Transcript Highlights:

• I am at the National Education Association meeting, so I apologize, but now I'm here. Thank you.
• As you know, we represent about 117,000 educators across the Commonwealth, pre-K through higher ed.
• As you know, we represent about 117,000 educators across the Commonwealth, pre-K through higher ed.
• The source of our prosperity, he said, and I would argue, is an educated population.
• Everyone here knows that, at the federal level, public education, like I mentioned, is under assault.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on H. 4975, Governor Healey’s bill to manage the impact of the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OB3) on Massachusetts tax law and state revenues. Administration officials, led by Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorowitz, said OB3 would otherwise reduce FY26 revenue by about $442 million and argued for a phased-in conformity approach that would preserve the current-year budget while still adopting selected federal business tax provisions over time. The proposal would phase in the research and experimental expenditure deduction first, delay other major corporate provisions for two years, extend the pass-through entity excise to income subject to the 4% surtax, add a one-year delay mechanism for future federal tax changes over $20 million, limit opportunity zone benefits to Massachusetts investments, and make smaller technical changes to DFML contributions and casino reporting thresholds. Committee members questioned the rationale for phasing in rather than fully decoupling, the effect on the budget if the bill did not pass, and the treatment of opportunity zones, the surtax, and future federal tax changes. Public testimony was split. MassBudget, Progressive Massachusetts, and several labor and public-sector groups urged the committee to permanently decouple from the federal corporate tax changes rather than delay them, arguing that the bill would still send state revenue to corporate tax breaks, often for investments outside Massachusetts, and that the state should protect funding for schools, health care, human services, and other public services. The Massachusetts Society of CPAs supported the administration’s timing and the research-and-development provisions, citing filing deadlines and the importance of certainty for businesses and startups. Business and tax experts also testified that rushed conformity can create revenue losses and that the governor’s review-and-delay framework was a prudent improvement, though some said decoupling should be the default if the Legislature does not act. Unite Here Local 26 testified against sections 3 and 4, which would raise the slot-machine jackpot reporting threshold from $1,200 to $2,000, arguing the current threshold helps with problem-gambling intervention, preserves slot attendant jobs, and generates revenue. Several union leaders, including the Massachusetts Teachers Association, AFT Massachusetts, SEIU 509, the Massachusetts Building Trades, the AFL-CIO, and 1199 SEIU, urged permanent decoupling, warning that OB3’s federal tax cuts and related spending reductions would worsen budget pressures, harm public services, and shift costs onto workers, patients, and schools. No votes were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• due to L&PS raised their efficiency due to L&PS raised their possibility<02:07:18.800> of
• But uh, we have a situation when, if they need to have medical practice in hospitals for their education
• But uh, we have a situation when, if they need to have medical practice in hospitals for their education
• But uh, we have a situation when, if they need to have medical practice in hospitals for their education
• But uh, we have a situation when, if they need to have medical practice in hospitals for their education

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met as a special House committee on COVID response efficacy, noted absences, and restated its mission to review New Hampshire’s pandemic response, including federal guidance, federal funds, emergency use authorization vaccination efforts, long COVID treatment, patient bill of rights implementation, and vaccination policies. The main business was discussion of a proposed letter or report language concerning current COVID vaccine recommendations for young children, especially those under age two, and how to support any conclusions with cited scientific and state sources. Representative Polozov argued that the committee should ask the governor or agencies to reconsider current recommendations, saying the committee should focus on whether vaccination is needed for that age group, whether it is effective, and whether the risks outweigh the benefits. He said he had distributed articles and wanted the committee to pair its conclusions with scientific and statistical data. Other members asked him to identify the specific New Hampshire DHHS and American Academy of Pediatrics sources for the recommendation, clarify the age range being discussed, and separate any evidence about adverse effects in other age groups from the infant/toddler demographic so the letter would be transparent and not misleading. Members generally agreed the letter should be carefully sourced and refined, with citations for each claim. The chair said the committee would treat the request as urgent and try to finalize a version by the next meeting, noting that some members would be traveling. The committee also discussed scheduling additional testimony in September and October, possibly with extra meetings, to continue gathering evidence and to hear from witnesses. The chair then began reviewing supporting articles, including studies he said were new since the 2024 report, and introduced a 2025 South Korea cohort study and another 2025 Italian cohort study as examples of the evidence he wanted to incorporate into an updated 2026 report.

Transcript Highlights:

• Much of my academic research has been about the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity consequences of
• These are among some of the most efficient climate investments the state has made.
• I just enjoyed as Rick Klein's commentary on how we need to be more efficient as government, and so I
• And query is 20,000 units, although for those 20,000 people it is life-changing, is that efficient?
• I also want to separately add that I think there's a reason to be optimistic that we can be efficient

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee No. 4 hearing focused on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) and cap-and-trade reauthorization, with members and panelists discussing how to balance climate goals, affordability, and legislative oversight. The chair emphasized the hearing as a broad review of past GGRF spending and future options, while the LAO outlined how GGRF revenues are generated, how variable they have been, and the tradeoffs between continuous appropriations and annual budget control. Two academic panelists, Dr. Kyle Meng and Danny Cullen Ward, argued that cap-and-trade remains an effective climate policy, but stressed that future revenue will depend heavily on market design, allowance allocation, and price levels. They also raised the idea that GGRF could be used more directly for affordability, especially by lowering electricity costs, and for targeted investments in technologies that the market would not otherwise support. Committee members pressed the panelists on where revenues come from, how much has actually been spent, and whether continuous appropriations reduce oversight. CARB staff said more than $33 billion has been generated to date and a little over $11–12 billion has been spent, with the rest committed or in process, and noted that project timelines can be lengthy. Members also asked about ways to lower electricity rates, reduce wildfire-related utility liabilities, and support electrification. The panelists said transportation fuels are the largest source of GGRF revenue, that industrial emitters receive a smaller share of free allowances, and that reducing wildfire liability and investing in grid-scale batteries could help lower costs and speed decarbonization. Public commenters largely urged the Legislature to preserve or expand continuous appropriations for specific climate programs. Speakers supported funding for nature-based solutions, natural and working lands, urban greening, agricultural climate solutions, waste and composting programs, clean transportation, AB 617 community air protection, clean cars, transit, affordable housing near transit, and dairy digesters. Several groups argued these programs are cost-effective, provide public health and affordability benefits, and should receive dedicated shares of GGRF. Others urged reducing free allowances and using more GGRF revenue to directly lower energy costs for households. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then for all taxpayers, base income also includes the amounts that are deducted for higher education
• My reason for that initially is going to be, or we expect it to be, due to increases in fuel efficiency—not
• alternate fuel vehicles, but more just vehicles getting more and more efficient with their gasoline,
• On slide 12, Michael talked a little bit about what fuel-efficient vehicles are doing to the State Road
• Cars being more energy efficient, we're headed for disaster.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Senate Finance, we're discussing public education, and so we're in the public testimony portion. .
• The State Board has a unique and efficient delivery system for very important voluntary conservation
• Transparency and efficiency. Aging infrastructure and urban expansion increase the need for repair.
• But at the same time, it's still an educational hurdle. Thank you for what you do. You got any...?
• We're looking to work with you on some of those efficiencies. Yes, sir, your world out.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's also fair and efficient.
• HB 4 to Education. HB 46 to State Affairs. HB 101 to Veteran Affairs.
• HB 224 to Education K through 16. HB 219 to Education K through 16. HB 2215 to State Affairs.
• HB 5154 to Education K through 16. HB 5263 to Education K through 16.
• HB 5263 to Education K through 16.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a House message announcing passage of HB 4 on public school accountability and assessment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, adopted SR 520 honoring Rosser Coke-Newton Sr. for his biography of former Governor Richard Coke, and adopted SR 518 recognizing Texas Moral Injury Awareness Day, with remarks focused on the impact of moral injury on veterans and first responders. The Senate later adopted SR 395 honoring the ninth class of Governor William P. Clements, Jr. Scholars, and several other resolutions were adopted by voice vote, including college savings awareness recognition and other member-sponsored recognitions. The body then took up several bills and resolutions on the floor. HB 3307, allowing online continuing education for arbitrators in property tax appeals, passed unanimously after suspension of the rules and the three-day rule. HB 913, renaming and reorganizing certain state hospitals, and HB 2970, governing the Gulf Coast Protection District and coastal barrier design, also passed unanimously. HJR 1 and HB 9 advanced a proposed constitutional amendment and statutory change to raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000; both measures passed, with HJR 1 receiving one no vote and HB 9 passing unanimously after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed HB 1151, which limits child removals and termination of parental rights based solely on parental medical treatment decisions, and HB 116, which revises grounds for involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship by removing the “O grounds” and requiring support from financially able parents whose rights were terminated. HB 1899 lowered the age for pyrotechnic operator licenses and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18. SB 1285, as amended, passed to protect bats by prohibiting entombment while preserving removal options from unoccupied spaces, and SB 2847 passed to promote innovations in core curriculum for faster bachelor’s degrees. On criminal justice, SJR 87, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring denial of bail for certain repeat violent felony offenders, passed after two floor amendments clarifying due process and representation language; Senator Eckhardt spoke against it on final passage, arguing it lacked judicial discretion and a clear-and-convincing standard. SB 3073, requiring magistrates to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings, also passed. Later, SB 128, requiring hospitals to report suspected child abuse-related information to HHSC, advanced on a divided vote, and SB 2619 and SB 2972 passed on public school accountability and expressive activities at public colleges, respectively, with Senator Eckhardt opposing SB 2972 as too restrictive on campus protest rights. The chamber also heard extended debate on HB 21, targeting “traveling” housing finance corporations and their use of tax exemptions for apartment projects, with supporters arguing it curbs abuse of the tax code and critics warning about unintended effects on affordable housing; the discussion continued with questions but no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the, the education requirements are pretty stringent, period.
• We urge support for public health, public education.
• So again, you've got to be certified by the educational.
• That's not my definition of efficiency.
• I believe it will increase the efficiency.

Bills: HB163, HB 296

Keywords: judicial liability, personal bond, felony offenses, judges, criminal justice reform, voter registration, election procedures, change of address, residence requirements, Texas Election Code, Texas election law, residence address, precinct voting, county move, same-county move, Election Code, registrar, statement of residence, polling place, local elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, Representative Hernandez, we audit all higher education institutions.
• Education institutions.
• the state, so that we are again being more efficient in what we do.
• So they get it at 18, so that front loads them to go get their education.
• If they don't get their education... Education, and the money is ever wasted. How do we fix that?

Transcript Highlights:

• , to improve efficiency, and to maintain fairness.
• , to improve efficiency, and to maintain fairness.
• We don't have an efficient screening process to address safety issues.
• I would suggest you may consider increasing the education requirement to two years.
• You may consider increasing the education requirement to two years, to your college degree.

Summary: The committee held a work session in Mill Creek focused first on the eviction process. Judge Michael Scott of King County Superior Court described historic highs in unlawful detainer filings across Washington, especially in urban counties, and said King County has reduced its backlog and average time to resolution to about 60 days by adding two dedicated eviction judges and using more judges when needed. He also described how King County and other counties are implementing the right to counsel for indigent tenants, and noted that additional housing commissioners may help. Office of Civil Legal Aid representatives Philippe Knapp and Jane Paxe said the statewide appointed counsel program has represented more than 30,000 tenants, referred clients to social services, and helped many remain housed, but they warned of a funding shortfall that could eliminate about 17 attorneys and leave roughly 2,000 tenants without representation. A landlord-side panel argued that eviction timelines remain too long and fragmented, creating unpaid rent, safety issues, and uncertainty for both landlords and tenants; they urged more uniform procedures, streamlined rental assistance, and procedural changes to reduce refiling and delays. The second work session addressed theft and vandalism of critical infrastructure, especially copper and telecom cable theft. Committee staff reviewed existing criminal and regulatory laws covering malicious mischief, theft, scrap metal businesses, and metal property deception. Comcast, Mason Public Utility District, and the Recycled Materials Association testified that theft of aerial cable and copper has become a crisis affecting power, internet, 911 service, schools, hospitals, and line-worker safety. Utility representatives described outages, hazards, and rising costs, and asked for stronger audits of scrapyards, tougher penalties for theft affecting critical infrastructure, and tighter rules on payment and identification. Recyclers said they oppose the thefts and already operate under heavy regulation, but acknowledged enforcement gaps and the need for better coordination; committee members discussed possible bill concepts and asked for written recommendations. The final work session covered standards for law enforcement personnel. Criminal Justice Training Commission Executive Director Monica Alexander and Assistant Director Kimberly Bliss explained current certification and decertification rules, including background checks, training requirements, mandatory and discretionary grounds for decertification, and the hearing process. They said elected sheriffs are not currently required to undergo the same pre-election background check as other applicants, though they can still be decertified if already certified, and they reported a backlog of more than 1,000 cases with about 70 to 80 new cases coming in each month. Retired Judge Ann Levinson then outlined ways the legislature could strengthen and align standards for chiefs, sheriffs, and marshals, including requiring certification within a set time, setting a minimum age, requiring recent state background checks, and making loss of certification a vacancy in office. Committee members asked questions about accountability for elected sheriffs, background-check administration, and decertification outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cable and broadband remain core infrastructure for education, business, and civic engagement.
• , so it... ...the community, and, you know, just an attempt to educate.
• And we've actually seen states' education programs for parents, children, and families to educate them
• We've actually seen states' education programs for parents, children, and families to educate them better
• Their visits are much more efficient, and it has changed their lives.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held its second hearing on a large docket of technology, internet, cybersecurity, broadband, and media bills. Early testimony focused on community media funding legislation, with lawmakers and local access advocates arguing that as cable subscriptions decline and streaming grows, revenue tied to cable franchises no longer supports community television and PEG programming. Supporters said community media remains a key source of local news, government meeting coverage, and civic transparency as newspapers disappear or consolidate. A related bill on cable contract oversight also drew support, with testimony that the Department of Telecommunications and Cable is backlogged and should more actively review municipal-provider agreements and report its workload to the committee. Another major topic was a proposal to create a Massachusetts Innovation Fund for state IT modernization. The Alliance for Digital Innovation backed the bill, saying agencies need flexible upfront capital to replace outdated systems and improve cybersecurity, and pointing to the federal Technology Modernization Fund as a model. The witness noted that funding for the state program still needs to be identified. The committee also heard strong support for a bill requiring free broadband in public housing, with Rep. Emmela Goodwin and MAPC describing internet access as essential for jobs, school, telehealth, and civic participation. They said the digital divide in Massachusetts is driven largely by affordability rather than infrastructure, though questions were raised about costs, wiring, and whether all housing sites already have broadband access available at the curb. A substantial portion of the hearing centered on bills to limit addictive social media feeds for minors. Supporters, including lawmakers, parents, teens, and advocacy groups, argued that algorithmic feeds contribute to addiction, anxiety, body image problems, and other harms, and said the bills would restrict surveillance-based curation and overnight notifications while leaving search and followed accounts available. Opponents, including FIRE, CCIA, and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, argued the bills would require invasive age verification, threaten privacy and cybersecurity, burden adults’ anonymity, and likely face First Amendment challenges. They also warned the measures could disadvantage smaller businesses and may be unconstitutional based on recent court rulings in other states. The committee also heard support for blockchain-related bills creating a commission, a pilot program, and consumer education efforts, with testimony that Massachusetts has the talent but needs a coordinated state strategy. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• colors educators of Minnesota educator colors educators of color<00:15:16.880> grants<00:15:17.440
• expenses for the special education paras to special education aid.
• expenses for the special education paras to special education aid.
• expenses for the special education paras to special education aid.
• investments in education last bianium. investments in education last bianium.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• K-12 education, providing policy and funding for general education.
• protecting educational choice, as well as leaving the homeschooling language.
• Those are the big changes with the education policy bill.
• We will need to look in every line for funding to save special education.
• that you're the education governor when you forced $420 million cuts on us.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, but this week we wanted to start by doing some education of members and of the public and of our
• by doing some education of members and<00:12:11.839> of<00:12:12.079> the<00:12:12.320
• <00:29:59.600> and<00:29:59.840> data operational efficiency and data operational efficiency
• and also educate the public on what that risk assessment is.
• the judges and month so they can educate the judges and also<00:54:02.240> educate<00:54:03.119

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Education will come to order.
• Today there is one issue on the agenda, which covers the May Revision proposals for higher education.
• “And they did so for both K–12 education and community colleges that year.
• As a result, it takes them longer to complete their educational journey or educational program and increases
• Educational program increases the risk that they stop out and don't complete.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard May Revision proposals covering higher education, including the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, the University of California, California Community Colleges, the California Student Aid Commission, UC College of the Law, San Francisco, and trailer bill reporting changes. For the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, the administration proposed a one-time $10 million General Fund backfill to repay a special fund loan taken to cover litigation costs, plus provisional language to adjust for a pending legal expense and to repay the loan without interest. The LAO opposed shifting costs to the General Fund and raised legal concerns about an interest-free loan under Proposition 26. Senators asked about whether the $10 million would cover the litigation and about the estimated $245,000 in interest savings. For UC, the May Revision maintained the Governor’s ongoing support and included budget language requiring campuses to grow by 2,968 California undergraduates in 2026-27. UC also sought $1.5 million in one-time General Fund support for the First Star foster youth program. UC described strong outcomes for the UCLA program, while the LAO recommended rejecting the new spending because UC already has overlapping outreach programs, including the Early Academic Outreach Program, and because the need for new state funding was not clear. Senators debated whether the proposal duplicated existing services and discussed the program’s reported college-going and completion rates. The committee also heard a request for $1 million ongoing General Fund for UC College of the Law, San Francisco, to maintain campus safety services; the college described its shared-campus model and public-interest mission, while the LAO noted the college was also raising tuition and that the proposal would maintain, rather than expand, current security spending. The committee then reviewed community college proposals. Finance outlined a larger May Revision package centered on a 4.31% SCFF COLA, enrollment growth funding, categorical COLAs, a one-time Adult Learner Demonstration Project allocation, deferred maintenance, and other ongoing and one-time items. The Chancellor’s Office supported the package but asked for more enrollment growth funding, a higher growth rate, and additional policy changes. The LAO recommended at least funding the statutory 2.87% COLA, then considering whether to redirect remaining funds to enrollment growth, categorical COLAs, or one-time priorities; it recommended rejecting the Adult Learner Demonstration Project. Senators questioned the use of the discretionary COLA to cover paid pregnancy disability leave, the impact on hold harmless and basic aid districts, and whether the state should instead create a separate categorical. The Chancellor’s Office and Finance said the COLA approach was intended to provide flexibility, though Finance said it was open to further discussion about districts that would not receive direct funding. For student aid, Finance described May Revision changes to Cal Grant and the Middle Class Scholarship, including a one-time reduction tied to lower estimated costs and a later true-up, as well as proposals for the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. CSAC supported the financial aid investments but urged more time and clearer implementation planning for Workforce Pell, noting the need for state approval processes, data linkages, and likely ongoing administrative workload. The LAO recommended rejecting additional Golden State Teacher Grant funding and cautioned that the Workforce Pell trailer bill and one-time funding were premature given the new federal rules and unclear workload. Senators also raised concerns about the Middle Class Scholarship reduction, the need to support students facing higher living costs, and the decline in CADA/DREAM Act applications, with CSAC saying the drop did not reflect reduced need and that outreach should be strengthened. The final item was a set of technical trailer bill changes to shift some UC, CSU, and community college reporting from annual to biennial and consolidate reports; Finance said there were no programmatic changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I expect that we can do these efficiently.
• I just that we can do these efficiently.
• <01:36:40.239> on<01:36:40.560> occasion less efficient on occasion less efficient
• which would um go into the education which would um go into the education trust<01:37:54.639>
• So the 60% efficiency efficiency efficiency is<01:38:05.280> a<01:38:05.600> problem<01

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee began a work session on House Bill 1600, concerning access to the centralized voter registration database on election days. Secretary of State David Scanlan testified that the state already has a new statewide voter registration system connected to town clerks and supervisors of the checklist, and that the bill was probably unnecessary but acceptable if the legislature wanted it. He raised concern about language that could require direct electronic access in every polling place, noting that some polling locations lack reliable internet or cell service and that municipalities can change polling locations, which could make a rigid requirement expensive and impractical. Members discussed whether the bill should be clarified to allow direct or indirect access, including use of a phone-based workaround, and the secretary said that would address his concern. The committee then voted on HB 1600. Representative Maguire moved ought to pass with an amendment adding “direct or indirect access” on page one, line seven, and the motion was seconded. The amendment was adopted 9-0 by voice vote, and the committee then voted 9-0 to OTP the bill. The chair stated that HB 1600 would be placed on consent. The committee next took up House Bill 1197F FN, a technical correction to insurance laws. Members noted it had already passed the House with amendment and that the fiscal note was effectively indeterminate but would not affect the general fund because the insurance agency is self-funded. The committee voted 9-0 to OTP the bill; the chair said consent calendar placement would be decided by the full committee. Finally, the committee opened a work session on House Bill 11:30 FN regarding judicial performance evaluations. Representative Lynn, the bill’s sponsor, argued that the fiscal note overstated the immediate cost and said the judicial branch could likely manage through the current biennium while implementing the new system. He also supported making judges’ names public and said the bill’s anonymity provisions were aimed at protecting the identities of questionnaire respondents, not the judges being evaluated. Members asked about public disclosure, internal access to evaluation materials, and the removal of language allowing the governor and executive council to receive evaluations on request; discussion continued on those points, but no final vote on HB 11:30 FN was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Same with increased fuel efficiency.
• Same with, yeah, increased fuel efficiency.
• Education and workforce development, as I mentioned, is a key piece of this.
• Education and workforce development, as I mentioned, is a key piece of this.
• There's a Education and workforce development, as I mentioned, is a key piece of this.

Summary: The meeting opened with remarks about the value of public engagement and the quality of questions from the group, followed by a series of technical presentations from Idaho National Laboratory staff. Joe Renovitz described recent nuclear regulatory changes tied to presidential executive orders, including NRC Part 53 for advanced reactors, the forthcoming Part 57 for very small reactors, and DOE updates to reactor authorization standards. He emphasized efforts to align DOE and NRC processes, use risk-informed and performance-based licensing, support reactor deployment for AI/data centers and national security, and use AI to speed communications and crosswalks between DOE and NRC requirements. In response to questions, he said there was no plan to merge agencies, but rather to improve coordination and public outreach through groups like GAIN and NEI. David Tolman then discussed the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, fuel fabrication, spent fuel storage, transportation, disposal, and reprocessing. He explained high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), why it is needed for advanced reactors, and DOE’s HALEU Availability Program and related investments in enrichment, transportation, deconversion, and supply chain development. He also covered spent fuel management, the possibility of centralized storage or a fuel-cycle campus, the Center for Used Fuel Research, and ongoing work on high-burnup cask testing and reprocessing technologies. Tolman described aqueous, pyrochemical, and fluoride-volatility reprocessing approaches, noting the advantages and waste characteristics of each, and said several companies are working with INL on these technologies. Ashley Shields presented INL’s AI and nuclear work, focusing on the Genesis initiative and the Prometheus effort to use AI to design, license, build, and operate reactors with far less human intervention. She described INL’s broad use of generative AI tools, the need to manage large volumes of legacy technical data, and applications in reactor design, materials discovery, autonomous laboratories, and digital twins. Shields said AI is being used to reduce the enormous documentation burden in nuclear licensing and to support autonomous or remotely operated reactor demonstrations, while stressing that humans remain in supervisory roles. In discussion, she addressed data security, model access, and the continued need for software engineers. The session then recessed briefly and resumed with Mitch Kerman beginning a presentation on critical minerals and materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, it comes back to education. I can tell you, I'm an educator as well.
• Do you know how much education a medical student receives in dementia?
• Well, it comes back to education. I can tell you, I'm an educator as well.
• Do you know how much education a medical student receives in dementia?
• It's accredited education training programs.

Bills: HB2190, HB2202, HB2233, HB2251, HB2252, HB2396, HB2437, HB2689, HB2796

Keywords: physician assistants, licensure compact, medical services, multistate practice, patient care access, healthcare workforce, military families, adverse actions, dementia care, telementoring, healthcare education, rural communities, grant funding, HB 2233, rural health transformation, rural health transformation program, AHCCCS, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Joint Legislative Budget Committee, JLBC

Summary: The committee began with a presentation from the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter and Dr. Anna Burke of Barrow Neurological Institute on the scope of Alzheimer’s disease, the shortage of specialists, low rates of timely diagnosis, and the need for caregiver support and early intervention. Speakers emphasized that Arizona is a leader in Alzheimer’s research and that lifestyle changes, new therapies, and research funding offer hope, but only if patients are diagnosed earlier and providers are better trained. The committee then heard House Bill 2202, which would appropriate $300,000 over three years for a dementia care telemonitoring/telementoring grant program through the Department of Health Services to help providers statewide learn best practices in dementia care. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association, Dr. Danny Cabral, and a patient advocate, said the bill would address major gaps in provider training and improve early diagnosis and treatment. There was no opposition, and the committee voted 11-0 to give HB 2202 a do pass recommendation. The committee next took up House Bill 2251, the “Jordan and MacTerry Act,” which would expand licensed midwives’ authority to administer certain medications, require liability insurance disclosure and reporting, and create an Arizona Midwifery Advisory Committee. Supporters said the bill would improve safety, oversight, and access to emergency medications in home births, while opponents from ACOG and the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association raised concerns about the adequacy of oversight, the medication list, and whether eight hours of pharmacology training is sufficient. After testimony from midwives, physicians, and stakeholders, the bill was held for further stakeholder work and anticipated floor amendments. House Bill 2252, which would allow certified nurse midwives, certified professional midwives, or licensed midwives to accompany a patient in a ground ambulance during transport if approved by medical direction, also drew support and opposition. Supporters argued it would preserve continuity of care in emergencies, while firefighters and EMS representatives objected to ambiguity and scene control concerns. That bill was likewise held for further stakeholder meetings. The committee then recessed and reconvened for later presentations on federal budget and health-related topics.

Transcript Highlights:

• With the more fuel efficiency, less gas is used.
• With the more fuel efficiency, less gas is used.
• With the more fuel efficiency, less gas is used.
• With the more fuel efficiency, less gas is used.
• Our vehicles have become more fuel efficient. With the more fuel efficiency, less gas is used.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee approved the October 15 minutes and observed a moment of silence for the victims of the UPS Worldport plane crash. The main presentation was from Transportation Cabinet Commissioner Bobby Joe Lewis on the Local Assistance Road Program/County Priority Projects Program (LAARP/CPP), which was implemented under House Bill 546 and now requires rehabilitation projects to restore roads to original condition, cap funding at $500,000 per project, use a new scoring matrix, include a local match, and submit one photograph per 300 feet of project length. He reported that the 2026-2027 cycle ran from June 1 to October 1 and drew 1,215 project applications from 107 counties and 106 cities, with total submitted project costs of about $121.1 million and about $102.3 million requested after local match. He also said 30% of submissions scored 10s and 22% scored 9s, and that the list of requests and required photos had been submitted to the General Assembly and LRC. Members asked about how scores change over time, whether roads can move from lower scores to 10s, and whether the new process gives a better picture of local needs. Lewis said scores can change based on weather and road conditions, but the new system provides more information and a more standardized evaluation than before. Several members raised concerns about the volume and size of required photographs, suggesting drone footage or video as an alternative; Lewis said the photo requirement has caused confusion and large file uploads, and he was open to considering easier ways to document conditions. Members also discussed continuity in scoring across districts, and Lewis explained that district staff appointed by chief district engineers use a handbook and scoring matrix, with the scores entered into a computer system so evaluators do not see the final score while scoring. The committee also discussed funding levels and carry-forward balances for the program. Lewis said the program began with $20 million authorized in HR92, noted underruns from completed projects, and reported a carry-forward amount that had grown to $355,432.42 available for reauthorization as of October 13. In response to questions, he said the current process concentrates applications into a short window, with 63% of applications arriving in the last few days and 417 on October 1, which created a heavy workload but was completed on time. The meeting then moved to multimodal funding priorities, with Jennifer Kersner of Kentuckians for Better Transportation introducing herself and offering condolences for the UPS aviation incident before beginning her remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• California has long been a leader in technology and education policy, and the bill ensures that our education
• governor-appointed education commissioner to lead the Department of Education and shifting the elected
• governance by creating a governor-appointed education commissioner to lead the Department of Education
• Christian Smith, physical therapist and physical therapy educator, in support of AB 2497.
• It's Maxine Dugin of the Erotic Service Provider's Legal Education and Research Project.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 6, 2026, with a quorum present and began by approving two large groups of bills on consent: a due-pass-to-consent set and a due-pass set for bills eligible for the floor consent calendar. The committee then heard a series of author presentations, generally focused on bills with minor, absorbable, or no state costs, and most measures were reported out with due-pass recommendations, often on roll call and sometimes with members not voting or bills held on call. Among the bills discussed were AB 1792 on updating health guidance to address AI-related digital safety risks for students, AB 1843 on removing barriers to hepatitis C treatment, AB 2350 on consumer protections for rent-now-pay-later products, AB 2780 on technical changes to teachers’ retirement law, AB 2117 on restructuring K-12 education governance, AB 1913 and AB 2706 on emergency equipment authority and cannery law modernization, and AB 1914 and AB 1820 on child care planning and EV charger permitting. Other measures included AB 2417 on retirement information for community college faculty, AB 2506 on cannabis commerce involving tribal licensees, AB 2200 on greenhouse energy-code compliance, AB 1664 on notice to state officials when election records are seized or subpoenaed, AB 2135 on nursing home discharge notices, AB 2697 on allowing drive-through cannabis sales with local approval, AB 2518 on a San Diego County energization-delay pilot, AB 1665 on mental health training for school coaches, AB 2532 on cannabis beverage safeguards and labeling, AB 1627 on disqualifying certain federal immigration enforcement personnel from becoming peace officers, AB 2121 on community college funding safeguards, AB 2771 on extending the Bureau for Postsecondary Private Proprietary Education sunset, and AB 2120 on preserving LAUSD’s selected certification hiring practice. Most witnesses and sponsors described the bills as low-cost, technical, or modernization measures; a few bills drew opposition or “oppose unless amended” testimony, including AB 1820 and AB 2706-related items, but no major floor votes were taken in the transcript beyond committee recommendations. The committee also heard AB 2541, a presentation-only suspense-file bill to create a lowrider specialty license plate that would generate revenue for community and youth programs. The bill drew enthusiastic bipartisan comments and requests to be added as coauthors, but it was sent to suspense for later consideration. Afterward, the committee approved a lengthy suspense calendar and opened general public comment, where members of the public voiced support or opposition on various other bills, including telework, physical therapy licensure, pesticide restrictions, data disaggregation, and other measures not heard that day. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• ONE ON EACH TO SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS AND ONE ON THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
• STEP UP DID NOT TIMELY PROCESS FPS EO EDUCATIONAL TUITION PAYMENTS FOR STEP UP DID NOT TIMELY PROCESS
• FPS EO EDUCATIONAL TUITION PAYMENTS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE RULES AND THEY DID
• AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT SYSTEM OF FUNDING EDUCATION IN THE STATE SHOULD AMONG OTHER THINGS TRACK STUDENT
• BUT IN A FEW MINUTES I WILL DESCRIBE EFFICIENCIES REGARDING THIS PROCESS.