a workable compromise. Representative Schmidt asked about cabin sizes and whether larger cabins with multiple occupants would still be safe; the senator explained that camps typically use counselors, drills, and supervision, and that the people behind him could answer more detailed questions. The transcript cuts off before the hearing concludes or any vote is taken on SB 95.

Transcript Highlights:

• , or documentation... ...demands because of minor clerical, coding, or documentation errors.
• A missing diagnostic code on prior claims.
• The only thing missing was the gestational age code.
• The only thing missing was the gestational age code.
• And we had a lot of issues, I think, really defining that in our code on what that is, right?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, let’s just talk about GE tax.
• Okay, let’s just talk about GE tax.
• you thank you very much uh next tax you thank you very much uh next tax Foundation<01:37:06.440>
• On page 6, line 19, right now the chapter reference is chapter 84, which is the ethics code.
• <03:13:10.760> I chapter 84 which is the ethics code I chapter 84 which is the ethics code

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard three House bills related to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. HB 606 would extend the Act 279 special fund to June 30, 2028, continue deposits and appropriations to help eliminate the DHHL waitlist, and require a strategic plan and annual reporting. DHHL strongly supported the measure, saying most of the initial $600 million had been used and that the need remains large, with more than 29,000 people on the waitlist. Public testimony also supported the bill, emphasizing its importance to Native Hawaiian families and concerns about Hawaiians leaving the islands because of housing costs. A member noted the bill is a priority and that the committee will keep working on how to fund another $600 million. HB 1086 would exempt DHHL homestead lot and housing development from general excise and use taxes. DHHL supported the bill, saying any tax savings would reduce the eventual cost of housing for low-income beneficiaries. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the measure and noted it is already being implemented under the governor’s emergency proclamation, with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2026. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical comments and urged the committee to weigh existing benefits already received by DHHL beneficiaries. HB 1307 would appropriate funds for DHHL water well development and geothermal exploration on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL said the bill is a follow-up to prior study funding and would support slim-hole drilling, site evaluation, and consultant work to identify viable geothermal resources, especially on Hawaiʻi Island. Several testifiers opposed the bill, arguing there had been inadequate beneficiary consultation, raising environmental, cultural, and safety concerns, and objecting to using $20 million for geothermal rather than housing. In response to committee questions, DHHL staff explained that the goal is to gather information for a future public-private partnership to develop geothermal electricity, and that a Chapter 343 environmental review would be required later in the process. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• , Chapter 8, Section 3, and Section 33-11-3 in NMSA 1978, being Laws 1988, Chapter 78, Section 3, as
• credits to the geothermal energy production income and corporate income tax credits, creating a tax
• 2 and 3, Laws 2003, Chapter 253, Section 1, and Laws 1975, Chapter 149, Section 1, as amended.
• from the tax to the severance tax permanent fund.
• House Bill 113. ...the tax to the severance tax permanent fund. House Bill 113.

Bills: HB1

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• There are Massachusetts National Guardsmen and women, and they're paying our taxes.
• Under United States Code Title 10, Section 301, as an example, in time of war or national emergency,
• This bill would extend eligibility for benefits under Chapter 115, the Chapter 115 program, to members
• while they remain... ...access to Chapter 115 benefits while they remain serving in good standing.
• As currently written, enforcement of the Massachusetts Code of Military Justice...

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hybrid public hearing on seven House bills and seven Senate bills related to the Massachusetts National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserves. Opening remarks covered hearing procedures, livestreaming, testimony limits, and expected reporting dates, and chairs noted the committee’s focus on Guard and Reserve issues. Testimony then moved through several bills, including S. 2465 to expand the National Guard welcome-home veterans bonus to all deployed Guard members regardless of residency, H. 3876/S. 2462 to authorize military-style headstones for long-serving or deceased Guard members, and S. 2482/H. 3833 to establish a Massachusetts National Guard Museum in Salem. Supporters of the bonus and headstone bills argued they would correct inequities and better honor service; Senator Lovely described the museum proposal as a way to preserve the Guard’s history in Salem and potentially support federal funding for the project. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 3829/S. 2471, the “Defend the Guard” proposal that would bar Massachusetts National Guard deployments into active combat absent a formal congressional declaration of war. Supporters argued the bill would restore constitutional war powers, reduce repeated undeclared deployments, and protect Guard members’ mental health and state readiness. Opponents, including retired Guard leaders and current service members, warned it could conflict with federal law and Title 10 authority, undermine federal funding and training, and harm readiness, force structure, and unique Guard capabilities. Committee members repeatedly questioned the bill’s legal authority, constitutional basis, and practical effects under the Supremacy Clause and Title 10, and several witnesses were asked to submit additional written legal support. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3831, which would extend Chapter 115 benefits to currently serving Guard and Reserve members who do not meet federal veteran-status thresholds, and on related proposals to clarify Guard command structure and the duties of the Adjutant General. Supporters said these changes would improve access to benefits, reduce confusion in the chain of command, and strengthen discipline and responsiveness. Separately, the National Guard Association of Massachusetts backed H. 3860/S. 2458, the Guard Enlistment Enhancement Program, as a recruiting tool, while opposing the Defend the Guard bills. No votes were taken during the hearing.