Transcript Highlights:

• Increasing your use of multi-year budgeting.
• How come the LASC budget doesn't do that? Mr.
• John, this is going to be a budget bill.
• Significant budget cut again for us, almost 7%, with only six weeks' notice before our budget due date
• New Mexico School Budget Revenue Stream is already coming late in the budgeting process, and adding a

Transcript Highlights:

• Especially where we are in the session, the budgets have already... in the session, the budgets have
• to... substantial increase in next year's budget in pardons and paroles.
• The growth in that budget has been brought back down, so I don't remember the net.
• So, how many chances have we given pardons and paroles to reform their guidelines and provide... to reform
• our system or not reform our system.

Bills: HB202 , HB42 , HB146 , HB492 , HB285 , HB7 , HB454 , HB42 , HB7

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• And many of the reforms we had adopted were just beginning to take hold.
• We are implementing reforms that are beginning to stabilize the market and expand consumer options.
• Market stabilization over three to five years after major reforms.
• Let's talk about intervener reform regulations.
• California is facing a generational challenge, but we are meeting it with generational reforms.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee held an oversight hearing on the Department of Insurance’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy (SIS), with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara providing a detailed update on implementation after the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. Lara said the strategy has helped stabilize the market, speed claims payments, and keep insurers in California, citing $22.4 billion paid to wildfire survivors, 94% of 4,121 claims paid fully or partially, $210 million returned through department investigations, and a 27% reduction in claim closure time. He said major insurers, including Mercury, CSAA, USAA companies, Pacific Specialty, and California Casualty, have filed under SIS, with several more filings pending, and that approvals have generally been completed within 100 days of public notice. He also discussed modernization of rate review, a new data reconciliation tool, a planned regulation to require rate reviews within 60 days plus a possible 30-day extension, and ongoing work on Fair Plan oversight, wildfire risk modeling, and mitigation standards such as Zone Zero. Committee members focused on wildfire survivor non-renewals, Fair Plan growth, claim handling timelines, and whether new legislative proposals could help or hinder market stability. Lara said visible consumer relief should begin in 12 to 24 months, with broader market stabilization expected over three to five years, and emphasized that mitigation, faster rate review, and insurer participation are key to reducing reliance on the Fair Plan. He also highlighted his 22-bill package, including SB 876 on disaster claims handling, AB 1795 on smoke damage standards, AB 1680 on Fair Plan accountability, and reforms to the intervener process. Members raised concerns about balancing consumer protections with insurer participation, and Lara said the Legislature should weigh those tradeoffs through the committee process. Public commenters were divided but generally acknowledged the importance of the issue. Consumer and survivor advocates argued that insurers still delay or underpay claims and that more protections are needed, while industry representatives praised the department’s work and urged caution so the new system is not undermined. Several speakers stressed the need for mitigation, Zone Zero rules, and adequate rates, while others warned that wildfire and liability insurance problems are affecting foster care providers, commercial coverage, and utility wildfire costs. The hearing concluded with the committee adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Strategy two is around reforming utility liability.
• So a package of liability reforms is discussed in this option.
• I'm honored to have our budget subcommittee chair, as well as Chair of Senate...
• There's also the liability reform issues.
• I take it back as a budget share, specifically dealing with many of these issues.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• For a budget conference.
• We will embrace any and all ideas that curb the state budget.
• This budget would bank all the extra money into reserves.
• When we finally put a budget on the desk for its 72-hour waiting period, let it be a budget that was
• When we finally put a budget on the desk for its 72-hour waiting period, let it be a budget that was

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then approved the journal and received a Senate message transmitting SB 2510, the pre-K through grade 12 education conforming bill. The House waived rules, read the bill by title, and heard brief explanation that the Senate version contained budget-related funding and policy changes, including adjustments to acceleration course weighting and CAPE funding. Members adopted a blank strike-all amendment to place the bill in the proper posture for conference, then advanced it to third reading and passed SB 2510 on final passage by a vote of 88 yeas to 10 nays. After passage, the House agreed to accede to the Senate’s request for a budget conference. The Speaker then delivered extended remarks criticizing the Senate for breaking a prior budget deal and arguing that state government spending has grown too much. He said the House remained committed to reducing state revenue and spending, discussed possible budget and tax-cut approaches, and emphasized that property tax reform and state revenue reduction were separate issues. He also noted that the House select committee on property taxes would continue its work and rejected the idea of mailing $1,000 checks as a substitute for tax relief. Finally, the House took up HCR 1633, a concurrent resolution extending the 2025 regular session until 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2025. The resolution was read by title, explained as identical to a prior extension resolution except for the new end date, and adopted. The House then approved a motion to adjourn subject to the call of the chair for committee and subcommittee meetings and other House business.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a staggering need for community reform.
• We thank the Senate for funding the agency's base budget.
• Medicaid budget policy that I think is working very, very well.
• I would like to comment today on HHSC's budget.
• The contract year started for the last two budget cuts.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• This afternoon, we will have a Public Education Reform Fund update. Jessica. Thank you so much, Mr.
• For the next little bit, we're going to give you an update on the Public Education Reform Fund.
• K-plus, K-3-plus, K-5-plus, it can only be used for reform, so here it is still.
• I appreciate that, and I hope as we're looking at budget that...
• Given that fiscal year 27 budget proposal, are relatively flat or reduced in funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• reforms that center the dignity and reality of families in need.
• Now, reform: this policy needs to be codified into law.
• I've helped to advance legislation and other reform in over 30 states across the country.
• I've helped to advance legislation and other reform in over 30 states across the country.
• I'm an attorney at Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, also here to testify on Senate Bill 136.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities heard testimony on a wide range of bills affecting foster youth, child welfare oversight, homelessness services, juvenile justice, social work licensure, and human services workforce supports. Committee co-chairs Senator Robyn Kennedy and Representative Jay Livingstone opened the hybrid hearing by outlining testimony procedures and accessibility measures. Several members and legislators participated throughout the day, and many witnesses were invited to submit additional written testimony after speaking. A major portion of the hearing focused on House 227/Senate 105, which would protect federal benefits owed to children in foster care. Supporters, including advocates from Hopewell, the Disability Law Center, CPCS, the Children’s Law Center, More Than Words, Friends of Children, and youth witness Onyx Rosario, said DCF had already ended the practice of taking most Social Security and SSI benefits and now conserves them in accounts for youth, but argued the policy should be codified to prevent future reversals. Witnesses described how conserved benefits help with basic needs, housing, education, transportation, and transition to adulthood, and several noted the bill also adds financial literacy and transparency requirements. Senator Joan Comerford and others said the change would protect vulnerable youth, especially children of color, LGBTQ youth, and youth with disabilities. The committee also heard testimony on House 225, which would expand the grandparents-raising-grandchildren commission by adding appointments and helping with quorum and representation. The committee also took testimony on Senate 136, which would improve emergency housing assistance for families experiencing homelessness by easing documentation requirements, allowing use of existing state data to verify eligibility, requiring notice before benefit reductions, and creating an ombudsperson. Senator Adam Gomez and other supporters said the bill would reduce barriers for families in crisis. On House 262/Senate 148, an omnibus child welfare bill, witnesses supported provisions on data reporting, education coordination, and Office of the Child Advocate reforms, while CPCS raised concerns about expanded access to sensitive records and the OCA’s role in certain proceedings. The Office of the Child Advocate supported codifying current practices and also backed child fatality review changes in House 234/Senate 133. The committee additionally heard support for Senate 108, which would require attorneys and audio/video recording during juvenile custodial interrogations, and for House 247/Senate 116, which would update the Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board to add supported lived-experience seats. Finally, the committee heard competing testimony on Senate 135, a bill to ensure parity in social work licensure. SEIU Local 509 and supporters argued the current exam requirement disproportionately harms Black, Latino, multilingual, and multicultural applicants and worsens workforce shortages, while the Association of Social Work Boards opposed the bill, saying the exam is a necessary public-protection measure and that removing it would conflict with interstate compact efforts. The hearing also included testimony in support of a loan repayment program for human service workers, with providers and workers describing low wages, high student debt, and the need to retain staff in essential services. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• reform reform by<00:10:30.320><c> setting</c><00:10:30.600><c> reasonable</c><00:10:31.000><c> limits
• Paul resident and the policy director of the Parking Reform Network, a national nonprofit.
• We are now pulling up Senate File 1750, the HOA Reform Bill.
• On Section 17, it's not taking into consideration that some HOAs run on a very lean budget.
• On Section 17, it's not taking into consideration that some HOAs run on a very lean budget.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• I can also address how we budget OSI's, or I guess how we budget PCF into OSI's operating budget.
• I will also note just that the budget, HB 2, does include bar language so that OSI can do budget increases
• So they also have that flexibility in their budget.
• There's tort reform in Colorado. There's tort reform there.
• So on tort reform, specifically, what kind of tort reform are keeping those premiums lower than New Mexico

Bills: HB99 , HJR5 , HM39 , HB206 , HB213 , SB41 , SB153 , SB165 , SB261 , SB264

Committee: Senate House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up a lengthy informational presentation on the Patient Compensation Fund (PCF) and New Mexico medical malpractice insurance. Teresa Hassey, a plaintiffs’ attorney, described the PCF’s origin in the 1976 Medical Malpractice Act, its role as a state-backed excess coverage system, and her view that it was mismanaged when hospital participation expanded without individualized risk assessments. She argued that hospitals underpaid surcharges, that the fund was depleted by claims, and that the 2021 amendments and later legislative infusions were meant to shore up deficits and phase hospitals out. Superintendent of Insurance Alice Kane and LFC analyst Julia Rodriguez presented a different perspective, emphasizing recent general fund infusions, current surcharge collections, the use of actuarial reviews, and the PCF’s budget and settlement activity. Kane said the market is highly concentrated, New Mexico’s malpractice costs and defense expenses are high, and the fund still provides lower-cost coverage than the open market, while also noting ongoing issues with future medical claims, TPA transition, and investment management. Committee members questioned the presenters at length about why New Mexico malpractice premiums are so high, whether defense costs were being conflated with claim payouts, how the PCF works with primary coverage and excess coverage, and whether hospitals were properly assessed when they entered the fund. Several senators raised concerns about punitive damages, corporate practice of medicine, and whether the state’s legal environment is driving doctors away. Others challenged the data comparisons, noting differences between one-year figures and multi-year averages, and asked why New Mexico’s costs remain far above neighboring states. Kane and Hassey disagreed on the causes, with Kane pointing to high claims and defense costs over time and Hassey arguing that hospital participation and punitive-damage exposure distorted the market. The chair concluded the discussion by saying the committee had not exhausted the topic and that he still wanted a clear path to reducing doctors’ insurance costs. After a break, the committee moved on to Senate Bill 41. Senator Charlie introduced the bill, which would eliminate the statute of limitations for the most serious sexual crimes in New Mexico. He argued that trauma, coercion, fear, and delayed disclosure often prevent survivors from reporting promptly, and said the law should reflect that reality. The bill was presented as a response to survivor testimony heard in a prior hearing, and the sponsor framed it as part of a broader effort to modernize the justice system for sexual violence cases.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> budget? Commissioner. budget? Commissioner. &gt;&gt; Mr.<00:24:20.320><c> Chair.
• That is going to be a budget to do that.
• </c><00:25:14.720><c> We</c> cut its budget 8.4% last year. We cut its budget 8.4% last year.
• </c> fighting for this one in my budget. fighting for this one in my budget.
• </c> like there would be uh budget like there would be uh budget um<01:18:05.440><c> challenges</c><01

Bills: HF3738 , HF2295 , HF3520 , HF3666

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to know if there's any kind of reform or we're just rearranging the jett.
• I I don't see any real reform. I see moving around, moving around.
• But where's the reform?
• There's no reform.
• We need serious reform with DHS.

Bills: SB1778 , SB1570 , SB134 , SB1966 , SB1636 , SB1725 , SB1726 , SB259 , SB504 , SB592 , SB2030 , SB1572 , SB843 , SB1242 , SB1255 , SB1262 , SB1264 , SB1286 , SB1581 , SB1290 , SB1316 , SB1319 , SB1369 , SB1379 , SB1381 , SB1400 , SB1427 , SB1436 , SB1461 , SB1496 , SB1509 , SB1534 , SB1553 , SB904 , SB1592 , SB1645 , SB1684 , SB1767 , SB1772 , SB1813 , SB1894 , SB1928 , SB1946 , SB1980 , SB2040 , SB2060 , SB2061

Transcript Highlights:

• LCB reform is a necessary course correction.
• I think I would like to recommend, from our perspective, that the most effective reform framework would
• LCB reform is a necessary course correction.
• I think I would like to recommend from our perspective that the most effective reform framework would
• Obviously, we will take a short break from policy committees as we move into our budget meetings.

Bills: SB6290 , SB6282 , SB5379 , SB6197 , SB6158 , SB6302 , SB5882 , SB6303 , SB6180 , SB6195 , SB6196 , SB6204 , SB6287

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm chair of our Special Committee on Regulatory Reform and have sort of been engaged in this area for
• Number four, institutionalize review via a one-in, one-out budget, or a one-in, two-out budget, or a
• That's where some of the reform is, how that's addressed.
• California Governor Newsom there has been pushing for regulatory reform as well.
• Reform as well.

Summary: The Special Committee on Regulatory Reform met to hear from Patrick McLaughlin of the Hoover Institution and Pacific Legal Foundation about regulatory accumulation and reform. Chair Mark Wright explained the meeting was a study hearing only, with no votes planned or quorum for action. McLaughlin described his research measuring regulation by counting binding words such as “shall” and “must,” and said Louisiana ranks among the most regulated states, with about 183,000 restrictions and growth in regulatory stock outpacing the national average. He argued that excessive regulation slows GDP growth, raises consumer prices, and disproportionately burdens small businesses and low-income households. McLaughlin pointed to reform examples in British Columbia, Idaho, and Virginia, where centralized oversight, periodic review, one-in-one-out or similar rules, and simplified benefit-cost analysis were used to reduce regulations without harming safety. He said Virginia’s regulatory modernization effort, including use of AI and a regulatory management office, helped cut requirements and lower homebuilding costs. Committee members asked about how the data were measured, how regulation affects housing, licensing, and population growth, and whether Louisiana could use similar tools. McLaughlin emphasized that AI should assist human reviewers, not replace them, by identifying outdated, duplicative, or overly burdensome rules. Members also discussed Louisiana’s own reform efforts, including LaDOGE, permit streamlining, and prior bills to create public hearings and legislative review of regulations. Wright and others asked about federal mandates, “gold plating” of state rules, and how to identify unnecessary state-level additions. McLaughlin said some state rules are required by federal law, but many others are not, and AI can help distinguish required language from added burdens. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after members expressed interest in following up on McLaughlin’s report and examples from other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• With these reforms, we will be delivering on key priorities for Somerville.
• That's why the House budget proposes level funding and the Senate proposes a 2.2% increase.
• This system hasn't been updated since its beginning; it has been reformed, early...
• It has been reformed, early in the 1970s, the so-called lottery aid and lottery formula.
• Now we need to thoughtfully reform the way the state distributes local aid.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Summary: The committee opened its hearing with procedural remarks, including a strict three-minute testimony limit, livestream instructions, and a July 1 deadline for written testimony. Chairs Lewis and Rauch then heard testimony on a wide range of municipal home rule petitions and related bills, with many local officials and advocates being taken out of order because of the large turnout. A major topic was firefighter residency. Representatives of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts and Sen. Keenan supported H. 2260/S. 1449, which would replace the current 15-mile residency rule for non-civil-service fire departments with a negotiable standard, generally allowing residency within 15 miles and permitting expansion through collective bargaining. Supporters said the change would improve recruitment and retention amid the housing crisis and create parity with civil-service departments. Acton Fire Chief Anita Arnhum and Sen. Senna also backed H. 4168 for Acton, making similar arguments about recruitment, paramedics, and the need for local flexibility. The committee also heard strong support for charter overhaul petitions for Somerville and Lynn. Somerville officials, including Rep. Barber, Mayor Ballantyne, Councilor Jake Wilson, and charter committee member Beverly Schwartz, described a years-long public process to replace an 1890s-era charter with a modern document emphasizing transparency, public participation, clearer governance, and a possible change to the mayor’s term length. Lynn Mayor Nicholson similarly supported a charter update to modernize city operations and financial procedures. Cambridge-related charter and procurement reforms were also briefly endorsed by Rep. Cabral. Other bills discussed included a proposal by Sen. Eldridge and Rep. Scarsdale to create a state grant program for municipal sustainability directors, and regional school finance bills supported by Rep. Lanatra and Jason Frazier to expand special education reserve funds and create a regional school assessment reserve fund. Acton witnesses also supported library governance changes and a checkout bag charge proposal. The committee heard sharply divided testimony on Quincy’s H. 3897, a 50-year lease extension for Quarry Hills/Granite Links: Quincy officials and business supporters praised the public-private partnership and future investment potential, while residents argued the lease was too long, should be competitively bid, and deserved more oversight and auditing. The hearing also included testimony on Boston trash truck noise restrictions and a PEG access/cable funds bill supported by Mass Access, as well as a Southwick petition to elect part of the Conservation Commission, which one select board member opposed as contrary to current law and good governance.

Transcript Highlights:

• The work that the Chamber has done, our state is steering down a $5 billion budget deficit, and it's
• People have been talking about permitting reform for a long time, and this is the broadest, best, strongest
• People have been talking about permitting reform for a long time, and this is the broadest, best, strongest
• People have been talking about permitting reform for a long time, and this is the broadest, best, strongest
• People have been talking about permitting reform for a long time, and this is the broadest, best, strongest

Transcript Highlights:

• to better prioritize policy changes, which is especially important this year given the projected budget
• chance to improve public safety, reduce recidivism, reduce the prison populations, and we're in a budget
• Danny Kando Kaiser here on behalf of the California Tax Reform Association.
• I'm sorry, but we did it through the budget.
• Danny Kando Kaiser, again on behalf of the California Tax Reform Association, respectfully opposed to

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation convened with a quorum, reviewed housekeeping rules for testimony and position letters, and reminded the public that bills with revenue impacts over $150,000 would be sent to the suspense file rather than voted on immediately. The chair noted that no bills on the agenda would be eligible for a vote that day because they would automatically be referred to suspense. The committee then heard several tax-related measures, with testimony generally split between bill authors/supporters emphasizing affordability, public safety, or conservation, and opponents arguing the proposals were inefficient tax expenditures better handled through existing programs or direct budget funding. AB 1565 proposed a $5,000 tax credit for small businesses that hire formerly incarcerated people within a year of release and keep them employed for at least six months. Supporters said the bill would reduce recidivism, help small businesses manage hiring risk, and save the state money by avoiding incarceration costs; one witness described personal experience overcoming a felony record. The California Tax Reform Association opposed the measure, arguing employment tax credits are ineffective and that existing programs are more targeted. Members from both parties expressed support, but the bill was referred to suspense. The committee also heard AB 1596, which would create a five-year sales tax holiday for infant car seats; AB 1668, which would extend a welfare tax exemption for land trust-held open space; AB 1690, which would expand the Young Child Tax Credit to families with older children; AB 1698, which would create a tax credit for small restaurants that comply with food handler certification requirements; and AB 1620, which would allow a deduction for homeowners’ insurance premiums on primary residences. Supporters framed these bills as relief for families, small businesses, and land conservation efforts, while opponents repeatedly argued the tax code should not be used to subsidize these costs and that existing programs or market solutions were preferable. Each bill was ultimately referred to the suspense file, and the committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• And many of the reforms we had adopted were just beginning to take hold.
• We are implementing reforms that are beginning to stabilize the market and expand consumer options.
• Market stabilization over three to five years after major reforms.
• Let's talk about intervener reform regulations.
• So, again, it shows that the reforms that we did are welcomed by the insurers.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> because as you know this is a budget because as you know this is a budget year<00:09:15.560><c>
• Yeah, so you mentioned the budget and what a small part housing gets this budget year, but there is a
• </c> houses yeah so you mentioned the budget houses yeah so you mentioned the budget and<00:20:03.200
• </c> with uh you know a a challenging budget with uh you know a a challenging budget uh<00:20:28.919>
• </c><00:20:36.000><c> uh</c> what we heard in mmb's budget uh what we heard in mmb's budget uh forecast

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> closely match the governor's budget closely match the governor's budget proposal.<00:04:21.199><
• And when we had a a record reform.
• I made the pain of going through uh ... budgeting to me, if you do zero-based budgeting, and I wasn't
• to me, if you do zerobased budgeting to me, if you do zerobased budgeting,<01:41:48.480><c> and</c><
• , I realized how much of my budgeting, I realized how much of my budget<01:41:57.679><c> I</c><01:41: