Transcript Highlights:

• I guess the traffic is not as bad, I'll tell you so. Good morning, everyone.
• As part of our implementation process, we updated our protective intake policy.
• We begin... ...process, we updated our protective intake policy.
• We also work hard to continue to protect the benefits we issue.
• You guys were managing traffic. Say to him, I asked you guys to park on the street.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held an FY27 Health and Human Services budget hearing in Mattapan, hosted at the Boston Public Library branch. Chairs Lydia Edwards and Russell Holmes, along with Rep. Brandy Fluker-Reid, emphasized the significance of holding the first Ways and Means hearing ever in Mattapan and highlighted the importance of bringing state budget deliberations into a majority-Black neighborhood. Several legislators introduced themselves as they joined, and the committee noted that public testimony was not part of the format, though agencies were invited to discuss priorities and challenges. MassAbility opened the agency testimony. Leadership described the agency’s mission to support people with disabilities through employment, training, home and community life services, and disability determination. They said Governor Healey’s FY27 budget funds MassAbility at $93.3 million, a 1% reduction from FY26, and explained that the agency is responding to federal funding uncertainty and shifting program needs by redesigning services internally. Members questioned a proposed $1.3 million reduction to the Home Care Program, staffing changes, and whether services could be maintained with fewer resources. MassAbility said it was reviewing data on who uses the program, that it does not provide nursing or personal care, and that it is working with a transition plan and a working group. The agency also discussed federal uncertainty around vocational rehabilitation funding and said it had received delayed federal awards but remained in contact with national associations and federal partners. The testimony included a personal story from a participant, Joshua Corcoran, to illustrate the impact of services. The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing testified next, requesting $11.27 million, about a 6% increase over FY26. The commission said it serves about 1.4 million residents and focuses on communication access in health care, courts, public safety, and other public systems. It highlighted interpreter and captioner workforce shortages, a mentorship program to expand the provider pool, and a modernized referral platform funded through capital contingency money. Members asked about interpreter availability, after-hours emergency coverage, ASL access for students and families, and training for police and emergency responders. The commission said staffing remains limited, especially for after-hours services, but that it is expanding training, school outreach, and partnerships with DCF and other agencies. The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind then presented its FY27 budget request of $30.8 million. The commissioner said the agency serves nearly 9,000 legally blind residents, provides training and peer support, and placed 190 consumers in competitive integrated employment this year. It also described services for older adults, vocational rehabilitation, and the Turning 22 program for young adults with additional disabilities. Members raised concerns about a 7% cut from the prior year and asked how the agency could maintain services; the commissioner said the agency had no waiting list, had trimmed overhead, and could manage the budget through internal efficiencies and strong partnerships. The Office for Refugees and Immigrants closed the session, describing expanded legal and support services for immigrants and refugees, including Know Your Rights trainings, the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative, citizenship and financial literacy programs, and the Family Welcome Center in Mattapan. Members asked about federal funding losses and the structure of the new legal services program; ORI said FY26 funding is stable but FY27 federal cuts remain uncertain, and that the legal program uses a centralized intake system with priority for emergencies and first-come, first-served access.

Transcript Highlights:

• bridge upgrades, sidewalks, intersection improvements, lighting, signal, safety features, and other traffic
• The language is written to list a very long set of opportunities: roads and bridges, things like traffic
• signalization, pedestrian and bike improvements, other traffic enhancements.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Summary: The Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets held a public hearing on H. 5279, a bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. MassDOT and A&F testified in support, describing the bill as a more than $5 billion transportation bond package centered on a four-year, $1.2 billion Chapter 90 authorization, plus funding for MBTA rail reliability and modernization, housing-related transportation improvements, a new DCR/MassDOT PRISM program for parkways and other DCR assets, and reauthorizations of the Municipal Pavement Program, Shared Streets and Spaces, and highway programs. They said the bill would support safety, resilience, housing production, and multimodal transportation, and noted that some bonds could be issued as special obligation bonds backed by the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and Fair Share revenues. Committee members asked about the size and structure of the authorizations, the federal match for highway projects, the source of MBTA vehicle procurement, bridge repair needs, and whether the housing-related funds could be used flexibly for items like sidewalks, bike lanes, bus stops, and other local transportation improvements. Administration witnesses said the bill is intended as a temporary refill of existing programs until a larger transportation bond bill is filed next session, that the federal-aid line includes the full spending authority while the state only borrows the 20% match, and that the housing-related program is deliberately broad and not limited to MBTA communities. They also said Chapter 90 includes a road-mile component that especially helps rural communities and that preservation and safety are built into the programs. The Massachusetts Municipal Association also testified in strong support, emphasizing that Chapter 90 is the most important tool municipalities have to maintain the roughly 30,000 miles of local roads and bridges they are responsible for. MMA urged timely passage before construction season and praised the continued $300 million Chapter 90 level, especially the $100 million road-mile distribution that helps communities with large road networks and smaller populations. No votes were taken on the bill, and the hearing concluded with adjournment after testimony ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Lundstrom, yes, we swept the LGRF, the Local Government Road Fund, and then three of the Traffic
• Other roads probably don't, with all the heavy truck traffic and mixed traffic.

Transcript Highlights:

• care of a lot of that paperwork that we've done and maybe hopefully cut down on some of the foot traffic
• care of a lot of that paperwork that we've done and maybe hopefully cut down on some of the foot traffic
• care of a lot of that paperwork that we've done and maybe hopefully cut down on some of the foot traffic
• </c> traffic that comes in our local offices. traffic that comes in our local offices.
• So, I want to protect their privacy as well. their exact processes.

Bills: HB0045

Committee: House Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> would be a military protective order. would be a military protective order.
• Center, NCIC, protect Crime Information Center, NCIC, protect protection<01:15:00.320><c> order</c><
• </c> national registry for protection orders. national registry for protection orders.
• </c> track and enforce protection orders. track and enforce protection orders.
• </c> minor um traffic arguments. minor um traffic arguments.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• This is protecting students and staff.
• </c><00:23:09.840><c> to</c> then we would transition all traffic to then we would transition all traffic
• </c> for a number of years or be protected for a number of years or be protected because<00:46:33.920
• And the other day I got a feed for soy product replacing fire protection PFAS.
• </c> soy product replacing fire protection soy product replacing fire protection PAS.<01:03:34.799><c

Bills: HF3220

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:40.640><c> a</c> the traffic director for the court. a the traffic director for the court.
• c> avoids critical consumer protection avoids critical consumer protection oversightes. oversightes.
• </c> to protect children in the state. to protect children in the state.
• . and protect women.
• It would protect wouldn't prevent them. It would protect them. them. them.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Another is creating a layer of whistleblower protection.
• In fact, you can no longer be protected by a local prosecutor that won't even look.
• When it comes to deepfakes and trying to protect our children, trying to protect our grandchildren. protect
• I mean, trying to protect what is happening and is going to continue to happen.
• Idles for a couple of hours through DFW traffic, then hits I-35 to head south.

Bills: HB512 , HB2248 , HB2679 , HB2832 , HB3112 , HB3368 , HB3490 , HB3512 , HB3623 , HB3666 , HB3700 , HB3711 , HB3770 , HB3963

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• for some of California's unique flora and fauna. and protecting habitat for some of California's unique
• Accordingly, the land could be put up for sale and, pending a state intervention to protect these natural
• Land trusts are nonprofit organizations who protect of California.
• Land trusts are nonprofit organizations who protect land of all types and ecosystems, deserts, farmlands
• , working lands, and everything else throughout the state, and have protected close to 5.7 million acres

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:

• We seek to protect the rights of all who participate in the legislative process so that we can have effective
• This bill does not remove conservation easements or cancel protections.
• There's also a potential health and safety issue if those trucks were not to have the right protective
• I'm here because Mayor Bass is deeply committed to protecting housing projects that will address the
• SB 757 empowers local governments to act decisively and equitably to protect our vulnerable communities

Summary: The committee opened the June 18, 2025 Local Government hearing with housekeeping rules, noting that testimony would be in person and that disruptive conduct would not be tolerated. Because a quorum was initially lacking, the committee proceeded as a subcommittee and heard several bills before later taking formal votes once quorum was established. The agenda included 15 bills, with eight placed on the consent calendar and one bill pulled by the author. The bills discussed included SB 333, which would let San Luis Obispo County voters consider raising the local sales tax cap for transportation funding; SB 390, a district-specific measure for South San Francisco to address a Mello-Roos/CFD issue affecting properties with conservation easements; SB 394, which would increase penalties for water theft and allow local agencies to recover damages; SB 611, which would restore protections for housing projects tied to adopted community plans while CEQA litigation is pending; SB 757, which would allow nuisance abatement liens or special assessments to collect cleanup costs for chronic nuisance properties; and SB 489, which would require public agencies involved in housing approvals to post application requirements online. Supporters generally framed the bills as tools for infrastructure financing, housing production, transparency, public safety, or deterrence of theft and blight. Opposition was heard on SB 757, with critics warning about due process, foreclosure risk, and displacement of low-income homeowners. After quorum was called, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 757, and later approved SB 489 on a 10-0 vote. The consent calendar bills—SB 74, SB 225, SB 272, SB 409, SB 558, SB 735, SB 736, and SB 737—were approved together. SB 333 advanced on a 7-2 vote, SB 390 passed 9-0, SB 394 passed 9-0, and SB 611 passed 10-0. The hearing concluded with the committee adjourned after all listed actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would protect sponsoring this bill.
• This is the most important bill if we really have a medical program protecting the most vulnerable.
• This is the most important bill if we really have a medical program protecting the most vulnerable.
• This is the most important bill if we really have a medical program protecting the most vulnerable.
• This is the most important bill if we really have a medical program protecting the most vulnerable.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 3025, relating to medical debt, with multiple organizations and individuals, including the Office of Wellness and Resilience, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Queens Health Systems, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Aloha Care, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction, Hawaii Data Collaborative, and Hawaii Appleseed, all speaking in support. No opposition was heard, and the member present had no questions. The committee then took up SB 3199, which would establish a mental health emerging therapies task force. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with speakers including veterans, clinicians, researchers, and advocacy groups describing personal experiences with PTSD, depression, traumatic brain injury, and treatment-resistant conditions, and arguing that Hawaii should prepare for regulated access to emerging therapies such as MDMA, psilocybin, ketamine, and ibogaine. The Department of Health and some medical organizations provided comments, and one opposition witness was called but not present. The chair noted broad support, especially from veterans, and no vote was taken during the excerpt. The final measure discussed was SB 3324, relating to Medicaid. The Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Aloha Care, and numerous care-provider and aging/disability organizations testified in support, while one witness was in opposition and several others offered comments. The discussion then moved to SB 2563, relating to homelessness, where the Department of the Attorney General offered comments on specific sections and recommended adopting suggested amendments if the bill proceeds. Additional testimony on SB 2563 began with support from several individuals, including Shelby Pikachu, who emphasized the severity of homelessness and related social problems in the community.

Transcript Highlights:

• in this fund, and I get it, it goes to the general fund, but the state's on the hook for a lot of traffic
• out of the general fund when we need a lot of it for road repairs out there because of the heavy traffic
• ><00:25:12.200><c> that</c><00:25:12.360><c> goes</c><00:25:12.640><c> to</c> the hook for lot of traffic
• that goes to the hook for lot of traffic that goes to our<00:25:13.960><c> soon</c><00:25:14.360><c>
• </c><00:25:32.279><c> this</c> there because of the heavy traffic this there because of the heavy traffic

Bills: HF1359 , HF1829 , HF290 , HF1933 , HF926

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> We balanced our budget while protecting We balanced our budget while protecting those<00:29:48.240
• </c><00:30:30.880><c> the</c> And we kept our promise to protect the And we kept our promise to protect
• legislation protects citizens This legislation protects citizens second<01:31:25.199><c> amendment</
• </c> is doing absolutely nothing to protect is doing absolutely nothing to protect his<01:56:09.599><
• They affect traffic, communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do they not also deserve protection?
• protect our communities.
• We should balance the ideals of protecting children and the public while also protecting safe access
• We should balance the ideals of protecting children and the public while also protecting safe access
• , really increase their protections for children.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee approved the minutes from its March 18, 2026 meeting and then took up a long agenda of bills and a clemency nomination. HB 2825, as amended, was heard first. The bill would replace criminal enforcement tools for nonpayment of fines, fees, restitution, and surcharges with a civil collection process, including a required summons and civil default procedures. Supporters said it would streamline restitution collection and reduce costs, while opponents argued it would weaken victims’ rights and remove effective enforcement leverage. The committee adopted the Rogers amendment and passed the bill 5-2. The committee also confirmed Neil McDowell to the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency by a 6-0 vote after hearing his background in corrections and his plans to help the board function efficiently. The committee then passed HB 4070, as amended, 5-2. That bill bars incorporation of corporations whose officers, directors, or trustees have been convicted of sex trafficking or human trafficking, and expands civil liability to those who facilitate trafficking. Supporters framed it as a corporate accountability tool to deter trafficking, while the ACLU opposed it as overbroad and potentially sweeping in people not intended to be covered. HB 2720, which increases penalties for paying or agreeing to pay for sexual conduct and adds a fee to support anti-trafficking services, also passed, 4-3. Supporters, including survivors and law enforcement, said it targets demand and helps victims; opponents warned it could criminalize victims and lacked sufficient safeguards. The committee heard several additional bills. HB 2047 would raise trespass penalties after eviction-related writs of restitution from third-degree to first-degree trespass; the sponsor and constables said it would improve scene safety and encourage law enforcement response. HB 2136 would create new crimes for “civil terrorism” and “subversion” and increase penalties for certain highway obstruction; the ACLU argued it would punish protest and speech critical of government. HB 2406 would make images and recordings of abused children and deceased minors confidential, limit dissemination, and impose civil and criminal penalties for misuse; supporters said it would prevent re-victimization and reduce trauma, while defense and media concerns were raised about access. HB 2415, dealing with kratom and 7-OH products, drew sharply divided testimony over whether the bill is a needed safety regulation or an overbroad ban that could push users to illicit drugs; the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the protecting property values is more important than protecting private property rights of others
• So the so protecting property live.
• Traffic, traffic, traffic. People in town can change the ordinances as the town changes.
• Traffic, traffic, traffic. People in town can change the ordinances as the town changes.
• protection areas.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• In the law, we specifically protected public schools and charter schools, but we did not protect private
• So this is a consumer protection bill. I like to call them constituent protection bills.
• This is SB315, which is a protection for each of our individual DNA.
• The intent of the bill is absolutely the protection of DNA data.
• I would like to make clear I am in support of genetic protection of our DNA.

Bills: SB315 , SB584 , SB1228 , SB1484 , SB1860 , SB1802

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• It benefits through police protection, fire protection, roads, sewer, and water.
• That mechanism that protects the consumer is the Public Utility Commission.
• So the inflow to your house, you're rate protected; the outflow, you're not.
• All permits issued have been for the protection of livestock, wildlife, or domesticated animals.
• We still have existing protections for our students, particularly our protections for our students with

Transcript Highlights:

• I know it sounds counterintuitive, but you get so much junk traffic that you can't actually—it's the
• Our initiative is to protect the lives of children in our schools.
• So there need to be some kind of protections put in place to protect our children.
• Regardless of who we choose, our kids are the ones that we need to protect.
• This is designed to protect school kids in the school environment.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• asked to cut in other places, that workers with disabilities are also being taken care of... ...and protected
• Traffic control safety costs will increase with increased commuters.
• It's about protecting children from measles and lead in school fountains.
• Well, now he's dragging us into more traffic, parking, and carbon problems.
• Maddie, and I help identify impaired and pollutant water bodies so that we all have clean water and protect

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 heard updates from the Secretary of State, EDD, the State Controller’s Office, CalHR, and DGS on a range of budget proposals and federal policy impacts. Secretary of State Shirley Weber opened with remarks about California’s election system, emphasizing its safety, transparency, high voter registration and vote-by-mail participation, and the office’s response to bomb threats and other election threats. Her staff then presented funding requests for the Cal-Access Replacement System (CARS) and Help America Vote Act/VoteCal activities, describing them as needed to modernize campaign finance and lobbying disclosure systems and maintain election security and voter services. A major portion of the hearing focused on federal election policy, especially the potential effects of a presidential executive order and the SAVE Act. Secretary of State staff said California would face significant, potentially unquantifiable costs if forced to comply, including new burdens on county recorders, county election offices, and the Secretary of State’s office, and warned of voter disenfranchisement, especially for students, seniors, disabled voters, military and overseas voters, rural residents, and people with limited transportation. Members and public commenters strongly opposed the federal proposals and argued California’s current system is functioning well. The committee also heard that federal HAVA funds were not expected to be at risk because the state draws them down into an interest-bearing account. EDD reported on paid family leave, explaining that recent delays were tied to a system transition and increased claim volume, and said it was simplifying applications and adding staff and automation. Public testimony supported expanding paid family leave to chosen family. EDD also said it is prepared for possible unemployment spikes, citing a recession plan, a command center, and recent hiring. The State Controller’s Office requested funding to continue the Fiscal migration project, which would move the state’s accounting book of record to the new system by July 1, 2026; Finance and LAO had no objections, and the committee expressed support for the project’s progress. CalHR presented a proposal for a statewide recruitment, outreach, and education paid media campaign under AB 1511, saying its current advertising budget is too small to reach diverse communities effectively. The final item addressed Governor Newsom’s executive order requiring a return to office on a four-day schedule. CalHR and DGS said they were working department-by-department to assess space, parking, transit, and other logistics, but had not completed a statewide cost analysis. Members and many public commenters criticized the order, arguing it was rushed, costly, harmful to telework benefits, and potentially disruptive to workers, especially those with disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, or long commutes. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Be our protection against the wickedness and the snares of the devil.
• Weapons from gun stores in Arizona are arming those cartels, and those same cartels traffic fentanyl
• So eliminating this tool of the merchant codes removes a layer of protection that prevents gun-related
• This bill actually protects Arizonans from having to deal with another gun firearm registry.
• It protects school districts, but it still allows counties, cities, towns, and community colleges to