Transcript Highlights:

• Its title having been changed by the committee on bills. ...as the Town of Bridgewater, House No. 4569
• The Committee on Bills in Third Reading, to whom was referred the House bill to amend the Town of Natick
• The ayes have it, and the bill is passed to be engrossed. Paper from the House.
• with the House having amended the bill by striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in
• Paper from the House: House Bill 4908, establishing a sick leave bank for William Blaylock, an employee

Summary: The Senate session began with the Pledge of Allegiance and several ceremonial welcomes, including recognition of the 2025 Duxbury Girls Soccer Team, the MIAA Division II state champions, and the Medfield Girls Soccer Team, the Division III state champions. Senators offered congratulatory remarks highlighting each team’s season records, championship wins, coaches, and standout performances. The chamber then took up several procedural matters and local bills. The Senate adopted a House order establishing a special joint committee on initiative petitions, passed to be enacted a bill providing for the recall of elected officers in the Town of Sharon, and adopted resolutions congratulating Oxford Fire Chief Lawrence R. McDonald on 45 years of public service. It also advanced multiple local measures for Bridgewater, Cambridge, and Natick, including bills on town council structure, temporary absence of the town manager, appointment powers, a Cambridge employment and job training trust, and a Natick home rule charter amendment. The Senate also acted on several House amendments and Ways and Means reports. It concurred in a House-amended bill on protections for individuals with disabilities after adopting a further Senate amendment with an emergency preamble, ordered a sick leave bank bill for a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office employee to third reading, and adopted orders placing bills on the Orders of the Day for future second reading, including measures on consumer protections, CPA licensure pathways, and fair housing. The session concluded with adjournment orders and moments of silence in memory of Jim Parker and Kimberly Parker, with the Senate set to reconvene the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair lays out on third reading House Bill 500, committee substitute for House Bill 500.
• House Bill 46 will do several things.
• This is the final passage of House Bill 126.
• Second Reading House Bill 4135.
• House Bill 229 is a very simple and common.

Bills: SB801 , SB867 , SB2717 , SB2919 , HJR7 , HB4 , HB14 , HB27 , HB42 , HB46 , HB 100 , HB 111 , HB 112 , HB 121 , HB 126 , HB146 , HB186 , HB223 , HB229 , HB322 , HB367 , HB500 , HB521 , HB640 , HB705 , HB783 , HB 1052 , HB 1056 , HB 1105 , HB 1106 , HB 1178 , HB 1211 , HB 1234 , HB 1306 , HB1403 , HB1449 , HB1506 , HB1661 , HB1690 , HB1871 , HB1960 , HB2017 , HB2078 , HB2128 , HB2240 , HB2243 , HB2348 , HB2407 , HB2512 , HB2820 , HB2844 , HB2853 , HB2854 , HB2885 , HB3000 , HB3005 , HB3053 , HB3057 , HB3181 , HB3333 , HB3372 , HB3425 , HB3441 , HB3516 , HB3749 , HB3783 , HB3812 , HB3848 , HB3923 , HB3963 , HB4070 , HB4134 , HB4157 , HB4158 , HB4211 , HB4449 , HB4623 , HB4638 , HB4687 , HB4690 , HB4748 , HB4749 , HB4795 , HB4848 , HB5093 , HB5115 , HB5129 , HB5138 , HB5294 , HB5616 , HB5629 , HB5646 , HB5661 , HB5672 , HB5674 , HB5699 , HCR40 , SJR5 , SJR27 , SJR59 , SB4 , SB6 , SB8 , SB9 , SB10 , SB12 , SB22 , SB23 , SB25 , SB27 , SB34 , SB36 , SB37 , SB38 , SB40 , SB57 , SB140 , SB261 , SB293 , SB441 , SB447 , SB467 , SB512 , SB650 , SB777 , SB785 , SB924 , SB1188 , SB1281 , SB1318 , SB1333 , SB1398 , SB1448 , SB1566 , SB1579 , SB1621 , SB1723 , SB1838 , SB1862 , SB2167 , SB2405 , SB2406 , SB2407 , SB2878 , SB3059 , SB3070 , SB1 , SB17 , SB21 , SB260 , SB379 , SB509 , SB1198 , SB1405 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SB1833 , SB2155 , SB2308 , SB2601 , SB2778 , HB300 , HB2011 , HB2525 , HB5246 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3045 , SB3071 , HJR7 , HB5115 , HB3053 , HB1403 , HB223 , HB748 , HB5652 , HB3395 , HB180 , HB 1306 , HB322 , HB 126 , HB5650 , HB4894 , HB1629 , HB5698 , HB3171 , HB2694 , HB5664 , HB4690 , HB4464 , HB3623 , HB2520 , HB2213 , HB252 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB3619 , HB5320 , HB5651 , HB5670 , HB5665 , HB5437 , HB5679 , HB5699 , HB5661 , HB5662 , HB5654 , HB5672 , HB5656 , HB3812 , HB3057 , HB2035 , HB721 , HB346 , HB2512 , HB5695 , HB5694 , HB5674 , HB3185 , HB2348 , HB1871 , HB 1135 , HB 101 , HB5666 , HB5677 , HB5682 , HB5658 , HB4144 , HB3642 , HB3815 , HB2686 , HB2012 , HB1960 , HB227 , HB654 , HB1690 , HB2128 , HB4158 , HB4630 , HB1523 , HB2078 , HB1973 , HB3333 , HB3697 , HB3546 , HB3225 , HB3181 , HB2820 , HB1506 , HB 1234 , HB640 , HB521 , HB229 , HB186 , HB 119 , HB4795 , HB4466 , HB3749 , HB 1106 , HB4 , HB4170 , HB3909 , HB4081 , HB4145 , HB4157 , HB4285 , HB4463 , HB4995 , HB5138 , HB5624 , HB1449 , HB2598 , HB3629 , HB4361 , HB824 , HB1868 , HB4848 , HB2243 , HB40 , HB 117 , HB3686 , HB500 , HB3793 , HB 112 , HB 104 , HB 1056 , HB42 , HB3000 , HB 100 , HB2240 , HB718 , HB27 , HB4904 , HB4202 , HB2853 , HB5129 , HB5093 , HB4765 , HB4748 , HB4559 , HB4350 , HB4214 , HB3388 , HB3112 , HB5196 , HB4211 , HB3516 , HB3092 , HB4233 , HB4687 , HB705 , HB 1094 , HB2037 , HB3005 , HB3848 , HB 1105 , HB 121 , HB3372 , HB367 , HB783 , HB3336 , HB3441 , HB4449 , HB5616 , HB2407 , HB2854 , HB3425 , HB5294 , HB 1178 , HB4623 , HB14 , HB3963 , HB 1211 , HB5646 , HB5629 , HB3783 , HB4236 , HB46 , HB4638 , HB 1052 , HB4070 , HB5509 , HB5435 , HB4134 , HB3923 , HB3520 , HB3320 , HB2517 , HB2488 , HB5663 , HB2731 , HB3073 , HB2655 , HB2399 , HB541 , HB4099 , HB 111 , HB1532 , HB3483 , HB2963 , HB4580 , HB3748 , HB713 , HB632 , HB426 , HB4730 , HB 127 , HB5690 , HB5689 , HB5655 , HB3385 , HB2757 , HB4359 , HB5381 , HB20 , HB 123 , HB549 , HB5606 , HB2217 , HB2594 , HB796 , HB150 , HB 1057 , HCR141 , HCR40 , HCR59 , HCR76 , HCR81 , HCR46 , HCR111 , HCR83 , HCR84 , HJR7 , HB4 , HB14 , HB27 , HB42 , HB46 , HB 100 , HB 126 , HB150 , HB322 , HB367 , HB500 , HB640 , HB705 , HB783 , HB 1105 , HB 1178 , HB 1211 , HB 1234 , HB1506 , HB1690 , HB1871 , HB2078 , HB2128 , HB2240 , HB2243 , HB2407 , HB2512 , HB2853 , HB2854 , HB3000 , HB3057 , HB3181 , HB3372 , HB3425 , HB3441 , HB3749 , HB3783 , HB3812 , HB3923 , HB3963 , HB4070 , HB4134 , HB4157 , HB4211 , HB4449 , HB4623 , HB4638 , HB4687 , HB4748 , HB4795 , HB5093 , HB5129 , HB5616 , HB5629 , HB5699 , HB229 , HB521 , HB 1056 , HB 1106 , HB5138 , SR583 , SCR52 , HB223 , HB229 , HB521 , HB 1056 , HB 1106 , HB1403 , HB3053 , HB5115 , HB5138

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> number 64 to House Bill One. number 64 to House Bill One.
• </c> number 72 of House Bill number one. number 72 of House Bill number one.
• </c> House Bill number one. House Bill number one.
• </c> amendment 77 to House Bill One. amendment 77 to House Bill One.
• </c><03:48:30.000><c> bill,</c><03:48:30.640><c> and</c> House bill, the the budget bill, and House bill

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2710.
• I move that House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2710 be adopted.
• for House Bill 2710 as amended.
• I move that House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2404 and 2172 be adopted.
• House Bills 2404 and 2172.

Summary: The House first approved the previous day’s journal by roll call vote, 116-0, and then spent a long portion of the morning recognizing visiting students, homeschool groups, professional associations, veterans, and other guests in the gallery. A moment of silence was held in honor of Conrad Ashcraft after a member introduced his grandmother, who was present to testify on a bill related to his death. The chamber also recognized a birthday page, a 90th birthday for a House staff member, and Chiropractic Physicians Day. The main floor debate centered on House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2710, which would create an A-through-F school grading system for public schools and charter schools. Supporters said the bill would give parents a simple, transparent way to understand school performance, while also preserving more detailed underlying data and adding a climate scorecard amendment covering suspension, restraint, and satisfaction measures. The bill sponsor and supporters emphasized that the measure was revised from earlier versions, that the A grade would be based on the top decile rather than a moving target, that literacy and growth measures were important, and that any teacher incentive funding would be handled through appropriations and the teacher retention and recruitment fund rather than direct bonuses. Opponents argued that letter grades would stigmatize schools, destabilize staffing, and oversimplify complex school conditions, especially in districts with high poverty, mobility, or special education populations. Several members questioned the fairness of comparing schools with different funding levels, demographics, and student turnover, and others argued that the bill would not solve concerns about the MAP test or broader school funding. One member objected that the bill applied only to public and charter schools while state dollars are also now going to private-school tuition support. Despite those concerns, the House adopted the amendment offered by the St. Louis member, then adopted the committee substitute and ordered House Bill 2710 perfected and printed. Afterward, the House took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2404 and 2172, a measure to remove deed restrictions on unused public school property and create a right of first refusal for public entities, including charter schools. Supporters said the bill would allow vacant school buildings to be reused for education rather than sit unused or be demolished, and could generate revenue for school districts. The bill was advanced after discussion, with members citing examples from St. Louis and other areas where unused buildings could have been repurposed for charter or other educational use.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before you is the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Bill for the 2026-
• President, your conference committee on the disagreeing votes of the two houses on House Bill 7031E,
• It came over as part of the negotiations on the House bill.
• President, your conference committee on the disagreeing votes of the two houses on House Bill 5001E,
• President, your conference committee on the disagreeing votes of the two houses on House Bill 5403E,

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved to the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27. Budget chairs presented the major spending areas, describing a $114.5 billion overall budget that they said was fiscally responsible and below the prior year’s spending. Highlights included pay increases and retirement adjustments for public safety employees, education funding for K-12, higher education, health and human services, criminal justice, transportation, environmental programs, and agriculture/regulatory agencies. Members then questioned chairs on several items. In education, senators discussed K-12 declining enrollment funding, teacher salary set-asides, private school scholarship spending, mental health funding, preeminence funding for universities, the Hamilton Center at UF, and charter school PICO funding. In health and human services, questions focused on the iBudget waiver waitlist, provider rates, ADAP/HIV funding and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, KidCare, rural health funding, SNAP-related IT and error reduction efforts, and the IDD managed care program. In criminal justice, senators asked about correctional officer pay, prison staffing and infrastructure, air conditioning in prisons, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement recruitment, and court system funding. Environmental and transportation questions covered Florida Forever, water quality, state parks, water projects, housing, elections funding, and emergency management. Several specific actions and explanations were given during debate: the budget includes $8.8 million for state attorney competitive area differentials but no funding for public defender CAD requests; assistant state attorneys will start at $70,000 and assistant public defenders at $65,000; the battery disposal issue was described as a temporary study/preemption approach; and the Senate said the budget does not fund Medicaid expansion, preeminence funding, or the SunBucks Summer EBT state share. Senators also noted that some proposals discussed in committee did not make it into the final budget. The transcript ends with debate statements from members praising the budget process and Chair Hooper, while also expressing concerns about public schools, health care access, affordability, and the lack of funding for certain priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 278, House Bill 178, as amended by the House, and House Bill 228, and request the concurrence
• House Bill 143, introduced by Representative.
• That's House Bill 143.
• Committee, House Bill 178.
• House Bill 250. House Bill 251, introduced by Representatives William A.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk is instructed to record the action in the House and convey the bill to the Senate.
• The clerk is instructed to record the action in the House and convey the bill to the Senate.
• Placed under final reading of bills. Final reading of bills. House Bill 2050. House Bill 2050.
• You've heard the final read of House Bill 2050.
• You have passed House Bill 2050, signed in open session.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1916.
• As a matter of pending business, the chair lays out House Bill 1973, another bill by Representative Cook
• House Bill 3180.
• It takes the bill that came from the House.
• Chair: This is House Bill 3421 and calls on Senator Hughes to explain the bill. Chair: Substitute.

Bills: HB40 , HB40 , HB1916 , HB1973 , HB2524 , HB2530 , HB3180 , HB3421 , HB3783 , HB4170 , HB4213

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Keywords: law enforcement, sheriffs, constables, contracts, county authority, business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, divorce, property division, family law, court jurisdiction, marital assets, parent-child relationship, birth certificate, identity proof, Family Code, court process

Summary: The committee considered several House bills dealing with family law and civil procedure. House Bill 1916, concerning a court’s jurisdiction in suits to divide property not divided on dissolution of marriage, was reported favorably on a 4-0 vote and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. House Bill 1973, addressing proof of the identity of a child’s parents in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship, was also adopted with a committee substitute, reported favorably 4-0, and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. House Bill 2524, on recovery of fees, court costs, and expenses in family law proceedings, and House Bill 2530, on special appointments in suits affecting the parent-child relationship, each received favorable 4-0 votes and were likewise recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 3180, which was reported favorably 4-0 and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The most detailed discussion centered on House Bill 40, relating to updates to business courts. Senator Hughes explained a committee amendment that made conforming changes requested by the Finance Committee and removed language creating two new judgeships, replacing it with a different judge allocation. The amendment was adopted, the amended committee substitute was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably on a 4-0 vote and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. At the end of the meeting, members briefly clarified procedural details about the House Bill 40 amendment and then closed out the agenda. The committee also noted a correction to an earlier reference to Bartleby the Scrivener, and the Chair recessed the Committee on Jurisprudence subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 22 reflects section 11 and section 12 of the House bill.
• </c><00:08:04.639><c> is</c> since the house position in the bill is since the house position in the
• </c> 12 of the house 12 of the house bill bill bill this<00:08:43.760><c> is</c><00:08:44.080><c> two
• </c><00:09:53.120><c> of</c><00:09:53.200><c> human</c> house bill to the commissioner of human house
• </c><00:17:54.799><c> house</c><00:17:55.039><c> file</c><00:17:55.440><c> 11</c> i have a bill house

Summary: The committee reviewed a side-by-side comparison and fiscal analysis of Senate File 3472, a reinsurance-related bill affecting the premium security plan account, MinnesotaCare, and related health care funding. Staff explained the Senate and House versions of the bill, including how the Senate proposal extends reinsurance for five years and uses a projected $1.087 billion general fund transfer to fully fund claims and administrative costs through fiscal year 2028, while the House version conditions continuation of the program on federal approval of the state innovation waiver. The fiscal presentation also covered appropriations for MNsure, a mental health parity and substance abuse office, and House provisions for delivery reform and a public option study, along with a House transfer of $110.674 million to the health care access fund. Members debated the budget horizon and whether costs should be forecast beyond fiscal year 2025. Representative Schultz argued that the spreadsheet understated the broader fiscal impact of reinsurance and warned about future funding cliffs for MinnesotaCare and other health programs, while other members and staff noted that the state’s standard forecast ends in fiscal year 2025 and that the fiscal note only estimated reinsurance costs through the five-year extension. Supporters said reinsurance was the best available option to reduce premium increases, especially in rural areas, and some pointed to a public option as a longer-term alternative. Opponents argued reinsurance does not address underlying health care costs or deductibles and urged consideration of other reforms. House Research then walked through the policy differences. House-only provisions would change Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association board membership, require platinum plans in certain markets, expand postnatal coverage, require a prescription drug benefit in some plans, set a minimum actuarial value for MinnesotaCare, create an Office of Mental Health Parity and Substance Abuse Accountability, and direct reports on delivery reform and a public option. The shared provisions would extend the premium security program to 2027 and delay the transfer of remaining premium security plan funds to the health care access fund until 2029, with the House language again contingent on federal waiver approval. No formal vote was taken in the excerpt; the chair closed discussion after hearing no further questions and indicated members would be contacted about next steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• Following engrossed bills have been rightly and truly prepared and are now before the House for final
• House Bill 4962, an act establishing a sickly bank, God bless Team Cozy.
• Following gross bill, having rightly and truly prepared, is now before the House final passage, House
• Following engrossed bills, having been rightly and truly prepared, are now before the House for final
• Third reading of the bill: An act enhancing public safety in the town of Stoneham, House 2800.

Summary: The House convened with the Pledge of Allegiance, received and placed on file the resignation letter of Rep. Vanna Howard of Lowell, and adopted several routine committee reports. These included extensions of reporting deadlines for the Healthcare Financing and Public Health committees, concurrence with Senate petitions sent to Housing and Public Safety and Homeland Security, and suspension of Joint Rule 12 for a petition concerning children involved with DCF. The chamber also adopted a resolution commending the Admetek Foundation on Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. The main business was House No. 5264, a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill totaling about $1.8 billion. House leaders described the bill as using Fair Share surtax surplus funds for transportation and education, addressing MBTA reserves, safety and infrastructure, special education circuit breaker costs, early education and childcare, and other deficiencies such as GIC costs, sheriff deficiencies, heating assistance, and World Cup-related expenses. Members also discussed the bill’s tax conformity provisions responding to federal tax changes, with supporters arguing the bill would reduce a projected revenue shortfall and preserve competitiveness while delaying some conformity changes. The House considered several amendments to the supplemental bill. Amendment 43, which would have redirected $100 million of Fair Share funds to a per-capita municipal distribution for roads and schools, drew debate over equity and rural road needs but was rejected on a roll call, 25-128. A consolidated amendment was then adopted on a roll call, 148-0, and the bill itself was passed to be engrossed on a roll call, 150-3. The House also adopted an amendment setting the next day’s meeting time and then adjourned to meet the following day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the value of property; House Bill 3266, an act relative to municipal tax collectors; House Bill 3271
• ; House Bill 3266, an act relative to municipal tax collectors; House Bill 3271, an act relative to preserving
• House Bill 3006.
• An act relative to municipal tax collectors, House Bill 3266.
• House Bill 5098. Question now is on ordering the bills for a third reading.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules reports. It adopted resolutions congratulating Auburn on the 100th anniversary of the first liquid-fueled rocket launch and welcoming Boston’s new National Women’s Soccer League team, the Boston Legacy. The House also adopted orders extending the reporting deadlines for the Committee on Revenue on certain House documents into 2026. The chamber then suspended joint rules to allow several petitions to be referred to committees, including a proposal to regulate social media accounts for children under 16, a sick leave bank for a Department of Children and Families employee, creditable service for a probation employee, taxation of certain foreign government pension benefits, and a bill naming the American Lobster the official crustacean of the Commonwealth. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee reported a slate of bills for House consideration, including measures on private road maintenance in Gloucester, property valuation and tax assessment fairness, municipal tax collectors, historic resources in community preservation funds, and Salem alcohol license changes; the House suspended Rule 7A and ordered these bills to a third reading. The House then passed to be enacted several local bills, including legislation for Revere, Wellesley, and Hopkinton, and passed to be engrossed a bill directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for a named applicant. The session also included a moment of silent tribute to Adrian Dolan of South Boston, a former correction officer and special state police officer. Finally, the House adopted an adjournment order and recessed until Thursday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have voted House Committee substitute for House Bill 1611, do pass.
• I now move that House Committee substitute for House Bill 3393 and House Bill 2392 be voted do pass.
• I now move that House Committee substitute for House Bill 3393 and House Bill 2392 be voted due pass.
• Thank you for considering House Bill 1747.
• Anybody in favor of House Bill 1747? Anybody in opposition of House Bill 1747? Good afternoon, Mr.

Committee: House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Summary: The committee met in executive session and first adopted a House committee substitute for House Bill 1611, then voted the bill do pass on a roll call vote. House Bill 2032 was also taken up in executive session; after adopting a substitute, members discussed concerns about liability, age verification, data retention, and the $100,000 per-case aggregate, and the committee voted the bill do pass by a 9-3 roll call. The committee then considered House Bills 3393 and 2392 together, adopted a committee substitute and a further amendment after a point of order challenge was rejected, and voted the combined substitute do pass by 12-1. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 1747, which would address AI-generated images, video, and audio by creating a cause of action for damages when realistic synthetic content causes harm, while also allowing optional labeling or watermarking to provide legal protection. The sponsor said he intended to change the labeling requirement from mandatory to permissive, partly due to First Amendment and cost concerns, and emphasized that the bill was aimed at photorealistic content that could be mistaken for reality. Members asked about standing, global enforcement, the definition of artificial intelligence, incidental sharing by users, and possible application to political content. Testifying in opposition, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it appreciated the sponsor’s willingness to work on the bill but argued that even a permissive watermarking approach would still create significant liability and uncertainty for businesses unless the cause of action was also narrowed or removed. The chamber also raised concerns about retroactive application and the burden of going back to watermark existing AI-generated content. After public testimony, the chair closed the hearing and adjourned the committee, noting there might be a quick hearing later in the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• We moved 190, almost 200 bills off the House floor.
• Around 80% of them had some... ...200 bills off the House floor.
• and having sent really great House bills over to the Senate.
• We moved the Peterson Step Housing Bill, which will allow more housing to be built in the space in cities
• So I know the House has not taken up that bill.

Summary: Senate and House Democratic leaders held a post-cutoff media availability to review the first half of session and outline priorities for the remainder. They said both chambers made substantial progress on protecting Washington from federal overreach and on affordability, citing measures on ICE access and notice, private spaces, housing expansion, medical debt interest caps, senior property tax relief, working families and small business tax credits, and proposals to phase out sales tax on services. They also highlighted that the House moved nearly 200 bills, about 80% with bipartisan support, and said the chambers are now processing each other’s bills and preparing for a fast-paced final stretch. A major focus was the “millionaire’s tax” and related tax relief proposals. Leaders said the governor’s suggestions, including a sales tax holiday and diaper relief, were welcome and that the updated revenue forecast gives the budget more breathing room and reserves, though much of the new revenue is offset by caseload growth and federal cuts. They said the tax package is intended to support long-term fiscal sustainability and affordability, and that House members will continue shaping the bill in committee. They also discussed a separate proposal to tax large employers whose workers rely on Medicaid, saying it is being considered in light of new federal requirements to track Medicaid employment data, while noting concerns from employers and nonprofits. The conversation also covered several bills that stalled or were delayed. Leaders said the JR bill did not advance because it lacked votes, though support and stakeholder engagement increased this year. They said child welfare bills and Senator Wilson’s proposals were paused after stakeholder concerns, while Representative Fitzgibbon defended the House’s approach to child safety and said lawmakers are still working on the issue. Other topics included the transmission and cultural resources bills, where a late procedural request to read a bill in full disrupted plans to move multiple measures together, and a tort-liability bill that passed the Senate and is expected to continue in the House with amendments. They also addressed the 0.05 impaired-driving bill, the Left Plan 1 pension proposal, the farmworker unionization bill, and the initiative-related bill, with several of these measures described as still under discussion or lacking enough support to move this year.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair, please move House Bill 2171. Mr.
• House Bill 2331.
• Carter, please move House Bill 2592. Mr.
• House Bill 2592.
• Chairman, Members, House Bill 2592.

Committee: House Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• So that concludes our testimony on House Bill 2685.
• Please support House Bill 2658. Thank you. Thanks. Any questions? Please support House Bill 2658.
• So that concludes public testimony in House Bill 2658, and we'll move on to House Bill 2683.
• House Bill 2683 relates to health care provider credentialing.
• The next bill is House Bill 2196.

Summary: The House Health Care and Wellness Committee held public hearings on four bills and then took executive action on three measures. HB 2555 would require the Health Care Authority to apply for a Medicaid waiver to cover traditional health care practices provided through Indian Health Service, tribal, and urban Indian facilities. Supporters, including the prime sponsor, tribal health leaders, and the Health Care Authority, said the bill would recognize traditional medicine, expand access, and leverage federal funding, though HCA noted the July 1, 2026 waiver deadline and urban Indian reimbursement questions may be difficult to resolve. HB 2685 would codify tribal data sovereignty principles for state agencies, require reporting of notifiable conditions to tribal health jurisdictions, and exempt certain tribal data from public disclosure. Tribal representatives supported the bill as necessary for access, governance, and better public health planning, while the Washington Coalition for Open Government and HCA raised concerns about the breadth of the PRA exemption, undefined ownership interests, and implementation details. HB 2658 would require health carriers to submit standardized public data on behavioral health and other coverage and access metrics, with the Insurance Commissioner posting the information on a public dashboard. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency about mental health parity and help families, employers, and policymakers compare plans; opponents argued it duplicates or complicates recent parity reforms and could be misinterpreted. HB 2683 would shorten carrier credentialing timelines from 90 days to 30 days and require carriers to post billing and coverage information online. Supporters said it would reduce delays for providers and patients, while opponents warned the shorter timeline could be hard to meet and that posting information without login protections could raise privacy concerns. In executive session, the committee adopted two amendments to HB 2168, which concerns overdose mapping data, then reported the substitute bill out with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 16-1. It rejected an amendment to HB 2196 that would have extended PANDAS/PANS coverage to public and school employee plans, then advanced the substitute bill with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 15-2. Finally, the committee passed HB 2545, which would allow ambulatory surgical facilities to perform elective percutaneous coronary interventions, by a vote of 13-4, after members discussed safety, access, and cost savings.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 537 for adoption of phs1 to House Bill 537 all<00:01:46.280><c> in</c><00:01:46.560><c> favor
• /c><00:04:21.560><c> by</c> House Bill 537 as amended by House Bill 537 as amended by phs1<00:04:23.199
• All we are trying to do is, between House Bill 695 and another bill we have, House Bill 9, we are trying
• House Bill 695 is a short-term stabilization bill.
• ><c> Bill</c><00:13:01.199><c> 1</c><00:13:01.480><c> from</c> uh House Bill six and House Bill 1 from

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 537, as amended by PHS 1, which was described as a technical measure needed to ensure Kentucky can receive opioid settlement funds despite changes in bankruptcy court orders. The sponsor and Attorney General’s office explained that the bill does not change the settlement formula or substantive terms, but adjusts the mechanism for receiving the money. After brief discussion, the committee adopted PHS 1 and then passed HB 537 out favorably on a 17-0 vote, with one member recording attendance after arriving late. The committee then considered House Bill 695, also amended by PHS 1, a Medicaid stabilization bill. The sponsor said the measure is intended to hold the program steady while the legislature gathers more information and awaits work by a future Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board. The bill would limit new waivers, state plan amendments, and coverage expansions; require reporting and record retention; create a Kentucky Medicaid Pharmaceutical Rebate Fund; direct certain behavioral health and managed care changes; and include an emergency clause. Members raised questions about the rebate fund, work requirements, and whether the bill could affect coverage or funding, while supporters emphasized transparency, data collection, and preventing new expansions until oversight is in place. Several members spoke in favor of the bill’s goals but expressed caution about micromanaging a complex program and about possible unintended consequences for beneficiaries. Representative Fleming stressed the need for stronger oversight and noted the potential fiscal impact of federal Medicaid changes. Representative Stevenson voted pass, saying the committee should let the new oversight board handle the issue, and Representative Gentry also passed, citing concern about overreach and the burden of data collection. The committee ultimately reported HB 695 favorably on a 16-1 vote with three pass votes. Afterward, members recorded additional yes votes on HB 537 for the record.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 103 will be assigned to the Committee on Business Affairs and Labor. >> House Bill 104 by
• House Bill 1009 will be assigned to the committee on judiciary. >> House Bill 1010 by Representatives
• House Bill 1012 will be assigned to the committee on judiciary. >> House Bill 1013 by Representatives
• House Bill 10:09 will be incident.
• House Bill 1018 will be assigned to the committee on health and human services. >> House Bill 1019 by

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, please read House Bill 1001.
• Clerk, please read House Bill 1002.
• Clerk, please read House Bill 1004. Mr. Clerk, please read House Bill 1004.
• Clerk, please read House Bill 6.
• Clerk, please read House Bill 1. Mr. Clerk, please read House Bill 1008.

Committee: All GIRLS STATE

Summary: The meeting was a Girl State House session in which members received procedural guidance on chamber rules, recognition, voting, and decorum, then moved through a series of bills. The first bill, House Bill 1001, would have prohibited over-the-counter diet pills from being sold or transferred to minors; supporters argued it would protect teens from eating disorders and misuse, while opponents raised concerns about medical exceptions and the age cutoff. It failed 42-55. House Bill 1002, allowing lottery winners to keep their identities confidential for a period of time, was amended during discussion to a three-year confidentiality period and passed 79-17 after a motion for immediate consideration. House Bill 1003, requiring schools to provide resources and courses on child labor/workplace laws and readiness, drew debate over whether it should be mandatory, what age group it should cover, and whether schools could support it; it failed 22-73. House Bill 1004, the Arkansas Head Injury Act requiring helmets and protective gear for motorized cycle riders, passed 94-4 after testimony focused on safety for riders, other drivers, and first responders. Members then considered House Bill 1005, which would require a year-long personal finance course before graduation to teach budgeting, taxes, credit, and related life skills. Supporters said it would better prepare students for adulthood, while opponents argued the material is already covered in existing classes and raised concerns about scheduling and implementation; it failed 35-60. House Bill 1006 increased the teacher classroom investment income tax deduction from $500 to $1,000, with supporters emphasizing teachers’ out-of-pocket spending on classroom supplies and student needs; it passed 97-0. House Bill 1008 sought to limit the number of national franchise businesses in an economic zone to encourage local entrepreneurship and protect small businesses, but opponents argued it could hurt jobs, limit consumer options, and was unclear in scope; it failed 23-69. The House then passed House Bill 1009, creating a voluntary blue envelope program for people with intellectual disabilities to help law enforcement interactions, after supporters said it could reduce confusion and improve safety; it passed 87-5. The final bill introduced before the transcript ended was House Bill 2010, which would increase the income tax credit for Arkansas families supporting a child with special needs; the sponsor began by sharing a personal story about her brother with Down syndrome and the costs families face, but the discussion was cut off before debate or a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• [Laughter] House Bill 102, House Bill 230, House Bill 114, House Bill 110, House Bill 115. Horton.
• , House Bill 110, House Bill 115, House Bill 116, House Bill 125, House Bill 89, House Bill 196.
• House Bill 125, House Bill 89, House Bill 196, House Bill 168, House Bill 52, House Bill 191, House Bill
• 45, House Bill 156, House Bill 79, House Bill 161, House Bill 9, House Bill 72.
• House Bill 9, House Bill 72, and House Bill 27. Mr. Chairman, I had a question.

Committee: House Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is referred to the Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 35A pending its entry
• The bill was referred to the committee on healthcare, which recommends that the House propose to the
• </c> House Bill 648, an act relating to banking, insurance, and securities.
• And you have postponed action on House Bill 648 for two legislative days.
• House Bill 648 for two legislative days. Members, that completes the orders of the day.