Video & Transcript Research : 'ABC act'
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US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine advancing carbon capture, utilization and sequestration technologies and ensuring effective implementation of the USE IT Act. Feb 12th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Environment and Public Works Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The Use It Act was signed into law in December of 2020.
- report in 2021 and subsequent interagency guidance for the deployment of CCUS in 2022 as the Use It Act
- My federal CDR Leadership Act is being piloted now by the Department of Energy.
- , the USE IT Act from this committee, the 45Q tax credit, and the Class VI Well Program.
- Statement that the USED Act was signed in 2020.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Elections & Government Affairs Committee Meeting Jun 25th, 2026 at 11:00 am
Elections & Government Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I was in the eighth grade when the Voting Rights Act was passed.
- And I was in the eighth grade when the Voting Rights Act was passed.
- So I urge everyone in this committee to vote in favor of the act. Thank you.
- Rights Act.
- The United States Supreme Court has systematically dismantled the Federal Voting Rights Act.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- testimony can be provided to both the House and the Senate members of the committee up until bills are acted
- for the opportunity to submit this testimony in strong and heartfelt support of House Bill 2736, an act
- House Bill 2736, an act relative to the security of exercise equipment and free weights in correctional
- Well, when I reminded them of that, wow, they started to act.
- We act for and in the interest of all automotive owners across the Commonwealth.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security heard testimony on several bills affecting correctional facilities, disability access, public health, youth education, parole, and vehicle noise. Early testimony focused on H. 2736/S. 1762, “Matt’s Law,” which would permanently ban free weights in medium- and maximum-security correctional facilities and require exercise equipment to be secured. The bill was supported by the Tidman family, Rep. Wells, and the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union, who described the assault on Corrections Officer Matthew Tidman and argued the measure would prevent similar attacks. Committee members expressed sympathy and asked whether the Department of Correction could make the change administratively; witnesses said free weights had already been removed but that codifying the policy in law was needed.
The committee also heard S. 1753 on synthetic drugs in correctional facilities, which would make possession, distribution, and use of Class C synthetic substances in prisons and jails a felony with a mandatory minimum sentence. Senator O’Connor and MCOFU said synthetic drugs like K2 are being smuggled in through mail and are causing violence and medical emergencies among inmates and staff. H. 4123, filed by Rep. Donahue and Chair Vargas, would require correctional facilities to offer two doses of naloxone to people upon direct release; Donahue cited overdose risk after incarceration and her personal loss of a son to overdose. Sheriff Donna Buckley also testified in support of a commission to study sentencing jurisdiction and whether more people should be sentenced to county houses of correction rather than DOC facilities.
A large portion of the hearing was devoted to S. 1733, “An Act Building a More Accessible Massachusetts,” which would expand the Architectural Access Board’s authority over older buildings, workplace areas, and adaptable housing units. Chris Ho, disability advocates, and people with disabilities testified that the bill would help close gaps in accessibility for employment and housing, reduce long waits for accessible units, and support aging in place and independent living. The committee also heard S. 1721 on educational rights for incarcerated youth, with Avery Farmer arguing that 18- to 21-year-olds in DOC and houses of correction should receive the same educational services and disability supports as youth in DYS custody. Additional testimony supported S. 1716 regulating illegal exhaust systems, with one witness citing public health harms from vehicle noise and another opposing the bill as overbroad and harmful to classic car owners. Finally, Claire Massington testified for H. 2694 on equitable access to parole, calling for a more transparent, best-practices-based parole system with a revised board composition and a presumption of parole unless the board shows otherwise. The hearing ended with the chair adjourning the meeting due to a roll call in the House and Senate.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Second reading of bills: SB 1847, General Appropriations Act, 2026-2027; SB 1848, Amusements, 2026-2027
- SB 1847, General Appropriations Act, 26, 27. SB 1848, amusement's 2026, 2027.
- House Bill 2477, an act amending Sections 15-1871 and 15-1875, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to
- And there is an act in Congress called the Kids Off Social Media Act, and that approach, trying to help
- House Bill 2696, an act providing for the Arizona Commerce Authority to reduce fuel and gas prices.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Criminal Justice Oct 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So even in Baker Act cases, evaluation reports are not automatic.
- So even in Baker Act cases, evaluation reports are not automatically available to law enforcement.
- It commits a violent act.
- Is this about who regulates the Baker Act facilities?
- Acts of violence so that we can prevent it.
Summary:
The committee met with Senators Garcia and Simon excused and heard a presentation from FDLE Deputy Commissioner Vaden Pollard on homicide and violent-crime investigations, focusing on access to blood evidence, toxicology, medical records, mental health records, and the legal limits imposed by Florida law, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2. He explained that autopsy evidence collected by medical examiners is generally available to law enforcement, while hospital records and mental health/substance abuse records usually require subpoenas, court orders, or consent, which can delay investigations. He also discussed the difference between DNA testing and toxicology testing, the role of warrants and probable cause for living suspects, and the special rules that apply when a suspect is deceased.
Members asked detailed questions about what toxicology panels include, whether medications can be tested for, how medical examiners review prior medical history, and whether FDLE tracks data linking violent crime to mental health issues or follow up with regulators after incidents. Pollard said the agency follows investigative leads where relevant, but regulatory follow-up depends on the circumstances. He also discussed behavioral threat assessment and management, and said risk protection orders have been used effectively to prevent violence and can lead to court-ordered evaluations and services.
The committee then shifted to crime lab capacity and turnaround times. Pollard said the average DNA turnaround time was 208 days for some evidence, with anything over 30 days considered backlog, but that sexual assault kits are prioritized and generally handled much faster, with rush cases sometimes completed within 24 hours. Members expressed concern about delays in unsolved violent and sexual assault cases and asked what resources would help reduce backlog; Pollard said additional analysts would improve turnaround times. The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenter and adjournment after Senator Bernard moved to adjourn.
NY
Transcript Highlights:
- An act to amend the Social Services Law in relation to reimbursement for early and periodic screening
- An act to amend the Social Services Law in relation to reimbursement for early and periodic screening
- An act to amend the Public Health Law in relation to the definition of elevated blood lead levels.
- An act to amend the Cannabis Law in relation to certain medical cannabis reforms.
- An act to amend the Public Health Law, the Social Services Law, and the Family Court Act in relation
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Health considered a series of health-related bills, many of which were reported favorably. Among the measures approved were SB 999, which would restructure Medicaid reimbursement for early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment services for children with IEPs or disabilities; SB 1816, lowering the state definition of elevated blood lead levels to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter; SB 1911A, extending due process protections for health care professionals when insurers terminate or fail to renew them; and SB 3105, allowing reciprocity for out-of-state medical cannabis patients. The committee also advanced SB 4589 on federally qualified health center rate adequacy, SB 4955B on Medicaid Inspector General audit procedures, SB 9196 to ban new for-profit hospices, SB 9237 expanding the definition of family for certain foster care health facility services, and SB 9275 requiring Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care and prohibiting related discrimination. Several of these bills were sent to Finance, while others were sent to First Reading or Higher Education as noted.
The committee also discussed SB 2625, which would expand pharmacists’ authority to prescribe, administer, and dispense medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. One member raised concerns about expanding scope of practice without coordination with primary care or a holistic review of patient conditions, and indicated opposition; the bill was nevertheless referred to Higher Education. SB 5056B, requiring the Department of Health to examine heat vulnerability and heat-related deaths, prompted discussion about whether the bill should explicitly require recommendations for prevention; the sponsor said the idea was to gather data and that recommendations could be added, and the bill advanced with some reservations.
Other measures included SB 7460, reauthorizing a maternal infant care centers pilot program using an existing $350,000 appropriation, and SB 9388, requiring public notice and engagement when a general hospital closes or shuts down a psychiatric, mental health, or substance use unit. The hospital closure bill drew discussion about relocations and whether moves that shift services to a new site would trigger the community engagement process; the sponsor said they would. Most bills were approved by voice vote, with some members voting no or without recommendation on certain measures, and the committee adjourned after reporting the bills onward.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 24 (2-10-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 497 should pass with House Committee Substitute 1, an act relating to...
- House Bill 436 should pass, an act relating to state parks.
- House Bill 610, Representative Massaroni, an act relating to teachers.
- House Bill 611, Representative Deitz, an act relating to domestic relations.
- House Bill 614, Representative Petrie, an act relating to revenue.
Keywords:
Convene 00:00
Senate Message 04:29
Report of Committees 05:19
Orders of the Day/HB 470 06:54
HB 49 13:46
Motions, Petitions, and Communications 16:47
Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 28:04
Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 29:37
ConC/Rules Report 33:49
Floor Amendments 35:16
Adjournment 37:07, 958, all
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received favorable committee reports on several bills, including measures on background checks, proactive post-secondary admission, public post-secondary employment, tuition waivers, vehicle wheels, choking prevention in schools, state parks, veterans’ benefits, and a resolution on a VA accreditation pathway for private veterans’ benefits assistance companies.
The chamber then considered and passed House Bill 470, relating to peer support specialists and declared an emergency. Members adopted a committee substitute and a floor amendment that extended the registration deadline for alcohol and drug peer support specialists to January 1, 2028, clarified employer and work group provisions, removed the temporary peer designation, and created a work group to modernize oversight of peer support specialists. The bill passed 97-0. House Bill 49, creating a scholarship program for professional engineering and land surveying students funded by board fees and fines in exchange for post-graduation service in Kentucky, also passed 97-0.
During announcements, members recognized visiting groups, upcoming committee meetings, and events, including a Kentucky Justice Association reception, a magistrates and commissioners breakfast, Jewish Advocacy Day, and a Lewis Ridge pump storage project meeting. The House also adopted a citation honoring the Hopkins County Central High School High Voltage Dance Team for winning two national titles. New bills and resolutions were introduced, the Committee on Committees and Rules referred bills to committees and posted several measures for the next day’s calendar, and the House adjourned until 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
NY
Transcript Highlights:
- It's an act to amend the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law in relation to compelling the delivery
- It's an act to amend the Judiciary Law in relation to enacting the Clock Shostop Act.
- It's an act to amend Domestic Relations Law in relation to companion animals. Any discussion?
- It's an act to amend the M... law in relation to the extended duration of certain mechanics liens.
- It's an act to amend the Family Court Act in relation to a number of judges in family court.
Summary:
The committee considered a series of bills, with most advancing to the floor after brief discussion. Senate Bill 4238 on fraudulent conveyances drew the most substantive debate; one member raised concerns that the bill could upset protections for bona fide purchasers and lenders by automatically returning property to the original owner without adequately addressing downstream parties. The chair said those concerns would be shared with the sponsor, and the bill was held for further discussion rather than moved immediately.
Several other measures were reported favorably, including bills granting immunity to businesses and nonprofits when crime victims seek help on their premises, extending filing timeframes for certain toxic-substance exposure claims, restricting certain homeowners association activities, regulating real estate listing agreements, creating a private right of action for deed theft, enacting the Clock Stop Act, addressing companion animals in domestic relations cases, repealing Judiciary Law section 470, extending certain mechanics liens, and waiving biannual attorney registration fees for public-service attorneys. The attorney fee-waiver bill received especially strong support from members, though one member noted the loss of registration-fee revenue and the bill was reported to finance.
The committee also discussed a bill to increase the number of family court judges in certain counties. Members generally supported adding judges but questioned why only specific counties were included, suggesting the need for a broader, data-driven review of caseloads and county needs. The sponsor and members expressed willingness to continue working on the issue, and the bill was reported to finance. The meeting concluded with notice that one final committee meeting would be held the following week.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Budget and Revenue - 02/10/2026
Budget And Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- An act to amend the tax law in relation to the public safety surcharge. Any discussion on the bill?
- An act to amend the tax law and the state finance law in relation to gifts, the affordable housing for
- An act to amend the tax law in relation to the finance. S985A by Senator Brooke.
- An act to amend the tax law in relation to establishing a sales tax exemption for energy storage.
- An act to amend the tax law in relation to establishing a sales tax exemption for energy storage.
Summary:
The Senate Budget and Revenue Committee met for its first meeting of 2026 with a quorum present and considered nine bills, mostly tax-related measures. Bills discussed included S196 on the public safety surcharge, S939 on gifts to the affordable housing for veterans and seniors fund, S985A on sales tax treatment for feminine hygiene products, S1140A on a tax on non-essential helicopter and seaplane flights in cities of one million or more, S1145 on increasing contributions to family tuition accounts, S1527 on a sales tax exemption for energy storage, S4601 on a temporary sales tax exemption for school supplies, S7641 on dedicating opioid excise tax revenue to the Drug Treatment and Public Education Fund, and S7875 on ending the sales tax exemption for precious metal bullion held for investment.
Most bills were advanced without significant opposition and were reported to the Finance Committee. S985A and S4601 were reported to the calendar/Finance after brief discussion; S4601 drew one negative vote. S1140A also advanced, with two no votes. S7875 received the most discussion, with the sponsor arguing that repealing the bullion exemption would recover an estimated $600 million in foregone revenue and better align with affordability concerns; it was reported to Finance with one member recorded as without recommendation.
Members generally framed the bills as affordability or revenue measures, citing rising costs for families, school supplies, housing, and the need to redirect or recover tax revenue. The meeting concluded after all agenda items were moved and reported.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Fri Jan 31, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- So our understanding is that we are carrying out the law of Act 90 and the purpose of Act 90 as it is
- So our understanding is that we are carrying out the law of Act 90 and the purpose of Act 90 as it is
- So our understanding is that we are carrying out the law of Act 90 and the purpose of Act 90 as it is
- So our understanding is that we are carrying out the law of Act 90 and the purpose of Act 90 as it is
- Yes, Vice Chair Kush for DLNR. of act 90 and the purpose of act 90 as of act 90 and the purpose of act
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 29 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- in the town of Chatham under Section 32, seasonal communities, subsection D of the Affordable Homes Act
- An act relative to the affordable housing trust fund of the town of Eggertown, House No. 4186.
- An act relative to the inclusion of commercial fishermen as a designated vocation for affordable and
- Subsection D of the Affordable Homes Act.
- House No. 4288, an act providing for the appointment and removal authority of the town administrator
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up a series of noncontroversial matters. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of several congratulatory resolutions, including one marking the 65th anniversary of the U.S. Peace Corps and others honoring new Eagle Scouts; the House suspended the rules and adopted the resolutions. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling then reported several local bills for House consideration, including measures affecting housing and local governance in Provincetown, Edgartown, Chatham, Wilbraham, Plymouth, and Falmouth.
The House suspended Rule 7A to proceed with second readings of those local bills, which included authorizing the Provincetown Year-Round Market Rate Rental Housing Trust to acquire year-round occupancy restrictions, changes to the Edgartown affordable housing trust fund, a Chatham housing preference for commercial fishermen, Wilbraham town administrator appointment and removal authority, a Plymouth land acquisition special revenue account, and a Falmouth charter/town clerk bill. After second reading, the House ordered the bills to a third reading.
The House then considered three bills released from the Committee on Bills in Third Reading: a bill designating a Pembroke intersection as the Levina A. Hatch Corner, a Newton bill raising the maximum age requirement for police officers, and a Haverhill bill allowing Jonathan Gagne to take the civil service exam for police officer despite the age limit. All three were passed to be engrossed. The House also adopted an order to adjourn and then adjourned to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session.
NY
Transcript Highlights:
- An act to amend. Third bill in the agenda, Senate Print 634B by Senator Lou.
- An act to amend the Insurance Law in relation to licensing of independent adjusters.
- An act to amend the Insurance Law in relation to homeowner natural disaster preparedness.
- An act to amend the Insurance Law in relation to insurance reimbursement for vaccinations.
- An act to amend the Insurance Law in relation to insurance reimbursement for vaccination.
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Insurance met on February 9, 2026, with several members present and voting sheets used to constitute a quorum. The committee considered a nine-bill agenda covering a range of insurance-related issues, including risk retention groups and commuter vans, prescription drug supply chain transparency and PBM regulation, diabetes and pre-diabetes screening coverage, prescription drug rebates passed through at point of sale, state assistance for local fire code enforcement, independent adjuster licensing, homeowner natural disaster preparedness courses, and insurance reimbursement for vaccinations, including COVID-19 vaccination reimbursement.
Most of the bills were moved without substantive debate and were reported from committee, with Senator Helming frequently recorded as “without rec.” Senate Print 3212, relating to state assistance for local enforcement of fire prevention and building codes, was moved but referred to the Finance Committee rather than reported. Senate Print 5049, sponsored by Senator Bailey, was described as broadly supported by industry and the Department of Financial Services and was reported. The vaccination reimbursement bills, Senate Print 5852 and Senate Print 334, were also reported, as were the remaining measures on the agenda.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Election Laws Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Election Laws
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm here in support of H. 820, an act enforcing accessibility... ...of H. 820, an act enforcing accessibility
- In 2022, when we passed the Votes Act, with the implementation of the Votes Act, we saw 38%, and you've
- Helping Americans Vote Act.
- voters, an act decoupling the municipal census from voter registration, an act enforcing accessibility
- registration acts H. 834 and S. 505.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on a wide range of voting-access and election-administration bills. The largest portion of testimony focused on same-day voter registration (H. 834/S. 505), with support from Rep. Gentile, Boston and Chelsea officials, civic groups, and election administrators from Maine and Vermont. Supporters argued that same-day registration would help eligible voters who move frequently, miss deadlines, or face administrative errors, and would reduce rejected provisional ballots. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Vermont elections director Sean Sheehan testified that same-day registration has worked in their states without major administrative problems and has helped increase turnout. A Boston-based panel also described high rejection rates for provisional ballots and the burden of registration cutoffs on renters, students, immigrants, and low-income voters.
A second major topic was restoration of voting rights for incarcerated people, including S. 524 and related House bills. The committee heard extensive virtual testimony from incarcerated individuals at MCI Norfolk and MCI Shirley, who said voting should be restored as part of rehabilitation, civic engagement, and reintegration. They described disenfranchisement as dehumanizing and argued that voting would help maintain family and community ties, reduce recidivism, and give incarcerated people a voice on laws affecting prisons and reentry. Rep. Erica Uyterhoeven also testified in support, saying the bill would restore municipal voting rights for incarcerated residents and align with broader efforts to expand political participation.
The committee also heard testimony on bills affecting election administration and access, including a proposal to reduce or eliminate mandated early in-person voting in primaries and shorten the general-election early voting period, with supporters from the town clerks’ community arguing that low usage, staffing burdens, and costs justify the change. Opponents warned that reducing in-person early voting could hurt voters who do not use mail ballots and could disproportionately affect communities of color. Other bills discussed included decoupling the municipal census from voter registration, requiring periodic accessibility inspections of polling places, and a Somerville home-rule petition on non-citizen municipal voting and another on lowering the voting age in municipal elections. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, March 17, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- . act. act.
- Act. Don't listen to what they say. Act.
- :35.359>
the Deporting Fraudsters Act put the Deporting Fraudsters Act put the American<02:30: - Nationality Act, a non-citizen who is Nationality Act, a non-citizen who is convicted<02:31:55.680>
- Act. I reserve. Act. I reserve.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Transportation Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- Here’s what the Ride Safe Act does in a nutshell.
- This act provides a guide for people to do it safely.
- Please act for them. Thank you. Thank you very much.
- So I'm writing in support of Senate Bill S. 3077, the Ride Safe Act.
- The Ride Safe Act does something simple and important.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on the governor’s Ride Safe Act, S. 3077, and related micromobility bills. Chairs and administration officials described the bill as a statewide, speed-based framework for e-bikes, scooters, mopeds, and similar devices, intended to replace outdated device categories with clearer rules for age limits, helmets, equipment, operating locations, registration, insurance for higher-speed devices, and restrictions on tampering. They also emphasized improved crash-data collection, a working group for future updates, and battery safety standards such as UL certification to reduce fire risk. Committee members asked about enforcement, shared-use paths, commuter rail accommodations, battery storage, and how the bill would apply to other vehicles like quads; the administration said some issues would need further study or follow-up.
Testimony from advocates, municipal officials, and commission members was mixed but generally supportive of clearer statewide rules. Transportation and safety advocates backed the speed-based tier system but urged additional measures, including a default speed limit on shared-use paths, automated enforcement, and more funding for Complete Streets and Shared Streets programs. Bike shop and police representatives said current laws are confusing for riders and law enforcement and that better definitions and data reporting are needed. Several speakers stressed that enforcement and education will be critical, and that local patchwork rules are difficult to apply consistently.
Medical testimony strongly supported tighter protections for young riders. Pediatric emergency and trauma doctors described a sharp rise in serious injuries and deaths involving e-bikes and scooters, including severe pediatric cases, and urged amendments adding a minimum age for faster devices and a universal helmet requirement. They argued that the force and weight of these devices make crashes more dangerous than conventional bicycles and pointed to past Massachusetts safety laws as evidence that age and equipment restrictions can reduce injuries.
Some public testimony opposed the bill as written, especially from moped commuters who argued that gas-powered mopeds are being treated differently from comparable electric devices and should be included in the framework. They called for clearer rules on bike-lane access, insurance, parking, and statewide standards for mopeds as vulnerable road users. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and questions only.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction - 02/04/2026
Crime Victims, Crime And Correction
Transcript Highlights:
- The committee clerk will read: Senate Bill 156, an act to amend the Executive Law in relation to awards
- The committee clerk will read: Senate Bill 429, an act to amend the Executive Law in relation to authorizing
- And we refer to this bill as the Plan Act.
- Senate Bill 1892B, an act to amend the Correction Law in relation to who may visit local correctional
- We refer to this bill as the Care Act. Any questions or discussion? Move the bill.
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction met with a quorum and considered 10 bills. The committee advanced measures on crime victims’ awards (S.156), Inspector General review of sexual assault complaints in correctional facilities (S.429), expanded substance use programming access for non-English-speaking incarcerated people (S.863), preliminary license application procedures to identify criminal-history disqualifications early (S.1048, the PLAN Act), visitation rules for local correctional facilities (S.1892B), lethality assessments in domestic violence incidents (S.2280B), breast pumps for certain incarcerated nursing parents (S.2666A), time allowances when program completion is prevented by circumstances beyond an individual’s control (S.3974), health and human rights protections for incarcerated pregnant people and their children (S.4583A, the CARE Act), and visiting policies for incarcerated individuals (S.5037). Most bills were reported to Finance; S.1892B was reported from committee, and several members noted prior Senate passage or recurring support for some of the measures.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Section one, as used in this act, the following terms have the act, the following terms have the act,
- acting in the public interest may bring acting in the public interest may bring acting in the public
- We have act.
- Nothing in this act shall be construed Nothing in this act shall be construed Nothing in this act shall
- Two, this act shall be retroactive to January 1st, act shall be retroactive to January 1st, act shall
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Caucus of the Whole - H.955 - 2026-04-03 - 8:45AM
Vermont House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This is similar committees from Act 46.
- largely built from the Act 46 process. largely built from the Act 46 process.
- uh, to to form this if we go back to Act uh, to to form this if we go back to Act 46, 46, 46, you
- as an overall system since we passed Act as an overall system since we passed Act 153 153 153 15
- 46, then Act 49.
Summary:
The meeting was a caucus of the whole on House Bill 955, described by House Education Chair Rep. Peter Conlin as the year’s education transformation bill. He said the bill is still evolving and must still go through Ways and Means, Appropriations, and the Senate. Conlin framed the bill as a response to declining enrollment, school building needs, future funding changes, and equity concerns, drawing on prior commission work, testimony, surveys, emails, and committee input.
Conlin said H. 955 has two major structural pieces: it creates seven mandatory Cooperative Education Service Areas (CESAs) to provide shared services more efficiently at larger scale, and it requires merger study committees in all parts of the state to examine whether districts should voluntarily merge into pre-K through 12 union school districts. He emphasized that CESAs are service providers, not governing bodies, and that merger study committees are required to study merger but not to merge. He also said the bill includes startup grants for CESAs, fee-for-service funding, a guidance map for facilitator work, deadlines culminating in merger votes on November 7, 2028, and reporting requirements back to the General Assembly.
Members asked about whether CESAs duplicate supervisory unions, how representation would work, whether the bill affects academic standards, what happens to articles of agreement, why some study groupings include only one district, how the process would work in practice, and what support facilitators would have. Conlin responded that CESAs are intended to add scale for specialized services rather than replace supervisory unions, that they do not govern schools, and that representation and structure could be adjusted as the bill moves forward. He said the bill does not change what is taught in schools, only governance and funding, and that any merger would still require new articles of agreement and voter approval. He also said the facilitator system would be supported by a lead facilitator and the existing CESA structure, and that some groupings may be revised based on local conditions.
The committee also discussed cost savings and timing. Conlin said the bill is intended to reduce costs through shared services and larger-scale districts, and that the proposed delay in implementing a foundation formula is meant to allow time for mergers and related administrative work, including bargaining, records, and district consolidation. He cited the existing Vermont Learning Collaborative in southeastern Vermont as an example of a CESA already providing specialized services and saving member districts money.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 113 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Second reading of the bills: An act relative to the definition of livestock, House No. 138; an act relative
- An act protecting first responders and enhancing access to behavioral health centers, House No. 4673.
- An act relative to tort actions for latent diseases, House No. 4676.
- And an act relative to increasing affordable and public housing options, House No. 4694.
- And an act relative to increasing affordable and public housing options, House No. 4694.
Summary:
The House received a gubernatorial message returning House No. 3912, a bill to increase the Marblehead Board of Health from three to five members, with recommendation of amendment, and referred it to the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading. The House also suspended Joint Rule 12 on a petition from Megan K. Kilcoyne concerning condominium owners’ rights, sending it to the Committee on the Judiciary, and suspended Rule 7A to take up several bills reported by Steering, Policy and Scheduling.
Those bills were read a second time and ordered to a third reading: House No. 138 on the definition of livestock; House No. 4437 on nutrient management and fertilizer regulation in Nantucket; House No. 4673 protecting first responders and enhancing access to behavioral health centers; House No. 4676 on tort actions for latent diseases; and House No. 4694 on increasing affordable and public housing options. The House then adopted an emergency preamble for House No. 4587, establishing a sick leave bank for a Department of Correction employee, David A. Russell.
Several engrossed bills were passed to be enacted, including House No. 4149 revising the Lynn city charter, House No. 4286 authorizing an additional wine and malt beverage license in Somerset, and House No. 4439 simplifying subdivision road layout and acceptance in Marlborough. House No. 4587 was also passed to be enacted after the emergency preamble vote. The House observed a moment of silent tribute for Representative Anne Margaret Ferrante, who died after a battle with pancreatic cancer, and adopted an order to adjourn until Thursday at 10 a.m., with adjournment in her memory.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senator from the Committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, to whom was referred
- An act establishing a sick leave bank for Gregory Baker, an employee of the Suffolk County Sheriff's
- An act establishing a sick leave bank for Gregory Baker, an employee of the Suffolk County Sheriff's
- An act dissolving the Wellesley Housing Development Corporation, H-4-3, H-4-1, forgive me, H-4-1.
- An act establishing a sick leave bank for Carlos Borges, an employee of the Department of Correction,
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and recognized guests John and Michael McGuire, including Michael McGuire’s service as a Marine. The chamber then took up several measures, including emergency preambles for two sick leave bank bills: one for James Caruso of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and one for Carlos Borges of the Department of Correction. In each case, the emergency preamble was adopted by standing vote.
The Senate also considered late-file petitions, voting to suspend Senate Rule 36 and Joint Rule 12 so the matters could be referred to the appropriate committees. In addition, the Senate took up and passed to be engrossed a bill authorizing the Commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to grant certain easements to the town of Bourne, and a bill establishing a sick leave bank for Gregory Baker of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office.
Later, the Senate enacted several bills, including an act dissolving the Wellesley Housing Development Corporation and the sick leave bank bills for James Caruso and Carlos Borges. The enacted bills were ordered signed by the President and laid before the Governor. The Senate then adopted an order to adjourn until Tuesday at 11:00 a.m., with the clerk directed not to print a calendar, and adjourned accordingly.