Transcript Highlights:

• Sorry for the delay this morning. So, welcome to the Committee on Financial Services.
• work within this newly created structure or stand up our own baby bonds program, we cannot afford to delay
• Support for and implementation of baby bonds are building nationwide.
• But we need the Commonwealth to partner with us to implement bold, comprehensive, long-term solutions
• Seventeen other states have already implemented similar programs, and I don't know...

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on several bills focused on financial security, banking regulation, and payment-card fees. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg supported the Massachusetts baby bonds proposal (H. 48) and also endorsed bills on matched savings (H. 1158/S. 737) and retirement planning/Secure Choice (H. 1143/S. 722), arguing these measures would help address wealth inequality, build assets, and improve retirement readiness. Supporters of baby bonds included policy experts and health advocates from Children’s Health Watch and Boston Medical Center, who said early-life asset building could improve long-term economic and health outcomes for children in low-income families. AARP also urged passage of the retirement planning bill, citing the large share of private-sector workers without access to an employer retirement plan. Representative Donato testified for H. 1143, describing it as a voluntary retirement-savings opportunity for workers at small employers. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3933, concerning the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation, from former Bank Commissioner Mike Hanson, who defended the state’s full deposit insurance system for credit unions and savings institutions as a longstanding consumer-protection model. The Massachusetts Bankers Association raised concerns about the bill’s technical provisions and broader credit union/bank competitive issues, while the Cooperative Credit Union Association supported related legislation allowing modest compensation for credit union directors (S. 821/H. 1338) and flexibility for state financial institutions to grow through partnerships (S. 723). Bankers opposed those credit union bills, arguing they would upset a level playing field and blur long-standing distinctions between banks and credit unions. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 1259/S. 688, which would prohibit card interchange fees on the tax and gratuity portions of restaurant transactions. Restaurant owners and the Massachusetts Restaurant Association testified in favor, saying the fees are a significant and growing expense, especially as most customers now pay by card; they argued the bills would save restaurants money without affecting state revenue. Credit union, banking, and payments-industry representatives opposed the bills, saying interchange helps fund fraud protection and payment infrastructure, that the proposal would create compliance burdens and likely litigation, and that it would mainly affect Massachusetts-chartered institutions while national banks could be preempted. Committee members noted that a commission on payment-card fees is being established and said the issue would be studied further. The hearing also included support for a separate bill on virtual credit cards for dental providers, with dentists saying automatic virtual-card payments impose hidden processing fees and fraud risks.

Transcript Highlights:

• As I mentioned, House Bill 404, we're going to delay that just a little bit today.
• We implemented one at the place that I worked.
• More preferable than implemented.
• <00:10:30.680> It'd More preferable than implemented.
• It'd More preferable than implemented.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why we extended the rollout and implementation time period.
• That's why we've got the three-and-a-half-year implementation program.
• That's why we extended the rollout and implementation time period.
• That's why we've got the three-and-a-half-year implementation program.
• The period of delay.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed a series of House bills on third reading, with several title amendments and a few effective-date motions adopted. Early in the session, members passed HB 4452 removing acreage limits on land owned by church or religious trustees, HB 4577 creating reciprocal driver’s license recognition agreements with Ireland and Japan, HB 4588 authorizing West Virginia participation in a federal tax credit scholarship program, and HB 4592 requiring higher education institutions to create coordinated campus safety maps. HB 4602 was amended to align with a prior Senate child welfare pilot program, and members discussed its projected cost and implementation timeline before passing it. HB 4603 created a pre-adjudicatory alternative disposition process in abuse and neglect cases, and HB 4606 narrowed bail rules by requiring consideration of residency and community ties while prohibiting personal recognizance bonds for violent felony offenses after an adopted amendment. The Senate also passed HB 4710 changing the party-registration deadline for candidates from 60 to 180 days before an election, with debate over its impact on independents, and made it effective January 1, 2027. HB 4712, known as Bailey’s Law, increased penalties for DUI causing death and related conduct, with emotional testimony from members about the victim and similar tragedies. HB 4765 established a pay raise for teachers, school personnel, and state police and added a market-pay enhancement system based on county cost-of-living differences; an amendment to the amendment capped county differentials and guaranteed at least a 1% increase in every county. HB 4865 created an optional program for high school and homeschool students to serve as election official trainees, and HB 4869 established narrow guaranteed-issue rights for Medicare supplement policies. Later bills included HB 4995, which strengthened video/audio recording rules in special education classrooms and was passed, then reconsidered and passed again; HB 4996 creating a new crime for making threats of violence against schools or children; HB 5048 guaranteeing virtual instruction for foster children in temporary placement; HB 5065 adding recordkeeping and geolocation requirements for hotel marketplace facilitators to ensure proper hotel tax remittance; and HB 5074 reallocating medical cannabis fund revenues to child protection, homeless services, research, law enforcement, and other purposes. The Senate also passed HB 5101, the Joanna Phillips Domestic Violence Prevention Act, which increased penalties for domestic violence offenses and adjusted bail provisions, after amending it to conform with the earlier bail bill. Additional measures passed included HB 5166 requiring notice before political committees are fined for filing violations and allowing limited extensions, HB 5168 directing $12 million in lottery funds to EMS first responders and county EMS support, HB 5182 authorizing certain state treasurer security personnel to carry concealed firearms, HB 5212 streamlining higher-education financial aid rules, HB 5214 allowing court-ordered drug testing of parents before reunification in abuse and neglect cases, HB 5353 regulating virtual currency kiosks with licensing, disclosures, and transaction limits, and HB 5366 exempting J-LAP records from FOIA to protect confidentiality for lawyers and judges seeking assistance. Most bills passed with strong bipartisan support, though HB 5074 and HB 5353 drew some dissenting votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Subject of instruction, accreditation is only in its early stages of implementation, and we're hopeful
• Those students and the calculation of the funding and facilities needed to implement those plans.
• As this is being implemented in your pilot programs, are you seeing, Mr.
• When we think about Martinez-Yazzie, the Educator Fellows Program is a concrete implementation of the
• Partial funding or delays shift the burden directly onto classrooms and children.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on strategic resource management in public education. LESC staff and PED officials argued that New Mexico has increased school funding, but local budgeting and planning remain fragmented and overly compliance-driven. They described long-term pressures including declining enrollment, rising special education costs, falling cash balances, changes in federal funding, and leadership turnover, and said schools need more intentional multi-year planning tied to student outcomes. They also outlined the many disconnected planning requirements schools must complete, compared New Mexico’s current approach with Ohio’s three-year budget forecasting model, and recommended continuing multi-year appropriations, adding $2.5 million for state grants in the unified application, and directing LESC, LFC, and PED to develop a long-term financial planning proposal. PED said it is working to reduce administrative burden through school accreditation, a unified application for federal and state funds, and internal alignment of guidance and coaching, with pilot schools reporting time savings and better alignment. Members raised concerns about four-day school weeks, the burden on small districts, the need for outcomes and return on investment, and whether the state should move toward a two-year or three-year planning cycle; staff clarified that the proposal was to streamline or eliminate redundant requirements, not add another layer. The committee then received an update on the Educator Fellows program. PED described it as a Grow Your Own pipeline that employs candidates as supplemental educational assistants while they work toward licensure, providing salary, benefits, paid leave, mentoring, and coursework support. Officials said the program helps address teacher shortages, improves student-to-teacher ratios, increases workforce diversity, and supports the Martinez-Yazzie action plan. They reported 370 current fellows across 86 LEAs and about 180 schools, with many fellows being people of color, first-generation college students, or second-career educators; roughly 85 are expected to become certified this year. A local HR director from Belen testified that the program has been especially valuable in small communities, where fellows are already rooted in the community and several have moved into teaching roles. Members asked about high school recruitment, tuition, retirement and benefits, the relationship to the Higher Education Department’s Grow Your Own scholarship, and the role of university partners. PED said fellows choose among accredited higher education partners, the program is separate from the scholarship but complementary, and the state is also building an apprenticeship model and seeking to expand the program to more LEAs, though some districts are on a waiting list because of funding and local match requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• January 1st of this year, as many of you know, we implemented and adjusted our fee schedule, which had
• And let me rephrase that: we were proud to implement House Bill 161 to honor our New Mexico resident
• Secretary Herrera was a great partner to me and my staff in order to implement House Bill 161.
• And then, how the irrigation district is working with the funding source to implement the program.
• The costs of delay are staggering and growing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, these provisions are not actually working yet because they were delayed until, I think, August of
• 00:07:04.720> because<00:07:05.039> they<00:07:05.360> were<00:07:05.880> delayed
• um working yet because they were delayed um working yet because they were delayed until<00:07:07.440
• The Commerce Department did its study of this, and this was why implementation was delayed, and they

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It is delayed and prolonged.
• It is delayed and prolonged.
• It is delayed and prolonged.
• It is delayed and prolonged.
• It is delayed and prolonged.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A rigid cap would force immediate delays or cuts to vital projects within our capital plan, jeopardizing
• The funding to execute the design and construction would have been delayed at least a year to issue a
• The existing 20% cap is too restrictive and can delay necessary investments. and public services.
• Michael said, if we're hamstringed, if we have to go to the voters. that can delay construction for years
• We have already implemented two new bus rapid transit lines, park and ride facilities, and micro-transit

Bills: HB19, HB30, HB851, HB1663, HB1681, HB1769, HB1937, HB1979, HB2428, HB2433, HB2825, HB3159, HB3424, HB3486, HB3487, HB3504, HB3605, HB3879, HB3994, HB4382, HB4752, HB5444, HB5446, HB5447, HB3199, HB4847, HB19

Keywords: local government debt, property tax, ad valorem tax, bond election, certificate of obligation, anticipation note, school district tax rate, voter-approval rate, debt service cap, municipal finance, county bonds, flood control district, hospital district, public works, tax transparency, property tax notice, November uniform election date, general obligation bonds, local debt reform, taxpayer notice

Transcript Highlights:

• It'll be a combination of parallel and delay.
• Comprised of a number of state agencies, and will work on implementing recommendations from a new state
• You talked about the funding of setting up, equipping, and implementing the emergency responses.
• You talked about the funding of the setting up, equipping, and implementing the emergency responses.
• A survey, a well-designed and implemented survey, can be a very, very powerful tool.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> decisions um to make difficult financial decisions um to make difficult financial decisions delay
• advancements<00:13:21.079> and<00:13:21.199> even<00:13:21.320> leave delay
• for this early childhood implementation for this early childhood education<00:15:11.000> priority
• And so funding that goes along with CSI/MRI schools was specifically allocated for them to implement
• this model okay so there are implement this model okay so there are many<01:00:29.240> different<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't, I guess you guys are probably seeing a projector. >> Yeah, there might be a delay. >> There
• might be a delay on the projector. >> There might be a delay on the projector.
• You still need a state license implemented, and there's still consumer protection security standards,
• You still need a state license implemented, and there's still consumer protection security standards,
• You still need a state license implemented, and there's still consumer protection security standards,

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission met on November 12 and first approved the September 17 and October 15 draft minutes unanimously after brief discussion. Members also identified themselves for the record, including a new member from Bumpsk Bank, a staff attorney from the Secretary of State’s Bureau of Securities Regulation, a prior crypto commission participant, and a uniform law commissioner involved in tokenization projects. The main presentation was by UNH law professor Seth Orinberg, who discussed the federal GENIUS Act and the pending Clarity Act and how they affect New Hampshire’s options in the digital asset space. He described the GENIUS Act as governing payment stablecoins/stable tokens, defining them as blockchain-based assets used primarily for payments, redeemable for a fixed amount of national currency, and required to maintain stable value. He said the law creates three possible state roles: hosting federally qualified issuers, becoming a state qualifier for issuers up to a $10 billion threshold, or exploring state-backed issuance as a sovereign. He noted that the state-qualification path would require conforming legislation, examination capacity, and coordination with Treasury, while the sovereign-issuer theory is legally uncertain and may become a test case. Orinberg also outlined the core compliance framework he said applies to covered issuers: 100% reserve backing in high-quality liquid assets, monthly public reserve reporting, no yield or interest-like rewards, segregation of reserve assets, immediate redemption at face value, and anti-money-laundering/know-your-customer obligations. He then turned to the Clarity Act, describing it as a broader market-structure bill that would create categories such as digital asset, digital commodity, digital security, and ancillary asset, with self-certification procedures for issuers. He said the two federal laws together would separate payments from investments, preempt inconsistent state standards for covered payment stablecoins, and likely reshape the boundaries of state authority over digital assets.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is most troubling to this committee is not any single failure; it is the pattern of Access implementing
• We had talked that you were going to do a brief presentation on some of the changes you have implemented
• We have implemented dashboards, internal dashboards for prior authorization and claims processing, so
• days, I would like the agency to formally present a plan to this committee on how it will get the delayed
• The department's reluctance to implement accountability metrics and basic public transparency measures

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services held another oversight hearing on Access, focusing on fee-for-service behavioral health management, prior authorization and claims processing, the Targeted Investment Program (TIP), and network adequacy. The chair and other members criticized Access for repeated transparency failures, including missing records related to the Covered Behavioral Health Services Guide, lack of public comment, unanswered questions about ARPA compliance, and concerns about ghost networks and delayed payments to providers, especially in Native communities and rural areas. Interim Director Roberta Harrison said Access had improved fraud controls after the sober living scheme crisis and acknowledged the need for modernization. She reported faster prior authorization processing, fewer denial codes, real-time dashboards, additional staffing, and claims processing under 30 days. She also said the agency wants more fraud referrals and is working to strengthen internal systems and communication. On the TIP program, Access officials explained that payments are delayed because of complex data validation and allocation across many provider sites; they said year one of TIP 2.0 was paid, but years two and three had not yet been distributed. The committee requested a formal plan within 30 days for paying the estimated $122 million in delayed TIP funds and asked for CMS-related documentation. Committee members also questioned Access about a direct contract with Constellation for claims processing, noting language in the proposal suggesting higher ROI from denying more claims; Access said that language was not part of the contract scope and was verbally rejected. On network adequacy, officials described time-and-distance standards, annual MCO reports, and internal review processes, but could not immediately confirm whether a fiscal year 2025 report had been submitted to CMS or whether any corrective action plans had been imposed. The chair concluded that Access’s improvements appeared to be driven by legislative pressure, said the committee would review the information received, and announced that Access would be sent detailed monthly reporting directions before the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have, as I said, a lot of administrative concerns we have as the program has been implemented,
• I spoke about, as far as DCF not being, staff not being aware of the program, are more of an implementation
• Through work with a coalition of advocates, we were able to implement the working people with disabilities
• Thank you. ...we were able to implement the working people with disabilities program and get the language
• eliminating duplicative reassessments, retains ADRC authority over the LTC pre-enrollment list, reduces delays

Bills: S1002, S1016, S1030, S1594, S1630

Keywords: child welfare, substance abuse, neglect, parental rights, drug exposure, Medicaid, disabilities, employment, healthcare access, income eligibility, veteran benefits, minor clients, financial assistance, education services, Department of Children and Families, Department of Health, aging services, disability assistance, long-term care, Alzheimer's support

Summary: The committee considered several bills affecting children, disability services, aging, recovery residences, and foster youth benefits. SB 1016 codified the working people with disabilities program for Medicaid waiver recipients, with amendments removing automatic enrollment and improving information sharing between agencies; advocates testified that the program helps people with developmental disabilities work while keeping needed care, though they raised implementation and training concerns. The bill was reported favorably. SB 1002, as amended, clarified that evidence of acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect in child welfare cases and allow court intervention and treatment requirements; it was also reported favorably. SB 1594 would preserve veterans’ benefits for foster youth for postsecondary education or aftercare rather than using them as reimbursement to the agency, and it passed favorably. SB 1630 modernized aging and long-term care statutes, expanded emergency service authority, updated oversight of area agencies on aging and guardianship, and permanently established the Florida Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence; after two amendments, it was reported favorably. SB 1030, on recovery residences/substance abuse services, was amended with a substitute that narrowed transfer definitions, sped licensure for existing providers adding levels of care, and limited credentialing entities’ access to resident records; members noted it remained a work in progress, but it was reported favorably. The committee also held confirmation hearings. Robert Astellos, nominated as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, described efforts to reduce the pre-enrollment list, improve transparency and customer service, expand family involvement, and streamline agency processes; multiple advocacy groups appeared in support, and the committee recommended his confirmation. The committee then unanimously recommended confirmation of the appointees on tabs 7 through 10. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• worked with the department, and they believe that there is sort of a conversion measure that can be implemented
• And I think there was intention for an implementation and comparison study.
• I believe we're still gathering some of that data, and that will be going both into the implementation
• would develop that list of assessments, develop cut scores, and then we would begin doing our implementation
• So I think there is a delay and kind of an on-ramp to the process.

Bills: AB386

Keywords: AB386, Washoe County School District, reading assessment, literacy, elementary school, pupil assessment, statewide assessment, alternative assessment, reading proficiency, standards-based testing, valid and reliable test, State Board of Education, Department of Education, pilot program, school testing, assessment equivalency, education grant, Nevada education, NRS 388.157, school accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• They all require certain policies and procedures that are implemented within the organization.
• Tennessee and Utah, would provide critical incentives for both public and private organizations to implement
• involved procurement procedures, which slow the selection and onboarding of vendors, which leads to delays
• To bring forth implementation, require deadlines to be met across the spectrum, to really lead the charge
• Like, you get a $2 million grant and it costs your $3 million to implement it. That ain't a deal.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1183, by Rep. G. Lombardo, as amended by a strike-all. The bill would provide liability protection for local governments and private-sector entities that substantially comply with certain cybersecurity practices, including multi-factor authentication, disaster recovery plans, and related policies and procedures. Rep. Lombardo said the measure is intended to create incentives for better cybersecurity and to limit class-action exposure after incidents, while still allowing suits where negligence can be shown. Supporters included TechNet, the Florida Justice Reform Institute, the Florida League of Cities, Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Association of Counties, and Dr. Edward Long of the James Madison Institute; Vice Chair Steele, Rep. Blanco, and Rep. McFarland also spoke in favor. Ranking Member Bracy Davis opposed the bill, saying she was not comfortable granting liability protections to entities that may have contributed to breaches and questioning whether substantial compliance would be self-attested. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably by a 14-2 vote. After the vote, the committee shifted into an extended discussion about Florida’s state IT governance structure, procurement, and project management. Members criticized the current federated model as fragmented and lacking clear accountability, with repeated references to long-running problems such as cost overruns, weak vendor oversight, workforce shortages, and the troubled I-Connect system. Several members argued that the state needs a single accountable leader or stronger enterprise authority over agency technology decisions. Ranking Member Bracy Davis raised concerns about the impact of broken systems on vulnerable populations and asked about the role of advisory councils. Rep. G. Lombardo, Vice Chair Steele, Rep. Miller, and Rep. Groh all emphasized the need for centralized leadership, better alignment of authority and budget, and more disciplined procurement and integration practices. A public witness, Victoria Zep of Team 180, testified in support of a more enterprise-wide approach and said the private sector also wants more organization and transparency. She criticized short procurement timelines, limited competition, and poorly written scopes, and urged the state to post procurements more openly and seek broader vendor input. She also discussed the need to respect agency-specific federal requirements while still improving statewide coordination. The chair closed by asking members to bring forward ideas for immediate and long-term reforms, including review of Senate Bill 7026, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what we're doing to implement House Bill 875.
• And so today I'm proud to share that the department has implemented our readers, what due process.
• So the department we have met with Miami-Dade College and we continue to meet with them to implement
• I'm happy to share that that districts design and implement their professional learning aligned to those
• Do we know how many have started this process and and given up at of confusion or delays or honestly,

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the bill implements basic fire standards.
• SB1, as filed, implements requirements applicable only to youth camps.
• We just found that complacency in human nature, being what it was, it wasn't implemented a lot of times
• It's only as good as the people in charge of implementing it. And so it requires watchmen.
• Is it specific enough so that the rules by DISHS will be implemented quickly, ensuring there is no delay

Bills: SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, SB 1, HB4, HB4, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB1, SB2, SB5

Keywords: school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments, through-year assessment, diagnostic reports, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plans

Transcript Highlights:

• would be a huge issue in implementing would be a huge issue in implementing I'm<00:28:22.640>
• Chair, we may find that they may have issues in certain areas implementing this, and we can certainly
• this and we can imple implementing this and we can certainly<00:29:36.200> work<00:29:36.519>
• Any potential savings would be seen in being able to delay institutionalization.
• um in being able to uh DeLay um in being able to uh DeLay institutionalization<00:55:16.920>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:38.079> the<00:35:38.240> presidential in implementing the presidential in implementing
• 44:29.680> it<03:44:29.920> will legislation is implemented, it will legislation is implemented
• ones making excuses and delaying ones making excuses and delaying scientific<07:37:14.000> progress
• But every day that we delay, lives are lost.
• I urge my we delay, lives are lost.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A worst-case scenario would be issues with an application that are so severe that they delay the process
• Are you open to considering that change to address these mail delays?
• So there is priority, and some mail gets delayed, but when it comes to election mail, there is, from
• because I know address these mail delays because I know this<01:09:28.560> would<01:09:28.759
• <01:10:08.440> but priority and some mail gets delayed but priority and some mail gets delayed

Keywords: 1183, house