Transcript Highlights:

• This act may be cited as the Stop Illegal Gun Trade and Extremely Dangerous Weapons Act. Section 2.
• It's the Stop the Dangerous Weapons Act? That's the title.
• Okay, the Federal Gun Control Act.
• If they just act a little bit odd, If they just act a little bit odd, they can fill out the form, and
• , the Pesticide Control Act, the Plant Protection Act, the Fertilizer Act, and the Commercial Feed Act

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 4 of the act... Section 4 of the act, subject to petition, effective date.
• or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will
• batteries act.
• Electric vehicle for batteries act.
• Act subject to petition. Effective date. >> This act... >> Good job.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bad acts or prior crimes or bad acts can be offered in the open part of the case.
• If the acts that you are referring to are other sexually violent acts, yes.
• You're talking about the Michael Warren Act? Yes, sir. And so...
• You lost because you didn't get in extraneous act evidence.
• documented was a part of a continuous set of violent acts.

Bills: HB207, HB235, HB324, HB449, HB463, HB502, HB 1121, HB1445, HB1465, HB1778, HB1977, HB2000, HB2066, HB2596, HB207, HB235

Keywords: child protection, sexual offenses, obscenity laws, visual material, anatomically correct dolls, mannequins, robots, criminal offenses, sexually explicit material, minors, artificial intelligence, sexually explicit, doll, mannequin, robot, law enforcement, healthcare, insurance, affordable care, access

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I rise to explain my vote on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act.
• A bill to be entitled an act implementing the 2026 through 27 General Appropriations Act.
• A bill to be entitled an act implementing the 2026 through 27 General Appropriations Act.
• for our legislation implemented in the act of the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
• for our legislation implemented in the act of the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Don Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber announced it would take up 11 budget conference committee reports, with no third-reading bills or special-order calendar items. Members were reminded that conference reports were subject to debate but not amendment, and that the required review periods had been satisfied. The first major action was on HB 7031E, the tax package. Representative Duggan explained that the conference report included a mix of retained, modified, and new tax provisions, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related changes, reductions in certain gaming and carbon-related taxes, changes to child care and documentary stamp tax credits, a new refund process for public works construction tax paid by universities and colleges, and other tax administration changes. Debate focused on the bill’s consumer impact, the reduction of the child tax credit from three years to one, the inclusion of firearm accessories in a sales tax holiday, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the homestead exemption provision for certain deployed diplomatic and foreign service personnel. Critics argued the package favored niche or corporate interests over broad affordability relief, while supporters said it provided targeted tax relief and reflected conference negotiations. The House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began presenting the conference report for HB 501E, the state budget, which totaled $114.5 billion for fiscal year 2026-27 and was described as below the prior year’s spending level while maintaining reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major budget areas: pre-K-12 funding included an increase in FEFP, salary increases for veteran teachers, stabilization funding, and support for declining enrollment; higher education included full Bright Futures funding, workforce programs, college operating support, university initiatives, and school guardian expansion; IT funding focused on Palm, ACCESS, APD’s I-Connect replacement, corrections systems, emergency management systems, and cybersecurity grants; health care funding covered Medicaid, nursing home rates, waiver provider increases, ADAP funding and restructuring, child welfare, and behavioral health; transportation and economic development included housing, cultural grants, jobs and rural infrastructure, Visit Florida, Space Florida, highway patrol equipment, and local transportation projects; justice funding included correctional construction, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement grants, and clerk and due process reimbursements; state administration included fire stations, constrained counties, building maintenance, and Safe Florida Home; and agriculture/natural resources funding emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality, land acquisition, Florida Forever, state parks, and citrus research. Members then began questioning the budget details, including school voucher accountability, school funding formulas, public defender parity, prison technology, wastewater monitoring in prisons, ADAP policy, SNAP fraud controls and AI-assisted verification, Florida Forever funding, school lunch funding, and coral reef restoration. No final vote on HB 501E appears in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the House version of the General Appropriations Act.
• We had established a Student Opportunity Act fund.
• We had established a Student Opportunity Act fund, We had established a Student Opportunity Act fund.
• It is one in which the Senate has acted decisively on many occasions.
• President, and hope that the members will act accordingly.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first took up and passed several House bills establishing sick leave banks, including House 4182 for a Massachusetts Department of Transportation employee and House 1590 for Eric J. Awaniak. It also advanced and then enacted House 4237, a fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill providing interim funding before final action on the general appropriations act. During the session, Senator Collins also recognized Chaplain Clementina Cherry of the Lewis D. Brown Peace Institute as a distinguished guest, with remarks entered into the record. The main business was the conference committee report on the fiscal year 2026 state budget, House 4001/House 4240. Senate Ways and Means leadership described the budget as balanced, on time, and fiscally responsible, with $61.01 billion in spending, no new taxes or fees, and a $33 million deposit to the stabilization fund. They highlighted major investments in Chapter 70 school aid, special education circuit breaker reimbursements, unrestricted local aid, MassEducate, universal free school meals, MBTA and regional transit funding, MassHealth, food security, and mental health services. The report also included policy items such as broker fee responsibility, fare-free regional transit, housing studies, a gold star family annuity provision, and a crumbling concrete commission. Minority leader Senator Tarr and others questioned the spending reductions, use of one-time funds, and the treatment of excess capital gains, arguing for greater fiscal caution and concern about future federal actions and long-term spending growth. Supporters responded that the reductions reflected revenue uncertainty, federal policy risks, and the need to preserve budget stability, while using some one-time sources to balance the plan. The conference report was adopted by a roll call vote of 38-2, the emergency preamble for House 4240 was approved by standing vote, and the FY26 general appropriations bill was then enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate also adopted an order to dispense with printing a calendar for the next session and adjourned until Thursday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• At this particular hearing, we will hear initiative petition 25-14, H5-004, an act to improve...
• , so any kind of act that a legislator conducts in lawmaking... ...so any kind of act that a legislator
• And then... ...to make sure our government officials are acting in our best interest.
• Please, you are acting... Are we not allowed to ask questions, Madam Chair?
• If the Legislature does not act on that, I see not again.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with committee chairs explaining the Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions’ role under Article 48 and outlining the process for initiative petition 25-14, H5-004, an act to improve access to public records. The first panel consisted of subject-matter experts. William Clark of the National Conference of State Legislatures gave an overview of public records laws across states, noting that all states have some form of open-records law but that exemptions for legislatures vary widely. He discussed common legislative exemptions, legislative privilege, and court cases showing that outcomes often turn on specific constitutional and statutory language. Rebecca Murray, General Counsel for the Secretary of the Commonwealth, described Massachusetts public records trends, saying state agency requests and appeals have risen sharply since the 2017 law update, with 2025 setting a record for appeals. She said the initiative would extend the public records law to the General Court and the Governor’s Office and add exemptions specific to those offices, while also noting resource concerns from the growing volume of requests and appeals.

Transcript Highlights:

• , also known as the Road Opportunity Act.
• , also known as the Road Opportunity Act.
• But far too many act as if they own the road.
• The Road to Opportunity Act would fix these issues by doing three things.
• I'm asking Massachusetts lawmakers to act.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a public hearing on several bills related to driver’s license suspensions, junior operator training, online driver education, and regulation of e-bikes/scooters. A major focus was the Road to Opportunity Act (H. 3662/S. 2368), which would end license suspensions and registration holds for unpaid fines and fees unrelated to road safety, create hardship waivers and payment options, and replace suspension with nonrenewal in some cases. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, ACLU, CPCS, Greater Boston Legal Services, transportation and anti-poverty advocates, and several affected residents who described job loss, housing instability, and difficulty paying toll and fee debts. They argued the current system punishes poverty, disproportionately affects Black and Latino residents, and is costly to enforce. Some testimony also noted that the bill would preserve suspensions for dangerous driving offenses. District Attorney Marion Ryan testified in favor of two bills: one allowing partial payment plans for certain RMV penalties and another closing a loophole that makes the penalty for violating a hardship license less severe than driving after a full suspension. Senator Sear and Representative Reed also spoke for the Road to Opportunity Act, while the AAG said the Attorney General supports it. Committee members asked about RMV implementation and whether the agency supports payment plans; Ryan said the RMV has been cooperative but believes legislation is needed. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on bills affecting young drivers. Senator Lovely and Representative Cruz supported a bill to create a junior operator license training fund, expand access for low- and moderate-income families, require refunds in some cases, and allow earlier passenger privileges. Another bill would make virtual instructor-led driver education permanent; AAA and several driving school owners supported it as an access and convenience measure, while other instructors opposed it, arguing in-person instruction is safer and more effective. Finally, Senator Collins and others testified for a transportation safety bill regulating motorized bicycles, scooters, e-bikes, and mopeds, increasing fines, requiring insurance for commercial use, and requiring public hearings and accessibility review for new bike lanes. Advocates for blind and disabled pedestrians supported that bill, while some transportation and business voices backed it as a safety and planning measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, and you have the Food Recovery and Composting Act. Act.
• So this is the Compost Compost Act, and... I love saying this. So this is the Compost Compost Act.
• These proposed amendments address fee caps in the Egg Grading Act, the Pesticide Control Act, the Plant
• Protection Act, the Fertilizer Act, and the Commercial Feed Act.
• And the Egg Act was last updated in '73. Let's see, what was that? The Fertilizer Act, '76.

Bills: SB47, SB110, SB122, SB143, SB168

Keywords: food recovery, composting, waste management, solid waste surcharge, organic waste reduction, environment, grants, advisory group, bosque management, Rio Grande, environmental protection, water resources, fiscal appropriation, drinking water, well owners, water testing, water treatment, public health, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• New bill, Senate Bill 106, an act New bill, Senate Bill 106, an act relating<00:05:43.440> to
• um phones down Kentucky Act. So um Mr. um phones down Kentucky Act. So um Mr.
• <00:43:32.240> relating Senate Bill 109, an act relating Senate Bill 109, an act relating
• An act relating to motor Bill 110.
• :46.960> to<00:43:47.280> physical 111, an act relating to physical 111, an act relating

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Senate convened with an invocation and pledge, confirmed a quorum, excused an absent senator, and approved the journal. The chamber then moved to third reading and passage of Senate Bill 10, a proposed constitutional amendment to limit the governor’s pardon and commutation power during the period surrounding gubernatorial elections. The sponsor argued the measure would prevent last-minute abuses of an otherwise broad pardon power; one senator supported it as a check on a “pay-to-play” system. The bill passed 36-0 with one pass. The Senate also considered Senate Bill 28, the “Phones Down Kentucky Act,” which would prohibit drivers from holding a mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle, while allowing hands-free use, emergency calls, first responders, and use when parked or stopped. The sponsor emphasized roadway safety, the bill’s limited enforcement standard, and a $100 prepayable fine with no points. Senators raised questions about whether the law could be used based on surveillance or after-the-fact observation; the sponsor said a stop would require a clear, unobstructed visual observation of unlawful use. The bill passed 31-7. After passing over several other bills and resolutions, the Senate recessed for rules and committee-on-committees meetings. The rules committee posted several bills for future consideration and recommitted Senate Bill 11 to Appropriations and Review. The committee on committees referred multiple bills to standing committees and sent several resolutions to the floor. During announcements, members requested co-sponsorships on various bills, a committee meeting schedule was announced, Senate Resolution 19 honoring Lee Caroline Reed was adopted, and new bills and resolutions were introduced, including measures on eminent domain for solar projects, employment conditions, alcohol control, motor vehicles, physical activity in schools, and several resolutions. The Senate adjourned until the following afternoon.

Transcript Highlights:

• Calendar for the day: an act relating to the legislature, first engrossment.
• to the Official Records Act.
• It was traumatic, but because they acted, they saw that he wasn't breathing.
• So, the A7 changes the name of House File 25 from the Supporting Women Act to the Misleading Women Act
• So I think women in Minnesota find a Misleading Women Act pretty ironic.

Transcript Highlights:

• House 420, an act removing the residency requirement for the town manager of the town of Dalton.
• An act establishing the fourth Thursday in March as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day, House 3306.
• An act relative to the appointment of the police chief in the city of Fall River, House 4214.
• An act amending the Town Manager Act of the town of Arlington, House 4502.
• An act amending the charter of the town of Rockland, Senate 2716, amended.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up a series of Rules Committee reports and adopted multiple orders extending committee reporting deadlines. These included extensions for the Education Committee, Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, Public Service Committee, and Revenue Committee, as well as an order setting March 31, 2026, as the date for a special election to fill the 5th Essex District vacancy. The House also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow a joint petition concerning survivors and holders of abuse or harassment prevention orders to go to the Judiciary Committee. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee reported several bills for consideration, and the House suspended Rule 7A to advance them. Those bills included a Senate bill amending the charter of the town of Sandwich, a House bill on dark money in local government, a bill on police certification, and a bill providing for recall elections in Dalton. All were ordered to third reading. The House then approved several measures on final passage, including a sick leave bank for Amy Tangway, removal of the residency requirement for the Dalton town manager, and a revenue bond bill for telecommunications facilities in Quincy. On third reading, the House passed several local and special bills to engrossment, including Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day, changes to the police chief appointment process in Fall River, amendments to the Arlington town manager act, and a Bridgewater town manager appointment bill. Senate Bill 2716 on the Rockland charter was amended with text from House Document 4866 and then passed to engrossment. The House later enacted the Amy Tangway sick leave bank bill again after a recess, adopted an order to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m., and adjourned to that informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2895, an act further regulating the amendment of a conservation restriction in the town of
• Hanson, and House Bill 4962, an act establishing a sick leave bank for Sally DeRosiers, an employee
• An act further regulating the amendment of a conservation restriction in the town of Hanson, Senate Bill
• 2895, and an act establishing a sick leave bank for Sally DeRosiers, an employee of the Department of
• An act establishing a sick leave bank for Sally DeRosiers, an employee of the Department of Correction

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several local and personnel-related bills. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee recommended Senate Bill 2895, concerning amendment of a conservation restriction in Hanson, and House Bill 4962, establishing a sick leave bank for Sally DeRosiers of the Department of Correction; both were advanced to third reading. The House also considered and passed to enactment House Bill 463, authorizing the Milford select board to appoint a highway surveyor. The chamber then acted on a series of bills directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for specific applicants: House Bills 4092, 4142, and 4246. Each bill was read a third time and passed to be engrossed. No debate or recorded roll call votes were noted; actions were taken by voice vote. At the end of the session, the House adopted an order to adjourn until Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. It also approved a special adjournment in memory of James A. Sheets, a former Quincy representative and mayor of Quincy. The House then adjourned to meet Tuesday in an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Rules and the committees on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently, reports
• Second reading of the bills: An act relative to student mental health, House No. 2221; an act regarding
• An act, relative to roadway safety, House number 3, 3392.
• An act relative to roadway safety, House No. 3812, and an act amending the charter of the Town of Hopkinton
• Third reading of the bill: An act dissolving the Watley Water District, House No. 2250, as changed.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Rules Committee reports and scheduling orders. Members adopted a resolution commending the PKD Foundation for recognizing September 2025 as Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Month. The House also adopted multiple orders extending committee reporting deadlines, including for the Labor and Workforce Development, Public Health, State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, and Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy committees. The chamber concurred in Senate petitions referred under suspension of Joint Rule 12, including proposals related to insurance coverage for medically necessary treatment of port wine stains and scalp cooling systems. The House then suspended Joint Rule 12 for several House petitions, including measures on charter school funding, Port Authority Parks governance, a senior fishing license, and a sick leave bank for a Department of Developmental Services employee. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee also reported several bills for consideration, including student mental health, a disability pension for Michael Rodericks, PCOS Awareness Month, roadway safety, and Hopkinton local bills. After suspending Rule 7A, the House gave second readings and ordered several bills to a third reading, including the student mental health bill, the Michael Rodericks disability pension bill, the PCOS Awareness Month bill, the roadway safety bill, and Hopkinton charter and economic development measures. The House adopted an emergency preamble for House No. 4323, establishing a sick leave bank for Alexander Schwartz of the State Police, then passed that bill to be enacted. The House also passed to be engrossed House No. 2250, dissolving the Watley Water District, and adopted an order to adjourn until Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Thank you, acting chair.
• Voting on SB 2661 SD1, acting chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments.
• Both acting chair and vice chair vote I. Representative Quinlan is excused.
• >> Thank you acting chair. >> Thank you acting chair.
• Both acting chair and with amendments.

Bills: SB2661

Keywords: nepotism, transparency, public officials, accountability, government ethics, 910, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Management committee met to hear Senate Bill 2661 SD1, which addresses nepotism. The bill’s sponsor said it would create a uniform state standard covering the judiciary, legislative branch, and related offices such as the Ombudsman, Auditor, and State Ethics Commission, and would include a good-cause exception to allow for unique circumstances, especially in rural areas. The sponsor emphasized the value of a consistent public standard and said the measure was intended to be transparent and broadly applicable. A member asked whether the bill would apply prospectively and how it would affect current employees. The sponsor responded that it would apply prospectively but would still affect existing supervisory relationships involving related or household members, unless a good-cause exception or grandfathering provision were added. The sponsor noted that the current bill does not contain a grandfather clause and described how, in the executive branch, similar situations were handled by changing supervision or temporarily delaying enforcement to work through transitions. The committee then moved to decision-making and recommended passing SB 2661 SD1 with amendments, including changing the effective date to July 1, 3000. The acting chair, vice chair, Representative Morikawa, and Representative Matsumoto voted in favor; Representative Quinlan was excused. The recommendation was adopted and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first bill, 1610 by Senator Hartford: an act in the Environmental Conservation Law in relation to
• Our next bill is 2411 by Senator Parker: an act in the Environmental Conservation Law in relation to
• The next is 2493 by Senator Gunnaris: an act in the Environmental Conservation Law in relation to the
• Our next bill, Senate Bill 3408 by Senator ...: an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law in
• Our next bill, Senate 3697A by Senator Sanders: an act in the Environmental Conservation Law and the

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation, chaired by Senator Pete Harckham, met with a quorum and considered a 10-bill active list. The committee advanced several bills on environmental monitoring and reporting, including measures on SPDES public notice submission, bioheating fuel requirements, community air monitoring, air quality monitoring for major mass transit projects, climate-related financial risk disclosure, mercury thermostat collection, financial responsibility for major facilities or vessels, a New York Youth Climate Corps, and a DEC study of school retrofits near major highways. Some of these bills were advanced on the calendar, while others were referred to finance. The committee discussed Senator Harckham’s PFAS and biosolids bill at length. Members reviewed amendments intended to address Farm Bureau concerns, including language changes that removed opposition, and discussed the proposed statewide moratorium, eligibility for voluntary testing, and the new Agricultural PFAS Response Fund. Harckham and others noted that the bill would help reimburse or assist farmers with remediation if contamination is found, and that the public should understand only a small percentage of New York farms have received direct biosolid application. Members also noted that the bill could affect other biosolid uses, such as at a golf course in one senator’s district. Throughout the meeting, senators asked brief questions, offered supportive comments, and in several cases recorded votes of without recommendation or nay on specific bills. The committee ultimately voted to advance or refer all ten bills as appropriate, with the PFAS bill referred to finance after unanimous support from those present. The meeting concluded after welcoming several senators who joined during the session, including new member Senator Bachar.

Transcript Highlights:

• called the the Wyoming Rock Notice Act. called the the Wyoming Rock Notice Act.
• Laycock, you mentioned a uniform act. Is there a name on that act? Thus far, no.
• especially the LLC Act. especially the LLC Act.
• Notice Act. Notice Act.
• It's the Insurance Model Act. >> Oh, wait. It's the Insurance Model Act.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the Clear Labels, Clear Seas Act.
• I am proud to present AB 713, the Opportunity for All Act.
• We're so proud of the Dream Act, the Dream Resource Centers.
• We as a tribe must act. That is why I'm here today.
• We as a tribe must act. That is why I'm here today.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because we have a president who acts like an eight-year-old child. And why?
• It rescinds unobligated funds from the Inflation Reduction Act for certain U.S.
• It rescinds unobligated funds from the Inflation Reduction Act for certain U.S.
• We urge the Legislature today to act boldly, as well as the Governor.
• California must act so families don't lose food.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held its fifth hearing of the year to examine the newly enacted federal H.R. 1 and its effects on California. Members and the chair described the law as a major threat to state health, food, education, and climate programs, and emphasized that California would not be able to fully backfill the federal cuts. Several members also highlighted the bill’s tax provisions, including temporary deductions for tips, overtime, seniors, and auto loan interest, while warning that the largest benefits flow to higher-income taxpayers and that major cuts to Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and clean-energy incentives are delayed or phased in over time. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Finance presented detailed overviews of the bill’s likely impacts and implementation timelines. They identified the main affected areas as health care coverage and financing, food assistance, higher education, personal income taxes, and clean-energy/electric-vehicle credits. They explained that H.R. 1 limits provider taxes used to finance Medi-Cal, adds work and redetermination requirements, restricts CalFresh eligibility and increases state costs, changes student loan and Pell Grant rules, extends and modifies federal tax provisions, and phases out many clean-energy credits. Finance also noted major rescissions of Inflation Reduction Act funds, new border and immigration enforcement spending, and the possibility of PAYGO sequestration if Congress does not act to offset the deficit increase. During member questions, the committee focused on likely enrollment losses, administrative burdens, and fiscal exposure for the state and counties. Witnesses said many details still depend on federal guidance, but they estimated significant impacts on Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and graduate/professional student borrowing, and noted that California’s high CalFresh error rate could increase state costs. UC testified that the elimination of Graduate PLUS loans would affect thousands of professional students, especially in health, law, and other high-cost programs. Members asked for follow-up data on county, health, and tax impacts, and staff agreed to provide additional tables and estimates as implementation guidance becomes clearer. Public commenters from counties, early childhood advocates, health coalitions, disability rights groups, immigrant-rights organizations, and other stakeholders urged the Legislature to mitigate the law’s effects. They warned of higher county costs, reduced access to health care and food assistance, increased administrative burdens, and harm to children, immigrants, people with disabilities, and low-income families. Several urged new state revenue solutions and stronger protections for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, child care, and home- and community-based services. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with a commitment to continue monitoring federal guidance and to work on state responses in the budget process.

Transcript Highlights:

• So act in 2023, in 2024, and in 2025.
• um and just to start um the promise act um and just to start um the promise act was<00:43:23.520
• <00:48:32.480> as Act.
• So we just added the Promise Act as Act.
• apply directly to the promise act for. apply directly to the promise act for.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met on March 4, 2026, and focused almost entirely on an update and oversight discussion of the Promise Act, including its grant and loan programs. The chair opened by explaining that the committee wanted to better understand how the 2023 law was implemented, how funds are still being deployed in greater Minnesota and the metro, and whether adjustments made in 2024 and 2025 were working as intended. The minutes from March 3 were approved at the start of the meeting. Deputy Commissioner Kevin McKinnon of DEED outlined the program’s legislative history, funding structure, eligibility rules, and oversight process. He said the grant side has about $94 million available, with $16 million going to the Minnesota Initiative Foundations and $86 million to the Neighborhood Development Center, plus administrative and technical assistance set-asides. He noted legislative changes over time, including shifting the revenue eligibility test to the prior year, adding a home-office deduction requirement for businesses using a home address, and maintaining a preference for applicants who had not received more than $10,000 in prior state assistance. McKinnon said about $22 million had been awarded to 35 businesses at the time of the update, and that the loan program has $30 million appropriated, with about $9.5 million lent so far. He also described the application, verification, audit, and payment process, emphasizing that partners handle intake and DEED conducts final review and random audits. Shahir Ahmmed of the Neighborhood Development Center described the round-one and round-two grant process in more detail. He said NDC spent about nine months building the application platform, launched round one in June 2024, received more than 3,000 applications, and later paused awards while DEED and legislators clarified the law. He reported that 651 applications were approved in the first round for just under $9 million, and that round two launched in September 2025 with a goal of distributing up to $50 million in remaining grant funds. Ahmmed also explained the step-by-step applicant process, including email confirmation, eligibility screening, document upload, identity verification through Plaid, and final DEED review. He said applicants commonly use funds for payroll, equipment or inventory, rent, and utilities. The chair indicated there would be further testimony from other program partners and then member questions, but no votes or formal actions were taken on the Promise Act itself during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• requirement for police officers for Rodney Alcindor, local approval received; and House Bill 4255, an act
• Second reading of the bills: an act directing the City of Boston Police Department to waive the maximum
• An act directing the City of Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for police
• House Bill 4030, an act establishing a select board town administrative form of government in the town
• House Bill 4381, an act further regulating the term of the town moderator in the town of Norwood.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural and local matters. It adopted an order extending the Committee on Education’s reporting deadline to March 18, 2026, and approved the Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee’s recommendation to place two Boston local bills on the calendar: H.4254 and H.4255, each directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for police officers for Rodney Alcindor and Jonathan Telford, respectively. The House suspended Rule 7A, advanced both bills through second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. The House then passed to be enacted H.4030, establishing a select board town administrative form of government in Rochester, and H.4381, further regulating the term of the town moderator in Norwood. It also accepted the Third Reading Committee’s report on Senate amendments to H.4657, authorizing the town of Scituate to issue four additional off-premises alcohol licenses, and concurred in the amendments. In addition, H.4621, changing the Board of Selectmen in Boylston to a Select Board, was passed to be engrossed. At the close of business, the House adopted an adjournment order and then adjourned to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. in an informal session.